Clermont in the Mexican War

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Source: History of Clermont County , Ohio , 1880 Louis Everts

The war between the United States and Mexico began in May 1846 , and the first battle was fought between the armies of the two republics was on the 8th of May , 1846,at Palo Alto,on the east side of the Rio Grande.Soon after the declaration of war by Congress of the United States , Ohio was called upon,and sent three regiments of volunteers , commanded by Cols. George W. Morgan , O.M. Mitchell , and Curtis , and which left for the Rio Grande about July 1 , 1846. These regiments were recruited for one year , in which time it was universally believed the existing difficulties and the war would close. In June , 1847 , the war was still in progress ,and more troops were called from Ohio , which she promptly furnished by sending the Fourth Regiment , commanded by Col. Charles Braugh , and which departed July of that year.

Almost every county in the State had either sent or proffered a company to the United States for the army in Mexico , except Clermont;and a few patriotic young men in and about Batavia , thinking it would be rather dishonorable to old Clermont not to be represented in the army for the defense of the American flag , determined to send a company. A notice was accordingly given to the public , through a small hand-bill, headed "To Arms" stating that a roll had been opened for the reception of names of all those who were desirous of enlisting to go to Mexico. At this hour the prospects of peace were gloomier than they had been a long time preceding.

The call was promptly responded to by young men all over Clermont , who , seeing the country's danger , were found rushing to its support. In five days , the two rolls at Batavia and Olive Branch had sixty names , and it was agreed to meet at the former place, on August 10th , to elect officers , and the following were elected: Capt.: John Lowe ;First Lieutenant , S.R.S. West; Second Lieutenant , Milton Jamieson; Third Lieutenant , William Howard . The company then chose for itself as a name the "Clermont Boys."

It was some time before word was received whether the company would be received into the reorganized Second REgiment or not,which delay dampened the spirit of many of the men , who had wound up their business and were impatient to be transferred from the life of a citizen to that of a soldier;hence,many left for Camp Wool and joined companies there.  On August 22nd a letter came accepting the company,and on assembling the volunteers at Batavia on Sept.1st ,42 only out of the 88 that had been enrolled answered to their names,many of the missing having got tired of waiting and gave up the war business,while fourteen had at Camp Wool enlisted in other companies. These forty - two were sworn into the United States service by the venerable justice of the peace ,James Perrine - who had thrice volunteered his services , in 1799 , 1800 , and 1813 - and then marched to Camp Wool , near "Sportsman's Hall," just above Cincinnati in those days. Here the "Clermont Boys" were joined by twenty odd men from Brown County under Lieut. James P. Fyffe,and an arrangement was made to form a coalition of the two squads and thereby make one good company,which was done by First Lieut. S.R.S. West resigning his position , and the selection of James P. Fyffe,of Georgetown , in his place.

The "Clermont Boys" were regularly mustered into the United States service on Sept 11 , 1847 , by Lieut - Col John Irving,of the United States Army,as Company C,Second (reorganized) Ohio Regiment Volunteers.

Having on May 22nd heard the news of peace , the regiment on Jun 3 started for home , by marching to Vera Cruz , and arrived in Cincinnati on July 15th. When mustered out the company had but 65 men , one having been killed , one missing , two deserted , seven discharged,and seven died.

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