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Military

U.S. Mexican War, Iowa Volunteers
Service Records

submitted by Lynn McCleary (CC Cedar County IAGenWeb)

 

Source: Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers, Vol. VI - Miscellaneous Organizations
Published by authority of the General Assembly,
under the direction of Brig. Gen. Guy E. Logan, Adjutant General, 1911

 
Page Page 801
CAPTAIN JAMES M. MORGAN'S COMPANY OF IOWA
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS

     It would seem to have been the part of wisdom to have retained Captain Parkers Company in the service for the full length of its term. The Winnebago Indians had become restless, and portion of the tribe had left its reservation, going to their old hunting grounds in Wisconsin. Another portion had gone west into the interior of Iowa, and only about one-half the tribe remained upon its original reservation. More than the available force of United States soldiers in the vicinity of the reservation was needed to again concentrate the tribe, and prepare them for removal to the new reservation which had been provided for them. It must here be noted that, at the close of the Black Hawk War, the Government had gathered up what remained of the once numerous and powerful tribe of the Winnebago Indians, and had established them upon the neutral strip in northern Iowa. The location did not prove satisfactory to the Indians. In 1846 a new treaty was made with them, by which they gave up their Iowa home in exchange for a reservation in western Minnesota. A considerable portion of the tribe objected to removal to the new reservation, and, as has been shown, were in rebellion against the order which had been issued. It was the plan of the Government Agent for the tribe  J. E. Fletcher  to move the Indians to their new home in a flotilla of canoes up the Mississippi River. To this arrangement, however, the Indians demurred. Their belongings were loaded in wagons, to be hauled to the river, but the Indians threw them out as fast as they could be loaded. Finally, a detachment of troops was sent from Fort Atkinson. When the troops arrived the Indians were in a hostile frame of mind, and a conflict seemed imminent. The agent held a council with the principal chiefs, however, and provided a feast for the entire tribe. By the skillful exercise of diplomacy the threatened conflict was averted. The Indians agreed to march across to the river at Winona, under the escort of Captain James M. Morgans Company of Iowa Mounted Volunteers.

     The cavalcade finally moved from Turkey River on June 8, 1848. The number of Indians was variously estimated from twenty-one hundred to twenty-eight hundred. They were supplied with one hundred sixty-six wagons and about sixteen hundred ponies. Papooses rode in Kyaks or sacks of hides hung over the backs of the ponies. About five hundred tents afforded shelter for the Indians and one hundred more were used by the soldiers and the agency and mission people. Their route lay straight north

Page 802

 until the Mississippi river was struck at Wabasha Prairie, the present site of the city of Winona, Minn. Before reaching that place, the Indian agent and Captain Morgan had learned of a conspiracy between some of the Winnebago chiefs and a band of Sioux Indians, then encamped in the vicinity of Wabasha Prairie, in which the Winnebagoes had agreed to occupy a reservation adjoining that of the Sioux, and to proceed no farther. The tract of country designated had been purchased by the Winnebagoes from the Sioux, the former tribe promising to pay the latter a stipulated sum, to be derived from their government annuities. The Sioux Indians had pledged their assistance to the Winnebagoes in holding this purchase in violation of their treaty, and to unite with them in resisting the troops in any further effort to remove them to the government reservation which had been assigned to them. Upon receiving this intelligence, and becoming satisfied of its reliability, Captain Morgan sent messengers to Forts Snelling and Crawford for reinforcements, which were promptly sent to him under command of Captains Eastman and Knowlton. The incipient revolt was crushed by this stern display of force, and, upon arriving at Wabasha Prairie, the savage wards of the government and their belongings were loaded in detachments upon barges, and towed by steamboats, as they arrived from below, to the Falls of St. Anthony, where they were again concentrated. The delay caused by this change of transportation occupied about a month.

     The land march was resumed from the Falls, and, on July 30, 1848, at the mouth of the Watab River, near Sauk Rapids, on the Mississippi, the new reservation was reached. The distance traveled had been three hundred ten miles. A site for the agency buildings and mission was selected on Long Prairie, and Captain Morgans Company remained to keep order during the construction of the necessary buildings. The new reservation seemed very satisfactory to the Indians, and to General Fletcher, their agent, who says, in his annual report, under date of Oct. 4, 1848: The country for the Winnebagoes was judiciously selected. It is the best location that could have been procured for them west of the Mississippi River. They are well satisfied with the country, and look upon it as their permanent home.

     About the first of September, Captain Morgan received orders to return to Fort Atkinson with his company. They marched to Fort Snelling, and were thence conveyed by steamboat to McGregors Landing, where they arrived on September 6th. A short march brought them to their old quarters, where they were mustered out of service on the 11th day of September, 1848, and at once dispersed to their respective homes. While this gallant company had not realized its the expectations, of being sent to Mexico to engage in the conflict with its countys foes, it had served honorably and bravely in the field to which it had been assigned. Its officers and men had

Page 803

 performed every duty which had been required of them. Those members of the company who had first enlisted in the infantry had given longer service than had been required of any other Iowa Volunteers who had originally enrolled for the Mexican War, their entire length of service having been two years and fifty-eight days. The following is a complete roster of the company.

ROSTER
Officers

James McGowan Morgan. Captain. Age 43. Residence Burlington, Iowa. Commissioned by Ansel Briggs, Governor of Iowa, July 15, 1847, and mustered into the service of the United States for during the War with Mexico, at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, on same date. Mustered out at Fort Atkinson, Sept. 13, 1848. Had commanded Infantry Company, stationed at Fort Atkinson, between the dates July 15, 1846, and July 15, 1847.

John Harrison McKenny. First Lieutenant. Age 33. Residence Burlington, Iowa. Commissioned by Ansel Briggs, Governor of Iowa, July 15, 1847, and mustered into the service, same date, at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, for during the War with Mexico. Mustered out at Fort Atkinson, Sept. 13, 1848.

David Stokely Wilson. Second Lieutenant. Age 24. Residence Dubuque, Iowa. Commissioned by Ansel Briggs, Governor of Iowa, July 15, 1847, and mustered into the service, same date, at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, for during the War with Mexico. Mustered out at Fort Atkinson, Sept. 13, 1848.

Walter Pollard Rowell. First Sergeant. Age 32. Re-listed from Infantry Company and mustered as First Sergeant July 15, 1847. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

W. S. Dollarhide. Second Sergeant. Age 22. Re-listed from Infantry Company and mustered as Second Sergeant July 15, 1847. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Josiah H. Clemmons. Third Sergeant. Age 29. Re-listed from Infantry Company and mustered as Corporal July 15, 1847. Promoted Third Sergeant Jan. 1, 1848. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

John H. Hume. Fourth Sergeant. Age 25. Re-listed from Infantry Company and mustered as Corporal July 15, 1847. Promoted Fourth Sergeant April 1, 1848. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Thomas Cox, Jr. First Corporal. Age 22. Enlisted and mustered as Private. Promoted Corporal Jan. 1, 1848. Son of Colonel Thomas Cox, who had served as an Illinois officer in the War of 1812, and subsequently became one of the most prominent citizens of Iowa Territory, serving a number of terms in the Territorial Assembly, of which he was elected Speaker in its Third Session. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Page 804

John Cadwallader. Second Corporal. Age 24. Enlisted and mustered as Private July 15, 1847. Promoted Corporal Jan. 1, 1848. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

John C. Martin. Third Corporal. Age 20. Enlisted and mustered as Private July 15, 1847. Promoted Corporal Jan. 1, 1848. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

George W. Hess. Fourth Corporal. Age 32. Enlisted and mustered as Private and promoted Corporal April 1, 1848. He was the only non-commissioned officer who had not belonged to Captain Morgans Infantry Company. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Joseph Roth. Bugler. Age 32. Enlisted April 1, 1848, and mustered in same date. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Samuel Mitchell. Bugler. Age 20. Re-enlisted from Infantry Company July 15, 1847, and mustered in same date. Mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Horace Salter. Farrier. Age 24. Enlisted Feb. 21, 1848, and mustered same date. This soldier had served with Colonel Doniphan in the Mexican War, and had participated in the battle of Sacramento. He was mustered out with Company Sept. 11, 1848.

Enlistment Men
Contributed by Karen Weaver, Outreach Coordinator for the Palo Alto Battlefield National Park Service

Pages 804 to 808

Last Name First Name Rank In Age Enlistment Date Enlistment Place Discharge Date Discharge Cause Date of Muster Out Muster Remarks General Remarks
Adams John J Private 38 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Anderson William Private 28 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Axtell Silas H Private 31 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Barnes George W Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Beeson Absalom J Private 26 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 31 Mar 1848 Disability     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Blair Enos F M Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Brinkman John Private 27 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Brinsmade John W Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Buck Francis W Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Burke James R Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Carpenter John B Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Cram Alexander G Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Fairbanks H G Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Falconer Alexander Private 39 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Fleetwood Hiram P Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Frazier David Stokely Private 34 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Fry Martial Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Gallaher John L F Private 27 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Galliher Silas H Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Galyean William A Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Gehon Jeremiah Private 20 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Glinn Joshua H Private 25 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Gordon Erastus C Private 22 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Graves John M Private 18 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Greenough Sylvester Private 36 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Groesbeck Henry Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Hamlin Charles P Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Harliss H H Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Harris Phineas Private 18 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Hatch George F Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Hatch N W Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Hilyard Thomas Jr Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Humphreys George Private 25 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Ives Joseph Curtis Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Ives Nelson Marks Private 29 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Jones William Private 30 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Kennedy Elisha J Private 37 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Kimball Ichabod Private 32 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Lane Thomas B Private 30 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Legion Herman Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Livermore Alonzo Private 25 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Loper Daniel Private 22 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Loper William Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Lowe Jesse Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Lumley John Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
McCormick E C Private 29 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
McCraney William Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
McKinley Albert S Private 17 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
McNeill S P Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Melosky Louis Private 51 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 30 Apr 1848 Disability     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Myers Christian Private 29 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Oliver Isaac Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Olson Peter Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Owens Titus C Private 22 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 29 Oct 1847 Death     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company, died at Fort Atkinson
Palmer Stephen J Private 20 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Parson James Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Patterson Henry Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Patterson Joseph Private 43 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 30 Apr 1848 Disability     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Patterson M T Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Purcell Alfred E Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Reed William E Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Reilly Michael Private not noted 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 1 Jan 1848 Discharged      
Ricord Elisha J Private 28 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 1 Jan 1848 Unknown     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Riggs Ashley C Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Rorer Daniel Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Sangster Ebenezer Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 1 Jan 1848 Unknown      
Seamans Thaddeus Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Shaff John I Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Shaver Philip E Private 19 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Sleeth Morello W Private 23 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Slidell John M Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Snyder William Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Sperry Mortimer Private 22 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Tench Peter Private 31 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Timmons Andrew A Private 44 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA 30 Apr 1848 Disability     Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Traer William M Private 25 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Tully John Private 35 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Vincent William Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Walling Albert G Private 21 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Wareham Conrad Private 26 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Wasson Hiram G Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Webb John C Private 29 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Weisgarber George W C Private 26 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Williams Calvin P Private 27 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Williams Daniel D Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA  
Williams Isaiah H Private 18 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Wright Thomas Private 24 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company
Young James Private 27 yrs 15 Jul 1847 Fort Atkinson IA     13 Sep 1848 Mustered out at Fort Atkinson IA Re-enlisted from Morgan's Infantry Company

Page 808

SUMMARY
Died 1
Discharged 7
Absent on furlough 1
Aggregate number present at muster out 92
 
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