History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 3

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Senate :

Yeas .- Messrs. Allen, Bissell, Brady, Craighill, Faran, Hohnes, Hough, Humphreys, Hunt, Ihrig, Mathews, Mitchell, Patterson, Shideler, Spangler, Stadden, Thompson and Utter-18.

Nays .- Birch, Glover, Green, Harlan, Henderson, Hostetter, Lord, Nash, Perkins, Shan- non, Smith, Thomas, Tod, Tracy, Vance and Speaker-16.

6. Senate, March 6, 1843. Vote on resolutions reported from the Standing Committee on Public Institutions:

Yeas .- Messrs. Aten, Clark. Harris, Hazeltine, Johnston, Jones, Koch, Louden, Miller, Mitchell, McAnelly, McConnell, MeCutchen, Parker. Ritchey, Robbins, Wolcott and Speaker -18.

Nays-Messrs. Barnett, Denny, Ford, Franklin, Fuller, Henderson, Jackson, Labm, Latham, Newton, Nash, Ridgway, Stanton, Updegraff, Vanvorhes and Wade-16.

17. House March 7, 1843:

Yeas .- Messrs. Baird, Brush, Brown, Dyington, Cahill, Clark, Douglass, Green, Gruver, Henderson, Humphreys, James, Kilgore, King, Larwell, Martin of Columbiana, Mar- tin of Stark, Meredith, McConnell, McNulty, Okey, Pilcher, Rees, Reid, Spindler, Steedman, Warner, White and Wilford-29.

Nays .- Messrs. Ackley, Atherton, Baldwin, Bowen, Campbell, Chambers, Chenowith, Converse, Curry, Counts, Dike, Fisher, Fudge, Fuller, Gallagher, Hauseman, Johnson, Kel- ley of Cuyahoga, Kelley of Perry, Larsh, McClure, McFarland, Olds, Pardee, Probasco, Robin- son, Ross, Seward, Schenck, Sharp, Smith, Tuttle, Wakefield, Webb, Woodbridge and Speaker-36.

CHAPTER II.

SECOND WAR EPISODE.

Passing the events of the earlier forties which have been or will be treated in other chapters, we arrive at an epoch which for convenience may be termed the second war episode in the history of Columbus. On February 28, 1845, the Texas Annexation Resolutions were passed by Congress, and on March 1 they were signed by President Tyler. Three days later James K. Polk was inaugurated as Mr. Tyler's successor, in the National Presideney. Texas was at this time an independent republie, claiming territory as far west as the Rio Grande. Mexico, also a republie, claimed as far east as the river Nueces. On June 18, 1845, the Texan Congress gave its unanimons assent to the terms of annexation proposed by the United States and summoned a convention to assemble July 4 to frame a constitution for the new State of Texas.

By direction of the War Department, General Zachary Taylor, then com- manding in the Southwest, sailed in July from New Orleans with fifteen hundred troops, and with this force landed early in August at Corpus Christi and took his posi- tion on the line of the Nueces. Here he was reinforced with twentyfive hundred men and remained unmolested during the ensuing autumn and winter. On March 8, 1846, he advanced by positive orders of the President into the disputed territory, crossed an arid, unpeopled region to the Rio Grande, and erected Fort Brown on the left bank of that river, opposite Matamoras. The Mexican General Ampudia, commanding on the right bank, addressed a note to Taylor demanding that he should return immediately beyond the Nueces and there remain until " the pending question in relation to Texas " should be adjusted. Acquiescence in this demand being refused, General Arista, who had succeeded Ampudia, crossed from Mexico a few days later with a force six thousand strong and attacked Taylor May 8 at Palo Alto, a few miles east of Matamoras. The Mexicans were defeated, renewed the battle next day at Resaea de la Palma, were again defeated and were driven across the Rio Grande. On May 11 President Polk sent a message announcing these events to Congress, which responded two days later by the pass- age of an act calling for 50,000 volunteers and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution of the struggle.

The call for troops was enthusiastically responded to in the South, but not so ardently in the North, where the war was regarded with deep disfavor as an aggression for the aggrandizement of slavery. Besides, in Ohio, as generally in the

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

Northern States, military ardor had become almost extinct. Militia service was considered a nuisance, and its musters and parades were subjects of ridicule. An attempt to assemble the militia officers of the State in a general encampment at Columbus in 1842 encountered such hopeless indifference that, after much effort, it was abandoned. The finest company of citizen soldiers which had ever been organized at the capital prior to the outbreak of the Mexican War was that known as the Columbus Guards, which had been disbanded some four years earlier. The Cadets, another fine company, had also been disbanded. Almost the sole remain- ing military interest in the city was confined to its Germanborn citizens, by whom two excellent artillery companies had been organized and kept in training.

But notwithstanding the laxity of militia organization and the popular dis- like of conquest for the extension of slaveholding, Ohio sent more troops to the field than any other northern state. Her enlistments for the volunteer service numbered 5,536,' from which were organized four regiments and three independent companies. Besides these the State furnished 2,321 recruits, during the war, for the regular army. The first call to meet the militia requisitions of the President was issued by Governor Mordecai Bartley May 20, 1846, as follows :

It has been declared by the Congress of the United States, and announced by the President, that war exists between the United States and the Republic of Mexico. Every day's mail brings intelligence that hostilities have commenced and are now in progress on our south- western frontier. The blood of our countrymen has been shed, and hostile demonstrations are making by Mexico to prosecute the war. Patriotism and fidelity to our country call upon us to fly to the rescue.

A requisition has been received from the President of the United States at this Depart- ment calling on Ohio for three regiments of infantry or riflemen to repair as speedily as pos- sible to the theatre of war. Under these circumstances I now appeal to the gallant and spirited sons of Ohio to come forward in this emergency and promptly meet the expectations of the General Government. Let it not be said that when our country appeals to the courage and patriotism of the citizen soldiers of Ohio for aid that that aid was not properly rendered.

Whatever may be the diversity of views, it is now sufficient for us to know that war exists on our borders, and that it is our duty to exert every effort to secure a speedy and honorable termination. This event in the history of Ohio will afford her sons an opportunity of devoting themselves to the cause of their country ; they are therefore confidently relied on to give a hearty and cheerful response to this call.

General Order Number One, issued May 20, 1846, by Samuel R. Curtis, Adjutant-General of Ohio, contains the following passages :

The number of volunteers should be carefully enrolled and the number forthwith reported by the brigade inspectors to this office. From these volunteers the requisite num- ber will be detailed, and they will therefore be directed to hold themselves ready to march at a moment's warning. . . . A principal rendezvous will be selected at or near Cincinnati, and temporary dépots will be established at Zanesville and Columbus for the purpose of organization and mustering in the service of the United States.

The act of Congress providing for enlistment of the volunteers required them to serve for a period of not less than six months, at the discretion of the President; and to furnish their own clothes, " and if cavalry, their own horses and horse equip- ments." They were armed at public expense. While in actual service, they were placed on the same footing as to clothing and pay as the troops of similar corps in

WCs Lilly

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BAKER

Residence of M. C. Lilley, 1569 East Main Street, built in 1840.

SECOND WAR EPISODE.

the regular army, and were entitled to receive in money a sum equal to the cost of the clothing of the soldiers in regular service. A general order issued by the Adjutant- General of Ohio May 25, 1846, stated that companies would be permitted to con- tinue the use of whatever styles of uniform they had adopted, but preseribed a style for general use, and concluded with the following suggestions :

The cost of the articles must vary, and it is therefore impossible to determine at the present what allowance will be made for this elothing. A cheap, strong article of cloth for dresscoats and jackets is best for the service, and for overeoats a coarse artiele of gray cloth would be best adapted to the occasion. Several of the artieles, and especially a great coat, are not immediately required. The volunteers will consult their own convenience by dis- pensing with every unnecessary burthen.

Recruiting began in Columbus immediately after the issue of the Governor's call. The Washington German Artillery declared its readiness for service, and the two old independent companies known as Guards and Cadets were reorganized, the first under the name of Montgomery Guards, Captain George E. Walcutt. Captain William A. Latham commanded the Cadets. Directly an entirely new company known as the Columbus Grays was announced. Its commissioned offi- cers were Captain J. W. Mulligan, First Lieutenent I. G. Dryer, Second Lieutenant A. P. Stone. Recruiting was greatly stimulated by General Taylor's preliminary victories, of which announcement was made in the State Journal of May 26, as follows :

The intelligence received last evening by the western mail of a conflict between General Taylor's forces and those of the Mexican General was issued from this office in an extra a little after ten o'clock. From 10:30 until between twelve and one o'eloek our press was in motion issuing extras. We circulated near a thousand eopies, and still hundreds left with- out obtaining a copy. Our citizens who had generally retired were aroused from their slum- bers by the ringing of bells, the firing of eannon, and shouts and singing prolonged far into the morning. Bonfires were kindled at various points, and all felt proud of our gallant little army which has borne itself so gallantly and threatens to end the war before aid is received.

On May 27, a general rendezvous for the Ohio volunteers was established near Cincinnati, and called Camp Washington. General John E. Wool, of the regular army, was appointed to muster and organize the troops at that point. The two Columbus companies, Guards and Cadets, were nearly full by May 30, and the third company, Grays, was organized and ready if needed. The German Artillery had been ready since the issue of the call, and many of the men were willing to serve as infantry if not accepted for their favorite arm. In all the con- siderable towns of the State volunteers were making hasty preparations for march- ing orders. Aside from patriotic considerations the opportunity for making a voyage down the Mississippi, for visiting the Sunny South, and above all for marching to the " Halls of the Montezumas " under such a leader as Taylor, had a fascination for the adventurous which it was not easy to resist. The triumphant beginning of the war was auspicions of a speedy end. No Bull Run defeat obscured the prospect. The worst dangers to be feared by the northern recruit were those arising from changes of climate and mode of life. Disease was likely to slay more than the sword, and did, in fact, claim the largest share of the vic- tims of the war.

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

On June 8, announcement was made from the State Adjutant-General's office that more volunteer companies had been organized than would be necessary to fill the requisition of the War Department. Over a thousand men were at that time under drill at Camp Washington, and several companies had arrived at Columbus where they awaited orders to move on by canal or stage to Cincinnati. Arms and accoutrements, it was stated, would be furnished to the Ohio troops from the Baton Rouge arsenal. Forty cartridges and two flints were to be sup- plied with each musket. On June 9, the following companies were en route or under orders to march to Camp Washington : The Columbus companies, under Captains Walcutt and Latham ; Captain George W. Morgan's Company, of Mount Vernon ; a Zanesville company ; Captain Meredith's, of Coshocton ; Captain Stad- den's, of Newark ; Captain Irvin's, of Lancaster; a Wooster company ; Captain Allen's, of Massillon ; Captain Brunner's, of Circleville ; Captain Reynolds's, of Chil- licothe ; Captain Patterson's, of St. Clairville ; Captain McLean's, of Athens ; a High- land County company, and four Northern Ohio companies under Captain McLaugh- lin. In orders from the Adjutant-General's office it was stated that no other com- panies than those whose geographical position was east of a north-and-south line though Columbus would be accepted, excepting those already at Cincinnati. As to the companies west of the line mentioned, the Governor hoped that they would pre- serve their organization and discipline and await orders.

Notwithstanding these orders, a Seneea County company marched into Columbus on the evening of June 10, with drums beating and flag flying. This company came entirely unheralded and was followed by a long train of wagons. As all the troops necessary to fill the requisition had already been accepted, the Governor and his staff were dismayed by this unexpected arrival, but finally arranged for the subsistence of the men until the disposition to be made of them could be considered. At this time a plan was seriously entertained for transfer- ring the surplus Ohio volunteers to the states which had not yet filled their requisitions.

For a time the organization of a regiment at Columbus was intended, but delay in the arrival of some of the companies expected to take part in the organiz- ation induced the Governor to order those already at the capital to proceed at once to Cincinnati. Accordingly the Columbus companies left by canal, June 9, for Camp Washington. The State authorities had found much difficulty in pro- viding food and camp equipage for the troops sojourning at the capital, and were doubtless much relieved when these companies were transferred to the general rendezvous.

On June 15 Governor Bartley and staff arrived at Camp Washington, where twentyeight hundred volunteers were then assembled. Two Portsmouth com- panies were denied admittance to the camp for the reason that it was already full, and a Cincinnati company, the Jefferson Grays, was also turned away. Three German companies were declined on the ground that they could not "speak and understand the English language." The discharged companies were furnished transportation home, and advised to preserve their organization, but accepted both the favor and the advice with very ill grace.

SECOND WAR EPISODE.

On June 22 three regiments were organized at Camp Washington, the field officers being chosen by the men, as follows :

First Regiment. - Colonel, A. M. Mitchell, Cincinnati; Lieutenant-Colonel, Johu B. Weller, Butler County; Major, Thomas L. Hamer, Brown County.

Second Regiment. -- Colonel, George W. Morgan, Knox; Lieutenant-Colonel, William Irvin, Lancaster; Major, William Wall, Athens; Surgeon, William Trevitt, M. D., Columbus.

Third Regiment. - Colonel, S. R. Curtis, Wooster; Lieutenant-Colonel, McCook, Steubenville ; Major, J. S. Love, Morgan County.

Of the colonels, Mitchell and Curtis were graduates of the West Point Aca- demy ; Colonel Morgan had also attended that institution for a time. Each reg- iment contained ten companies with a requisite musterroll of not less than sixty- four nor more than eighty privates each. The Columbus companies under Captains Waleutt and Latham were assigned to the Second Regiment.

The First Regiment quitted Cincinnati for the seat of war July 2; the Second, about a week later Both regiments were transported to New Orleans "on steam- boats provided for the occasion, on contract." During the ensuing November the Second was encamped at Camargo, Mexico. While the regiment was crossing the Rio Grande, Lieutenant John Arnold fell overboard from the steamer and was drowned. On December 4, 1846, Captain W. F. Sanderson, of Columbus, arrived at New Orleans by steamer Amaranth with Company B, United States Mounted Riflemen. This company had been largely recruited at the capital of Ohio, and was originally intended for service in Oregon. Its leader, Captain Sanderson, had been the commander of the Columbus Guards during most of the career of that noted company, and in 1841 had been appointed a brigadier-general in the Ohio Militia. He was an accomplished and very popular officer, with a natural taste for military life.

During the winter of 1846-7 First-Lieutenant F. S. Munford, of the First United States Infantry, established a recruiting rendezvous at Columbus, under orders from the War Department. His advertisement contained these seductive phrases :

A bounty of twelve dollars will be given, half down and half on joining the regiment to which the recruit may be attached ; also 160 acres of land given when he may be discharged. Board, clothing and medical attendance supplied by the United States. Pay from seven to seventeen dollars per month.

Some items of personal mention which assist in fixing the historical sequence of events incident to the war may here be pertinent. On May 14, 1846, Hon. Allen G. Thurman, then a member of Congress from Ohio, addressed the House of Representatives in support of the Mexican War appropriation bill. Mr. Thur- man's speech was in the nature of a reply to attacks upon the general war policy made by Messrs. Giddings, Tilden [D. R.] and Delano. Hon. Thomas Corwin's famous speech condemning the war was delivered in the National Senate, February 11, 1847.

A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, writing on February 28, 1847, concerning the battle of Buena Vista thus referred to Lieutenant Irvin MeDowell,

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

of Columbus : "Lieutenant McDowell, aid of General Wool, deserves public notice for his untiring activity and unflinching courage in the most exposed points of the field, all day." The young officer thus spoken of afterwards became a leader of armies in the Civil War of 1861.

Captain George E. Walcutt, who had resigned on account of infirmity of health, returned to Columbus in the summer of 1846. On December 31 of that year the death of General Thomas L. Hamer was announced in the Ohio States- man. He had gone to the field as Major of the First Regiment, and on July 1, 1846, had been commissioned as a brigadier-general. He was a popular and prom- inent member of Congress, and, as General Grant has since testified, a very able man. His death, which took place before Monterey after a brief illness, was deep- ly and universally regretted.

On April 9, 1847, the War Department made requisition upon Ohio for ten additional infantry companies and one company of mounted riflemen. This started recruiting again, and during the ensuing five or six weeks two new com- panies were organized in Columbus. One of these, commanded by Captain Mit- chell C. Lilley, was locally known as the Franklin Guards; the other was a Ger- man company under Captain Otto Zirckel. Rosters of these companies, copied from original musterrolls, mostly much dilapidated, now in the Adjutant-General's office, are appended hereto. The departure of Captain Zirckel's command is thus referred to in the Ohio State Journal of May 27, 1847 :

For several days past troops have been passing from this place to Camp Washington as fast as they could be pressed into the public conveyances. On Tuesday afternoon the German company took its departure from this place. The leavetaking extended nearly through the whole twentyfour hours preceding their departure. This time was devoted by them to business arrangements, parting salutations, dancing and amusements. The parting scene extended from the rendezvous in the southern part of the city to half a mile west of Franklinton, and lasted from some time in the afternoon until twilight, when the volunteers took their seats in a number of coaches and moved off amid shouts and cheers. Scores of wives, sisters and sweethearts accompanied them to that extent on their way to Mexico. They were escorted out of town by Captain Lilley's Company, the Franklin Guards, who will follow them in a few days.

The Licking Rangers, one hundred and twenty strong, Captain John R. Duncan, passed through Columbus about this time on their way to the seat of war. They were "escorted out of the city " by the Franklin Guards, Captain Lilley.

As a parting testimonial Captain Lilley's friends made arrangements to present him with a fine sword, but he preferred to have them wait and see, when he returned, whether he deserved one. The Ohio Statesman of June 2, 1847, thus refers to the departure of his command :

This fine company of volunteers [ Franklin Guards] under Captain M. C. Lilley, left this city for Cincinnati on last Monday evening [May 31] at six o'clock P. M. They formed in front of General Gale's Hotel, and proceeded to the American Hotel, according to arrange- ments, where Second Lieutenant Robert Thompson was presented with a beautiful sword by T. J. Mathews on behalf of the young men and associates of Lieutenant Thompson. . . . After the presentation, Lieutenant Groom returned thanks to the citizens for the kindness

SECOND WAR EPISODE.

shown them during the time of their recruiting, which was responded to with lond cheers. They then marched down to the bridge where they mounted the coaches prepared for them by the Ohio Stage Company, and were off amid the cheers of the people and the roar of artillery. . . . They were in full uniform of blue coats trimmed with buff and blue pants manufactured by William Burdell of this city, and looked remarkably neat and comfortable. They also had a grey fatigue suit, which is all right. Our gallant soldiers should be clothed, and so far as our companies are concerned this has been done.

By this time many of the volunteers who had enlisted under the first call had completed a year's service, and were on their way to their homes. The Columbus companies of the Second Regiment were expected to arrive early in July, and arrangements were made to give them a reception. General E. Gale was appointed Marshal of the Day, and Samuel Medary was requested to deliver au address. The day appointed for the reception was July 5, by which date a consid- erable number of the volunteers had arrived, in squads, by the western stages. A procession was formed, which moved down High Street to General Gale's Hotel, where open order was formed and the returning soldiers were saluted as they passed between the ranks. They were then welcomed by Mr. Medary.

The organization of a new regiment to be known as the Fifth Ohio, to serve for the war, was undertaken a few days later by Colonel William Irvin, of Lancas- ter, and an office for recruiting and reorganizing the Cadets for that regiment was opened at Columbus by Captain William H. Latham. Referring to this fact the State Journal of July 10 said : "Those who hunger and thirst for glory have now an opportunity to try their hand." Recruits were obtained rapidly and the new regiment was organized with William Irvin as Colonel, William H. Latham as Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Link, of Circleville, as Major. Lieutenant James Markland was elected Captain of the Columbus Cadets vice Latham, promoted.

On July 17, 1847, a report reached the city that General Scott had occupied the City of Mexico. This proved to be a canard. The actual conquest of the Mexican capital took place September 14, on which date the arrival of Scott's army before the city was first authentically announced in Columbus by telegraph. Particulars of the battles of Churubusco and Contreras were telegraphed on the same date from Pittsburgh. An armistice followed Scott's victories, and on Feb- ruary 2, 1848, a final treaty of peace was concluded.

In November, 1847, a public meeting was held for the purpose of starting a subscription for the purchase of a sword to be presented to Colonel George W. Morgan, of the Second Regiment. Byram Leonard was chairman of the meeting and D. A. Robertson secretary. The committeemen to solicit subscriptions were Samuel Medary, William Kelsey, Isaac Davis, E. Gale and Jacob Reinhard. Returning from Mexico, Colonel Morgan arrived in Columbus December 7, 1847, and on the tenth of that month was given a complimentary dinner at the Ameri- can House. The invitation to Colonel Morgan bore the signatures of forty promi- nent citizens and members of the General Assembly. R. P. Spalding and J F. Williams were appointed to escort the guest of the evening to the table. Numer- ous toasts were proposed and responded to. The sword ordered for Colonel Mor- gan arrived and was displayed at the jewelry store of Mr. Savage, in February.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 3

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196