Orange County, Indiana in the Mexican War

The war with Mexico in 1846 - 47 brought out more than a full company from Orange County.

On the 13th of May, 1846, President Polk called for volunteers, and soon afterward in response to this William A. Bowles, Trustin B. Kinder, William T. Spicely, John Murray and others, began the formation of a company in the county.

The organization was completed some time in June, and the following officers were elected:

William A. Bowles, Captain

T. B. Kinder, First Lieutenant

W. T. Spicely, Second Lieutenant

John Murray, Third Lieutenant

Soon after this the company assembled at Paoli to march to New Albany, where the Second Regiment, to which they were assigned, was being organized. The boys in bright new uniforms were drawn up in front of the residence of the Captain, and were there presented with a beautiful banner in behalf of the county by one of the Doughertys, it is said Capt. Bowles replied in a short eloquent speech, pledging the lives of his company for the preservation of the national flag. Lieut. Kinder, a talented young lawyer, delivered a speech of considerable length and of great strength. He declared that he would leave his bones to bleach on the sunny plains of Mexico rather than see his country's flag dishonored and trailed in the dust. Lieut. Spicely also delivered a speech to the same effect. The company, then, in wagons and on horseback, started for New Albany, being escorted some distance from town by the brass band of Paoli, and a large delegation of sorrowing relatives and friends, some of whom continued on to New Albany. The Company became B, of the Second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and at New Albany Capt. Bowles was promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and was succeeded as Captain of Company B, by T. B. Kinder. In July the regiment started for Mexico. An account of the service of this regiment will be found in another part of this volume. The roll of the company at the date of muster-in cannot be given.

The following is the roll June 23, 1847, at the time of muster-out:

William T. Spicely, Captain;

John Murray, First Lieutenant;

John Gullett, Second Lieutenant;

D. S. Lewis, Third Lieutenant;

Sergeants

John Hungate,  Augustus G. Brooks,  James H. Vandeveer, and Abner Dougherty

Corporals

Eli McDonald, Albert Mayfield, Christian P. Leatherman and Christopher C. Shore

Privates

The following were killed at Buena Vista: Capt. T. B. Kinder, John T. Hardin, Joseph Lafferty, Arthur Massey, David McDonald, John Shultz and Joseph H. Harrison. The following died of wounds or disease: James H. Edwards, James H. Smith, David W. Johnson, Wesley Edwards, John Robertson, Benjamin Taylor, William Goldsmith. The following were discharged, probably for disability: William Warren, Robert Dougherty, Henry Harrison, Joab Burt, Enos Evans, Alexander Keith, Harvey Morris, Clement McDonald and John P. McDonald. At the battle of Buena Vista Capt. Kinder was dangerously wounded, and was placed in ambulance which started for the rear, hut was upset in one of the many ravines on the battle-field. Here the wounded Captain was killed by the Mexican Lancers. His body was brought to Paoli where it was publicly received by a large assemblage at the court house, and was then conveyed to Indianapolis, the former home of the young soldier, for interment, being also publicly received by a large throng of citizens at Orleans on the way. John T. Hardin was killed by a spent ball just as the battle was over. Another company of this regiment was partly raised in Orange County, an account of which will be found in Part V.