Source:Fleming-fierce-battle
George T. Fleming. "Fierce battle with lancers described: Pittsburghers in Mexican War in 1847 tell of stirring clash in city: Magnetic telegraph." Pittsburgh Gazette Times, Aug. 20, 1916, sec. 5, p. 2. Newspapers.com 85777404.
HARD work and hard fighting were the lot of the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania soldiers before they reached Mexico City after landing at Vera Cruz on March 9, 1847. These commands were the Jackson Independent Blues and the Duquesne Grays of Pittsburgh, Companies A and K of the First Pennsylvania Regiment.
All were engaged in the operations resulting in the capitulation of Vera Cruz. The "Greens" only were in all the campaigns of Gen. Scott to the "Halls of the Montezumas." We have accurate and detailed accounts of the services of these companies.
The Pittsburgh Gazette and Advertiser published many letters from soldier correspondents in Mexico. News came in roundabout ways by sailing vessels to New Orleans, then by mail on steamboats; by sailing vessels to Havana and relayed from there to Charleston, S. C., and thence by mail, always a month or more old when received here.
Many special news letters were dated from Richmond, Va.—how received there is not acertainable [sic] now. Sometimes news came via Philadelphia and occasionally from New York, but mainly came from New Orleans. Sailing ships made the voyage from Mexican gulf ports in from three to five days.
When the telegraph line came into Pittsburgh, news was received more quickly, but with no news at New Orleans or Havana and the wires often down, days and weeks went by without an item from the front.
A standing headline in The Gazette and Advertiser was "By Magnetic Telegraph," a single column head with a small letter and several lines under it. Official dispatches or reports of the general officers after the battles were authentic and always published in full. Mexican official reports were given full space likewise. Santa Anna's reports of the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista were printed in full in The Gazette and Advertiser.
There was some news from Buena Vista which appeared in The Gazette, etc., April 1. That day there was a change of name and a change of ownership. D. N. White published his valedictory March 31, 1847, and announced that he had sold the paper to Erastus Brooks, late of the New York Express, and that B. F. Harris, partner in the firm of White & Harris, previous owners, would remain with Mr. Brooks.
Mr. Brooks took charge April 1. He was an experienced journalist of those years—a noted one, in fact. He made no change in the size or make-up of the paper, but dropped the word Advertiser in the title and the paper appeared as the Pittsburgh Daily Gazette.
News from Mexico, letters, telegraphic and official dispatches always were printed on the editorial page, the second page of the folio, in which form the paper was continued. This news had a regular place in the center of the page.
April 9 Mr. Brooks had a spread of news from Mexico. The battle at Vera Cruz was on March 9. April 13 a letter appeared in The Gazette's columns signed T. A. R. and dated from Vera Cruz a few days after the capture of the city.
"T. A. R." was Lieut. Thomas A. Rowley, then of the "Blues." He stated that Capt. Alexander Hay [sic] was sick and that Lieut. James O'Hara Denny was in command of the company. Lieut. Denny was later promoted captain.
Lieut. Rowley said:
We sleep on sand without tents and blankets. It rained on us for two days. We cut our way through chapparal [sic] with our bowie knives. In the action I was struck three times by spent balls, but not seriously injured.
Our boys on the Rio Grande in 1916 have better weapons for cutting chapporal [sic].
April 22 The Gazette published Santa Anna's official report, which occupied three columns. This news came via Havanna [sic]. The next day Gen. Taylor's true report of Santa Anna's defeat at Buena Vista appeared.
April 26 The Gazette had news to April 5. Next day it stated that Capt. Hay [sic] would arrive home that week and that Capt. Guthrie would leave with his company in a few days.
Capt. Hay [sic] arrived in Pittsburgh May 4. Capt. Guthrie and his men left May 10. The Gazette said their departure presented a sad appearance to many. Mothers, wives and children lined the wharf and "their eyes seemed a fountain of tears."
May 7 the magnetic telegraph brought tidings of a great battle fought between Scott and Santa Anna near Cerro Gordo. Fuller news appeared April 9 [sic]. These news items came from Philadelphia.
Many other items came straggling in by the various news routes, telling of discharges of soldiers for sickness and disability. Many deaths—long casualty lists—sometimes happily short.
Thus, May 12, Pittsburghers were informed that at Cerro Gordo Henry Linhart of the "Blues" was wounded severely and David Lindsey slightly." James Shaw of the "Grays" lost a finger and Aaron Lovett was wounded slightly.
The Pennsylvania regiments, the accounts said, were in the thickest of the fight.
One letter stated that Capt. "Bob" Porter of the "Greens" was one of the best officers in the regiment and "was universally well liked by every man in the company and regiment.
The Gazette, the organ of the Whig party, was opposed to the war. The Democratic party in power was never referred to under that name—always as the "Locofocos." There were some stinging editorials on the locofoco war of James K. Polk and his party.
The Mexican war news ordinarily took up from a half column to a column a day. There were no Sunday editions. Much matter pertinent to the Mexican country and its history was published.
Thus May 24, 1846, when the telegraph line was down, a table of distances appeared, containing the information that it was 240 miles from Vera Cruz to Mexico City via Jalapa, Perote and Puebla, and the distances also from one place to another on the National road connecting Vera Cruz with the capital.
May 15 letters from Jalapa appeared, dated April 20; June 4, news from Puebla of May 14. The Second Pennsylvania Regiment was then garrisoning Jalapa and Gen. Scott had captured Puebla May 15.
June 21 a long letter from the First Regiment was published in The Gazette, reprinted from a Philadelphia paper. Six companies of the regiment were stationed at Puebla under Lieut. Col. Sam Black; the remainder, under Col. Wynkoop, were at Perote. The "Grays," under Capt. Herron, were with Col. Black's battalion and the "Blues" with Col. Wynkoop.
Capt. Small's company was with Col. Black. In this company there served Jacob Oswandel, whose "Notes of the Mexican War" give us a complete record of the regiment's services and frequent mention of the Pittsburgh companies and officers.
The "Grays" and the "Blues" did not get along in a brotherly manner. They had frequent rows. The "Grays" were organized in 1831 and after the Civil War became the Eighteenth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania.
Capt. John Herron was the son of the Rev. Dr. Francis Herron, for 50 years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Wood street.
Capt. Herron succeeded Capt. P. N. Guthrie, who, having been appointed a captain in the Regular Army, resigned from the "Grays" and recruited the company for the Eleventh United States Infantry, one of the additional regiments authorized by Congress for one year's service.
Capt. Guthrie remained in the regular service until his death in 1857 at Newport, Ky.
Capt. Guthrie served as captain of the "Greys" from 1843 to 1846. Capt. Herron preceded him, serving from 1837 to 1843, and again from 1846 to 1849, succeeded by Samuel W. Black from 1849 to 1852.
A history of the Eighteenth Regiment N. G. P., published in 1901, omits the name of William J. Ankrim, first lieutenant in Mexico and has Michael Travilli, first lieutenant, intended for William Trovillo, second lieutenant. The historian evidently did not know that the service then carried three lieutenants to a company, the extra one known as the junior second lieutenant.
The roster of the "Greys" at their departure for Mexico in the Eighteenth Regiment's history shows four officers and 96 men. Sixteen recruits were received by the company at the City of Mexico December 21, 1847, when the fighting, except guerrilla warfare, was over.
This history also relates that the "Greys" participated in the battles of Contreras, "Cherabusco," Molino del Rey and Chapultepec.
They did not. When these battles were fought by Gen. Scott's advanced forces the "Greys" were besieged with the garrison at Puebla they with five other companies of the First Pennsylvania forming part of that garrison. The commander at Puebla was the gallant Col. Thomas Childs, U. S. A. The distorted and transformed names in the rosters as they appear in the regimental history of the Eighteenth is astonishing.
The history of Allegheny county (1876) does much better. The historian of the Eighteenth could have copied the correct rosters from that work.
The rosters of the "Blues" also are given correctly in the county history. This, too, was an old organization, the successors of the "Pittsburgh Blues of the War of 1812," reorganized as the Washington Infantry in 1855. The "Blues" roster in Mexico shows that four officers and 93 men left Pittsburgh for Mexico. Nine recruits were received during the company's service.
The "Irish Greens" as often so-called as by the correct name, the "Hibernian Greens," left Pittsburgh with four officers and 98 men. No recruits are recorded. This company has received mention as the "Hibernian Irish Greens."
The deaths from climatic diseases were many. Thus at the relief of Puebla Capt. Herron had but 31 men fit for duty. One news item states that from June to September, 1847, 700 men died at Perote. O. S. Wandel's [sic] Journal is a continuous record of deaths, once recording the burial of five men from one company of the First Pennsylvania Regiment in one day.
October 4, 1847, The Gazette recorded in two-inch headlines that there had been an eight days' battle in Mexico—the headline reading in part: "Bloodiest Battles Ever Fought." This news was from Molino del Rey—of the operations of September 8.
October 7 news came that the First Pennsylvania Regiment was not only in an uncomfortable, but in a dangerous condition at Puebla. A letter appeared from Col. Black, second in command to Col. Childs, written September 12, in which he tells of the siege and speaks in highest terms of Capts. Herron and Denny of the "Greys" and "Blues."
{[subhead|Recruiting Goes on Steadily.}}
The casualties of Molino del Rey were reported October 22. On October 23 Gen. Lane with his succoring command was reported at Perote, 83 miles from Puebla, and that Col. Childs at Puebla was still throwing shells.
Recruiting went on in Pittsburgh throughout the war. November 4 Capt. Rowley had 85 men ready and a flag was presented the company by patriotic Pittsburgh people. This company left on November 14 and was incorporated in the Maryland and District of Columbia Regiment.
The recruiting office in Pittsburgh was at Liberty street and Plumb alley—afterwards better known as Oak alley—just beyond Smithfield street.
News of the relief of Puebla and the casualties there was received in Pittsburgh November 18. Gen. Lane arrived with his command October 12. With him was Lieut. Alexander Hays, Fourth Infantry, U. S. A., acting as assistant adjutant general of Lane's Brigade.
Some of the names then transmitted and published here as wounded and missing do not appear on the rosters of the Pittsburgh companies, and the inference of error is strong; nevertheless there was enough correctly and truly stated to cause deep sorrow in Pittsburgh.
Of the "Grays'" 31 men in action 13 were killed and eight speared through by the savage Mexican lancers. These men were John H. Herrod, Edward H. Jones, John Gilchrist, Francis B. Johns, Henry Krutzelman, James Phillips, William A. Phillips, Samuel D. Sewell, William Smid, Samuel Troyer, Francis Van Dyke, D. S. Vernoy, Joseph Wilson. All were privates except E. H. Jones.
There were some wounded, Capt. Herron, Privates C. W. Blakeman, Thomas B. Furman, A. E. Marshall, Samuel Sloop, Thomas B. Thornburg, James S. Negley and William C. Winebiddle.
Mr. Winebiddle of the well-known East Liberty family died recently. As far as known, he was the last survivor of the company. He joined at New Orleans January 10, 1847.
Gilchrist belonged to the Greensburg squad in the "Grays," which included Richard C. Drum, subsequently assistant adjutant general, U. S. A.
The Gazette paid a tribute editorially to Sewell's character. He was a young man of pleasing disposition and fine talents. The Gazette printed letters from him frequently during his service.
John S. Hamilton, a private in the "Grays," wrote The Gazette a short account of the final action at Puebla, in which the "Grays" suffered terribly. He said:
On the arrival of Gen. Lane, Col. Black with two companies, Herron's and Hill's, was ordered to proceed to a certain point in the town to silence the firing of the enemy which was warmly kept up on our line. When they arrived at the place a body of lancers fled. When Capt. Herron appeared with his command he was ordered to proceed around the square for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the enemy, which was done by the captain, who, with his command, pursued some distance, when the force of the enemy became too strong and completely surrounded Herron's men.
Sad am I to say that this, October 13, was a day of mourning and grief to the First Pennsylvania Regiment. No less than 13 of our bravest and finest soldiers fell and died under the hand of a ruthless and despised foe. They fell bravely fighting like heroes, contesting every inch of the ground. They died the death of brave soldiers; their memory must be cherished and their names mentioned with profound respect. If Col. Black and Company D had not arrived all would have been killed.
Oswandel gives an account of this affair. So, too, Lieut. A. G. Brackett, who was with Gen. Lane and published an account of Lane's expedition in 1850. Gen Wilcox reproduces Brackett's account in his history of the war. Brackett was a lieutenant in the Fourth Indiana Regiment in Lane's Brigade and was present in the action resulting in driving off the besiegers.
Oswandel also was engaged with his company. He states that Capt. Herron was ordered to march to the plaza, or square, by Col. Childs. The company was supported by Company D of the Frst [sic] Regiment under Lieut. Moore. When the "Greys" got near the plaza about 100 lancers appeared. Herron ordered a charge and drove them back. Herron followed them some distance. When near the Alameda Park in Puebla the lancers formed a line of battle and prepared to charge Herron's little band of 30 men. The lancers were mounted.
Capt. Herron halted his men and formed to receive the charge he thought sure to come, as he realized he had fallen into a trap. He told his men not to fire a gun until they were sure every shot would empty a saddle.
The lancers did not charge and Herron was about to withdraw his men, but they objected, crying out: "Let us follow them." When within about 100 yards of the enemy he received a volley which killed seven of his men and wounded others.
Before Herron's men, who had fired, could reload the lancers were upon them. Reinforcements to the enemy seemed to come from every street.
Although Herron and his men made a brave stand, defending themselves with their bayonets as best they could, they were overpowered and attempted a retreat. Had it not been for Lieut. Moore's company, formerly Hill's, all Herron's men would have been slain. Oswandel states that some of Herron's men were cut completely in two.
Capt. Small's company (C), in which Oswandel served, hastened to support Moore's men and the lancers were driven off.
Col. Childs was much incensed at the affray and took Capt. Herron severely to task for his blunder, as he called it. Capt. Herron was a brave man. He gave way to the excessive zeal of his men and he and they paid the penalty. The same thing has happened over and over again. Childs claimed that Herron was ordered to remain in the plaza unless about to be overpowered by numbers, when he was to retreat.
Oswandel defends Herron, stating the captain did what any other brave soldier would do, follow a retreating enemy.
Childs was vindictive, too. He told Herron he would never report him in general orders and kept his word, and that is the reason Herron and his heroic deeds are not mentioned in Childs' official report to Gen. Scott. The other officers were mentioned. Childs was an old Regular of the War of 1812.
Some of the "Greys" died in Puebla during the siege. Oswandel relates all the details of the regiment's service. His book contains more than 600 pages.
Oswandel tells of the coolness and bravery of Musician William Byerly of the "Blues," Company A of the First Pennsylvania. Mr. Byerly, for many years a resident of the Minersville section of Pittsburgh, will be recalled by old residents as the leader of Byerly's Band before the Civil War.
Under date August 18, 1847, at Puebla, Oswandel records this paragraph:
William Byerly of Pittsburgh, and one of the best buglers in the army, came on the parapet and blew several national airs, letting the enemy know we are still alive and kicking.
Again October 8 he mentions Byerly inspiring the men by playing "Yankee Doodle," "Hail Columbia" and other national airs. There had been much fighting that day, the enemy making desperate efforts to take Childs' positions before Lane could come to the rescue.
Cilds' [sic] defensive points are shown in the picture today. On the left is seen San Jose Church, in the left rear is Fort Loretto; Gaudaloupe [sic] Heights and the San Joe [sic] quartel is in the middle background; Col. Childs' headquarters in the building at the right. A quartel is a square walled on three sides.
Col. Black was in command at Fort Loretto. When the First Pennsylvania was detached from Scott's main army, Black tendered his resignation. He had come out to fight and did not relish garrison duty. He was persuaded to withdraw his resignation—and got plenty of good hard fighting as Gen. Scott personally told him he would.
The "Blues" with Col. Wynkoop's battalion were picked up at Perote by Gen. Lane and taken along with the relieving column. Their casualities [sic] were slight in comparison. They were Company A of the First Pennsylvania Regiment.
Much history of the War 1846–1848 pertaining to Pittsburgh can be found in the Standard History of Pittsburgh edited by Erasmus Wilson, published in 1898, pages 410 to 430. Footnotes appear citing newspaper accounts of many things. There are also records of company service and individual services with rosters of the returned soldiers.
It is most interesting reading. In fact as war stories go, all printed of the operations in the wonderful war in Mexico, 1846–48, is of absorbing interest to students of war history.
Our volunteers arrived in Pittsburgh via river July 10, 1848, a Saturday. It was a great day in Pittsburgh. There was an immense throng on the wharf, a grand procession downtown. Three companies of the "Greys" did not arrive in time to participate.
Well-known Pittsburghers who survived to old age were Gens. Negley, Drum and Rowley, Col. Robert Anderson, former postmaster here, except Rowley, all of the "Greys."
Maj. John Poland and Col. O. H. Rippey fell early in the Civil War. Col. Norton McGiffen of Washington, Pa., had records in the two wars. He lived to be a very old man.
Gen. Rowley of the "Blues" and of his own company, the "Rough and Readies," was one of the best-known soldiers of Pittsburgh. He died in 1890. Capt. James Chalfant, Privates John W. McCulley, C. Bedford Mowry and Alfred McDonald of the "Blues" spent long lives in Pittsburgh.
Col. James C. Hull, Capt. James T. Shannon and Col. John W. Patterson were killed in the Civil War.
Of the "Greens," well-known soldiers were Col. Edward O'Brien of New Castle and Musician Robert H. Kelly, also a Civil War veteran and a veteran school principal of Pittsburgh—the latter surely well remembered.
