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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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THIE MEXICAN WAR.
and from which we had a good view of the city of Mexico, could hear their church-bells and their army salutes. The cities of San Augustine and Tacubaya, ten miles apart, were the extreme points of our army, and Worth's division occu- piel the latter city and was in good cannon- range of the famed castle of Chapultepec. It was at the village of Mexcoac, where the thirty-two deserters from our army captured in the battle of Cherubusco, were hung, (most of them just after the Stars and Stripes floated from the castle, that being the signal given by Gen- eral Kearney for swinging them off), which was the penalty for deserting and fighting against the American flag.
On the 7th of September General Scott, finding that Santa Anna was violating it, ter- minated the armistice, the tocsin of war was sounded, and the hosts were again marshaled for the contest,-
"In the afternoon of to-day the regiment was marched from their comfortable quarters at the Hacienda to about a mile nearer the city, where we encamped. A half-hour after dusk, when we had everything arranged for a comfortable night's rest, an order came from General Scott that the regiment should report to him at Tacubaya in two hours. We immediately formed without even striking tents, and marched direct for headquarters, three miles distant. Before nine o'clock P.M. we were reported by General Cadwallader as being ready for any ser- vice which was required. We laid on our arms to await further orders. Next morning, at 33 o'clock, September 8th, we were again formed and quietly marched towards the enemy's works at Molino del Rey, about a mile and a half distant, the object being to attack these works, lying directly west and under the guns of the Castle of Chapultepec. The part of the American Army that was ordered by General Scott to accomplish the work of driving the enemy from his position was composed of Cadwal- lader's brigade, Worth's division, a part of which was to be the storming-party, Duncan's and Hager's batteries, some other artillery force and the cavalry, -about thirty-two hundred men in all. We gained the eminence near the forts before daylight, when the artillery opened, the infantry continuing to move steadily forward. At the dawn of day the storming force was near the enemy's lines, which extended from fort to fort, and a heavy musketry fire was opened, which was terribly destructive to life, and the storming column, a large part having been killed and wounded, was forced back. At this critical moment our regiment (the Eleventh) was deployed,
advanced rapidly and charged the enemy. A most destructive fire was poured upon us, killing and wounding one-fourth of the regiment. Notwith- standing the hail-storm of bullets, the officers and men who had not failen pressed gallantly forward, driv- ing the enemy and occupying his line. The battle continued to rage, during which the enemy made an effort to retake the position from which they had been driven, but were gallantly repulsed. Our loss in this battle was so great that the battle of Molino del Rey is known as the bloodiest of the war. Out of the thirty- two hundred engaged, over eight hundred were killed and wounded, and amongst them many distinguished and valuable officers. In our own regiment forty- three were killed and wounded, being over one-fourth of the number engaged. Lieutenant-Colonel Gra- ham, our commanding officer, an old army officer of distinction, was killed, having twelve wounds upon his person. Lieutenant Johnson, a brother of Gov- ernor Johnson, was killed in the charge. Captain Irwin was severely wounded in the left hand. John Sigler was killed ; John Hayes and Isaac Mahan mortally wounded, and died after the battle. James Rager, Macluney Radcliff and I. Hite were wounded, but not fatally. Lieutenant McCoy was the sixth in rank in his regiment before entering the battle, and at its close was the ranking officer for duty, collected the men, formed the lines and being relieved by fresh troops under General Frank Pierce, marched the regiment from the field."
From this day Lieutenant McCoy became the permanent commander of the company, Captain Irwin, in consequence of his wound, being in the hospital. The company having been reduced by battle and sickness, two other companies, for the time of the fighting, were con- solidated with it, making it seventy-five strong ; Lieutenant McCoy was placed in command. Operations continued on the 9th, 10th and 11th down near the city, between the San Antonio and the Piedad Causeways, leading into the city. Batteries were planted, and some skirmishing took place. On the night of the 11th, Pillow's division was taken back to the battle-ground of Molino del Rey, with a view of besieging Chapultepec and capturing this stronghold, as it was necessary to do this before advancing upon the city,-
" At four o'clock on the morning of the 12th we were again on the move, with the object of capturing this impregnable stronghold, to any but American soldiers. At the break of day our division was deployed in theopen plain south and west of the Castle of Chapultepec. Soon our artillery opened, and the
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enemy quickly returned the fire. The bombardment was continued all day with good effect and but little loss on our part. Lieutenant MeCoy was ordered to report with his company to Captain Robert E. Lee (the great Confederate general in the late Rebellion), to aid him in planting a battery of heavy guns, and spent most of the day, receiving the thanks of that distinguished officer at the completion of the work. Although tired and weary, in the evening the same officer and company was ordered on dangerous out- post duty, with orders to occupy the Cassa Mata fort, in the rear of our force, and to hold it to the last.
"September 13, 1849, at 7 o'clock (says the officer's diary), the whole army was on the move and coneen- trating in the direction of the south and southwest of the castle, that being the only assailable part. It had been determined to carry it by assault, and the col- umns, with the ladders and other arrangements for the purpose, had been arranged previously. Before the columns of infantry and storming-parties ad- vanced the heavy guns were opened from all our bat- teries and poured in a terrible fire of shot and shell, then ceased, and the whole force gallantly and deter- minedly moved to the attack in the face of the heavy fire of musketry. shell and grape, and in less than an hour after the advance was made the Stars and Stripes were seen floating from the flag-pole of the castle. Such a burst of joy no man ever heard as this impor- tant result was accomplished. General Bravo, the commanding general of the castle, and a good many prisoners were taken; besides, a great many of the enemy were killed and wounded. Our army lost no time in pushing on towards the city ; General Quit- man, with his volunteers, taking the Causeway leading to the Belen Gareta, and General Worth, supported by Pillow's troops, now under Cadwallader, advanced by the Causeway leading to the San Cosme Gareta, and before dark both gates were in our possession, and by ten o'clock at night a mortar battery was throwing bombs into the heart of the city. Great success attended our army to-day. The storming of the Castle of Chapultepec struck consternation into the enemy. During the night Santa Anna, his army and the Mexican government evacuated the city, and a deputation came out to General Scott and surren- dered the city, and in the morning, about one o'clock, General Scott made his grand entry into the city of Mexico, at the head of the Cavalry Brigade. He rode into the Grand Plaza, alighted at the National Palace, went into one of the grand apartments, and penned his famous congratulatory order, in which may be found these words : 'Under the favor of God, by the valorof this army, after many glorious victories, we have hoisted the colors of our country in the Capi- tal of Mexico and on the Palace of its Government.'"
Within a week from this time nearly the whole army had entered the city. This had to be done gradually, as the quarters could be se-
cured, which were in churches, convents and pub- lie buildings, so far as possible.
" To-day, September 22, 1817, the 11th Infantry, commanded by Major L. F. Hunter, marched into the famed city of Mexico. Thousands were lined along the streets to see. Our Band played various tunes tis we marched through the streets, and when near the Grand Plaza, struck up ' Yankee Doodle.' The scene was interesting and exciting. We are quartered in the Convent Santo Domingo, on Guadaloupe Street, and within two squares of the Grand Plaza."
Although all this series of victories were gained, and great sacrifices made of thousands of gallant men, yet there was no peace. Gen- eral Scott had left Puebla with an army of ten thousand five hundred men, and after the bat- tles he entered the city with about seven thou- sand effective men, and now his great effort and duty was to hold this great city of two hundred thousand of a population until reinforcements could be brought from the States to secure and preserve the fruits of victory. Scott's small army was therefore wholly engaged for months in the performance of the most careful guard duty all through and around the city.
A train of wagons, with an escort of troops, left on the 1st of November, with a view of opening the road to Vera Cruz, three hundred miles away. Some of the wounded and dis- abled and some discharged soldiers took this opportunity of returning to their homes. Cap- tain Irwin and Sergeant M. T. McGinnis were with this train. D. M. Dull, who had been an amateur soldier with Colonel J. W. Geary's command of Pennsylvania volunteers, and honorably mentioned in his report of the battle of Chapultepec, also left in the same train. Corporal William M. Coulter and Joseph Jackson were afterwards discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability, and returned home in a subsequent train for Vera Cruz.
In about three months from the capture of the city reinforcements began to arrive. Gen- eral Cushing and General Patterson cach brought a force of several thousand troops, and this was a great relief to the army in the city.
On the 6th of January, 1818, General Cad- wallader was sent with a force of several thou- sand men, of which our regiment formed a part, to occupy Toluca, the capital of the State of
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Mexico, lying about forty miles southwest of the city of Mexico, in the great Toluca Valley. This was accomplished without any opposition on the part of the enemy. The Eleventh Regiment was detached and occupied the city of Lormes, a strategie point, and which had been fortified, and situated on the north side of the valley, and within thirty miles of the city of Mexico. Here the regiment remained, enjoying good health, performing the routine of military duty for a period of five months, during which time the negotiations for peace were in progress.
While the company was at this city, those of ! its members who had been left behind in the different hospitals, and had not been discharged or died, rejoined. About one-third of the com- jany had been thus left, of which the following diel or were discharged from hospital :
David L. Bogle, died September 25, 1847, at Perote. Robert Campbell, died July 5, 1847, at Perote.
John Goodwin, died August 5, 1847, at Perote.
John MeLenahan, died October 20, 1847, at Perote. Isaac J. Stephens, died November 30, 1847, at Perote. William Cook, died 1847, at Point Isabel.
Daniel S. Disbrow, died November 20, 1847, at city of Mexico.
John Fink, died August 14, 1847, at Puebla.
Sergeant Thomas O'Brien, died September 17, 1847, at Puebla.
Simon Pennington, died August 10, 1847, at Puebla. William H. Rager, died November 8, 1847, at Puebla. James Roles, died 1847, at Puebla.
Joseph Sedinger, died August 18, 1847, at Puebla. Isaiah Knight, died July 17, 1847, at Vera Cruz. William Roles, died at Vera Cruz.
John Siffick, died July 6, 1848, at New Orleans.
John Taylor, died October 10, 1847, at city of Mexico.
James Hite, died August 25, 1848, at Staten Is- land, N. Y.
Isaac Correll, discharged November 18, 1847, at Vera Cruz.
Thomas Gibbs, discharged November 18, 1847, at Baton Rouge, La.
Reuben Hall, discharged November 7, 1847, at Puebla. Sergeant B. F. Miller, discharged 1847, at Baton Rouge, La.
Corporal G. W. Soult, discharged February 5, 1848, at New Orleans.
Jesse Walker, deserted from hospital, Baton Rouge, January, 1848.
Several second lieutenants had been appointed to Company D that circumstances had prevented joining the company. One of these was Lieuten-
ant Thomas Welsh, who had been wounded in the battle of Buena Vista, and after joining the company, in consequence of this wound, was required to return to his home in Columbia, l'a. He became the distinguished colonel of the Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers in the late Rebellion, and was pro- moted to brigadier-general, and while in the campaign against Vicksburg contracted sickness from which he died. Lieutenant James Keenan was another one who joined the company and remained with it until discharged. He was, after the war, appointed adjutant-general of Pennsylvania, and when General Frank Pierce became President of the United States he ap- pointed him consul to Honolulu, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he returned with the intention of fighting for the Union, but died in New York City soon after his arrival. Lieutenant William H. Scott served with the company from Vera Cruz up to the city of Mexico, and was a brave and intelli- gent officer, and had served in Jeff. Davis' regiment, under General Taylor; was from Vicksburg, and through Davis' influence re- ceived transfer into the old army ; becoming involved in a duel with a brother officer, was compelled to resign, when he joined Colonel Walker's expedition to Central America and was blown up in one of his ill-fated vessels. Lieutenant J. Minor Stout was another young officer who was temporarily attached to the company and served with it a few months near the close of the war. Corporal John A. Bay- ard enlisted in Belmont, was appointed a see- ond lieutenant in the regiment and soon after retired from the service.
Many changes necessarily took place in the non-commissioned officers of the company. The first sergeant's, one of the most important posi- tions, had been filled before the company left home by John Maguigan, a very worthy man ; but having taken sick, he, after recovering, was detached on the recruiting service and never rejoined the company in Mexico. It therefore became necessary to select another, an acting first sergeant, for this important position. This soldier was found in the person of James B. Alexander, a young man of talent and intelli-
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
gence from the cast end of the Kishacoquillas Valley, who filled the place with commendable faithfulness and courage. ITis fidelity and ser- vices were such that he deserves well of his country. Isaac Signer and Albert B. Kauff- mann, two gallant soldiers (the former wounded in the battle of Molino del Rey), became ser- geants. The corporals were William O. Bogle, Henry Wells, Peter Beaver and James M. Ra- ger ; the latter had been badly wounded in the battle of Molino del Rey.
As to the services of the rank and file of the company there can be no question, as they were long, arduous, faithful and brave. They never, in all the varied fights and battles, turned their backs to the enemy. They charged and stormed the enemy's works whenever and wherever or- dered. In the hottest part of the battle of Molino del Rey, when the old regulars of Worth's division were repulsed by the enemy's murderous fire, the company leading the regi- ment charged with the greatest gallantry into the breach, retaking the lost ground, driving the enemy, and maintaining their ground in the bloody struggle with the greatest enthusiasm until the victory was secured. In the terrible fighting and advance into the enemy's lines on the Pedregal, the storming of their works on the heights of Contreras, and the charge with Worth upon the Fe de pont in the battle of Cherubusco, the same determined, gallant spirit was manifested. But there was a more danger- ous and destructive enemy to contend against than the battle-field. The climate and the dis- ease of the country relentlessly decimated the ranks of the whole army. The march through the hospitals to the soldier's grave was continuous and unceasing, and thousands of brave hearts who had left happy Northern homes found their last resting-place beneath the clods of the plains and valleys of Mexico.
"On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread; And glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead." * * * *
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"Nor shall your glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, Or Honor points the hallowed spot. Where Valor proudly sleeps."
As before indicated, Captain William II. Ir- win was in command of the company until he was severely wounded in the sanguinary battle of Molino del Rey. On account of this wound and debility, he was permitted to return to his home at Lewistown, where he was assigned to the re- cruiting service, and was continued on that duty until the end of the war, Lieutenant McCoy remaining in command of the company nearly a year after, and returning with it when peace was declared. Captain Irwin has received honorable mention for gallantry and good con- duct in the battles in which he participated, by the commanding officers of the regiment, in their official reports, and received the commission of major by brevet from the President of the United States, for gallant and meritorious con- duct in the battles of Contreras and Cheru- busco.
General George Cadwallader, who commanded the brigade of which the Eleventh Regiment, United States army, composed a part, has made the following record of the conduct of Lieutenant T. T. MeCoy in the several engagements under his command :
" A reference to the official reports will show that the services of Lieutenant McCoy were not overlooked, either by the commanding officer of his regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, or, after his death, by his successor, Major Hunter, and that he is also particu- larly named in high terms in my report. I take pleasure in referring to them here. Lieutenant-Col- onel W. H. Graham's report of August 22, 1847, speaking of the attack on Contreras, on the 19th, and of a detachment on the flank, says: 'This small force of eighty men, Companies D and I, Eleventh Infan- try, under Captains Irwin and Guthrie, and Lieu- tenants McCoy, Mcclellan and Scott, gallantly per- formed this duty, killing a number of both Lancers and Infantry.' And again, after speaking of the battle of Cherubusco, attests to the gallantry and de- termined courage of Lieutenant McCoy and others. My own report, dated August 22, 1847 (Contreras and Cherubusco), speaks handsomely of the services of the Eleventh Infantry, and notices with commenda- tion the services of Lieutenant McCoy. Major Hun- ter's report, dated September 10, 1847 (Lieutenant- Colonel Graham having been killed at Molino del Rey), says: ' Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, with Lieutenants MeCoy and Harley, pursued the enemy to the left, although he (Colonel Graham) was badly wounded in two places, and while leading a charge on a large and fortified building still in possession of the enemy, a
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volley of musketry was fired upon him, inflicting two mortal wounds, of which he died in a few minutes on the field he had so gallantly assisted to win ;' and in conclusion he names particularly Lieutenant McCoy among the most distinguished. My own report, Sep- tember 10, 1847, particularly names Lieutenant Me- Coy in referring to the death of Colonel Graham, in the assault upon Molino del Rey. Major Hunter's report of September 16, 1847, again mentions Lieu- tenant McCoy. I know he was a good and efficient officer, and rendered most gallant services on many occasions, and was particularly distinguished at the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco and Molino del Rey."
He also received the commission of brevet- captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco.
The negotiations for peace having been con- cluded and the treaty ratified, prompt arrange- ments were made for withdrawing the army from Mexico. On the 30th of May, 1848, the Eleventh Infantry took up the line of march, and the next day arrived in the city of Mexico, where it remained until the 4th of June, and on that day, with joy and rejoicing, it began the march for "home, sweet home," and arrived at Vera Cruz on the June 29th. July 1st, set sail in the ship "America" for New Orleans, where it arrived July 8th. Remaining a few days encamped at Carrollton, reshipped on a steamer, and went round by sea to Fort Hamil- ton, on the channel near the city of New York, and was mustered out of the service of the United States by Lieutenant-Colonel J. Plympton, U. S. A., on the 16th day of August, A.D. 1848. Before leaving Fort Ham- ilton the company, as a parting testimonial of their respect and regard for Captain Irwin and Lieutenant McCoy, presented cach with a beauti- ful and costly sword, with the battles through which they had passed engraved upon them. The company returned to Lewistown on the 25th of August, 1848, and on the next day was honored by the citizens and the people of the county by a public reception, and a sumptuous dinner by the ladies in the court-house. In reply to a complimentary address of welcome on behalf of the people, Captain Irwin, Dr. Bower and Lieutenant McCoy made short ad- dresses. That of Lieutenant McCoy is the only one now extant, and is as follows:
"Your very kind words, and the peculiar and very interesting associations of this occasion, have nearly deprived me of proper terms in which to express our sense of gratitude., Our hearts are full, our tongues almost mute. This deeply exciting, this all-absorbing scene is indelibly stamped upon our hearts. A wel- come so cordial, hearty, and universal and splendid, has seldom been witnessed. It is with sensations of delight and heartfelt gratitude that I view so many of the patriotic people of Mifflin County present them- selves, with hearts swelled with gratitude, and eyes dimmed with tears of joy, to do honor to that gallant band of soldiers now before you, to welcome them to their dear homes, their beloved friends and fami- lies.
" The God of battles, in His great goodness, has mercifully preserved them through strange and won- derful scenes. He has thrown His protecting shield around them in singular vicissitudes, hardships and afflictions-emphatically in all the dangers of the land and sea, the battle and the pestilence. Gratitude deep and lasting, I trust, is felt by every heart to Him who has thus manifested His goodness and power in their preservation. I am rejoiced in being enabled to say that amidst the dangers and trying circum- stances by which they have been surrounded they ever presented the truly noble characteristics of the American soldier,-patriotic, brave and devoted, anxious to deserve well of this great and glorious country of which they were proud to be natives and defenders, and to which they return with hearts better fitted for appreciating her excellencies. They had a commander who dared to lead them into the thickest of the fight-they dared to follow, and with that irre- sistible enthusiasm which has always distinguished our victorious troops in Mexico. But apart from this patriotic impulse that impelled to the discharge of our duty, we had a particular incentive to endeavor to act well our part. We had generous, noble friends who were observing our conduct and movements with an abiding, indeed, almost a fatherly interest. They were embalmed in our affections, and were ever present in our minds. That parting scene when about to leave you for the camp and the battle-field, exhibited here and at McVeytown, was a continued, bright and happy recollection. This all-absorbing thought inspired us with strength in moments of weakness and despondency, gave encouragement in darkness and difficulties, and nerved us in the hour of conflict. This feeling possessed us like a living spirit. Rather would these gallant fellows have left their bones to whiten the plains and valleys of Mexico than have offended you by proving recreant, and com- ing short of the high expectations you had formed of their courage and gallantry.
" I regret that my closing words must be mingled with the shades of sorrow and sadness. The only re- flection that is in the least calculated to disturb the perfect delight of this happy occasion is that all our
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