The morning call., 1890-09-09
sTEyENsON's REGIMENT.


When war was declared against Mexico by the
Government Of The United States Colonel Ste
VenSOn. from his place in the New York Legsla-
ture, warmly supported the Administration.
Being visitor at the house OF an old political
friend in the federal capital shortly afterward,
lie heard of the permission given TO organize a
Mormon regiment at Council Bluffs for service In
California, ana at expressed desire to go
there himself. Amos Kendall, the friend referred
to, reported this to President Polk, with the re-
suit that Stevenson was authorized to raise a
regiment OF New York volunteers. The Colonel
accepted the commission aud in few days re-
TUNED 10 New York, where, under date of
June 26, 1896 Secretary of War, w. L. Marcy,
sent him his official Instructions.
THE SECRETARY's ORDERS.
The instructions were that The regiment should
be composed of uHmafri d men OF good ha bits
and varied pursuits, who would be likely TO
settle down IN the new territory. The greatest
caution was to De observed III communicating
the intentions of the Government aud the men
were not TO be Informed OF tier ultimate dest-
nation. Recruiting began on July TN, tie very
day Commodore Sloat raised tie flag ut Mon
terey, ana on August lst me command. recruited
up to its fun strength, went into camp on Gov
errors Island or The len companies, seven
came from New York CITY and three from the in
terror of The Stale.
Considers able delay followed before the regl-
meut was ltted out for the expedition aud it
was not until September 26th that san was set
for the Golden West by the three transports,
Thomas IL. Perkins, Loo Choo and Susan Drew,
The others under the Lieutenant Colonel and
Major. Tie U. 5. sloop Of war Pleble, CAPTAIN
Shields, U. ). NJ commanding, ACCOMPANIED the
tl0tIlla as convoy. Tie lille fleet made the
harbor OF Rio de Janelto on November 20th,
and after few eventfu days there, in which the
vessels were fevc.uaed, anchor was weighed
and The voyage resumed.
ARRIVAL AT YERBA BUENA.
After fair passage the Perkins sighted the
Golden Gate ON March &, 1917 and at 3 O'clock
In tie afternoon cast anchor In the stream. The
oil nf.NltT In.sI ..tHh
the time, and from its officers Stevenson learned
that The town was held by Il detachment OF The
United States Marine CORDS, and that General
kearney was al Monterey The Colonel nime.
dIaIely sent Il courier to announce his arrival,
and in return received the following orders:
HEADQuARrERs TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT
orders No A.
l. The seventh Regiment, New York Volunteers,
intended for service in California part OF which
has arrived at san francisco, and the remainder
are daily expected will take posts as follows
H. The Colonel of the regiment, with his regi-
mental staff and four (i) companies, at Monterey.
The Lieutenant Colonel with three 90 companies
at Santa Barbara ana the Major with the remaining
three 90 companies at the Preside, in the Bay OF
San Francisco
these field officers, who will keep the medical Off
GERS with them who accompanied them from New
York. s. ". KEAkNEY, Brgadier-Genera
AS soon as the balance OF the regiment arrived
the attachments were embarked for their posts
and on April 9lh the Colonel established Lis head
quarters AT Monterey.
1w0 weeks later courier reached Monterey
II ON Los Angeles With news that the Mexican
General Bustament0, and a large force we're
mn ching against the Americans. In conse-
quence of this Stevenson and his detachment
were ordered 10 proceed to Los Angeles This
they did on May 9Th, when, with General kear-
ney they embarked on the sloop-oi-war Lexinc-
Ion. Two DAYS afterWard they arrived at San
PEDRO and on the evening of the same day they
entered Los Angeles. No enemy, however was
in sight. and The Colonel easily propitiated those
VINO az hrst we're dis posed TO resent the hostile
Invasion OF ihelr country. During the eighteen
months he continued there lie felt as safe from
attack as though he was stationed upon United
States territory.
very different was 1t, however, with the other
divisions OF the regiment, which were strung out
from Sonoma on The north to san Jose IN Lower
CaiHofnia Two companies IN La faZ had quIe
warm time OF 1t Tor several weeks in holding
four times their number at bay. They were
finally relieved by Lieutenant-Colopel Burton
and Naglee's company, with whose assistance
they routed The enemy and restored peace TO the
peninsula.
Al The close OF the war the command was
mustered out Of the service and The large ma
jotity OF It's members settled down uTOn the
Coast In the couise of years they became
recognized among lie first members or the com
munity and to-day many of the prominent BUSH
ness aud professional men of the city tell with
pride OF their connection with the conquest OF
California and Sievenscn's regiment.