Demobilization
Lieutenant Thomas W. Sweeny, First NY Volunteers

1848

As soon as the wounded had recovered sufficiently, a convoy started for the coast under the command of Colonel Harney, of the Dragoons. It was expected that our column would be attacked on the route, and every precaution was taken to give the enemy a warm reception. Even the wounded in the ambulances slept with revolvers under pillows, as it was feared, with good reason, that the Mexicans would not hesitate to attack even the sick and disabled. Fortunately, however, they were not called upon to use them. The rear guard, it is true, was attacked several times, in the hope of cutting them off from the main body, but each time the enemy was repulsed with such severe loss that they finally desisted in their attempts.

Whenever we reached a village on our line of march there was a general rush to obtain any fresh provisions that could be had. On one of these occasions a member of the New York Regiment, a sergeant-major named Lynch, was among the crowd. As he was pushing his way to the front, regardless of whom he was discommoding, the person in his immediate rear was unintentionally wedged against him. Turning around and eyeing the offender, Lynch sternly asked:

"What do you mean, sir, by pushing people about so? Do you know who I am, sir? I am the Sergeant-Major of the New York Regiment."

The offender, who was a small man, and who was in undress uniform, without even shoulder-straps to indicate his rank, replied, with affected meekness and awe:

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I was not aware of that, indeed. I am only a Major of Regulars, myself."

This rejoinder caused a general laugh from those who overheard the dialogue, but in which the "Sergeant-Major of the New York Regiment, sir," did not join.

On reaching the village of Rio Frio, a small hamlet situated at a high elevation on the side of the volcanic mountain Popocatapetl, Colonel Harney was informed that the Mexicans had blockaded the road by felling trees across it, for some distance beyond the village. When informed of this Harney was enraged. He at once sent for the alcalde and told him, through an interpreter, that if the obstructions were not removed by the time they resumed the march in the morning he would hang him (the alcalde) and his subordinates to the nearest trees. The alcalde went away apparently deeply impressed, and the next morning, when the march began, there was hardly a stick to be found to obstruct our way, and the remainder of the journey to the coast was made without further molestation.

Our voyage across the Gulf to New Orleans, though not of long duration, was very rough, and Colonel Harney, who was on board, suffered a violent attack of mal de mer. I observed him one morning, leaning over the rail, looking the picture of human misery. As I approached him I heard him give voice to his feelings as follows:

"Talk about the 'beautiful sea,' and 'a life on the ocean wave,' I don't believe-ugh!-that the d---d fools who wrote-ugh!-those songs were ever-ugh!-at sea in their lives!"

As the transport approached New Orleans as many of the wounded officers as were able to do so crowded on deck to obtain a first glimpse of land. Among them was Major Dimmick, of the Artillery, who peered eagerly over the rail, but in the faint morning light could discern nothing more tangible in the shape of terra firma except here and there little hillocks of mud pushing up through the water. After contemplating this inspiring sight for some time, in silence, Dimmick turned to the other officers and remarked, pensively, "Well, gentlemen, I suppose we must call this our native land."

Our arrival at New Orleans was the occasion of great rejoicing. Many who had been given up as killed returned to their friends and families, and the whole city was in gala dress to receive us. The citizens were in a furor of excitement, each vying with his neighbor as to who should show us the most honor. Balls, recptions and entertainments were gotten up for our amusement, and had not our wounds prevented us from participating in many of the entertainments, we should have been loath to depart.

After a short sojourn in New Orleans the wounded officers of my regiment proceeded by rail to Washington, and thence to Jersey City, where we arrived on the evening of the 16th of December, 1847, and were there met by a deputation from the Baxter Blues, who conducted us to New York City, where a large number of our friends and relatives had assembled at the Astor House to greet us.

I was the recipient of much kind attention from my fellow-citizens; was given a reception ball at Castle Garden and presented a medal by the Corporation of New York. Subsequently, I was made captain by brevet by the Governor of the State.

Upon the recommendation of Gen. Winfield Scott, who called the attention of the President to what he was pleased to term my "gallant conduct during the War with Mexico," I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Second United States Infantry, to date from the 3d of March, 1848.

I was stationed at Fort Columbus, Governors Island, New York Harbor, from March to July, 1848, when I was ordered to join my regiment at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

While stationed at Jefferson Barracks I was the recipient of a present of a parcel of left-hand kid gloves, sent me by Brevet-Colonel Loring, of the Mounted Rifles, who had lost his left arm at the fight at the Belen Gate, City of Mexico.

Thomas W. Sweeny, "Narrative of Army Service in the Mexican War and on the Plains, 1846-1853," Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United States 42 (1908): 133-135.