USA > Ohio > Ohio in four wars, a military history > Part 4
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THE WAR OF 1812
request, he was ordered to Lake Erie. Within twenty-four hours he was on his way to Erie, which place he reached on March 27, 1813, after traveling chiefly in sleighs. There he found Noah brown, shipwright and Sailing Master Dobbins awaiting the arrival of fifty ship car- penters from Philadelphia. It took these men five weeks to make this winter journey.
By almost incredible toil and hardship, from the virgin forest Perry built the little fleet that constituted the American Navy on the Lakes. By July 25, the vessels were completed and armed. On August 17, the fleet was in San- dusky Bay where General Harrison came aboard the "Lawrence," Perry's flagship, to talk over the proposed movements. After Harrison left, Perry sailed away and put in his time looking for the enemy. He was at Put-in-Bay on the 10th of September, and from there he again set sail to meet the enemy.
His squadron consisted of the following ves- sels and number of guns: the "Lawrence," his flagship, with twenty guns; the "Niagara," with twenty guns; the "Caladonia," with three guns; the "Ariel," with four guns, one of which burst early in the action; the "Scorpion." with two swivels ; the "Tigress," "Porcupine," and "Trip," with one gun each - making all together nine
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
vessels with fifty-four guns and two swivels. The British fleet which, under a brave com- mander, Commodore Barclay, had protected the Canadian border, and was at this time display- ing anxiety to meet the New American Navy, consisted of six vessels. They were the "Detroit," with nineteen guns, one on a pivot, and two howitzers; the "Queen Charlotte," with seventeen guns, one on a pivot, and one howitzer ; the "Lady Prevost," with thirteen guns, one on a pivot, and one howitzer; the "Hunter," with ten guns; the "Little Belt," with three guns, and the "Chippewa," with one gun and two swivels -- in all sixty-three guns, four howitzers and two swivels.
The historian, Bancroft, writing compara- tively of the two squadrons, says :
"In ships, the British had the superiority, their vessels being stronger, and their forces being more concentrated; the American gunboats at the right of the American line, separated from each other by at least half a cable's length were not near enough for good service. In the num- ber of guns, the British had sixty-three, the American fifty-four. In action at a distance, the British, who had thirty-five long guns to fifteen, had greatly the advantage; in close action the weight of metal would favor the Americans.
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THE WAR OF 1812
The British commander had 150 men from the Royal Navy, eighty Canadian sailors, and 240 soldiers, mostly regulars, and some Indians, making, with their officers, a little more than five hundred men of whom at least 450 were efficient. The American crews, of whom about one-fourth were from Rhode Island, one-fourth regular seamen, American and cosmopolitan, about one-fourth raw volunteers, from Pennsyl- vania, Ohio, but chiefly Kentucky, and about one-fourth blacks, numbered on the muster roll 490, but of these, 116 were sick, nearly all of "whom were too weak to come on deck, so that the efficient force of the squadron was a little less than 400."
On the morning of the 10th of September, at sunrise, the enemy was bearing down from Mal- den. Perry's squadron immediately got under way, The wind was light and the day was beautiful, and not a cloud obscured the horizon. Commodore Perry was aboard the "Lawrence." He had privately prepared a beautiful flag to be hoisted at the masthead of his flagship. On this flag was painted in letters legible to the whole fleet the dying words of the immortal Lawrence, "Don't give up the ship." Turning to his crew he said, "My brave lads, this flag contains the last words of Captain Lawrence. Shall I hoist
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
it ?" The effect was electrifying. "Ay! ay! sir!" came from every man on the ship, and amid the cheers of his men he ran up the battle signal. Ali the vessels were ready and the decks were cleared for action.
At fifteen minutes to twelve there was a mel- low sound of a bugle from the "Detroit," and the enemy's line cheered. There broke upon the air the sounds of sweet music; it was the British band on that vessel playing "Rule Britannia." Then the crash of cannon; the "Detroit" and the "Queen Charlotte" had opened fire on the "Law- rence." She received the fire without reply, as she was not within distance to do any execution with her short guns. At five minutes before twelve the "Lawrence" opened upon the enemy. The other vessels were ordered to support her, but the wind at this time was too light to enable them to come up. Every brace and bowline of the flagship were soon shot away ; she became un- manageable, and in this situation, she was the target for upward of two hours, within canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and but a small part of her crew left unwounded upon the deck.
In the general action between the other vessels, the carnage was terrible, and from mid-day until three in the afternoon, the conflict was a desper-
PERRY'S VICTORY
(From the original painting by William H. Powell in the Capitol in Columbus. ) This painting was authorized by resolution of the General Assembly of Ohio, April 17, 1857; April 13, 1865, the Gen- eral Assembly authorized its purchase for ten thousand dollars.
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THE WAR OF 1812
ate struggle for supremacy. Both sides realized the value of a victory and the disaster of defeat. Perry acted with reckless bravery throughout the engagement. There was but one moment when his cool intrepidity experienced a shock. This was on seeing his brother, a youth of but twelve years, who served aboard as a midshipman, knocked down by a hammock, which was driven in by a cannon ball. The first impression of the Commodore was that he was killed; but the active boy jumped up unhurt and unafraid, thus much relieving Perry, who went on as before.
The "Lawrence," after the terrific attacks she had sustained, now became useless and unman- ageable. Her crew was literally mowed down and her guns crippled. Perry himself, assisted by his chaplain and purser, had fired the last gun. It was evident that the "Lawrence" could no longer be of service to the fleet. Perry ordered the pennant with the historic words of Captain Lawrence to be lowered, and wrapping it about him, he was transferred to an open boat bound for the "Niagara." He went off in gallant style and full of ardor. The enemy, observing this movement, saw the design immediately. It meant a fresh start by an indomitable commander. They directed all the fire of their great guns and musketry at Perry's boat to destroy it. Several
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
of the oars were splintered, and the crew were covered with spray from the round shot and grape which were striking the water on every side. Perry stood erect, unmindful of danger ; his crew bogged hist not to expose himself, and they threatened to lay upon their oars unless he sat down. He yielded to their wishes and they pulled with an extra will. It took fifteen minutes to reach the "Niagara." With the Commodore aboard, it became his flagship and the pennant was again run up. To the dismay of the British, they saw him on the quarter-deck fresh for a con- tinuation of the contest.
Then followed close and deadly action. The "Niagara" under command of Perry seemed to take on new strength. She bore down on the British line, and reserving her fire for close range, raked with broadsides the "Detroit" and the "Queen Charlotte," and at the same time from the other side of his vessel he poured shot into the "Lady Prevost" and the "Little Belt." The enemy stood the punishment as long as he could, and at three o'clock in the afternoon the British flagship "Detroit" lowered her flag, and for the first time in the history of Great Britain she sur- rendered a fleet. And this, too, to a young man of twenty-eight.
This splendid and complete victory, brilliant in
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its character and important in its consequences, was announced by Commodore Perry in a re- markable spirit of modesty. He sent two reports. Both of these are dated from the "U. S. brig Niagara, off the western Sister head of Lake Erie, Sept. 10th, 4 o'clock, P. M." The first was to William Jones, the Secretary of the Navy, as follows :
SIR: -- It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a signal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force under my command, after a sharp conflict.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant, O. H. PERRY.
The second, laconic and historic, was to Gen- eral Harrison :
DEAR GENERAL - We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sioop.
Yours with great respect and esteem, O. H. PERRY.
The result of this victory was of great ad- vantage to the Americans. The only barrier be- tween General Harrison, who was on the south
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
5
side of Lake Erie near Sandusky Bay, and the British base of supplies, Fort Malden, was de- stroyed. It left Detroit and the territory of Michigan at the mercy of his army. Subsequent events proved that this was all true, for the vic -. tory achieved at the Battle of the Thames de- stroyed British power in upper Canada, and resulted in the recovery of the Territory of Michigan.
The Battle of Lake Erie was the last engage- ment of the War of 1812 that occurred within the territorial limits of Ohio. In song and story and on painter's canvas, Perry's Victory has . been celebrated as an event of gallantry and patriotism that has added to the glory of the Re- public. "We have met the enemy and they are ours" became an epigram of our National litera- ture, and it will live in the memory of the Ameri- can Navy, for around it cluster some of the bravest deeds of her seamen.
To the expenses of the War of 1812, Ohio con- tributed very largely through taxation levied by the Government. Under the act of August 13, 1813, she contributed $104,150, and under that of January 9, 1815, she raised $208,300. This tax was in the nature of internal duties on the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits, licenses on carriages and auctions, and bank stamps.
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CHAPTER III.
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
T HE war with Mexico was declared May 13, 1846. Hostilities had been com- menced by the Mexicans before this. They had crossed over to the east bank of the Rio Grande, and on May 8th gave battle to Gen- eral Taylor's forces at Palo Alto. When Presi- dent Polk learned these facts, he sent a special message to Congress, May 11th, 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 President'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
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THE WAR WITH MEXICO 65
dissenting, declaring that "by the acts of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between the United States and that Republic." The Pres- ident was authorized 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 be- came 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 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 wide-spread war spirit in Ohio, or, in fact, throughout the North. In the South, though, the enthusiasm was great and unconfined. There was difficulty in suppressing 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 advertisements 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 re- sponse in soldiers or enthusiasm.
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
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 faith- lessness, falsehood and insolence on the part of Mexico toward our Government. She was guilty of aggravating wrongs, refused to adjust right- ful claims, declined to arbitrate subjects of dif- ference, and, to cap the climax, she had invaded our soil and murdered our citizens. The objection of the Whigs that it was waged to acquire addi- tional slave territory has been answered by "man- ifest destiny." In all the territory acquired from Mexico through this war under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo -- California, Arizona, Ne- vada, 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 Bart- ley issued his proclamation May 20, 1846, ap- pealing to the courage 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 companies 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 re-
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THE WAR WITH MEXICO
ceived, three thousand Ohioans were marching toward the rendezvous. Before June forty com- panies 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 re- viewed 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 organ- ized into five infantry regiments, fifteen inde- pendent 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 little has been written or pre- served in the way of general literature concern-
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
ing it. It is proposed here to give a detailed his- tory 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 Gen- eral of Ohio.
The First Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer In- fantry was organized at Camp Washington, June 23, 1846, and was transferred by the Gover- nor of Ohio to the service of the United States and accepted by General Wool on that date. The officers of the regiment were Colonel Alex- ander 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 re- cruited, 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.
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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 ar- rived before Monterey on the 19th of August. Under General Taylor it entered the town under a heavy fire from the enemy. This was its bap- tism of blood, and right bravely did the regiment conduct itself. Colonel Mitchell and Adjutant Armstrong were wounded and Lieutenant Mat- thew was killed. General Thomas L. Hamer wrote to Governor Bartley of the gallant conduct 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 sustaining the honor of Ohio.
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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 batter- ing cannon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
TH. L. HAMER, Brig. Gen., U. S. A.
His Excellency, M. Bartley,
Columbus, Ohio.
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 rendezvous, Camp Washington, June 22, 1846. George W. Morgan of Mt. Vernon was its Col- onel, William Irvin Lieutenant Colonel and Wil- liam Wall Major. The companies composing the regiment, with their officers and places of recruit- ment, 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.
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THOMAS CORWIN
Born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, July 29, 1794; elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1822 and again in 1829; member of Congress, 1831-41; Governor. 1841-43; became United States Senator, 1845: Secretary of the Treasury under President Fillmore. 1850.52; again member of Congress, 1859-61; Minister to Mexico from March, 1861, to May, 1864; died in Washington, D. C., December 18, 1865.
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John F. Mickum (F), Columbus.
Evan Julian (G), Lancaster. Richard Stadden (H), Newark. Daniel Bruner (I), Circleville.
William A. Latham (K), Columbus.
July 9, 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 regimenit: "The Gen- eral commanding cannot see the Ohio regiments separate from his command without expressing the entire satisfaction which their good disci- pline, orderly conduct, and fine military appear- ance 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 country, and that they bear with thein the hearty good will and sincere ad- miration of the companies and commander."
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
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 Gen- eral 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, showing 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.
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 protecting wagon trains and escort
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THE WAR WITH MEXICO
duty, and was mustered 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 Cincinnati in June, 1847, with Colonel Charles H. Brough, Lieutenant Colonel Melchior Wer- ner and Major William P. Young as field of- ficers. Its original captains and places of re- cruitment 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 1, 1847, landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande, marched to Matamoras 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 Regi- ment participating in it with bravery and success.
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OHIO IN FOUR WARS
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 Cin- cinnati.
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 companies would reenlist, and accordingly a new regiment was created with William Irvin as Colonel. It was originally in- tended that the regiment should be known as the "Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry"; but the records 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 2d Ohio Volunteer Infantry."
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