USA > Ohio > History of Ohio; the rise and progress of an American state, Volume Four > Part 4
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
experience as a militia general, and Corwin heaped on his defenceless head all the ridicule that a pompous hero of that type would naturally invite. No descrip- tion can convey the power and humor of this speech; it can be read to-day with appreciation and enjoyment. When it was published the whole nation joined in a laugh. It ended politically poor Mr. Crary forever. John Quincy Adams referred to him on the floor of the House next day as "the late Mr. Crary of Michi- gan."
Corwin's place in the campaign was peculiarly his own. While on every occasion General Harrison attracted larger crowds, Corwin was in universal demand at them all. In July, he engaged in a joint debate with Thomas L. Hamer at Columbus. His competitor, Governor Wilson Shannon, was an able lawyer of St. Clairsville and popular, as is evidenced by the fact that he received over five thousand more votes than Martin Van Buren. Governor Shannon was aided in his campaign by such distinguished Democrats as Vice-President Richard M. Johnson, Senator William Allen and Thomas L. Hamer. Thomas Corwin assumed the duties of the Governor's office December 16, 1840.
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CHAPTER III. OHIO IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
T HE office of Governor did not prove attractive to Mr. Corwin. It afforded no opportunity to display either his talents or abilities. In those days it was a position more of dignity than of power. He used to say that his principal duties were "appointing notaries public and pardoning con- victs in the penitentiary." The salary was fifteen hundred dollars a year, and the Governors of Ohio spent very little time in Columbus. The majority of Corwin's predecessors had been farmers, and they only came up to the capital at rare periods, and these were between seed time and harvest. As he was a lawyer of extensive practice, he spent most of his time in the practice of his profession at Lebanon.
Addison P. Russell, who was formerly Secretary of State of Ohio (1858-62), and who survived to a dignified old age at Wilmington, Ohio, wrote a delightful monograph ("Thomas Corwin. A Sketch." Cincinnati, 1881), which is a neighbor's tribute to, and an analysis of, Corwin's character and life. In passing it may be noted also that his "Library Notes," 1879; "Characteristics," 1884; "A Club of One," 1887; "In a Club Corner," 1890, and "Sub-Coelum," 1893, are among the most charming essays in American literature, and have won the love of all readers of the good and beautiful in modern letters.
But to the subject-of Governor Corwin he writes: "During the two years Mr. Corwin was Governor, he was proverbially in the best of humor. All the time he could get from public duties was spent at his home in Lebanon. He seemed running over with fun and anec- dotes, and he never lacked appreciative listeners when
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he wished to talk. Very busy people avoided him as a dangerous temptation. Young men especially gathered about him with big eyes of wonder. They had no envies or jealousies to prevent them from admiring him. To them he discoursed with the utmost freedom. With them, when his mind was fullest and freest, he indulged without limit in monologues. He was fond of young men; especially those who were inclined to improve themselves and who seemed to be promis- ing."
In 1842 he was renominated, but his old opponent, Wilson Shannon, defeated him by the small plurality of 3,893. The anti-slavery sentiment was just begin- ning to develop in Ohio, and, consolidated under the name of the "Liberty Party, " this element nominated as its candidate Leicester King. His strength at the polls was drawn largely from the Whigs, and con- sequently weakened Corwin. King polled 5,312 votes, and Governor Corwin was defeated. He never again figured in State politics, but out of this defeat came a calling to the higher plane of National public life.
In 1844 he was elected by the Ohio Legislature as United States Senator for six years from March 4, 1845. He commenced his Senatorial career in an exciting time, and he brought to his service a national reputation as one of the most influential Whigs of his day. He was confessedly the most famous and the most popular orator in the country. He stood abreast with his party in the growing sentiment against slavery, and was opposed to the annexation of Texas and a war with Mexico. It was by his speech in connection
THOMAS LYON HAMER From a painting in the Capitol in Columbus.
Born in Pennsylvania, 1800, and removed to Ohio at the age of seventeen; admitted to the bar and practiced at Georgetown, Brown county; member of Congress, 1833-39; enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, and was promoted by President Polk to Brigadier General; died in Monterey, Mexico, December 2, 1846.
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ЯЗМАН ИОУЛ ГАМОНТ
Very busy people avoided him as a
.audmulo ni lofiqsO off ni ghitaisq s mord Gung men especially gathered
ts oidO of bovomet bris ,0081 , sinsylvenst ni mod They had no besitosiq bas isd ont of bottimbs ; nootnever toogrodn admiring West freedom. bris ISW nsoix9M ont ni otsvinq's as boteiln9 :08-8881 freest, he was fond
Were inclined to 0 formed to be promis-
I rega lie wux pourmmend, but his old opponent, Wilson Sharon, delretet Won by the small plurality of 1.800. "The ant-dayery -client was just begin- ning to develop in Ohio, and, comedidared under the worse số the "Liberty Party, " this element nominated w candidate Leicester King. His strength at the was drawn largely from the Whigs, and con-
ille weakened Corwin. King polled 5,312 votes,
wo Leveror Corwin was defeated He never again wod In State politics, but as of this defeat w calling to the higher plan National public
ND Koga he was elected by the Me Legislature as Labred Suites Senator for vis moans from March 4, TRAG The commenced hi Sonoras arrer in an couldg sime, and he brought to le ervice a national TYprAtion as one of the most dueurod Whigs of his day. He was confessedly the sur fowus and the wout papir brator in the country. He oved abreast with hu party in the growing sentiment Mbit slavery, und ww opposed to the annesation of Texas and a war With Mexico. It was by his speech in connection
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OF AN AMERICAN STATE
with the latter event that he impressed himself on the annals of Senatorial oratory, and became forever asso- ciated with the Mexican War.
The war with Mexico was declared May 13, 1846. Hostilities had been commenced by the Mexicans before this. They had crossed over to the east bank of the Rio Grande, and on May 8th gave battle to General Tay- lor's forces at Palo Alto. When President Polk learned these facts, he sent a special message to Congress, May IIth, saying: "Now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood on American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war. As war exists, and, notwithstanding our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interests of our country." The Presi- dent's request for men and money to carry on the war was promptly and favorably responded to by Congress, which the next day passed a bill, with only sixteen votes dissenting, declaring that "by the acts of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between the United States and that Republic." The President was author- ized to call for the services of 50,000 volunteers, and ten million dollars was given him as "sinews of war." So the war with Mexico commenced.
It was not popular at first, but eventually became so for the reason that all wars with foreign nations are popular. Nevertheless, the Whigs opposed it on the grounds that it was unrighteous and in the interest of
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the extension of slavery. This sentiment was so strong in Ohio that the war was not generally supported. The Whigs of this State felt that the annexation of Texas, which preceded the war, was a deliberate and concocted scheme for perpetuating slavery. Hence there was not a widespread war spirit in Ohio, or, in fact, throughout the North. In the South, though, the enthusiasm was great and unconfined. There was difficulty in suppress- ing recruiting in the Southern States, and fears were expressed that enough whites would not remain at home to take charge of the slaves. The usual adver- tisements calling for recruits were headed: "Ho! for the Halls of the Montezumas!" but on Whig ears all these appeals fell flat, and they gave little response in soldiers or enthusiasm.
On the other hand, it is also true, as was claimed by the Democrats, that there had been a systematic and long continued course of faithlessness, falsehood and insolence on the part of Mexico toward our Govern- ment. She was guilty of aggravating wrongs, refused to adjust rightful claims, declined to arbitrate subjects of difference, and, to cap the climax, she had invaded our soil and murdered our citizens. The test of history justifies the Mexican War. The objection of the Whigs that it was waged to acquire additional slave territory has been answered by "manifest destiny." In all the territory acquired from Mexico through this war under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo-California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and a part of New Mexico-slavery never existed.
In response to the first call of President Polk for three regiments from Ohio, Governor Bartley issued
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his proclamation May 20, 1846, appealing to the cour- age and patriotism of the State to render promptly the required aid. Samuel R. Curtis, Adjutant General of the State, established a general rendezvous at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, to which point all com- panies were ordered to proceed as soon as organized.
That there was a sustaining war sentiment in Ohio is evidenced by the fact that in less than two weeks after the President's requisition was received, three thousand Ohioans were marching toward the rendezvous. Before June forty companies were in their tents at Camp Washington. During this month companies assembled here from all over the State; indeed, more appeared than necessary to fill the quota, and these, with much clamor and dissatisfaction, were turned homeward. The thirty companies in camp were ordered by Governor Bartley to be organized into three regiments, and these, after being reviewed by General Wool, who was on his way to Mexico, were mustered into the service of the United States for one year.
The recruiting of volunteers was kept up until the Ohio military forces for the war were organized into five infantry regiments, fifteen independent companies of infantry, five companies for the Fifth United States Infantry, and one company of United States Mounted Riflemen. There were about seven thousand officers and men in the Mexican War from Ohio in the army, not including the navy, and these constituted about one-eighth of the entire land forces.
The part that Ohio played in this conflict has been largely overlooked from the fact that the great Civil War of 1861 so overshadowed it in importance that
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little has been written or preserved in the way of general literature concerning it. It is proposed here to give a detailed history of each of the regiments engaged in Mexico from Ohio. It will show that the State per- formed its duty in this conflict with the same vital earnestness that it has whenever the Union called upon it for assistance.
The data following has been collated from the official records of the office of the Adjutant General of Ohio.
The First Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Washington, June 23, 1846, and was transferred by the Governor of Ohio to the service of the United States and accepted by General Wool on that date. The officers of the regiment were Colonel Alexander M. Mitchell, Lieutenant Colonel John B. Weller, and Major Thomas L. Hamer. Major Hamer was promoted to Brigadier General, and Luther Giddings became major of the regiment. This regiment was recruited principally from Southern Ohio. Its captains, and where recruited, were as follows:
Robert N. Moore (A), Cincinnati.
Luther Giddings (B), Dayton.
Lewis Hornell (C), Cincinnati.
Edward Hamilton (D), Portsmouth.
John B. Armstrong (E), Cincinnati.
Edward D. Bradley (F), Lower Sandusky.
Sanders W. Johnson (G), Cincinnati.
Philip Muller (H), Cincinnati. James George (I), Cincinnati.
William H. Ramsey (K), Cincinnati.
This regiment reached Mexico in July and arrived before Monterey on the 19th of August. Under
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General Taylor it entered the town under a heavy fire from the enemy. This was its baptism of blood, and right bravely did the regiment conduct itself. Colonel Mitchell and Adjutant Armstrong were wounded and Lieutenant Matthew was killed. General Thomas L. Hamer wrote to Governor Bartley of the gallant con- duct of this regiment at the battle of Monterey, Sep- tember 21, 1846, as follows:
"I wish you could have been present and seen your First Regiment in the battle of Monterey. I am sure you would have been proud of them. They walked into the most galling and murderous cross-fires of the enemy with the coolness of old regular soldiers-not a man nor an officer flinching. They formed and fired upon the enemy with steadiness and obeyed every order promptly.
"They received great credit from every officer of the Army who saw them. I regret exceedingly that our other two regiments were not with us, as I have the same confidence in them as in the First. If the war goes on-we shall all be in it before long,-you who are at home need have no fear of our troops sus- taining the honor of Ohio.
"We have now an armistice of eight weeks-and when that closes we shall probably go at it again on a larger scale.
"We are bringing up reinforcements and heavy bat- tering cannon.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Th. L. Hamer, Brig. Gen., U. S. A.
"His Excellency, M. Bartley,
"Columbus, Ohio."
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It participated in various engagements after this, the principal one of which was that at Ceralvo, March 7, 1847. Its record is that of faithful performance of hazardous duties, until it was mustered out of service June 15, 1847. Its loss during its brief term of service was twenty-four killed and forty-two died of disease.
The Second Regiment was organized at the ren- dezvous, Camp Washington, June 22, 1846. George W. Morgan of Mt. Vernon was its Colonel, William Irvin Lieutenant Colonel and William Wall Major. The companies composing the regiment, with their officers and places of recruitment, were as follows:
Hobby Reynolds (A), Chillicothe.
Simon B. Kenton (B), Mt. Vernon.
David Irick (C), Hillsboro. Simon B. Tucker (D), Logan.
Robert G. McLean (E), Athens.
John F. Mickum (F), Columbus.
Evan Julian (G), Lancaster.
Richard Stadden (H), Newark. Daniel Bruner (I), Circleville. William A. Latham (K), Columbus.
July9, 1846, the regiment left Cincinnati for Mexico, and in about three weeks they reported to General Taylor, who ordered Colonel Morgan and his command to garrison Camargo. With this place as headquarters the regiment did escort duty between Camargo and Monterey.
The service of the regiment in Mexico may be well judged by the following order of General Wool, issued at Buena Vista, May 16, 1847, prior to the mustering out of the regiment: "The General commanding can- not see the Ohio regiments separate from his command
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without expressing the entire satisfaction which their good discipline, orderly conduct, and fine military appearance have uniformly given him, and which causes him so deeply to regret that they are not to be with him in the future operations against Mexico.
"The Second and Third Regiments will return to their homes with the consciousness that they have done great credit to their State, rendered good service to their coun- try, and that they bear with them the hearty good will and sincere admiration of the companies and commander."
This regiment fought at Aqua Fria and Buena Vista, and had lost during its period of service six killed, two drowned and sixty died of disease.
It was mustered out of the United States service June 23, 1847, at New Orleans.
The Third Regiment organized at Camp Washington in June 1846, had for its Colonel Samuel R. Curtis, who was the Adjutant General of Ohio and commandant of the post, Camp Washington.
George W. McCook was Lieutenant Colonel and John L. Love, Major.
The following is a list of the original captains, show- ing their companies, by letter, and where recruited:
William McLaughlin (A), Mansfield.
Jesse Meredith (B), Coshocton.
Thomas H. Ford (C), Mansfield.
John Patterson (D), St. Clairsville.
David Moore (E), Wooster. James F. Chapman (F), Tiffin.
Asbury F. Noles (H), Zanesville.
John Kell, Jr. (I), Steubenville.
James Allen (K), Massillon.
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In Mexico it was a part of General Taylor's "Army of the Rio Grande" and was engaged in active service in many skirmishes. It did much in the way of pro- tecting wagon trains and escort duty, and was mus- tered out of the service June 24, 1847. During the year it was in Mexico its loss was sixty-four killed and died of disease.
The Fourth Ohio Infantry was organized at Cin- cinnati in June, 1847, with Colonel Charles H. Brough, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior Werner and Major William P. Young as field officers. Its original captains and places of recruitment were:
August Moor (A), Cincinnati.
Otto Zirckel (B), Columbus. Samuel Thompson (C), Lower Sandusky.
George Weaver (D), Ganges.
Michael C. Lilly (E), Columbus.
George E. Pugh (F.), Cincinnati.
Thomas L. Hart (G), Millersburg.
George A. Richmond (H), Cincinnati. Josiah M. Robinson (I), Cincinnati.
This regiment left Cincinnati July I, 1847, landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande, marched to Matamoros and garrisoned that town until September 4, 1847, when it proceeded to Vera Cruz, arriving there eleven days later.
On October 12th the regiment entered Puebla to the rescue of Colonel Childs, who held that city for twenty-eight days; October 19, 1847, the battle of Atlixco was fought, the Fourth Regiment participating in it with bravery and success.
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During its year's service the regiment loss was four killed in battle, one died of wounds received in battle and seventy-one of disease. It was mustered out of service July 24, 1848, at Cincinnati.
After the return of the Second Regiment from Mexico the War Department authorized its Lieutenant Colonel, William Irvin, to effect a new organization. It was discovered that only a small portion of the old com- panies would reënlist, and accordingly a new regiment was created with William Irvin as Colonel. It was originally intended that the regiment should be known as the "Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry"; but the rec- ords of the War Department at Washington and those of the Adjutant General at Columbus show that it was mustered in and mustered out as "The Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry."
Its original captains and the locations of the com- panies were as follows:
Nathan H. Miles (A), Cincinnati.
Richard Stadden (B), Newark.
John W. Lowe (C), Batavia.
William A. Latham (D), Columbus.
Joseph W. Filler (E), Somerset.
William T. Ferguson (F), Lancaster.
James E. Harle (G), Mt. Vernon.
Joseph E. Smith (H), Circleville.
John C. Hughes (I), Columbus. George F. McGinnis (K), Chillicothe.
The regiment was mustered into the service about September 1, 1847, and on September 10th it left Cincinnati on three steamboats for New Orleans. From thence it went to Vera Cruz, where it arrived about
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October 4, 1847, and went into camp near that city. In October General Caleb Cushing ordered the regiment to march to the interior as an escort for one thousand wagons and two thousand pack mules loaded with ammunition, provisions and clothing bound for the City of Mexico. It was on duty in and about that city and Puebla. It was actively engaged until the war closed in numerous skirmishes with guerrillas in the mountainous districts.
Upon the declaration of peace this regiment returned to the United States by way of New Orleans, and from thence to Cincinnati, where it was mustered out July 26, 1848.
The losses of this regiment were very large, consider- ing its brief service. Seventy-four men lost their lives in skirmishes with guerilla bands and from disease.
In addition to the foregoing organizations there were fifteen independent companies, each known by the name of its captain. These companies were as follows:
Duncan's (John R.) Independent Company of Mounted Volunteers. Was mustered in at Cincinnati, June 1, 1847, and mustered out August 2, 1848. Had performed gallant service on the Rio Grande and in and about Ceralvo.
Dauble's (John G.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there, December 7, 1846.
Churchill's (Frederick A.), mustered in at Cin- cinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out October 14, 1846.
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Kessler's (Herman), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there, October 17, 1846.
Durr's (George), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there, December 7, 1846.
Caldwell's (John), mustered in May, 1846, and mus- tered out at Bucyrus, October 26, 1846.
Donnell's (H. O.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there, October 17, 1846.
Ward's (Thomas W.), mustered in June, 1846, and mustered out at Cincinnati, October 14, 1846.
Moor's (Augustus), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there, October 14, 1846.
Hawkin's (Joseph L.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there November 5, 1846.
Stout's (Atlas L.), mustered in June 5, 1846, and mustered out at Dayton, Ohio, November 4, 1846.
Link's (Francis), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846, and mustered out there October 14, 1846.
Love's (John S.), mustered in June 4, 1846, and mustered out at McConnellsville, Ohio, October 29, 1846.
Kenneally's (William) known as the "First Foot," made a good record in Mexico; it was mustered in at Cincinnati, October 5, 1847, and mustered out there, July 25, 1848.
Riddle's (Robert R.), known as the "Second Foot," was mustered in at Cincinnati, October 26, 1847, and mustered out there, July 17, 1848.
The United States Mounted Riflemen, under Cap- tain Winslow F. Sanderson, was formed from the young
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men of Columbus, Norwalk and Wooster, in May, June and July of 1846. It is known on the roster as Company B, which served in the Mexican service at Vera Cruz and Puebla. It was mustered out at Jeffer- son Barracks, Missouri, August 28, 1848.
The Fifteenth United States Infantry was organized in Ohio by authority of an Act of Congress, to serve during the war. Its field officers were, Col. George W. Morgan of Mt. Vernon, Lt. Col. Joshua Howard, and Majors Leslie H. McKenney and Frederick D. Mills; the latter was killed at San Antonio, Mexico, August 20, 1847. This regiment was organized during the months of April and May, 1847. It was composed of the following companies with which their captains and places of recruit are given :
David Chase (B), Toledo, Lower Sandusky and Defiance.
James A. Jones (C), Norwalk.
Edward A. King (D), Dayton.
John L. Perry (H), Cleveland.
Moses Hoagland (I), Millersburg.
On the Vera Cruz route and in battles under General Scott, this regiment distinguished itself. It lost heavily at Chapultepec, in the storming of which it performed a gallant part, and was in the triumphant capture and occupation of the City of Mexico. It was mustered out of the service at Cincinnati, August 13, 1848.
In the Mexican service many of the Ohio volunteer officers won distinction, and some of these, by the experience acquired therein, attained high rank sub- sequently in the Civil War. Captain Ferdinand Van Derveer of the First Ohio Volunteers became a brigadier
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general; so, also, did Colonel George W. Morgan and Robert B. Mitchell of the Second, Lieutenant Samuel Beatty and Lieutenant Colonel George W. McCook of the Third, and Lieutenant August Moor of the Fourth. Captain William H. Lytle of Kenneally's First Foot also became a brigadier general and fell gallantly heading his command at Chickamauga.
There were also, in Mexico, serving in the Regular Army, a number of young officers from Ohio. They all distinguished themselves by honorable service. Some of them reached the highest military distinction in the War of 1861. Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant of the Fourth United States Infantry was in the first battle of the war at Palo Alto. From this on he saw active service at Monterey, Molino del Rey, Vera Cruz and at the storming of Chapultepec, at which place he won his captaincy. Lieutenant William T. Sher- man of the Third Artillery, who was detailed for special service in the occupancy of California, became a cap- tain by reason thereof. Lieutenant Don Carlos Buell of the Third Infantry was also brevetted captain for distinguished services on the field. In the Civil War he obtained the rank of major general. Lieutenant Charles C. Gilbert of the First Infantry and Lieutenant John S. Mason of the Third Artillery both became brig- adier generals. From which it is apparent that, for Ohioans at least, the Mexican campaigns were training schools that developed military talents which after- ward ripened into fame and high position.
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