7-^ V ,0 o "^^ V^ '^.r> .A^^^ ./. ' 'I i ' ' o p. .0^^ \. ^,^' ^J *^ V' H^ '.'i>. ■> ^iw^\J' ^ -&. *'^% X-' ■:%.<^ .^*^ ^- ^ c^^ ^ >/<^^ •x^^^'"- 8 I \ - O .^^ >0^ ^^/^ v^^ .0^ cP' o ^' o\^- <^^ * ,. ., n ^ <0- , V * ,A '^.<^^' >:^'^> '^^ ^\^ ^, .\-^*e:%^'^ >. ,v^ lO. Oo, V ^^. '* \ ^^ ^^ ,0- '0^ \a'^ ■^-M ^^.. S .«♦■ X '> "^^"^io^v" -'f' s-^"*. ■\', - ,^^'^ ■^ V -^ -^^ ^'y",:.:^ .^. ^,- -^ "■ o\^' .-k- f ■xx^'^ V' •/>, ^' FROCEElDIISrGS OF THK National Convent i on n\ 1 (ii: )ii;m» i.\ T H 1^: I T Y (,) ¥ W A S 11 1 N ( \ T m X , JANTARY IT). K; AXI) 17, 1«71. rONTATNING ' List of Delegates, Memorial to Congress fOi.' a Pension to Survivors, and i an account of the Orjianization of the National Association of Veterans of the Mexican War, with List of Officers I For the Ensuing Year, «fec , &c , &c. i i st:V. \V. Bradley. Iowa. — General T. ^^^ Cirillith, DesMoines ; M. M. Trumbnll, Dabnqnc; Michael Donohiie, li. AV. Wilson, W. L. Church, S. R. Edghigton, (the first only present.) Kansas.— E. X. O. Cloni^h. IvENTrcKV.— General W. T. Ward, Louisville; E. C. Berry, Owensboro; J. P. Williams, J. .1. llalsey, Ilarrodsbiu-;^ ; W. >V. Bradley, Bowlin;]: Gi-een ; ^lajor .1. F. lliiber. Louisville; Colonel (i. I). Pennebaker, Washing-ton, D. C. Louisiana.— Ccneral P. (). Ilebert, New Orleans; General .). K. West. U. S. S.; ( Jencral G. Mason Graham, Alexandria. The followinij were aceredited. but failed to arrive: General Ilai-ry T. Hays, Colonel J. B. Walton, G -neral Gcori^^e P>aldy, Captain J. B. Vandcri^rilV, Gen-ral A. G. Blanchard, S. D. Allis, Es(i., of Xew Orleans. ^Maryland.— Colonel J. II. lluddach. Colonel W. f;. Schley, General Oden Bowie, Marshal John T. Gray. Joim P. Onior , Lewis F. Beeler, T. J. Good- rich, Cornelius Brown, Captain William Ilarcourt, Captaui William Howard, Dr. II. Webster, of Baltimore. MASSACFrrsETrs.— (Juptain William Ilurd, 11. A. McGlenen, Esq., Colonel Isaac H. Wriirht. MiciiKiAN.— A. :M. KcMadav, (J. P. Ilowlett, of Xiles. proxy:) J. N". A. L. Si- monds. Tecumseh ; Charles P. Kimball, Adrian ; E. R. Merrifield, Lansin.2:. MiNNESOTA.—W. A. Gorman and Colon „4 F. Peteler, St. Paul; A. R. Fre:.ch, Washin<^ton, D. C. >rrssissii'Pi.— General D. II. Cooper, John G. Hope, Beverly Matthews, Columbus. Missouri — J\h\}xe Jonas J. Clark, Chllieothe ; General J. W. Denver, Washino^- ton. D. C; Generai James Shields, Carrollton ; (Jolonel A. W. Doniphan, Richmond. Ray Co. (The two first named onlv present.) Nevada.— J. F. Ray, Elko; Colonel W. W. McCoy, Eureka; Charles Getzler, Viriiinia Cily. (Tlie last two absent.) New Hampshire.— Colonel Geori2:e. Bowers, Colonel Tliomas P. Pierce, Nashua. New Jersey.- Charles Bowers, Newark. New York.— Colonel Wm. I. inn Tidball, Lieutenant R. P. Noah, General Fran- cis E. Pinto, General Addison Karnsworth. Francis I). ( -lark, Fsq., General Thomas W. Sweeny, General Charles K. Graham, Captain Ilciuy Roscoe, Captain Wm. Wade, Wm. Colliican, Es(|., F. W. S(\a/rrist. Lieutenant Den- man, (ieneral A. W. Adams. ^Tlie followiuii: accredited failed to app'^ar : General H. (r. fribson. (Jeneral J. H. H. Ward, Captain J. C. Marriott, Vice- Admiral S. C. Rowan. Major W. L. Gary. North Carolina.— Colonel Edward Cantwell, Wilmington ; O. R. Smith, Ral- eigh ; Colonel John A. Faug, Asheville; S. S. Pyatt. Ohio.— Dr. J. M. Todd, Bridgeport, Belmont Co.; Wm. B. Howard (proxy for Hon. W. I. Southard.) Ore(;on and Washington Territory.— General James Tilton, Major Granville O. llaller, Ceneral R. 11. ^Milroy. II. R. Crosby, S. P. Moses. Pennsylvania.— General E. R. Biles, Chauncev F. Sargent, George ^Nloore, J. J. OsVandal. Wm. J. Maokev. Robert Klotz, of Scott Legion, Philadelphia; Lieutenant Abijah Ferguson,' Wm. Kennedy. C. B, Mowry, John W. HagU', Ed. O'Brii'U. Maurice Wallace, AV. II. Barker, Captain Alex. Hay, James T. Sample, G. W. Gibbs, AV. 11. Hope, of Pittsburirh Scott Legion. Major R. Klol.z, Mauehchunk: General Georijo A. II. Blake. U. S. A.; Colonel Alex. Montgomery, U. S. A.; Jolm Solomon, East Maueli Chunk; R. McDonald, MilHi', Co.;' Colonel F. B. Kaercher, Pottsville ; Z. E. liarnes, Connellsville ; Richar I J. Cro/.ier, John A. Blair, Evansburo-; Win. Williams and Jolui M. <"l:irk. Blair Co.; J. T. Sample, Sewicklv. Alleii-hany Co.; J. Q. A. Youno-, Elizabeth, Alleghany Co.; James II. Ross. York; James Shaw, Coi.nellsville; John Kilpatriek, Connellsville; R. McMichael, Louis H. AVunder and John Priestlv, Reading. South Carolina.— K. J. Billings, Lancaster C. IL: J^id^e T. J. Mackcy, Ches- ter ; WuL B. Stanley and James D. Blanding, Columbia ; and the followuis like those of (^uatimo/.in, Anacaona, or Atahnaepa? If my will could summon the power I would write their names in letters of liv- ing light on the unbrokiMi columns of iny countiy, and inscribe their deeds on the consecrated folds of the flag of our Union, which to-day commands the respect of every nation of the world. After the band had again discoursed eloquent music, the President advanced to the desk with General Albert Pike. He was welcomed most cordiall.v, and General Denver remarked : '' You all know and love General Pike. He will read the poem prepared for the occasion." IG PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATION AX, CONVENTION POEM READ BEFORE THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF MEXICAN WAR VETERANS, JANUARY 16, 1874. "When California was a foreign land ! " How many shadowy, ghost-like figures stand Between that Then and Now ! — forms of dead Years, Old, meager, pale ; and four all blood and tears, With faces full of pain and agony, And sitting bowed in speechless misery : And three, the farthest from us, laurel-crowned, The Years for victories over foreign foes renowned. Comrades and Friends, the glorious Past recall ; Live in it again ; in memory upon all Your well-known fields of battle stand again, Young, hopeful, eager, proud, as you were then — Rebels, against tlie tyranny of time. Ride through the hills, t!ie mountain-passes climb ; Camp on the streams through fertile vales that flow, From the broad beds of everlasting snow ; Hear once again the Aztec eagle scream ; See once again Santana's lances gleam ; Tlie toils and hardships of the march endure ; "Win glory, and your country's thanks secm-e. "When California was a foreign land ! " — . If time's not measured by the droppmg sand That counts the silent moments as they flit, But by the great deeds that are done in it. Then, Comrades, 't is a century or more Since Yankee arms the flag of glory bore. From Palo Alto, and from Vera Cruz, Destined the day upon no field to lose, To the Belen gate ; and on its every fold To have new glories added to the old ; — By Taylor's legions won at Monterey : On Buena Vista's memorable day ; Where Kearney led to victory his command, And Stockton's sailors learned to fight on land ; At Sacramento, wliere the brave troops, led By Doniplian, the foe discomfited ; On Churubusco's bloody causeway won ; By deeds of valor at Contreras done ; When Worth and Quitman stormed Chapul tepee. And Mexico lay stranded like a wreck. After Resaca, when the Motherland, With sword uplifted in her mighty hand. Called on her sons to meet the braggart foe. And bear her banners into Mexico, Her trumpet-call, in every hamlet heard. The North and South alike inspired and sfirred. Then from the icy hills of pine-clad Maine, And the great lakes, rang out tlie same refrain. To the Mexique Gulf and farthest Arkansas — " Ready !" and " Forward to Uie seat of war !" Then from the cities reigning by the sea. And inland marts of earnest industry. From the lone homes of hardy husbandmen, Came forth the toilers with the plough and x>en, OF VETERANS OP THP MEXICAN WAR. 17 Idlers and artisans, to volunteer ; To all alike theii* country's honor dear. Little they cared the cause of war to know ; Enough for them that in far Mexico, Our little army, then the nation's pride. Faced gallantly red war's advancing tide, And if not shortly reinforced would be. It and the nation's flag, in jeopardy : — The flag that tyranny abhors and hates, Wliose golden Stars the symbols were of States, Each Star a sun that with its own light shone, Not planets, with reflected light alone. And making with their stellar harmony The Constellation's radiant unity. Then, one by one, the days of glory came. That neither North nor South alone could claim, Nor wished to ; whose immortal memories are The common heritage of every Star ; Until the conquest of a nation crowned Our arms, and golden California found No tyrant, by the right of conquest Lord, To rule her by tlie tenure of the sword : But Freedom, ruling by her right divine. Making her, too, a Star, ^vith ours to shine. Nor did we take her by tlie sword alone. But by fair pui'chase made her all our own. England remembers, with no lessening pride, The old flelds by her sons' blood sanctified ; Remembers Agincourt, and Crecy, too, And Poictiers, as well as Waterloo. Shall the old glories of our arms grow pale. Eclipsed by the later? Shall the names grow stale, And dim, like stars veiled by an envious cloud. Of which their country once was justly proud? Let us, at least, in reverence hold these names, And guard with jealousy their worthy fames; Honoring, as then we honored, all the brave, When Illinois strewed flowers on Butler's grave, When Indiana mourned the fate of Yell, And Mississippi wept when Hardin fell ; Kemembering that we all were Yankees there, And in tlie common glory had a share. Consenting not that any State should claim Exclusive right to any hero's fame. Enough ! But I must try your patience still, Or a reluctant promise not fultill. To read the story of one glorious day. Writ when its echoes scarce had died away. BUENA VISTA. From the Rio Grande's waters to the icy lakes of Maine Let all exult 1 For we have met the enemy again. Beneath tlieir stern old mountains we have met them In their pride, And rolled frcm Buena Vista back the battle's bloody tide ; Wliere tlio enemy came surging swift like the Mississippi's flood, And the Reaper, Death, with strong arms swui g his sickle red with blood. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION Santana boasted loudly that before two hours were past His lancers tlu'on^^h Saltillo should pursue us tierce and fast. On comes liis solid infantry, line marchino^ after line, Lo ! their great standards in the sun like sheets of silver shine ; With thousands upon thousands — yea, with more than three to one — Their forest of bright bayonets fierce-flashing in the sun. Lo ! Guanajuato's regiment, Morela's boasted corps, And Guadalajara's chosen troops — all veterans tried before. I -o ! galloping upon the right four thousand lances gleam. Where, floating in the morning wind, their blood-red pennons stream ; And here his stern artillery climbs up the broad plateau ; To-day he means to strike at us an overwhelming blow. Now, Wool, hold stronglj^ to the heights I for, lo ! the mighty tide Comes, thundering like an avalanche, deep, terrible and wide. 3\'ow, Illinois, stand steady! N'ow, Kentucky, to their aid ! For a portion of our line, alas ! is broken and dismayed. Great bands of shameless fugitives are fleeing from the field, And the day is lost if Illinois and brave Kentucky yield. One of O'Brien's guns is gone ! On, on their masses drift, Till their cavalry and infantry outfiank us on the left ; Our light troops, driven from the hills, retreat in wild dismay, And round us gathers thick and dark the Mexican array. Santana thinks the day is gained ; for, now approaching near, Minon's dark cloud of lancers sternly menaces our rear. Kow Lincoln, gallant gentleman, lies dead upon the field, Who strove to stay those cravens wlien before the storm they reeled. Fire, Washington ! fire fast and true ! Fire, Sherman, fast and far I Lo ! Bragg comes thundering to the front to breast the adverse war. Santana thinks the day is gained ? On, on his masses crowd, And the roar of battle swells again more terrible and loud. j^ot yet ! Oiu- brave old General comes to retrieve the day. Kentucky to the rescue ! Mississippi, to the fray ! Again our line advances ! Gallant Davis fronts the foe. And back before his rifles in red waves the lancers flow. Upon them yet once more, ye brave ! The avalanche is stayed ! Back roll the Aztec multitudes, all broken and dismayed. Eide ! May, to Buena Vista ! For tlie lancers gain our rear, Aud we have few troops there to check their vehement career. Arkansas and Kentucky, charge ! Yell, Porter, Vaughn are slain ; But the shattered troops cling desperately unto that crimsoned plain ; Till, with the lancers intermixed, pursuing and pursued, Westward, in combat hot and close, dilfts oft' the multitude. And May comes charging from the hiUs with his ranks of flaming steel, While, shattered with a sudden fire, the foe already reel: They flee amain ! Now to the left, to stay the torrent there, Or else the day is sm-ely lost m horror and despair ; For their hosts pour swiftly onward, like a river in the spring ; Our flank is tm-ned, and on our left tlieh' cannon thundering. Now, good artillery ! bold dragoons ! Steady, brave hearts ! be calm ! Tlirough rain, cold, hail and thunder, now nei-ve each gallant arm ! ^Vliat though then' shot fall round us here far thicker than the hail ? We'll stand against them as the rock stands firm against the gale. OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. ] Lo ! their battery is silenced ! but our iron sleet still showers ; They falter — halt— retreat ! Hurrah I the glorious day is ours ! In front, too, has the fight gone well, where upon gallant Lane And on stout Mississippi the thick lancers charged in vain ; Ah ! brave Third Indiana ! you have nobly wiped away The reproach that throngh another corps befell your State to-day ; For back, all broken and dismayed, before your storm of fire, Santana's boasted chivalry, a shattered wreck, retire. Now, charge again, Santana, or the day is snrely lost ; For back, like broken waves, along our left yonr hordes are tossed. Still faster roar his batteries— his wliole reserve moves on : More work remains before us ere the good tight is won. Now for your wives and children men ! Stand steady yet once more! Fight for your lives and honors ! Figlit as you never fought before? Ho ! Hardin breasts it bravely ! McKce and Bissell there Stand firm before the storm of ^ balls tliat fill the astonished air ; The lancers dash upon them, too ! The foe swarm ten to one ; Hardin is slain ; McKee and Clay the last time see the sun, And many another gallant heart in tliat last desperate fray Grew cold, its last thoughts turning to its loved ones far away. Speed, speed, artillery, to the front ! for the hurricane of fire CruslK?s those noble regiments, reluctant to retire ! Speed swiftly ! Gallop! Ah, they come ! Again Bragg climbs the ridge, And his grape sweeps down the sw^armingfoe, as a strong man mo^^"ethsedg Thus battled in their last attack, compelled perforce to yield, Still menacing in firm array, their colums leave the field. The guns still roared at intervals, but silence fell at last. And on the dead and dying came the evening shadows fast ; And then, above the monntaiiis, rose the cold moon's silver shield, And patiently and pitying looked down upon the field ; While, careless of his wounded, and neglectful of his dead. Despairingly and sullenly Santana southward fled. And thus on Buena Vista's heights a long day's work was done, And thus our brave old General another batt'C won. Aud still our glorious banner waves, unstained by tlight or shame. And the Mexicans, among their hills, still tremble at our name. So, lionor unto those that stood ! disgrace to those that fled ! And everlasting glory unto Buena Vista's dead ! With the reading of the poem and the music which followed, the exercises a nounced by the Committee were closed. The following extract from (lie report in the Daily Chronicle shows the si sequent proceedings : The reading of the poem was received with mn,ny expressions of applaiii When General Pike had concluded the Marine Band ]ierfornied a choice seleetic and it was supposed that the services were concluded, but not so ; the merab( of the Convention had become interested with tlie good things they had heai and \\anted more, and, seeing the illustrious gentlemen who occupied the platfor they iveadof the column, accompanied by General Denver, and reversing the usual custo.n, marched around the whole line himself, grasping each man's hand and o-ivin£- ii a hearty shake, upon his being introduced. ^ After completing the hand-shaking Colonel J. H. Ruddach stepped forward and l)inned u» tlie lappel of the President's coat, taking it from his own, one of the Baltimore association badges. The President then stopped a few moments and chatted with many of the veterans, during which time he stated that during the war he acted as quartermaster, commissary and adjutant. He said that Colonel OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 23 ^'^lli^slor was colonel of his reo^inicnt, but was not with them in Mexico, the regi- iiKMit h{ in.": comnuindcd :it lirst In^ Brevet- Major Allen. The veterans then re- formed and returned to the Masonic Temple, where business was resumed. Ui>oa bein^ called to order the President called the attention of the Convention to a beautiful vase which had been placed upon a center table on the front of th(j platform brought from South Carolina, and requested that it be received standing, all present at once risini^ to their feet. The va."se stands upon a square base of about 10 by 12 inches, and three inches in height, restiui^ ui>on ea,i:le"s claws, all of solid silver, and beautiful!}^ chased in frost work, representi n«i: the charsre and repulse at New Orleans. It was purchased solely by the ladies of iiomh Carolina, two thousand subscribing^ for that purpose, and bon' the followiiii; inscription on the front: ''Presented by the Ladies of South Caroliua to Major-General Andrew Jackson, Januarys, 1815." Injve been no- ticed. OF VETERANS OF THE MEXIAN WAR. 25 On motion of General Man?on, of Indiana, the Convention tlien proceeded to elect officers of the National Association for the ensuing year. On motion of Colonel J II. Ruddach, of Baltimore, General George Cadwalla- d«'r, of Pennsylvania, was elected President by acclamation, and General J. VV. Denver, of I>. C, 1st Vice-President. Tlie following are the other Vice-Presidents and the Conncil of Administration. U. S. Army.— W. T. Sherman, V. P., Washington, D. C. ; Irwin McDowell, C. of A.. I^ouisville, Ky. , U. S. Xavv. — Com. Fabius Stanley, V. P. ; Surgeon General (retired) W. M. Wood, C. of A. Alabama.— John Coffey, V. P., Fackler's P. O. ; A. J. Iliiggins, C. of A., Se(>ttsboro. Arkansas.— James F. Fagan, V. P., Little Hock ; J. a Peay, C. of A., do. Calikoknia. — Thomas J. Knipe, V. P., San l^'rancisco; Hon. S. O. Houghton, C. of A., House of Representatives. Colorado. —S. X. Hoyt, V. P., Washington, D. C; S. M Logan, C. of A., Di-nver. Connecticut. — Xot represented. District of Columbia.— ^T. W. Denver, V, P., AV'ashington ; Albert Pike, C. of A., do. FiX)RiDA. — Xot represented. Geokgl\. — George S. Fisher, V. P., Augusta; D. S. Johnston, C. of A.,M5vdison. Illinois.— M. L. Payne, V. P., Pontiac; W. A. Ricliardson, C. of A., Quincy. Indiana.— H. S. Lane, V. P., Crawfordsville ; JoiniOsborn, C. of A., Greencastlc. Iowa.— I. W. Griffitli, V. P., [)esMoines; M. M. Trumbull, C. of A., Dubuque. Kansas. — E. X. O. Clouorh, V. P., Leavenworth: Samuel Kennedv, C. of A., do. Kentucky.— W. T. Ward, V. P., Louisville ; J. F. Huber, C. of A., do. Louisiana — G. Mason Graham, V. P., Alexandria ; Paul O. Hebert, C. of A., New Orleans. Maine. — Not represented. Maryland. — .T. 11. Ruddach, V. P., Baltimore: Lewis F. Beeler, C. of A., do. M^vssACHUSETTS.— Isaac ll,ull AVright, V. P., Boston ; 11. A. McGlcnen, C. of A., Boston. MiCHKMN — .J. N. A. L. Simonds, V. P., Tecumseh ; Charles B. Kimball, C. of A., Adrian. Minnesota —W. A. Gorman, V. P., St. Paul ; F. Peteler, C. of A., Minneapolis. Mississippi. — !). H. Cooper, V. P., Georgetown, D. C. ; Beverly Matthews, C. of A., Columbus. ^Missouri. — James Shields, V. P., CarroUton ; A. W. Doniphan, C. of A., Richmond. Nebraska. — Xot represented. Nevada.— W. W. McCoy. V. P., Eureka; W.F. Stewart, C. of A., Virginia City. New llA.MPsiiiKE.— T. P I'ierce, V. P.. Nashua; Geo. Bowers, C. of A., do. New Jersey.— CIiarle.N Bowers, V. P., X\'wark ; James E. X'uttmau, C. of A., do. New York. — .Ios('j)h llookt-r. V. P.. New York; Fi-aucisE Pinto, C. of A., do. North Carolina.— 0. IL Smith, V. P., Raleigh; E. Cantwell, C. of A., Wil- mington. Oiiio._C. X\ Allen, V. P.. Steubenville ; J. M, Todd, C. of A., Bridgeport. OrE(;on and Wasiiinoton TERRlTOiiY. — Joseph Lane, V. P., Roseburg, Oregon; JauK's Tilton. C. of A., Seattle. W. T. Pennsylvania. —Robt. Klotz, V. P., Mauch Chunk; Wni. J. Mackey, C. ®f A , IMiiladelphia. Rhode Island — Xot represented. South Carolina— W. li Stanley, V. P., Columbia; T. J. Mackey, C. of A., Chester. Tenni-:ssee. — Gideon J. Pillow, V. P., Memphis; Joseph Cooper, C. of A., Kiioxville. Texas,— G, II. Giddings, V. P., Brenham ; S, B ^Vlaxey, C. of A., Paris, La- mar Co. 26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL. CONVENTION Vermont. — ISTot represented. Virginia.— Robt. G. Scott, V. P., Richmond ; B. D. Harman, C. of A., Stannton. West Virginia.— G. A. Porterlield. V. P., Charlestown ; John P. Ba.i?gs, C. of A., VVheelhig. WiSCONSiN.~Dr. Otis Iloyt, V. P., Hudson; C. R* Johnson, C. of A., Black River Falls. When the election of Secretaries was announced as being in order, on a raotion to that effect the Convention decided that the First Secretaiy should be a resident of Washington, D. C. Secretakies.— Alex. M, Kenaday, (of Cal.,) Washington, D. C. ; W. L. Schley, BaltiiMore, Md. ; F. D. Clark, of New York; Josiah Given, Des Moines, Iowa ; John K. Cooke, Norfolk, Va. Treasurer.— Justus I. McCarthy, Washington, D. C. On motion of Dr. J. M. Todd, of Ohio, General Edwin R. Biles, (1234 Ellsworth St. Phila.,) was elected Marshal of the Association. After the election of secretaries had been announced Mr. Kenaday, who had been temporarily absent from the hall, resumed his labors, and, on discovering what had been done, announced to the Convention that his spare time was occu- pied by the duties of secretary of the local association, and that he would have to decline the honor of serving as first secretary of the national organization, Mr. Nuttman, of California, moved that the declination be accepted. He knew his colleague well, and knew also that his proix)sition was not made in a spirit of buncombe. The Convention refused, by an almost unanimous yote, to receive Mr. Kena- day's excuse, when he informed the body that under the circumstances he would ''accept the situation," and devote himself to the work imposed upon him with whatever of ability lie possessed. On motion of H. R. Crosby, the following members were appointed to select an appropriate design for a badge and seal for the National Association, viz. : Gene- ral P. O. Hebert, Major A. J. Dallas, U. S. A., General James Tilton and H. R. Crosby. On motion of W. J. Mackey, of Pa., the proceedings of the Convention were ordered to be published in pamphlet form. On motion, a collection was taken up to defray the expenses. The Treasurer reported that $56.40 was received. On motion of Judge T. J. Mackey, of South Carolina, Colonel Wm. Linn Tid- ball, of New York, was appointed orator of the day for the next annual reunion. On motion of O. R. Smith, of N. C-, it was resolved, that the Vice-Presidents of the National Association are hereby authorized and requested to collect a suf- ficient sum from the several associations to defray the expenses incurred by the Convention. On motion, the Convention adjourned to 7 o'clock p. m., at which time it was T)roposed to induct the officers of the National Association into their respective offices, and for such other business as may come before the Convention. EVENING SESSION. The Convention reassembled at 7 o'clock, President Denver lu the chaii', anil A. M. Kenaday officiating as Secretary, OF \T5TERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 27 The question of place of meetino; for the next assemblage of delegates behig up for consideration, E. N. O. Clough named Leavenworth, Kansas, as a suitable place. General E. R. Biles, of Philadelphia, suggested the city of Baltimore. Dr. J. M. Todd, of Ohio, thought Washington City the most suitable place until the association had accomplished the desired legislation on the part of Congress. After wluch Messrs. Clough and Biles withdrew their recommendations, and Washingtoiu D. C-, was declared the unanimous choice of the Convention. Colonel J. II. Euddach, President of the Baltimore Association, assured the members that a warm reception would have awaited them at Baltimore had she been honored with their choice; but tliat they would come again to Washington with pleasure. Major Patrick Hart, of Richmond, Va., submitted by the way of inquiry, whether this Convention should acton the question of a Xational Convention on the oc- casion of the lOOth anniversary of the Nation's Birthday, July 4th, 1S7G. General G. Mason Graham, of Louisiana, suggested that the Xational Associa- tion could settle the matter at their meeting next year. The President, General J. W. Denver, then addressed the Convention as follows : Comrades : The work of the Convention has closed. It has done all that was expected of it, and I congratulate you on the success which has crowned your labors. In the discharge of the duties imixysed on me as the presiding oftlcer, I have endeavored to act with entire impartiality and fairness. If at any time 1 have failed to do so, or if at any time I have otfended any one in the slightest de- gree, I trust that it will be looked on with leniency and not be attributed to wil- fulness on my part. The position was an arduous one, and not sought for by me, but when it was conferred on me I did not shrink from it, and have discharged the duties imposed on me to the best of my abilities. The Convention has been a grand success, and I congratulate you on this au- spicious tx'ginning of what every well-wisher of his country must hope may have many renewals. I trust we may have many nu^etings hereafter, and that we may always meet, as on this occasion, with feelings of the kindliest and most fraternal atlections, eschewing every sentiment which is not commensurate with the whole extent of our common country- Returning j'ou my sincere thanks for the kindness and courtesy sliown me while acting as your presiding otlicer, I now declare the Xational Convention of Uki Survivors of the Mexieaii Wa,v adjourned sine die. 28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAI. CONVENTION INSTALLATION OF OFFICEES NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. Judge T. J. Mackey, of South Carolina ; General E. E. Biles, of Pennsylvania ; and Colonel J. H. Ruddach, of Maryland, escorted General George Cadwallader, President of the Association, to the platform, who addressed the members sub- stantially, as follows : Comrades : I cannot express the gratitude with wiiich the honor that you have bestowed upon me by selecting me to preside over your organization, has inspired me. For several yeaVs past, as many of you well know, I have led a life of retire- ment from public aflairs. I tJierefore did not seek, nor did I expect, the generous distinction with which you liave honored me. I have been very deeply moved by tlie incidents of this reunion, and the reflec- tion which naturally spring from it. Here I have seen long forgotten faces, and have had incidents long-forgotten recalled as one and another of my old comrades would ask me, "don't you remember this place and that," which the lapse of twenty-seven years liad caused to grow dim in m}' memory, bat which their eager questions quickly recalled to my mind. Here in this assemblage comrades in arms have stood side JDy side again after a parting of more than a quarter of a ce'itiuy. In that period of separation great events and mighty changes have taken place m our coiuitry. Yet those changes fuid us here all Americans to-day and uuitt-d in a common country. I have been profoundly impressed by the sentiments ut- tered here by our comrades of Mexico from the South, who subsequently fought in the Confederate army. Tiiey were brave soldiers, who followed doubtless Uunr honest convictions of duty, however mistaken those convictions may be regarded in the judgment of history. Let the soldiers of the Union always respond as they have done here in tlie same noble spirit. Foreign countries, indeed, I may say the whole world, have looked on with astonishment at the rapid reliabilltation of our country after the great convulsion through which it has but recently passed. The time is opportune for annihilating all lingering diMerences that may yet divide American citizens. And i" my juilgmentthe men who fought valiantly in the late war, on both sides, can, if they come together, better settle those diller- cnces in the true interest of our great republic than any set of mere politicians. There can be no better period than tlie present. Pi^aee and order prevail in our country; no dangers exist now, and none thivaten the future, and all true Amer- icans should be united in a common sentiment and etibrt for its perpetuation. I desu-e to say, in reference to one of the special objects of your meeting, that I sin- cerely hope that Congress will at once erase from the statute-books all laws which exclude from tlie pension rolls those veterans of tiie Mexican war and the war of 1812, who served since in the Confederate army. Again thankiug you, comrades, for the honor yon have done me, I can only add that 1 will make no i)romises, but will endeavor to perform all the duties that your kindness has devolved upon me. If 1 succeed in this as well as our gallant comrade, ((xeneral J. W. Denver,) who presided over your convention that organized this association, I know that you will be fully satistied. The other officers of the Association, heretofore enumerated, who were then present, were installed and proceeded to the transaction of business. The following resolution, introductid by General Milroy, of Oregon, elicited OF \^ETERANS OF THE MEXICAl^ WAR. 29 gome discussion, and was finally passed as an expression of opinion by the Asso- ciation, to wit : Resolved, That the Congress of the United States is most earnestly requested by tliis Association to repeal all laws which prohibit the payment of any pension money to any soldier of the Mexican War, the War of 1812, or other wars, who Berwd in the Confederate army. At 9.30 p. m. the Association adjourned to meet in Wasliington, D. C.,on tlie 22d of February, 1875. Following is the bill submitted to Congress, January 2G, 1874, by Genl. Jonx A. Logan, in the Senate, and Genl. James S. Negley, in the House : An Act granting Pensions to certain Soldiers and Sailors of the War of eighteen him- ' dred and forty-six with Mexico, and the Widows of deceased Soldiers and Sailors. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Tiiat the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to place on the p^nisjou roll tlie names of the sur- viving officers and enlisted men, including niilitia and volunteers, of the military and naval service of the UniKid States, who served sixty days in the \Var of eigh- teen hundred and forty-six with Mexico, and were honorably discharged, and to such other officers and soldiers as may have been personally named in any resolu- tion of Congress for any specilic service in said war, although their term of service may have been less than sixty days, and who shall subscribe an oath to support the Constituiion of the United States ; and the surviving widows of such officers and enlisted men : Provided, That such widows shall not have remarried. Sec. 2. A?id be it further enacted, That this act shall not apply to au}^ person who is receiving a pension at the rate of eight dollai-s or more per month ; nor to any person receiving a pension less than eight dollars per month, except for tiio dilVerence between tiie pension now received and eight dollars per month. Pen- sions under this act shall be at the rate of eight dollars per month, except as herein provided, when a person is receiving a pension of less than eight dollars per month, and shall be paid to the persons entitled thereto from and after the j)assage of this act, for and during the term of tiieir natural lives. Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That before the name of any person shall bo placed upon the pension roll under this act, proof shall be made, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe, that the appiicai t is entitled to a pension under tlie provisions of this act ; and any person who shall falsely take any oath required to be taken under the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of perjury; and the Secretary of the Interior shall cause to be stricken from the Pension lioll the nann' of any person whenever it shall appear, by proof s;xtisfactory to him, that such name was put upon such roll through false or fraud- ulent representations as to the right of such person to a pension under the pro- visions of this act- TIk^ loss of acertilicate of discharge shall not deprive the ap- plicant of the benellts of this act, but other proof of services performed and of uii honorable discharge, if satisfactory, shall be deemed sufficient. Sec. 4. And be it farther enact'ed, That the provisions of sections twelve and thirteen of an act entitled '* An act supplementary to * An act to grant pensions,.' '* approved July fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and of sections two, three and four of an act entitled '' An act supplemeiitary to several acts, relating to pensions," approved June sixth, eighteen himdred :uid sixty-six, shall be applica- ble to the pensions granted by this act, and no law now in existence, which in any waycontlicts with the provisions of this act, shall be applicable to the survivors of the war with ^lexico, above-mentioned, or be so construed as to deprive them of the benefits of this act. IMPOKTAISTT CIRCULAE TO SURVIVORS OF THE WAR WITH MEXICO. headquaiiteks national .a ssoctal ton Veterans of the Mexican War, Washi7igton, D. C, Ajjrll 4, 1874. Comrades : You are probably aware that an obstacle has been thvfenvn hi onr way to immediate success in obtaining pensions for surviving Veterans of the Mexican War; one which calls for prompt and energetic action on the part of aJl who feel an interest in the work inaugurated by the late National Convention, and especially of the officers of State and County organizations. The Hon. J. H. Baker, Commissioner of Pensions, in response to an inquiry by the Committee of Pensions of the House of Eepresentatives, is reported to have submitted an estimate of tlie probable number of survivors who would be entitled to receive pensions under the bill now before Congress, in which it is reckoned that out of the 73,200 total enlistments from the beginning to the close of the war of 1846-48, there are still living, in 1874, some 39,000— considerably more than one-half of the whole number ! It would be idle for us to argue the question with the Honorable Commissioner, or attempt to controvert the figures of his arithmeticians, who are said to base worked out this problem on the basis of mortality tables used by Life Insui-ance Companies in calculating the '"'' Expectation of Life," and other processes used iu the Census Bureau — applicable, perhaps, to the population of a vast country in judging of its decrease by natural mortality, but not to the case in point. We might, perhaps, (outside of official circles,) urge with some degree of plausibility that the casualties of that war diminished the force engaged in it materially ; and that the great prevalence of chronic diseases contracted ni the unhealthy tropics by unacclimated men who had escaped the dangers of the battle-field, sadly tliinned onr ranks during the thirteen years immediately following the Mexican cam- paign ; and also that in 1861, the martial spirit slumbering in the bosoms of most of those remaining, carried large numbers of them into the late civil war, where hardship and exposure to dangers and disease hurried to untimely graves so many younger and more robust men. But these arguments, easily comprehended by ourselves, who can count upon our fingers the number of our immediate companions in the Mexican war still living, would have little, if any, weight against the estimates of the Pension Bu- reau over the official signature of its chief functionary. Now, in the present humor of Congress in regard to the expenditure of public money, it would be thought next to madness to ask members to add unto the im- mense appropriations required to run the Pension Bureau, the enormous sum which Commissioner Baker thinks he will require to meet the demands of our bill ; and the only course left for us to pursue, in order to arrive at the approximate number of survivors, is to make a thorough canvass of every State and Territory of the Union, through the instrumentality of our town, county and State organizations, with the aid of our friends of the public press, (to whom we are already under lasting obligations) and enroll as soon as possible the name of every known survivor, or widow of a veteran of Mexico, the post office address, his rank, the company, regiment, commanding officer of each; term of service, when and where enhsted and discharged, and forward the same to the First Secre- retary of the National Association of Veterans of the Mexican War: (Address, A. M. Kenaday, Lock Box No. 37, Washington, D. C.,) to enable him to prepare the rolls for the inspection of the Hon. Committees of Congress before the close of the present session, if possible. In tliis way only can a reliable estimate be arrived at for an appropriation ; and it is confidently hoped, if our case is to be fairly considered and public sentiment regarded, that Congress will promptly vote an amount sufficient to cover the applications thus presented. : This plan has been submitted to General James S. Negley, who has charge of our bill in the House, and to General John A. Logan, in the Senate, both of whom approve and commend to prompt and energetic action an honest and com- plete enrollment of every survivor, not already on the Pension Rolls, (of whom 6,525 were admitted to the Pension Eolls prior to 1861,) and the widows of our deceased comrades, where known, as the only feasible method of testing the accu- racy of the Commissioner's calculations. By order: A. M. KENADAY, Is^ ^ecrejJar?/, ^c. PROCEEDINGS OB TUB ISTatioiial Association OF ^letcraufj of the J|^e.\ican fflar, Second Annual Reunion, TIELD IX THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, FKIUlTAliY 22 D AND 23d, 1875, COMPILED BY SECRETARY A. M. KENAOAY. W ASHING T O N : JOHN II. CUNNIXGIIAM, I'RINTER. 18 7 5. IMPOKTANT CIRCULAE TO SURVIVOKS OF THE WAR WITH MEXICO, headquaiiteks national assoctaiton Veterans of the Mexican War, Washington, D. C, April 4, 1874. Comrades : You are probably aware that an obstacle has been thivwn in our way to immediate success in obtaining pensions for surviving Veterans of the Mexican War; one which calls for prompt and energetic action on the part of all who feel an interest in the work inaugurated by the late N'ational Convention, and especially of the officers of State and County organizations. The Hon. J. H. Baker, Commissioner of Pensions, in response to an inquiry by the Committee of Pensions of the House of Representatives, is reported to have submitted an estimate of the probable number of survivors who would be entitled to receive pensions under the bill now before Congress, in which it is reckoned that out of the 73,200 total enlistments from the beginning to the close of the war of 1846-48, there are still living, in 1874, some 39,000 — considerably more than one-half of the whole number ! It Avould be idle for us to argue the question with the Honorable Commissioner, or attemi^t to controvert the figures of his arithmeticians, who are said to ha\e worked out this problem on the basis of mortality tables used by Life Insui-ance Companies in calculating the "Expectation of Life," and other processes used iu the Census Bureau — applicable, perhaps, to the population of a vast country in judging of its decrease by natural mortality, but not to the case in point. We might, perhaps, (outside of official circles,) urge with some degree of plausibility that the casualties of that war diminished the force engaged in it materially; and that the great prevalence of chronic diseases contracted in the unhealthy tropics by unacclimated men who had escaped the dangers of the battle-field, sadly tliinned onr ranks during the thirteen years immediately following the Mexican cam- paign ; and also that in 1861, the martial spirit slumbering in the bosoms of most of those remaining, carried large numbers of them into the late civil war, where hardship and exposure to dangers and disease hurried to untimely graves so many younger and more robust men. But these arguments, easily comprehended by ourselves, who can count upon our fingers the number of our immediate companions in the Mexican war still living, would have little, if any, weight against the estimates of the Pension Bu- reau over the official signature of its chief functionary. Now, in the present humor of Congress in regard to the expenditure of public money, it would be thought next to madness to ask members to add unto the im- mense appropriations required to run the Pension Bureau, the enormous sum which Commissioner Baker thinks he will require to meet the demands of our bill ; and the only course left for us to pursue, in order to arrive at the approximate number of survivors, is to make a thorough canvass of every State and Territory of the Union, through the instrumentality of our town, county and State organizations, with the aid of our friends of the public press, (to whom we are already under lasting obligations) and enroll as soon as possible the name of every known survivor, or widow of a veteran of Mexico, the post office address, his rank, the company, regiment, commanding officer of each; term of service, when and where enlisted and discharged, and forward the same to the First Secre- retary of the ISTational Association of Veterans of the Mexican War: (Address, A. M. Kenaday, Lock Box No. 37, Washington, D. C.,) to enable him to prepare the rolls for the inspection of the Hon. Committees of Congress before the close of the present session, if possible. In tliis way only can a reliable estimate be arrived at for an appropriation ; and it is confidently hoped, if our case is to be fairly considered and public sentiment regarded, that Congress will promptly vote an amount sufficient to cover the applications thus presented. . This plan has been submitted to General Jajmes S. Negley, who has charge of our bill in the House, and to General John A. Logan, in the Senate, both of whom approve and commend to prompt and energetic action an honest and com- plete enrollment of every survivor, not already on the Pension Rolls, (of whom 6,525 were admitted to the Pension Eolls prior to 1861,) and the widows of our deceased comrades, where known, as the only feasible method of testing the accu- racy of the Commissioner's calculations. By order: A. M. KENADAY, Is^ Secretary, ^c. PROCEEDINGS OF TUB IN^atioiial Association OF |ilcteranf; ofj the J|^e.\iian f|J Second Annual Reunion, IIKLD IN- THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. FKBRIAKY 22 n AND 2;jD, 1875, ar, COMPILED BY SECRETARY A. M. KENAPAY. WAS IIIXGTON: JOHN II. CUNNIXGIIAM, PRINTER. 18 7"). PKOCEEDINGS OF THE / ISTational -A^ssociation or 11 lateralis afi the ^Mexican iHan Second Annual Reunion, ^' HELD IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 22i) and 23d, 1875, CONTAINING ist of Delegates of 1874 and 187B ; Officers of the Association ; Reports of Officers and Connmittees ; Transactions of the Past Year; Re- port of the Pension Committee ; Interesting Correspond- ence Relative to the Dead in Mexico, &g. COMPILED BY SECRETARY A. M. KENADAY, WASHINGTON: RDER OF Business. 1. At the appointed time the President shall take the chair and call the meeting to order. 2. Boll call of officers. 3. Appointment of Committee on Credentials and their Report. 4. Minutes of the preceding meeting read and disposed of. 5. Motions for and Appointment of Committees. 6. Reports of Standing Committees. 7. Unfinished Business. 8. Final Keports of Committees and action thereon. 9. Oration. 10. New business. 11. Election of Officers for ensuing year. 12. Anything for the good of the Association. 13. Adjournment. iRIEF iBlSTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION. On the 20th of Februiiry, 1873, ii) iesix)iise to a call for a meetmg of Mexican Veterans in Washington, to consider the propriety of joining as a body in the in- augural ceremonies of President Grant, on the ensiuLng 4th of March, about twenty persons assembled. After agreeing to the proposition for which they had met, Mr. A. M. ICenaday, resident agent in ■Washington of the San Francisco Associated Veterans of the Mexican War, called attention of those present to the fact that tlie Scott Legion of Pittsburgh, Pa., had forwarded a petition to Con- gi-ess for a i>ension to the survivors of the Mexican "War, which had l)een presented by General Negley, representative from that district. Mr. Kenaday moved that a committee on organization be appointed to prepare a plan of action to eo- oixirate in the Pittsburgh project, which was adopted, and the mover of the reso- lution made chairman of the committee. On the loth of April an address was printed by the chairman to tlie resident sm-vivors of the Mexican War, appealing to their patriotic impulses to unite in an association, and combine their efforts to promote the welfare of their old comrades, which resulted in the organization of the •' Associated Veterans of 1846" of this city, by electing, on the 1st of May, ensuing, the following ofBcei*s : President^ . . . General J. W. Denver, -rr- D -J ^ / Major F. T. LAliLY, Vice Presidents, , . , j General D. H. Cooper, Secretary, . . .A. M. Kenaday, Treasurer^ . . . Colonel P. H. Aelabach, Marshal, .... Major H. A. White, (Hon. J. J. Martin, General Albert Pike, Captain S. N. HOYT. At the next meeting, on the loth of May, 1873, Secretary Kenaday offered the following resolution, which passed unanimously : Resolved, That an jn\'itation is hereby extended by this association to the veterans of the Mexican war throughout the country, now organized or hereafter to be enrolled in associations, to send two or more delegates, in person or by proxy, to a national convention to be held in. Washington City on January 1,5. 1874, to prepare a joint memorial to Congress for a pension to the survivors of the Mexican war, at the same rate allowed by the act of February 14, 1871, granting pensions to the soldiers and sailors of the war of 1812; also, to adopt measures loolnng to a National Brotherhood of the survivors, and a general assemblage on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the nation's birthday, at Philadelphia, July 4, 1876. Tfie Secretary was instructed to communicate the plan to the then existing organizations, and take all proper measures to spread the information abroad* Tlirough the liberality of the public press, the merits of the proposition were dis- cussed far and wide, and almost immediately organizations began to spring into existence under the call. On the 15th of January, 1874, the first National Convention assembled at WiL lard's Hall, in this city, and continued in session three days. Its proceedings w^-re published in pamphlet form during last sutl^me^, and distributed throughout 4 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION. the country, containing a list of the Delegates ; an oration by Hon J. S. Negley, of Pennsylvania; a poem, by Gen. Albert Pike, of Arkansas; the memorial of the Delegates to Congress for a pension to the survivors, and a bill for the proposed law ; the Constitution and By-I^aws of the National Association ; the names of the officers elected, together with a circular issued from Headquarters, calling upon sui-vivors to enroll in the National Register their names, post-office addi-ess, age and nativity, service in Mexico, names of company and regimental commanders, where and when enlisted and discharged, and whether they had received a land warrant (to indicate an honorable discharge.) A similar form of enrollment is attached to this book, to which the attention of those who have not complied is respectfully invited. The report (herein) of the First Secretary will show the result of the canvass. Those who desire a copy of the first proceedings can have the same mailed to their address by enclosing a twenty-five cent stamp to the Secretary, Lock Box 37, Washington, D. C, who has a limited number remaining on hand. ;^Jjfjiitciis 0f[ the ^"aliand |tss0^mti0tt* President J. W. DENVER, Washington, D. C. First Vice President . John Love, Indianapolis, Ind. Secretari/ A. M. Kenaday, liOck Box 37, Washington, D, C. Marshal Edwin R. Biles, Pliiladelphia, Pa. Financial Committee . S. P. IIetntzleman, (:Maj. Gen. U. S. A.,) S. V. Niles, Troasnrer, Washington, D. C, M. D. Montis, Washington, D. C- U. S. Army.— Chaa. Thomas, Bvt. Maj. Ccenl. U. S. A., V. P., Washingtou; Benj. Alvord, Pay- master Genl. U. S. A., C. of A., WaHhiueton, D. C. U. S. Navy.— W.M.Wood, Swg. Geul,, (retired,) V. P., Owings' Mills. Md.; Fabiua Stanley, Rear Admiral U. S. Navy, C. of A., WaHhing- t— W. J. Smith. Texas 1874— Andrew J. Dorn, S. B. Maxey. Albert Pike, Elias M. Greene. lS7a— G.H. Giddings, Elias M. Greene. YiKGiNiA 1874— Robert G. Scott. Patrick Hart, Robert Reid, M W. Strother, J. B. Laurens, John Poe, Wm.B. Taliaferro, R. W. Brown. B. D. Harman, Thomas B. Tombs, John Boucher, J. H. Whittlesey, M. D. Corse, F. H. Archer, James C. Taylor, L. M. Shumaker, J. Richard Llewellyn, John H. Cooke, Robert Pegram, P. A. Peterson, A. P. Bennet, P. D. Sutton, B. F. Winglield, C. H. Farrell, W. H. Pleasants, C. G. Morrill, J. B. Hogs- den, R. W. Brown, S. C. Curry, L. C. Leonard, C. R. Jones, Samuel Crawford, A. R. Shands, M. M. Anderson. 1876— B. D. Harman, P. Hart, Robert Reid, L. M. Shumaker, Thomas P. Mor- riss, Richard O'Dowd, M. D. Corse, Robert Dyer. The delegation of 187;") were renominated by the President of theState Association, Rob't G. Scott, but failed to arrive with the exception.^ above. Also the fol- lowing appointed by the Norfolk Association : J. F. Milligan, S. P. Quackenbush, V. S. N., George VV. Jennings. John D. Simms, B. F. Peddle, John Fullerton. West Virginia. 1874— G. A. Porterfidd, John Avis, N. N. Hoffman, J. C. Eriggs. 1875— N. N. Holl'man, M L. Dorn, Andrew R. Potts. Wisconsin 1874— A. A. Meredith, C. R. Johnson, Otis Hoyt. Wash. Ter 1874— Granville O. Haller. 187;") — James Tilton. U. S. Army 1874— General VV. T. Sherman, Major General Irvin McDowell, General Benja- min Alvord, General Thomas G. Pitcher, General Charles Thomas, Colonel Alex. Montgomery, Major T. J. Eckerson. 1875 — Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman. Major Genei-al Charles Thomas, Brig. Gen. Thonuis G. Pitcher, Brig. Gen. Benjamin Alvord, Col. Alexander Montgomery, Captain S. G. Greene. U.S. Navy" 1874— Surgeon G'^noral Wm. W. Wood, (retired.) Major A. J. Dallas, U. S. A., (Passed Midshipman, 1847,) J. W. Davis, (seaman.) LIST OF DELEGATES BY STATES, &C. U. S. Navy 1875— Rear Admiral Fabius Stanley, Major A, J. Dallas, U. S- A., J. W. Davis, \ (Rear Admiral Henry Wallce, appointed from New York; and Capt. S. P. Q,uackenbush,'with ex-Midshipman James F. MiUigan, from Norfolk, failed to arrive.) DiST. OF Col... 187 5— The Associated Veterans of 1846, of Washington, D. C, were, by resolu- tion of that body, made delegates to the Convention, as follows: ■^ President, J. W. Denver ; Vice Presidents, Foliet T. Lalley, Robert B. Mitchell ; Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Alexander M. Ken- aday ; Treasurer, Simpson P. Moses; Marshal, A. R. French; Trus- tees. J, J. Martin, Albert Pike, S. N. Hoyt. Comrades : Alonzo W. Adams, William Alexander, Benjamin Alvord, Peter H. Allabach, William Anderson, Edward Atkins, Willard Ayers, S. S. G. Barbour, Z. E. Barnes, Charles Becker, Constantine A. Blanchard, Michael B. Bowles, John Brannan, John G. Brayman, James Bremner, Thomas Bridges, Edward Byrne, Edward C. CWrington, John Carter, .Joshua Clark, Samuel Clark, Theodore Clifton, Douglas H.Cooper, Joseph B. Collins, Thomas Croggin, Henry R. Crosby, Howard M Cole, A. J. Dallas, J. W. Davis, Isaiah Dean, Wm. H. Degges, Addison Dent, J. A. Doyle, Dominic Dully, Thomas Dwyer, J. C Downer, T. J. Ecker- son, .Tames Ellis, Patrick H. English, Hamilton G. Fant, Charles W. Gordon, Patrick Gormley, Samuel M. Gouverneur, Theodore Gregg, Albert Gruber, R. J. Hays, H. B. Hensley, N. N. Hoffman, Sherman O. Houghton, Stephen Hoyt, A. J. Hurdle, S. P. Heiutzelman, Henry Ingle, David Jackson, S. W. Johnson, Thomas Joluison. Edward .To- hannes, Charles Kloman, .T. C. Kretschmar, Fred. A, Klopfer, .Joshua Lloyd, John H. Locke, Christopher Long, John T. Lynch, Edwai-d Lander, Joseph M. McCauley, .Irtmes McDonough, ivvin McDowell, George W. McLane, George McPherson, Robert F. Martin, Hugh Mas- terson, Scjuire G. Merrill, J. B. Merritt, Joseph Mollere, Mahlon D. Montis, Alexander Montgomery, Samuel Montgomery, John Myers, Thomas P. Morriss, Samuel V. Niles, Maurice O'Connor, Richard O'Dowd, Edward A. Paul, Thomas G. Pitcher, Samuel A. Pitts, Charles J). Pennebaker, G-eorge A. Porterfield, Bennett M. Reese, .John Roach, N. H. Robbins. Benjamin S. Roberts, George Roberts, Henry B. Robertson, Andrew Russell, H. J. Sargent, William Tecnm- seh Shei-man, H. H. Sibley, Daniel Smith, Theodore Sniffen, Stark B. Taj^lor, John H. Tliompson, John Thompson, John M. Thornton, Benjamin R. West, George F. White, H. A. White, Marcellus Wilson, John Wood— 122» PROCEEDINGS InT ^TXOIsr^I^ J^SSOOI^TIOIsr Veterans of the yVlEXicAN WAf\. FIRST DAY-MONDAY. Washington, D. C, February 22, 1875. At 12 o'clock, meridian, all the officers present of the National Association, elected at the nKn-ting of January 17, 1874, and the various delegations from abroad, convened at the 0|)era House, (popularly known as Willard's Hall,) which had been tastefully decorated by Col. P. H. ALlabach, chairman of the Hall Com- mittee, with retired regimental colors and battle tlags, belonging to the War De- partment, whicli had been kindly loaned by its officers for the occasion. Some of these sacred relics were in a good state of preservation, while others bore evidence of rough usage in the deadly contlicts through which they had passed, upheld bj brave hands. Tliey athnirably typitied the assemblage of veterans who had, afte^ a lapse of many years, again assembled beneath theii* folds, to deliberate on meas iires for the welfare of their old comrades. Some delay necessarily occurred in enrolling the names of delegates, the major ity of whom arrived in tlie city by the morning trains, but at 12:30 General J. W. Denver, First V^ice President, called the meeting to order, and announced that General George Cadwalader, the President of the National Association, had not yet arrived. By invitation, the Rev. H. A. Cleveland, pastor of the Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, opened the proceedings by invoking a blessing from the Supreme Being on tlie objects of the meeting. Vice President Denver then warmly welcomed tlie delegates to the city, and expressed his gratitication at seeing so many of those who had participated in the Convention a year ago again i)resent, proving their interest and earnestness in a cause which was based on patriotism and philanthrop3% and said he believed that their work, if guided by intelligence and supported by harmonious action, must lead to good results in the near future. He thVn direetee. And yet our old comrades, who were instru- mental in bringing about these great results, are apparently forgotten in the general distribution of favors by the Government. I am the last man to ciy out m opposition to the pensioned soldiers of the late war ; but while they have been well taken care of in past years— have lately been voted very large appropriations, nundreds of millions of dollars— yet we are here begging Congress to do us simple justice, and the only excuse they make is that ''there are too many of us !" One Senator, in high standing, says 'Sve received a land warrant,'* (worth from $80 to $120,) ''and that is enough !" I see some connades here, like myself, who have been three or foui or even more days from home, and who are anxious to get to business, and who don't care for sliow or notoriety, but wish to accomplish tlie tiling we were called together for. I see here Gov. Hebert, of New Orleans, Generals Lane and Love, from Indiana, Judge Mackcy, of South Carolina, Colonel Tidball, of New York, Gen. Heintzelman, Gen. Pitcher, Major Dallas, and Major Montgomery, of the regular army, and many other eminent gentlemen, whom I would like to hear from on this subject. [Applause.) Hon. T. J. Mackey, C. of A., South Carolina, was next called on. After re- turning thanks for the courtesy of calling on him to address the meeting, he referred to the "services of the Palmetto regiment in the Mexican war, and said the sur- vivors numbered only 47 out of 1,150 men, who left South Carolina for the war. He spoke of the pleasant relations existing between ex-Union and ex-Confederate soldiers in his State, and related an incident which occurred in South Carolina last spring, soon after the adjournment of our first Convention, where a number of ex-Confederates disinterred the remains of several Union soldiers, who had, dur- ing the war, been hastily buiied by the roadside and forgotten, reverentially escorting them to a military post cemetery, where they now repose with their comrades, and are carefully tended by appointed agents of the Government. This act of generous magnanimity had elicited the warmest encomiums, not only from the relatives of the deceased Union soldiers, but from many public men and offi- cials in the North who had heard of the incident. He referred to this fact with pride, and thought it would be the means of procuring a unity of sentiment among the American people, and make them dear to one another. The meetings of the National Association of Mexican Veterans would contribute to this coveted end. He was the only one present from his State out of six delegates elected to the Con- vention ; he was authorized to act fully for them, and closed by saying he would do all in his power for the promotion of the object aimed at. OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. ll At the conclusion of these addresses abetter state of feeling was apparent. Maj. W. J. Gary withdi-ew his motions in regard to appointment of commit- tees, &c. A dispatch from Col. D. S. Johnston, President Greorgia State Association, send- ing greetings was read. Also, letters from H. A. McGlenen, Boston ; Gren. G. Mason Graham, Alexandria, La.; Capt. James Spore, St. Louis, Mo.; Maj. F. D. Clark, New York ; E. W. Shands, Austin, Texas; S. W. Smith, Monmouth, 111.; Maj.C. H. Kettler, Belleville, Illinois ; Hon. C. K. Johnson, Black River FaUs, Wis.; J. Benj. Chandler, New Orleans; Col. J. T. Curtis, Troy, Ohio ; John H. Eagan, Forthuid, Oregon ; Capt. Robert G. Scott, Richmond. Va.; J. F. Milligan, Norfolk, Va.; Hon. Levi Woodhouse, Hartford, Conn.; Hon. T. W. Freelon, Santa Barbara, Cal.; Dr. C. De Montreville, St. Paul, Minn.; E. N. O. Clough, Leavenworth, Kansas; J. W. Van Guestitield, San Francisco, Cala.; Col. G. A. Portertield, Charlestown, W. Va., and others, all active friends of the cause. Col. Robert Klotz moved tliat a committee be appointed to audit the accounts of tlie Secretary and Treasurer, and to make a report to the Association. Adop- ted ; and Col. Klotz, Major A. J. Dallas, U. S. A., and M. D. :Montis, Esq., of Third Auditor's office, were appointed said committee. The connnittee appointed to wait upon the President of the United States now reported that his Ex. C, Association Belleville, III., do. Also, through various channels of information, returns have been rendered which are not suf- ficiently explicit in details for entry of the names in the National Register without further cor- rebpondence with each person named, to wit: Leavenworth, K , Association .')2 Arkansas, State, do. 21ft ('alifornia. do. 2tl4 Louisiana do. 238 ,M2.5 VMh Cong, dist., O. do. 44 117 West Virginia do. 17 lf)« Monmouth, 111., do. 137 Baltimore Asso'u, names only reported . 156 New York " " " . 38 Philadeljihia" " " . 42 Richmond " " " . .30 Norfolk " " " . 70 Jacksonville, Alabama . . . .30 Warsaw, Mis.^otrri 11 Oregon and Washington Territory . . rA Boston, Massachusetts . . " . . 80 Austin, Texas 306 Bonham, Texas 16 Memphis, Tennessee 66 Pontiac, Illinois 66 LouisvillH, Kentucky 7!) Virginia City, Nevada .... 26 Santa Barbara, California ... 14 Eureka, Nevada 11 St Louis, Missouri 66 St. Paul, Minnesota .... 70 Indiana State Association . . . 106 Wisconsin State Association . . I(t5 Reading, Pennsylvania .... 30 UEOAPITULATION. Complete for registry as members of the National Association .... 2,549 Eligible to membership on forwarding military record ...... l,5\2 Total of names and address ........ 4,061 The above includ-es survivors and widows, and all who were allowed by Congress a land warrant for service in Mexico. Very many of those whose names have been forwarded by sec- retaries have also personally forwarded their record of services; but the exact number thus duplicated cannot be arrived at without great labor, which I have not had time to bestow upon that point on account of a multitude of other duties connected with my position (some idea of the extent of which may be inferred from the distribution of the large edition of circulars and pamphlets, besides receiving and t;iking more or less action upon nearly 3,000 letters during the year, occupying all the time I could spare from my daily avocation.) I think I may hazard the assertion that S.-OOO, in round numbers, will cover all the names now in my possession. Without jiresuming to express an opinion of my own as to the number of survivors, I re- spectfully invite attention to the following extract from a letter of General George W. Morgan, who commanded the 13th Army Corps in the late war, and who was brevetted a brigadier gen- eral in the regular army during the war with Mexico. His letter was read at the Ohio State Convention, held at Dayton on the 15th of December, and I regret that space will not permit me to incorporate the whole of this distinguished oflS- cers remarks in my report. He says : "After the maturest relleclion, it is my conviction, comrades, that of the men who served with us on the fields of Mexico, less than six thousand are alive to-day. There were battles, such as Buena Vista, Churubusco, and Molino del Rey, (the bloodiest of them all,) where, of tlie actual force engaged, of some of the regiments, more than one-third were stretched dead, or wounded on the ground. Thousands perished v/ith arms in their hands ; many more thous- ands were buried from the hospitals, and a still greater number lingered and died after reach- ing their homes, from diseases contracted in that far off land. * * * Of the field ofhi-ers of the 2d Ohio, two of the »hreO, and of the 15th regulars, three of the four are dead. Of two full companies sent from Knox county only eight survivors are known, and it is probable that the same proi)ortion will hold good as to all the troops sent from this State, and it may be asserted with safety that not more than eight out of every hundred of the army of Mexico are now alive " In a subsequent leKer, dated December IS, General Morgan reiterates the opinion that of those who actually served in Mexico not more than 6,0(»0 are alive to-day. Colonel Ferris Foreman, who commanded the .3d Illinois in Mexico, wrote to Secretary S. W. Smiih, of the Illinois State Association, as early in the canvass as May last, as follows : "Of the compiiuy raised by me in Fayette county, after a pretty thorough investigation, 1 lind hut tifieen now surviving ; no field offif^ers except mj'self, and but one surviving 2d lieu- tenant. Tins comjiany was the largest in numbers from this State, as was the regiment, the oompanv iium»)ering lb.') men. Taking this number as a standard for the 3d regiment, commanded by me, (and 1 believe it to be a fair average,) there is now surviving one-seventh ; or, say 125 men out of. say it.'.(i men. The mortality among the officers, from information, has been greater than that of the in.'u Then, if my estimate for my own regiment be a fair average for the whole number of enlisted men, (73,260,) would leave of the whole number of survivors, 10,466." Secretary S. W. Smith, of Monmouth, III., an intelligent and zealous worker m the cause, report* as lollowu s 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THEE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION * * * "Let us take Illinois for an example. It furnished six regiaumu; oi iuii.., and several independent mounted companies. If the reports we receive are con-ect, and vv • .. not doubt them, there are to-diy only aboat 750 men livin? of the 6,000." I cannot, however, agree with Secr?tary Sm'h that the hardy volunteers of Dlinois, most of whom served but one year, alford a fair criterion by which to estimate the survivors of reg- iments sei'ving throughout the war— an important fact to be taken into consideration. A letter from Thomas C. Scott, of Walton, Iowa, who appears to be the only one of all ray correspondents now living on the bounty land given him by the Government, remarks : "There were 100 at the reunion m this State last fall, mostly old men with broken-down constitutions. Please recollect that we got only seven _ar eight dollars a month, and very few had much money when thoy were mustered out, and they were obliged to sell their discharges to sharpers and land sharks, for from forty to sixty-five dollars each." This is a fact which nearly every soldier can verify by personal experience. The letters received from all parts of the Union are cumulative on the question of the num- ber of survivors, and I do not deem it important to burden this report with add'-ioual quota- tion. Perhaps a much greater proportion of deaths have occurn-ed in the Sou..hern States, whence a majority of the troops serving in Mexico were enlisted. Many of the communications I have received are calculated to excite emotions of pity in the hardest heart, and I am loth to believe that the country will begrudge to the survivors, even if three times the estimated num- ber were living, the small pittance asked for the balance of their days, when the results of the war to the wealth and greatness of the nation are coiisidered. Respectfully submitted, ALEXANDER M. KENADAY. First Secretary N. A. V. M. W. The action taken by the other branch of Congress in our affairs, is shown by the following extract" from the Senate proceedings, published in the Record of February 2, 1875. the remarks of Senator Pratt being called out by his presenta- tion of tlie Joint Resolution of the Indiana Legislature on the subject of granting pensions to the survivors of the army in Mexico : Mr. Pratt. The question of granting pensions to the surviving soldiers of the Mexican war has been before the country for some time, extensively discussed by the newspaper press throughout the country. It will be remembered that a convention was held in this city a year ago, at which resolutions addressed to Congress on this subject were adopted, and numerous conventions have been held in the several States. Anticipating that this subject would come before Congress at its present session. I addressed a letter early in January to the Commis- sioner of Pensions, for the purpose of obtaining from him information on the following points : First, as to the number who served in that war, both of soldiers and sailors ; second, an estimate of the probable number of survivors : third, an estimate of the probable number of widows of soldiers who served in that war. I have the answer of the Commissioner before me, dated January 6, of this year; and for the information of the Senate and of the comitry, I ask that this letter may be read by the Clerk at the present time. In this connection I wish to guard against any implication that the Committee on Pensions of this body have expressed any opinion on the subject. It has been before the committee and discussed several times, but they have not come to any resolution yet. The Vice President. The letter will be read. The Chief Clerk read as follows ; "Department of the Interior, Pension Office, " Washington, D. CJamiary 6, 1875. " SiK : I have the honor to aclmowledge the receipt of your letter of the .5th inst., requesting Information touching service, &c., in the war with Mexico, and to answer as follows : "1. ' As to the number who served in that war :' Soldiers, 73,266 ; sailors, 5,89.3 : total, 79,159. " 2. ' An estimate of the probable number of survivors : ' In February, 1874, an estimate was made by which it appeared at that time there were 39,660 survivors. From this number a 'Jeduction of probably 10 per cent, should be made to determine the number who may survive at this time, namely : 39,560—3,956=35,604. "3. ' An estimate of the probable number of Widows:' In the former estimate, above re- ferred to the number of widows was fixed at 14,000. Alike allowance for death in this class should be made: 14,000—1,400=12,600. " It is proper in this connection to repeat that these estimates, although made from the best attainable data, and after careful consideration, yet they cannot be relied upon as correct. The results are attained principally through comparison with the experience of the ofSce in acts re- lating to other wars ; but the conditions are not sufficiently analogous to justify entire reliance in them. They are believed to be approximately correct, yet a variance of a considerable amount would not occasion surprise. " Very respectfully, JOS. LOCKEY, ^^ Acting Commissioner. "Hon. D. D. Pratt, " Chairman Committee on Pensions, United States Senate.^* It now appeared evident that favorable action would not be obtained from the present Congress unless the Convention announced to meet on the 22d of Febru- ary could bring to bear an influence that we did not possess here in Washington, and our local association used every effort in their very limited means to bring you together. No pains were spared, however, to induce the House Committee to make a favorable report before your arrival. The all-absorbing questions that OF VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 15 occupied the attention of the House night and day, however, pi-evented a meeting of the Committee sooner than the 18th of February, when Mr. Small, of New Hampshii-e, submitted the following report, as expressing the views of the majority of the Committee, (viz : Messrs. Wm. B. Small, of Xew Hampshire; Alex. S. Wallace, of South Carolina; Henry W. Barry, of Mississippi; C. Y. Thomas, of Viiicinia; and J. D. Strawbridge, of Pennsylvania.) The report is No. 247, of 1875, to accompany bill H. R. No. 577, and was submitted to the House February 18, and referred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and or- dered to be printed : REPORT OF THE MAJORITY. The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom was referred House bill 577, being a bill granting: pensions to certain soldiers and sailors of the war with Mexico, and the widows of do- ceased soldiers, having considered the same, report (but not unanimously) adversely, and ask to be discharged from further consideration of said bill. The views of the minority will be presented to the House. VIEWS OF THE MINORITY. The minority of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom were referred the memorial of the National Convention of Mexican War Survivors, who assembled in Washington City on the loth of January, 1874, asking to be placed on the jjension-rolls, and also bill H. R. 577, granting pensions to the survivors of the Mexican war, have had the subject under con- sideration, and submit the following report as their views : The Federal Government early adopted the policy of rewarding its soldiers and sailors who periled their lives in the military and naval service to save the life of the republic with dona- tions out of the public domain as well as by moneyed pensions. This policy has been steadily adhered to as wise, just, and humane. The soldiers and sailors of the Mexican war of 1S46 and 1848 sufferred incredible hardships under a tropical sun and in a malarious climate, and by endurance, valor, and indomitable energy vanquislied their foes and brought victory to our arms in a manner so glorious as to de- serve at the hands of the country the recognition prayed for in their memorial. The fruits of the Mexican war resulted in adding an immense area of rich territory to cur public domain, out of which new States have been carved and others are yet to be added, be- sides a mineral wealth that has not only given great impetus to, but has enlarged and diversi fled the industry and commerce of the western continent. Tlie war commenced in the spring of 1846, and our soldiers were disbanded in July, 1848 Thus, in about two years our troops marched into an enemy's country of vast extent, lying more than a thousand miles from the center of our population, containing eight millions people, subdued them, and dictated their own terms of peace. What did we gain by that war? The great State of Texas was involved. The Mexicans claimed all that vast territor_v. This peace enabled us to establish her present lines, and sever her forever from that domination. By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of February 2, 1848, and the Gadsden purchase of December, 1853, Mexico ceded to the United States the territory now covered by the States of California, Nevada, part of Nebraska, also all cjaini to the terri- tory covered by the State of Texas, and by the Territories of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, by portions of the Territories of Wyoming and Colorado, and by the unorganized territory lying west of the Indian Territory, embracing in all abotxt 937,875 square miles. This vast area contained more territory than all the organized States of the Union did at the time of its acqui- sition. To form some estimate of its richness iind fertility, its value and commercial import- ance, we have but to examine its statistics for the past few years. The entire population of the newly acquired territory in ISrx) only numbered 406,657 inhabitants, and in 1870 had increased to 1,772,060 persons. The total wealth in 1850 was $81,062,899 dollars ; but in 1870 it had swelled to $965,622,071. But so rapidly have the population and wealth increased within the past few years that at least one-fifth may be added to these figures for the years since the taking of the census, which will give us over two million inhabitants, and about $1,200,0