Company 'A', corps of engineers, U.S.A., 1846-'48, in the Mexican war

Chapter IX: Appendix: B

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PROMOTIONS OF ENLISTED MEN OF THE COMPANY.

TEPE AGUALCO, MEXICO,
_May 4, 1847_.

_Colonel JOSEPH G. TOTTEN_,
_Chief Engineer_,
_Washington City_.

SIR:

"I have the honor to inform you that, on the 25th of April,
First Sergeant Hastings of 'K' Company, Third Artillery,
was, by order of General Worth, transferred to the Engineer
Corps, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief.

"Sergeant Hastings has the reputation of being one of the
best first sergeants in the army. He was for 7 or 8 years
orderly sergeant in the Second Infantry. He is an intimate
friend of Sergeant Everett;[6] is a well educated man, very
intelligent; a remarkably fine looking soldier, a good drill
sergeant.

"By birth he is an Irishman--he came to this country quite
young, and was brought up in Po'keepsie, N. Y.

"We were very much in want of an orderly sergeant. I think
there can be no doubt but we have secured a prize.

"I would be glad if you would send a Sergeant's warrant for
David H. Hastings. I respectfully recommend the following
promotions and appointments in the engineer company:

Corporal Benjamin W. Coit, acting lance sergeant since 1st
of February, to be sergeant from February 1st, 1847:

Artificer Charles A. Viregg, lance corporal since 1st of
February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847:

Artificer Ethan T. Sheldon, lance corporal since 1st of
February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847:

Artificer William A. Noyes, to be corporal from the 18th of
April, 1847:

"Privates Charles A. Pierce, Jacob T. Smith, Benjamin L.
Boomer, Edwin M. Holloway, James Brannan, Joseph A. Mower,
David P. Weaver, Thomas Bigley, Seth H. Taylor, and Charles
A. Porter, to be artificers from the 29th of March, 1847:

"Musician Frederick W. Gerber to be artificer from the 18th
of April, 1847:

"Privates Augustus B. Hussey, James B. Vansant, and William
S. Bliss, to be artificers from the 29th of March, 1847:

"Corporal William Bartlett, reduced to the grade of
artificer, May 1st, 1847:

"Artificer Hiram B. Yeager to be corporal from May 1st,
1847:

"Artificer Charles W. Bont reduced to the grade of second
class private from May 1st, 1847:

"I respectfully call to the attention of the Chief Engineer
the fact that, in accordance with his suggestion, I have
delayed making the above recommendations, and now urge them
as my deliberate opinion. I hope they will be favorably
acted upon.

"My monthly return for April shows a total of sixty-two. My
recommendations make, in the company, six sergeants, six
corporals, one musician, twenty-three artificers and
twenty-six second class privates".

Very respectfully,
Your obdt. servt.,
GUS. W. SMITH,
_Lieut., Comdg. Engr. Co._

The foregoing recommendations were approved and the appointments were received whilst the company was in the city of Puebla.

Soon after the war ended, Sergeants Hastings, Starr and Everett were promoted to be commissioned officers in the "Old Regular Army" of the United States. Later, Sergeant Warren L. Lothrop was given a commission in that army.

FOOTNOTE:

[6] Thornton S. Everett was property sergeant of the engineer company; had charge of its train from the time of his enlistment in the company until its return to West Point; and, in addition, had charge, in Mexico, of the general engineer train of the army.

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