THE MEXICAN WAR
Briefly stated, this war originated in the annexation of Texas to the agreement as to the western boundary of Texas.
Mexico complained of encroachment upon her territory and hostilities began with the battle of Palo Alto, May 8, and ended with the treaty of peace, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the City of Mexico on February 2, 1848
Among the most prominent figures were President Polk, under whose administration annexation was effected and Gen Zachary Taylor, who was chief in command in the field at the beginning of the war, was elected Polk's successor.
Illinois furnished more than her full quota of troops for the struggle. May 13, 1846 war was declared. On May 25, Governor Ford issued his proclamation calling for the enlistment of three regiments of infantry, the assessed quota of the State.
The response was prompt and general. Alton was named as the rendezvous, and Col. (afterwards General) Sylvester Churchill was the mustering officer.
The regiments mustered in were commanded respectively by Col. John J. Hardin, Col. William H. Bissell (afterwards General) and Col. Ferris Forman. An additional twelve months' regiment (the fourth) was accepted, under command of Col. E. D. Baker, who later became United State Senator from Oregon and fell at the battle of Ball's Bluff, in October 1861.
A second call was made in April, 1847 under which Illinois sent two more regiments for the war, towards the Mexican frontier. There were commanded by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and Col. James Collins. Independent companies were also tendered and accepted. Besides, there were some 150 volunteers who joined the regiments already in the field. Commanders of the independent companies were Capt. Adam Dunlap of Schuyler County, Wyatt B. Stapp, of Warren. Michael K. Lawler, of Shawneetown and Josiah Little.
Col. John J. Hardin of the First was killed at Buena Vista, and the official mortuary list includes many names of Illinois' best and bravest sons. After participating in the battle of Buena Vista the troops shared in the triumphal entry into the City of Mexico on Sept 16 1847 and ( in connection with those from Kentucky) were especially complimented in General Taylor's official report. The Third and Fourth regiments won distinction at Vera Cruz Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico.
At the second of these battles General Shields fell severely (and as supposed for a time, mortally) wounded. Colonel Baker succeeded Shields, led a gallant charge and really turned the day at Cerro Gordo. Among the officers honorably named by General Scott, in his official report, were Colonel Formann, Major Harris, Adjutant Fondey, Capt. J. S. Post, and Lieutenants Hammond and Davis. All the Illinois troops were mustered out between May 25, 1847 and November 7, 1848 the independent companies being the last to quit the service.
The total number of volunteers was 6,123 of whom 86 were killed and 160 wounded. 12 of the later dying of their wounds. Gallant service in the Mexican War soon became a passport to political preferment, and some of the brave soldiers of 1846-47 subsequently achieved merited distinction in civil life.
Many also became distinguished soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, including such names as John A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, M. K. Lawler, James D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace, B. M. Prentiss, W. R. Morrison L. F. Ross, and others. the cost of the war with $15,000,000 paid for territory annexed, in estimated at $166,500,000 and the extent of territory acquired, nearly 1,000,000 square miles considerably more than the whole of the present territory of the Republic of Mexico.