1st Regiment of New York Volunteers
Encyclopedia
1st Regiment of New York Volunteers, for service in California and during the war with Mexico, was raised in 1846 during the Mexican American War by Jonathan D. Stevenson
. Accepted by the United States
Army on August 1846 the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers was transported around Cape Horn
to California
where it served as garrison
s in Montery, Santa Barbara
, Los Angeles
and San Diego. Elements of the Volunteers under Lieutenant Colonel
Henry Stanton Burton
were involved in operations of the Pacific Coast Campaign
in Baja California
, captured and garrisoned towns there, fighting in the Battle of La Paz
, Siege of La Paz
and defeated local forces at the Skirmish of Todos Santos after the peace was negotiated in 1848. The Regiment was then evacuated from Baja California and disbanded in California on August, September and October 1848.
by New York State Legislator Jonathan D. Stevenson
. Secretary of War William L. Marcy
directed Stevenson that the regiment should be composed of unmarried men, of good habits and varied pursuits, and such as would be likely to remain in California or adjoining territory at the close of the war.
The New York Legion departed New York 27 September 1846 aboard five ships, including the Susan Drew, LooChoo, and Thos H Perkins. Arriving in San Francisco 19 March 1847 companies D, E, G, and I were transported by store ship to the California Capital Monterey. From this post companies of the regiment were deployed by ship to lower California where they participated in the battles of La Paz
, and the final sirmish of Todos Santos. It is said of Co. D "This Company was without doubt the last command of American troops to leave the soil of Mexico after the close of the Mexican War." During the regiments tour of service in California portions of the regiment were dispatched throughout California in search of Indian horse-thieves. Much of the 1st NY was disbanded in early 1848.
Commonly referred to in New York as the California Guard or the California Regiment.
Since the 7th NY was composed of infantry, calvary, and artillery the regiment was also called the New York Legion.
Finally re-designated in early 1848 by the War Department as the 1st Regiment New York Volunteers, for service in California and during the war with Mexico, now also called the 1st New York Legion.
However, this fact was not well known outside of California and thus another regiment formed in New York by Colonel Ward B. Burnett served in Mexico as the 1st Regiment New York Volunteers during the war but was re-designated by the War Department as the 2nd Regiment of New York Volunteers, for during the war with Mexico.
Jonathan D. Stevenson
Jonathan Drake Stevenson was born in New York; won a seat in the New York State Assembly ; was the commanding officer of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers during the Mexican-American War in California; entered California mining and real estate businesses; and died in San Francisco on...
. Accepted by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army on August 1846 the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers was transported around Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where it served as garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
s in Montery, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and San Diego. Elements of the Volunteers under Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Henry Stanton Burton
Henry Stanton Burton
Henry Stanton Burton was a graduate of West Point, a career American Army officer who served in the Second Seminole War, Mexican American War and the American Civil War.- Early life :...
were involved in operations of the Pacific Coast Campaign
Pacific Coast Campaign
The Pacific Coast Campaign refers to United States naval operations against targets along Mexico's Pacific Coast during the Mexican-American War. It excludes engagements of the California Campaign in Alta California. The objective of the campaign was to capture Mazatlan, a major Mexican seaport...
in Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, captured and garrisoned towns there, fighting in the Battle of La Paz
Battle of La Paz
The Battle of La Paz was an engagement of the Pacific Coast Campaign during the Mexican-American War. The belligerents were United States Army troops against Mexican militia, commanded by Mexican Army officers...
, Siege of La Paz
Siege of La Paz
The Siege of La Paz was a Mexican siege of their own city of La Paz in Baja California Sur. Mexican militia forces attempted to destroy the United States Army garrison, occupying the peninsular town...
and defeated local forces at the Skirmish of Todos Santos after the peace was negotiated in 1848. The Regiment was then evacuated from Baja California and disbanded in California on August, September and October 1848.
History
Originally formed as the 7th Regiment of New York Volunteers upon the request of President James K. PolkJames K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
by New York State Legislator Jonathan D. Stevenson
Jonathan D. Stevenson
Jonathan Drake Stevenson was born in New York; won a seat in the New York State Assembly ; was the commanding officer of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers during the Mexican-American War in California; entered California mining and real estate businesses; and died in San Francisco on...
. Secretary of War William L. Marcy
William L. Marcy
William Learned Marcy was an American statesman, who served as U.S. Senator and the 11th Governor of New York, and as the U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of State.-Early life:...
directed Stevenson that the regiment should be composed of unmarried men, of good habits and varied pursuits, and such as would be likely to remain in California or adjoining territory at the close of the war.
The New York Legion departed New York 27 September 1846 aboard five ships, including the Susan Drew, LooChoo, and Thos H Perkins. Arriving in San Francisco 19 March 1847 companies D, E, G, and I were transported by store ship to the California Capital Monterey. From this post companies of the regiment were deployed by ship to lower California where they participated in the battles of La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, and the final sirmish of Todos Santos. It is said of Co. D "This Company was without doubt the last command of American troops to leave the soil of Mexico after the close of the Mexican War." During the regiments tour of service in California portions of the regiment were dispatched throughout California in search of Indian horse-thieves. Much of the 1st NY was disbanded in early 1848.
Many names
Formed as the 7th Regiment New York VolunteersCommonly referred to in New York as the California Guard or the California Regiment.
Since the 7th NY was composed of infantry, calvary, and artillery the regiment was also called the New York Legion.
Finally re-designated in early 1848 by the War Department as the 1st Regiment New York Volunteers, for service in California and during the war with Mexico, now also called the 1st New York Legion.
However, this fact was not well known outside of California and thus another regiment formed in New York by Colonel Ward B. Burnett served in Mexico as the 1st Regiment New York Volunteers during the war but was re-designated by the War Department as the 2nd Regiment of New York Volunteers, for during the war with Mexico.
Field officers
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Jonathan D. StevensonJonathan D. StevensonJonathan Drake Stevenson was born in New York; won a seat in the New York State Assembly ; was the commanding officer of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers during the Mexican-American War in California; entered California mining and real estate businesses; and died in San Francisco on... - Lt. Colonel Henry S. Burton, (1st Lt. U.S. 3rd Artillery Regiment)
- MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
James A. HardieJames Allen HardieJames Allen Hardie was an American soldier, serving in a number of important administrative positions in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
(2nd Lt., U.S. 3rd Artillery Regiment
Staff officers
- Surgeon, Alexander Perry.
- Asst. Surgeon, Robert Murray.
- Asst. Surgeon, William C. Parker.
- Captain William G. Marcy, Commissary.
- AdjutantAdjutantAdjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
s- First LieutenantFirst LieutenantFirst lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
Henry C. Matsell. (Relinquished staff position to command his Company B, March 1847.) - First Lieutenant John C. Bonnycastle, (From March 22, 1847; appointed to U.S. 4th Infantry RegimentU.S. 4th Infantry RegimentThe U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. It has served the United States for approximately two hundred years.-Origins:...
June 1848.) - Captain Joseph L. FolsomJoseph Libbey FolsomJoseph Libbey Folsom was a U.S. Army officer and real estate investor in the early days of California's statehood. He is the founder of what is now Folsom, California...
, Asst. Quartermaster.
- First Lieutenant
Non-commissioned staff
- Sergeant-Major, Alexander C. McDonald.
- Quarter-master Sergeant, Stephen Harris.
- Quarter-master Sergeant, George G. BeltGeorge Gordon BeltGeorge Gordon Belt , soldier, 49er, businessman, judge, Confederate sympathizer who organized the Mason Henry Gang in California during the American Civil War.-Early Life and California:...
. - Quarter-master Sergeant, James C. Low.
Company A
- Captain, Seymour G. Steele.
- First LieutenantFirst LieutenantFirst lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
, George S. Penrose. Acting commissary and quartermaster. - Second LieutenantSecond LieutenantSecond lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
, Charles Benjamin Young - Second Lieutenant, George Francis Lemon, (Post Adjutant)
- Sergeant, Sherman O. Houghton.
- Sergeant, Walter Chipman.
- Sergeant, Edward Irwin.
Company B
- Captain, James M. Turner (did not go to California)
- First Lieutenant, Henry C. Matsell, (Former Adjutant, commanded Company B from March 1847.)
- Second Lieutenant, Thomas E. Ketchum
- Second Lieutenant, E. Gould Buffum
- Sergeant, James Stayton
- Sergeant, Charles C. Scott.
- Sergeant, John Wilt.
- Sergeant, Charles Richardson.
- Sergeant, James D. Denniston.
Company C
- Captain, John E. Brackett (former 2nd Lt. U.S. 2nd Artillery Regiment)
- First Lieutenant, William R. Tremells, (Acting adjutant—died at sea off Cape Horn.)
- First Lieutenant, Thomas J. Roach.
- Second Lieutenant, Theron R. PerleeTheron R. PerleeTheron R. Perlee or Per Lee, , lawyer, soldier, 49er, politician and judge in the territory and early state of California.Theron R. Perlee was born in Chenango County, New York. He studied law before he enlisted as a Lieutenant in Company C of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers that came to...
. - Second Lieutenant, Charles C. Anderson, (died at San Francisco September 13, 1847).
- Second Lieutenant, George D. Brewerton, (Appointed to U.S. 1st Infantry RegimentU.S. 1st Infantry RegimentThe 1st Infantry Regiment draws its lineage from a distinguished line of post Revolutionary War Infantry Regiments and is credited with thirty-nine campaign streamers....
. - Sergeant, Edmund P. Crosby.
- Sergeant, William Johnson.
- Sergeant, George Robinson.
Company D
- Captain, Henry M. NagleeHenry Morris NagleeHenry Morris Naglee was a civil engineer, banker, vintner, and a Union General in the American Civil War. Naglee was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1835....
(former 2nd Lt. U.S. 5th Infantry Regiment) - First Lieutenant, George A. Pendleton.
- Second Lieutenant, Hiram W. Theall.
- Second Lieutenant, Joseph C. Morehead.
- Sergeant, Aaron Lyons.
- Sergeant, William Roach.
- Sergeant, Henry J. Wilson.
Company E
- Captain, Nelson Taylor.
- First Lieutenant, Edwards Williams.
- Second Lieutenant, William E. Cuttrell.
- Second Lieutenant, Thomas L. Vermeule.
- Sergeant, John M. O’Neil.
- Sergeant, Henry S. Morton.
- Sergeant, James Maneis.
- Sergeant, Abraham Van Riper.
Company F
- Captain, Francis J. LippittFrancis J. LippittFrancis J. Lippitt, a lawyer and veteran of the Mexican American War and Colonel and Brigadier General in the American Civil War.-Early Life:He was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1812...
. - First Lieutenant, Henry Storrow Carnes.
- Second Lieutenant, William H. Weirick.
- Second Lieutenant, John M. Huddart.
- Sergeant, James Queen.
- Sergeant, Thomas Hipwood.
- Sergeant, James Mulvey.
- Sergeant, John C. Pulis.
Company G
- Captain, Matthew R. Stevenson (2nd Lt. U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment)
- Second Lieutenant, John McHenry Hollingsworth. (May 1847)
- Second Lieutenant, Jeremiah Sherwood.
- Second Lieutenant, William H. Smith.
- Sergeant, Walter Taylor.
- Sergeant, William B. Travers.
- Sergeant, James Mehan.
- Sergeant, John Connell.
- Sergeant, George Jackson.
Company H
- Captain, John B. Frisbie.
- First Lieutenant, Edward GilbertEdward GilbertEdward Gilbert was a Democratic California Politician. He was elected in November 1849 at-large as one of California's first two Representatives in the 31st Congress he was seated on September 11, 1850 and served until March 3, 1851. A newspaper editor after his service in Congress, he was killed...
, (Acting adjutant) - Second Lieutenant, John S. Day.
- Sergeant, Eleazer Frisbie.
- Sergeant, William Grow.
- Sergeant, Henry A. Schoolcraft.
- Sergeant, James Winne.
Company J
- Captain, William E. Shannon.
- First Lieutenant, Henry Magee.
- Second Lieutenant, Palmer B. Hewlett.
- Sergeant, Joseph Evans.
- Sergeant, Joshua S. Vincent.
- Sergeant, B. Logan.
Company K
- Captain, Kimball H. Dimmick.
- First Lieutenant, George C. Hubbard.
- Second Lieutenant, John S. Norris.
- Second Lieutenant, Roderick M. Morrison.
- Sergeant, Jackson Sellers.
See also
- List of U. S. Army, Navy and Volunteer units in the Mexican American War
- Jack PowersJack PowersJack Powers was an Irish-American gambler, outlaw, highway-robber, gang leader, and murderer in southern and central California during the Gold Rush era...