132
��HISTOKY OF OHia
��-^
��population, are the chief events from 1841 to the jNIexicau war. Hard times occurred about as often as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with
��an insane idea that something could be had for nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated, ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few
lessons.
��CHAPTER XII.
MEXICAN WAR— CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION— OHIO'S
PART IN THE CONFLICT.
��THE Mexican War grew out of the question of the annexation of Texas, then a province of Mexico, whose territory extended to the Indian Territory on the north, and on up to the Oregon Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been settled largely by Americans, who saw the condi- tion of affairs that would inevitably ensue did the country remain under Mexican rule. They first took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the country to itself.
The Whig party and many others opposed this, chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave territory. But to no avail. The war came on, Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April 20, 184G, to May 30, 1848. Fifty thousand vol- unteers were called for the war by the Congress, and $10,000,000 placed at the disposal of the President, James K. Polk, to sustain the army and prosecute the war.
The part that Ohio took in the war may be briefly summed up as follows : She had five vol- unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth Infimtry, and several independent companies, with her full proportion among the regulars. When war was declared, it was something of a crusade to many ; full of romance to others ; hence, many more were offered than could be received. It was a campaign of romance to some, yet one of reality, ending in death, to many.
When the first call for troops came, the First, Second and Third Regiments of infantry responded at once. Alexander Mitchell was made Colonel of the First; John D. Wellerits Lieutenant Colonel ;
and Giddings, of Dayton, its Major. Thomas
Hanna, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio, started with the First as its Major, but, before the regi- ment left the State, he was made a Brigadier General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon- terey, distinguished himself; and there contracted
��disease and laid down his life. The regiment's Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterey, came home, removed to Minnesota, and there died. Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the close of the war. He was a representative from that State in the halls of Congress, and, at last, died in New Orleans.
The Second Regiment was commanded by Col. George W. Morgan, now of Mount Vernon ; Lieut. Col. William Irwin, of Lancaster, and Maj. Will- iam Wall. After the war closed, Irwin settled in Texas, and remained there till he died.. Wall lived out his days in Ohio. The regiment was never in active field service, but was a credit to the State.
The officers of the Third Regiment were. Col. Samuel Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. W. McCook and Maj. John Love. The first two are now dead ; the Major lives in Connellsville.
At the close of the first year of the war, these regiments (First, Second and Third) were mustered out of service, as their term of enlistment had expired.
When the second year of the war began, the call for more troops on the part of the Government induced the Second Ohio Infantry to re-organize, and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the former organization, was chosen Colonel; William Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and
Link, of Circleville, Major. All of them
are now dead.
The regular army was increased by eight Ohio regiments of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and the Voltigeurs — light-armed soldiers. In the Fif- teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there were five Ohio companies. The others were three from Michigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col. Morgan, of the old Second, was made Colonel of the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an old artillery officer in the regular army. Lieutenant Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth
��s^ C
��:f-
�� �
