Ohio History Journal

OHIO IN THE MEXICAN WAR.

BY DANIEL J. RYAN.

[This article is a chapter from Volume IV of the History of

Ohio, by Messrs. Randall and Ryan. It is printed by permission of the

publishers, The Century History Company, 54 Dey St., New York, N. Y.-

EDITOR.]

The office of Governor did not prove attractive to Mr.

Corwin. It afforded no opportunity to display either his talents

or abilities. In those days it was a position more of dignity

than of power. He used to say that his principal duties were

"appointing notaries public and pardoning convicts in the peni-

tentiary." The salary was fifteen hundred dollars a year, and

the Governors of Ohio spent very little time in Columbus. The

majority of Corwin's predecessors had been farmers, and they

only came up to the capital at rare periods, and these were be-

tween seed time and harvest. As he was a lawyer of extensive

practice, he spent most of his time in the practice of his pro-

fession at Lebanon.

Addison P. Russell, who was formerly Secretary of State

of Ohio (1858-1862), and who still lives in a dignified old age at

Wilmington, Ohio, has written a delightful monograph

("Thomas Corwin. A Sketch." Cincinnati, 1881), which is

a neighbor's tribute to, and an analysis of, Corwin's character

and life. In passing it may be noted also that his "Library

Notes," 1879; "Characteristics," 1884; "A Club of One," 1887;

"In a Club Corner," 1890, and "Sub-Coelum," 1893, are among

the most charming essays in American literature, and have won

the love of all readers of the good and beautiful in modern

letters.

But to the subject-of Governor Corwin he writes: "Dur-

ing the two years Mr. Corwin was Governor, he was proverb-

ially in the best of humor. All the time he could get from

public duties was spent at his home in Lebanon. He seemed

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278      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

running over with fun and anecdotes, and he never lacked ap-

preciative listeners when he wished to talk. Very busy people

avoided him as a dangerous temptation. Young men especially

gathered about him with big eyes of wonder. They had no

envies or jealousies to prevent them from admiring him. To

them he discoursed with the utmost freedom. With them, when

his mind was fullest and freest, he indulged without limit in

monologues. He was fond of young men; especially those who

were inclined to improve themselves and who seemed to be

promising."

In 1842 he was renominated, but his old opponent, Wilson

Shannon, defeated him by the small plurality of 3,893. The

anti-slavery sentiment was just beginning to develop in Ohio,

and consolidated under the name of the "Liberty Party" this

element nominated as their candidate Leicester King.  His

strength at the polls was drawn largely from the Whigs, and

consequently, weakened Corwin. King polled 5,312 votes and

Governor Corwin was defeated. He never again figured in

State politics, but, out of this defeat came a calling to the higher

plane of National public life.

In 1844, he was elected by the Ohio Legislature as United

States Senator for six years from March 4, 1845. He com-

menced his Senatorial career in an exciting time, and he brought

to his service a national reputation as one of the most influential

Whigs of his day. He was confessedly the most famous and

the most popular orator in the country. He stood abreast with

his party in the growing sentiment against slavery, and was op-

posed to the annexation of Texas and a war with Mexico. It

was by his speech in connection with the latter event that he

impressed himself on the annals of Senatorial oratory, and be-

came forever associated with the Mexican War.

The war with Mexico was declared May 13, 1846. Hos-

tilities had been commenced by the Mexicans before this. They

had crossed over to the east bank of the Rio Grande, and on

May 8th gave battle to General Taylor's forces at Palo Alto.

When President Polk learned these facts, he sent a special mes-

sage to Congress, May 11th, saying: "Now, after reiterated

menaces Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States,

Ohio in the Mexican War.              279

has invaded our territory and shed American blood on American

soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and

that the two nations are now at war. As war exists, and, not-

withstanding our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico

herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and

patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and

the interests of our country." The President's request for men

and money to carry on the war was promptly and favorably

responded to by Congress which the next day passed a bill with

only sixteen votes dissenting declaring, that, "by the acts of the

Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between the United

States and that Republic." The President was authorized to

call for the services of 50,000 volunteers and ten million dollars

was given him as "sinews of war." So the war with Mexico

commenced.

It was not popular at first, but eventually became so for

the reason that all wars with foreign nations are popular. Never-

theless, the Whigs opposed it on the grounds that it was un-

righteous and in the interest of the extension of slavery. This

sentiment was so strong in Ohio that the war was not generally

supported. The Whigs of this State felt that the annexation of

Texas, which preceded the war, was a deliberate and concocted

scheme for perpetuating slavery. Hence there was not a wide-

spread war spirit in Ohio, nor, in fact, throughout the North.

In the South, though, the enthusiasm was great and unconfined.

There was difficulty in suppressing recruiting in the Southern

States, and fears were expressed that enough whites would not

remain at home to take charge of the slaves. The usual adver-

tisements calling for recruits were headed: "Ho! for the Halls

of the Montzemas!" but on Whig ears these appeals fell flat,

and they gave little response in soldiers or enthusiasm.

On the other hand, it is also true, as was claimed by the

Democrats, that there had been a systematic and long continued

course of faithlessness, falsehood and insolence on the part of

Mexico toward our Government. She was guilty of aggravating

wrongs, refused to adjust rightful claims, declined to arbitrate

subjects of difference, and, to cap the climax, she had invaded

our soil and murdered our citizens. The test of history justifies

280       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

the Mexican War. The objection of the Whigs that it was

waged to acquire additional slave territory has been answered

by "manifest destiny."  In all the territory acquired from

Mexico through this war under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

-California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and a part of New Mexico

-slavery never existed.

In response to the first call of President Polk for three

regiments from Ohio, Governor Bartley issued his proclamation

May 20, 1846, appealing to the courage and patriotism of the

State to render promptly the required aid. Samuel R. Curtis,

Adjutant General of the State, established a general rendezvous

at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, to which point all com-

panies were ordered to proceed as soon as organized.

That there was a sustaining war sentiment in Ohio is evi-

denced by the fact that in less than two weeks after the Presi-

dent's requisition was received, three thousand Ohioans were

marching toward the rendezvous. Before June forty companies

were in their tents at Camp Washington. During this month

companies assembled here from all over the State; indeed more

appeared than necessary to fill the quota, and these, with much

clamor and dissatisfaction were turned homeward. The thirty

companies in camp were ordered by Governor Bartley to be

organized into three regiments, and these after being reviewed

by General Wool, who was on his way to Mexico, were mustered

into the service of the United States for one year.

The recruiting of volunteers was kept up until the Ohio

military forces for the war were organized into five infantry

regiments, fifteen independent companies of infantry, five com-

panies for the Fifth United States Infantry, and one company

of United States Mounted Riflemen. There were about seven

thousand officers and men in the Mexican War from Ohio in

the army, not including the navy, and these constituted about

one-eighth of the entire land forces.

The part that Ohio played in this conflict has been largely

overlooked from the fact that the great Civil War of 1861 so

overshadowed it in importance that little has been written or

preserved in the way of general literature concerning it. It is

proposed here to give a detailed history of each of the regiments

Ohio in the Mexican War.               281

engaged in Mexico from Ohio. It will show that the State per-

formed its duty in this conflict with the same vital earnestness

that it has whenever the Union called upon it for assistance.

The data following has been collated from the official rec-

ords of the office of the Adjutant General of Ohio.

The First Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry was

organized at Camp Washington, June 23, 1846, and was trans-

ferred by the Governor of Ohio to the Service of the United

States, and accepted by General Wool on that date. The of-

ficers of the Regiment were Colonel Alexander M. Mitchell,

Lieutenant Colonel John B. Weller, and Major Thomas L.

Hamer. Major Hamer was promoted to Brigadier General,

and Luther Giddings became major of the regiment. This regi-

ment was recruited principally from Southern Ohio. Its captains

and where recruited were as follows:

Robert N. Moore (A), Cincinnati.

Luther Giddings (B), Dayton.

Lewis Hornell (C), Cincinnati.

Edward Hamilton (D), Portsmouth.

John B. Armstrong (E), Cincinnati.

Edward D. Bradley (F), Lower Sandusky.

Sanders W. Johnson (G), Cincinnati.

Philip Muller (H), Cincinnati.

James George (I), Cincinnati.

William H. Ramsey (K), Cincinnati.

This regiment reached Mexico in July and arrived before

Monterey on the 1₉th of August. Under General Taylor it

entered the town under a heavy fire from the enemy. This

was its baptism of blood, and right bravely did the regiment

conduct itself. Colonel Mitchell and Adjutant Armstrong were

wounded and Lieutenant Matthew was killed. Gen. Thomas L.

Hamer wrote to Governor Bartley of the gallant conduct of

this regiment at the battle of Monterey, September 21, 1846, as

follows:

"I wish you could have been present and seen your First

Regiment in the battle of Monterey. I am sure you would have

been proud of them. They walked into the most galling and

murderous cross-fires of the enemy with the coolness of old

282       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

regular soldiers-not a man nor an officer flinching. They

formed and fired upon the enemy with steadiness and obeyed

every order promptly.

"They received great credit from every officer of the Army

who saw them. I regret exceedingly that our other two regi-

ments were not with us as I have the same confidence in them as

in the First. If the war goes on-we shall all be in it before

long-and you who are at home need have no fear of our troops

sustaining the honor of Ohio.

"We have now an armistice of eight weeks-and when

that closes we shall probably go at it again on a larger scale.

"We are bringing up reinforcements and heavy battering

cannon.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"Th. L. HAMER, Brig. Gen., U. S. A.

"His Excellency, M. BARTLEY,

"Columbus, Ohio."

It participated in various engagements after this. The prin-

cipal one of which was that at Ceralvo, March 7, 1847. Its

record is that of faithful performance of hazardous duties,

until it was mustered out of service June 15, 1847. Its loss dur-

ing its brief term of service was twenty-four killed and forty-

two died of disease.

The Second Regiment was organized at the rendezvous,

Camp Washington, June 22, 1846. George W. Morgan of Mt.

Vernon was its Colonel, William Irvin, Lieutenant Colonel, and

William Wall, Major. The companies composing the regiment

with their officers and places of recruitment were as follows:

Hobby Reynolds (A), Chillicothe.

Simon B. Kenton (B), Mt. Vernon.

David Irick (C), Hillsboro.

Simon B. Tucker (D), Logan.

Robert G. McLean (E), Athens.

John F. Mickum (F), Columbus.

Evan Julian (G), Lancaster.

Richard Stadden (H), Newark.

Daniel Bruner (I), Circleville.

William A. Latham (K), Columbus.

Ohio in the Mexican War.             283

July 9, 1846, the regiment left Cincinnati for Mexico and

in about three weeks they reported to General Taylor who

ordered Colonel Morgan and his command to garrison Camargo.

With this place as headquarters the regiment did escort duty

between Camargo and Monterey.

The service of the regiment in Mexico may be well judged

by the following order of General Wool, issued at Buena Vista,

May 16, 1847, prior to the mustering out of the regiment: "The

General commanding cannot see the Ohio regiments separate

from his command without expressing the entire satisfaction

which their good discipline, orderly conduct, and fine military

appearance have uniformly given him, and which causes him so

deeply to regret that they are not to be with him in the future

operations against Mexico.

"The Second and Third Regiments will return to their

homes with the consciousness that they have done great credit

to their State, rendered good service to their country, and that

they bear with them the hearty good will and sincere admira-

tion of the companies and commander."

This regiment fought at Aqua Fria and Buena Vista and

had lost during its period of service six killed, two drowned and

sixty died of disease.

It was mustered out of the United States service June 23,

1847, at New Orleans.

The Third Regiment organized at Camp Washington in

June, 1846, had for its Colonel, Samuel R. Curtis, who was the

Adjutant General of Ohio, and commandant of the post, Camp

Washington.

George W. McCook was Lieutenant Colonel and John L.

Love, Major.

The following is a list of the original captains showing their

companies, by letter and where recruited:

William McLaughlin (A), Mansfield.

Jesse Meredith (B), Coshocton.

Thomas H. Ford (C), Mansfield.

John Patterson (D), St. Clairsville.

David Moore (E), Wooster.

James F. Chapman (F), Tiffin.

284      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Asbury F. Noles (H), Zanesville.

John Kell, Jr. (I), Steubenville.

James Allen (K), Massillon.

In Mexico it was a part of General Taylor's "Army of the

Rio Grande" and was engaged in active service in many

skirmishes. It did much in the way of protecting wagon trains

and escort duty, and was mustered out of the service June 24,

1847. During the year it was in Mexico its loss was sixty-four

killed and died of disease.

The Fourth Ohio Infantry was organized at Cincinnati in

June, 1847, with Colonel Charles H. Brough, Lieutenant Colonel

Melchior Werner and Major William P. Young as Field Of-

ficers. Its original captains and places of recruitment were:

August Moor (A), Cincinnati.

Otto Zirckel (B), Columbus.

Samuel Thompson (C), Lower Sandusky.

George Weaver (D), Ganges.

Michael C. Lilly (E), Columbus.

George E. Pugh (F), Cincinnati.

Thomas L. Hart (G), Millersburg.

George A. Richmond (H), Cincinnati.

Josiah M. Robinson (I), Cincinnati.

This regiment left Cincinnati July I, 1847, and landed at

the mouth of the Rio Grande, marched to Matamoros and gar-

risoned that town until September 4, 1847, when it proceeded

to Vera Cruz, arriving there eleven days later.

On October 12th the regiment entered Puebla to the rescue

of Colonel Childs who held that city for twenty-eight days;

October 19, 1847, the battle of Atlexco was fought, the Fourth

Regiment participating in it with bravery and success.

During its year's service the regiment loss was four killed

in battle, one died of wounds received in battle and seventy-

one of disease. It was mustered out of service July 24, 1848,

at Cincinnati.

After the return of the Second Regiment from Mexico the

War Department authorized its Lieutenant Colonel, William

Irvin, to effect a new organization. It was discovered that

only a small portion of the old companies would re-enlist, and

Ohio in the Mexican War.              285

accordingly a new regiment was created with William Irvin as

Colonel. It was originally intended that the regiment should

be known as the "Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry"; but the

records of the War Department at Washington and those of the

Adjutant General at Columbus, show that it was mustered in

and mustered out as "The Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry."

Its original captains and the locations of the companies

were as follows:

Nathan H. Miles (A), Cincinnati.

Richard Stadden (B), Newark.

John W. Lowe (C), Batavia.

William A. Latham (D), Columbus.

Joseph W. Filler (E), Somerset.

William T. Ferguson (F), Lancaster.

James E. Harle (G), Mt. Vernon.

Joseph E. Smith (H), Circleville.

John C. Hughes (I), Columbus.

George F. McGinnis (K), Chillicothe.

The regiment was mustered into the service about Sep-

tember 1, 1847, and on September 10th it left Cincinnati on

three steamboats for New Orleans. From thence it went to

Vera Cruz where it arrived about October 4, 1847, and went

into camp near that city. In October General Caleb Cushing

ordered the regiment to march to the interior as an escort for

one thousand wagons and two thousand pack mules loaded with

ammunition, provisions and clothing bound for the City of

Mexico. It was on duty in and about that city and Puebla. It

was actively engaged until the war closed in numerous skir-

mishes with guerrillas in the mountainous districts.

Upon the declaration of peace this regiment returned to the

United States by way of New Orleans, and from thence to Cin-

cinnati where it was mustered out July 26, 1848.

The losses of this regiment were very large considering its

brief service. Seventy-four men lost their lives in skirmishes

with guerrilla bands and from disease.

In addition to the foregoing organizations there were

fifteen independent companies each known by the name of its

captain. These companies were as follows:

286       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Duncan's (John R.), Independent Company of Mounted

Volunteers. Was mustered in at Cincinnati, June 1, 1847, and

mustered out, August 2, 1848. Had performed gallant service

on the Rio Grande and in and about Ceralvo.

Dauble's (John G.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15,

1846, and mustered out there, December 7, 1846.

Churchill's (Frederick A.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June

15, 1846, and mustered out, October 14, 1846.

Kessler's (Herman), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15,

1846, and mustered out there, October 17, 1846.

Durr's (George), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846,

and mustered out there, December 7, 1846.

Caldwell's (John), mustered in May, 1846, and mustered

out at Bucyrus, October 26, 1846.

Donnell's (H. O.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15,

1846, and mustered out there, October 17, 1846.

Ward's (Thomas W.), mustered in June, 1846, and mus-

tered out at Cincinnati, October 14, 1846.

Moor's (Augustus), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15,

1846, and mustered out there, October 14, 1846.

Hawkin's (Joseph L.), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15,

1846, and mustered out there, November 5, 1846.

Stout's (Atlas L.), mustered in June 5, 1846, and mustered

out at Dayton, Ohio, November 4, 1846.

Link's (Francis), mustered in at Cincinnati, June 15, 1846,

and mustered out there, October 14, 1846.

Love's (John S.), mustered in June 4, 1846, and mustered

out at McConnelsville, Ohio, October 29, 1846.

Kenneally's (William), known as the "First Foot," made

a good record in Mexico; it was mustered in at Cincinnati, Oc-

tober 5, 1847, and mustered out there, July 25, 1848.

Riddle's (Robert R.), known as the "Second Foot," was

mustered in at Cincinnati, October 26, 1847, and mustered out

there, July 17, 1848.

The United States Mounted Riflemen, under Captain Win-

slow F. Sanderson, was formed from the young men of Co-

lumbus, Norwalk and Wooster, in May, June and July of 1846.

It is known on the roster as Company B which served in the

Ohio in the Mexican War.              287

Mexican service at Vera Cruz and Puebla. It was mustered

out at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, August 28, 1848.

The Fifteenth United States Infantry was organized in

Ohio by authority of an Act of Congress, to serve during the

war. Its field officers were, Col. George W. Morgan of Mt.

Vernon, Lt. Col. Joshua Howard, and Majors Leslie H. Mc-

Kenney and Frederick D. Mills; the latter was killed at San

Antonio, Mexico, August 20, 1847. This regiment was or-

ganized during the months of April and May, 1847. It was

composed of the following companies which with their captains

and places of recruit are given:

David Chase (B), Toledo, Lower Sandusky and De-

fiance.

James A. Jones (C), Norwalk.

Edward A. King (D), Dayton.

John L. Perry (H), Cleveland.

Moses Hoagland (I), Millersburg.

On the Vera Cruz Route and in battles under General

Scott, this regiment distinguishing itself.  It lost heavily at

Chapultepec in the storming of which it performed a gallant

part, and was in the triumphant capture and occupation of the

City of Mexico. It was mustered out of the service at Cin-

cinnati, August 13, 1848.

In the Mexican service many of the Ohio volunteer officers

won distinction, and some of these by the experience acquired

therein, attained high rank subsequently in the Civil War. Cap-

tain Ferdinand Van Derveer of the First Ohio Volunteer be-

came a brigadier general; so, also, did Colonel George W.

Morgan and Robert B. Mitchell of the Second, Lieutenant

Samuel Beatty and Lieutenant Colonel George W. McCook of

the Third, and Lieutenant August Moor of the Fourth. Captain

William  H. Lytle of Kenneally's First Foot also became a

brigadier general and fell gallantly heading his command at

Chickamauga.

There were also, in Mexico, serving in the Regular Army,

a number of young officers from Ohio. They all distinguished

themselves by honorable service. Some of them reached the

highest military distinction in the War of 1861. Lieutenant

288       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Ulysses S. Grant of the Fourth United States Infantry was in

the first battle of the war at Palo Alto. From this on he saw

active service at Monterey, Molino del Rey, Vera Cruz and at

the storming of Chapultepec at which place he won his captaincy.

Lieutenant William T. Sherman of the Third Artillery, who

was detailed for special service in the occupancy of California,

became a captain by reason thereof. Lieutenant Don Carlos

Buell of the Third Infantry was also brevetted captain for dis-

tinguished services on the field. In the Civil War he obtained

the rank of major general. Lieutenant Charles C. Gilbert of the

First Infantry and Lieutenant John S. Mason of the Third

Artillery both became brigadier generals. From which it is ap-

parent that, for Ohioans at least, the Mexican campaigns were

training schools that developed military talents which after-

ward ripened into fame and high position.

Nor was Ohio without representation in the naval opera-

tions against Mexico. Reed Werden, James F. Schenk, L. C.

Rowan, Roger M. Stembel, George M. Ransom and Henry

Walker, all appointed from Ohio, served in the United States

Navy during the Mexican War. Werden was at the capture of

Tupsan and became rear admiral. Schenck was in various en-

gagements in California and was at the bombardment and

capture of Guyamas and Mazatlan in Mexico; he became a rear

admiral. Rowan fought on sea and land on the Pacific Coast

which resulted in the surrender of Los Angeles and the whole

of California by the Mexican governor; he became a vice ad-

miral. Stembel and Ransom both served with junior rank in

Mexico; the former became a rear admiral and the latter a com-

modore. Walker participated in the surrender of Vera Cruz,

Tupsan and Tobasco, and became a rear admiral. The final

rank attained by all these officers was the result of service in

the Civil War.

Surely if our Nation won victory and renown in Mexico,

Ohio had a full share in all the honors.

No incident of the Mexican War created a more profound

impression of sorrow on the people of Ohio than did the death

by disease of General Thomas Hamer, at Monterey, Mexico,

December 2, 1846, in the forty-sixth year of his age. He had

Ohio in the Mexican War.             289

entered the army as the major of the First Ohio Volunteer In-

fantry. As the most popular Democrat of Ohio he was the

idol and the ideal of his party. He had served in the Legisla-

ture and in Congress and enjoyed the reputation of a great

lawyer and an eloquent orator. In the campaign of 1840 he was

the only man in Ohio that could engage in joint debate with

Tom Corwin, the Whig candidate for Governor. At the first

call of the President he organized the first regiment raised in

Ohio. He had a natural aptitude for military affairs, and be-

fore he had reached the seat of war President Polk commis-

sioned him a brigadier general. At the battle of Monterey he

displayed fine judgment and gallantry in commanding his

brigade, and when General Butler, who commanded the Third

Division, was wounded, General Hamer succeeded him.

He was extremely popular with his men. When General

Zachary Taylor was informed of Hamer's death, he exclaimed,

"I have lost the balance wheel of my volunteer army!" In the

official communication to the War Department announcing his

death General Taylor said: "In council, I found him clear and

judicious; and in the administration of his command, though

kind, yet always impartial and just. He was an active partici-

pant in the operations before Monterey, and since had com-

manded the volunteer division. His loss to the army at this

time cannot be supplied, and the experience which he daily ac-

quired in a new profession rendered his services continually

more valuable. I had looked forward with confidence to the

benefit of his abilities and judgments in the service which yet

lies before us, and feel most sensibly the privation of them."

The participation of General Hamer and Lieutenant Ulysses

S. Grant in the battle of Monterey recalls the fact that the young

lieutenant owed his West Point cadetship to Hamer. In his

"Personal Memoirs" (Volume I, page 33), General Grant refers

to this:

"The Honorable Thomas L. Hamer, one of the ablest men

Ohio ever produced, was our member of Congress at the time,

and had the right of nomination. He and my father had been

members of the same debating society (where they were gen-

Vol. XXI. -19

290       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

erally pitted on opposite sides), and intimate personal friends

from their early manhood up to a few years before. In politics

they differed. Hamer was a life-long Democrat, while my

father was a Whig. They had a warm discussion in which they

finally became angry, over some act of President Jackson-the

removal of the deposit of public moneys, I think-after which

they never spoke until after my appointment. I know both of

them felt badly over this estrangement, and would have been

glad at any time to come to a reconciliation; but neither would

make the advance. Under these circumstances my father would

not write to Hamer for the appointment but he wrote to Thomas

Morris, United States Senator from Ohio, informing him that

there was a vacancy at West Point from our district, and that

he would be glad if I could be appointed to fill it. This letter,

I presume, was turned over to Mr. Hamer, and, as there was

no other applicant, he cheerfully appointed me. This healed

the breach between the two, never after opened."

Although General Hamer had been buried with all the honors

of war at Monterey, the State of Ohio, through its legislature,

ordered his remains to be brought back for formal interment at

his home at Georgetown in Brown County. For this purpose

the following commissioners were appointed to proceed to

Mexico: John Allen of Brown county, James C. Kennedy of

Clermont and James H. Thompson of Highland. They were

authorized to draw on the state treasury for the funds neces-

sary to perform their mission. On their return, through a state

funeral, the final honors of a grief-stricken people were paid

Thomas L. Hamer. The sincere and lasting hold that he had

upon the affections of its countrymen is in evidence yet. For

though more than a generation has passed his name and memory

is as fresh in Southern Ohio as if he had died but yesterday.

Turning from the battle fields of Mexico where American

arms were winning victories at the sad expense of many brave

soldiers and sailors, we find at home a complicated situation.

The Whig party was divided in its view of the war. Some

favored supporting the Government in as much as there was

actual war between the United States and its enemies, but the

more radical element opposed it on the ground that to give it

Ohio in the Mexican War.              291

support would be promoting the cause of slavery. The repre-

sentative of the latter section of the Whig party was Senator

Thomas Corwin of Ohio. He was firmly convinced that the war

was unjust and dishonorable. He finally concluded to take the

boldest and most dangerous attitude that any citizen can as-

sume when his country is at war. That is to oppose the ap-

propriation of money to carry on the military movements against

his country's enemies.

Senator Corwin did this against the earnest advice of many

of his Whig friends. He and two of his distinguished Whig

Senatorial colleagues had agreed to assume this position, and

throw their votes and influence against appropriations to sup-

port the Mexican War. These Senators were Daniel Webster

of Massachusetts and John J. Crittenden of Kentucky. When

the time came to show their hands they both failed him. Webster

doubtless with the Presidential bee of 1848 buzzing about him,

saw that this attitude would alienate the southern Whigs, and

Crittenden yielded to the slavery influence of his state. So when

the time came to oppose the war appropriations Corwin stood

alone as the antagonist. In his great speech, of which more

later, he referred to this fact, and complained that there was

not enough with him to have saved the wicked city of the Scrip-

tures.

Senator Corwin spoke against the prosecution of the Mex-

ican War in the United States Senate, February 11, 1847. The

bill pending was one making further appropriations to bring

the existing war with Mexico to a speedy and honorable con-

clusion. The speech reads as well today as when it was de-

livered, and for lofty eloquence it has not been equalled in the

annals of the Senate. It was a courageous speech, honest in

its purpose and fearless in its expression. He contended that

the war was wrong; that it was a President's and not a people's

war, and that it was based on the false proposition that the dis-

puted territory belonged to Texas and not to Mexico. For these

reasons therefore, he objected to voting supplies to carry on

such a dishonorable and illegal conflict. Up to the time that

Senator Corwin conceived that the war was being advanced for

conquest, he had supported the appropriations for the Army in

292       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

Mexico. Now he was opposed to any further prosecution of

the war, and was in favor of withholding its necessary supplies,

claiming that the Nation should withdraw its soldiers from

Mexico and obtain an honorable peace.

The speech created a profound impression on the country.

Its high moral tone, its great ability and parliamentary elo-

quence was admitted by all, but it was violently attacked by

the opposition press, as unpatriotic and even treasonable. Noth-

ing but a great moral conviction could have inspired such a

speech at such a time. The American arms had been victorious

at Palo Alto and Monterey, and General Scott had just com-

menced his triumphal march toward the City of Mexico. The

country was in an ecstasy of exultant victory, and thousands of

young men were offering their services daily. The war-spirit

had seized the land. For a Senator to oppose such a war and

demand the withdrawal of the American troops from Mexico

could not be otherwise than unpopular. His political opponents

were thrown into a frenzy, and the American people were stag-

gered when he told them: "If I were a Mexican I would tell

you: 'Have you not room in your own country to bury your

dead men?   If you come into mine we will greet you with

bloody hands and welcome you to hospitable graves.' "

Many of Corwin's friends deserted him, some of them

being high in the Whig party. On the other hand, he won the

greatest praise and admiration from the anti-slavery Whigs.

Joshua R. Giddings, Horace Greeley and Henry Wilson came

out in favor of him as the Whig candidate for president in

1848. His constituents at home-the Miami Valley-supported

him to a man. But over the whole country the force of popular

opinion was against the speech and the orator. In Ohio there

developed against him the most virulent opposition and he was

denounced as a traitor on frequent occasions. The legislature

was flooded with petitions asking that his resignation be

demanded; but a majority of the judiciary committee of the

State Senate, to whom these petitions were referred, ap-

proved Corwin's course. They reported, "that the course pur-

sued, with reference to this war by Honorable Thomas Cor-

win, has in no degree lessened him in the esteem of the state

Ohio in the Mexican War.              293

he represents, but that the implicit confidence in his statesman-

ship, his moral integrity, his pure patriotism, his true loyalty to

the union and the state of Ohio, which was evinced by his elec-

tion to the high and responsible office of Senator in Congress,

remains unimpaired and unfaltering."

The intimate connection of Corwin with Ohio and the

Mexican War make his subsequent life properly a part of this

chapter. With his fine nature, his natural probity and great

talents he was always popular in Ohio and throughout the coun-

try. His Mexican War speech would have consigned most pub-

lic men to oblivion. But his fearless life and independent atti-

tude on great questions gave him a public character which won

the confidence of the people regardless of party. In the presi-

dential canvass for the nomination in 1848, he declined to allow

his name to be considered in the convention. He realized as

much as any man in the Whig party that his course in the Senate

disqualified him for popular favor. A great war had been

brought to a successful close; it was full of gain to the United

States, and a conquering war chief was the great object of the

people's adulation. The result was the setting aside of Clay

and Webster and the nomination of General Zachary Taylor.

Like all military candidates, with the glamour of military glory

surrounding him, he was easily elected. For the second time

death cheated the Whigs out of their victory, and President

Taylor died in the midst of his term. Millard Fillmore became

President and Thomas Corwin was confirmed as Secretary of

the Treasury in his Cabinet, July 20, 1850. He remained,

amidst many changes, in the Cabinet until the end of the ad-

ministration. It was the last of the power of the Whigs, and

that party went out of existence in the evolution of great

political questions.

Mr. Corwin returned to private life in 1853, and resumed

the practice of his profession at Cincinnati. With great ques-

tions involving moral issues crowding to the front, a man like

Corwin could not remain silent, neither could a constitutency,

such as his, allow him to remain in private life. So we find

him elected to Congress from a Republican district, composed

of Warren, Clinton, Greene, Fayette and Madison counties.

294       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

He was not in entire harmony with the Republican party.

He had not yet reached the position of Lincoln and Seward on

the slavery question. He favored prohibiting slavery in the

territories, but he believed that they had a right to make a con-

stitution for statehood permitting slavery if they saw fit.

His position was that, "Congress having passed an enabling

act permitting it [the territory] to make a constitution and set

up for itself, could not consistently refuse it admission into the

union on account of a clause in its constitution, when we had

in the Union fifteen states with similar constitutions. If we had

no power to turn out states on that account, we should not keep

them out." This position was not a tenable one and was soon

swept away in the aggressive fight against the extension of

slavery which became a cardinal principle of the Republican

party.

Again he was elected to Congress in 1860. He became

chairman of the famous "Committee of Thirty-Three" ap-

pointed to devise some plan to stem secession and to provide

for a peaceable settlement of the slavery question. All of its

proceedings and recommendations were unavailing. This was

due to the fact that it undertook to compromise a moral ques-

tion; it was willing that slavery should exist and continue un-

disturbed, and even went so far as to recommend an amend-

ment to the Constitution forever prohibiting the abolition of

slavery or the enactment of legislation that would in any wise

interfere with its maintenance. Corwin favored this compro-

mise, and it is the one weak spot in his public career. He closed

his term in Congress uneventfully except that it was marred

by the efforts of his great talents to perpetuate slavery.

On March 12, 1861, President Lincoln appointed him

Minister to Mexico which position he filled until 1864, when

he returned to this country and took up the practice of his pro-

fession at Washington, D. C. He died there suddenly, De-

cember 18, 1865.

His unexpected death touched the nation and Ohio espe-

cially mourned. In the reception room of the Senate Chamber

the great men of our country at that time, regardless of party,

met to express their sorrow. Chief Justice Chase presided and