USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 16
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In the midst of the excitement it was impossible for the Senate to proceed with its business, and after the speaker had abandoned his post, that body adjourned to meet the next day. When the hour arrived no quorum was present-the Whig members being absent by agreement-and of course the Senate was adjourned until the following day and so on, day after day, until December 17th, when, as before mentioned, Messrs. Butler, Sturdevant and Mon- telius left the Cunningham or Ritner branch of the House and were sworn in as members of the Democratic House, under Speaker Hopkins. This gave the latter body a quorum of fifty-one members whose seats were not disputed, so that no legal obstacle could longer prevent the Senate from recognizing it as the legitimate House. Accordingly, December 27, in the Senate, Mr. Michler, of North- ampton, submitted the following preamble and resolution, which after several fruitless attempts to amend, were finally adopted by a vote of seventeen yeas to sixteen nays :
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"WHEREAS, Difficulties have arisen in the organization of the House of Representatives, and two bodies have for some time been in existence, each claiming to be the regularly constituted House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, but neither having had a constitu- tional quorum of members whose seats were regularly returned, and neither has yet been fully recognized by the Senate;
"And Whereas, The House organized by the election of Mr. Hopkins as Speaker is now composed of a constitutional quorum of regularly returned members and being thus brought within the pale of the Constitution, the Senate ought no longer to refuse to recognize the said House as the proper constituted House of Representatives of Pennsylvania ; therefore,
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inform said House that the Senate is now organized and ready to proceed to business."
The committee so appointed immediately waited on the House, and a joint committee was appointed by both branches to inform the Governor that the Legislature was organized.
At the meeting of the House on the morning of December 27, Mr. Cunningham, with some twenty of the members of his division, were present and duly qualified. Mr. Hopkins, the Speaker, then resigned, but was immediately re-elected. General Patterson's command evacuated the borough on Sunday, December 16th, and the battalion from Cumberland county on the 23rd following, and thus ended the bloodless "Buckshot War," one of the most exciting political events in the annals of Pennsylvania history.
WAR WITH MEXICO.
In a local history it is not befitting to take space greatly needed for more important matters to dwell at great length on matters pertaining to general national history, hence in this connection it will be deemed necessary to be brief in stating the causes leading this country into a war with Mexico.
During the last days of President Tyler's administration, a joint resolution was pased in the United States Congress which the President approved, providing for the annexing of that part of our domain now known as "Texas," although the formal admission of this great state dates from December 24, 1845. In anticipation of a difficulty with Mexico, which never recognized the independence of Texas and had repudiated the treaty made by General Santa Anna, the President of that country claiming the country as her own, General Zachary Taylor, then stationed at Fort Jessup, Louisiana,
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was ordered to form "an Army of Occupation." In August, 1845, he advanced with about four thousand men to Corpus Christi, at the mouth of the river Neuces, which was claimed by Mexico to be the western boundary of Texas. This precautionary measure was not designed by our government as a hostile demonstration, and strict orders had been given the commander not "to commit any overt act." In January, 1846, General Taylor was directed to move his forces to the Rio Grande, the boundary claimed by Texas and also by the United States. This measure brought on the conflict, and the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma resulted, in which the American arms proved victorious.
James K. Polk, who was then President, at once informed Congress, then in session, that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed the blood of our citizens on our own soil." It was then that Congress declared war with Mexico, authorized the President to accept fifty thousand volunteers, and appropriated ten million dollars to carry on the war.
So intense was the patriotism of the American people that more than three hundred thousand men offered their services. To Penn- sylvania two regiments were alloted, and upon Governor Shunk's call for troops, really ere the call was issued, the number of com- panies tendering their services exceeded by ten times those required by the official requisition. At the capital there were several well trained companies of militia, all eager to offer their services in the far away southland.
At this time Captain E. C. Williams, of the Dauphin Guards, recruited a company which he offered to the Governor. This was styled the "Cameron Guards." When Captain Williams tendered his company many of his men were raw recruits. Old organized companies had been offered, but some objected to enlist "during the war." At first Governor Shunk refused to accept the company of Captain Williams, but finally, at the earnest solicitation of Colonel James Ross Snowden, General Purviance, Hon. Jesse Miller, Secre- tary of State, Colonel Henry Petrikin, and others, who insisted that the capital city of Pennsylvania should be represented, the Gov- ernor yielded.
The Cameron Guards left Harrisburg on December 26, 1846, with one hundred and seventeen men, fully equipped, for Pittsburg, via Chambersburg. From the last named point they marched the entire distance, arriving at Pittsburg the fourth day, traveling one hundred and fifty miles, encountering en route fifteen inches of snow in the mountains. The people along the line treated the soldiers royally.
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On January 2, 1847, the company was mustered into the United States service, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Field, U. S. A., and soon thereafter embarked on a steamboat for New Orleans, which city they reached in five days. The troops were then encamped on the old historic battlefield where the Ameri- can army under Gen. Jackson defeated the British, January' 8, 1815. From here the soldiers were transported by sailing vessel to the island of Lobos, in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel on which the "Cameron Guards" sailed was forty-one days in passage, encounter- ing north-east storms one after another, and it was supposed all had gone down to the bottom of the sea. While on shipboard small pox made its appearance, through two men taken from a hospital at New Orleans. Under the skill of Dr. James Grimshaw, a surgeon of the "Guards," the disease was modified and all save Captain Williams took it in a mild form. As soon as the disease had died out and the boat had been thoroughly disinfected, the command left for Vera Cruz, reaching there on the evening of the capture and surrender of the fortress, March 29, 1846.
On April 8, the same year, the American army under General Winfield Scott advanced toward the City of Mexico. No resistance was made until the Americans reached the village of Plano del Rio, near the mountain pass of Cerro Gordo. Here Santa Anna was encountered with his army strongly entrenched. The Mexicans were routed, and the following day the American forces entered Jalapa. Here the Pennsylvania troops, including the Cameron Guards, halted until the arrival of General Cadwalader, when they moved forward to Pueblo. Captain Winder's company of First Artillery and Cap- tain Williams' company were ordered in the advance. On reaching the pass at La Haya, the former occupied the hills on the left, the Cameron Guards on the right, where they remained until the entire enemy passed that point. They were then directed to make their way to the front and report to General Childs. They had reached their place in line, the troops having halted, when some scouts came riding up at full speed and reported to General Childs, upon which Captain Williams was ordered one-fourth mile to the front on the main road. He deployed his company as skirmishers to the left, encountered over two hundred Mexicans and fired upon them, killing a number and recapturing a number of horses belonging to the cele- brated Texas Ranger, Captain Walker. Shortly after firing to the right was heard, when the company, obeying previous orders, ad- vanced in that direction. Reaching the road, Captain Williams met Lieutenant Cochran, of the Voltigeurs, with two mountain howitzers. Moving along together, they soon came upon Captain Walker and
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his men, who, dismounted, were in conflict with four or five times as many Mexicans. The Cameron Guards "went in with a yell," when the Mexicans began to retreat in disorder, all the American com- panies pursuing them as far as Las Vegas, a village which in the conflict was set on fire. Expecting to be placed under arrest for the latter accident, the officers were much relieved when, on the approach of General Childs, he rode up to Captain Williams and said, "Cap- tain, didn't we show the mustangs how to fight guerrilla?" From this time this term (guerrillas) was applied to the enemy.
On May 15th the Cameron Guards, with Winder, reached Pueblo, where the inhabitants, flocking to see the troops, were griev- ously disappointed by the plain blue which contrasted so greatly with the gaudy Mexican uniform. They only accounted for defeat by saying, "The American leaders are gray-headed men."
In August, General Scott resumed his march with ten thousand men. The route was a toilsome one over steep ascents to the crest of the Cordilleras, where the beautiful valley of Mexico burst upon their view. Soon the descent was made to Ayotla, fifteen miles from the capital. Thenceforward the route bristled with good fortifica- tions.
The command under Winder was ordered to move forward via Penan fortified castle, the Second Pennsylvania in advance, the Cameron Guards in front of it as they came in full view of the stronghold. At that juncture orders came that Colonel Duncan had discovered a road which flanked Penan, which was taken. Nothing of importance transpired relating to the part taken by the Cameron Guards in the siege of Mexico until the bombardment of the citadel of Chapultepec. At the commencement, Captain Williams, with two companies, was thrown into a ditch, where they remained a day and a night. On the morning thereafter, having been relieved in the evening, they were again ordered into the ditch to protect Drum's battery, with further instructions that when the Second Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina regiments would come down the road, to take their place in line to join the storming party on Chap- ultepec.
As soon as these commands appeared on the road beyond Drum's battery, Captain Williams and Captain Hire's companies took their place, the Second Pennsylvania being in the rear. The regiments charged in that position. Between the road and the citadel there were numerous ditches, only one, that nearest the wall of the castle, containing water. The firing was terrific. The New York and South Carolina regiments took to the ditches, while the Second Pennsylvania volunteers crossed the field and ditches by flank and
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reached the wall in good order. Captain Fairchild and two or three of his men were all the troops which had reached there when the Second Pennsylvania passed through the breach in the wall made by Drum's battery. It advanced up the hill in the face of a galling fire by right of companies, under command of Major Brindle, Colo- nel Geary being wounded. General Pillow's command had just pre- ceded the Second Pennsylvania, and the latter were over the ditch and in the castle almost the same moment.
Captain Samuel Montgomery and Captain E. C. Williams raised the first American flag on the citadel of Chapultepec, and kept it flying there until the commander-in-chief, General Scott, rode up the causeway to the citadel. It may be here stated that the Mexican flag was hauled down by a color-sergeant of the Fifth or Sixth United States Infantry, and he was holding the regimental flag at the flag- staff when Captains Williams and Montgomery reached the top of the castle. The only other flag there besides those mentioned was one held by a captain of the Voltigeur regiment, who was wounded in the head, and that at the first ditch previously referred to. He was Captain Bernard, of Philadelphia, and the colors a small blue flag.
In this gallant charge the Cameron Guards lost eighteen men in killed and wounded, and Captain Williams received a slight wound in the shoulder.
A forward movement was soon made, the regulars advancing on Casa Mata causeway, while Drum's battery and Quitman's and Shields' brigades were to protect them from being attacked on the San Antonio causeway by the Mexicans from the Garreta de Belina. Shields and Quitman were to hold the enemy .in check and not to attack the Garreta, as it was deemed almost impregnable. The first arches of the aqueduct being filled with large stones up to the first Mexican battery, that was soon captured, and thus the Americans approached the city, capturing arch after arch until the gates of the Mexican capital were reached. At 4.00 p. m. the Second Pennsyl- vania were inside the city, with the mounted rifles on foot. The firing ceased as the darkness cast its shadows upon the scene, when the Pennsylvanians filled sand-bags for temporary breastworks for protection. This was a labor of great difficulty, owing to the scarcity of implements necessary and the hardness of the soil. However, on the approach of early dawn, a Mexican officer with a flag of truce appeared, and the city of Mexico-the halls of the Monte- zumas-surrendered to the gallant Quitman.
The general immediately ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Geary to take command of the citadel with his regiment. On reaching there
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Captain Williams had the honor of being made officer of the day, and raised the flag which had been raised at Chapultepec, and when Generals Quitman and Shields marched with the remainder of their brigades to the Grand Plaza, the troops saluted and cheered this flag as they passed by. We make mention of these facts, for subsequently in the Senate of the United States a resolution was offered to present a sword to Captain Brooks, of the regular army, for raising the first American flag in the city of Mexico, but it failed from the fact that a statement was presented by General Quitman, Colonel Geary, and others to the effect that the first flag raised in the city was by a com- pany in the Second Pennsylvania Regiment. Why Colonel Geary should have said "a company of his regiment," when he saw Captain Williams raise the colors of the Union, is unaccountable,-"honor to whom honor's due."
And thus ended the Mexican war-the capture of the Old City of Mexico completed the work. The treaty was signed February 2, 1848; New Mexico and Upper California were ceded to the United States; and the boundary between this country and Mexico fixed at the Rio Grande del Norte. In return the United States agreed to pay fifteen millions of dollars, and assume the debts due American citizens by the Mexican government to the amount of three million five hundred dollars. This war cost this country about twenty-five thousand men (most of whom died from disease) and one hundred and sixteen million dollars in money.
The Cameron Guards, out of one hundred and seventeen, returned with thirty-two men. From the time the company left New Orleans until it reached Harrisburg it received a continuous ovation. At Harrisburg, which they reached during the month of July, 1848, the people turned out en masse to welcome the gallant survivors. The company was met at the foot of Market street by the citizens and military, who after escorting it through the principal streets of the borough, amid the ringing of bells, the firing of cannon, etc., re- paired to the public grounds in the rear of the State Capitol, where the brave men who had been fortunate enough to return were pub- licly welcomed by Edward A. Lesley, Esq., on behalf of the citizens, in an eloquent speech. A bountiful repast was then served. In 1858 "Morgan's Annals" gave the number of survivors at fifteen.
The above named company left Harrisburg with one hundred and seventeen men, but at Pittsburg it was found to be more than required and the surplus was transferred to other commands. Hence the muster-roll shows the names of but ninety-four men, rank and file, not including three privates subsequently connected with the company.
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(For muster rolls, see Appendix) .
Captain E. C. Williams rose to the rank of brigadier-general in the Civil War; First Sergeant Henry A. Hambright was pro- moted to the Regular army during the Civil war, reached the rank of brigadier-general, and was retired on account of wounds received in battle.
In 1869 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania erected a monu- ment to the memory of those who served and fell in the War with Mexico. It now stands in the Southern portion of the Capitol grounds.
THE CIVIL WAR.
On the causes which led up to the Civil War-the Rebellion of the Southern States-this chapter will not dwell. Suffice it to say that, when the news of the firing upon Fort Sumter reached Harris- burg, there was but one feeling actuating all citizens (worthy the name), and that was to suppress the rebellion, cost what such an effort might, in either blood or money. Harrisburg being the capital of the State, it at once became the scene of much interest and enthu- siasm.
On April 12, 1861, the surrender of Fort Sumter was demanded by the troops of the then already seceded States, but was bravely refused by gallant Major Anderson. Fire was at once opened on the helpless garrison, by rebel forces numbering thousands, as against sixty-three United States regulars, whom President Buchanan and his Secretary of War had declined to reinforce, even though urged to by General Scott. Long resistance was but foolhardy, and soon the Stars and Stripes were trailed in dust, beneath the feet of those who miscounted the cost of such an overt act. Alas! the Southern Confederacy was in the moral wrong, hence doom was written on their cause. Everywhere north of "Mason and Dixon's Line" the voice of Providence was heard :
"Draw forth your million blades as one ; Complete the battle now begun ; God fights with you, and overhead Floats the dear banner of your dead."
On April 15, 1861, President Lincoln issued a general procla- mation calling for troops to the number of seventy-five thousand. The last words of this proclamation had scarcely been taken from the telegraphic wires before the call was more than filled. All felt like repeating the words of America's soldier-statesman : "By the Eter- nals, the Union must and shall be preserved!"
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Thus the great Civil War burst with almost the suddenness of a meteor's glare. It was, however, but like the eruption of the volcano, whose pent-up fires had for ages been gathering strength for the final explosion. Call after call for troops was made by President Lincoln, until the full number reached three and one-third million men ! The calls were as follows :
April 15, 1861, for three months. 75,000
May 4, 1861, for three years 64,748
July, 1861, for three years. 500,000
July 18, 1862, for three years. 300,000
August 4, 1862, for nine months
300,000
June, 1863, for three years. 300,000
October 17, 1863, for three years 300,000
February 18, 1864, for three years
500,000
July 10, 1864, for three years. 200,000
July 16, 1864, for two and three years
500,000
Total
.3,339,748
It will be the aim of this sub-chapter to show, in brief, the coming and going of the many thousands of men who served from this county. Also to point to the public and private patriotism mani- fested by the citizens and tax-payers, whether in the field or at home. The full story of that terrible civil conflict can never be told or written, but such fragments as here follows should find place in the annals of Dauphin county.
On the afternoon of April 17, 1861, the people of Harrisburg and Dauphin county were called together in a great mass-meeting at the court house, William H. Kepner, Mayor, presiding. Never before or since was there ever gathered so many of the staid and highly honored citizens. The following, with other resolutions, were unanimously adopted :
"I'hereas, War has been commenced by the seceded States of South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Texas upon the American Union without just cause, and against the dictates of reason and justice; and,
"IFThereas, Fort Sumter, erected by the common treasure of all the American people and garrisoned by a noble but feeble band of American soldiery, has been assailed and conquered by an over- whelming force acting under authority of that self-styled Southern Confederacy ; and therefore be it
"Resolved, That we the people of the capital of Pennsylvania, actuated by a sincere love for the institutions bequeathed us by our fathers of the Union, pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor in defense of our national flag and the Constitution of the United States, and that we will resist unitedly and firmly all acts
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of aggression on the part of those who have wantonly insulted our government, outraged our honor, and assailed our rights as citizens of a great and hitherto happy country.
"Resolved, That the martial spirit evinced by our gallant volunteers and citizens generally in rallying at their country's call to march to its defense, is conclusive evidence that they are not degener- ate sons of sires who fought for liberty and honor in the Revolution and in the War of 1812, and is a certain guarantee that the Keystone State will be found now, as she was in the late war with Mexico, foremost in the maintenance of our national right."
A. B. Hamilton offered the following resolution at the same mass-meeting, and the same was adopted :
"Resolved, That General E. C. Williams, Captain Isaac S. Waterbury and Major Leander N. Ott be requested to serve as a committee to act for this meeting as collectors and custodians of such monies as may come to their hands as a fund for the support and sustenance of those of Dauphin county who may volunteer under call of the President during the time of their preparatory services at home, and as far as possible to comfort and sustain the families of those who shall be thus absent, engaged in the services of their country."
A. B. Hamilton and George Bergner subscribed each fifty dol- lars, and a paper pledging the subscribers as loyal citizens of Penn- sylvania and the United States was then signed as speedily as the many present could gain access to the paper and table upon which to write. Three cheers were given for the Union, and after this the meeting was addressed by Colonei Worrell.
About the same time a meeting of the younger men of Harris- burg had been held at Exchange Hall, for the purpose of organizing a military company, and thirty-five persons signed the roll. The company thus formed was called "The State Capital Guards," and elected Isaac S. Waterbury captain, through whom their services were tendered Governor Curtin. The Cameron Guards tendered their services about the same time, and the Constitutional Guards were organized soon after in the north committee room of the Cap- itol.
Governor Curtin requested Captain E. C. Williams to take possession of the grounds of the Harrisburg Park Association, adjoining the northern boundary of the city, and to arrange for all troops arriving in the city. Colonel Seneca G. Simmons, a United States army officer being present, Captain Williams was immediately mustered into service, being the first volunteer in the war. The
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order was to organize the fair grounds as a camp and to name it "Camp Union," but upon being taken possession of it was named Camp Curtin, by which it was known by volunteers and citizen-sol- diers. This camp soon became an important point for the concen- tration of Federal troops and was the centre of military operations for a period of four years and more.
The Civil War period, so far as Dauphin county was concerned, may be divided into four special epochs : First, the call to arms and establishment of Camp Curtin and the marching of soldiery to the hitherto fair Southland. Second, after the second battle of Manas- sas, the Rebel army threatened Pennsylvania. Third, when the second invasion of the enemy brought the conflict to the very doors of Dauphin county. Fourth, the time when the sound of victory was suddenly changed and chilled to that of great mourning over the assassination of the beloved Lincoln.
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