Lawrence Berry Washington
Mexican War 1846-1848, Part I
Continued from Attorney and Counselor at Law
Continued from Attorney and Counselor at Law
Texas gained its independence from Mexico and became a republic in 1836. The U. S. had declined to annex Texas largely because northern political interests were against the addition of a new slave state. The Mexican government disputed the sovereignty of Texas independence and was encouraging border raids into Texas. The political climate in the U. S. reversed with the election of James K. Polk as President in 1844. A firm believer in “Manifest Destiny”, Polk’s campaign promise that Texas be annexed was fulfilled. He believed that the Oregon Territory should be re-occupied. He also believed that California and New Mexico and the rest of what today is the U.S. Southwest should be part of the United States. When Mexico rejected Polk’s offer to purchase these lands, U. S. troops were moved into a disputed zone between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River in Texas. On April 25, 1846, U. S. soldiers in the disputed zone under the command of General Zachary Taylor were attacked by Mexican cavalry. President Polk seized the opportunity, fanning the flames of the armed dispute; additional battles ensued with the Mexicans defeated by superior rifles and artillery. Congress declared war on May 13, 1846.
In November 18, 1846, when Governor William Smith of Virginia appealed for volunteer companies for the War with Mexico, Lawrence Berry Washington readily volunteered, enlisting at Jefferson County December 6, 1846. [i] He felt this was his opportunity to become a part of the U. S. military, a dream he had harbored since a youth when he applied for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy.
The Virginia Governor and a Board of Appointment selected the field officers for the Virginia regiment. The regimental officers selected and duly commissioned were John Francis Hamtramck, of Jefferson County as colonel; Thomas Beverly Randolph, Warren County, as lieutenant colonel; and Jubal A. Early, Franklin County, as major. All of these officers were West Point graduates, who had seen active service. Colonel Hamtramck arrived in Richmond on December 30, and by January 7, 1847, Randolph and Early were there. [ii]
The Virginia Governor and a Board of Appointment selected the field officers for the Virginia regiment. The regimental officers selected and duly commissioned were John Francis Hamtramck, of Jefferson County as colonel; Thomas Beverly Randolph, Warren County, as lieutenant colonel; and Jubal A. Early, Franklin County, as major. All of these officers were West Point graduates, who had seen active service. Colonel Hamtramck arrived in Richmond on December 30, and by January 7, 1847, Randolph and Early were there. [ii]
An election was held under the direction of Colonel Francis Yates, of the 55th regiment for the commissioned officers of the First Virginia Company. John W. Rowan was elected Captain to command the Jefferson Co. company of volunteers, to become known as "K" Company, with Captain, John Avis, Jr., First Lieutenant, Lawrence B. Washington, first Second Lieutenant, William McCormack, second Second Lieutenant. The muster roll included 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 fifer, 1 drummer and 66 privates. [iii], [iv], [v], [vi]
January 4, 1847 the Jefferson Co. volunteers of K Company, received a sendoff from a large gathering of citizens at the courthouse at Charlestown. After speeches by dignitaries they boarded a train for Harper's Ferry, Virginia where they transferred to packet boats and traveled down the C&O Canal to Georgetown. From Georgetown the company made its way to Richmond arriving there on January 6, 1847. [vii] At Richmond, the company was joined by volunteer companies from other counties of Virginia, among them, the Berkeley Company, Staunton Company, Petersburg Company, and the Portsmouth Company. Major Jubal Early succeeded, by great exertion, to enroll 55 names at Lynchburg.[viii] Upon arrival in Richmond, Rowan's company with others was assembled at the house of Governor William Smith to be introduced to a crowd of enthusiastic well-wishers and to hear complimentary and patriotic speeches State Senator John S. Gallaher and Governor Smith. After being welcomed, the Richmond Enquirer noted that Second Lieutenant Lawrence Washington was wearing a sword, one carried by his illustrious relative. The Enquirer ran the following beneath the article on the welcoming celebration at Richmond. [ix]
“We understand that Lieut. Washington wears at his side the sword of his idolized ancestor, ‘the Father of his country.’ This precious relic will in itself be potent enough to rally every member of the Virginia Regiment to the noblest and most generous deeds.”
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This article attracted national attention and was picked and reprinted by numerous newspapers, including The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) and The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland). We may surmise that Lieut. Washington, by displaying at his side the sword of the George Washington, was not reticent about his relationship to the famous General. [x], [xi] [Lieut. Washington was a great-grandnephew of the General.]
On January 3, 1847 four companies of the Virginia regiment had boarded a steamer for "Old Point Comfort" at Fort Monroe, Virginia, the final assembly point for embarkation to Mexico. [xii] The conditions at Fort Monroe were were less than ideal. Sleeping quarters were insufficient, there was a lack of adequate drinking water, shortages of food. and other supplies. Disease became a problem. Because of the poor conditions at Fort Monroe, Company K and four other companies were quartered in the Union Hotel in Richmond; these companies were to become known as the second battalion of the Virginia Regiment. [xiii] It was thought the companies would depart for Mexico within a week however, passage to Fort Monroe and embarkation to Mexico was delayed by the lack of clothing for the volunteers. Governor Smith had undertaken to have uniforms of good materials purchased and made. Agents were sent to Philadelphia where they purchased gray blankets, dark blue Dragoon cloth for jackets, pantaloons, and caps. Also, light blue cloth for overcoats, and other materials were sent to Richmond for the making up of the finished garments. The volunteers were urged to bring shoes, socks and shirts. [xiv]
On January 3, 1847 four companies of the Virginia regiment had boarded a steamer for "Old Point Comfort" at Fort Monroe, Virginia, the final assembly point for embarkation to Mexico. [xii] The conditions at Fort Monroe were were less than ideal. Sleeping quarters were insufficient, there was a lack of adequate drinking water, shortages of food. and other supplies. Disease became a problem. Because of the poor conditions at Fort Monroe, Company K and four other companies were quartered in the Union Hotel in Richmond; these companies were to become known as the second battalion of the Virginia Regiment. [xiii] It was thought the companies would depart for Mexico within a week however, passage to Fort Monroe and embarkation to Mexico was delayed by the lack of clothing for the volunteers. Governor Smith had undertaken to have uniforms of good materials purchased and made. Agents were sent to Philadelphia where they purchased gray blankets, dark blue Dragoon cloth for jackets, pantaloons, and caps. Also, light blue cloth for overcoats, and other materials were sent to Richmond for the making up of the finished garments. The volunteers were urged to bring shoes, socks and shirts. [xiv]
There was much interest by the citizens of Jefferson County in the progress and activities of the Jefferson County volunteers. The Spirit of Jefferson dutifully printed letters received from the volunteers, keeping the people abreast of the news of the Jefferson County volunteers. February 26th the Spirit of Jefferson reported “The Virginia Regiment is now fully equipped in the best manner, and ready to start for the seat of war at a moment’s warning. The difficulty in getting off is the scarcity of vessels…, most are engaged in commerce." [xv]
The volunteer Virginia companies of the first battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Randolph were outfitted with the first shipment of clothing and supplies. Companies A, C, and E were ordered to embark January 26, 1847 aboard the transport May Flower; Companies G and B aboard the Victory, set sail on January 28th. The necessary equipment and uniforms for the second battalion arrived on February 22nd and companies F, H. and K sailed for Mexico on the barque Exact. On March 1st the remaining companies of the second battalion boarded the transport Sophia Walker and set sail. [xvi]
The Spirit of Jefferson reported 26th of February: “From Old Point [Comfort] we have sad and mournful intelligence. By exposure, and the exceedingly wet and disagreeable weather of the last few weeks, sickness has broken out among our volunteers and three of the Jefferson Company have already died. We most deeply and sincerely lament that they have thus been early stricken down…. They all died of congestive fever and were sick about 48 hours each… There are now about seventy five soldiers with chills and Ague, and other diseases -- but none are dangerous; all are slowly recovering.” [xvii] Lt. Lawrence B. Washington was exposed to the sickness, and was afflicted by sickness during his time at Fort Monroe. [xviii]
The volunteer Virginia companies of the first battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Randolph were outfitted with the first shipment of clothing and supplies. Companies A, C, and E were ordered to embark January 26, 1847 aboard the transport May Flower; Companies G and B aboard the Victory, set sail on January 28th. The necessary equipment and uniforms for the second battalion arrived on February 22nd and companies F, H. and K sailed for Mexico on the barque Exact. On March 1st the remaining companies of the second battalion boarded the transport Sophia Walker and set sail. [xvi]
The Spirit of Jefferson reported 26th of February: “From Old Point [Comfort] we have sad and mournful intelligence. By exposure, and the exceedingly wet and disagreeable weather of the last few weeks, sickness has broken out among our volunteers and three of the Jefferson Company have already died. We most deeply and sincerely lament that they have thus been early stricken down…. They all died of congestive fever and were sick about 48 hours each… There are now about seventy five soldiers with chills and Ague, and other diseases -- but none are dangerous; all are slowly recovering.” [xvii] Lt. Lawrence B. Washington was exposed to the sickness, and was afflicted by sickness during his time at Fort Monroe. [xviii]
On February 19th Col. Hamtramck had turned over command of he second battalion, which included Capt. Rowan's K Company, to Major Jubal Early. Major Early was assigned to superintend the embarkation of the troops and to accompany the volunteers on the voyage to Port Isabel near the mouth of the Rio Grande in Texas. [xix] Col. Hamtramck and Lt. August, the Adjutant of the Regiment, departed Fort Monroe the February 20th to take the land or western route down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, from there to embark for Point Isabel, Texas [xx]. Further news of Col Hamtramck was reported by the Norfolk Beacon: Col. Hamtramck “passed this way to the seat of war, by the Western route… the Colonel states he got the companies off in good health and spirits. – There were about fifteen men that remained at Old Point in consequence of sickness.” [xxi]
Knowing that its readers expected to be kept accurately advised as to the movements of the Virginia Regiment, The Spirit of Jefferson newspaper received eagerly awaited letters from the soldiers. The paper reported having received interesting and private communications from Lt. L. B. Washington and O. Sergeant Fairfax. [xxii]
Sources:
[i] Johnson, William Page II, 2006, Off to War, Heritage Books,Westminster, Maryland, 460 p., p. 300.
[ii] Wallace, Lee A., Jr., 1969, The First Regiment of Virginia Volunteers 1846-1848, in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 77, January 1969, pp. 46-77.
[iii] Hartmans Register, Part III, Officers of Volunteer Regiments During the War With Mexico, 1846-1848.
[iv] Spririt of Jefferson, Jan 15, 1847, from the Richmond Whig of Thursday week.
[v] Richmond Enquirer (Richmond, Virginia), Tuesday, January 5, 1847.
[vi] Spirit of Jefferson, February 5, 1847
[vii] Johnson, William Page II, 2006, Off to War, Heritage Books,Westminster, Maryland, 460 p., p. 22.
[viii] Richmond Enquirer (Richmond Virginia), Tuesday, January 5, 1847.
[ix] Richmond Enquirer, Thursday, January 7, 1847.
[x] The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), Wednesday, January 29, 1847.
[xi] The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), Wednesday January 20, 1847.
[xii] Old Point Comfort is a point of land located at Fort Monroe, now a National Monument, in the present-day city of Hampton, Virginia. It lies at the extreme southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton Roads.
[xiii] Johnson, William Page II, 2006, Off to War, Heritage Books,Westminster, Maryland, 460 p., p. 22.
[xiv] Wallace, Lee A., Jr., 1969, The First Regiment of Virginia Volunteers 1846-1848, in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 77, January 1969, pp. 46-77.
[xv] Spirit of Jefferson, Feb. 26, 1847
[xvi] Johnson, William Page II, 2006, Off to War, Heritage Books,Westminster, Maryland, 460 p., p. 23.
[xvii] Spirit of Jefferson, Feb 26, 1847
[xviii] Note of Col. Walbach of Fort Monroe August 16, 1847 appended to Letter Report of Lt. L. B. Washington to the Adjutant General posted at Charlestown, Jefferson County Va., August 8th, 1847.
[xix] Spirit of Jefferson, February 5, 1847
[xx] Spirit of Jefferson, Feb 26, 1847
[xxi] Norfolk Beacon, Feb. 20, 1847
[xxii] Spirit of Jefferson, March 5, 1847
Page modified June 18 and July 11, 2016
Continued: Mexican War, 1846-1848, Part II