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From: "Christopher B Durall" <>
Subject: [News] Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois "Free Press" July, 1847
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 18:26:18 -0500


The Pike County "Free Press"

Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois

Thursday, July 15, 1847

Page 2, We have just received, too late for publication this week, a
letter from Capt. KINMAN, mailed at Fort Leavenworth July 1st. Officers
and privates all well excepting three; WILLIAMS had the measles, but was
better; SEYBOLD and R. McDADE had the mumps and also better. Capt.
KINMAN says that A. WHEELER, formerly from Pike is 2d Lieutenant in a
Missouri Company, bound for Sante Fe. Query: Can this be our ancient
friend, the long-nosed Alpheus?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 29, 1847

Page 1, Truly deserving - Noah says the country affords lands and
pensions to those who kill its enemies, and why should it not give a
modicum of earth to the individuals who present us with natives? It
would be just, we opine, to grant a certain portion of public lands to
the parents of every child over a given number - - say a dozen. There
would then be some incentive to increase and multiply; and instead of
shuddering at the prospect of a large family, the married would
contemplate it with joy. The Legislature of Maine, has been petitioned
by a native of Freeport for a grant of wild land, which he claims for
having presented the State with only 16 sons and daughters. By all
means let him have it, and tell the world that every man who calls
himself the parent of over one dozen cherubs that he may select and keep
as his own the finest farm the west can afford him. Were this done,
emigration would be superfluous.
Wait a little, Major NEAH. We claim the first farm for our friend,
Uncle David FOREMAN, whose sixteen or eighteen sons, not to reckon
daughters, take the lead of the case you name. How many of the FOREMAN
family are voters we do not know, but a pair of twin sons have just come
of age, which is equivalent to saying that we are to have two more Whig
votes next Monday, than we had last year.

Page 2, Pike Rough and Readys - Weston, Platte County, Mo., July 14th,
1847. Mr. GARBUTT: Sir: - Having a few moments of time, I write you
concerning our present operations. Myself, with most of the men, are
well. With two exceptions all are able to march, and we hope they will
be able to go as they are some better. One R. SMITH had the measles, and
was nearly well but acted imprudently and took a relapse. The other, A.
W. MATHEWS, has had the pleurisy slightly. If they are left, they will
have some one to take care of them at Ft. Leavenworth hospital; and will
come on with Col. NEWBY, who will come with the last division. We have
had some six or eight cases of the measles, and all have recovered,
except the one above named. The mumps have also raged to some extent;
also, some little diarrhea. But I think we have been remarkably
healthy, much more so than I anticipated. Not one has had to got to the
hospital, as yet. I visited the grave yard on last Sabbath, and counted
10 graves where the remains of as many of our regiment are buried by
themselves. Two have died since, (none from Pike). Most have died of
measles. When a private dies, eight men under arms march with the
corpse, borne by 4 pall-bearers, and with the national flag on the
coffin, he is let down into the grave. They then fire three rounds and
return. We are ordered to march to-morrow, and will leave some time in
the day. We will go with the 2d Division, consisting of Capts. BOND,
HAMPTON, NILES, and the Pike Company (K) under the command of Major
DONALSON. Our train will consist of sixty wagons, with 50 days rations
to each man with about five hundred head of beef cattle. Consequently
we will move slow, and have some Indian doings, as the Indians have
become very troublesome; having attacked every train that has passed
this spring; but they have not killed many men as yet. Their object
seems to be robbery. They attacked one train on the Arkansas river,
some 300 miles from this place, and drove off 125 head of cattle, and
killed them with their spears and guns, leaving them, and also leaving
one trader with only one old ox - probably too poor to run. One company
had Three Hundred Thousand Dollars, to pay off the soldiers with when
they get to Santa Fe, and was partially stripped of their teams and had
to send back to Fort Leavenworth for more teams. The last account we
had the money was safe yet. Lieutenant LOVE was in command and sent 20
men out to lick the Indians; and lost five men killed and 7 wounded, and
had to run back to the wagons to keep the Indians at bay, without losing
the money. Some of the teamsters say the Comanches will yell so
frightfully that the poorest old ox will take fright and run for life.
We will try and give the Indians particular thunder, - if we don't act
like the oxen! The first division left last Wednesday with three
companies, - HOOK's, CUNNINGHAM's, and TURNER's - Lieut. Col. BOYAKIN in
command. We heard from them on Sunday. They had got all of 25 miles;
they had no cattle except their teams, as we have all the cattle, but no
dimes. Col. NEWBY will leave in a few days with the last division. Most
of the companies have bought one wagon each to haul their knapsacks
with. It is now 10 o'clock at night, and I must retire. Major D. and
myself are here at Weston, (a handsome business place, 4 miles from the
fort) laying in our supplies for our journey.
July 15th, Fort Leavenworth, 4 o'clock P.M. The troops are now on the
march. SMITH is left at the hospital; MATHEWS is able to go on. I will
write you when I have more time. Yours in haste, WM. KINMAN

Page 2, In Accordance - With previous notice, a meeting of the citizens
of Griggsville, was held at Swan's Hotel. At which John CROW was called
to the chair and E. SWAN appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting
was stated by Dr. J.M. HIGGINS, in some brief but pertinent remarks; and
his motion
Resolved, That a committee of 5 be appointed, whose duty it shall be to
communicate with Major Wm. A. RICHARDSON and Col. E.D. BAKER, and tender
them an invitation to meet their fellow-citizens of Pike county, at
Griggsville, at such time as will suit their convenience, and deliver an
address on the subject of the war and the incidents connected with the
exciting scenes in which they have acted so conspicuous a part. The
meeting appointed J.D. PHILBRICK, C.L. HIGBEE, Josiah LOMBARD, Dr. T.M.
HIGGINS, and E. SWAN said Committee.
Resolved, That all the citizens of Old Pike, without distinction of
party, are invited to attend.
Resolved, That the Pike County Sentinel, and Free Press, be requested to
publish the proceedings of this meeting, and the correspondence growing
out of the same. John CROW, Ch'n, E. SWAN, Sec'y, Griggsville, July 9,
1847.

Page 2, Griggsville, July 13, 1847. Gentleman: The undersigned have the
honor to announce to you that at a meeting of the citizens of
Griggsville, on the 9th inst., they were appointed a committee to invite
you to meet the citizens of Pike county at this place, and address them
on the thrilling scenes and events connected with the Mexican war, a
part of which have passed under your own immediate observation, and in
which you yourselves have acted so conspicuous a part. Allow us to
assure you, that the fair fame you have won, has not passed unnoticed by
us, nor have we been unmindful of the difficulties and sufferings you
have been compelled to endure in the arduous service of our country, but
have ever felt the deepest solicitude for your welfare. Yet while we
rejoice that you have safely returned to your glad homes and friends, we
have to mourn with you the loss of many of your brave compatriots in
arms, who have fallen, covered with glory and honor while maintaining
their country's honor. Cherished be their memories in every American
heart. In behalf of our fellow citizens, permit us sir, to tender you a
cordial invitation to visit Griggsville at your earliest convenience,
and accept the hospitalities of our citizens. With sentiments of the
highest esteem we remain, dear sirs, Your obedient servants, C.L.
HIGBEE, J.M. HIGGINS, Josiah LOMBARD, E. SWAN, J.D. PHILBRICK.

Page 2&3, Jacksonville, July 14, 1847. Gentlemen: I have this day
received your kind invitation to visit and address the citizens of Pike
Co., at Griggsville. I thank you gentlemen for the flattering terms in
which you have tendered this invitation, and if nothing intervenes to
prevent me I will visit my Fellow-Citizens of Pike on the 28th day of
August next, when I will give them a faithful and honest account of the
thrilling scenes through which it has been my fortune to pass. My past
services are fully rewarded in my country's approval of my conduct; and
I am again ready to endure all the privations and hardships of a
campaign to bear on in honor the Flag of my country. As to those who
were my companions and met the foe at Buena Vista I bear willing
testimony that they were soldiers worthy to be led by the gallant
HARDIN, and to be representatives of Illinois. I rejoice that the fame
of our State won at Buena Vista was preserved and heightened at Cerro
Gordo. Excuse me, gentlemen, for dwelling upon a theme dear to every
Illinoisan. I am under many obligations to the citizens of Pike, I have
ever found them warm and generous friends, and I hope their citizens now
on the road to Mexico may win laurels without mourning. Return,
Gentlemen, to those you represent my sincere acknowledgement for this
manifestation of their kindness. I am truly your friend, Wm. A.
RICHARDSON. C.L. HIGBEE, J.M. HIGGINS, Joshua LOMBARD, E. SWAN, J.D.
PHILBRICK.

Page 3, Gentleman: I have received your very polite note of invitation
to meet the citizens of Pike County at Griggsville, at some early period
to deliver an address. I am very sure Gentlemen that I am to attribute
your invitation to me rather to the interest you feel in the events of
the war now progressing than to any other reason; but if it should suit
your convenience I will do myself the honor to meet you on the
twenty-eighth day of August next. Be pleased, gentlemen, to accept my
assurances of the great respect with which I remain. Your ob't servant,
E.D. BAKER. C.L. HIGBEE, and others.

Page 3, Died - On the 19th inst., Jacob, son of Mr. Joseph ALKIRE, of
Pleasant Vale Township, aged ten years, of that most frightful of all
maladies, Hydrophobia. The deceased was bitten about the middle of last
May, was taken to the made stone which failed to effect a cure; and
persons who are bitten should not place much confidence in cures said to
have been effected through such means.

Page 3, Died - In Griggsville, on the 23d inst., Henry C., youngest
child of Otis and Mary A. PARSONS; aged 10 months. As vernal flowers
that scent the morn, But witner in the rising day, Thus lovely was this
infant's dawn, Thus swiftly fled his life away.

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