USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 51
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The company then took boat for Brownsville and arrived in Uniontown on the 14th, and amidst hearty cheers of con- gratulation they marched to the court house where John M. Austin was to have made an address of welcome, but owing to the accidental death of his son, Samuel S. Austin, Esq., E. P. Oliphant made an address which was replied to by Sergeant James P. Downer. Sergeant Absalom Guiler then gave the final command, " Company H, break ranks," and the men once more mingled with their fellow citizens.
PERSONNEL OF COMPANY H, 2ND PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.
Colonel William B. Roberts was born in Menallen town- ship, Fayette county, Pa., January 2, 1809, and was engaged in the furniture business in Uniontown when he enlisted a com- pany for the war with Mexico. He was elected its captain, and upon the organization of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment of volunteers he was elected its colonel.
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He led his troops triumphantly through the various engage- ments from Vera Cruz to the capture of the city of Mexico, but was not permitted to enjoy the triumphs of victory, as he was seized with a hemorrhage of the lungs from which he died October 3, 1847. An account of his death is best related in a letter from his next in command, Lieut .- Col. John W. Geary to the Honorable Daniel Sturgeon, as follows :
Palacio National de Mexico, October 4, 1847.
Dear Sir :
Under circumstances the most painful I communicate to you the distressing intelligence of the death of Colonel William B. Roberts of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania volunteers.
In the latter part of August he was attacked with a fever and hemorrhage of the lungs, and although under the best medical attendance, his disease could not be checked. He bore his illness with great fortitude and resignation, and gradually declined until death relieved him from his sufferings.
I have had his body embalmed and placed. in a coffin lined with zinc, and intend that he shall be taken home on the return of the regiment.
It is due to the memory of the distinguished dead that some tribute should be paid to his memory.
Colonel Roberts was a highly useful and enterprising citizen, and his death will be sincerely lamented in the com- munity in which he long resided. By his kind and gentlemanly conduct he has won the esteem of all who were under his com- mand, and in addition to his many excellent qualities as a man, his conduct during the siege of Vera Cruz and at the battle of Cerro Gordo proved him to be a good and brave soldier. He was manly in his deportment and honorable in every impulse, and with every feeling for the honor of his country, and he was ready to do battle at her call.
He had already, in his military career, established a last- ing claim upon the respect and memory of his countrymen.
I have addressed the above to you with the desire that you will communicate to the family and friends of the deceased the information of his death, and the disposition I have made of his
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body, and please assure them of my hearty sympathies for their irreparable loss.
With sentiments of esteem I subscribe myself Very Respectfully Yours, John W. Geary, Lt. Col. Com. 2nd Regt. Pa. Vols.
The remains of Col. Roberts arrived home on the 17th of December, 1847. The funeral procession was escorted by the Union Volunteers and the Fayette Cavalry, accompanied by the committee of arrangements, and the committee of escort, with every demonstration of sorrow and respect. Services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and the remains in- terred in the Methodist Episcopal graveyard, on the 18th. A neat marble shaft marks his last resting place.
Upon the death of Colonel Roberts Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Geary took command of the regiment.
First Lieutenant Henry A. Hambright of Lancaster, a graduate of West Point, was in command of Company H at the storming of Chapultepec and Great Belen gate. He was enrolled at Harrisburg by Captain Williams and was 1st ser- geant in Company G and was promoted to 1st lieutenant in Company H August 12, 1847, by order of Genl. Quitman. He was six feet two or three inches tall and as straight as an arrow. In the civil war he became colonel of the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was made a brigadier-general. He returned to Lancaster where he retired and died about 1894.
Richard Irwin was 4th sergeant and was promoted to 3rd sergeant, vice Ed. Rine resigned. He was appointed lieutenant by Lieutenant-Colonel Geary at the city of Mexico.
Peter A. Johns was promoted from 2nd corporal to 1st corporal and to sergeant. He served in the civil war as major in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve corps, was register and recorder of Fayette county, served as a member of assembly and filled the office of postmaster from June 7, 1870, until his death, September 20, 1876.
Christian W. Leib was a private in Company G and was promoted to second lieutenant in Company H November 12, 1847, by order of Genl. Scott.
Stewart Speer was promoted to second lieutenant and was wounded at Vera Cruz and received his discharge.
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THE OLD UNION FIRE ENGINE.
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Henry N. Stillwagon was promoted from 1st corporal to 4th sergeant and was discharged at Vera Cruz.
Edmund Rine was promoted from sergeant to 3rd lieu- tenant and discharged at Jalapa at his own request. He is buried at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio.
William Quail was elected first lieutenant on the organ- ization of the company and upon the organization of the regi- ment he was elected captain, vice Capt. Roberts elected colonel. He was mustered out with the company. He lies buried in Union Cemetery at Uniontown.
John Sturgeon was elected second lieutenant at the organ- ization of the company and promoted to first lieutenant at the organization of the regiment. He took sick of dysentery at Jalapa which continued unabated until July 27th when he died in Puebla.
By orders of Col. Roberts his remains were embalmed with the intention of having them sent home for burial, but the Mexicans stole his body, which it was impossible to recover. He was a son of United States Senator Daniel Sturgeon.
Absalom Guiler was elected second sergeant of the com- pany and was promoted to first sergeant after entering the city of Mexico. He was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo. He enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun- teers in the war of the rebellion, in which he was elected major. He was a tailor by trade. He was thrown from his horse near his home on Saturday, April 26, 1873, and sustained a broken leg, which was amputated on the 27th, and he died on the 28th and was buried on the 29th.
At the storming of Chapultepec the color bearer was killed, when Sergeant Guiler mounted the wall and persisted in hold- ing the flag aloft.
Matthew Allen, Jr., died in the hospital at Perote.
Ephraim Abercrombie was discharged at Vera Cruz on account of sickness and arrived home in June.
Edmund Beeson never missed a fight in which the com- pany was engaged. He entered the city of Mexico and returned with the company.
Alexander Baine entered the city with the company, and was mustered out with the same. His home was at Hopwood, but subsequently removed to Missouri.
Zepheniah Ellis Barnes enlisted at Connellsville. Was dis-
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charged at Jalapa, 1847, returned with the company and died at Connellsville.
David Bedker went no farther than New Orleans.
William Baker enlisted and mustered in October 28, 1847, at Mexico as a substitute for John W. Skiles. He returned with the company.
Henry Bradford entered the city and while the company lay in camp at San Angel he was assassinated by the enemy.
William C. Barger went no farther than New Orleans.
Noah Bird and Thomas McBride walked out of camp at Puebla and were attacked by Mexicans who killed and muti- lated McBride and knocked Bird down, but he defended him- self with his gun and saved his life. He entered the city and returned with the company to Connellsville and spent the latter part of his life in Somerset county. He served in the civil war and died at Harnedsville, May 13, 1913.
John Bishop enlisted at Connellsville, entered the city, re- turned with the company and died at home.
Henry Bryan died of sickness in the hospital after the sur- render of the city, November 11, 1847.
William Bayse was in the hospital at Vera Cruz, and was discharged on account of disease.
Cyrus Lusion Conner was promoted to sergeant and entered the city, and returned with the company. He became a major in the civil war and died at his home at Masontown.
John R. Crawford was promoted from 3rd corporal to 2nd corporal. Promoted to sergeant. Came home with the com- pany and was subsequently killed by the kick of a horse.
Harvey Chipps died in the city of Mexico October 21, 1847.
Samuel Caineworthy was left behind at Perote hospital where he died July 27, 1847.
Caleb Crossland enlisted as a fifer for the company, and was discharged from the hospital, on account of sickness, at Vera Cruz.
John A. Cummings served in the war for the independence of Texas under General Sam Houston in which he was taken prisoner and kept at work in the city of Mexico until the inde- pendence of Texas was acknowledged, and he drew a pension as a Texan soldier. He enlisted in Company K, 1st Pennsyl- vania, and enrolled by transfer at Vera Cruz by Captain Quail in Company H, 2nd Pennsylvania. He was promoted to 1st
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sergeant at Jalapa. He entered the city and was mustered out with the company.
John Davis (long) left the company at Camp Jackson, New Orleans.
John Davis (short) was transferred to Capt. Hardy's dragoons at Vera Cruz in exchange for William Thompson.
Hiram Downer was discharged on account of sickness just before the battle of Vera Cruz, and died on his way home at Mills Point, May 6, 1847, and was buried on the river bank. A little girl planted a bush on his grave, remarking that as he was a soldier some one in the future might seek his grave. Isaac Johnson was sent on by the family, and by the aid of the little bush he was enabled to find the grave, and brought the remains home for burial. The funeral was held from his late home at Chalk Hill and the interment was made, with military honors, in the Great Bethel Baptist burying ground at Uniontown.
James P. Downer was promoted from 4th to 3rd corporal and to sergeant. He entered the city and came home with the company.
On marching from Vera Cruiz he saw Lieut. Sturgeon, suffering from dysentery, leaning against a tree, and Sturgeon fell into Downers's arms who took him to the hospital at Puebla, where he was left and where he died.
Sergeant Downer became captain of the Junction City (Kansas) company during the rebellion. He became major of an Indiana regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. He was twice elected a member of the legis- lature, and died at Sagauche, Colorado.
George Ducket was discharged on account of sickness at Vera Cruz, and died on his way home.
William Freeman entered the city with his company and was honorably discharged with the same. He also enlisted in the war of the rebellion, September 30, 1864, and served in Company A, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged June 28, 1865. He also offered his services to his country in the Spanish-American war, but was rejected on account of his age. He died at Middle Run, German township, August 31, 1911; the last survivor in Fayette county
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of Company H, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment in the war with Mexico.
Benjamin Franklin Frey was wounded at Vera Cruz, hav- ing been shot by Edmund Beeson in mistake for a skulking Mexican in a chaparal, and was taken to the hospital. He entered the city with his company and was honorably dis- charged with the same. Dr. Post of New Salem subsequently removed the ball from his body. He died at his home at Dun- bar, after serving in the war of the rebellion.
Andrew Ferguson enlisted at Waynesburg and was killed at Tuca Bayou.
Wilson Fee died at Perote July 19, 1847. He was a cousin of Capt. Thomas M. Fee, of Connellsville.
John W. S. Fetter was a young physician and became so emaciated by dysentery that he could be carried in one hand. He died March 24, 1847, being the first man to die after landing at Vera Cruz.
Daniel E. Forey was 1st sergeant in the company and died at Vera Cruz April 18, 1847.
Henry Forey discharged at Vera Cruz.
Henry Fowg died at Jalapa.
Jesse Beeson Gardner entered the city with his company. Was promoted to ensign and was honorably discharged with his company. He subsequently became major in the 8th Penn- sylvania Reserve Corps. He died in Uniontown January 7, 1898.
John Giles went as far as New Orleans.
James Gordon was left sick at Puebla and it was falsely reported that he died there, but James P. Downer wrote that he was discharged on account of sickness at Puebla and died at New Orleans in November, 1847.
Elijah Gadd was discharged at Vera Cruz on account of sickness and arrived home in June, 1847. He removed to Bowl- ing Green, Ky., where he died.
John S. Gibson was discharged from the hospital at New Orleans. He spent the latter part of his life at New Castle, Pa., and became an inmate of the soldiers' home at Dayton, Ohio, in 1906.
Daniel K. Garrett was a drummer from Morgantown and was persuaded to enlist by John Crossland, the fifer. He
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entered the city with the company and was mustered out with the same.
Samuel Hyde was promoted to 4th corporal in January, 1847, and died at Puebla.
Alexander Hood was a tailor by trade and enlisted at Con- nellsville. He was detailed to sew up the dead soldiers in blankets for burial. The government furnished coffins after the capture of the city. Mr. Hood died in the city of Mexico October 10, 1847.
Daniel Hardesty was mustered in with the company, served through the campaign and was mustered out with the company.
Harvey Henderson got no farther than Camp Jackson, New Orleans.
Daniel Hazzard was discharged on account of sickness at Vera Cruz, and sent home. He lived to a good old age.
James Hutchinson went no farther than Camp Jackson, New Orleans and died at Madison on his way home.
George Hicks was enlisted at Vera Cruz by Capt. Quail and died at Jalapa June 10, 1847.
John Hutchinson was discharged at Vera Cruz.
Hezekiah Inks-Henry Bradford in writing to Henry Langley under date of December 5, 1847, states that Hezekiah Inks died at Perote June 24, 1847, and was buried there.
Oliver E. Jones went no farther than Camp Jackson, New Orleans. He was from near Fairchance, and in later years re- moved to Kentucky.
Jackson Kilpatrick entered the city with his company and was honorably discharged with the same. He served through the war of the rebellion, and was later killed while walking the railroad track near Dunbar.
John King went no farther than Pittsburgh.
John P. Kilpatrick was carried into the city of Mexico after having been wounded at the storming of Chapultepec and was discharged with his company. He served as commissioner of Fayette county, 1876-79, and died at his home in Connells- ville March 14, 1898, aged 74 years.
Cornelius McMichael, Lieut. Ed. Rine writes, was in the hospital at Vera Cruz and was discharged on account of sick- ness and died on his way home at New Orleans July 17, 1847.
William Moore was a half-brother to Thomas Fenn. He died at Puebla July 31, 1847.
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Thomas McBride was a brother of ex-Sheriff James Mc- Bride. He in company with Noah Bird strolled from camp at Puebla when they were attacked by Mexicans when McBride was killed, August 14, 1847, and his body mutilated by the enemy.
John Metz entered the city with his company and was dis- charged with the same and died at his home in Connellsville.
Samuel Morgan was terribly wounded at the storming of Chapultepec and was carried into the city. He was discharged on account of his wounds and returned and died at home and is buried at Hopwood.
John Mustard was a carpenter and died in the hospital at Perote June 24, 1847.
William Mendenhall was six feet, six and a half inches tall and was wounded in the heel at the entrance of the city, and was discharged on account of his wound.
John McGillis left the company at Camp Jackson, New Orleans.
William P. Nicholson was discharged at the city of Mexico on account of sickness and died on his way home, at Island No. 80 on the Mississippi river, near Vicksburg. His body was brought home and buried at the Old Stone meeting house at New Geneva.
Albert G. Nicholson returned home perhaps five years before his death, and died in the vicinity of New Geneva.
Jacob Orwin, discharged at Mexico.
Samuel Page served through the campaign, entered the city and was honorably discharged with his company and died at his home at Connellsville.
Andrew Pritchard died at Perote September 28, 1847.
John Pollock served through the campaign, entered the city, was honorably discharged and served through the war of the rebellion and died at the Soldiers' home at Dayton, Ohio, and was there buried.
Michael Palmer entered the service August 30, 1847, and was mustered out July 12, 1848.
Bell Pixler served through the campaign. He was from Smithfield and returned home and after 34 or 35 years he re- moved west.
Joseph Roody died of sickness at Perote July 25, 1847.
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Henry Rist served through the campaign, entered the city and was honorably discharged with his company.
John W. Skiles was discharged at Mexico by furnishing William Baker as a substitute.
Mart S. Stanley died at Puebla July 18, 1847.
Jesse S. Smith was from Masontown and died at the city of Mexico October 2, 1847.
Benjamin Stevens served through the campaign and died at the city of Mexico October 2, 1847.
John Sutton served through the campaign and died near the city of Mexico September 13, 1847.
Vincent Seals died at Vera Cruz.
David Sibley was a stage driver on the National road, went through the battle of Cerro Gordo and died at Puebla.
Evans Shriver was a tailor by trade. He was promoted to corporal and served through the campaign and honorably dis- charged with his company.
He was presented a silver medal by the Laurel Division No. 182, Sons of Temperance, July 17, 1848, for having passed through the privations and temptations of the war with Mexico without having violated his temperance pledge. A. J. Swain, R. S.
Solomon Shaw was promoted to corporal, served through the campaign, entered the city, was honorably discharged and died at his home in Connellsville.
David B. Shaw died at Puebla August 3, 1847.
James Shaw served through the campaign, was wounded at Cerro Gordo, entered the city, was honorably discharged with his company and died at his home in Connellsville.
William B. Shaw was promoted to corporal, served through the campaign, was honorably discharged with the company and died at his home at Connellsville.
John Stillwell went with Oliver E. Jones. They both left at Camp Jackson and came home, and in a few years he went west.
William Turner served through the campaign, entered the city and was honorably discharged with the company and died at his home in Connellsville.
William Thompson was enlisted from the dragoons by Capt. Quail at Vera Cruz in exchange for John Davis (short). Mustered out with the company.
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James Turner died on board of transport off Lobos Island February 4, 1847.
James F. Ward served through the campaign, entered the city and was honorably discharged with his company. His dis- charge papers rank him as 3rd corporal.
Josiah M. Winders was a Masontown boy of 19 years of age. In crossing the road from under the protection of the aqueduct at the storming of Great Belen gate September 13, 1847, he was struck by a ball and disembowled. He was car- ried to the field hospital where he soon died. He was one of the only two men of Company H killed in battle. The govern- ment sent his remains home for burial, where it was interred in the old Methodist graveyard amidst demonstrations of sorrow. His remains were subsequently removed to the Cumberland Presbyterian graveyard.
Hugh Walker served through the campaign, entered the city, was honorably discharged with his company and died the next day after his arrival home.
William B. West left at Camp Jackson, New Orleans.
Joseph Widdows served through the campaign, entered the city and was honorably discharged with the company.
Isaac Wolverton died at Puebla.
Charles C. Yeoman died at Puebla.
Josiah M. Winders in writing to Archibald Scott of Masontown under date of June 3, 1847, Jalapa, Mexico, states :
" After the battle of Vera Cruz we took up our march for the city of Jalapa on April 9th, and after four days' march we came to a small stream called Rio del Plano where we en- camped. Genl. Twiggs' division was one day's march in ad- vance of us, and about two and a half miles from Rio del Plano and was attacked by the Mexicans. He fell back on account of not having enough men to go ahead. He lay there until the balance of the army came up. After we had all gotten up the engineers were sent to see and search whether the Mexicans were fortified on the pass. After minute search they found that the Mexicans were strongly fortified on the pass. They had seven batteries, forty-two guns, some 24 and some 18 pounders, and about 20,000 men. Here was to be a mighty struggle to pass the place. The work must be done. On the 18th, after a full consultation of General Scott with his other generals, we took up our march for the battlefield. We were to
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charge on a battery on the left hand side of the road. Away we went, right towards the mouth of the cannons, loaded with grape and canister, ready to be discharged among us. After a few hundred yards' march, the word 'charge' was given by Genl. Pillow. The Tennesseeans were in front, and in a few moments the cannons poured forth their deadly fire into our ranks. I cannot describe my feelings. I expected every moment to be shot down; seeing my fellows falling all around me, and still going on in the thicker fire-the balls flew as thick as hail. In a few minutes all was over : the Mexicans completely routed ; 2,000 of them killed and 5,000 taken prisoners. This was the most glorious victory that ever was won by the American army. This battle took place between Vera Cruz and Jalapa, fifty- five miles from Vera Cruz. It is called the battle of Cerro Gordo. Among the prisoners was General Vega. He was taken at the moment of touching off a cannon. I think that the battle of Cerro Gordo will end the war with Mexico, for I do not sup- pose that they can ever raise another army that would be of any service to their country. Major-General Winfield Scott is at present in the city of Puebla laying out plans for the capture of the city of Mexico, for where he will start in a short time, and I think he will not be there long until he will make a treaty between the two nations, and finally suspend hostilities.
General Scott is a very noble man indeed. He has deep thoughts on war matters, and can plan a battle as well as any other man now living. General Worth is not far behind.
Josiah M. Winders."
APPENDIX TO THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
The history of Uniontown concerning the war with Mexico would be incomplete without the mention of the part taken by two of her prominent resident attorneys, Daniel R. Davidson, Esq., and Samuel Stevens Austin, Esq.
An article printed in the Genius of Liberty stated that Thomas R. Davidson of this place was on his way to the seat of war without as yet being attached to any company. He is a gentleman and lawyer of most respectable attainments and intellect.
Mr. Davidson aspired to the office of lieutenant-colonel at the organization of the regiment, but was defeated by Captain John W. Geary, when he determined to go to the seat of war
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without being attached to any company. He went as far as Vera Cruz, and after witnessing the capture of that city and the castle of San Juan de Ulua he returned home.
Captain Samuel Stevens Austin was captain of the Union Volunteers and tendered the services of his company to the president of the United States to serve in the war with Mexico, and being unsuccessful in having his company accepted, he turned his energies to assist Col. William B. Roberts in enlisting; a company, which Mr. Roberts, after several unsuccessful ef- forts, succeeded in having accepted.
At the organization of the company, Mr. Austin became a competing candidate for the captaincy, for which position hej was fully qualified, and no doubt had some assurance of suc- cess, but was defeated by Col. Roberts.
He then determined to go as an independent soldier, and directed the following letter to Col. William Redick, then in command of the Fayette county militia.
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