MEXICAN WAR


From "History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties" - J. A. Caldwell, 
1880, page 195.


It had been predicted by many of the people that in case Texas was 
annexed to the United States it would cause an immediate rupture 
between this government and Mexico.  The latter claimed Texas as a 
part of its territory, not withstanding its independence had been 
acknowledged by other governments.

On the 6th of March, 1845, Congress adopted the joint resolution for 
the admission of that State into the Union.  The Mexican Minister at 
Washington, Gen. Almonte, strongly protested against that measure and 
demanded his passports. Gen. Herrera, President of Mexico, issued a 
proclamation, the 4th of June following, in which he declared the 
rights of that government and his determination to defend them.  That 
and other things which occurred prior to this gave rise to 
hostilities.  At this time James K. Polk was President of the United 
States.  War was declared by Congress May 11, 1846.  After the 
appearance of the President's proclamation and reiterated by Gov. M. 
Bartley, of Ohio, a meeting of the citizens of Belmont county was 
called, for the purpose of raising volunteers for the Mexican war.  
On the 30th a partial company was recruited in the county, made up 
principally of young men.

The following named gentlemen composed the company:

Andrew Grubb, Wm. M. Wilkins, Hiram Clous, John Baggs, G. W. 
Anderson, A. J. Palmer, John Shultz, Arthur Higgins, Alex. Young, 
Alex. Blair, Wm. Porter, Joseph Selvey, David Eaton, Harrison Smith, 
A. Lewis, John Noland, James McGennis, Ira McKafrey, Alexander 
Barney, Aaron Hollingshead, William Inskip, John B. Calhoun, 
Alexander Williams, John R. Justus, James Clark, Moses Ferren, 
Lafayette Eckles, Samuel Pottinger, James Frasier, James Davis, James 
Gipson, Henry Mulvaney, Hugh McNeeley, M. B. Calhoun, Richard Beech, 
William Askew, Richard Price, John Hutchons, Isaac Eaton, Samuel 
Croy, Michael Hidweler, John Jones, John Dempsey, Thomas Young, Saul 
K. Ruggles, James McConnell, Parish Garner, Solomon Baldison, T. R. 
Day, Eli Mercer, Frank Venem, Washington Waters, John Wilson, James 
McKafrey, V. S. Brady, David Morton, Clement Steel, Aaron Steelman, 
Jacob Worten, P. Preston, ___ Cracraft, John Miller.

This company elected the following named officers:
John Patterson - Captain
Isaac E. Eaton - First Lieutenant
Arthur Higgins - Second Lieutenant

On Wednesday, June 10th, Captain Patterson with his men started for 
Camp Washington near Cincinnati. From St. Clairsville the company 
went to Bridgeport, and took a boat down the Ohio river to said camp, 
where it rendezvoused about thirty days.  At this place a permanent 
organization was effected, and it was mustered into service, forming 
company "D" of the Third Ohio Regiment, commanded by Col. Samuel R. 
Curtis.

Early in July the Third Ohio repaired for New Orleans by steamer.  
From New Orleans sailed to Point Isabel, opposite Brazos island, near 
the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence up the Rio Grande river to 
Matamoras, and placed as garrrison at Fort Brown for a short time.  
This fort was named in honor of Major Brown.  It was large enough to 
accomodate about two thousand men.  On the 3rd of May, a battery at 
Matamoras opened a heavy cannonade and bombardment upon it, while 
quite a large number of troops crossed the river to attack it in the 
rear. In this engagement Major Brown was killed at the fort.

From this fort the Third Ohio was ordered to Camargo.  Here it was 
sent to open out the line from that place to Monterey.  Near Ceralvo 
a terrible sight was met.  A large train carrying supplies to Gen. 
Taylor, had been attacked by Urrea's forces, numbering 1,000 lancers, 
who killed a number of teamsters and soldiers.  Out of 150 wagons, 62 
were cut off by the enemy and burnt. Teamsters were tied behind their 
wagons and fires built underneath them, and in the terrible agonies 
produced by a slow blaze, which burned to a crisp, they met their 
death.  In that number was recognized the body of George Mann, of St. 
Clairsville.  He was identified by company "D,"  One of the soldiers 
of company "D," who witnessed the affair several days afterits 
occurrence, says, "it was one of the most heart sickening sights he 
ever saw."  The bodies were stripped and horribly mutilated before 
being burned.  Capt. Granger, Quartermaster, was found shot through 
the heart.

From Ceralvo the Third marched to Monterey.  After several days of 
sojourn there, the Third was ordered to Buena Vista.  Here it 
remained until its time of enlistment had expired.  It then moved to 
New Orleans and was honorably discharged by Paymaster General 
Churchill.  After being paid off the boys all left for their homes in 
good spirits, where quite a hearty welcome was extended to Company D, 
by the citizens of St. Clairsville and county upon their arrival, 
July 22, 1847.


Contributed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty.