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Mexican War: Officers Promoted by Brevet |
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Mexican War: Officers Promoted by Brevet |
Historical Documents & Congressional Record Entries: 14 Regiment
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The Following are extracted from: Senate Executive Journals;
Senate Journals; House of Representatives Journals.************
OFFICERS PROMOTED BY BREVET
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list of promotions and appointments in the Army and in the volunteer service of the United States to the several grades annexed to their names, as Proposed by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, 1st December, 1847.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Captain Joseph S. Pitman, of the Ninth Regiment of Infantry, to be major, September 8, 1847, vice Savage, promoted lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry.
b.. First Lieutenant James Blackburn to be captain, October 1, 1847, vice Huddlestone, deceased.
c.. First Lieutenant Thomas Shields to be captain, October 21, 1847, vice Fulton, resigned.
d.. First Lieutenant Philander A. Hickman to be captain, October 22, 1847, vice Perkins, deceased.
e.. Second Lieutenant A. J. McAllon to be first lieutenant, May 22, 1847, vice Haile, appointed captain.
f.. Second Lieutenant Richard Steele to be first lieutenant, October 1, 1847, vice Blackburn, promoted.
g.. Second Lieutenant Richard T. Eastin to be first lieutenant, October 21, 1847, vice Shields, promoted.
h.. Second Lieutenant James G. Fitzgerald to be first lieutenant, October 22, 1847, vice Hickman, promoted
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Joseph Q. Wilber, of Tennessee, to be second lieutenant, September 9, 1847, vice Moon, deceased.
b.. Thomas Hart, of Illinois, to be second lieutenant, September 9, 1847, vice Helms, declined.
c.. Robert Hagan, of Louisiana, to be assistant surgeon, November 9, 1847, vice McGinnis, deceased.
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The following message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Walker, his secretary:
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for appointment in the Army of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, Jan. 3, 1848.
War Department, Dec'r 30, 1847.
APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES, TO TAKE EFFECT FROM THIS DATE.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Tilman Cullom, of Tennessee, to be second lieutenant, vice Steele, promoted.
b.. Robert B. Wynne, of Tennessee, to be second lieutenant, vice Eastin, promoted.
c.. Richard Smith, of Tennessee, to be second lieutenant, vice Fitzgerald, promoted.
d.. Samuel C. Scott, of Louisiana, to be second lieutenant, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of First Lieutenant Haynes.
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The following messages were received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Walker, his secretary:
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the officers named in the accompanying list for regular promotion in the Army of the United States to the several grades annexed to their names, as submitted by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, January 17th, 1848.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. First Lieutenant George W. Morgan to be captain, December 3, 1847, vice Beale, promoted major in the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry.
b.. Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Davis to be first lieutenant, December 3, 1847, vice Morgan, promoted.
c.. Second Lieutenant William H. Seawell to be first lieutenant, December 21, 1847, vice Haynes, resigned.
Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Captain Robert G. Beale, of the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry, to be major, December 3, 1847, vice Norvell, promoted lieutenant-colonel in the Tenth Regiment of Infantry.
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The following messages were received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Walker, his secretary:
Washington, March 1st, 1848.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the officers named in the accompanying list for regular promotion in the Army of the United States to the several grades annexed to their names, as submitted by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Captain Charles Wickliffe, of the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry, to be major, February 12, 1848, vice Wood, resigned.
b.. Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
c.. Second Lieutenant Burwell B. Irvan to be first lieutenant, February 12, 1848, vice Hughes, promoted.
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for appointments in the Army of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War.
Washington, March 3, 1848.
JAMES K. POLK.
War Department, March 3, 1848.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Achille Berard, of Louisiana, to be second lieutenant, vice Davis, promote
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying communication for appointment in the Army of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, March 23, 1848.
Appointment in the Regular Army.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Thomas Nichols, of Louisiana, to be second lieutenant, vice Cheney, resigned.
b.. Hamilton Montgomery, of Tennessee, to be second lieutenant, vice Love, resigned.
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate for promotion by brevet in the Army of the United States the officers named in the accompanying list to the several grades annexed to their names, as proposed by the Secretary of War, for gallant and meritorious conduct.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, April 12, 1848.
War Department, April 11th, 1848.
Sir: I herewith present for your consideration a list of the officers of the Army who are recommended for brevet promotion on account of gallantry and distinguished conduct in the war with Mexico.
I deem it proper to offer a few remarks upon the views which have guided me in making these selections.
Brevet commissions are awarded as testimonials for individual acts of extraordinary bravery and gallantry in the face of the enemy, and highly meritorious services. To entitle an officer to this mark of distinction, I have considered that there should be some peculiar excellence, something more characteristic and discriminating than general good conduct.
I have found the task of selection delicate and difficult. In preparing the list I have relied for information upon the reports and statements of the generals and those in subordinate command under them.
So many brilliant achievements have characterized this war that many officers of all ranks have signalized their prowess on several occasions, and for each have merited particular notice and commendation; but it is believed that sound policy as well as established usage requires there should be some restriction in regard to the number of brevets to be bestowed on the same officer. Too great a difference between the lineal and brevet rank would, I apprehend, introduce confusion and disorder into the Army.
In the war of 1812 brevet promotion was not carried higher than two grades beyond the lineal rank; but this rule was not strictly adhered to in awarding brevets for service in Florida. I was at first strongly inclined to tie governed in preparing the list to the practice of the war of 1812, but on examining the reports I found too many instances, bringing into view the brevets conferred before the commencement of the present war, wherein this rule would exclude from proper notice gallant conduct too conspicuous to be permitted to pass without this distinguishing testimonial of excellence. I have, in some few cases, recommended brevet promotions three grades above the actual lineal rank, but I have done so only where the conduct of the officer has been eminently worthy of distinguished consideration.
You will perceive, in the list now submitted, a considerable number of officers upon whom it is proposed to bestow the brevet rank of general. I deliberated for some time upon the expediency of conferring the brevet rank of general officer upon any one who did not hold the lineal or positive rank of colonel; but looking to the actual condition of the service, I became satisfied that such a rule would be too restrictive and operate unjustly in several cases. The colonels of several of the old regiments, on account of inabilities or other causes, have been prevented from being with their regiments during the whole war, and lieutenant-colonels, and even officers of a lower rank, have commanded these regiments. Moreover, some of these officers, having the brevet rank of full colonel, have commanded brigades in some of the most memorable engagements in the war, and while exercising this superior command have eminently distinguished themselves.
I should deem any rule which, under these circumstances, would exclude them from a promotion to a brevet rank in which they had not only exercised command and shown unquestionable capacity, but had merited high commendation, unjust to them. I have therefore presented for your consideration and approval several cases wherein it is recommended that brevet promotions to the grade of generals should be bestowed on officers whose present lineal or positive rank is below that of a full colonel.
Doubts have been heretofore entertained whether officers of the Pay Department had that kind of rank to which promotion by brevet could be properly applied; but the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1847, has, I think, removed all question on the subject.
Their position in the Army rarely affords to this class of officers an opportunity for that kind of distinction which is appropriately rewarded by brevet promotion, but the conduct of some of them is deemed by me worthy of peculiar notice from the Government, and I have presented them for brevets.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
W. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
To the President of the United States
List of officers for brevet promotion for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico, August 20, 1847, to rank from that day:
Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Davis, 14th Infantry, since first lieutenant, to be first lieutenant by brevet.
List of officers for brevet promotion for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle Molino del Rey, Mexico, September 8th, 1847, to rank from that day:
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul O. Hébert, 14th infantry, to be colonel by brevet.
List of officers for brevet promotion for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chapultepec, September 13th, 1847, to rank from that day:
Colonel William Trousdale, 14th Infantry, to be brigadier-general by brevet.
Captain Thomas Glenn, 14th Infantry, to be major by brevet.
Captain James M. Scantland, 14th Infantry, to be major by brevet.
First Lieutenant J. Blackburn, 14th Infantry, since captain, to be captain by brevet.
Second Lieutenant A. I. Isaacs, 14th Infantry, to be first lieutenant by brevet.
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying communication for appointment in the Army of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, April 24, 1848.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a. Alvan Cullom (private of Company A), to be second lieutenant, vice Tilman Cullom, deceased.
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate Richard H. Smith, of Tennessee (now a lieutenant in the fourteenth Regiment of Infantry), to be a second lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery, vice Minor, deceased.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, June 12, 1848.
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The President of the United States.
To the Senate of the United States:
I nominate the persons named in the accompanying communication for appointment in the military service of the United States, as proposed by the Secretary of War.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, July 7, 1848.
Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry.
a.. Second Lieutenant John T. Sanford to be first lieutenant, May 23, 1848, vice McAllon, resigned.
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Our Thanks, once again, to Bob Wilson for his tireless research of the History of the 14th Infantry!
Acknowledgements:
Mexican War: Officers Promoted by Brevet
Copyright © 2013 14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: February 04, 2017