USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 1 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 1 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 1 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 1 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 1 > Part 25
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John Goodlander, private ; residence, Madison town- ship ; mustered out with company.
- Stroup, private ; residence, Madison township; mustered out with company.
- Scott, private ; residence, Liverpool ; mustered out with company.
Sponenberger, private; residence, Liverpool; mustered out with company.
Richard Stewart, private ; residence, Tyrone town- ship ; mustered out with company.
John Topley, private ; residence, Landisburg ; mus- tered out with company.
Dr. Samuel Mealy, private; residence, Millerstown ; mustered out with company.
Peter Swanger, private; residence, Tyrone township; mustered out with company.
George Wolf, private; residence, Tyrone township; mustered out with company.
Comp, private; residence, Centre township ; mustered out with company.
Jacob Kiner, private; residence, Tyrone township ; mustered out with company.
The following names are contained in a mus- ter-roll made out by Captain David Moreland, September 22, 1814, and do not appear in the above :
Privates.
William Askins. Robert Buck.
George Bergstresser. Frederick Burd.
Jacob Bower. Joshua Byers.
Solomon Bergstresser. John Baughman.
Samuel Bice. Daniel Camp.
Peter Bower. Jacob Keiner.
George Buck. Thomas Clark.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Robert Dougherty.
Ezekiel MeMurray.
Thomas McCoy.
James Morton.
Thomas Dansville.
William Miller.
James Neeper. Jacob Potter.
Moses Ewens. Daniel Fry. Joseph Fry (killed July 5th). Abraham Fry.
Henry Presser. George Gray.
Jacob Gillam.
Henry Ross.
Isaac Gurhard.
George Shaw.
John Gallagher.
John Sleighter.
Henry Hollebough.
George Shumbaugh.
John Hoobler.
Samuel Sheets.
Matthias Hollebaugh.
Jacob Stambaugh.
Robert Hays.
William Tate.
Joseph Hamaker.
Joseph Taylor.
John Hamilton.
Joseph Wilson.
Joseph Hackenberry.
George Wendt (taken prisoner July 5th).
George Irwin.
David Jordan.
Samuel Wilson.
Archibald Kennedy.
William Wallace.
George Kelsey.
Abraham Young.
Jacob Kenny
Godfrey Rouse. John Shrefler.
Jacob Ledech.
John Mores.
The following were members of Captain James Piper's company, mustered in 1814, and rendezvoused at Carlisle :
Michael Donnelly, private; residence, Tuscarora township; mustered out. with company; died 1872.
Jacob Hammaker, private; residence, Watts town- ship; mustered out with company ; dead.
Daniel Fry, private; residence, Greenwood township; mustered out with company ; dead.
Abraham Fry, private; residence, Greenwood town- ship; mustered out with company ; dead.
Joseph Fry, private; residence, Greenwood town- ship ; killed at Chippewa, July 5, 1814.
George Wendt, private; residence, Liverpool town- ship ; taken by Indians ; exchanged ; dead.
Frederick Burd, private ; residence, Greenwood town- ship; mustered out with company.
John Staily, private ; residence, Liverpool township; mustered out with company.
Philip Deckard, private; residence, Buffalo town- ship; mustered out with company.
Jacob Potter, private; residence, Buffalo township ; mustered out with company.
Jacob Liddick, private; residence, Buffalo township; mustered out with company.
Peter Werner, private ; residence, Buffalo township; mustered out with company.
Andrew Hench, private ; residence, Buffalo township; mustered out with company.
From what is now Perry County, also, in 1814, went a company of militia, enrolled in two days' time, when Washington was burned, by Dr. John G. Creigh, who becameits captain. The company was accepted by Governor Snyder and given the second post of honor in the Pennsylvania Line. The only reference found of this company in the archives is in a letter of James Lamberton to Governor Simon Snyder, dated Carlisle, Octo- ber 7, 1814, in which he says : "Captains John Creigh and Holbert's company marched to Philadelphia, and, no doubt, are under your immediate notice in service, and at the expira- tion of their time, you will have the goodness to direct respecting the arms, &c."
The company was enrolled September 6, 1814, and was known as the Landisburg Infantry Company. Upon October 2d it was encampe:l at Bush ITill. Following is the roster of the organization, together with the residences, of the men composing it :
John Creigh, captain ; residence, Tyrone township. Henry Lightner, first lieutenant; residence, Landis- burg.
Isaiah Carl, second lieutenant ; residence, Tyrone township.
George Simons, Sr., private ; residence, Tyrone town -. ship.
Francis Gibson, private ; residence, Landisburg. Samuel Ickes, private; residence, Spring township. Jacob Lightner, private ; residence, Landisburg. George West, private ; residence, Tyrone township. William Henderson, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
William Wilson, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
Jacob Ernest, private ; residence, Landisburg. Nathan Jones, private; residence, Landisburg. Samuel Jones, private ; residence, Landisburg. John Landis, private; residence, Landisburg. Samuel Landis, private; residence, Landisburg. John Mahoney, private ; residence, Landisburg. Daniel Stambaugh, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
David Carl, private ; residence, Tyrone township. Benjamin MeCracken, private; residence, Tyrone township.
Philip Smith, private ; residence, Tyrone township. John Power, private; residence, Tyrone township. Alexander Roddy, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship. Joseph Marsh, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
Philip Deckard.
Robert Dunbar.
Robert Rogers.
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THE WAR OF 1812.
Barney Whitmer, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
John Johnson, private ; residence, Saville township. Benjamin Dunkelberger, private ; residence, Tyrone township.
Barnett Sheibley, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
Daniel Bollinger, private; residence, Millerstown.
Israel Jennings, private ; residence, Millerstown.
- Thompson, first lieutenant; residence, Jackson township.
--- Neeper, ensign ; residence, Tyrone township. Amos Cadwallader, ensign; residence, Tyrone town- ship. John Curry. John Dunbar. John Hipple. George Dunbar.
Solomon Sheibley.
Stephen Keck. Michael Foose, fifer.
Jacob Frederick.
Henry Lackey, drummer.
Conrad Holman.
- Lynch. - Sheer. - Zeigler. Joseph Fullerton. George Swarner,
UNASSIGNED MEN.
Robert Woodburn, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship.
Richard Rodgers, private; residence, Tyrone town- ship,
Samuel Myers, private ; residence, Tyrone township. Adolphus Hall, private; residence, Landisburg. Amos Pratt, private ; residence, Landisburg. E. B. Leonard, private ; residence, Landisburg. William B. Sponsler, private; residence, Bloom- field.
From Union County (erected during the war) at least two full companies were forwarded to the scenes of operations on the Delaware and Chesapeake, in 1814, and the same territory also supplied many recruits to the several com- panies of Lieutenant-Colonel George Weirick's detachment.
The Selinsgrove Rifle Volunteers went from that part of Union which is now Snyder County. It was commanded by Captain John Snyder and attached to the battalion of Captain John Uhle, in the Light Brigade of General Thomas Cadwallader. Following is a roster of the company as it stood in the actual service of 9
the United States, at Camp Dupont, November 14, 1814 :
Captain : John Snyder.
First Lieutenant : Jacob Rhoads.
Second Lieutenant : Anthony C. Selin.
Ensign : George Berkstresser.
Sergeants : Mathias Thornbaugh, Jacob Shriner, Isaac Harlon, Philip Graever.
Corporals : John Hausman, Daniel Lebo, William S. Devine, Conrad Stock.
Privates.
Henry Hilbush. John S. Maus.
Henry Bloom. John Essick.
Henry Hoote. William Steel.
Henry Keefer. William Gougler.
Henry Botthoff.
John Sassaman.
John Miller. Peter Arnold.
John Fillman.
Isaac Robison.
John IIall.
Jacob Strayer.
John Ulrick.
Jacob Vanandey.
John Rhem. Jacob Volburn.
John Kersteler. Peter Schlutterbach.
James Hays.
Abraham Shipman.
James Harlon. William Minier.
David Fisher. Thomas Silverwood.
George Houch.
Paul Lebo.
George Boddory.
John Rupp.
George Buckley.
Christian Wise.
George Weiser.
John Lambert.
Benjamin Ulrick.
Samuel Hoey.
Samuel Gamberling.
Valentine Hair.
Samuel Haislett. Thomas Thursby.
Solomon Coldron.
James Vandike.
Charles Antee (or Andy).
Captain Ner Middleswarth's company, the Union Rifle Volunteers, was also attached to the Rifle Battalion commanded by Captain John Uhle, in the Light Brigade, commanded by General Thomas Cadwalader, in actual service at Camp Dupont, October 27, 1814, at which time its roster was as follows :
Captain : Ner Middleswarth.
Lieutenants : Isaac Mertz, John Aurand.
Ensign : Daniel Devore.
Sergeants : Jacob Fryer, Daniel Weiser, Frederick Stees, Jr., George Weikel.
Corporals : Abraham Frederick, Daniel Layer, Albright Swineford, Jacob Long.
Privates.
Jacob Beitler. Elias Campbell.
John Bird. Henry W. Carroll.
Daniel Bowersox. George Clemence.
Samuel Boyer. Henry Dreese.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Asher Ely. Jacob Miller. John Mitchell.
Ludwig Freedley.
Jacob Gilbert.
George Moyer.
Jacob Gill.
Jacob Moyer.
Robert Gilmore.
Henry Shneb.
James Smith.
Jacob Grubb. Abraham Kaley.
John Katherman.
Melchior Stock. JJacob Troxell. Israel Thurston.
Henry Kratzer.
John Kuhns.
John Wakey.
Joseph Lochr. John Wales.
Peter Lochr. HIenry Weirick.
Samuel Martz.
George Wient.
Daniel Miller.
Five companies went from the region com- posed of Northumberland and Union Counties, in the autumn of 1814, to assist in resisting the British advance up the Delaware, and were sta- tioned most of the time until the practical close of the war at Marcus Hook, below Chester. These companies,-Henry Miller's, Jacob Hummel's, Valentine Haas', John Bergstresser's and William F. Buyer's-constituted the regi- ment or detachment commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel George Weirick, Brigadier-General II. Spearing, First Brigade, Second Division, in the service of the United States. The roster of the field and staff and the five companies was as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Lieutenant-Colonel : George Weirick, September 24, 1814.
Majors: William Taggert and Jacob Lechner, Sep- tember 21, 1814.
Adjutant : George Coryell, September 24, 1814. Surgeon : John Y. Kennedy, September 24, 1814. Surgeon's Mate: Thomas Vanvalzah, September 24, 181-1.
Quartermaster : George Clingan, October 31, 1814. Quartermaster-Sergeant: John Rechl, November 5th. Sergeant-Major : Daniel Rohrer, October 5th.
Aid-de-camp to General Spearing : Hugh Maxwell. Camp, Marcus Hook, November 14, 1814.
CAPTAIN HENRY MILLER'S COMPANY.
Pay-roll of the company of infantry from Union County, under the command of Captain Henry Mil- ler, attached to the regiment commanded by Lieuten- ant-Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 18144.
Captain : Henry Miller. Lieutenant : John McMillan.
Sergeants : Benjamin Williams, John Rearick, Philip Ruhle, William Francis.
Corporals: Adam Specht, Foster Wilson, George Spangler, Richard Robinson.
Privates : George Baker, Peter Baker, John Barber, > Charles Bitting, Conrad Bobb, John Bobb, Rob- ert Black, George Bossler, Andrew Cooke, George Coryell (appointed sergeant-major September 26, 1814), Samuel Cosgrove, Elias Dar, John Dreisbach, Thomas Dreisbach, Daniel Dunsipe, . Cyrus Egbert, William Eilert, Garrett Farres, William Forster, George Fought, Jacob Fought, Conrad Fox, John Fry, Jacob Gearig, Samuel Gearhart, John Gill, William Gill (dis- charged October 26, 1814; died at Bellefonte, November 21, 1876, aged eighty-nine), Peter Hanius (called Panier), Henry Herger, Henry Hasenplugh, Samuel Hasenplugh, Abraham Kleckner, Anthony Kleckner, Isaac Kleckner, John Maclay (appointed assistant quartermaster- general October 9, 1814), David Mangel, John Mayer, John Moyer, William Moyer, William Myer, John Norman, Francis Phelps, John Rearick, William Reichly, Henry Ritter, John Rote, Henry Royer, Michael Saunders, William Shaffer, Jacob Shaffer, John Smith, Michael Snyder, George Sleer, Samuel Shaw, Benjamin Slough, David Stitzer, Christian Spangler, David Speer, Daniel Spiegelmeyer, Abraham Solomon, James Thompson, John Weight, Jacob Zimmer- man.
CAPTAIN JACOB HUMMEL'S COMPANY.
Pay-roll of the company of infantry under the com- mand of Captain Jacob Hummel, attached to the reg- iment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814.
Captain : Jacob Hummel.
Lieutenant : Walter Brady. Ensign : Francis B. Swartz.
Sergeants: Stephen Baldy, John Eisely, John Ham- mer, John S. James.
Corporals: John B. Gordon, John Petery, Jacob Lei- senring, James Martin.
Privates: John App, John Applegate, John Arm- strong, John Barnhart, William Bear, Henry Bestler, John Born, John Buckner, Henry Burn, John Buyers, John Campbell, Andrew Caruthers, Daniel Conor, John Crutchley, Daniel Delany, George Espy, George Forly, Jona. Furman, Dan- iel Gearhart, Henry Haupt, Jacob Hedrick, John Housel, Lockwood G. Hoy, Benjamin Huff, Isaac Hull, Zachariah Lowdon, Joseph MeCloughen, William Mahoney, Griggs Marsh, William Met- tler, Balser Mirely, David More, Joseph Morgan, James Morgan, John Masteller, Abraham New- comer, Peter Overdurf, John Redline, John W. Renn, Frederick Rinehart, Daniel Ringler, John Roadarmel, Henry Sterner, Jonathan Stroh, Christian Wagner, James Warner, Frederick Weaver, William Willet, Samuel Willet, Elias Woodruff, William Woldigan, David Zeluff.
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THE WAR OF 1812.
CAPTAIN VALENTINE HAAS' COMPANY.
Roll of the company of infantry from Union Coun- ty, under the command of Captain Valentine Haas, Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814.
Captain : Valentine Haas.
Lieutenant : Samuel Shedle.
Sergeants : Jacob C. Eckhart, George Hlosterman, Henry Boyer, Andrew Hendricks.
Corporals : John Johnston, Jacob Kleckner, Fred- erick Richter, David Overmyer.
Privates : Joseph Alter (discharged October 5th), Lo- renzo Bachman, Isaac Bear, Joseph Berger, An- thony Berman, George Benfer, Jacob Binckly, Frederick Bous, Jacob Bosler, Henry Brouse, Philip Buttenstein, John Clendinin, Ludwig Do- ebler, Jonathan Derk, John Doffe, Jacob Duke, George Duke, Barnes Everhard, Philip Everhard, Benjamin Fetter, John Folk, Joseph Folz, Willis Gordon, Jonas Gangher, Henry Grim, Henry Haas, Daniel Haas, E. Hentricks, Philip Har- rold, Frederick Hobb, John H. Hummel, Jacob Jarrett, George Karstetter, John Keely (dis- charged October 22d), Michael Kesler, Henry Kreisher, Frederick Kreitzer, John Kuns, Daniel Miller, Jacob Mowrer, Philip Moyer, Jacob Neitz, Henry Pontius, William Rettig, John Richen- bach, John Rusher, Jacob Shedler, Peter Shoe- maker, Abraham Smith, John Smith, Joseph Smith, Philip Sold, Henry Spaid, Henry Stahl, George Stimeling, Peter Stock, Peter Swartz, George Swartzlender, John Trester, George Wag- ner, John Weaver, Isaac Weller, Samuel Wit- mer, Henry Woodling, Daniel Wool, John Yea- ger, Adam Yeager, Henry Yeisly, Philip Yerger, John Yordon, Ludwig Young.
CAPTAIN JOHN BERGSTRESSER'S COMPANY.
Pay-roll Union County company of militia, at- tached to the regiment commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 18, 1814.
Captain : John Bergstresser.
Lieutenant : Thomas Fisher.
Ensign : Henry Noll.
Sergeants : Uriah Silsby, Philip Reedy, John Gillas- py, Daniel Rengler, Samuel Merwine, John Sar- gint, George Clingan.
Corporals : William Nevyus, John Vartz, Jacob Me- Corley, John Lutz.
Privates : Lewis Aikey, James II. Anderson, Benja- min Baldy, George Bellman, Samuel Bennage, John Bennett, Abraham Bidleman, William Bower, George Bower, John Bower, William Campbell, John Campbell, Joseph Campbell, Joseph Clarke, Flavel Clark, Francis Clark, William Clark, John Darraugh, Jonathan Demp- "Jacob Armstrong, John Martin, Robert Campbell sey, Ludwig Darsham, Philip Diefenderfer, Jesse | and William Dieus, drafts in Captain Hummel's com-
Egburd, Charles Flickingner, Peter Frederick, Jacob Frederick, Samuel Frederick, Jacob Gil- man, Paul Goodlander, John Hufford, Frederick Heiser (discharged October 2d), William Herren- don, Joshua Housel, Jacob Hubler, John Irwin, William Irvin, John Jamison, William Jodun, Benjamin Jodun, Thomas Johnston, John Jones, J. Koffman, Andrew Kelly (discharged October 28th), Adam Kimmell, D. Kunts, Abram Kline, George Kline, Peter Lilley (discharged Oc- tober 3d), Saml. Lutz, Richard McClure, Richard McGuire, Hugh Mckinley, James MeLaughlin, Daniel Maughamer, James Magee, John Mize- ner, George Mengel, Peter Mowry, Peter Myers, Henry Moyer, Michael Quinn, John Rees, Jona- than Ranck, Christopher Rorabough, Philip Ro- rabough, Adam Rose, Daniel Shaffer, Henry Shaffer, (substitute for John Hummel), Jonas Sheckler, Simon Sheckler, Jonathan Smith, ' Adam Smith, Richard Steel, David Steel, Daniel Stoner, Samuel Strickland, Peter Struble, Jacob Sypher, Henry Vanderhoof, William Vander- hoof, William Vanhorn, Abram Vanhorn, James Wallace, John Walters, Nicholas Welch, Gideon Williamson, Thomas Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Abraham Young, George Zearphus (Sarphus).
CAPTAIN WILLIAM F. BUYERS' COMPANY.
Roll of the Northumberland County Blues, volun- teer company, attached to the regiment under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel George Weirick, Marcus Hook, November 10, 1814.
Captain : William F. Buyers.
Lieutenants : Thomas S. Jenkins, Samuel H. Scott. Ensign : John Hepburn.
Corporal : John Rechl.
Sergeants: Samuel H. Wilson, Joseph T. Wallis, A. M. Sweeney.
Fifer : William Armor. Drummer: Samuel DeLong.
Privates: Jacob Armstrong, David Black, Thomas Bonham, George P. Buyers, William Cameron, Robert Campbell, Edward Chapman, William Cooke, Adam Cook, Joseph B. Cramer, Abram Cramer, Henry Dale, William Dieus, James S. Dougal, Charles Frazier, William Gale, Mact Grant, Thomas Grant, junior, (discharged Octo- ber 23d), William M. Grant, William Gray, Thomas Harris, Isaac Hendershot, Jacob Hopfer, Joseph Huffman, William Jones, Jeremiah Jones, William Latherland, William Layton, Daniel Lebo, Robert Lyon, Jeremiah Lyon, Isaac Me- Cord, John MePherson, John Martin, Charles Mans, James Oliphant, George Prune, John Quinn, Henry Reininger, Theodore J. Rockele, John Ross, William Watson, John Weisner, George Weitzel, Samuel Wilson.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
pany, joined my company on 29th. They have been in service the same time our company has.
" WILLIAM F. BUYERS,
" ('aptain Northumberland County Blues."
CHAPTER VI.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Prominence of Mifflin County-Sketch of the Juniata Guards-Other Troops from MitHin, Perry and Union Counties.
OF all the five counties embraced in this his- tory, Mifflin took the most prominent part in the Mexican War of 1846-48 ; and this was not " alone through the number of the men who went forth from her boundaries, but largely because of the character of some of them and the posi- tion to which they arose.
Mifflin contributed to the service of the United States, in this war, one full company- the Juniata Guards, under Captain William Ir- win-and a majority of the Wayne Guards, Captain Caldwell, as well as a considerable number of volunteers, who, singly or by twos or threes, entered other organizations.
Of the other counties, Perry contributed nearly a full company, of which Michael Steever was lieutenant ; and Union County sup- plied only a few scattering. recruits.
were organized, commanded by Colonels Wyn- koop and Roberts, and were despatched to the seat of war, leaving scores of companies at home that had volunteered to go, and amongst these were the Washington Guards, of Mc- Veytown, the Lewistown Guards and Lewistown Artillerists, all of Mifflin County. As these regiments passed through the county, by canal- boat, on their way to Mexico, quite a number of individuals joined them from the towns and villages in the county. J. H. Ross, William Stackpole, George W. Hesser, L. Bymaster, Jacob Hoseywantle, from Mc Veytown, joined themselves to the First Regiment, and served to the end of the war. Dr. John C. Reynolds, of the same place, was appointed surgeon of this regiment and Daniel M. Dull the sutler. J. II. Ross is the only one of these soldiers that sur- vives, and is now the worthy State Senator representing York County.
At a later period a company of volunteers, called the Wayne Guards, headed by Captain James Caldwell (mortally wounded at Belon Gareta, September 13, 1847) and Dr. Charles Bower, joined by Lieutenant A. McKamey and Lieutenant I. A. Doyle, with many others with them from Huntingdon County, was accepted by the government, together with Captain S. M. Taylor's company, from Bedford; and these two companies were added to the Second Penn- sylvania Regiment, making this a regiment of twelve companies ; and these two companies had the good fortune to arrive at Vera Cruz just in time to advance into the interior of Mexico, with the reinforcements under General Franklin Pierce, and joined their regiment at the city of Puebla the evening before General Scott made his grand movement in his advance upon the city of Mexico. Peter Kerns, of Lew- istown, enlisted in the regular army, and was wounded at Chapultepec.
Actual hostilities between the Republic of Mexico and the United States commenced in May, 1846. The first battles in this war were fought on the 8th and 9th of that month, and are known in history as the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. The capture and oc- cupation of Matamoras, and the advancement upon and battle of Monterey, speedily fol- lowed. These battles and victories of our army, commanded by General Zachariah Tay- lor, created an extraordinary excitement and a patriotic fervor throughout the country. Volun- STORY OF THE JUNIATA GUARDS, OF MIFFLIN COUNTY. teer organizations all over the country, north and south, east and west, were offering their The old volunteer organizations having failed in being accepted, the belief was enter- tained that a new company, gotten up for the special purpose of engaging in the war, might services to the government. In these patriotic manifestations Pennsylvania was largely repre- sented. Two regiments, known as the First and Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiments, | be more fortunate, and this idea gave rise to ef-
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THE MEXICAN WAR.
forts that resulted in the formation of the JJuni- ata Guards, raised in Lewistown and MeVey- town, of which Wm. H. Irwin was made captain and Thomas F. McCoy first lieutenant. About this time it was learned that the govern- ment would not accept for the service any more volunteers, but would inercase the army by the passage of a law by Congress to add ten new regiments to the regular army. This was done, and these two officers, repairing to Washington, waited upon the President of the United States (Mr. Polk), and were promptly appointed of- fieers in the regular army, -William H. Irwin captain, and Thomas F. McCoy, first lieutenant in the Eleventh United States Infantry. . This was in the month of February, 1847. When these officers appeared, clothed in the uniform and with the authority of regular army officers, and called upon the Juniata Guards to enlist in the service for the war with Mexico, a large number of them failed to respond, alleging that they were pledged to enter the volunteer, not the regular army. Of the twenty young men who had pledged themselves at Me Veytown, not one failed to promptly enter the service. A recruiting rendezvous was opened at Lewistown, and in thirty days the required complement of brave men was secured. Lieutenant McCoy spent a few days at Potter's Bank and Belle- fonte, in Centre County, enlisting sixteen re- fruits, which completed . the company. The company, while being recruited, formed part of the funeral escort at the burial, in Lewistown, of the mortal remains of Lieutenant James S. Woods, late of the - Regiment United States army, who was killed whilst gallantly leading his company in the battle of Monterey, on the 21st day of September, 1846. He had previously distinguished himself in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Being a young man, born and raised in Lewistown until he entered the academy at West Point, and a son of the Rev. James S. Woods, D.D., his death excited the greatest interest, sorrow and sadness. A public meeting was held, and a committee appointed to go to the battle-field at Monterey, Mexico, disinter his remains from the strange and inhospitable land in which he fell, gallantly defending the flag of his country,
and have them deposited in his own cherished land and in his own native valley. Dr. T. IToward Vanvalzah and Colonel T. A. Banks composed the committee appointed for this pur- pose, who discharged the duty imposed upon them to the satisfaction of the public.
At a crowded meeting in the Methodist Church on the evening before the company left for the seat of war, the ladies of Lewistown presented each member of the company with a copy of the Bible. The Rev. James S. Woods, D.D., made the presentation address on behalf of the ladies, and Captain Irwin responded on behalf of the company.
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