Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48/Chapter 12
CHAPTER XII.
Monday July 24, 1848.—This morning we were all up by 1 o'clock and took our breakfast, after which we got on board the cars, early as it was. The citizens came around the cars and in the cars to bid us good-bye. At half-past 2 o'clock the whistle of the locomotive blew, and off we started for Philadelphia in the midst of cheers and applause from the citizens.
At every station along the road the citizens gathered to welcome the soldiers home. Salutes were fired and cheering all along the road, and when we arrived at the head of the planes, in sight of Philadelphia, we could see the thousands of people and hear the roaring of artillery, which was the signal of our arrival at the head of the planes. At the foot of the inclined plane we were met by one mass of people, cheering, and all seemed full of enthusiasm. The tops of the cars, and platforms, and all along the railroad was crowded with people, and we soon arrived at the corner of Coates street and Columbia railroad—now called Pennsylvania avenue. Here we got off the cars and went into a large lot (N. E. corner) right opposite the railroad and Coates street; remained here until the military, which was forming on Coates street, now Fairmount avenue, was ready to receive us. About 10 o'clock, a.m., we formed into line and marched through the whole volunteer division. The streets and sidewalks were so densely crowded that it was almost impossible to get along.
In fact, guards were stationed on our route of marching to keep the people from crowding in on us, so anxious were they to see the soldiers of the Mexican war. When we arrived at Front and Brown streets, there was great cheering and applause for William Donegan of our company (C) with the flash word, "A bully snapper." We looked at one another with astonishment, to think of the idea that this man, Bill Donegan, a chronic grumbler, a man who has seldom ever done any duty or even fired off his gun in the whole Mexican campaign, should be received at different points with such honors, and patriots go unnoticed.
The business was generally suspended, and all the houses along the route were crowded with spectators, and beautifully decorated with flowers and flags. The display or procession is considered greater than ever before witnessed in this city, and I heard several old gentlemen say that it beat the grand procession of Gen. Lafayette. After marching through several of the principal streets, we marched into the Chinese Museum, Ninth below Chestnut street, and sat down to one of the grandest dinners that ever was provided for distinguished guests. The best of edibles and the choicest of all the best wines. Speeches were made and songs sung by the citizens, but very little attention did we (the soldiers) pay to it, as it was all about the war of Mexico, which we all fully know by heart. After dinner was over, we were taken to the Third street Hall, below Willow street, kept by Gen. J. Hall, and were comfortably provided with rooms and good beds.
In the evening we went into the city to see the fireworks, which were really magnificent and indescribable. The streets were so blockaded and crowded that it was almost impossible to walk with any comfort; and, being much fatigued by our march to-day, we soon returned to our quarters, and got ready for a good night's rest and sociable sleep. The following is the song which was sung at the Chinese Museum dinner. Its title is "Welcome":—
"Ye braves, whose hands on Mexico's plain
Hath struck the blow for country's right,
We bid ye welcome home again
From the dark turmoil of the fight.
Peace spreads once more her glowing wing
Above our fair and happy land,
And while we all her glories sing.
We'll not forget her conquering band.
Chorus.
A nation's hand, ye gallant band,
Is stretching forth to meet you.
To heaven's dome, a welcome home.
Ascends from those that greet you.
"Brave men your deeds will be retold
When hands and hearts have passed away.
And come, like pure and molten gold.
The brighter from the last assay.
Your names a grateful country writes
Upon her fairest cherished scroll;
Cursed be the traitor lip that slights
The words upon that sacred roll.—Chorus.
"What though your ranks the tale may tell,
Of comrades left upon the field,
It was in their country's cause they fell,
A million hearts their requiems pealed.
Go, soldiers, to your homes, and let
Your battered arms be hung on high,
Columbia's sons will never forget
The braves who for their country die.— Chorus.
"What prouder theme for many a year
Will wake the minstrel's growing strain.
Will nerve the heart and start the tear.
Or make the aged young again.
Once more a welcome home, ye braves.
Long shall your deeds remembered be.
And may they, like uncounted waves.
Roll back their brightness from the sea."— Chorus.
In the evening our company received an invitation to go to the Chestnut Street Theatre. So at 8 o'clock we started, and as we entered we were warmly received by the audience by a cheering and clapping of hands. After it was nearly over we left for our quarters, Third Street Hall.
Wednesday, July 26, 1848.—This morning I paid a visit to my uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. George Stiefel, who carry on a bakery at the corner of Schuylkill Second and Carlton streets (now Twenty-first and Carlton streets), but did not get to see him, on account of being out on business; but his wife, a tall, fine and pleasant woman, urged me to stay and take dinner with them, but I declined the kind offer and left, promising that I would call again to-morrow.
In the evening a party of young men invited us to go down Chestnut Street, which we accepted, and they showed and treated us with all the kindness that was in their power to bestow upon us.
Thursday, July 27, 1848.—This morning I again paid a visit to my uncle and aunt (Mr. and Mrs. Stiefel, who fortunately this time I found at home). To my knowledge, I never saw my uncle before. He having always lived in Philadelphia, and our folks lived in the western part of Pennsylvania; although, while boating, I often came to Philadelphia, making inquiries of where he lived, but could never find anyone to tell me where they lived, until by good luck while in Mexico a comrade, named Mr. Frey, who, by-the-by, was also a baker, told me where he lived. He took a hearty laugh at the idea that I had to go all the way to Mexico to find out where he lived. He was pleased in seeing me, and made inquiries about my mother (his sister), and also of the events and battles fought in Mexico. They both gave a listening ear to everything I had to say. I stayed and took dinner with them; and after several hours of pleasant chat I left, promising them that after I was discharged I would call and spend several days with them before I went out West.
Friday, July 28, 1848.—To-day I did not go out of the hotel. So myself and half dozen others devoted our time nearly all day by setting in and around the reading-room, reading the newspapers and talking to the citizens who came to see us, asking many questions about the war, the removal and cause of the removal, of Gen. Scott. We told them that we did not exactly know the cause, but we supposed that politics was at the head of all the trouble, which mostly is the cause of all evil.
No doubt Gen. Scott's brilliant achievement in conquering the Republic of Mexico in so short a time has made him one of the most popular men and leaders in this country, and it is reasonably supposed that his rivals and political enemies would connive and do most any dirty work to kill his popularity and fair name, and to prevent him (Gen. Scott) from receiving the nomination for Presidency, in which they did succeed, and nominated Gen. Zachariah Taylor instead. The removal was an outrage, and it will be a stigma of the deepest dye upon the administration of James K. Polk and his Secretary, William L. Marcy, as long as the nation lives. The soldiers love Gen. Scott, and every one that saw him will testify that he is every inch a soldier, and his men regard him with reverence and the greatest admiration. This evening it is rumored around the room, that we will be paid off, and receive our discharge to-morrow.
Saturday, July 29, 1848.—This morning word is passing from one company's quarters to the other that we will all receive our pay and honorable discharge to-day. Good. At this time several men came into our room talking, and offered to board four soldiers, who had no home in this city, for two or three weeks for nothing. Fortunately, nearly all of our company lived in Philadelphia, and had homes to go to. They sent them to me, saying that I was a stranger in this city, and had no home. They came to me and offered to take me with them, as soon as I get my discharge, and keep me free of charge for several weeks. I asked them what kind of a place it was, and where it was. They told me it was a tavern up town. This was enough for me. I thanked them for their generous and kind offer, saying that I had a place to go to spend several weeks on the same terms.
At 11 o'clock, A. M, we received orders to have our muskets, accoutrements, etc., ready to hand over to the Quartermaster. At noon the Quartermaster made his appearance, when we were ordered to fall into line for the last time to answer rollcall, after which each soldier handed over his musket to the Quartermaster; knapsack and blanket we were allowed to keep.
After this we were handed our honorable discharge from the United States army.
The men soon afterwards gathered in groups, talking of the past, and what they would like to do, and what they intended to do.
They soon began to disperse in different directions, some going to their homes, while others, like myself, were hunting boarding-houses until they got something to do; all bidding one another good-bye as they parted.
It will be remembered that when we first started out into this campaign we were mostly all strangers to one another, but our long service in the Mexican War has formed such a deep affection of friendship ties in camp, on the glorious march, and on the battle-field, that nothing but death will ever break it. The parting was a brotherly feeling to one another, and particularly among the few messmates left.
Thus our enlistment and career as soldiers in the United States army of the Mexican War is ended, all well satisfied with the services and brilliant achievements they have rendered for our country, and to I, for one, it shall forever be my proudest aim and recollection of having been a soldier of that gallant little army, commanded by Gen. Winfield Scott, which invaded Mexico and conquered the land of the Montezumas. It shall also be my undiminished pleasure to point to the many brilliant victories achieved in that campaign, and reviewing and looking upon the many historic scenes, its never-changing clime, its smiling plains, scenes both in art and nature on the historic volcanic mountains of snow-capped peaks; the landing of our troops at Vera Cruz, the bombardment and surrender of that strong and well-fortified walled-in city, and many other scenes that filled the heart with wonder, admiration, and praise.
Company C, as it was on New Year's Day, January 1st, 1847:—
| Captain, William F. Small. | |
| First Lieutenant, Aquilla Haines. | |
| Second Lieutenant, Casper M. Berry. | |
| Third Lieutenant, Henry Hunterson. | |
| First Sergeant, Oscar F. Bentson. | |
| Second Sergeant, David Ackerman. | |
| Third Sergeant, George Small. | |
| Fourth Sergeant, Joseph M. Hall | |
| First Corporal, Andrew Wray. | |
| Second Corporal, James B. Wilson. | |
| Third Corporal, George Royer. | |
| Fourth Corporal, Joseph Foust. |
| Privates:— | ||
| Oliver Amey, | John Kritser, | |
| Peter Ahl, | George Kelly, | |
| Thomas Bruster, | Samuel Linton, | |
| Edward Budy, | George W. Lewis, | |
| William Barns, | Roland C. Malone, | |
| Charles Burns, | William Mullon, | |
| John Begley, | Charles Mason, | |
| Privates—Continued:— | ||
| John Bonner, | William McDonald, | |
| William Briggs, | Alexander Mervine, | |
| Robert Brown, | John Newman, | |
| Louis Bymaster, | George Nightlinger, | |
| Moses Bentley, | Thomas O'Neil, | |
| John Barr, | J. Jacob Oswandel, | |
| Francis Cannon, | John Patton, | |
| John G. Craig, | John Perfect, | |
| Joseph Campbell, | William Patterson, | |
| Henry Cornish, | Robert Patterson, | |
| Daniel Craver, | Henry Roscoe, | |
| Charles Collison, | William Rolett, | |
| Jeremiah Corson, | Simon Schaffer, | |
| Daniel Cruthers, | George Sutton, | |
| George Carrey, | Samuel Stair, | |
| Jacob Danner, | John R. Schultz, | |
| Alexander Devlin, | Morris Stemler, | |
| Gabriel A. Dropsie, | Allen Swartz, | |
| William Donegan, | John Sheldon, | |
| William Eurick, | Hosea Snethern, | |
| Joseph Funston, | Charles Smith, | |
| William Fennemore, | John Shoppen, | |
| Stephen Gosett, | William Ford, | |
| John Gill, | Joseph C. Taylor, | |
| Henry Handly, | Theodore Watson, | |
| John B. Herron, | Alburtus Welsh, | |
| Dayton Huston, | Thomas Whitam, | |
| George W. Haigh, | Edward Wilson, | |
| Christopher Hill, | George Wilhelm, | |
| Daniel Hamilton, | John William Walker, | |
| Augustus Jordon, | Thomas Williams, | |
| John Johnston, | John Wells, | |
| Charles A. Jones, | Thomas Zeigle. | |
| George Keime, | Total privates, 81 men. | |
| First Lieutenant, Aquilla Haines. | |
| Second Lieutenant, Joseph M. Hall. | |
| First Sergeant, Thomas Zeigle. | |
| Second Sergeant, Joseph Foust. | |
| Third Sergeant, Peter Ahl. | |
| Fourth Sergeant, Christopher Hill. | |
| First Corporal, Joseph Campbell. | |
| Second Corporal, George W. Lewis. | |
| Third Corporal, J. Jacob Oswandel. | |
| Fourth Corporal, Roland C. Malone. |
| Privates:— | ||
| John Bonner, | George Nightlinger, | |
| Louis Bymaster, | Thomas O'Neil, | |
| Francis Cannon, | William Patterson, | |
| John G. Craig, | Henry Roscoe, | |
| Charles Collison, | George Sutton, | |
| Jeremiah Corson, | Samuel Stair, | |
| Daniel Cruthers, | John R. Schultz, | |
| George Carey, | Morris Stemler, | |
| Alexander Devlin, | Allen Swartz, | |
| Gabriel A. Dropsie, | Hosea Snethern, | |
| William Donegan, | Joseph C. Taylor, | |
| William Fennemore, | Theodore Watson, | |
| George W. Haigh, | Alburtus Welsh, | |
| Augustus Jordon, | Edward Wilson, | |
| George Keime, | Ex-Corp. James B. Wilson, | |
| John Kritser, | George Wilhelm, | |
| Samuel Linton, | Ex-Sergt. Henry Cornish. | |
| John Newman, | Total privates, 35. | |
| Transferred to other Company:— | |
| Sergeant David Ackerman, | Private John Johnston. |
| Members of the Company on Detached Duty:— | |
| Alexander Mervine, | John Perfect. |
| Deserted:— | ||||
| William Barnes, | at Pittsburg, Pa., | Dec. 22, 1846. | ||
| William Rolett, | at New Orleans, La., | Jan. 14, 1847. | ||
| William Ford, | " | Jan. 15,1847. | ||
| John Gill, | " | " | ||
| Oliver Amy, | " | " | ||
| Charles Burns, | at Vera Cruz, Mexico, | Mar. 20, 1847. | ||
| William Golchier, | at Castle Perote, Mexico, | June 7, 1847. | ||
| Died:— | ||||
| John Sheldon, | May 6, 1847, | at the city of Jalapa, Mexico. | ||
| Simon Schaffer, | May 13, 1847, | " | ||
| Thomas Brewster, | June 1, 1847, | at Castle of Perote, Mexico. | ||
| Robert Brown, | June 12, 1847, | at the city of Jalapa, | ||
| Thomas Williams, | June 25, 1847, | at the Castle of Perote | ||
| Andrew Wray, | July 15, 1847, | " | ||
| John Begley, | July 28, 1847, | " | ||
| Charles Mason, | July 28, 1847, | at city of Puebla, | ||
| Dayton Huston, | July 30, 1847, | " | ||
| Edward Budy, | Aug. 7, 1847, | " | ||
| Charles Smith, | Aug. 15, 1847, | at the Castle of Perote, | ||
| William Briggs, | Aug. 31, 1847, | at the city of Puebla, | ||
| Jacob Danner, | Sept. 10, 1847, | " | ||
| William Eurick, | Sept. 28, 1847, | " | ||
| John B. Herron, | Nov. 25, 1847, | " | ||
| Discharged:— | ||||
| Lieutenant Casper M. Berry, | April 6, 1847, | at the city of Vera Cruz. | ||
| Corporal George Royer, | " | " | ||
| William McDonald, | " | " | ||
| Moses Bentley, | " | " | ||
| John Barr, | " | " | ||
| George Kelley, | " | " | ||
| John Shappa, | May 20, 1847, | " | ||
| J. Samuel Whitam, | " | " | ||
| Stephen Gossett, | " | " | ||
| Discharged:—Continued:— | |||
| Robert Patterson, | June 6, 1847, | at the castle of Perote. | |
| Daniel Craver, | " | " | |
| J. William Walker, | " | " | |
| John Patton, | " | " | |
| Robert Brown, | " | " | |
| Sergeant George Small, | " | " | |
| Henry Handly, | October 30, 1847, | " | |
| Charles A. Jones, | " | " | |
| Sergeant Oscar F. Bentson, | " | " | |
| Lieutenant Henry Hunterson, | November 8, 1847, | at the castle of Perote. | |
| Captain William F. Small (on furlough), | November 24, 1847, | at Jalapa City. | |
| William Mullon, | November 30, 1847, | at the castle of Perote. | |
| Corporal Roland C. Malone, | February 25, 1848, | at San Angel, Mexico. | |
| Table of Distance from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico:— | |||
| To Camp Vergera (Gen. Twigg's encampment) | 3 | Miles | |
| "Rio Medio, | 3 | " | 6 |
| "Santa Fe, | 4 | " | 10 |
| "San Juan, | 8 | " | 10 |
| "Puenta de las Vegas, | 11 | " | 29 |
| "Puente Nacional (National Bridge). | 6 | " | 35 |
| "Plan del Rio (The River of the Plain), | 11 | " | 46 |
| "Cerro Gordo Pass (battle-ground), | 2 | " | 48 |
| "El Encero (Gen. Santa Anna's residence) | 12 | " | 60 |
| "Jalapa City, | 9 | " | 69 |
| "La Banderilla. | 6 | " | 75 |
| "San Miguel barracks, | 4 | " | 79 |
| "La Hoya Pass, | 5 | " | 84 |
| "Las Vegas, | 7 | " | 91 |
| "To Cruz Blanco, or White Cross, | 6 | " | 97 |
| "Perote Castle and Town, | 9 | " | 106 |
| Table of Distance from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico:— (Continued) | |||
| To Tepegahualco, | 19 | " | 125 |
| "Ojo de Agua (The Eye of Water), | 21 | " | 146 |
| "Nopalucan, | 9 | " | 155 |
| "El Pinal Pass, | 8 | " | 163 |
| "Acajete, | 7 | " | 170 |
| "Amozoquco, | 8 | " | 178 |
| "Puebla City, | 11 | " | 189 |
| "San Martin's, | 22 | " | 211 |
| "Rio Frio (Cold River on top of Mountain) | 18 | " | 229 |
| "Venta de Cordorea (Town of Cordorea), | 11 | " | 240 |
| "Ayotla (where Gen. Scott countermarched) | 10 | " | 250 |
| "El Penon Pass (Gen. Valencia's fortification), | 9 | " | 259 |
| "City of Mexico, or Halls of Montezumas, | 8 | " | 267 |
The end of my "Notes of the Mexican War." "Oh, dear is the tale of the olden times." J. J. O.
Strife and Prosperity in Time of Peace.
After my discharge from the army I visited my parents and friends in the western part of Pennsylvania; after which I returned and settled myself down in Philadelphia to stay, and after six months' rest I obtained a situation on the Pennsylvania Railroad, followed railroading in different capacities until 1853, when soon afterwards I was married to a lady of this city. I started into business; and, by strict and close attention to business, and by frugality and economy, proved to be successful. So much so that I have accumulated enough to retire from business; not in rolling wealth but in comfortable circumstances, and taking the world easy.
"I am not what the world counts rich;
Houses and lands I have not much in store,
But blessed with health and contented mind;
I neither ask nor crave for any more."
It is composed of all the regulars and volunteers who have served on the soil of Mexico in the war against Mexico, and received an honorable discharge. It was first called the Pennsylvania Legion, but was soon changed to Scott Legion, in honor of our gallant old Commander, Gen. Winfield Scott, who was a life member. This change of title was done so as to take in both regulars and volunteers. This association was formed and instituted for social purposes, to keep fresh the memories of the brilliant achievements, and to celebrate some of the victories won in Mexico.
In 1852, through the aid of Pennsylvania and the citizens of Philadelphia, we secured a burial ground, built a large vault and erected a fine monument in Glenwood Cemetery, costing over $4,000, under which the remains of many gallant heroes are deposited.
At the death of a comrade the Scott Legion turns out with a band of music and a firing party, and pays the last fitting honors at the funerals of their deceased soldiers, who have fought life's battle to the end.
Our regular meetings are the first Saturday of every month, unless special business calls it between. The Legion before the late rebellion generally attracted popular attention on occasions of parade, when they always presented a gentlemanly and soldierly appearance, and at the outbreak of the Civil War they, including your humble servant, nearly all enlisted in the services of their country's flag; and, being veteran soldiers of a victorious campaign, they found ready situations at the hands of our government; and many, some of our best men, too, fell while gallantly protecting our flag they so proudly carried from Rio Granda to Buena Vista, from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico and back to the United States.
April 18, 1872, the Scott Legion gave a grand banquet in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the famous battle of Cerro Gordo. The tables were gems of neatness, and groaned under the weight of many good things. After supper I was called upon, by Col. A. H. Reynolds, President of the Scott Legion, to respond to the toast of our absent members. This was not only unexpected but I was unprepared to make any appropriate remarks to such a toast. And after apologizing for the surprise, and also for the unexpected call for a speech I responded to the toast as follows:—
"Comrades:—We have assembled here to-night, what for? Not to talk about any of the political issues of the present day, nor anything that happened in the late rebellion, but to talk about what happened to-day twenty-five years ago—a long way ahead, but a short way back. It is now nearly twenty-seven years since our gallant and patriotic young men left the soil of Pennsylvania and other States to answer their country's call "to rally around their glorious country's flag," then insulted and trampled under foot in a hot and tropical climate; men who forsook their comforts of home, their wives, children, relatives and sweethearts (God bless them)—(laughter)—the society of friends to exchange their comfortable firesides and feather beds for the foreign, untented fields of Mexico, and to pour out their blood like water in defence of our country's flag. (Cheers.)
"Twenty-five years ago to-day, on a beautiful Sabbath morning, the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought; it was the second grand victory of our army under Gen. Scott in that campaign. We don't celebrate this battle as if it was the only victory gained in that campaign. Oh, no; there were other battles fought before and afterwards, just as gloriously fought and victoriously won as the battle of Cerro Gordo; but none so brilliant. It was like the battle of Gettysburg in our late rebellion, or like Sedan in France; it so shocked and discouraged its backers, demoralized their armies, and, like the wind amongst the dry leaves in autumn, scattered them all over the land—(applause)—captured a whole division of prisoners, 43 cannons and $60,000 in specie. 
GLENWOOD CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA.
"It is a well-known fact that, had Gen. Scott his complement of troops which at Vera Cruz were promised him, he could, after the battle of Cerro Gordo, have marched on to the capital of Mexico without the firing of a single gun, or the loss of a single man. (Cries of 'That's so.') But jealousy, and other obstructions which we all know, were then cast in our way, of which I will not now argue.
"At Puebla, our army, under Gen. Scott, was compelled to halt, to recruit in health and strength, until the 7th of August, 1847, when he, in full glee and confident in the number of his men and sure of victory, again marched, and led his hardy veterans on towards the capital of Mexico. [Applause.]
"Victory had already perched upon our banners; Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Perote and Puebla Cities were won. Now all were anxious to march on and capture the famous Halls of the Montezumas. [Applause.]
"Gen. Santa Anna was strongly entrenched around his loved and boasted capital, surrounded by his splendidly-uniformed staff, his glittering lancers and the flower of his army; he was sole master of the city of Mexico. Straight for that ancient city our army marched—left a jealous foe behind us at Washington, communication in our rear cut off, a united and hostile enemy of over six millions of people before us—a little band ot ten thousand men—truer and braver men never shouldered a musket or carried a sword—men who had confidence in their commanders, and commanders had faith in their men—men with patriotic hearts, and resolute and fixed determination on their minds, resolved to march on to the capital of Mexico, and, like the first conqueror, either conquer or die in the land [Cheers and applause.]—marched on as bravely and enthusiastically as if garlands, laurel-wreaths and evergreen arches awaited them in the capital, instead of a powerful and welldisciplined army more than three times our number. [Applause.] On they marched, step by step; the burning sun of tierra calientes had bleached and bronzed our bright northern faces and flashed upon our bright bayonets and sabres. On they marched, and, like the great Napoleon in Egypt, carrying everything before them by storm and in the face of extraordinary odds, the strongest position for defence in their country—capturing thousands of prisoners, cannon and ammunition—without a single defeat or the slightest check, driving the enemy from their entrenchments, forts and fortifications, some were almost impregnable, until, on the 14th of September, 1847, when Gen. Winfield Scott—like Saul of Israel, a head and shoulders above all his staff officers—rode at the head of our little army (then dwindled down, from carnage and disease, to six thousand men) fatigued and exhausted from marching and numerous battles engaged in in the valley; men who scarcely had shoes on their feet or clothing on their backs; men who had no pay for four or five months nor no more than half enough at any one time to eat; marched triumphantly into the main plaza of the city of Mexico, a populous city of over 200,000 souls, and planted our country's glorious flag upon the Halls of the Montezumas. [Great applause.] It was the first strange flag that waved over its capital for over three hundred years. [Applause.]
Oh yes, some of our comrades will yet remember when Gen. Scott rode from regiment to regiment, thanking God and his heroic men for their brilliant victories; and when he came to the rifle Voltigeur regiment—a regiment that lost nearly all its commissioned officers and more than one-half of its men—he noticed their thin ranks and shattered banners and wept, saying, "You have gone through fire and blood and have come out steel." [Applause.] Who has ever heard of more heroic deeds? who has ever read of more triumphant achievements? I have not, and it remains for future historians to give a correct idea of the Mexican war. There is not a parallel in all the bright pages of the history of the world like the campaign of Mexico. [Applause.]
"Yet in the face of all these brilliant achievements, staring in the eyes of our people, we are not recognized by our government. Yes, I regret, and it pains my very heart, to say that our government is still ungrateful. To-day men who have never fired off a gun, or even shouldered a musket, or left their casa, are pensioned by the National as well as by the State Government; and men who went over two thousand miles from home to defend and battle for our flag, then trailing in the sand and dust in a tierra calientes, are looked upon as nothing; and, in fact, almost forgotten. [Cries, that is so, and applause.]
"Comrades do not understand me to say that I find fault in these old men getting their pensions-and just dues. God forbid, but I do find fault with our Government and the people in appreciating our hardships, privations and victorious achievements so little. [Applause.]
I feel proud that I had the honor of serving in that grand army, the army of invasion. Its deed and victory will forever remain pure and untarnished. They are incorporated in the history of our country, and happy do I feel; proud may any man be who transmits to his prosterity the proud and unseparable honor of having been a veteran soldier of the Mexican war.
"The result of the Mexican war gave an immense territory to the United States, captured an empire larger than Hannibal, Alexander the Great or Napoleon combined; nearly three hundred and sixty-four million acres of land, in mineral, agricultural, forest and pasture, the richest and the most prolific in the world, derived from it millions upon millions in gold and silver. [Applause.]
"It has forever settled the boundary line of the Lone Star of Texas. It gave us a railroad route from the shores of New England to the golden sand on the Pacific coast. It gave us a direct route to China and the East Indies. It gave us one of the finest harbors in the world. Such was the work of the Mexican veterans.
"That campaign, and conquering the whole republic of Mexico, has cost the life of many a good soldier, and the women throughout our land, like Rachel, wept for their lost husbands and children. "No tombstone or monument there, to point out to the traveler who may pass through that country—the land of bloom and sun—the resting-place of these heroes' ashes.
"No memory day there; no living hand offers them flowers over their graves; truer and braver men never died. No kind relation or sympathizing friend brought their remains back to the resting-place of their fathers; and the only testimonial in memory of our fallen comrades in Mexico, is the monument erected by the State of Pennsylvania on Capitol Hill at Harrisburg, and one by the Scott Legion of Philadelphia in Glenwood cemetery; the former to the memory of those who gave up their lives for our country's flag in Mexico, and the latter to those who have died since the war with the republic of Mexico. "Year by year our thin ranks grow thinner and thinner. To-day there is not more than one hundred men left of our regiment, which was nearly one thousand strong.
"Few of our gallant men have lived in an era of wonderful advancement and progress. Towns have grown to be large cities, and towns and cities have sprung up in the wilderness and the desert. Men of my age have witnessed the extraordinary changes in the interests of the world. We saw the first steam vessels, the first railroad, the first telegraph wires, and we all know that the ocean deep is laid with telegraph cables; and, as I said before, our whole country is spanned by a continuous railroad, from the rock-ribbed shores of New England to the Pacific coast. We have seen the first free schools, and, here lately, our own country a real, free, and independent government. [Cheers.]
"Yes; to-day every man, woman, and child, black or white, is as free before the eyes of our laws as you or I, thanks to our late lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, our grand army of the Union, and the loyal people who sustained him in carrying out the first fundamental principle and clause of our Constitution—equal rights and justice to all mankind. [Great applause.] Cries of "Go in, Jake." [Laughter.] "Now for the absent members. Previous to the late rebellion our association, the Scott Legion, numbered over two hundred members; now it is reduced down to fifty; yet we have a representation from almost every regiment that participated in those eventful scenes of strife, who meet to renew that friendship formed during the hardships and perils in the Mexican War.
"Where have our other comrades gone to? I will explain. Nearly all are dead. Many of them, and some of our best men too, fell in our dear land, where the best blood of the land was poured out in four long years of bloody and wicked war.
"Few are amongst us whose lives have been spared. Some have shattered limbs and disfigured heads. But, thank God, these bad and wicked men, with their hellish design—men who held high position in the gift of our people—men whom our government protected and educated—men who have been fattened with plunder, and accumulated spoils of years past—men who raised their rebellious yells of madness and despair, with wickedness and violation of all law and order against the best government in the land, have been subdued (cries of 'Good'); and the flag, the emblem of which we proudly and triumphantly bore from Palo Alto to Buena Vista, from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico; and in the late rebellion, again and defiantly waves over every foot of territory in the United States. (Applause.)
"Yes, comrades, to-day every field and staff officer of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (the regiment I belonged to) are amongst the dead. Every commissioned officer except one of our company is dead. My early comrades-in arms, my mess-mates, where are they to-night? Echo answers, 'Nearly all dead." Many of them are lying beneath the sod of the sandy plains and hill of Mexico, whose bones long since have mingled with the dust of the field upon which they offered up their lives for their country's flag. Others in our late domestic struggle fell; others in some far distant clime do live; others, again, in our cemeteries around us cold do lie; and I (looking around the room) alone am here of our company to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the battle of Cerro Gordo.
"Oh! comrades, think of it, how fast we are thus passing away; and 25 years hence, few of us will be left to tell any of the glorious victories that took place in the Mexican war of 1846-1847-1848. (Applause.)
"I was going to say something of our late rebellion, but I shall not lift the curtain from the bloody streams of the bloody fields of strife. Oh, no! on the contrary, I feel more like closing my eyes to that dreadful carnage. Our own vacant chair in my father's and wife's household, and the over 300,000 men who fell throughout our land under our flag, that our country may live, serve to remind us of the fearful cost of preserving the unity of this nation.
"Thank God! we are now at peace with the whole world. Let our prayer ever go up that we shall never again see or hear the thundering of artillery, the cracking and snapping of shells over our heads, and the rattling of musketry against our fellowmen; that we shall forever have but one country and one flag, and the peace we now enjoy may be perpetual. (Applause.)
"Thanking you, comrades and friends, for your enthusiasm and the kind attention you have given to my first unexpected and unprepared speech."
Optimism.
Mr. Marvin Scudder, Jr., late of Co. K, Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, now of Juniata, Neb., writes quite a historic sketch of Mexico in the "Vedette," of Washington, which meets with my hearty approval and deserves to be quoted.
We find Mexico before the war a vast domain, claiming, it is true, to be a republic, but having hardly one attribute belonging to a true republican government. Cortez made his conquest, and at the same time the civilization of old Spain, as it then existed, was introduced so far as the conflicting interests of contending chieftains would admit; but the instability of government forbade advancement. The history of Mexico is a continued recital of feudal warfare and bloodshed. Cortez held sway only by the influence of the sword, and from his time it was the only credential to power. Revolution succeeded revolution, and anarchy held sway; there was constant discord, revolt and internecine war, and the land was drenched with human blood. Every section had its ruined castle and the legend of its slaughtered chieftain.
Art, science and agriculture were at a standstill, and had been for generations. The architecture of the feudal ages was still in vogue, and every house was a citadel, with massive walls and battlements, with ponderous doors, with bars and bolts, not to protect from foreign, but domestic foes. The same jog-wheels were used for their carts, a pointed stick for a plow, the volante their pleasure vehicle.
The husbandman had no courage to plant, for he knew not what day his harvest would be trampled by contending armies. Art had no inspiration, for the people were watching the movements of opposing factions. Mind had no field of labor, for it was fettered by the chains of bigotry. Science and education lay dormant; there was no incentive to advance. Thus all the energies of the people lay stagnant, and, as a natural consequence, vice and immorality held high carnival.
The government held nominal sway over avast domain, but a small portion of which had been wrested from the hand of the savage, and fully half her possessions were overrun by bands of wild and barbarous Indians; while slavery, as absolute and debasing as the slavery of the African, existed in her system of peonage.
God had a work here, too, to be accomplished. This great nation, so susceptible of advancement; this vast domain, so rich in agricultural and mineral wealth, so needed by the producing classes; a coast abounding in such capacious and commodious harbors, so needed by the commerce of the world, must all be redeemed from the lethargy and thraldom that had so long held them bound. This chrysalis must be burst and the imprisoned being of such exceeding beauty must be released to spread its broad wings and exult in all the bright beauty its Creator had endowed it with.
The Mexican war was God's plan for accomplishing all this. Let us trace the course of that war, and see if an overruling Providence did not direct each movement and give the victories.
Glance at that vast territory, with all its resources, its large and well-equipped army, familiar with every road and mountain pass, with full knowledge of where an attack could be made or an advance repulsed; with all her wall cities, her fortified passes and strongholds; and then at the small army that entered her borders to vanquish her hosts, to vindicate the honor of our country and establish her rights, entirely ignorant of their language, their character, their habits and their power of resistance; and yet, from the first gun at Palo Alto to the surrender of the city of Mexico, the command was "Forward," and step by step we made our advances, without one defeat, without one retreat. There is not a parallel in all the pages of history.
It mattered not what numbers opposed, what walls reared their granite fronts, what strong passes bristled with bayonets and artillery, what impregnable fortresses belched forth their iron hail, and opposed our advance, they each in turn yielded to our invincible charges.
The lines of the different invading forces were separated by hundreds of miles; still this little army, scarce enough for an army corps in the war of the rebellion, made their victorious advances on all. Small detachments were left to garrison the captured towns, surrounded by multitudes of inhabitants, yet every place was held, and communication with the rear was never cut off, and supplies came regularly to the front.
Then again, follow that army and note its influence on the inhabitants; no outrage, no pillage, no oppression, the populace mingled with the soldiers of an invading army in friendly intercourse; and trade and traffic was uninterrupted. It is an indisputable fact that the people of the country felt more secure in person and property in the presence of an invading foe than they did under their own government. By this intercourse they realized their degraded condition and were inspired with a desire for something better.
Right then and there were sown the seeds of progress that have since sprung up, and are budding forth frait, that will produce a wonderful yield in the harvest of the future. The lessons of progress and enterprise were then taught that are bursting the long, lethargic sleep of indolence, bigotry, superstition, and arrogance that had bound it since the conquest by Cortez, and Mexico is now awaking to a new life; her powers and capabilities expanding; her government more secure than ever before; religious freedom is gaining ground; education has received a new impetus; railroads and telegraphs are being built; and she will soon take prominent position in the family of nations.
Now, let us look at the territory acquired by the United States by that war. It was conquered by Cortez as a part of the Aztec Empire, long before settlements began in the United States, but, except a few trading posts in Texas, New Mexico, and on the Pacific coast, it remained in the state of nature, occupied by roving savages, the home of wild beasts.
It came into the possession of the United States, and lo! what a change. All the wonders of the Arabian Nights sink into insignificance in comparison with the prodigies brought forth by this modern Aladdin—the Mexican War.
When he burnished his magic lamp, the genii of the mountains threw open wide the doors of their secret vaults and disclosed to an astonished world such untold millions of wealth that the nations stood aghast and dumb with wonder.
The genii of the plains spread out a panorama of such exquisite loveliness and beauty to the gaze of down-trodden husbandmen of every clime that a perfect torrent of the rich and poor of every name and nation has been rushing to their open arms and basking in the bright gleam of their smiles for thirty years, and still they spread their arms to welcome more.
The genii of the streams make the hills and valleys ring with their wild mirth as they bid the manufacturers come and string their furnaces and looms along their banks.
The genii of the forest and the quarries bid the architect come and rear the palaces and temples that are to decorate the emporiums of commerce and fashion that are to dot the wide expanse.
The genii of the Pacific Coast spread out expansive harbors sufficient for the shipping of the world, and bid the storm-beaten mariner enter their broad portals and rest secure on their rippling waves, and the merchantman of foreign climes to come and traffic in their marts.
It was the dawning of a new epoch in the annals of time. Science, art, genius, commerce, wealth, statesmanship, all seem at-that time to have crept from their cradles, thrown off their swaddling clothes, and stood erect in the full stature and proud strength of manhood.
The genius of the age is manifested in the grand strides of invention to meet the demands of the times. Jackson, while President, never saw a railroad; and at least one member of our National Council at that time wended his weary way to the halls of Congress on foot, in his buckskin hunting shirt and leggings. In the days of Buchanan, members of Congress plodded along to the national capital in the old slow coach, and none hailed from west of the Missouri. Even Lincoln never heard of the telephone and electric lights.
The spirit of the age is exemplified by the supplanting of the canal-packet and old Troy coach by the railroad, express, the telegraph, and telephone.
What was the great important factor in bringing about this change? I answer, the Mexican war. "Necessity is the mother of invention." The necessity for these advances did not exist until the wonders of this newly acquired territory were spread to the view of the world; and yet some of our "most wise and noble Senators" arise in their places in the National Assembly and proclaim the Mexican war an outrage on civilization; and the men who were instrumental in bringing about the condition of things to produce these great results were worthy of bloody graves on that foreign soil, and should be stigmatized on the records of their country, and compelled to limp in penury and want to their graves unnoticed and unsung, and the fact of their having lived blotted from the page of history and the memory of man. I think at least the last part of the title applied by Lord Byron to Lord Bacon applies to them—" The greatest, meanest of mankind."
But let us follow the train of circumstances as they occurred. To carry on the work in the way prescribed, it became, necessary for Texas to revolt from Mexico; and, though she had maintained her independence for nine years and been acknowledged by European powers, as well as the United States, as an independent nation, still Santa Anna, like Pharaoh, had his mission to fulfil, and continued to devastate the country with his horde of minions, until Texas, in her exhausted condition, was compelled to appeal to the United States for succor.
And now enters into the combination of events the only thing that produced the festering sore that so poisons the few who proclaim so loudly about the unholy and cruel war.
Without doubt, the Southern States saw in this what they supposed to be the opportunity to bolster up their waning strength and fix on a firm basis their "peculiar institution," by which they were enabled to revel in luxury on the proceeds of slave labor; a door was opened by which they hoped to add slave territory to the Union.
Texas, to give the United States unquestionable right to succor her in her distress, must apply for and be admitted into the Union, which was done. Then came the army of occupation, then of invasion, and finally the conquest of the whole of Mexico. The United States had the power to dictate the terms of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, and could have demanded, and by the force of arms have held, the entire domain, but the nationality of Mexico was not to be estinguished,—she had her mission to fulfil,—but a vast extent of her terntory, which, with all its untold wealth and beauty was Iying dormant, must be wrested from her, that its vast resources might be brought into use for the advancement of civilization and benefit of mankind. Homes were needed for the down trodden of the old world, and art, science and commerce needed a new impulse in their alloted labors.
The next step was the struggle over this newly-acquired territory—slavery demanding it, freedom defending it; the result was the Missouri compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska bill, the John Brown raid, the rebellion, the emancipation proclamation, and in that one manifest object of the great design accomplished—the fall of the American slave system—making what was deemed the source of strength and perpetuity the very instrument in its destruction.
Now slavery has nearly accomplished her work; the way is being paved, the freed slave has been led up—shall we say through a Red Sea of blood—on the way to his promised land?
Shall we say that all this demanded the blood of sacrifices? Where shall we place all the host of brave heroes who laid down their lives on the bloody plains of Mexico and bled so freely on the battle-fields of the rebellion?
One thing is evident: the assassination of Lincoln was required to arouse the nation to a full realization of the animus that existed in the hearts of some, and the necessity of guarding well the sacred boon of liberty, lest anarchy and tyranny usurp the government of our country. It required the sacrifice of Garfield, when we were lulled into a feeling of security to rouse the indignation of all sections against such flagrant disregard for human life. No one act has done more to arouse the whole nation and unite them in one common cause—thus paving the way for concert of action for the general good; and now we see men who stood opposed in battle array in that fierce struggle, standing shoulder to shoulder, laboring harmoniously to build up and strengthen our common country. Is there no design apparent in all this? Is there not evidently an intended purpose to bring about by the combination a benefit to each, making each an indispensable auxiliary to the accomplishment of the whole? Has not God, in his own way, though to us apparently separate and distinct from each other, been using these forces in accomplishing a grand work for the benefit of man?
I have not the ability, nor need I try to portray the giant strides of progress since that war. The rush of improvements has proclaimed it the age of wonders; scarcely has one wonder been accomplished till another has eclipsed it. Nor have I the prophetic vision to roll back the curtain that veils the future, and expose to mortal view the next great scene in the drama of the world, or what grand developments will be made in the dark land of Ethiopia; but I believe through the instrumentality of the slave Divine light will be shed on that land, its Egyptian darkness dispelled, and Christianity, education and enlightenment will occupy the throne of ignorance and idolatry.
There is one consoling thought for us—that if our own generation fail to recognize our services in this great work, generations yet unborn in Africa and Mexico, as well as our own loved country, will reap the rich fruits of our labor and sing pagans to our memory.
ERRATA.
Page 13, line 13—"Mary" should be "many."
Plate of Battle of Cerro Gordo—"April 4" should be "April 18."
Page 369, line 19—"Sergt. Bill McMullin "should be "Sergeant J. Reynolds."