1st Regiment, Company K - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Indiana Soldiers 1st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry Mexican War Company K

This Company consisted mostly of soldiers from Montgomery County, Indiana, called the Montgomery Volunteers.

Captain Allen May 1st Lieutenant, Captain, 1st Regiment, Company K, Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill. 1st Lieutenant Allen May

1st Lieutenant, Captain, 1st Regiment, Company K, Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

1st Lt - James Owen Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

George D. Powers 1st Lt - Montgomery County. Died 9 Jul 1846, accident, he was thrown from a buggy, and died 40 minutes later.

Romulus L. Hanks Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Lewis E. Wayland Montgomery County. Gustavus A. Wood Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Moholon I. Mason Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Wilson C. Mason Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 15 Nov 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Harvy H. Montgomery Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Washington Rice Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Ephram Woodruff Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Robert C. Bryant Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

John McFeeley Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 22 Jun 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Loren Millen (note: Loren Miller) Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Archibald Montgomery Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

William Farrell Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

John D. Ferguson Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 7 Jan 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Adam Wilson Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Isaac H. Alexander Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Robert D. Andrews Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 12 Oct 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Daniel Bohon Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 8 Dec 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Adam Bratten Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 7 Dec 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

George Bratten Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 10 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

John Bratten Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 12 Oct 1846, of disease.

Dillon Brown Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Daniel Buck Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 7 Nov 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Thomas C. Buckles Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 13 Oct 1846, of disease.

Stephen Bunnell Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

William G. Chambers Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 10 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Alexander Cooper Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Joseph Cox Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

John Creager Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

George N. Davis Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Robert S. Dickey Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 19 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Ralley Ellis Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Joel Frankeberger Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Jonathan Gatt Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 15 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Resin F. Goddard Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 10 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Gustavus Fenelon Goss Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 14 Sep 1846, of disease. He was an accomplished teacher of the Female Seminary at Crawfordsville, Indiana. Lived in Madison, Indiana. His grave is on the banks of the Rio Bravo River. (see article below)

John Harper Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Hiram Hart Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

David Hawk Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 31 Oct 1846, of disease.

Washington Hawkins Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 19 Feb 1847.

Aaron VanSant Hester Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill. Aaron was the son of Adam Hester and Ann VanSant. He was born in Fleming County, Kentucky on 6 Jun 1823. He moved with his parents in 1837 to Montgomery County, Indiana where Adam had a farm one mile east of Parkersburg. Aaron was the oldest of 10 children. Others in the family were Eliza Jane, Amanda, John, James W., Levi, Isaiah, Margaret and James Monroe Hester. According to his obituary and biography it stated that he was reared in farming but also learned the trade of cabinet making and carpentering. After the Mexican war he married Sarah McDaniel on 4 Sep 1858, the daughter of Judson McDaniel and Sarah Carrington, who lived in Brown Township Montgomery County. Aaron and Sarah were the parents of the following children: Mary C.; Nora L.; Melvina; Amanda; Hattie; Everett and Eva. After their marriage, they moved to Boone County and then bought a farm in Eel River Township in Hendricks County. Aaron died 26 Feb 1907 in Jamestown, Indiana. He was buried in Fullen Cemetery, just south of Jamestown in Hendricks County on 28 Feb 1907. Source for this information is Mark Hester at email Genebuff24@aol.com

Thomas S. Hester Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill. Thomas is a cousin to the above Aaron VanSant Hester. Source for this information is Mark Hester at email Genebuff24@aol.com

William N. Hopper Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 15 Sep 1846, of disease. David House Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Benjamin A. James Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Thomas Jones Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

John King Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 5 Mar 1847, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Philip Kiphart Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Dennis Lines Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Philip Mandy Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 10 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Thomas Martin Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Samuel McCall Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Samuel McCollum Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Thomas McCollum Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 18 Oct 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Edward B. McConnel Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 9 Nov 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

James R. Morgan Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 10 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

James Nicholson Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 14 Oct 1846, of disease, at Matamoros.

Thomas Owens Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 6 Feb 1847.

George M. Pfierman Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

James Phillips Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 18 Nov 1846.

Robert Plunket Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

William Plunkett Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 5 Oct 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

George C. Rees Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Jonathan N. B. Rice Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 18 Oct 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Jesse B. Rush Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Thomas D. Sanders Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Henry Sennitt Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Edward Seymour Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Henry Shotts Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Samuel Shotts Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 29 Nov 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

Mark Skelton Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Powel Skelton Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Peter K. Smith Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

James Stewart Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Jacob Swank Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

John Tapp Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

William Welch Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Ebenezer West Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

Samuel Wilcox Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, discharged 22 Sep 1846, on Surgeon's Certificate.

James Wilson Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, mustered out 14 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill.

William Woodruff Montgomery County. Mustered in 19 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, died 14 May 1847.

Fifty years ago on the 11th day of June, the first company of troops from Montgomery County took up the line of March for Mexico. This company was called the Montgomery Volunteers, Capt. H. S. Lane afterwards designated as Company K, First Regiment, Indiana Vol. Infantry, Col. James P. Drake commanding. The company formed on East Main Street then Vernon Street with the right resting on Green, where 96 men answered to the call of the roll. Every township was represented and so great was the country aroused by the call of the President, more men offered for services than could be accepted.

Those whose names I now recall who were members of the company were James Wilson, afterwards member of Congress and Minister to Venzuela; John W. Powers who succeeded to the Captaincy when lane was made Major; James Owens, First Lt; GA Wood, Second Lt; Allen May, Third Lt; AJ Mason, Orderly Sgt; Wash Rice, Sgt; Loren Miller and myself were Corporals. The names of the other Sergeants and Corporals I have forgotten. Among the privates were James F. Harney now Judge of the court; Romulus Hanks; Robert D. Andrews; George D. Powers; Arch Montgomery; Harvey Montgomery; George Reese; Dan’l Bohon; Jessup Rush; Henry Senett; JAK Smith; John Creager; Aaron Hester; Tom Hester; John Tapp; Samuel McCall; Alex Cooper; Wm. Welch; Rally Ellis; Robert Plunkett; Howell Alexander; Dillo Brown; John Bratton; George Bratton; Stephen Bunnell; NB Rice; Thos. McCallum; Sam McCallum; Powell Skelton; Mark Skelton; Hiram Hart; Edward Seymour; Willis Mason; Thos. Sanders; David House; Henry Shotts; Hugh Chambers; Reson Goddard; Wm. Woodruff; Ephraim Woodruff; Fenelon Goss; James Herron; Gus A. Wood; Richard Harrison; Joseph Clark; Dick Brown; Adam Wilson and McFeely. Lew Wallace was Second Lt. in the Marion County Company.

On the completion of roll call we marched to Capt. Lane’s residence on South Water Street where Mrs. HS Lane in behalf of the ladies of Crawfordsville, presented to the company a beautiful silk flag in a patriotic and touching address, this was responded to by Sgt. AJ Mason. The remnants of this flag are now in the custody of Wabash College. At the conclusion of these exercises, we started for Indianapolis in wagons, and marched from there to Franklin and Edinburg, where the railroad gave us transportation to Madison. We camped at Franklin on Monday night. Here the citizens had spanned the street with an arch of flowers and after an eloquent speech from Capt. HS Lane we marched under the arch, the children strewing flowers before us while thousands of people were waving handkerchiefs and cheering with all their might. At New Albany, which was the rendezvous of the First Regiment, we were mustered into the US service and there the first death occurred in our company, Lt. George D. Powers being killed by the upsetting of his carriage while returning to camp.

On July 5 we went on board of the steamer, Grace Darling, with the Hendricks County Volunteers enroute for New Orleans, stopping at Baton Rouge to bury one of the Hendricks boys and at New Orleans, camping for a number of days on Gen. Jackson’s battle ground.

On July 17 the same two companies went on board the ship, Kazan for Mexico. The officers kindly consented to occupy the cabin and the men took charge of the ship’s hold except Sgt. Lorene Miller and myself who fortunately got permission of the Capt. To occupy a little space in the life boat between the coils of rope and the boat’s roof. This boat was fastened to the deck in the center of the ship and had never been used. Our introduction to the sea was unpleasant. The water was very rough and as the boys had brought along more than they could carry there was a general overhauling of our internal machinery. On the third day at sea the wind had increased to a gale and on the fourth a sailor was heard to tell a comrade that the ship came near foundering the night before. All day the wind increased in force. Everywhere there were mountains of water and the air thick with flying spray. As another night close din upon us, the intense darkness, the roar of the storm, the plunging and rolling of the ship made everyone anxious for the result. The men belonging in the hold were ordered below the ship’s hatch securely fastened down and every precaution taken for safety.

Occasional orders given by the captain through his trumpet could be heard with indistinct answers from the sailors as they repeated back from one to another. About 12 o’clock the cry of “breakers, breakers,” rang through the ship. A terrible cry to be heard at any time, but at night in the midst of a storm and on an unknown shore, nothing can be more fearful. Evidently the ship was going at a very rapid rate for within a few minutes after the cry the ship struck twice with great violence. Then the huge waves picked her up like a chip, carried her over the reef and we were again flying through the water.

15 or 20 minutes later the cry of breakers was again heard and the good ship plunged into them, pounding the bottom of the sea as though at every stroke she would be dashed to pieces, while the roar of the storm and the rush of the water made it almost impossible for the captain’s orders to be heard. Great waves swept over the ship from end to end and the only refuge for those on deck was to climb into the rigging, where we stayed waiting for daylight to come. As the light became stronger we noticed a small strip of land about ¼ of a mile off and at once the work of getting the life boat overboard was commenced. Then four sailors were put aboard the boat filled with rope and with one end fastened to the ship the crew started on its perilous journey for the shore.

At times the boat would be lost to view and then rise to the top of the great waves that threatened to engulf her, and a landing was only made at great risk of life, as the sailors struggled with the undertow of the sea. Partly buried in the sand an old water soaked log was found to which a rope was fastened. A slip noose was made with the life boat and then after throwing overboard everything that would float we all landed safely on Padre Island, July 22, 1846. This island is about 88’ wide with a ridge of sand in its center that had been washed up by the waves. It was without a living bush of any kind and the only water to be had for drinking or cooking was the brackish water reached by digging a few feet below the surface. Here the measles caught up with us and here we stayed in the broiling hot sun until the 30th day of July. By the aid of boat, we landed at Brazos, Mexico and at once took up the line of march for the Rio Grande River 15 or 20 miles south. On our way to the river we found where a ship loaded with sutler’s stores had been wrecked a few days before and all on board lost. For miles the beach was strewn with boots and shoes, barrels of whisky wine, ale, hams and everything eatable and when we camped for the night every soldier was loaded with all he could carry. On both sides of the Rio Grande river the country is a perfect picture of desolation, toward the interior only a long stretch of level plain with here and there a few bushes in the distance, while up and down the beach as far as the eye can reach nothing appears but ridges of sand, upon which the sun pours down its rays with intense heat. The surroundings seemed so unhealthy we were ordered on the 20th of August to move up the river 10 or 15 miles with a regiment of Mississippi troops and located on a strip of high ground one half mile from the river.

This place was known as Camp Belknap. On the north of this ridge for at least a mile stagnant water covered the land, from 6” to 2’ in depth, while between the camp and the landing the ground was much lower than the bed of the river. Soon after getting settled in camp the Rio Grande began to rise, overflowing the flat land in our front so that the soldiers had to wade to and fro through the water for ¼ mile in the broiling hot sun, carrying provisions and water for the use of the camp. My notes record 96 in the shade day after day. Outside of the shade the heat was intense. The natural result of this constant wading was the rapid growth of the sick list and on the 10th of August our company could only muster 16 men for regimental drill.

The men from Mississippi seemed to suffer more than the northern soldiers. Their death rate was high. On one day the writer counted 11 men carried out wrapped in their blankets for burial. We received our mail once a week from Point Isabel, which was 10 miles to the northeast and to reach it we had to wade at least ½ of the distance. With such surroundings it was easily seen that to remain at Camp Belknap meant sure death. So orders were received for the Mississippi regiment to go up the river and for our regiment to take position at the mouth of the Rio Grande. It was only changing one death trap for another but as a good soldier, we obeyed orders and went into camp on the sand ridge Sept 1.

The sickness in the regiment was very great and the death rate was large. At a time of greatest need, the surgeons ran out of medicines, and owing to the storms on the gulf were unable for weeks to obtain a supply. For the same reason we had no provisions and at one time used what had been condemned by another regiment.

Here we lost one of our best men. Lt. Fenelon Goss was buried Sept 20. Lt. Goss was a highly educated gentlemen and occupied the position of Principal of the Ladies’ Academy of Crawfordsville, which he resigned to go as a private in our company. Wrapped only in their blankets and without coffins, these brae men were laid away in the sand where the winds from the ocean soon obliterated all marks of their graves, and their resting place is unknown only to the few comrades who yet remain to testify to their patient endurance and heroic devotion to duty under circumstances of the most trying nature -- RE Bryant – late Corporal Co K 1st Reg Ind Vol.