USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 46
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Immediately succeeding these events the Pennsylvania militia, under General Tannehill, deserted almost in a body and came home in squads. Supplies for all were furnished by Major Herriott, who procured them on his individual credit. He was publicly thanked by Captains Lithgow, Cooper, Herron, Withrow, Alexander, and Lieutenants Irwin, Jenkins, Graham, Hobbs and others, members of the Pennsylvania militia (v). Recriminations between the two generals, Smyth and Porter, led to a duel between them on Grand Island, the former sending and the latter accepting the challenge. They fired once without effect, whereupon General Porter withdrew his charge of cowardice and General Smyth apologized for his language. They then shook hands and the affair of honor terminated. It was said of the Pennsylvania militia that they were "so exceedingly anxious to do something they ran away." Fault existed on both sides. General Smyth justified his course to General Dearborn on the ground that it was unwise and unmilitary to invade the enemy's country, with a wide river in his rear, with only 1,500 reliable men, with winter fast approaching, and with a large body of insubordinate militia to hamper and distress him. On the other hand, no one disputed the anxiety of the militia to cross and fight at least one battle with the enemy drawn up in tantalizing line on the other shore. It was probably a case of patriotic, though insubordinate, enthusiasm, pitted against the discipline, stub- bornness and prudence of the regular army. But the offense was nothing less than desertion in the end, nevertheless.
In February and March, 1814, a court-martial was called and they were tried for insubordination and disobedience of orders and desertion. They were convicted on one or the other of the charges, and inany of them were sentenced to pay fines of from $40 to $60 each; a few much lower. Many of the best citizens of this portion of the State afterward were thus punished under the articles of
(t) Official Report of General Smyth.
(u) Official Report of General Porter.
(v) Mercury, December, 1812.
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war. The very men who had repeatedly insisted on being led against the British across the Niagara were the first, when refused, to fire their rifles in the air in disapprobation and the first to start for home without orders. Their guilt was so clear that the court-martial was abundantly justified, under the articles of war, in inflicting severe punishment, but a much milder course was pursued, an act of undoubted wisdom, all things considered.
At first it was intended to send the Pittsburg Blues, under Captain Butler, and the Greensburg Rifie Company, under Captain Alexander, to the Niagara department; but the perilous situation of the Northwestern frontier caused the authorities to change their plan, whereupon the two companies were ordered to take boats on September 23d, and move down the Ohio nearly to Cincinnati, and there join General W. H. Harrison, who had been placed in command of the Army of the Northwest and was preparing to march northward. In fact, General Harrison was then well advanced across Ohio with about 5,000 men to the relief of Fort Wayne. The Westmoreland Troop of Cavalry, under Captain Markle, left here for Urbana, September 22d. The officers of the Pittsburg Blues were: James R. Butler, captain; James Irwin, son of Colonel Irwin of Brush Creek, first lieutenant; Mathew Magee, brother of Christopher Magee, second lieuten- ant; Elijah Trovillo, first sergeant, and part of the privates were as follows: Patterson, Pratt, Pollard, Park, Parker, Pentland, J. Davis, J. D. Davis, Elliott, English, McMasters, Robinson, Wilkins, Haven, Allison, Graham, Chess, McFall, Maxwell, Mathews, McClany, McGiffin, Deal, Ross, Francis, Wahren- dorff, Newman, Richardson, Harris, Dodd, McKee, Watt, Deemer, Dobbins, Thompson, Read, Neville, Vernon, Whiedner, Swift, Hull, McNeal, Fairfield, Jones, Williams, Willock, Barney, Morse, Marcy, Clark and Elliott.
Upon their arrival with the army of General Harrison all the Pennsylvania troops, including the Pittsburg Blues, were assigned to the right wing under the command of Brigadier-General Crooks. The whole army of 7,000 to 8,000 men were hardy and experienced backswoodsmen. With the exception of the Pitts- burg Blues no other men from this immediate vicinity, save a few scattering cases, were with Harrison's army.
On August 15, 1812, occurred the Fort Dearborn massacre at Chicago. With the garrison there was Walter Jordan, of this county, who, four days later, escaped from the Indians, seized a horse, and, after great hardships, reached Fort Wayne on August 26th, and there remained until the siege of that place was raised by General Harrison on September 16.
The army moved from Franklinton to Fort Greenville November 25, 1812. On the 17th of December occurred the preliminary skirmish of Mississinewa, and on the 18th the battle of that name. The movement consisted of an expedition tinder Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Campbell against the Mississinewa villages. Early on the morning of the 18th the troops were furiously attacked by the Indians, and the Pittsburg Blues were employed to reinforce the angle of the camp against which the enemy was thrown, and fought "gallantly" for about an hour. Two corporals of the company, Elliott and Read, were wounded; one private, Francis, was killed, and two privates, Chess and Dodd, were wounded. The company was specially noticed for its gallant conduct in the official report.
On May 5, 1813, occurred the sally at Fort Meigs, in which the Blues par- ticipated. General Clay, with a force of about 800 men, sallied out under orders to silence and, if possible, capture the enemy's batteries. They took four bat- teries with such ease that, flushed with success, they still further advanced, though ordered back .. Their return was finally cut off by a large force of the enemy, and out of the 800 to sally forth only about 150 succeeded in cutting their way back to the boats. On this occasion Captain Butler was sick and unable to be present, and the Blues were commanded by Lieutenant Magee. The com-
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pany lost in killed, Newman and Richardson; and in wounded, Williams, Dob- bins, Willock, Wahrendorff and Ross.
"The Pittsburg Blues, led by Lieutenant Magee, in the illness of their gallant captain, sustained the reputation which they had acquired at Missis- sinewa" (w).
"That American regulars (although they were raw recruits) and such men as compose the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Petersburg, Virginia, volunteers, should behave well is not to be wondered at; but that a company of militia should maintain its ground against four times its numbers, as did Captain Sebres, of Kentucky, is truly astonishing" (x).
The Pennsylvania militia (about 2,000 strong) with General Harrison, having been mustered in for six months, were many of them discharged in April, 1813, their time having expired, though they served fifteen days longer rather than leave the army weak before a strong and vigilant enemy, previous to the arrival of expected and overdue reinforcements from this State. These returned soldiers were warmly welcomed at Pittsburg on their arrival in May. About 200 of them had reënlisted in the Northwest and there continued to serve. The Blues, having enlisted for one year, remained with Harrison. They were destined still further to distinguish themselves.
On August 2, 1813, the British and Indians, under Proctor and Elliott, stormed Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, then commanded by Major George Crogan, twenty-one years of age, a nephew of General George Rogers Clarke. The results were thus summed up by General Harrison in speaking of the advance of the British:
"Their troops [the British] were formed in two columns, Lieutenant-Colonel Short heading the principal one, composed of the light and battalion companies of the Forty-first Regiment. This gallant officer conducted his men to the brink of the ditch under the most galling and destructive fire from the garrison, and, leaping into it, was followed by a considerable part of his own and the light com- pany. At this moment a masked porthole was suddenly opened and a six- pounder with an half load of powder and a double charge of leaden slugs, at the distance of thirty feet, poured destruction upon them and killed or wounded nearly every man who had entered the ditch. In vain did the British officers exert themselves to lead on the balance of the column; it retired in disorder under a shower of shot from the fort, and sought safety in the adjoining woods" (y).
"A young gentleman, a private in the Petersburg volunteers, of the name of Brown, assisted by five or six of that company and of the Pittsburg Blues, who were accidentally in the fort, managed the six-pounder which produced such destruction in the ranks of the enemy" (y).
In the ditch where the cannon played were found dead one lieutenant- colonel, one major, one lieutenant and about fifty privates. The total British loss in this engagement was about one hundred killed and wounded, and the Ameri- can loss one killed and seven wounded.
. "The first day they made their appearance the Indians killed five of the picquet guard and took four prisoners. The night before they left us they had a war-dance and burned some of the prisoners; we do not know how many, as the bones were nearly burnt up. We are all well" (z).
"On Friday last Captain Butler's company of Pittsburg Blues returned home
(w) General orders of Harrison, May 9, 1813.
(x) Official report of General W. H. Harrison.
(y) Report of General W. H. Harrison, August 4, 1813.
(z) Extract from a letter dated August 9, 1813, addressed to a gentleman of Pittsburg, from a soldier at Ft. Meigs.
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after having received an honorable discharge from their twelve months' service in the Northwestern Army. Their return was hailed by their fellow-citizens with the usual demonstrations of respect. On the day preceding Lieutenant' Drum's Greensburg Rifle Company passed through this place on their way home" (a).
On August 2, 1813, the two hundred Pennsylvania militia who had reënlisted volunteered to go on board the brigs on Lake Erie under Commodore Perry and participate in the naval battle which was expected to occur in a short time. Many of them were accepted. On August 6th the fleet sailed toward Long Point. On September 10, 1813, the British fleet of two ships, one brig, two schooners and one sloop was captured after a sharp fight. Great rejoicing occurred here on receipt of the news. The citizens took special pride in this famous victory, because of the fact that much of the supplies for the American fleet was procured here.
"Illumination .- On Friday last Lieutenant Forrest of the Navy passed through this place on his way to Washington with the flags of the British squad- ron captured by the gallant Commodore Perry. This memorable event was com- memorated here the same evening by a splendid and general illumination of the town and surrounding country, a grateful tribute of a patriotic people to the brave defenders of their country's flag" (b).
The Pennsylvania militia who were under Colonel Hill were honorably discharged from the Northwestern Army in November, 1813. During the war recruiting continued at Fort Fayette, near Pittsburg. In December, 1813, several British prisoners of war, captured by Commodore Perry on Lake Erie and con- fined in the county jail here, effected their escape. During the war the ordnance department of the Government located here furnished large quantities of supplies to the army. In March, 1814, several more British prisoners confined here suc- ceeded in escaping. Harrison's great victory over Proctor on the River Thames in Canada, in October, 1813, occasioned public rejoicing here. An express post, which traversed the Western country at the highest speed of a horse, carried back and forth the news of the day and the dispatches of the military authorities. Many horses were bought here for the army. In April, 1813, experienced boat- builders were employed here by the Government and taken to Lake Erie, there to build Schenectady boats for the Government service. These boats were narrow and sharp at the bow and flat bottomed. In 1813-14 so much gunpowder was stored here in various houses that dangerous explosions were feared (c).
On January 5, 1814, the alarming news was received here that Erie was in danger of capture by the British, and the Mercury said of the action taken in this emergency: "A number of patriotic young men of Pittsburg, having volunteered their services, and the troops at Fort Fayette, will march this day for Erie" (d).
In the summer of 1814 large quotas of troops were called for by the Gov- ernment. It was well understood that, inasmuch as the war in Europe was about to end, England would be free to send a large additional army to engage in the war with this country.
"Pittsburg, January 19, 1814 .- A letter has been received from Samuel Douglas, Esq., commanding the Pittsburg Volunteers, by the editor of the Commonwealth, dated at Meadville, January 10th, which states that from the enemy's taking so many sleds from the neighborhood of Buffalo, the American troops all felt confident of his determination to cross to Erie as soon as the ice can bear him. If he does not come to Erie, says Mr. Douglas, my company will unanimously volunteer to assist in dislodging him from Fort Niagara" (e).
"Pittsburg, March 25, 1814 .-- About 200 drafted militia and upward of 500
(a) Mercury, Thursday, September 16, 1813.
(b) Mercury, October ;, 1813.
(c) Mercury, several issues, 1813.
(d) Mercury, January, 1814. (e) Niles. Register, February 5, 1814.
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volunteers from the counties of Cumberland, Adams and Franklin arrived here on Friday and Saturday last, and on Monday proceeded on their march for Erie, where they are to be stationed for six months" (f).
"Among the prisoners who have recently arrived at this place from Quebec are James Van Horn, Joseph Knowles, Paul Grummow, Elias Mills, Joseph Bowen, Nathaniel Edson, Dyson Dyer, James Corbin and Phelim Corbin of the First Regiment United States Infantry, who survived the massacre at Fort Dearborn, or Chicago, on the 15th of August, 1812" (g).
"A detachment of upward of 200 men of the First Regiment of Infantry passed through Pittsburg from St. Louis on their way to the Northern frontier on the 28th ult." (h).
In July, 1814, the citizens were called together to raise means to procure a sword, to be presented to Commodore David Porter, who, after fighting gal- lantly, had lost the "Essex," near Valparaiso, to the English war vessels Phebe and Cherub (i).
"Pittsburg, August 31 .- On Sunday Captain Reed's company of artillery, 80 strong, took up their line of march from this place for Buffalo" (j).
The capture of the national capital in August, 1814, roused the flagging energies of patriotism and prompted new calls for troops from all the States. Governor Snyder of Pennsylvania called out a large force to assist in repelling the invaders. Few, if any, went from Pittsburg or Allegheny County.
Little was donc after this by this vicinity except to keep in readiness in case troops were called for. On Wednesday, September 10, 1817, a public dinncr was given to General Jacob Brown, the hero of Niagara, who had remained here a few days after the departure of President Monroe. The feast was celebrated at Kerr's Hotel and many toasts were drunk. James Ross officiated as president of the occasion and Dr. George Stevenson as vice-president. In response to the toast, "Our distinguished guest, Major-General Jacob Brown, the hero of Niagara," that justly famed officer delivered a suitable response (k).
As the years passed and the members of the old Pittsburg Blues, one after another, dropped off, the survivors, who maintained their old organization, gave a military burial to their deceased comrades. On nearly all public occasions, such as musters of the militia, Fourth of July, political assemblages, etc., they were always given the posts of honor and were the heroes of the hour.
(f) Niles Register, April 9, 1814.
(g) Mercury, May 21, 1814.
(h) Niles Register, July 16, 1814. (i) Mercury, 1814.
(j) Niles Register, September 10, 1814.
(k) Mercury, September 12, 1817.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE WAR WITH MEXICO-THE CALL TO ARMS-THE MARTIAL SPIRIT-TEN COM- PANIES QUICKLY FORMED HERE-RESOLUTIONS FAVORING THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR-PAROLE OF THE COMPANIES-TWO COMMANDS ACCEPTED-FUNDS RAISED FOR THE FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS-FIRST REGIMENT RENDEZVOUSED IN PITTS- BURG-DEPARTURE OF THE BLUES AND GRAVS-ILLUMINATION IN HONOR OF VICTORIES-COMPANIES OF GUTHRIE AND ROWLEY-CASUALTIES-MRS. SWISSHELM'S VIEWS-NEWS OF THE BATTLES-FUNERAL HONORS TO THE
DEAD-GRAND RECEPTION HOME OF THE GALLANT MEN-MUSTER ROLLS- SUPPLIES FURNISHED BY THE ALLEGHENY ARSENAL.
For several months previous to the commencement of hostilities between Mexico and the United States, the citizens of this vicinity were not blind to the drift of public events, but took a deep interest in all war measures as they developed. Of course, the great body of citizens was arrayed in various attitudes on the question of war-dependent upon their party affiliations and upon their own training, environs and make-up. Some favored the war; others opposed it. But after hostilities had been commenced no person here, except extremists, favored a retreat from the grounds that had been taken by the Government in the Mexican controversy. In anticipation of war the formation of companies here was begun before news was received of the first outbreak; and when such news did finally arrive a wonderful stimulus was given to the military spirit and companies sprang into formidable existence in all directions as if by magic. The old soldiers of the War of 1812, the militia officers and the prominent politicians who claimed to love the sight and smell of gore were swept to the front by popular clamor and placed in command of the organizations. "Volunteers for Mexico .- We are informed that the German battalion volunteered to a man on Saturday night in the proffer of their services to the Government in case of a rupture with Mexico. We saw several of their companies on parade yesterday. They are fine, stout looking fellows, well uniformed, armed and disciplined" (a). "Military .- We desired to see if our soldiers would be ready at a moment's notice to take the field, and so we inserted that paragraph in the Journal of Monday morning. The result was most flattering. Every man was ready to obey the call of his country. We did not expect to be censured by the colonel for our distinguished zeal in the service" (b). . . . . "The Viola starts to-morrow for New Orleans with the remainder of the heavy cannon manufactured by Knapp & Totten of this city" (c). "Judging from the activity in the quartermaster's department at the arsenal and among our Government officers generally, operations here have been stimulated by orders from Washington. The Viola left here last week loaded with cannon and munitions. The Hatchie Eagle leaves to-day for New Orleans with another load. We notice that shipments are making of carriages, which we suppose are for Paixham guns intended for coast fortifications. Our friends, Messrs. Knapp & Totten, are turning out heavy guns, balls and bombs as fast as the large force of hands in their employ and their large amount of machinery can do it" (d).
(a) Cominercial Journal May 12, 1846. (b) Commercial Journal, May 13, 1846.
(c) Commercial Journal, May 8, 1846. (d) Gazette, June 1, 1846.
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In May, 1846, there were no less than ten companies organized in the two cities and vicinity: The Duquesne Grays under Captain Herron, the Jackson Blues under Captain Hay, the City Blues under Captain Sirwell, the Hibernian Greens under Captain O'Brien, the Dragoons under Captain Sahl, three or four German companies organized into a battalion, the Pittsburg Guards under Captain Reed, and several others in the suburbs. At this time the Sixth Regi- ment of State militia, located here, was officered as follows: E. Trovillo, colonel; S. W. Black, lieutenant-colonel; William Larimer, Jr., major. In May, 1846, came the news that Sergeant Fuller, of the Fourth United States Infantry, a Pittsburger, had been killed by the Mexicans on the Rio Grande. It was said that he was the first resident of this city to die in the war. All men with large families were told to stay at home; that young men alone should be permitted to go. By June 22, 1846, the Jackson Blues numbered 120 men; and the Duquesne Grays numbered about 70; in fact, all the companies were full to overflowing. "Every night our streets are enlivened by the music of military bands, as one or the other of the companies turns out for drill" (e).
An immense assemblage of the members of all parties met at the old court- room on June 6, 1846, to express the sentiments of this community on the subject of the war. Thomas Hamilton was chosen chairman and Samuel W. Black, W. M. Edgar, J. G. Reed, Benjamin Patton, Samuel Roseburg, William Aiken and W. B. Mowry were appointed a committee on resolutions. Judge Patton, Colonel Black and R. H. Kerr were the principal speakers, and all three elo- quently urged citizens of all parties to support the Government. The committee on resolutions reported a long set which was adopted unanimously, three of them being as follows:
"Resolved, That the officers of the meeting appoint a committee of twenty persons, whose duty is shall be to raise by subscription a sufficient sum to uniform in a suitable manner the volunteers of Allegheny County who are willing to engage in the war. "Resolved, That the city and county which furnished the Pittsburg Blues for Mississinewa and Fort Meigs must not and shall not be less ready than others to meet the dangers that visit our country. The dust and ashes of the noble dead would curse the dastard sons who stained their well-earned glory. "Resolved, That Congress be and they are requested to pass a law increasing the pay of soldiers to $25 per month, and providing a bounty of 160 acres of land for each man who has been engaged in battle, and that the widows of soldiers killed in battle be each allowed a bounty of 320 acres of land" (f).
The committee appointed to raise funds to uniform the volunteers was as follows: Wilson McCandless, William Croghan, George Darsie, Charles Shaler, Alexander Richardson, H. S. Megraw, Rody Paterson, J. K. Moorhead, C. S. Eyster, Jesse Carothers, William Larimer, Jr., Alexander Black, C. H. Paulson, J. B. McFadden, Michael Kane, Jr., S. H. Sarber, P. McCormick, Alexander Hay, W. J. Howard and Robert Porter.
"Instead of six regiments, ninety full companies, a number sufficient to constitute nine regiments, regularly organized in accordance with the regulations adopted by the President, have tendered their services as volunteers for Mexico" (g).
He further saw that "the offers received and filed have all been made in good faith and calm deliberation. The officers and men composing the com- panies have had full time to reflect and did not act from feverish impulse or under the influence of a fit or fits of patriotic delirium."
(e) Commercial Journal, June 17. 1846.
(f) Commercial Journal, June 7, 1846.
(g) Statement of Adjutant-General Petrikin of Pennsylvania, about July 20, 1846.
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"Pittsburg Volunteers .- The following are the names, officers and members of the different volunteer companies whose services have been offered from this quarter: Pittsburg City Blues-First lieutenant, Robert Cornell; 77. Irish Green-Captain, Joseph O'Brien; first lieutenant, James Dignan; second lieuten- ant, Martin Connelly; 77. Duquesne Grays-Captain, John Herron; first lieu- tenant, C. H. Paulson; second lieutenant, George Beal; 64. Independent Blues -- Captain, Alexander Hay; first lieutenant, G. L. Drane; second lieutenant, James O'H. Denny; 119. Birmingham Guards-Captain, Samuel McKee; first lieutenant, Robert Duncan; second lieutenant, David Cunningham; 77. Penn- sylvania Blues-Captain, George S. Hays; first lieutenant, J. S. Bonnet; second lieutenant, W. S. Cuddy; 77. Making in all 491 men, admirably equipped, officered and disciplined, ready to leave in twenty-four hours from this point whenever ordered" (h).
"We have now in Pittsburg 500 men, armed, equipped and eager for war. They are all impatient for a fight and twenty-four hours' notice will suffice to have them ready to procecd to the Rio Grande" (i).
Under the Ten Regiments Bill of Congress, the State authorities on Novem- ber 19, 1846, ordered the First Pennsylvania Regiment to rendezvous at Pitts- burg. At first it was thought that many companies would be accepted from this vicinity. Several tendered their services to the State in July, 1846; but it was soon learned that volunteering was so popular throughout the country, and particularly in this State, that only a small fraction of those who enlisted here was likely to be accepted. In August, 1846, General Sam Houston, who had recently figured so prominently in Texan affairs, passed through Pittsburg on his way to the West, departing on the "Ringgold." He returned through Pittsburg to Washington in December. The time of acceptance of the volun- teers from this State was extended, first to July IIth, and then to a still later date. In the meantime the companies here continued to parade nightly, and several of them went to encampments in the country to familiarize themselves with camp life. Early in September a new company was reported organized at Elizabeth under Captain Hamilton, and one at the Forks under Captain Eakin.
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