USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175
" Resolved, That the Member of Congress from this, the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio, Hon. B. Stanton, in advocating and voting for the bill to grant pen- sions to the soldiers of the war of 1812, has the thanks of all the members of this meeting, and we say unto him, continue to do right and it shall be well with you."
At this meeting, over seventy old soldiers answered to the roll-call, fifty-five of whom were residents of Union County.
On the 15th of August, 1860, a second convention was held at Marysville by the old soldiers of the war of 1812, and Indian wars, for the purpose of again con- sulting together upon the best method of securing a pension for those who laid the foundation for the State and nation.
Col. J. B. W. Haynes presided at this meeting, at which resolutions sim- ilar to those offered at the former meeting, with the following additions, were adopted :
Resolved, That we will vote for no man for President, Vice President, Con- gress or the Legislature who is opposed to justice to the old soldiers of 1812 and Indian wars, their widows and orphans.
Resolved, That the defense of all free institutions rests mainly on the volun- teers and militia. Therefore, it is the duty of the people to rescue the Govern-
433
MILITARY RECORD.
ment from the hands of those who are opening the despotisms of Europe by an annual expenditure of $30,000,000 in times of peace and a useless standing army, which have been in all countries the instruments of tyranny and oppression.
" Resolved, That this Government was established as a beacon light to the friends of liberty in every land. It is the duty of the people to elect servants to all offices who are earnestly and thoroughly imbued with the principles of justice to the volunteers and militia and who will discourage standing armies."
There were seventy of the old soldiers from this county present at this con- vention.
The following list contains the names of the soldiers of 1812, who were resi- dents of Union County : Thomas Anderson, Henry Amrine, John Amrine, Isaac Allen, Amos Arrohood, James Bell, Abram Baughman, James Buck, Emanuel Baker, Lewis Bonnett, Jeremiah Burrows, Benjamin Bowman, Daniel Bruse, William Brooks, Thomas Burt, William Bowie, C. Brown, Samuel Beck, Hezekiah Burdock, Nathan Bigley, Henry Bennet, H. Burnham, James A. Curry, Alexander Cowgill, Titus Clevenger, Thomas Caul, Ephraim Cary, Calvin Cary, Simon Coder, Daniel Cone, Matthew Columber, Conklin, Thomas Chapman, David Chapman, Benjamin Carter, Chase Chapman, Jason Chapman, John Cratty, Ebenezer Cheney, Richard Cook, William Danforth, Daniel Danforth, Amos Dial, Titus Dort, James E. Donelson, Michael Davis, William Dawson, John Dean, Scott Ewing, William Ennis, Donelson Ewing, William B. Evans, John Foreman, Philip Fry, Enoch Fisher, Henry Farnum, William L. Feror; William Gladhill, John German, Joseph Gibson, Edward Gray, James Herd, William Hopper, James Hamilton, William Hamilton, William Hall, F. Hemenway, R. Huffman, John Heath, William Huff, Elijalı Hoyt. William Hoskins, Alexander Hunt, Francis Harper, William Harper, Willard Hill, J. C. Hull, J. B. W. Haynes, Samuel Harrett, James Irwin, Robert Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Elias Johnson, David Jones, Josiah Kelsey, Daniel Kent, William Kirk, James Kent, John Keenes, Timothy Knox, William Kent, Samuel Leeper, William Leeper, John LeMay, Thomas Lee, Isaac D. Linder, Ralph Longwell, Abraham Leonard, Hugh Moore, Joseph McClung, Thomas McFadden, McKendree, Robert McIntire, John Middleton, James Mathers, Marshall, David Mitchell, Samuel Mitch- ell, Dr. Reuben Mann, Andrew Noteman, Samuel Orrohood, John Porter, Samuel Poland, Samuel Poling, J. Powers, Levi Phelps, John Paver, Clark Provins, Samuel Rittenhouse, James Robinson, William Redding, Samuel Robin- son, John Roads, Simon Rickard, R. M. Richardson, Tobias Robertson, John Robb, J. N. Ross, William Richey, R. L. Richardson, John Solmond, Adam Shirk, Solomon Smith, Abraham Smith, James R. Smith, Paten B. Smith, Robert Stout, Orson Smith, Simon Shover, George Sager, Abe Sager, Christian Sager, Adam Shover, Jacob Snider, Samuel Snodgrass, James Snodgrass, William Snodgrass, Nathaniel Stewart, Robert Snodgrass, William Spain, Justus Stephens, Jacob Sreaves, J. Stillings, John Thompson, Thomas Turner, William Thompson, William Taylor, Aaron Tossey, Robert Turner, Thomas Tunks, Richard Vance, William Westlake, George Westlake, Samuel Westlake, Benjamin Westlake, James Willard, Benson Wilmoth, Ezra Winget, Levi Whaley, Daniel Williams, Thomas Wells, Jacob Yates.
Below are given the names of the soldiers of 1812 buried in the county, as far as can be learned, and among this number may be found representatives from almost every battle of any importance of that war :
OUR HONORED DEAD OF THE WAR OF 1812. " A dirge for the brave old pioneers, The muffled drums resound! Our warriors are slumberiug here, Near to their battle-ground ; For not alone with beasts of prey The bloody strife they waged, But foremost in the deadly fray, Where savage combat raged."
434
UNION COUNTY
Paris Township-Thomas Anderson, Infirmary Farm ; William Hall. Amrine Cemetery ; James Mathers, Marysville Cemetery ; Robert Stout, Amrine Ceme- tery ; Simon Shover, Infirmary farm ; P. B. Smith and Benson Wilmoth, Marys- ville Cemetery ; Samuel Westlake, Benjamin Westlake, James Westlake, George Westlake and William Westlake, Amrine Cemetery.
Union Township-Harvey Burnham, Michael Davis, Joseph Gibson, Reuben Mann, John Porter, James Snodgrass and James Willard, Milford Cemetery.
Liberty Township-David Danforth, Daniel Danforth, William Dawson, John Dean, Samuel Griffin, James Herd and Nathaniel Stewart.
Taylor Township-James Hamilton, James Irwin and Adam Shirk, Union Church Cemetery.
Jerome Township-Christian Adams, Frankfort Cemetery ; James Buck, Curry Cemetery ; Captain James A. Curry, New California Cemetery ; Titus Dort, Frankfort Cemetery; James E. Donaldson and Scott Ewing, Ewing Cemetery ; Elijah Hoyt, Joseph McClung and William Taylor, California Cemetery.
Darby Township-William Harper, Samuel Mitchell, David Mitchell, James Robinson, Samuel Robinson, Simon Rickard and Christian Sager, Mitchell Ceme- tery.
Jackson Township-Henry Bennet, Nathan Bigley, Benjamin Carter, Jason Chapman, Thomas Chapman, Ebenezer Cheney, Francis Harper, David Jones.
Claibourne Township-Richard Cook, William B. Evans, J. B. W. Haynes, Samuel Harrett, Isaac Linder, Robert McIntire, Jacob Snider, Thomas Wells, Claibourne Cemetery.
Mill Creek Township-Benjamin Bowman, Hezekiah Burdock, Robert John- son, John Keenes, John LeMay, John Rhoads, Aaron Tossey, John Thompson, William Thompson, Ezra Winget, Watkins Cemetery.
Leesburg Township-William Brooks, Maskill Cemetery ; Ephraim Cary, Maskill Cemetery ; Titus Clevenger, William Hoskins, Alexander Hunt, Hopewell Cemetery ; Thomas Tunks, Brannan Cemetery.
Dover Township-Lewis Bonnett, Mount Hermon Cemetery; Samuel Beck, William Bowie, Hezekiah Burdic, Matthew Columber, R. Huffman, Robert John- son, Samuel Rittenhouse, Willliam Redding, John Williams.
Allen Township-Isaac Allen, William Huff, Abraham Leonard, Samuel Poling, John Paver, William Spain, Jacob Sreaves, Buck Run Cemetery.
York Township-William Ennis. Elias Johnson, Timothy Knox, William Kirk, MeKendrie Cemetery ; Thomas McFadden. York Cemetery ; R. M. Richard- son, James R. Smith, McKendrie Cemetery ; Levi Whaley, Jacob Yates, York Cemetery.
CHAPTER III
THE OLD MILITIA.
T
HE first law passed in Ohio in regard to military matters was a " law for regulating and establishing the militia," published at Marietta, July 25, 1788 (Chase, Vol. I, page 92).
This law required all " male inhabitants between the age of sixteen and fifty" to perform military duty. The main features of this law remained in force until the year 1847, when it was repealed. In fact the law, becane a mere farce in the matters of carrying into effect its requirements.
The earliest account of a militia organization is found in a report of the Second Ohio Regiment of Militia made by Col. James Curry in 1803, of which the following is a copy:
435
MILITARY RECORD.
Return of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Highland, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Curry, agreeably to returns made by the commanding offi- cers of the several companies belonging to the said regiment, November, 1803.
Officers-1 Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, 1 Major of First Battaloin, 1 Major of Second Battalion.
Storf Officers-1 Adjutant, 1 Paymaster, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Regimental Clerk, 1 Quartermaster Sergeant, 1 Sergeant Major.
Commissioned Officers-Captains 8. Lieutenants 8, Ensigns S.
Non-Commissioned Officers-Sergeants 25, Corporals 12, Drummers 4, Fifers4, Rank and File 610.
Arms and Accouterments-Swords and belts 13, rifles 265, flints 530.
The troops have generally powder and lead-the quantity not exactly ascertained- perhaps equal to what is required by law.
Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, Second Ohio Regiment. JAMES CURRY,
After the close of the war of 1812, military matters in Union County seemed to have been very quiet for a number of years, at least little can be learned of the mili- tary affairs of that period, as the " old guards " have all been mustered out, leaving no record of their service.
From the year 1825 to 1846, the militia spirit was in a blaze of glory throughout the State. There were two laws under which the militia was organized. The old " corn-stalk militia," who were not required to uniform, and the companies and regiments that furnished their own uniforms and served for seven years, after which time they were exempt from drill. Several companies organized in the county under this law, were well uniformed and armed and became quite efficient in drill.
A light horse company was organized at Milford about the year 1830, of which Calvin Winget was the first Captain, James Riddle the second, Jacob Seaman the third, C. P. Garlic the fourth, Philip Snider the fifth and J. B. Richey the sixth.
Privates-David Anderson, Jonathan Allen, David Asher, Hollis Amy, James Boal, William Beard, Andrew Beard, Perry Buck, James Biggs, IIenry L. Burns, Ralph Cherry, Robert Curry, William Cratty, Uriah Coolidge, Ai Coolidge, Samuel D. Chapman, James W. Evans, Joseph Gibson, Andrew M. Gill, Jacob Gibson, B. H. B. Griswold, Luther Gabriel, John Hibbard, Samuel Hale, John Hale, Solon Harrington, Amza Irwin, Silas Igo, Robert Johnson, Joel Jolly, Elias Jolly, Othias Kennedy, James Kennedy. Micha Kent, Hiram Kent, Dyer Lombard. Jesse Lombard, Ray G. Morse, John Mitchell. John Morrow, Henry Moodie, George Moodie, William Morse, Isaac Morse, Moses Mitchell, William Moore, James McDonald, Samuel MeCampbell, William G. McDowell, Zacheriah Noteman, William Parkinson, Robert Paris, Jason Rice, John W. Robinson, James Robinson, William M. Robinson, Samuel Robinson, Bugler, A. P. Robinson, S. D. Robinson, James D. Robinson, James Robinson, J. M. Robinson, Thomas Robinson, Joseph Robinson, John Robinson, C. M. Robinson, Josephus Reed, John P Reed, Jacob Seaman, William Snodgrass, Samuel Snodgrass, John Smith, H. P. Smith, E. D. Smith, Abraham Stiner, Henry Vangorden, Luther Wood, Joshua Witter, Samuel Weaver, Luther Winget.
This company was well uniformed and equipped, each trooper being armed with two horse-pistols, carried in holster's, and a saber. They were well mounted and the company was composed of the elite of Union County's chivalrous young men. This company organization was kept up until the law was repealed in 1847. Several "light infantry " companies were organized in the county under the same law, and these were organized into a regiment and, with their fine drum corps of twenty snare drums, ten bass drums and twenty fifers, they presented quite a war- like appearance when on parade.
The militia laws were very rigid in their demands as to military duty. Every military subject was required to be armed with a good and sufficient mus- ket, fusee or rifle, and this was defined by the regulations to include " lock, stock, barrel and ramrod."
" Muster Day " was a legal holiday, the only one at that time provided by
436
UNION COUNTY
law, and the "old boys " had a grand time at these musters. All the old " flint- locks " and "pick-locks " of the land were brought fortli which the law defined as being " good and sufficient arms."
In those ante-bellum days, there were "company trainings," "regimental trainings, " officers' musters " and "General musters." " General musters " were the grand gala days of the year, and were considered occasions of momentous importance. The " call to arms " was sounded far and wide many weeks before the assembly, and preparations were made for it on a grand scale. Brass buttons and accouterments were burnished up, old rusty sabers and horse-pistols were put in order by the " dashing light-horse cavaliers," and the whole country was astir with a military spirit.
" Cooked rations," consisting of boiled pork and beans, pumpkin pies and all the fat of the land, were prepared in great abundance, with a good supply of hard cider and other drinkables which were sure to warm up the " rank and file " of the " bold soldier boys " to the fighting point, and many a good old deacon considered it a sacred duty to indulge in the ardent to a liberal extent on training day.
The militia law at that period required the organization of divisions, bri- gades, regiments, battalions, light-horse companies, etc.
The artillery arm of the service was very light, the old iron cannons being issued usually one in a place, at county seats or brigade headquarters ; and many an accident happened by these old guns being manned by inexperienced men.
One of these old iron guns, a six pounder, was issued to the militia at Mil- ford about the year 1838, and many pounds of powder have been wasted in that old gun celebrating political victories of all parties, Democratic, Whig and Republican.
Milford Phillips was Captain of the first artillery company organized, and afterward Philip Snider was appointed Captain of the company.
At a Fourth of July celebration at Bridgeport, Union Township, in 1847 or 1848, Mortimer Tucker had his hand torn off above the wrist, and Robert Simpson had his arm torn off near his shoulder in firing this gun. At Marysville, on the 16th day of September, 1856, on the occasion of a political meeting of the Fillmore party, the gun was being fired, and by a premature discharge, Daniel Brophy and Archibald Turner were killed and Joseph G. Hawkins, the thumber, had his thumb torn off.
The old gun was several times spiked and condemned and left on the com- mons, where, unprotected, it " stood the storms of many a winter's campaign ;" but always, on the Fourth of July, it was brought forth by the boys, and after being inspected was reported " fit for active service," and the "chief of artillery," Bill Bancroft, solicited the usual donations for powder to fire the " morning gun " to usher in the glorious Fourth.
In June, 1876, the grim old rusty gun was reported " fit for service," and the boys having donated the required amount for powder and " fire water," the chief mustered the " old guard," unlimbered and advanced to the fair ground, where she was placed in position for trial, loaded to the muzzle, the match applied, and the old gun was blown to atoms. And now, like Othello, the old chief's " occupation is gone."
These organizations were officered by a long list of " field and staff," with many war-like titles, and they were all out in full force at general musters, in feathers and spangles, with " good and sufficient swords." as the law required ; but each officer was allowed to uniform as his taste dictated. and while the dress was usually gorgeous, it was exceptional for two officers of the field and staff to have the same uniform.
Finally, the system became so useless that the laws were repealed and the old " training day " became a thing of the past.
Many of Union County's best citizens were prominent officers in the militia organizations, among whom were Gens. Chipman, William B. Erwin and William
437
MILITARY RECORD.
Steel ; Col. William Orr; Capts. Sidney Johnson and Philip Snider ; Dr. Curl, William Gibson, Oliver Kennedy, Milford Phillips James Thompson and Otway Curry.
Gen. A. Wiley, who now resides in the northern part of the county, was a prominent officer in the militia in Muskingum and Licking Counties, and he can interest his hearers by the hour with amusing and interesting incidents of the general muster period.
General musters were held at Milford and at Marysville, the camp grounds being just south of the old Amrine Mill, on the east side of the creek.
A general muster was once held in Marysville, on the south side of West Center street, between the new court house and the residence of Judge Coats.
Company musters were held on Darby, near Unionville, in Mill Creek Town- ship, and in Jerome Township, on the farms of Capt. James A. Curry and Robert Curry, and many other places in the county.
The old militia system, with all its defects, kept up a military spirit in the ranks of the young men of that time, and many a young man who served in the war of the rebellion now looks back with boyish pleasure to the time when he was first thrilled with the shrill music of fife and drum on " training day."
We close this chapter by giving a copy of a characteristic order from one of the old militia officers, found in the Marysville Argus, bearing date of April 5, 1844 :
ATTENTION RAINGERS.
The members of said Company are hereby notified to parade at Amrine's Mills, on the 20th day of April, 1844, at 9 o'clock A. M., arranged and equipped as the law requires for the purpose of Co. Drill.
JACKSON. G. SPRAGUE, 0. S.
J. CURL,
Captain.
CHAPTER IV*
THE MEXICAN WAR, 1846-1847.
" The volunteers! the volunteers! I dream, as in the by-gone years,
I hear again their stirring cheers, And see their banners shine, What time the yet unconquered North Poured to the war her legions forth, For many a wrong to strike a blow, With mailed hands, at Mexico.
"The volunteers! the volunteers! God send us peace through all our years; But if the cloud of war appears, We'll see them once again, From broad Ohio's peaceful side, From where the Maumee pour's its tide, From storm-lashed Erie's wintry shore, Shall spring the volunteers once more."
O N the 4th day of July, 1845, Texas became a State of our Union. The Mex- ican Minister at Washington had, previous to this time, ceased diplomatic relations with the United States, and soon after Gen. Zachary Taylor was ordered to enter Texas with his arms to protect the border, and by reason of the annexa- tior, of Texas it became evident that war was inevitable. When the call was made for volunteers in 1846 and 1847 to invade Mexico and settle the question
* The principal facts in this Chapter are gathered from a pamphlet written and published by Alvin Rose, who served in Company E, Fourth Obio Regiment, in the Mexican war.
438
UNION COUNTY
of the annexation of Texas, the young men of Ohio responded gallantly to the call. The State furnished four full regiments of infantry, several companies of cavalry, aud quite a large number for the artillery service-in all upward of sixty companies, and now but one muster roll can be found on file in the Adjutant General's office at Columbus.
Quite a number of the young men of this county enlisted and served in the war against Mexico. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Marysville, and when volunteers were called for many enrolled their names. This company went into camp on South Main street, near the Town Run which passes under the railroad bridge, where it remained about a weck recruiting. Joshua Brothers, William Clevenger, Jackson Coleshine, C. P. Cavis, William Graham, George Graham, James Graham, D. W. Henderson, J. G. Hawkins, John Harrison. Elisha Glick, James Johnson, J. P. Johnson, Alexander Oliver, John Price, Alpheus Parmeter, Daniel Reed and Frederick Smith, all of Union County, enlisted and served in this company, afterward known as Company E, of the Fourth Ohio Regi- ment ; and G. A. Cassil. Jonas Clark, C. P. Garlick, Milford Phillips, William Smith, John Atwood, S. W. Atkinson, Samuel Monroe and William Palmer served in Company C, of the Third Ohio Regiment, G. A. Cassil being appointed First Sergeant of the company. James Cutler, Ebenezer Carter, E. Iliggans, M. Pheas- ant, Andrew Spratt, George Skidmore and H. Woodruff, also of Union County, served in this war, but in different companies.
The majority of the Union County boys enlisted in Capt. M. C. Lilly's com- pany, of Columbus, and were assigned to the Fourth Ohio Regiment. We here give a brief history of that regiment, showing the service of the Union County soldiers in this regiment.
In the spring of 1847, the excitement consequent upon the war with Mexico had reached its zenith ; the tocsin of arms had sounded throughout the length and breadth of the land. From Texas and the Gulf of Mexico to the lakes and rivers of the North ; from the sandy shores of the Atlantic to the snow-capped mountain of the far West, was heard the report of battles and victories ; and yet the call for troops to sustain the valor of the American arms, and " conquer a peace," was constantly meeting the ears, and moving the hearts of the patriotic.
On May 29, 1847, a company recruited at Columbus, moved to Cincinnati, which was the place appointed for the regimental rendezvous, and was assigned as Company E, of the Fourth Ohio Regiment, commanded by Col. C. H. Brough, Lient. Col. Warner, Maj. Young and Adjt. Kessler.
On the 1st of July boats were ready in the river opposite the camp and the regiment took passage for New Orleans. Company E, under the command of Capt. M. C. Lilley, was placed on the steamer Alhambra.
New Orleans was reached on the 7th, and after remaining at this place until the 11th, the troops went on board the steamer Telegraph, arriving in sight of Brazos Santiago on the morning of the 16th. The next morning prepa- rations were made to ascend the Rio Grande in a boat, the William R. McKee ; on the 18th, Matamoras was reached and the regiment went into camp certain of being in the enemy's country. The camp was situated nearly opposite to Fort Brown, on the Texan side, and adjacant to it was a fine parade ground, of which good nse was made every day. In the latter part of August, orders were received to proceed to Vera Cruz and march to Gen. Scott's line of operations. Ac- cordingly, on the 4th of September, the regiment took steamboats and descended the Rio Grande to the mouth. Here it remained until the 11th, when shipping being ready at Brazos it marched over to that place, embarked on board the sail ship Tahmroo on the 12th, and on the evening of the 15th hove in sight of the sand hills near Vera Cruz ; the following morning the Tahmroo ran into the bay and cast anchor near the great castle of San Juan de Ullun. Having landed the troops, marched to a place about four miles north of the city and encamped on the beach, a miserable sandy place backed by the notable sand hills, and destitute
439
MILITARY RECORD.
of every attraction except sea breeze and good water. On the 19th a brigade was formed of the following troops: Fourth Ohio Regiment, Fourth Indiana Regiment, Capt. Simmons' Battalion of Detached Regulars and the Louisiana Dragoons, all under the command of Gen. Joseph Lane, of Indiana. Tents were struck and the long march commenced.
About noon on the following day, as the troops entered a kind of a woodland the advance guard fell in with a party of guerrillas, gave them chase and killed and captured several. In this chase, Lieut. Coleman, of Columbus, died from the effects of heat and fatigue. On the 21st the troops again moved for- ward, but after marching several miles stopped at Paso de Ovejas, where they re- mained until the 25th, then proceeded to Plan del Rio, and on the morning of the 27th moved forward, ascending the hills between the river and the heights of Cerro Gordo. This place, though picturesque in appearance, is re- markable only from the fact that here Santa Anna and his army met with a signal defeat.
On the 1st of October the brigade started on the march toward the halls of Montezumas ; on the 7th arrived at a place near the Aguas Calientes, or Hot Springs, and on the Sth proceeded on the way with the understanding that Santa Anna was at Huamantla and would probably intercept them at Pass el Pinal. Early on the morning of the 9th, Gen. Lane drew off all the troops except the Fourth Ohio, Capt. Simmons' Battalion and two pieces of artillery, which were left behind to guard the train, and proceeded toward Huamantla ; when within two or three miles of the place, he ordered Capt. Walker, with his mounted force, to gallop on, and if the Mexicans were in considerable force not to attack them, but await the arrival of the infantry and artillery. On arriving near the town, the Captain found that the main body of the enemy had started for the pass, while perhaps five hundred remained in the plaza. Upon these he made a furious charge, killing several of them and dispersing the rest, while he and his troops took possession of their artillery and ammunition. But before the arrival of the infantry, the Captain was surprised by a charge from some twenty-five hundred lancers. In this fearful fray, the Captain was mortally wounded and fell from his horse while encouraging his men to still withstand the fearful odds against them until the other troops should arrive. Soon they came to their relief, and before many minutes the place was cleared of the enemy. Among the prisoners taken on this occasion was Col. LaVega, brother to the General of the same name. also Maj. Iturbide, son of the former Emperor of Mexico.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.