A Proposed Transfer to the Infantry

February 1st, 2010 § Leave a comment

From M1102 R1, captured and brought back alive by Tim Kimball

The following was an informal note accompanying an official letter of the same day by Taylor to Dickerson, who was serving as A.A.A.Genl to Bvt. Lt. Col. Washington, Commander of the 9th Military Department in Santa Fe.  Taylor and Dickerson had been one class apart at West Point, and Taylor often included such notes as separate pages in his official correspondence. These personal notes between officers seemingly relieved some of the tedium attendant while stationed at a frontier post.

Jan. 3, 1849 [Albuquerque]

Dear Dick:

I received your of the 25th Dec yesterday & hasten to inform you that I deem it very important that we should have a Genl Court Martial.  One or two of you at least will come down from Santa Fe & perhaps some of our Taos friends.  Have not time to write much as I am busy with my quarterly papers, compy, Qtr Mstrs & Compy &c.  got a letter from [2nd Lt. William W.] Burns [USMA ‘47, assigned to 5TH Infantry, Ft. Gibson] the other day, wishes me to change in the Infantry with [2nd Lt. Richard H.] Long [USMA ’47, also Ft. Gibson] , but as the Mexicans say “Quando?” [sic, “Cuando?” (“When?”)]  I think a new lot of “niggers will be hung.”  I put the letter of transfer, directed to the Adjt Genl, in the fire & could not help applying the thumb of my dexter hand to my nose & causing the fingers to execute sundry gyrations at the ashes as I thought how easy that little business had been settled & almost felt like sending a challenge to Burns for his impudence in supposing that a Dragoon would transfer with a “Doughboy.”  Try & keep yourself alive & hearty.  Remember me to all hands—In haste, Yours Truly O. H. P. Taylor [Bvt. 1st Lt, Commanding G Company, 1st Dragoons]

P. S. I have also other Genl prisoners.  Do send a Genl Ct. martial.

Note: This banter between classmates, joking about their branches and hoping for some social contact—a General Court Martial required at least five officers, and everyone was spread thin in 1849 New Mexico.  Tragically, Long died at Fort Gibson, January 30, 1849, of apparent illness, probably before Burns got any reply from Taylor.  Taylor himself would be killed at To-kota-mine-me, Washington Tty, May 17, 1858, gallantly leading the rear guard against the united and outraged Spokane, Palouse, Coeur d’ Alene, and Yakama tribes for bungling “Doughboy” Steptoe’s Spokane Expedition:

One account of the battle states:“…On Monday, May 17, 1858, the  soldiers’ journey back immediately turned into a running flight for their lives. With the first sound of shots, Lieutenant William Gaston found an opening and led the entire expedition towards a small hill by Pine Creek. The running battle was brutal, as the tribes were skillfull at running their horses up to the troops to attack them. While the men had guns, they were mostly Yager rifles, not meant for firing from horseback, The soldiers’ revolvers were rapidly running out of ammunition. And the sabers, which would have helped the soldiers defend themselves, were left useless back at Fort Walla Walla.

As Steptoe’s expedition floundered toward the small hill, Lieutenant Gaston, along with Captain Oliver Hazard Taylor, guarded the flanks. Their skill was also their death sentence, for upon noticing the effectiveness of these two officers, the tribal leaders ordered their sharpshooters to focus on felling these two men, and soon Steptoe heard the news that these two officers had been killed, and Gaston’s body taken….”

Keeping the Peace: Kearny and the Otoes 1839

December 29th, 2009 § Leave a comment

ARMY AND NAVY CHRONICLE, Vol. IX, No. 18, October 31, 1839 (Whole Number 263)

DRAGOON EXPEDITION.

Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 3, 1839.

Mr. Editor: During that portion of the year in which the prairie grass will sustain horses, it has been customary at this post to detach squadrons or troops, monthly, on a march of reconnaissance along the frontier, to the vicinity of those Indian tribes whose known propensities would lead to the supposition of their committing depredations upon the property of the whites, or of whom complaints had already been made of outrages actually committed. A short account of a March of this kind, of more than usual interest, made during the past month, to the Otoes and Missourias, may not be uninteresting to some of your readers.

In consequence of complaints made of the evil disposition manifested by the Otoes towards the whites, particularly in their conduct to the employés of the Government living among them. Col. Kearny, in immediate command of two squadrons of his regiment, left Fort Leavenworth on the 5th September, to visit them at their villages on the Great Platte river. The officers of the expedition were Col. Kearny, commanding; Major Wharton, Adjutant Thompson, Surgeon Macomb; Capt. Boone, commanding 1st squadron; Capt. Allen commanding 2d squadron; and Lieutenants Steen, Davidson, Chilton and Bowman.

Following, generally, the old ‘Council Bluffs” road, on the south side of the Missouri river, the troops moved leisurely onward, over a country luxuriant, picturesque, and at some points beautiful; the monotony of the march being varied by, at one time, the necessity of cutting down the abrupt banks of some prairie stream, to allow the passage of the wagons, and, at another, of turning from a direct course to head some hollow whose marshy bottom would bear neither man nor horse. In this manner, by easy marches, Wolfe river, the Great and Little Nemahaw, Table Creek, L’eau qui pleut, and many streams of lesser note being crossed, and the site (a most eligible one) for the new post on Table Creek having been visited, we finally stood upon the batiks of the Great Platte. This river, being low, was fordable by horses, but its bed abounding in quicksands rendered the crossing entirely impracticable to loaded wagons. An opportunity was thus offered of testing the utility of Capt. Lane’s admirable application of India rubber to purposes of military economy. A small box, of little weight, containing a boat capable of transporting about 1500 pounds weight across a rapid stream, having been brought with us, the cylinders were inflated and the boat launched. It is almost superfluous, after the many testimonials in its favor, to say that the boat answered all the purposes of its invention, uniting with an ease of management and a readiness of transportation, which must give it entire precedence over every other kind of ponton yet offered to the consideration of the military public. On the sandy beach of this river we found the bones of one of three dragoons who had been drowned a few months previous, while conducting to their tribe some Omahas taken prisoners by the Sacs. The now useless sword and belt and cartridge-box, lying with their owner’s remains, and marked with the letter of his company, and his number, identified the individual. The skeleton, having been placed in a box, was conveyed to our camp, and that evening buried with the honors of war.

The point of our destination having been reached, the Otoes were invited through their agent, Mr. Hamilton, to a council on the 16th. After a delay of unusual length, though at no time remarkable for punctuality, a long string of warriors, boys and women, gave notice of the approach of the nation. The whole assembly having halted a few hundred yards beyond our chain of sentinels, some twenty of the chief men, having dismounted, approached the encampment, and being led to the commanding officer, took their seats in council; on being told, however, that the whole nation were invited to hear what was, to be said to them, the greater portion of the people came forward, taking their stations in concentric circles around the council fire. Observing that, contrary to custom, the Indians had come into council armed, the commanding officer refused to have any thing to say to them while thus equipped, and directed them to lay aside weapons which he neither feared nor had come to contend against. This being done, Col. Kearnv addressed the council.

He told the Otoes that he was glad to see them ; he said he was the representative of their Great Father, the President, who had placed him in their vicinity to observe their conduct; that many reports of their

misconduct towards their white brethren had reached his ears, that as it would be hard to make a whole nation suffer for the acts of a few individuals, he should only punish the most prominent of those against whom complaints had been made; he called upon Kanzas Tunga (Big Kaw) to deliver to him some young men whom he named. (Three young men having been delivered to him, the commanding officer proceeded,) that as these young men had acted badly towards the whites, he intended to punish them before the nation, that it might be a lesson to them would all for the future not to molest the white man—that should the punishment then inflicted fail in producing the intended effect, and he should again hear com- plaints of their bad conduct, it would be as easy for him to visit them again as it had been them; in con elusion he advised them, in their difficulties, to seek counsel from their agent, who would always hear their complaints and assist them.

Kanzas Tunga, Waronisa, Le Voleur, and most of the leading men replied, generally admitting that

their young men had acted badly, but that they were not able to restrain them,” and two of the old chiefs, Waronisa and Le Voleur, offered themselves for punishment in place of the prisoners.   One fine looking young chief came forward, and under great excitement said, “My Father, I place myself among these prisoners, whatever punishment you inflict on them, let me undergo first.”" Cha-ra-to-rishe, or Chef Malade, the head chief of the Pawnees, who with a few of his chiefs, was present, reproached the

Otoes for their conduct, for their turbulence and internal discord; and for the murder of the only man

among them, Jotan [in April 1837]—told them he could manage his young men, and if the Otoe Chiefs could not do the same, they were unworthy the title.

The agent, Mr. Hamilton, now rose, and requested  Col. Kearny to give to him the prisoners, and not to

punish them: that he would be answerable for their future good conduct, and that he thought the nation

would be as much benefited by what had already passed, as if the punishment had actually been inflicted. To this request, after some consideration, the Colonel yielded, and addressed the Otoes again, saying, that as their peace-father had interceded for their young men, he had given them to him—that his intention had been to whip, not to kill, but to whip them there, publicly, before the whole nation, that all might know that they had been punished, and that should he ever have cause again to visit them for their misconduct, his ears would be closed to all solicitations from their agent.

Mr. Hamilton having then explained to the Otoes the pledges he had made in-their behalf, and restored the prisoners, advised them to conduct themselves in good faith towards the white people sent among them by their Great Father for their benefit, and to remember all that had been said to them. The council then dissolved. The Otoes had been much alarmed, and had probably expected that some of their people were - to be killed, or that some treachery was intended, and had accordingly come to the council prepared for the

worst, to fight if necessary, but with no intention of doing so unless forced by an attack by the troops. They were evidently much relieved by the result, and the lesson they have received in the firmness displayed by Col. Kearnv, together with the contempt for their prowess, and confidence in his own resources which he evinced in the council, will doubtless restrain them within proper limits for at least some years.

On the 17th the Missouri river was passed, the horses swimming it, and the camp for the night was formed at one of the Pottawattamie villages. These Indians having been invited to council on the following day, some dozen of their head chiefs appeared, and the commanding officer spoke to them of the invitation of the Government to enter into a new treaty with them or an exchange of their present lands for others lying on the south side of the Missouri. He advised them to accompany the agent of the Government, Capt. Gantt, to examine these lands, and explained to them the difference between living in a territory under the laws of the United States, and within the limits of a State enacting its own laws, and which would certainly extend its jurisdiction over such Indian tribes as might be embraced in its geographical boundaries: that in a few уеаrs such would be their situation in their present residence ; he therefore would advise them, as their friend, to accede to the wishes of their Great Father, at least so far as to examine the country which he wished to give them in exchange for theirs. He concluded by saying he spoke to them as a friend, not as the authorized agent of the Government. The orator of the nation replied, simply, that heretofore their ears had been deaf to all words upon the subject of their removal, but that they had now heard the advice of their Father, they thanked him for it, they were glad to see him, and would always be glad to see him at their towns.

These Indians complain that a treaty has been made with them, which has only been partially fulfilled, and that therefore they are unwilling to enter into any new engagements with the Government.  There is truth and justice in the remark; and if it is really the wish to remove the Pottawattamies to the other side of the Missouri river, the stipulations of the late treaty should, at once, be complied with, or any attempt to institute a satisfactory negotiation for an exchange of lands may be considered futile. The command returned to Fort Leavenworth on the 25th September.

http://books.google.com/books?pg=RA3-PA285&dq=army%20and%20navy%20chronicle&id=0vERAAAAYAAJ&output=text

Bill Collecting and Other Gossip 1848

December 24th, 2009 § Leave a comment

Trooper Philip Welsh has run up a sizable bill with the post sutler and the merchant asked Welsh’s company commander Captain Burgwin to extract payment. Unfortunately, the commanding officer died in battle at Taos. The sutler has requested that Lt. John Love find out whether the soldier paid the bill. Philip Welsh stayed in the army after the Meican War and was found serving Company F at Cantonment Burgwin in 1855. While serving there he has lost his horse pistol and is being assessed $13.00 by the goverment for the weapon. “You’ll never get rich. You son of a bitch. You are in the Army now.”

Fort Scott MO

April 18, 1848

Lieut John Love

U S Army

Most Worthy old friend:

It is necessary for us to call on some friend to serve us, and as our acquaintance with you gives us claim on you, we respectfully ask this favor of you to learn from Philip Welch in some way if you can, if he ever paid a note to us for $66.28 dated about the 20th March 1844.  Which note was given to Capt. Burgwin the same year some time to collect.  He was so kind as to receive it and said it should be paid, to enable him to collect it he regulated his trade with Mr. Rice to $3.00 Per Month.  We are of the opinion that the Captain collected the amount and hope you can learn from Welch if he has or has not paid the amount &c.  Soldiers like he may plead payment had you not first said you have the note and want him to pay it and in this way he will say what has been done or what amount he has paid.  You will please do the best your can and write us so we can send a copy of your letter to his Capt. Burgwin’s Father.  Private Charles Lynch, late of Company A 1st Dragoons deserted from this post under the command of Capt Burbank and gave himself up at Fort Leavenworth and was not tried for desertion and afterwards sent to Santa Fee.  We certified it for Lieut Wallace on the Council of Administration.  This account was all created before and previous to his desertion which was the 7th May 1847, owing us Ninety Six dollar and Thirty Seven cents, ($96.37) and forwarded to Col. Wharton, and the Col. cannot Say but that he has forwarded it to Santa Fe &c.  This is a tricky man, if you do not know him, please collect it for us.  William Bushnell of the same company left here owing us Fifteen dollars ($15.00) and has, we learn, also gone to Santa Fee.  He is a good man and believe he will pay if he has not already done so—you will certainly serve us much by giving us your kind ade [sic, aid] and assistance in these bothersome matters.  We shall enclose this letter to Col. C. Wharton and call his attention of the certificate.  Whether he has in his recollection or not forwarded to Santa Fee.  For this and all of your kindness we shall ever be thankful, and should you be able to give the wanted information as in the case of Welch please [indecipherable].

And if you should be able to make the collection, pay yourself and send us the balance to us in some shape through Col. Wharton.  We have but little news in the States to give at this date.  The county is quiet save the difficulties with Mexico, and all are on the look out for the ratification of the treaty by the Mexican congress—the rupture or revolution is France may result [indecipherable] to the Old World, should it, it will be a very good thing for the United States.   The health of our county is generally good.  Col. Douglass your old friend is very well, and family, he has a fine daughter.  She commands much attention.  Your colt he aimed to race for you is Dead—The loss of our mutual friends by the Mexican War is very great.  So many valuable lives lost—our county is clad in Mourning—You must meet with many Privations in Mexico.  You must be loansum [sic] news very old before you get it out to you—Dr. W. Wammon is at this Post with his family.  He has two fine Daughters.  Mr. Bugg is absent to St. Louis with Lieut Wallace, our H. T. Wilson is married and flourishing at Scott.  He was married on the 28th of last September to a plane [sic] country Girl and if you were in the States, you should marry, and pleasant life to live, a step every good man should take.  We do not know who you may have about you that we knew, but would be pleased to be kindly remembered to youself, Capt. Grear and all of our acquaintans [sic] with you.

We have the honor to be your very

Sincere and obt Servts

Respectfully

Wilson & Bugg

The 1848 March of Company H

November 15th, 2009 § Leave a comment

Santa Fe Republican, September 12, 1848, reported:

-Co. (H,) 1st Dragoons, commanded by Lt. Buford, from Fort Gibson, reached this place on Saturday, the 9th inst., all in fine health and spirits.  It seems that Lieut. Buford came direct from Fort Gibson almost a new and untravelled route, which he considers much the best and shortest to the United States.

________

Arrival of Co. H. 1st U. S. Dragoons.

Co. H., 1st U.S. Dragoons, under Lieut. R. Buford, accompanied by Lieut D. B. Sackett, arrived in this city on the 9th inst. [September], from Ft. Gibson, having left that place on the 17th of July last.

We are under many obligations to Lieutenant Buford for the following information relative to his trip and the new route taken by him across the plains.  The Lieutenant and his force on leaving Ft. Gibson, marched up the Arkansas River to the mouth of the big Red Fork, or [illegible] river, and then following up that [illegible] to the Salt Rock, a great salt plain which [illegible] is about three hundred miles from Fort Gibson.  On the 17th of August, they left the Salt rock and proceeded south, and struck the waters of the Cimaron and main Canadian—then continuing their march in a westward direction between these two streams until august the 20th, when they altered their course to the north and crossed the waters of the north fork of the Canadian, (which is not near as large a stream as represented on many of our maps) and on the 31st [?] of August, struck the Santa Fe road, near the middle Cimaron spring, which point is about five hundred miles distant from Ft. Gibson by this route, the actual distance of which would not5 be over four hundred miles from the middle Cimaron spring to Fort Gibson; he also states that a route and good road could be laid out from Santa Fe New Mexico, via the Salt Rock, following partly the route taken by him, the distance of which from Santa Fe to Fort Gibson would not be over six, to six hundred and fifty miles by this route—good camping ground, with a large abundance of wood and water every night, and fine grazing beside, innumerable buffalo could always be found.

The Salt rock, as spoke of in this report as a particular point, we believe some day will become a valuable and important place.

The salt taken from this rock is a white and nice as any table salt, and it can be procured with but little or no labor.  Lieut. B. has in his possession some specimens of this salt, which in fact are worthy of public notice.  According to report, this rock must be one of the greatest curiosities in the world by its structure and location.  [Note that Salt Rock and Salt Fork were site of commercial salt works and had been for a couple of decades; routes to there were well traveled from the southeast.  Gregg mentions them.]

[H left Fort Gibson in July en route for New Mexico arrived at Santa Fe 8 Sept.  Left Santa Fe on the 18th and arrived at Socorro Sept 29.  Stationed their [sic] the remainder of the year.]

Kearny’s March to California

October 22nd, 2009 § Leave a comment

Below are the orders of the Army of the West concerning the break up of the command and the re-organization of General Stephen W. Kearny’s troops on its march to California in the Fall of 1846. (Courtesy of Tim Kimball)

ArmyOfTheWestReorganizationOrders1846

Headquarters Army of the West

Order No. 18 Santa Fe, N. Mexico, August 27, 1846

I… Companies “K” and “C” 1st Dragoons commanded by Captains Cooke and Moore, are hereby selected to accompany the General on his expedition to upper California, and will be held in readiness to leave here by the 15th proximo.

II… Major Sumner will cause Companies “B” and “I” 1st Dragoons to be broken up and the men distributed to Companies “C,” “G,” and “K” of the same Regt. raising “C” and “K” to the full complement authorized by law and as these Companies have a long and arduous march before the, selections will be made for them of the most efficient men and horses now in the Companies to be broken up.  This arrangement will be made on the 1st proximo.

III… Should it be found by the 1st proximo, that the are horses and mules in Companies “C” and “K” unfitted to commence a long march, Major Sumner will cause them to be changed for others in his command that will answer.

IV… Major Sumner, after the departure of the General, will remain in this Territory, until further orders in command of Company “G” 1st Dragoons and Capt. Hudson’s Company (Leclede rangers) serving under him.

By order of Brig. Genl. S. W. Kearny

H. S. Turner

Capt. AAAGnrl.

_____

    Headquarters Army of the West

Order No. 22 Santa Fe, N. Mexico, Sept. 18, 1846

I…Orders Nr. 18 of the 27th ult. Are hereby revoked.  Major Sumner will restore the Dragoon command to the organization which it held in the 1st instant, reinstating and increasing the Companies to respond with their strength at that date.

II…Major Sumner will prepare the five Companies of Dragoons, under his command, to march for California on the 28th inst.

III…The following members of the Staff will accompany the command to California: viz,

Major Swords, QM & to perform the duties of Comms,

Captain Turner, A.A.A. General,

“ Johnston, A. D. C.,

Lieut. Emory, Top. Engineers

“      Warner, “     “

Surgeon De Camp, Capt. McKissack, A.Q.M., & Lieut Grier, A. A. C. Sub. Will remain on duty at this station.

In addition to his other duties, Surgeon De Camp will remain in charge of the General Hospital.

By order of Brig. Gen. S. W. Kearny,

H. S. Turner

Capt. AAAGrnl.

_____

    Head Qrs. Army of the West

Special Order No. 8 Santa Fe, N. Mexico, Sept. 20, 1846

Any men belonging to the Dragoon command, who, on the 25th inst. May be too sick to commence the march to California, will be left in charge of Surgeon De Camp, in this City.

Those who may have sufficiently recovered after the departure of Capt. Allen’s command for California, will accompany it, to join their respective Companies.  The remainder will be ordered back to Fort Leavenworth, as they recover, and as opportunities may be presented.  A full description of each of these men, with a statement of their clothing and other accounts with the Government, will be left with surgeon De Camp.

By order of Brig. Genl S. W. Kearny

H. S. Turner

CaptA.A.A.Gnrl.

_____

Head Qts Army the West

Camp on the Del Norte near Socorro

Oct. 6th 1846

Sir:

I this morning met an Express from Upper California to Washington city, sent by Lieut. Col. Frémont, reporting that the Americans had taken possession of that department, in consequence of which I have re-organized the Party to accompany me to that country as will be seen by Order No. 34, herewith enclosed.

I take of the Staff, Maj. Swords (Q.M.) , As. Surg. Griffin, Capts.  Turner (A.A.A.A.G.) & Johnston (A.D. Camp), Lieuts. Emorny and Warner (Top. Engr). and of the line, Capt. Moore in command of Cos. C & K (100 total) 1st Dragoons, & leave Maj. Sumner here with Cos. B, G & I.

We are now 160 miles below Santa Fé & from this time expect less interruption from our Baggage train, which has hither to much retarded us.

I have nothing new to report.

Very Respectfully

Your Ob. Servt.

Brig. Genl. R. Jones  S. W. Kearny

AdjGeneral  Brig. Genl

U. S. A.   U. S. A.
Head Quarters Army of the West

Camp on the Del Norte Camp [sic] below Fray Christobal [sic, Cristobal]

October 13th 1846

Orders

No. 35.

  1. Maj. E. V. Sumner having been promoted to the 2nd Regt. Dragoons, will be relieved in the command of the three companies 1st Dragoons now under him, by Capt. Burgwin of the latter Regt.  When Maj. S. will be at liberty—to comply with such orders as he may have received.
  2. Lt. H. W. Stanton 1st Dragoons having acted as Regt. Adgt. Since the 18th August will proceed to Fort Leavenworth without delay, taking with him the books & papers pertaining to the Hd Qrs of the Regt. which he will deliver to the Colonel or other officer in command thereof.
  3. Capt. Burgwin will break up Co B, 1st Dragoons & distribute the privates between G & I compys. & will assign Buglr Hawkins to Co. K & order him to report to Capt. Cooke.1 He will then order Lt. Love to conduct the N. C. officers & the other Bugler of the Co. to Fort Leavenworth there to report to the Colonel or other officer in command of the Regt, for Recruiting service or such other duty as he may think proper to assign him to.
  4. Maj. M. L. Clark & Adgt. L . Walker of the Battalion of Horse Artillery from Mo. having reported for duty at fort Leavenworth on the 1st July 1846, are entitled to and will receive pay from that date.
  5. Private Wm. I. Johnson of Capt. Waldo’s Co. 1st Regt, Mo. Mounted volunteers having been elected a member of the legislature of the state of Mo. is hereby honorably discharged from the service of the U. States, and is at liberty to return home that he may attend to the interests of his constituents.
  6. The attention of commanders of Regiments and Battalions of volunteers is directed to the requirements of the 15th & 19th articles of the rules and articles of war, & to the “Regulations for the Army” under the head of “Musters—Returns—Reports” vide paragraphs 809 to 817, 824, &c.
    The importance of rendering correct Returns and Rolls, in good season must be apparent to all, and Commanders & Adjutants of Regiments & Battalions are required to give special attention to the subject and see that the regulations are strictly complied with.  The information which their Rolls and Returns should contain is necessary for the records of the war dept as well as to do justice to the volunteers themselves in the settlements of their accounts &c.
  1. Commanders of Regiments and Battalions of volunteers will see that in every case where advances of money have been made by the state government to their men for which they pledged payment that the proportion to be charges against each individual is duly entered on the muster & pay rolls, as so much “due the State of—,“ that it may be deducted at the first subsequent payment.
  2. The commanding General has no official or certain intelligence, but has learned by rumor and report that a volunteer Regt. of infantry from Missouri is now marching from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fé to report to him.  Should [the] report prove true, the commander of the regiment must on his arrival at Santa Fé decide whether to winter it in New Mexico, or march it to Chihuahua to report to Brig. Genl. Wool and must make such decision upon a full & careful consideration of all circumstances therewith.
        • By order of Brig. Genl. S. W. Kearny
        • H. S. Turner
        • Capt. AdjGenl

Muster Roll, Ft. Tejon 28 February 1859

September 24th, 2009 § Leave a comment

Fort Tejon Muster Roll complied by George Stammerjohan

Muster Roll for Headquarters, Non-Commissioned Staff and Band,

Regimental Headquarters, 28 February, 1859

Colonel Thomas F. Fauntleroy           On leave for 6 Months

Lieut. Colonel Benjamin L. Beall     Comdg. Regt. & Post, Fort Tejon

Major George A. H. Blake                On Leave since January 17, 1859

Major Enoch Steen                           Absent sick since May 17, 1858

1st Lt. Charles H. Ogle                     Regt. Adjutant, Fort Tejon

1st Lt. Henry B. Davidson               Regt. Quartermaster, Fort Tejon

Headquarters Non-Commissioned Staff Enlisted                    At:

Sergt. Major Damuel R. I Sturgeon             May 25, 1855           Fort Reading, Ca. (re-enlistment)

Ordnance Sergt. Jone E. Kelly(a)                 May 31, 1856          Fort Orford (re-enlistment)

Regt. QM Sergt. William Duffy (a)              December 1, 1858   Fort Tejon (re-enlistment)

Chief Bugler Carl Caib                                   June 3, 1858            Nr. Los Angeles (re-enlisted)

Regimental Band

Bergman, Jacob                                              August 11, 1858       San Francisco

Burke, Patrick                                                 June 6, 1854            New York

Chatland, Edwin                                            February 2, 1855   Baltimore

Clarke, Charles                                              April 1856                Fort Union, N.M.

Ferrari, Giaciento                                         October 12, 1856     Philadelphia

Roesch, William                                            June 10, 1857          Fort Tejon

Stark, Dominick                                            September 1, 1858 Fort Tejon

Sugden, Reuben                                            October 1, 1858       Fort Tejon

Tierney, Edmund P.                                     December 7, 1858   San Francisco

No Buglers

Oliver, Francis, Farrier                                 Feb. 12 ‘55                Ft. Filmore, N.M.

a. On furlough, each for six months.

Muster Roll for Company B

John W. Davidson, Captain, Commanding Company

Orren Chapman, 1st Lieut., Died at St.Louis 7 Jan. 1859

Benjamin F. Davis, 2d Lieut., with company for duty

The Company                                Enlisted:                                    At:

1st Sgt. Nathanial J. Pishon            August 13, ‘56                                 Ft. Craig, N.M.

*Sgt. Minor C. Tuttle                       Aug. 26, ‘56                                      Ft. Craig, N.M.

*Sgt. Jmes W. Strawbridge           July 18, ‘58                                        Ft. Tejon

Sgt. Joseph E. Smith                      Feb. 1, ‘55                                           Cleveland, Oh.

Corp. Michael Wheatley              May 4, ‘55                                           New York City

*Corp. Frederick Fischer             Aug. 20, ‘57                                        Ft. Buchanan, NMT

Corp. James McGuire                  Apr. 12, ‘54                                         New York City

Corp.  John Yaiser                        Feb 15, ‘56                                          Ft. Fillmore, NMT

No buglers

Frances Oliver, Farrier                 Feb. 12, ‘55                                         Ft. Fillmore, NMT

Privates

Allen, Robert B.                                              Feb. 24, ‘56              Ft. Filmore, N.M.

Arnold, John                                                   Sept.9, ‘57                 Baltimore

Barnard, William                                           Nov. 16, ‘57               Boston

Brunning, Heinrich                                       May 23, ‘54               New York City

Butler, James                                                  May 19, ‘54               New York, City

Beecher, George D.                                        Sept. 3, ‘57               Harrisburg, Pa.

Betts, William                                                 June 1, ‘54                New York City

**Buck, James                                                Jan. 2, ‘56                Ft. Fillmore, NM

Bresler, John                                                  Oct. 15, ‘58               San Francisco

Cantrell, James                                              Oct. 28, ‘57               New York City

Carr, Joseph                                                   June 20, ‘54             New York City

Carpenter, Asa                                              Aug 29, ‘57                Boston, Mass.

Connolly, Patrick                                         June 21, ‘54               New York

Coakley, Charles R.                                     June 12 ‘54                Baltimore

Cowan, William                                           Dec. 20 ‘54                Nashville, Tenn.

Culligan, Michael                                        April 19, ‘55              Ft. Fillmore, NM

Chariasis, Michael                                      August 24, ‘57           New York

Dean, James                                                Oct. 26, ‘57                 New York

Dowd, John                                                 Aug. 26, ‘55                Ft. Union, N.M.

Eldar, Adam                                                Aug. 22, ‘55                Ft. Fillmore, N.M.

Faber, Henry                                               Apr. 17, ‘54                 New York

Forest, Joseph Y.                                       Aug. 18, ‘54                 Ft. Union, N.M.

Fogerty, John                                            March 23, ‘55              Louisville, Ky.

Galleger, John                                          Feb. 15, ‘56                   Ft. Fillmore, NM

*Hand, John                                             Sept. 9, ‘54                  Ft Union, NM

Hade, Patrick                                           Dec. 1 ‘57                      Ft. Buchanan, NM

Kriesalmayer, Henry                              Sept. 11 ‘57                   Philadelphia

*** Lohmeyer, Frederick                      Dec 5 ‘55                       Albuquerque, NM

* Maher, Edward                                    Feb. 1, ‘56                     Ft. Thorn, NM

Miller, Henry                                           May 20, ‘54                 New York City

Morrissey, John                                      June 8, ‘54                  New York

* McCoy, Thomas                                   July 15 ‘58                   Ft. Tejon

Moulton, Harrison                                 Sept. 8 ‘57                   Philadelphia

****O’Meara, Edward                           Jan. 8 ‘55                    Ft. Fillmore, NM

Ott, Heinrich                                          September 3, ‘57        New York

Pryor, Robert                                         March 9 ‘54                 New York

Phillip, George                                       Sept. 11 ‘58                  San Francisco

Reynolds, William R.                           June 26, ‘54                 New York City

Ross, James                                           Oct. 19, ‘57                   Boston

Swiss, Henry                                         Feb. 23, ‘53                   St. Louis

Scherrer, John E.                                 Sept. 27, ‘53                  New York

Scharf, Anton                                        Mar. 16, ‘53                  Ft. Fillmore, NM

Schafle, Francis P.                               Nov. 6, ‘58                     San Francisco

Thomson, Theodore                            Sept 11, ‘55                    Ft. Stanton, NM

Tower, John S.                                     Sept. 5, ‘57                     Boston

Trouton, William                                 Aug. 24, ‘57                   Philadelphia

Taylor, James                                       Jan. 25, ‘59                   Fort Tejon

West, John A.                                       June 10, ‘58                  Baltimore

Washington, George H.                     April 21 ‘58                   San Francisco

*$2.00 additional each month for former service.

** $3.00 a month for 2d reenlistment

***German born Frederick Lohmeyer, enlisted, at age 24 years, in Company B at St Louis on April 19, 1847, discharged at Santa Fe on August 19, 1848.

****Edward O’Meara, former farrier of Co. F, who was court martialed for his participation in the 1855 riot in the Taos Plaza, see infra, was transferred to Co. B. Pvt. O’Meara was confined in the post jail at the time of this muster along with privates Beecher, Forest, Morrisey, Pryor and Washington.

Pvt. Miller - absent, sick Ft. Fillmore, since Oct. 16, ‘55.

Pvts. Faber and Phillip, sick in post hospital.

Company K

James H. Carleton. Captain and Brevet Major, Comanding Company

David H. Hastings, 1st Lieut., Leave of Absence

Alfred B. Chapman, 2d Lieut.; Returned from detached duty of February 28, 1859, present for duty.

The Company:                                Enlisted:                                     At:

*William McCleave, 1st Sgt.         1 Oct ‘55                                     Albuquerque, NM

*Sgt. Emil Fritz                               1 Jan. ‘56                                   Albuquerque, NM

*Sgt. Gustav Brown                       1 Dec. ‘57                                    Ft. Buchanan, NM

Sgt.  Thomas Yearwood                1 Apr. ‘57                                    Calabaza, NM

Frederick Morris, Corp.                2 Sept. ‘57                                  Ft. Buchanan, NM

Andrew J. Landers, Corp.            5 Feb. ‘55                                    Knoxville, Tenn.

* Joseph Meyer, Bugler                12 Feb. ‘56                                   Ft. Buchanan, NM

John W. Harris, Bugler                11 Dec. ‘56                                   Albany, NY

*William Seyring, Farrier              1 Aug ‘55                                    Albuquerque, NM

Privates

Batty, James  @                             18 Sept. ‘55                                Albuquerque, NM

Buell, Sylvester                               5 Sept.   ‘57                               Boston

Brannan, Michael                          7 Feb.   ‘55                                Jefferson Battacks, Mo.

Cannon, Mchael                             7 Sept. ‘57                                 New York

Crowley, Timothy                         15 Feb. ‘55                                 Albuquerque, NM

Caskey, Samuel                             21 Oct. ‘55                                 Albuquerque, NM

Creevy, William                              8 Oct. ‘56                                Albuquerque, NM

Costellow, Thomas                       15 Mar. ‘55                               Albuquerque, NM

Corringham, Thomas                    2 Feb. ‘55                                Cleveland

Ennis, Thomas                               14 Jan. ‘55                              Cincinnati

**Fitzsimmons, Thomas                23 Nov. ‘55                            Albuquerque, NM

Fitzpatrick, John                             3 Sept. ‘55                            Albuquerque, NM

Friedberg, Francis                           3 Aug. ‘57                            Boston

**Gray, William                               1 July ‘57                             Ft. Buchanan, NM

Glendmeyer, Frederick                 10 October ‘57                     Baltimore

Henn, Andrew                                 20 March ‘57                       Calabasas, N.M.

Hurley, Morris                                  8 Sept. ‘57                          Boston

Herring, Robert B.                         20 Oct. ‘57                           New York

*Johnson, Adam                             27 Dec. ‘55                         Albuquerque, NM

Jones, Robert H.                              7 Feb. ‘55                          Knoxville, Tenn.

Louish, James                                  17 Jan. ‘56                         New York

*Maroon, Harvey                            21 Sept. ‘57                        Ft. Buchanan, NM

* Mahan, Thomas                            28 Jan, ‘56                        Albuquerque, NM

McNeal, Erastus                               20 Jan. ‘55                       Columbus, Ohio

McDonald, John                              18 Aug. ‘57                        Boston

Moore, Michael                                16 Nov. ‘57                        Philadephia

Moody, Thomas                                20 Nov. ‘57                       New York

Murphy, Hugh                                    4 Nov. ‘57                        New York

Mullins, James                                   3 Nov. ‘57                        Boston

Miller, Ebenezar                                7 Sept. ‘57                        New York

*O’Carroll, John A.                          27 May ‘58                        Ft. Yuma (Calif.)

Ogilivie, Henry                                  9 Sept. ‘57                         New York

Papp, Frederick                                 9 Nov. ‘57                         Richmond, Va.

*Quatman, Herman                         15 Nov. ‘55                        Albuquerque, NM

Reinhart, Antony                             26 Aug, ‘57                        New York

Richey, Hamilton                            26 Oct. ‘57                         Philadelphia

Smythe, Henry                                17 Aug. ‘57                         New Yrok

Smith, Abraham B,                        26 Oct. ‘56                         San Francisco

Schaupp, Charles                            11 Nov. ‘57                        New York

Tynon, Michael                                8 Feb. ‘55                         St. Louis

Terrell, Rufus H.                             1 Sept. ‘57                        Philadelphia

Taylor, Daniel                                 8 Oct. ‘57                         New York

Thompson, James                        10 Oct. ‘57                         New York

Tooney, Peter                                15 Oct. ‘58                        San Francisco

Van Riper, Cornelius                   15 Feb. ‘59                       Ft. Tejon

Zabel, Gustavus                             1 Aug ‘55                         Albuquerque

* $2.00 a month as former service.

Deserted: Henry Tolman, enlisted 29 Oct. ‘59 in Boston.

Confined in post jail: Buell, Johnson, Smythe, and Taylor.

General Order: Blake Court Martial 1856

August 29th, 2009 § Leave a comment



Co. F, 1st Dragoons at Churubusco

July 29th, 2009 § Leave a comment

Company F, 1st Dragoons served as General Winfield Scott’s body guard on his invasion of the Valley of Mexico. (This is the same company, with different personnel, which would riot in Taos in 1855.) At Churubusco, on 20 Aug. 1847, the company was assigned by Gen. Scott to Col. David Harney. Following the defeat of Mexican infantry, the colonel ordered the troop to charge one of the fortified gates and the company, led by Capt. Philip Kearny boldly charged down the causeway towards on of the gates. Harney decided to call off the advance and had his bugler sound “recall.” Unfortunately. Kearny’s squadron of two companies did not hear the bugle call and continued in pursuit of fleeing Mexican soldiers. Reaching the gate, the company dismounted and attempted to carry a battery guarding the gate and, would have done so, had Col. Harney reinforced Kearny’s squadron.

At Puebla, Capt. Kearny wrote to General Scott and requested that thirty men be added to his depleted squadron.

Puebla July 2nd 1847

Dear Sir:

I have the honour to request that on the arrival of any detachment of recruits that my company be filled to the full number allowed by the Law.  My troop is at present 80 men strong, of whom 74 are present.

I have the honour to make this request on the grounds of my Company having been filled 111 men, that they had been recruited by extra exertions on my part, and that I was reduced to the number of 81 by order of the Adjutant General, & that now there being authority to fill the dragoon companies to the full limit of the Law, in justice the same number of men should be restored to my that were formerly taken from my command.

My troop is an isolated one from the regiment.  The full company makes a complete squadron and I am most probably one of the squadron (or first five) captains in my own Regiment, although ranked by all but one of the 2nd Drag. Captains present, although older in service than Capt Hardee, Merrill, of Sibley, three of the 2nd Drag. Captains serving with the army.

If these men are granted to me, not a moment shall be lost in rendering them as efficient as possible.  My present troop is well drilled.  I will not feel the effects of this number [of recruits] being thrown in with them.

I am, Sir, Very Truly Yr. Obdt. Servt.

P. Kearny Jr., Capt. 1st Drgs, F Compy

[To:] Capt. H. L. Scott, A. A. Adjt. Genl.

P.S. I would respectfully [illegible] to my previous request for Trumpeters for my troop.  I have none at present.  Respectfully, P. Kearny, Capt. 1st Drgs, Compy F

Kearny lost the use of his left arm due to his wounds and bitterly wrote to his friend, Lt. John Love, of his anger at Harney.

In the ensuing months, I shall be posting material on this charge. The first item is a summary of the company’s muster roll written just over two months after the battle. Note that the company was primarily composed of recent enlistees.

August 24, 1847

Sir: As I was not wounded until the last of the action of the 20th, I have the honor to report of the movements of my squadron (Ftroop of the 1st, and K of the 3d regiments, dragoons.) Twenty-five men under Lieutenant Ewell, myself attending, accompanied . . . . .




Muster Roll of Company F of the First Dragoons, Mexico City, October 31, 1847
Capt. Philip Kearny, Jr.    Sick
1st Lt. A. Buford                 Absent. Never Joined. Place and duty not known.
1st Lt. Richard Ewell         Commanding Company.
2d Lt. Oren Chapman       Joined from duty 2d Drags. 5 Sept.
1st Sgt. David Reed            9 Jan. 46, Ft. Leavenworth
Sgt. Henry Hence         23 Nov. 46,  “            “                          Sick
Sgt. Fleming Megan       8 Aug. ’46, Terre Haute    Sick, Pueblo, Mexico, since 8 Aug.
Corp. James Clark          7 Sept. 46, St Louis
Corp. John Perkins        8 Aug. 46, Shelbyville
Corp. Wm Anderson    28 Aug. 46, St Louis
Bugler Joe Hodgson     25 Sept. 47, Joined City of Mexico
Farrier George Thompson 12 Jan. 44, Ft. Scott,  $2.00 stoppage garrison ct martial
Daniel Alaways              21 Aug 46, Chilicotte
John Alaways                   “     “      “        “                Sick, Pueblo, Mexico, since 8 Aug.
Joseph Aleut                  21 July 46. St Louis
John Askins                     8 Aug. 46, Shelbyville     Detached service, since 31 Oct.
Allen Bullard                  13 Aug. 46, Terre Harte
Michael Brophy     20 Apr. 46, Rayado, Joined company prisoner exch. Sept. 3
Thomas Bryant             5 Aug 46, St Louis, Sick, Pueblo, Mexico since 8 Aug.
Morris Kane                  18 Sept. 46,  “    “
Hugh Call                       16 Oct. 46, near St Louis
Peter Christman          6 Dec. 43,  St Louis, Sick; stoppage for wool infy coat, $2.28
Alonzo Clark              16 May 47, Jalapa, Mexico, joined during march.
James Curley              18 July, 46, St Louis
Eleazor Dort                10 Aug. 46, Terre Haute
William Donovan       29 Aug., St Louis                           Daily duty
David Dunton           9 Dec. 46, Saltillo, Mex.                       Daily Duty
Samuel Flint             14 July, 46, Chilicotte
Philip Frankenberg  6 Aug. 46, Ft. Leavenworth            Sick, Puebla, Mex., since 8 Aug.
Charles Graman       10 Aug. 46, Terre Haute            Sick
David Giesler               21 July 46, Chillicothe
Andrew Gillespie     26    “     “         “
James Grace                 16 June 46, Ft. Leavenworth
Jacob Grant                  5 July 46, Jefferson Barracks       Sick Puebla, Mex. Since 25 May
Augustus Gruber       6 July 46, Fort Leavenworth           Sick, Puebla, Mex., since 8 Aug.
Thomas Hall                5 July 46, Jefferson Barracks       Sgt. until 29 October.
John Harper               28 July 46, Chillicote                        Stoppage pistol $7.50.
Patrick Hart               4 August 46, St Louis; Joined Tabacayo 5 Sept. prisoner exch.
Michael Henry         12 Sept. 46, Philadelphia; Joined from desertion 16 Feb 47.
Thomas Hewitt       27 Aug. 46, Terre Haute                    Sick, Puebla, Mex., since 8 Aug.
Henry Hoffman       14 Jan. 46, Dayton                  Sick
Martin Howard       11 Aug. 46, Terre Haute                   Sick, Puebla, Mex., since 8 Aug.
John Howell                6 Feb. 46, Ft. Leavenworth; Stoppage flannel shirt and pistol
William Jeffers         19 Oct. 46, New Orleans
John Kaler                   4 June 46, St. Louis
John Keckler             17 Aug. 46, Chillicote
Levi Kimball               1 June 46, Sackett’s Harbor       Detached Service since 31st Oct.
Antone Lange              14 Aug. 46, StLouis                     Daily duty.
William Martin          8 Aug. 46, Terre Haute
Persaruis Maypelle 25  July 46, St. Louis
John Moore               10 Aug, 46, Terre Haute
Wm McAllister          17 Aug. 46, Covington, Ind.  Stoppage for 1 blanket $2.22.
Wm McCrea               19 Aug. 46, Roseau, Ind.         Daily duty.
John McDonald        19 Aug. 46, Chillicote   Stoppage for pistol $7.50.
Anthony Pulver           7 Dec. 46, Corpus Christi; Detached service since 31 October.
Charles Prother         10 Aug. 46, Terre Haute
Christian Ranner      10 Aug. 46, Terre Haute
John Roberts               1 April 47. Vera Cruz    Sick at Puebla since 8 August.
Frederick Rodewald 16 Aug 46, St Louis                   Sick at Puebla since 8 August.
William See                15 Aug. 46, Terre Haute    Detached service since 31 Oct.
John Smith                 10 Aug. 46,   “          “
John W Smith             “     “       “      “         “                   Stoppage flannel shirt $1.30.
Robert Stewart            8    “       “      “        “
James H Stevens         1 Apr.  46, Vera Cruz.
Daniel Suter                 6 Aug. 46, Ft. Leavenworth; Daily duty.
Clinton Thompson     14 Aug. 46, Terre Haute              Sick at Puebla since 8 August.
Harvey Thompson      4 Aug. 46, Shelbyville; Daily duty.
James Thompson       8 Aug. 46,     “   ; Sick at Puebla since 8 August.
John Walkes                 24 Aug. 46, St. Louis; Sick
Joseph Westgenes       17 Aug. 46,  “       “     ; Sick, Puebla since 8 August.
Robert Whitener         27 Jan. 41, Ft. Crawford; Sick Perote, since 25 May.
Andrew Whitley          31 July 46, Geldon, Ind.
William Wilson           25 Sept. 46, Jefferson Bks.
Robert Wright              8 Aug. 46, Terre Haute.

Taos Mutinty: General orders, No. 12, War Department, August 9, 1856

May 23rd, 2009 § Leave a comment

GENERAL ORDERS          )                  WAR DEPARTMENT
No. 12.                       )                                 ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,
)                                        Washington, August 9, 1855

1..  The proceedings of the General Court Martial which convened at Don Fernandez de Taos, New Mexico, May25, pursuant to “Special Orders,”  No. 43, of May 14, 1855, from the Head-Quarters of the Department of New Mexico, whereof Colonel T.T. FAUNTLEROY, 1st Dragoons, is President, and which adjudged certain enlisted men to suffer death, having, in conformity with the 65th Article of War, been transmitted to the War Department for the decision of the PRESIDENT, the following are the orders thereon:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 8, 1855

A General Court Martial held at Taos, New Mexico, on the 21st May, has passed sentence of death on Privates Aaron D. Stevens,  John Cooper,  Joseph Fox, and John Steel, of Company “F” 1st Dragoons, who were engaged in a drunken riot in that town, when the Company entered it on their march to join a military expedition against the Indians, and who mutinied against a Major of the regiment, which, being present in the town,  he interposed his authority to bring them into order.  The case is a clear one under the 7th and 9th Articles of War upon the law and the facts; and the President would feel it his duty to order the execution of the sentence of death, if he was not compelled to find something to mitigate the crime of these men in the general condition of their Company, and in the misconduct of their officers.  It is proved that the commander of the Company,  and many of the Company,  then under arms, on a march, were drunk when the riot and mutiny broke out.  It would seem, too, that proper exertions were not made by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Company, to suppress the mutiny, although, thereby, under the 8th Article of War they were each and all committed an equal crime, and incurred equally the penalty of death, with those who joined in the mutiny.  It appears that no proper discipline had been previously maintained in the Company, and that the major of the regiment, under whose command they had been serving, was greatly responsible for that utter want of discipline which would have cost him his life in this mutiny, if he had not been rescued by civil authority;  and that part of the violence he suffered, in the riot,  was invited by his challenging the company to fight him man by man.  Under the circumstances, however imperative the President may feel his duty to enforce the laws, which will not endure that our people will suffer for the evils of an undisciplined soldiery, committing riot and outrage in their towns, he will not visit the whole consequence of this mutiny upon the four soldiers who have been convicted, nor execute in this case the sentence of death.  The sentences pronounced against Privates Aaron D. Stevens, John Cooper, Joseph Fox, and John Steel, are hereby mitigated to hard labor for three years, under guard, without pay.  They will be sent out of New Mexico in irons, by the first convenient opportunity, and will be put to labor with ball and chain at Fort Leavenworth.  The non-commissioned officers of Company “F”, 1st Dragoons, will no longer be trusted to serve together as a company.  They will be distributed as privates to other companies of their regiment serving in New Mexico.

The Commander of the Department of New Mexico, on this order of the War Department, will prefer charges against the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Company who did not use their utmost endeavour to suppress the mutiny, and against such privates of the Company, if any there be, whose failure to their duty, in this particular, may deserve special notice, and against the Major of the Regiment for such parts of his conduct, in the riot, and in command of the Company at Fort Massachusetts, as seen to call for such proceedings against him.  And a Court Martial will be convened to try them.

The record indicates other grave charges against the officers implicated in this affair, besides those directly relating to the riot and mutiny.

JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Secretary of War.

II… The transfer of the enlisted men of company F, above directed, will be made by the Colonel of the 1st Dragoons, under the orders of the Department Commander.
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

W. G. FREEMAN,
Assistant Adjutant General

The 1854 March of Dragoon Recruits

May 11th, 2009 § Leave a comment

                     The 1854 Overland March of Dragoon Recruits

On June 1, 1854, a column under the command of Lt. Colonel E. J. Steptoe, consisting of 77 supply wagons, 2 companies of 3d Artillery and 90 much needed recruits for the 1st Dragoons out in California, left Ft. Leavenworth by way of the Overland Trail.  Major Steptoe carried secret orders from the President to investigate whether the Mormons had taken part in the 1853 murder of Captain John Gunnison and his surveying party. He also carried orders to, if necessary, to declare martial law and take control of the territory.
    The column included about 300 horses, but the Dragoon recruits walked.  There was a shortage of good horses in California and Quartermaster Rufas Ingalls viewed these newly purchased mounts to be too valuable to be exposed to the rigors of being ridden by inexperienced soldiers on a cross-country march.  He ordered that the horses be led in strings of 30-40 mounts that were attached to the wagons.
The responsibility for immediate care of these valuable mounts was placed upon John Cuddy, a civilian employee of the Quartermaster Department.  Cuddy was the former first sergeant of B Company, 1st Dragoons.  This six footer from Ireland was described by a fellow solider as being “well-educated, bright, clear headed, and a good judge of men.”
The command reached Fort Kearny on June 21st and remained there for two days.  It reached Ft. Laramie on the 16th of July and headed west along the North Fork of the Platte River.  About a month later, Major Steptoe’s detachment entered Salt Lake City, 92 days and 1,216 miles out of Ft. Leavenworth.  They encamped in nearby Rush Valley for a few weeks and then, to the chagrin of many Mormons, moved into quarters in the town. 
    Let it suffice to say, the proximity of soldiers and civilians is a formula for trouble.  Indeed, tensions began to heat up when several young lieutenants used their epaulettes to impress Mormon girls—including some married women.  Lt. Sylvester Mowry courted the wife of one of Brigham Young’s sons.  The Mormons were even more distressed over the sometimes rowdy exploits of the recruits.  The authorities banned the sale of alcohol, but thirsty soldiers could always show the recruits how to find some bug-juice.  Matters came to a head on December 23 when a fight commenced between civilians and drunken soldiers at a theatre.
    The young lieutenant soon found themselves embroiled in the fray.  Lt. LaRhett Livingston, 3d Artillery, wrote: “I got my face scratched & hand lamed in trying to quell the disturbance.” Lt. Mowry was knocked down early in the action.  On Christmas Day, several soldiers returned to the streets looking for another fight and soon found it.  Livingston blamed the trouble on the “desperate set of rascals infesting this City” and noted the soldiers “will not be run over if they can help it.”  Soon there was a free for all in the streets involving 300 “rowdies about town and drunken soldiers.”  Shots were fired, but nobody was hit. As Livingstone noted, “The stones and clubs did better execution.”


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