The Washington herald., 1909-03-05

Few regiments OF the United States
army have a history so long OF q career
SO distinguished as has the famous Fifth.
None has had a more remarkable career.
Al along the route Of the parade yes
terday the Fifth was greeted by cheers
ald handclapping. The regiment was or
gauized more than a century ago, but
even its present personnel has seen rough
service.
Among other noteworthy sections Of
the parade were those formed by the
Eleventh Infantry. the Eleventh Cavalry
Second Field Artillery. and by what was
formerly the old Fourth Artillery Facts
as 10 the history Of these regiments are
presented herewith
Fifth Infantry.
The Fifth Infantry was organized IN
17eS. but was discharged in 1850; again
organized in 1875 on account Of threat
ened war with England, and served
through the war Of 1872; It was conspic-
uous in action when, under command Of
Col Pickney, II turned the British right
flank az Cooks Mil, Canada and as
sisted in driving the enemy in confusion
from the field.
At the conclusion Of the war in 1915
reorganization took place in which the
old Fifth Infantry was consolidated with
other regiments and new Fifth Infantry
created. This regiment Is passing before
Us to-day. its frst colonel, James Miller,
when asked al Lundys Lane If he could
take a certain work from the enemy.
made the modest and soIdierly reply.
now known 20 every. sch0oIbov. IN try.
SIR and proceeded % take the work in
gallant style. The reSimeut served from
IsL5 90 $50 .l various parts OF pres
eEt States of Michigan Wisconsin. 1li-
uCis. and Nebraska protecting trade and
enabling the development Of the country.
This regiment bore ID conspicuous part
in the battle on the Mississippi where
the command. under Gen. Atkinson, com
pleteIy routed the Indians and ended the
Black Hawk war iu l>i2
IN 1Sf5 1his regiment moved into Texas
u protect that State against attack from
Mexico. while forming its constitution
preparatory u joining the Union. Here
il fell uuleT the command Of Gen. Zach
mand during This interesting period which
developed into the Mexican war With
Taylor along the Rio J1rande in that war,
The regiment fought calamity at Palo
Alto. where e turned an attack by the
enemy into @ rput. and az RaSaca de Ia
Palma where It joined the attack that
broke the center Of the Mexican line and
drove the enemy precipiJately from the
field
Captures Monterey.
The American army next moved 20 the
occupation of lIatamor.s. Mexico. al tho
mouth Of the Rio Grande. and. leaving
sufficient force 60 hold that place, moved
Up the river u CamarEo and thence 10
Monterey. capturing the latter city IN
September. ISL The engagements at
Monterey were the last engagements 0f
the Fifth Infantry iH Northern Mexico.
i was sent down the river 40 8Iatamoras
and transferred by sea 10 Gen Scott's
army, now advancing upon Vera Cruz
and the City of Mexico.
The Fifth Infantry did uot take an ac-
tive part i- the siege oG Vera Cruz u1t
as part Of WortL's Division joined the
army Cu tile field IF Cerr5 GorG0 as the
enemy displayed the white faS from his
works The regiment was in the thick
Of the fight az Churubusco, and shared
the houors II AIoIin0 del Rey. where is
casualties amounted 20 s1 Der cent If lis
strength.
The regiment furnished its share IF the
ten officers and 255 men from Worth's Di-
vision whO volunteered u assault the
castle Of thapGl1c0ec. The remainder Of
the division followed up the assaulting
column Entering the castle oI ClapuI
Z
TIA san Cosuc. which was carried by
gallant dash that drove the enemy in
confusion from his guns The possession
Of the Garita placed our troops within
the City Of Mexico, the surrender Of
which place followed the next dav, Sep
tember, 4, 1SiE and virtually ended the
Mexican war
The regiment was stationed fu Arkansas
and Indian Territories tin ISI. when it
was transferred to Texas. in IS51 il was
sent 10 Florida. where il was engaged in
operation against the Seminole Indians
The stay I'm Florida was short for the
Utah expedition was organized in June
IS57. and The Fifth Infantry was ASSIGNED
10 IT, The regiment had reached Fort
Laramie. WYE. IN September. IN1. and
the vicinity of Fort Brideer. Wyo.. in Oc-
tOber II entered the Salt Lake Valley
Floyd the famous camp Of United States
authority. in the midst Of the hostile
and threatening Mormon population
Transferred 20 New Mexico in 1859. il
--as kept on duty in that territory during
the CIyu var, and had several engage
ments with Confederate commands Cp-
Grating in that part Of the country.
Battles with Indians.
After the civil war Il served in the De-
partntnt of the Missouri till lS6 oD-
Grating against Indians from the Repub-
ucan River 10 the line Of the Kansas Pa
cifc Railroad.
In lD'4-'5 II was operating in Indian Ter
Titory against the Kiowas and Com
usnches, and the various other bands Of
hostile Indian Territory Indians Its op-
eraJious were 50 vigorous and incessant
that the Indians gave up of sheer neces-
sity, ana peace was established through
out the disturbed district
At the news Of the Custer massacre
o. The Little Big Horn River. Mont.
In 1876 the Fifth Infantry was ordered
north % join i'm the general operations
against the Indians. and after several
pursuits and scouts. il took station al the
mouth Of the Tongue River. where Fort
heogh was later established.
IN October. 1876, the regiment moved
out TO the support Of a supply train whose
escort was having q running fight with q
.arge body Of Indians under Sitting Bull.
The Indians fed. but were pursued and
0vertaken by Gen. Miles and brought 70
BAY After talks and efforts to secure
peaCeable settlement the lack Of sin
cerety of the Indians was apparent, and
Gen Niles informed them that they
must accept his conditions or fight The
6ght euSUed and Miles drove the Indians
from every part of the field and pursued
them forty-two miles 10 the south side
Of the Yellowstone. where 2f8 men. wo-
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