Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

Second Lieutenants James Allen, T. H. Holmes, J. H. K. Burgwin, J,
S. Van Derveer, J. W. Shaumburg, Enoch Steen, James Clyman, J. L,
Watson and B. A. Terrett;
Brevet Second Lieutenants William Eustis, G. W. McClure, L. B.
Northrop, G. P. Kingsbury, J. M. Bowman, Asbury Ury, A. G. Edwards
and T. J. McKean.
Lieutenant Jefferson Davis was the first adjutant but resigned the
staff position February 4, 1834, and was assigned to Company A.
In October, 1833, the five companies first organized were sent under
Colonel Dodge to winter in the vicinity of Camp Jackson, Arkansas Territory,
where they remained until June, 1834.
In June, 1834, the regiment was sent on the “Pawnee Expedition,”
during which, although it ended in September of the same year, one-fourth
of the officers and men of the command died of fevers. On the 6th of
August, Colonel Dodge writes to Lieutenant Colonel Kearny: “I have on
my sick report 36 men, four of whom have to be carried in litters. My
horses are all much jaded, and would be unable to return by the mouth of
the Wishitaw and reach their point of destination this winter season. This
has been a hard campaign on a ll; we have been for the last fifteen days
living almost on meat alone. The state of the health of this detachment of
the regiment makes it absolutely necessary that I should arrive at Fort
Gibson as early as possible, as well as the difficulty of providing grain for
the horses; I am well aware you are placed in a most unpleasant situation,
encumbered as you must be with sick men, baggage and horses, and regret
exceedingly that it is not in my power to help you.”
For the winter, Headquarters with Companies A, C, D and G, were
sent to Fort Leavenworth; Companies B, H and I, Colonel Kearney commanding,
into the Indian country on the right bank of the Mississippi, near
the mouth of the Des Moines River; and Companies E, F, and K, Major
Mason commanding, to Fort Gibson.
Throughout the summer of 1835 all the companies of the regiment
were kept in the field. The object appears to have been exploration chiefly,
for no conflicts with the Indians took place. The regiment performed its
duty thoroughly, as was shown by the letter of commendation sent by General
E. P. Gaines, commanding West Department, to the regimental commander
upon receipt of his report of operations.
Many letters written and orders issued about this time are of great
interest and some are very amusing from the force of language used, showing
great difference in military correspondence then and now; the courtmartial
orders are especially interesting on account of the peculiar sentences
imposed.
During the year 1836 the general disposition of the regiment remained
unchanged. The companies were employed in scouting among the Indians,
especially along the Missouri frontier, a portion of the regiment going to
Nacogdoches, Texas, for the purpose of keeping off white trespassers from
the Indian country, and preserving peace between whites and Indians, and
among the Indians themselves; also in building wagon roads and bridges.
During the winter the companies returned to their stations: Forts Leavenworth,
Gibson and Des Moines.
Colonel Dodge resigned July 4, 1836, and was appointed Governor of
Wisconsin. He was succeeded by Colonel Kearny. Major Mason was promoted
vice Kearny, and Captain Clifton Wharton vice Mason.