Source:Fleming-stirring/content
THE history that can be rewritten in explanation of the Spanish names of streets on the North Side is voluminous. With thousands of our people interested in affairs on the Mexican border by reason of loved ones in the military service of the United States along that border, the history thus evolved of the stirring events of 70 years ago is pertinent enough to justify the continuation of the story begun in these columns some weeks ago.
Palo Alto, Resaca, Monterey and Buena Vista are street names that have endured for 60 years. Taylor avenue is now Tarleton avenue, but we have yet Taylor avenue from Liberty avenue to Lorigan street in the Bloomfield district. Lorigan street is in that classic precinct once called Skunk Hollow, now better known as Junction Hollow.
Then we have Scott Place, formerly Scott alley downtown, extending from Penn avenue to Duquesne way, and we once had Scott street on the Hill, in the old Seventh Ward, extending from Hazel street to Clark. This street is now called Shomin.
Perhaps a half century from now some antiquarian will endeavor to learn the source and import of this name and what it commemorates and will probably be unsuccessful. It has a Hebrew look.
Winfield Scott figured in three wars in which our country was engaged, 1812, in Mexico and during the first year of the Civil War—and won fame in all.
Towns, counties and townships, streets, roads and postoffices throughout the nation bear the name of Scott and thousands of men were named for him—and not a few of them yet live; so that considering that Gen. Scott has been adequately honored it was kind of nice after all that his name was permitted to remain designating an obscure alley in the great municipality of Pittsburgh.
An old-time Pittsburgher in Honolulu or some other seaport will locate Gen. Scott's commemorated Pittsburgh thoroughfare if it is mentioned as Scott alley but if one says Scott place, not aware that place is the official designation of an alley in his native city of Pittsburgh the explanation will be necessary and he will also be informed tha [sic] the word "place" so used is not a synonym for the word alley but a transposition, a substitution rather. He can be informed also that a place can be something else.
Taylor avenue on the North Side in the historic Buena Vista plan of Pioneer William Robison [sic], Jr., should by all the logic of association have retained its original name and Taylor avenue in Bloomfield been changed. So, too, Jackson street, on the North Side, for if President Jackson had had his way in 1837 the Mexican troubles of [80?] years ago would have been settled 10 years earlier, and by war.
Jackson did not live to see the Mexican troubles end. He died June 8, 1845, a few months after the inauguration of James K. Polk.
In the Buena Vista plan of the North Side we have now Jarvella street as the northern boundary and delightfully reminiscent (?) of the eternal fitness of things that permeates, adorns, characterizes, afflicts Pittsburgh's street nomenclature.
But we have Monterey and Buena Vista streets left. They need consideration and the whole subject of the Mexican War can be taken up and the exciting news that wended a slow way up the rivers to Pittsburgh, the activity here, the recruiting of many companies, the rendezvousing of troops in Pittsburgh, their departure for the seat of war via steamboats to New Orleans and thence by sailing vessels to Vera Cruz—all combined—can furnish a thrilling story of stirring events that aroused our grandparents.
News traveled slowly. There were no railroads to the West. No railroads then entered Pittsburgh. The stage coach, canal boat and the steamboat were the only methods of sending news and that by letter. There was no telegraph line into Pittsburgh. Although Morse had perfected his invention of the magnetic telegraph it was slow in coming into use.
In fact the first news sent by wire was the dispatch telling of the nomination of Polk at Baltimore in the spring of 1844; two years before the battles on the Rio Grande. A telegraph line did not reach Pittsburgh until 1849.
Necessarily news came slowly so that there was in those days long continued yearnings for tidings from dear ones in Mexico, many of whom succumbed to the ravages of the climate and the privations of war and not a few fell in battle and some were "sniped."
To thoroughly understand the Mexican situation in 1845–46 it is necessary to go back to those years and review the conditions and happenings antecedent to Taylor's campaigns on the Rio Grande and in Northern Mexico.
Especially noteworthy is the account of the attack upon Capt. Thornton with a reconnoitering party composed of 63 dragoons. Thornton's little party was ambushed and endeavoring to cut its way out when forced to surrender with a loss of 16 killed and wounded.
This was on April 24, 1846, two weeks before the battle of Palo Alto. The casualties in this skirmish were the first in actual conflict. Thornton only escaped.
Between this affray and the recent one at Carrizal we can see a parallel. We can also infer that Mexican warfare has changed but little and Mexican character not at all.
It is presumed that the general reader is familiar with the causes of that war. The annexation of Texas was the immediate cause. Mexico regarded this as an act of war in itself. The annexation act was passed by Congress March 1, 1845, ratified by the Texas convention July 4, 1845. The boundary disputes between Mexico and Texas were then transferred from the former Republic of Texas to the United States.
Impoverished by Civil War Mexico did not hesitate to replenish its treasury by plundering American vessels in the Gulf of Mexico and by confiscating property of American merchants within its borders.
Remonstrances by our government were in vain until 1831 when a treaty was made and promises of redress were given—promises that were never fulfilled. Our people watched and waited.
Robberies and outrages continued. Repeated acts of violence and insults to our flag were borne by the United States with wonderful forbearance. Reparation was sought in vain. American merchants were imprisoned; American vessels seized, and their cargoes confiscated.
Decisions upon damages were delayed or their payment, if acknowledged valid, was delayed. Three conventions and many conferences had resulted in the settlement of less than one-fifth of the claims again [sic] Mexico that had received any consideration whatever before the annexation of Texas, and a very small number received consideration.
Such was the popular feeling against Mexico, that, regardless of the fact that Texas would make one or nine new slave states, the Mexican embroglio [sic] must be settled.
President Polk and his cabinet were quick to take advantage of the excitement and indignation on account of the Mexican outrages. The grievances of American citizens, the hot debates in the Mexican Congress duly reported in the American press; the arbitrary and insulting conduct of the Mexican officials towards the representative of the United States, were used successfully by the Polk administration to cover its designs against a weak, miserable and distracted republic—weak miserable and distracted now—and after seven decades perhaps more so than in 1846.
The Mexican masses were as eager for war in 1845 as they are now. The President, Herrera, was not anxious for war. He was succeeded by Paredes who was.
The latter sent Gen. Ampudia with a large force to drive the Americans beyond the Nueces River, which the Mexicans sought to establish as the Western boundary line of Texas if any boundary was to be admitted.
In September Taylor moved his little force of 1,500 regulars and formed a camp at Corpus Christi and remained during the autumn and winter.
January 13, 1846, he moved from this camp to the Rio Grande, opposite the Spanish city of Matamoros. Mexican troops were gathering in that vicinity. Taylor's new camp was in the disputed territory, claimed by the Mexicans to belong to the province of Tamaulipas.
Taylor first encamped at Point Isabel on the coast 28 miles from Matamoros. He pitched camp here March 25, 1846. He was warned by the Mexicans he was upon Mexican soil. To this he paid no attention.
On the news reaching Washington of the Thornton affair President 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.
At this time Abraham Lincoln was a member of the House of Representatives from Illinois. He introduced his "spot resolutions," calling upon the President to indicate the "exact spot" where the act complained of had taken place and inform the House whether the "citizens" had not been armed soldiers sent there by the President's own orders.
Lincoln was a Whig and opposed to slavery, as was the Whig party—in a sense—opposed to the extension of slavery, although many Whigs like Gen. Taylor were slave owners. Lincoln was opposed to the war.
Nevertheless Congress responded to the President's message by declaring that war existed "by the act of Mexico," authorized a call for 50,000 volunteers and appropriated $10,000,000 for carrying on the war. This was on May 13, less than a week after the battle of Palo Alto, news of which had not yet reached Washington.
Taylor left his stores at Point Isabel with a guard of 450 men and advanced with the remainder to the bank of the Rio Grande where he made camp and began the erection of a fort which he named Fort Brown for Maj. Jacob Brown, United States army, whom he placed in command and who fell in its defense.
The happenings prior to Taylor's relief of Fort Brown after the battle of Resaca have been related—all well known history.
It has been urged that the United States had tried in vain to get from Mexico a payment of what was due her citizens. It has also been urged that many of these claims had scant merit and many were doubtful.
There were peace people then as now, and even disordered Mexico had friends then as now.
These urged that Mexico had done her best to pay the claims but the state of the country, rent by disturbing factions, rendered it impossible to raise revenues. With the annexation of Texas it was only natural that Mexico should cease to make payments.
From most of the states the call for volunteers was answered with alarcity [sic]. New England was slow in responding. Her people were not enthusiastic over the "War of pretexts" as it came to be called by its opponents.
Pennsylvania, however, was most prompt. Six regiments were asked, and nine were offered. Francis Rawn Shunk, once a resident of Pittsburgh, was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1844 at the October election, Polk president at the November election that year. There have been no October elections under the present Constitution in force since 1874.
Pennsylvania's six regiments were to be infantry and to be held in readiness for muster into the United States service. The term of enlistment was one year, or until the end of the war. Patriotism ran high and the 90 companies were recruited within 30 days.
December 15, 1846, the first regiment was organized, in Pittsburgh, the second here on January 5, 1847. Afterwards some additional companies were mustered. Several went into organizations outside of the state. Recruiting in Pittsburgh was quite lively.
The feeling of patriotism was intensified by the appearance on our streets of heavy siege guns, mortars and the various munitions of war that were daily hauled from the Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville for shipment to New Orleans by the rivers. The military spirit of Pittsburgh youths was thoroughly aroused by these movements.
At first only two companies were accepted from Allegheny county. Both were well known local militia organizations, the "Duquesne Greys" and the "Jackson Independent Blues."
These companies were recruited to the maximum and became respectively companies K and A of the First Pennsylvania Volunteers.
The officers of the Duquesne Greys, or Company K, were John Herron, captain; William Trovillo, first lieutenant; William J. Ankrim, second lieutenant; John W. Hague, junior second lieutenant.
"The Blues," or Company A, were under the command of Capt. Alexander Hay, James O'Hara Denny, first lieutenant; Thomas A. Rowley, second lieutenant and William A. Charlton, junior second lieutenant.
Note that Capt. Alexander Hay is not to be confounded with Lieut. Alexander Hays, Fourth Infantry, U. S. A.; in the Civil War colonel of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and brevet major general, killed May 5, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness. Capt. Hay had a very short service. He enlisted November 20, 1846, received a furlough at Vera Cruz, March 31, 1847, and did not return to the company, having been discharged. He was then 39 years old. Lieut. Denny succeeded him as captain.
The First Pennsylvania Volunteers was commanded by Col. Francis M. Wynkoop. Samuel W. Black of Pittsburgh was lieutenant colonel and Frank L. Bowman major. Most of Company A were enlisted November 26, 1846, and the majority of Company K on December 1 and 8, 1846.
Pittsburgh was represented in the Second Pennsylvania Volunteers with Company I under Capt. Robert Porter, son of Judge William Porter of Kirkpatrick and Wylie streets, the old Porter homestead still standing. This company was enlisted December 30, 1846.
Porter's company was known as the Irish Greens. His lieutenants were William Rankin, James Kane and William P. Skelly. The officers of the Second Pennsylvania were William B. Roberts of Fayette county, colonel; John W. Geary of Westmoreland county, lieutenant colonel, and William Brindle, major.
Col. Roberts died at Puebla and Lieut. Col. Geary succeeded him. The latter had a long and distinguished record in the Civil War—1861–65, and after the war served two terms as governor of Pennsylvania.
Two other companies from Allegheny county were subsequently accepted. One under Capt. Pressly N. Guthrie was assigned to the Eleventh United States Infantry and the other under Capt. Thomas A. Rowley joined the Maryland and District of Columbia Volunteer Regiment. These companies entered the service in July, 1847.
A history of Allegheny county published in 1876 gives the rosters of Companies A and K of the First Regiment and Company I of the Second Regiment. Many names occur that are familiar, and some of these soldiers obtained high rank in the Civil War.
Notable are Col. Samuel W. Black, colonel Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers; Private Oliver H. Rippey of Company K, colonel Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; Private Norton McGiffin of Washington, Pa., lieutenant colonel Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Private James S. Negley, major general of Volunteers; Private Richard C. Drum of Greensburg, transferred to United States Army and promoted to lieutenant; Private John Poland, major One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers; Third Sergt. Robert Anderson, colonel Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves.
All these were of Company K or the Duquesne Greys. Black, Rippey and Poland were killed in battle during the Civil War early in 1862.
Of Company A's enrollment, or that of the "Jackson Blues," Second Lieut. Rowley resigned to command a company as noted above. He attained the rank of brevet major general during the Civil War.
Private James T. Shannon became captain of Company C, Ninth Reserves, and was killed at Second Bull Run, Va. Private John W. Patterson became colonel of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. Then there was Fourth Sergt. James C. Hull, lieutenant colonel Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, killed at Laurel Hill, Va.
There are names accredited to Allegheny county on the rosters of the other companies, mostly recruits, and Company C, under Capt. William J. Small, has the most.
A footnote states that this company, except where noted, enlisted at Pittsburgh, December 15, 1846.
These men were from east of the Alleghenies. Capt. Small was from York, as was First Sergt. Thomas A. Zeigle, who became colonel of the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died in the service July 15, 1862, after the terrible campaign on the peninsula of Virginia.
Among those credited to Allegheny county from Company C is Corp. Jacob J. Osswandel, who lived to an advanced age and in his later years published his diary of events during his Mexican service. Osswandel was a bright man, consequently he tells a complete and graphic story. From it we get the story of our Pittsburgh Companies A and K during the terrible days of the siege of Puebla.
Osswandel was from Mifflin county and was a canal boatman. In his last years he resided in Philadelphia. His book is a good sample of old time job work in book form and was published in 1886. Especially crude are his illustrations through unmistakable [sic] accurate. They are quaint and most interesting.
None of these Pittsburgh companies served with Taylor on the Rio Grande or with him in his campaign in Northeastern Mexico culminating in the battle of Buena Vista.
All served under Scott, the First Pennsylvania having been left by Gen. Scott as part of the force garrisoning the city of Pueblo [sic], and here they had strenuous service and suffered severe losses.
