The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848

The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #

The reason is simply this – – that the Governor of the state would not allow a company to go from the region where I resided, because it is the frontier and the men he thought would all be wanted at home to guard the country from the Indians, and the consequences was that more of our men who wished to go out on this expedition when compelled to join companies from the interior of the state often the officers were elected when they had arrived at Fort Leavenworth.

There are with me some fifteen men from my own county who would go with me through any danger and who would stand by me in any things – I am respected by all the officers of – my regiment.

It is approved that we will winter here and be discharged in the spring if that is the case I shall return as soon as the grass is high enough to sustain our horses if not I intend to return at the end of the year.  With the hope that something will turn up that will enable me to revisit my native land in a short time and with my best regards to your husband and family I remains.

Your Aff Brother,  Hendon

The Army of the West

Election of Officers 

1^st Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers

Composed of Eight Companies

Sixteen Pieces Artillery Ordnance

12  six pounders and  4  twelve pounders

1,251 Missouri Volunteers

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny 

300 Soldiers of the 1^st Dragoons U. S. Army

Reference John T. Hughes  Doniphan’s Exepedition and Conquest of Mexico

Published at Cincinnati, Ohio  1848

LETTER NUMBER 21

by A. G. WILSON, CHIEF SUTLER on DECEMBER 4, 1846

Santa Fe  Dec. 4^th 1846

My Good friend Goff

I must be excused for not having written you at an earlier date, as my duties are laborous and confining.  I have been anxious to hear from you, as well as your own prosperity as of your process in bringing my business to a close.

I should hope to get a letter by Murphy* from you giving me some idea of the business.  As well as the general news of the country.  I am told that Barret has much hardship for himself.  We have no particular news of him, and I have as little time for communicating answers as you can well imagine.  We will do well in our adventure to this country.

I am enjoying good health, but as you know Goff, I am anxious to get home.

Your friend in haste.

A. G. Wilson

Figure No. 21  February 12, 1847   Independence  Missouri

To A. P. Goff, Esq. Weston, Missouri with 5 cent rate

Albert G. Wilson was appointed Chief Sutler to Colonel Sterling Price

This letter took a difficult long winter journey over 900 miles in 70 days

A. G. Wilson died in the influenza epidemic at Santa Fe in January 1847

LETTER NUMBER 22

by LIEUT. JOHN A. BOARMAN on DECEMBER 12, 1846

New Mexico  Camp Calhoun   December 12, 1846

Dear Brother

    As there is another mail to start Plains shortly I thought would write a few more lines to let you know how of our situation and how we are.  There is a great deal of sickness in Camp upward of 30 to 40 men lying in Camp at this time and we have buried two men since we have been in Quarters.  They all belong to the Company from Benton County.  There are sixteen of sick of (measles) and some maybe near dying, but by strict attention from the officers and now they were saved and are now doing well. Through all the disease and sickness prevailing here.  Thomas and my self so far through the intercession of Providence h19e escaped and I hope will pass through this dreadful times without being sick.  The strongest and hardiest men seem to be the first who take sick.

Figure No. 22  February 10, 1847   Fort Leavenworth, Missouri

To Jerome G.  Boarman  Esq.  Ste. Genevieve, Ste Genevieve County, Missouri

A Lieutenant of the Benton died a few days ago with the measles, he was in the same compy as me our beds touched each other on the right side of the last night between the hours of one and two.  I woke and discovered a crowd of men standing around him.  I asked them the meaning of this and they told me Lieut. Alexander was dying.  I jumped out of bed and put on my clothes. I found him dying and he was perfectly sensible.  He told his Captain what disposition to make of his property and that he wanted to be buried in with the Compy in New Mexico with the other men of his Company with out a coffin as his pluck was to the last.

Sergeant Alexander his brother who has just recovered from bed of sickness was standing near the fire the dying man called him to his bed side and told him not to cry after him when he was dead and to tell his Mother brother and sister he was not afraid to die and he died believing in Christ crucified.

Poor fellow how I would like to have had a priest with him, but he died like all protestants, no one to pray with him, none to give him any consultation as to a future state.

James Moore is sick with the measles, but is doing as well as expected.  The two Bloom boy’s to be remembered to their father and relations.  Henry Blackwell has been sick but now is well, he also wants to be remembered relatives and friends.  Russell Cole is well.  Capt Horine is very much disgusted at the condition of the Compy he is the most special man in the Regiment every man speaks well of him.  Doctr Edmondson is kept very busy visiting the sick he is on his feet night and day.  Paul Hendreck since his appointment of hospital steward has kept very close attention to the sick.

He is well and wishes to be remembered to his Father, Mother, brother and sister and relatives.  Jos. Griffith is well he is kept very busy carrying rations to the men.  Jos Hartwich was appointed Company to be at Fort Leavenworth but then we found that was the duty of the second Sergeant to forward provisions.

Since I wrote my last letter the Navajoe’s Indians have made a treaty promising to not disturb the Mexican anymore.  The Indians and Mexicans will make an exchange of Prisoner in the spring.

I must conclude now so give my love to Father and tell him the Paymaster have no money with them and will not be able to pay the men till next spring.  Give my love to Fanny and Gertrude tell them to keep in good spirits we will take good care of morals and health and by next summer we will deliver ourselves in as good a condition home again in as good of condition as when we left.  Give my love also to Charles, Ignatius, Adelaide and all my inquiring friends

Your affectionate Brother  John

Camp Calhoun was a small military encampment during the Mexican war on the route to California. It was built on the Colorado River one mile south of Gila River.  The camp named for Senator John C. Calhoun, and in March 1851 the post was enlarged making it a permanent site with the name changed to Camp Yuma, a year later the post was designated Fort Yuma.

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