USA > Pennsylvania > York County > York > York County and the World War: Being a war history of York and York County > Part 23
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Meanwhile General Zachary Taylor, with a small body of troops had been ordered to Corpus Christi, on the borders of the disputed territory, and a little later to advance to Fort Brown on the Rio Grande. The Mexicans looked upon this as an invasion of their country and ordered a body of troops across the river. Soon after followed the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma in which the Americans were victorious, and the Mexican War was begun. This was in April, 1846. Polk sent a message to Congress in which he said, "War exists, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it-exists by the act of Mexico herself. Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil."
Congress responded to the President's message by declaring that war existed "by the act of Mexico," and authorized a call for 50,000 volunteers, and appropiated $10,000,000 to meet the expenses. From most of the country the call for volunteers was answered with promptness.
Immediately after President Polk had issued a proclamation announcing that the United States had declared war against Mexico, the military spirit of the people of the borough and county of York was again aronsed as it had been during previous wars. Two volunteer companies in the borough were then under excellent drill and discipline. These were the Washington Artillerists commanded by Captain Robert Bruce, and the York Rifles, by Captain George Hay. The York companies and the United Blues of Hanover, Captain A. W. Eichelberger, and the Carroll Guards of Dillsburg, Captain Totten, offered their services to the United States Government. This occurred in May, 1846.
CALL FOR TROOPS
There was no call for troops from Pennsylvania until November 16th of that year when President Polk asked for one regiment from this state. In response to the call, Governor Shunk ordered the uniformed military companies of the state to rendezvous at Pittsburg. In a short time fourteen companies proceeded to that city. Only ten could be accepted to form a regiment. Six of these came from Philadelphia, two from Pittsburg, one from Pottsville and one from Wilkes-Barre.
Although the York County companies were not accepted in a body, nine young men from York joined the Monroe Guards, one of the Philadelphia companies. The names of these men were Thomas A. Ziegle, who was made a sergeant; Peter Ahl, Jr., Daniel Craver, Albertus Welsh, Jacob Danner, Samuel Stair, William Eurich and Robert Patterson. Edward Haviland, afterward a well known architect of York, and R. M. Russell of Hanover, who during the Civil War became lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, also served in this regiment.
FIRST PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT
The ten companies which rendezvoused at Pittsburg were organized into the First Pennsylvania Regiment on December 15, 1846, with Francis M. Wyncoop, colonel; Samuel Black, lieutenant-colonel. The regiment soon after proceeded to the front and joined the army under General Scott at Vera Cruz before he began his triumphant march to the Mexican capital.
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200th DESTROYING WELDON RAILROAD" NEAR RICHMOND, VA.
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The first call for troops from Pennsylvania was answered by sufficient companies to form six regi- ments. Only one regiment was wanted from Pennsylvania at that time. Late in December, 1846, the president asked for another regiment from this state. Pittsburg had been the place of rendezvous for a large part of the American troops in the War of 1812. At the same city the Pennsylvania regiments which went to Mexico, were organized.
SECOND PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT
January 5, 1847, the Second Pennsylvania Regiment was mustered into the service. The com- panies forming this regiment came from different parts of the State. Company C, known as the Cameron Guards, had been organized at Harrisburg by Captain William A. Small. There were a number of York County men enlisted in this company, including Samuel Roller, Jacob Snyder and John Walters. Immediately after its organization was completed. the Second Regiment under command of Colonel Roberts left Pittsburg for New Orleans, going there by steamboat down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
TAYLOR'S VICTORIES
The troops encamped on the historic battlefield where the American Army under General Jackson defeated the British forces on the 8th of January, 1815. The regiment had a stormy passage across the Gulf of Mexico, landed at Vera Cruz, reaching there on the evening of the capture and sur- render of the fortress March 29, 1847. General Taylor, commanding the army in the northern part of Mexico, had already triumphed over the enemy in four important battles.
The government had now determined that an army of about 20,000 men should march from Vera Cruz through the valley and over the mountains to the city of Mexico. There was one great difficulty to surmount. Many of the American troops could not endure the climate, and as a result of this, a large number took sick. Some of them died in hospitals of fever, while others took the smallpox. Early in the year 1847, the two Pennsylvania regiments were placed in the Second Division commanded by General Worth.
SCOTT'S MARCH TO MEXICO
General Taylor having conquered the Mexicans along the Rio Grande River, a portion of his army was now sent to General Scott. On March 29th five thousand Mexican troops surrendered to General Scott at Vera Cruz, and on April 8th he began his march toward the Mexican capital.
On the 18th of April he defeated Santa Anna, commanding an army of 12,000 men at the mountain pass of Cerro Gordo, capturing five generals, 3,000 men, 4,500 stands of arms and 43 cannon, and killing and wounding more than 1,000 men, with a loss of less than 500 out of 8,500 Americans engaged in the battle. Scott paroled the prisoners, and the next day advanced to Jalapa which he captured April 19th. He continued his march to Puebla which he occupied May 15th.
At this place General Scott remained for drill and discipline of his army and reinforcements until August 7th. On that day he advanced on the city of Mexico, and soon after attacked and captured Contreras and Cherubusco. An armistice was now agreed upon between the contending armies, during which time the American commissioner failed to negotiate a treaty of peace with the Mexicans.
HIS ARMY VICTORIOUS
Operations were resumed to the southwest of the city, defended by 14,000 Mexicans occupying Molino del Rey, and General Worth's loss was in storming Molino del Rey before the attack on the wooded and strongly fortified eminence of Chapultepec. On September 8th, General Worth with
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CENTER SQUARE, HANOVER, 1840
CENTER SQUARE, LOOKING WESTWARD
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3,500 men attacked Molino del Rey, capturing much material and more than 800 prisoners, but losing one-fourth of his command, including 58 officers. On the 13th, Chapultepec was stormed and carried, and on the morning of the 14th, Scott's army marched into the city and occupied the national palace.
END OF THE WAR
And thus ended the war with Mexico. Within six months General Scott had stormed the strongest places in the country, won battles against armies double, treble and even quadruple his own, and marched without a single reverse from Vera Cruz to Mexico. He had lost fewer men, made fewer mistakes, and caused less devastation in proportion to his victories than any invading general of former times. When the Duke of Wellington was asked by a great soldier what he thought of Scott's Mexican campaign, his reply was, "It was a war of miracles!"
The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded February 2, 1848. New Mexico and Upper California were ceded to the United States, and the western boundary of Texas was fixed at the Rio Grande del Norte. In return the United States agreed to pay fifteen millions dollars, and to assume the debts due American citizens by the Mexican government to the amount of three million five hundred thousand dollars. The war cost the United States about twenty-five thousand men (most of whom had died by disease) and one hundred and sixty million dollars.
YORK COUNTY SOLDIERS
Besides those mentioned as having enlisted from York County to serve in the Mexican War, were the following who served in the different commands: Emannel Bates, James H. Ross, Jacob Patterson, George Johnston, George Smith, William Tinner, William Fray, David Harp, Samuel Semons, John Fields, Henry Stair, Edward Lay, Alexander McPherson, Lieutenant Theodore D. Cochran, John Leaman, Colonel R. M. Russell, William Bair, etc.
Most of the volunteer soldiers from York County who served in the Mexican War were in the army of General Scott. They took part in the battles of his brilliant campaign. William Eurick was killed at the siege of Pueblo.
Jacob Danner died of sickness. After being discharged, five of their comrades each contributed ten dollars for the purpose of bringing the remains of the deceased soldiers to York for burial, where they were interred with military honors. Jacob Snyder and John Walters from York County, who served in Company C, Second Pennsylvania Regiment, died of fever in the hospital at Pueblo.
Colonel Albert C. Ramsey, a native of York County and a member of the bar, commanded the Eleventh Infantry, in the Mexican War. There were some York County soldiers in his regiment which distinguished itself in the battle of Molino del Rey. George Johnston, of York, was killed in this battle. Weirich Pentz, Colonel Brough and David Hays served in Ohio regiments.
Theodore D. Cochran, one of the editors of the York Republican, was first lieutenant of a company of cavalry connected with the Eleventh United States Infantry. His command did valiant service in the campaign under General Scott. During the Civil War, he commanded a company in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment.
REGULAR ARMY OFFICERS
General William B. Franklin a native of York and a graduate of West Point, served as a topographi- cal engineer under General Taylor. Later he served under Scott on the march to Mexico, and com- manded two divisions in the army of the Potomac during the Civil War. His brother Samuel R.
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MAJOR CLARK'S RESIDENCE, CORNER MARKET AND BEAVER STREETS
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Franklin, who became a rear admiral, was then a Lieutenant on the frigate America of the United States fleet at Vera Cruz.
Horatio Gates Gibson of York, served as a second lieutenant in the Third Artillery in Scott's army. He became a brigadier-general during the Civil War. His brother William Gibson served on the gunboat Reefer in the Gulf of Mexico. George P. Welsh of York a lieutenant in the navy was present at the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and later served on the Pacific Coast.
Granville O. Haller of York, was First lieutenant of Company C, United States Infantry. General Grant, of the Civil War, was a captain in the same regiment and placed a mountain howitzer in a church steeple overlooking Mexico, and fired solid shot into the Grand Plaza of the city. For this bravery Generals Scott and Worth praised Captain Grant before the whole army.
Captain Richard E. Cochran of the regular army was killed while leading his company at the battle of Rescaca de la Palma under Taylor in 1846.
Jacob Stager who died in April 1917, at the age of eighty-six was the last surviving soldier of York County in the Mexican War. He enlisted as a marine and served on the Cumberland, flagship of Admiral Conner who commanded the United States fleet which stormed and captured Vera Cruz in 1847.
WELCOMED HOME
An enthusiastic reception was given to the Mexican soldiers on their return to New York, July 31, 1848. When the news arrived that these veterans had reached Baltimore, a committee of York citizens went down to meet them and escort them home. The soldiers were accompanied by Captain William F. Small, of Harrisburg, under whose command some of them had served in the war.
A procession had been formed in Center Square with Major George Hay as chief marshall. In the line of march were three local military companies, the Independent Blues, the Washington Greys and Pennsylvania Guards. The procession moved up George Street to Centre Square and then pro- ceeded to a position in front of the Court House. The military companies were drawn up in line facing the Court House steps. At this juneture, James Buchanan, of Lancaster, who afterward be- came President of the United States, addressed the veterans of the Mexican War and paid tribute to the fine military appearance of the local companies. Speeches, on behalf of the returning soldiers, were made by Sergeant Thomas A. Ziegle and Captain W. F. Small.
PART V .- THE CIVIL WAR
The war for the preservation of the Union began in 1861. It originated from the difference of opinion between two sections of our country on slavery and the individual rights of states. The Southern States had kept up the institution of slavery from the time of their first settlements. Slavery had existed in the Northern States even after the revolution, but long before the Civil War was gather- ing force, every state north of Mason and Dixon's line had abolished it.
The south advocated the independent rights of States, supporting the elaim that any state could withdraw from the Union, by its inherit rights. Long and earnest were the discussions on these subjects in the halls of Congress.
Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, the ablest orator of his time and the great expounder of the constitution, opposed the extension of slavery, and claimed that no state by its own will could secede from the Union. His eloquent words in the United States Senate, "Not liberty first and union after- ward, but liberty and union now and forever, one and inseparable," were echoed and re-echoed through- out the northern States until the opening of the war. It was this sentiment that stirred up the patriotism of the northern people and caused the noble defense of the Union in the great war which lasted four long years.
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For a period of fifty years the United States Senate and the affairs of the government had been controlled by the statesmen of the South. The erisis in public affairs came after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, leaving to the voters of the territory of Kansas to decide whether it should be admitted as a slave or a free state. This doctrine became known to American history as "Squatter Sovereignty." The great contest, in 1858, in Illinois between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for the control of the State Legislature and the election of a United States Senator brought forth Mr. Lincoln as the candidate of the Republican party for President of the United States.
After Lincoln's election in November, 1860, the affairs of the Government were no longer in control of the southern statesmen. South Carolina seceded from the Union December 20, 1860, and six other southern states followed her example. At first there was a disposition among some northern people to give consent to the secession of these states, and at this time Horace Greeley published in the "New York Tribune" his famous editorial, "Wayward Sisters go in Peace." This sentiment did not prevail. President Lincoln refused to recognize the right of secession and prepared to defend the Union.
The Confederate Government was organized at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 1, 1861, by the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, vice-President. This was a temporary organization until the Confederate capital had been removed to Richmond in February, 1862. Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President of the United States on March 4, 1861. His inaugural address is one of the masterpieces of American literature. It intended to pacify the South, but the sentiment of secession had spread over that region like a tornado. Maryland and Kentucky were still in doubt but they were saved to the Union.
Before the inauguration of Lincoln all the National forts in the seceded states, except Sumter at Charleston, South Carolina, and Pickens at Pensacola, Florida, had been surrendered to the state authorities. At this period only seven states had seceded. but others threatened to go if the Federal authorities used foree to compel the return of those states to the Union.
FORT SUMTER
On April 8th, President Lincoln stated in a public document that Fort Sumter would be provisioned by foree, if necessary, orders having been given to send a fleet to its support. It was then garrisoned by Major Robert Anderson, commanding eighty Federal troops. On April 12th, before the fleet could reach its destination a battery had been planted along the shores of Charleston Harbor by the eon- federates and fired upon Fort Sumter. Major Anderson replied to this fire and the contest con- tinued for twenty-four hours without the loss of life. After having exhausted his ammunition, and the fort being on fire, Anderson surrendered but with the honors of war was permitted to sail for New York.
The effect of the news of this engagement was marvelous. Up to this time most of the northern people had not believed that the South was in earnest. They thought that the questions were political, and like similar ones in the past would somehow be settled as heretofore. When the news of the fall of Sumter was received, the people of the free states seemed to be of one mind and everything else was forgotten. When President Lincoln, on April 15th, two days after the surrender, issued his eall for 75,000 volunteers, "to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our national union," the answer was prompt. Thousands more than were called for volunteered, and provisions, money. arms and supplies of all kinds were tendered by the states and by individuals.
CALL FOR TROOPS
Pennsylvania was to furnish 14,000 of the troops in all sixteen regiments, called for by President Lincoln. Andrew G. Curtin, who had been elected Governor of the state in October, 1860, was an
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ardent Union man. His inaugural address, in January, 1861, referred to the unfortunate conditions of the country. Soon after hearing of Lincoln's proclamation, he called upon volunteer companies in the state to assemble at Harrisburg and prepare for the defense of the nation. Even before this call telegrams came to him from uniformed companies from every section of the state tendering their services.
SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS
On the night of April 16th, the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, left Lowell under command of Colonel Jones for the defense of Washington. These troops were all armed and equipped for war. When they reached Philadelphia, they were joined by a regiment of 1,000 men under Colonel W. F. Small, who had commanded a company in the Mexican war, in which some of our York County troops served. His soldiers were all unarmed. When the Sixth Massachusetts was approaching Baltimore, Colonel Jones informed his men that they were in danger of being attacked by a mob while passing through Baltimore. He ordered them to load their muskets and prepare for an attack, but not to fire unless the mob had first fired upon them. These early defenders of the nation were traveling in thirty-five cars, drawn by three engines. When they reached the station at Baltimore, they began to move across the city in cars drawn by horses to Camden station, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At this time, locomotives did not pass through the city. As Colonel Small's troops were unarmed, they re- mained at the station for a time and then by order of the Governor, returned to Philadelphia.
SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS ATTACKED
Four companies of the Sixth Massachusetts marched through the city. These were attacked by a mob, throwing stones and brickbats and firing upon the soldiers who quickly returned the fire, killing seven citizens of Baltimore and wounding several others. Two of the Massachusetts soldiers were killed. This event occurred on April 19th, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington and Concord in the Revolution. Intense excitement prevailed in Baltimore, and the news of the mob attacking the troops, was telegraphed all over the northern states. It aroused the patriotic ardor of the loyal people.
As early as January 15, 1861, a Union meeting had been held in the Court House at York, to discuss the conditions of affairs in the country. When the news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached the town, the Worth Infantry, Captain Thomas A. Ziegle, and York Rifles, Captain George Hay, offered their services to the government. These companies were both armed with rifles which had been furnished them two years before by the Secretary of war. On April 17th, the Governor accepted their services and they awaited the call to duty.
Immediately after the attack on the troops at Baltimore had occurred, Governor Hicks, of Mary- land, ordered the bridges of the Northern Central Railroad north of the city and the bridges on part of the road from Baltimore to Wilmington, to be burned. He claimed to be in favor of the Union and ordered this destruction of the bridges for the purpose of preventing troops from the northern states passing through the dominion of Maryland.
On the evening of April 20th, General W. H. Keim, commanding the militia of Pennsylvania, arrived at York from Washington. Because of the destruction of the bridges, he was driven to Cockeys- ville in a carriage, and reached York on a locomotive. He gave authority for the Worth Infantry and the York Rifles to proceed to Parkton for the purpose of guarding the bridges at that point. They left York at 11 o'clock on the night of the 20th. Before leaving, these companies molded bullets and were fully armed and equipped for the military service.
Governor Curtin organized the First, Second and Third Regiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers,
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at Harrisburg, and sent them late in the night of April 20th. to Cockeysville. to defend the bridges and the American flag. These troops were all armed with twenty rounds of ammunition. They were provided with rations for two days only and it soon fell to the duty of the citizens of York to slaughter bullocks on the Public Common and gather together other provisions and send them to the troops at Cockeysville and Parkton. Meantime, Mayor Brown and two prominent citizens of Baltimore, called upon President Lincoln at the White House, and asked that these Pennsylvania troops be sent without the state of Maryland in order to prevent bloodshed, because of the secession sentiment in Baltimore.
CAMP SCOTT AT YORK
Immediately after the attack on Fort Sumter at Charleston, South Carolina, the state of Pennsyl- vania organized a military camp at Harrisburg. Owing to the fact that trouble had arisen in Baltimore and along the line of the Northern Central, Governor Curtin ordered the troops distributed along the railroad to return to York.
Camp Scott was then established on the York Fair Grounds in the Southeastern part of the town. On Sunday, April 21st. a company from Gettysburg, the Marion Rifles and the Hanover Infantry, three armed and trained military companies came to York. Troops continued to arrive at this camp and by May 10, 1861, there were six full regiments and one battery of artillery in Camp Scott and some in a camp on Penn Common.
These troops were divided into two brigades one of which was commanded by General Wynkoop and the other by General Negley. Early in June the troops in York were ordered to the front, because a long war was imminent. Meantime General Benjamin F. Butler of Massachusetts, was placed in charge of the Department of Maryland with headquarters in Baltimore. In June he was sent to the front. and was succeeded in Baltimore by General John A. Dix, of New York.
LOCAL PATRIOTISM
On April 20th. soon after receiving the news of the attack on the troops passing through Baltimore, large flags were floated to the breeze from the offices of the York Gazette and the York Republican. and also from the Tremont House. later the National Hotel, which was the stopping place for military officers. Other flags were displayed from the private residences of many citizens. On Monday, April 22d, a tall pole was erected in Centre Square and a bunting flag unfurled to the breeze. During this ceremony. the Worth Infantry Band played the Star Spangled Banner. Hon. Robert J. Fisher delivered a speech on this occasion.
In the afternoon of the same day, a flag pole, one hundred feet high, was erected in front of the lumber yard of H. Small & Sons, on North Duke Street, when patriotic speeches were delivered by Henry L. Fisher, John Gibson and John W. Bittenger. The Continental Club also unfurled a flag. There was a universal sentiment of patriotism in York and throughout the county and a few days later a flag, thirty-five feet in length, made by the patriotic ladies of York, was unfurled from the top of the pole in Centre Square. This was the flag that was taken down by the Confederates when they entered the town June 28, 1863.
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