Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-07-06
Omaha Man With Houston
and Scott in Mexican War
w. W. Ford, SO Years DID, as Far as Known, Only Sur
vivor Who Participated in Mexican Campaign Of
1846-47-Was Is When He Joined Sam Houston.

A recent news dispatch from San
Jose, Cal, stating that the last sur
viving Mexican war veteran" had
died, needs revision. w. w. Ford,
3l24 Hamilton street, served under
Gen. Winfield Scott and was pres
ent at the capture of Mexico City.
September IS, l847.
Mr.. Ford, who will be 80 years
old next Christmas, lived in Texas
when il was under Mexican domin-
ion, and for nine years while it was
a republic, and later when it, was
state. His longevity is notable for
the fact that even at the present
time he frequently walks two and
one-half miles from his fome to the
business district and h. me again,
unaccompanied. As far as can be
learned, he is the only living Amer
lean who participated in that CAM
paign of l84o-47.
Broke" Fractions Horse.
His early Texas home was in San
Antonio. That city's history is
taught school children. in connection
with the story of the massacre Of
the Alamo. This octogenarian's
father, John Ford, was a Texas
ranger and a close associate of Sam
Houston. The friendship which ex-
listed between the elder Ford and
Houston was such that the latter
recommended the younger Ford
when Gen. Zachary Taylor needed
fractions horse broken.
Mr.. Ford's first introduction to
greatness was during March, 1876,
when General Taylor was begin
ming operations along the Rio
Grande, where he established camp
at Point Isabel, overlooking Mata-
moras. Ford at that time was 10
years old, Injured to the hardships
of frontier life, eager for adventure,
and inspired by the thrilling events
of his time. He went to General
Taylor's camp, where he observed a
man endeavoring to break a horse.
General, l believe l can break
that horse for you," vouchsafed
young Ford.
Young man, aren't you talking
rather fast:?" the general replied.
Ford then ventured to say that he
could tame and ride any horse in
the camp.
IF this young man can't manage
that horse, nobody cam was the
personal recommendation Sam
Houston gave of his old friends son.
The general then took a new in
terest in the. daring youth, who
proved to be as good as his word.
General Taylor rode the horse dur
ing his engagements with the Mexl-
cans at Palo Alto, at Rosana de la
Palma, and other points along the
way to Vera Cruz, where General
Winfield Scott was reinforced for
his great march to Mexico City.
Joined as Messenger.
Ford was given a horse and joined
the forces as messenger and wagon
repairer. He started with General
Taylor on the march from Point
Isabel and was in action five hours
at Palo Alto, where the Mexicans
were routed. John Ford, learning
that his son had enlisted. arrived too
late at Point Isabel to intercept the
boy.
This Omaha veteran has vivid
recollection of the occupation of
Monterey, after a hard-fought bat
tie. September % and "a, 1916. He
remembers the city in the valley of
the San Juan. with the ridges Of
the Sierra Madre in the distance.
At Monterey he saw the intrepid
Ben Butler in action. On the morn
ing of September II, Buffers divi-
sion was ordered forward. The
| Mexicans responded from street en-
trenchments and barricaded houses.
Ford saw Butler and Colonel Mitch
ell enter the city and he saw the
Mexicans moved down. He saw the
! height above the bishops palace
stormed and taken. He was stand
ing at the side of General Taylor
when Ampudia sent message to
the American general, stating that