Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1905)
32 THE SUNDAY QREGQNIA2N, KJCTLASD, TJA3sJJ&RY 1, ISOd. Portland's Pioneer Military Company . ; WHENEVER the various compan ies of tie Oregon National Guard, located In Portland, are called out for parade, every one that can do so takes' a- Holiday of more or less duration to order to witness their maneuvers as -well as show by appearing that they are interested in the boys who follow the flag. "While such is the case, it -would be safe to say that not one in a hundred of the onlookers ever saw the pioneer militia companies of the city march through the streets, and fewer still that can toll but little if anything of their organization, officers or life. It is rffTEEVEfr - E 0 RANDALL. H.W.COEBeTT, TADAVf5 ''W "" am-w ?.sk&mwi i ev'.vbhw i ihiiiiimii n mini inrii m mil WHmmm&atmm '' 1 also doubtful whether there is a single one of the boys of the National Guard who could name the location upon which stood the armory used by the first of their military predecessors. The pioneer militia company of Port land was called the Union Guards. The suggestion to organize it was offered about May, 1S61, by some person not now remembered, and the idea meeting with popular favor its formation was effected on June 7 following. The petition circu lated contained the preamble noted be low: "We, the undersigned, agree to organ ize ourselves Into a military company for the purpose of perfecting ourselves in the Manual and Drill of Infantry Tactics, sub ject to such laws and regulations as now Bovern the Militia of the State of Oregon, and subject to such company laws and regulations as may be established by a majority of its members." This preamble was written by E. G. Randall, and the petition was carried from Bigner to signer by A. B. Stuart. "Who the actual charter members were is unknown, as no roster of the company has been preserved. Somo of the signers to tbo petition did not identify them selves with the organization as contem plated, and it 13 a fact that the names of others who were charter members do not appear thereon, some of these latter being among the first officers of the com pany. The names on the petition were: Georco T. Myers John McCraken H. S&xer W. W. Spauldlns; Jamee TV. GoinK Jacob Stlttel Benjamin I XonJcn J, W. J. Piexson Mark A. Klnc A. B. Richardson J. IV. Jordan Marcus Freeman A. B. Stuart L. M. Starr A. J Butler B. G. Randall Joseph Bucatol H H. Black Richard B. Knapp Charles Hodgkln James McKlnney T" N O. Plummcr Zeph Wertz H. C. Coulson T. A. Davis TU J. Ladd A. J. Knott G. F. Greene lyevl Estes , "VV. S. Caldwell 31. II. Johnston I F. Grover H. A. Gehr P. C. Schuyler, Jr. F. C Pomeroy Theodore F. Miner S. J. McCormlck Ch. B. "VVcber Henry !. Herman G. Campbell John Everest n. Jones Y F. Cornell Thomas TV. Khodes Edward Falling C A. Burkhardt John G ruber T. B. Trevett The" names of the following were not oa the petition, but they were either char tor members or joined the company soon after Its organization:. G. E. Gilbert James O'Neill Simeon G. Reed "VV. V. Spencer li "VV. Tracy Henry Failing H. D. Sanborn Jason Royal James "VV. Davis I. W. Case John W. Falling J. "VV. Smjthe J. Halloran J M. Brock Jameo W. Cook H AV. Corbett J'-hn "Wilson U B. Millard T F Harrington i ' 1 Shattuck J A. Hogue I.. McHwan IT ears Grey 'ohn Bermund McF. Patton Jrr S. "White Hiome.s S. Fitspatrick Calls for the regular meetings and for drills were issued by Orderly-Sergeant ""revctt and a portion of the time The kept a record of those answering the rolleall for drill, but this latter duty soon seems to have fallen to the lot of Second Ser geant Falling, as a record of the roll a!ls has been found among his effects since his decease. In this the writing of the names of those present on July S, l&u looks like that of Sergeant Trevett, but from that date to February It. 1SG2, the handwriting is that of Sergeant Fall- THEQflMIAIER JAS WCOOK CjCO T JOHN W FAILING ing. This record does not specify the of ficial positions of the members of the -company. A Loyal Movement. The wording of the petition would not indicate that politics had anything to do with the organization of the company, but as a matter of Tact it was a political move on the part of patriotic citizens. The Southern states had rebelled, and secession sympathizers here were talk ing of co-operation, a republic to be es tablished on the Pacific Coast and other treasonable schemes. Those loyal to the Government did not propose to be taken out of the Union without a protest and possible struggle, and. If resort to arms was necessary, resolved to bo prepared, hence the militia companies organized. Action was taken independent of state authority or sanction. Aid from state of ficials was not expected, as Governor Whltaker was believed to be In sympathy with the South. In consequence no ap plication was made In that quarter for arms and accoutrements. These were ob tained from Vancouver. Fortunately, the National Government permitted the deliver- of arms and other equipment to states. It was supposed, however, that proper routine of request would be made when desired. "Washington was a long way off. and It was deemed expedient to act in advance and secure order of trans fer at a later date, and General Sumner authorized the issuance of the needed guns and other munitions of war neces sary. These were delivered to the Guards on July 16. 1S61, and figure on the re ports turned in as having been charged to the State of Oregon. Strictly speak ing. General Sumner overstepped his au thority to dispose of Government prop erty, but actions in a, good cause are somotimes deemed the right thing to do, and his superiors never questioned his procedure In the premises or held the state accountable for arms received through its supposed requisition. First Uniforms. As the regulations of the Government did not provide for the furnishing of clothing to state militia, and state of ficers being unfriendly to an organiza tion entertaining sentiments adverse to thelr bent of mind in the matter of the Union's preservation, 'the members of the" company were obliged to rely upon their own resources to secure suits or go with out them. They were, however, equal to the occasion, and lost no time in sending to San Francisco for them. In those days the boys in blue wore a uniform now obsolete as to caps and coats. 'A sol dier's coat of the sixties was cut on the Prince Albert pattern, coming below the knees. Upon the receipt of the uniforms the boys were called out for dress parade. M3 for7 -f isr-j v iu us. 11 I I' "1 BREVCT-i LIEUT AGREED .SECOND CORP. .P.C.5CHUYLm Toukth Corp LW.TRACV AB-571MT 2 I The answer to the rolleall disclosed a full attendance. The guns were all right. but not so with the fit of a portion of tne uniforms, still, the line was formed with as much ardor as though every thing was perfect. High-water pants, pants roiled up at the bottom, or baggy from being oversize, did not dampen the enthusiasm, jior did any of those In the ranks who were below the medium in height step less proudly because their upper dress nr&du them look like they were enwrapped In dad's overcoat. The late Hon. Henry Falling kept his uniform for many years. It was the regulation U. S. Army In style and blue in color. First Officers. The first officers of the Union Guards were: Henry W. Corbett, Captain. E. G. Randall. First Lieutenant. Thomas A. Davis. Second Lieutenant. S..G. Reed, Brevet Second Lieutenant. Xheo. B. Trevett. First Sergeant- Henry Falling, Second Sergeant. J. E. Gilbert, Third Sergeant. W. V. Spencer, Fourth Sergeant. James O'Neill, First Corporal. P. C Schuyler, Second Corporal. S. J. McCormlck, Third Corporal. E. "W. Tracy, Fourth Corporal. First Militia Co. John Everest, T. W. Rounds and F. N. O. Plummer furnished the mu3lc, and Joseph L. Allison, First Sergeant, "Com pany K, Ninth United States Infantry, of "Vancouver, was drillmaster. At the meetings of the company Captain Corbett presided, J. M. Breck took care of the funds as treasurer, and John Wilson, as secretary, made a record of the proceed ings. The armory was situated on the northeast corner of First and Stark streets, the drill and meeting rooms be ing on the upper floor of a wooden build ing then located there and owned by Pat Raleigh. DrllLm aster Allison- could not absent himself from the post at Vancouver at will, nor yet at the pleasure of the mi litia company, and through this, oppor tunities to come over to Portland and give Instructions in military tactics were not overfrequent. His inability to be present did not postpone drilling, as there was a determination on the part of all to learn, themselves, other means not at hand. Quite often In the beginning the officers marched the company Into sit uations where It was somewhat . demor alized. On one occasion the parade was along Sixth street, going south, and on reaching Yamhill street. Captain Corbett intended that the company should left wheel and go down that street, but In advertently gave the order to right wheel, when the boys faced a rail fence, and were about to climb over it into Colonel Chapman's cow pasture, when "Halt! Left wheel, forward march!" brought or der out of entanglement. Captain Cor bett resigned in the Spring of 1S62 and was succeeded by First Lieutenant Randall. At the same time Second Lieutenant Davis was promoted to First Lieutenant, and Brevet Second Lieutenant Reed was pro moted to Second Lieutenant, and the of fice of Brevet Second Lieutenant was dis continued. Old Jefferson Guards. Early in June of the same year it was proposed to organize a second company, and after a few preliminary meetings, one was held at the Courthouse on the 24th of the same month for the election of officers. At this time Stephen Cof fin was chosen president and John H. illtchell, secretary- The list of members of this company Is at the present time unobtainable, and It Is doubtful whether It ever will be. The name selected was "Old Jefferson Guards," and the follow ing were elected officers: William H. Farrar, Captain. S. E. Barr. First Lieutenant, John H. Mitchell, Second Lieutenant t R. J. Ladd. First Sergeant. " F. Harbaugh. Second Sergeant. S. R. Holcomb. Third Sergeant. Levi Estes, Fourth Sergeant. TV'. C. Hull. First Corporal. F. C. Polm. Second Corporal.' T. Lee. Third Corporal. L. L. Peck. Fourth Corporal. The company being organized, the fol lowing resolution was offered and adopt ed: Resolved. That "William H. Farrar, Captain of this company, be, and Is hereby Instructed to report to the Comtnander-In-Chlet of the United States Army that the Old Jefferson Guard of Portland, Oregon, are now organized and ready to receive orders from headquarters 10 aid and assist In the putting down all re bellions. Pacific Republics and foreign foes. Resolved. That we will never let up while the black vulture of tyranny and. despotism hovers over any part or portion of our be loved country. The purposes for which the Union (Concluded on Pace 44.)