The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-11
First Organized in 1892, Regi-
ment Disbanded 10 Years
Later, But Was Reorganized
in 1908 and Has Had Record
For Continuous Service Since
That Time-Participated in
80 Outstanding Historic Bat
ties

Ing the way for civilization in In
diana as early as 1911; in Florida
during the Seminole wars; in Da-
kota Territory in 1876, and taking
part in every foreign war as we'll
as in the civil war, the Fourth
United States Infantry, whose third
battalion is now stationed at Fort
Lincoln, has history which entities
it to prominent rank in the annals
Of the United States.
The regiment was first organized
as the infantry of the Fourth Sub.
Legion in 1892, three years after
the adoption Of the federal constitu-
ton. With various changes in or
ganization, the regiment existed for
10 years and then was disbanded
due to a reduction in the army.
Reorganization, due to threats of
war, took place in 1903 and since
then the Fourth Infantry has had
record of continuous service, taking
part in 1872 important engagements,
Of which more than 80 were out
standing historic battles.
First Great Battle
The first great battle in which
the Fourth Infantry participated was
the battle Of Tippecanoe, fought I'M
der the leadership Of General Har-
rison, afterwards president Of the
United States. This engagement
opened the Northwest Territory, now
the states of Ohio, Indiana and
Michigan, to settlement. The Fourth
Infantry lost n out Of 800 present.
After defeating the Indians, the
regiment returned to Fort Vincennes
where it was stationed until 1912,
when it marched through the for
ests of Ohio to join the forces OF
General Hull on the border.
July IL, 1912, war having been de-
clared with Great Britain, General
Hull crossed with his command into
Canada. A month or so later the
Fourth was detailed to escort some
supplies into camp, the previous es-
cort having been surprised and
routed.
Although ambushed at Maguago,
IA miles below Detroit, by superior
forces Of British, Canadians and In
dians, the American regulars cap
tured the enemy's concealed breast
works, wounding Chief Tecumseh
and completely routing their oppo-
nents. Before they could follow up
this success, however, they received
orders from General Hull to return
to Detroit. Shortly after, Hull sur
rendered his entire force to an in
ferior enemy without having struck
blow. For this act he was tried
and found guilty of ''cowardice and
neglect of duty" The Fourth In
fantry colors, taken by the British
through no fault Of the regiment, are
now kept in = Tower of London.
Regiment Reassembled
After remaining several months in
Canada as prisoners of war, the Of
ficers and men were returned under
parole to Boston and given furloughs
until exchanged. Early in 1873 the
exchange was effected and the regi-
ment reassembled and recruited to
strength. It fought at LaCole Mill,
Canada, and at Pattsburg in 1914.
In 1915, the regiment was again
reorganized and for the next 90
years fought almost constantly with
the Creek Indians in Georgia and
the Seminoles in Florida. BY the
efforts of this regiment, aided by a
few volunteers, the states of
Georgia, Alabama and Florida were
opened to white settlers. In these
campaigns, the regiment served I'M
der General Andrew Jackson, after
wards president, and under General
Scott, who later led it from Vera
Cruz to the City of Mexico.
In 1912, the regiment was ordered
to Jefferson Barracks, No., where it
remained for two years. In 1874,
the threatened war with Mexico
brought it's detailing to duty to the
western border Of Louisiana, there
to await orders.
The murder Of Colonel Cross and
the slaughter Of another officer and
q small detachment of his men by
Mexican raiders brought on HOSTILE
ties. In September, the command
sailed for Corpus Christi, where,
with the Third, Fifth, Seventh and
Eighth Infantry regiments, one regi-
ment Of artillery acting as infantry;
seven companies of dragons and
four companies of light artillery, it
formed the army Of General Zach
airy Taylor.
Set Standard of Courage
On the fields Of Palo Alto, Resaca
De La Palma and at the tremendous
struggle of Monterey, the Fourth
Infantry and it's fellow troops set
standard Of courage seldom
equalled.
General Taylor having successful
" invaded northern Mexico, the base
of active operations, was transferred
to Vera Cruz, on the east coast, and
in January, 1847, the Fourth was
taken by sea to that point. The
landing was made outside the town
and after q siege the city surren-
dered. General Scott, commanding
the army at Vera Cruz, ordered the
advance on the City Of Mexico in
April, 1847, and April II and 10
the army forced its way through the |
mountain pass at Cerro Gordo, where |
General Santa Anna, president of |
Mexico, had vowed to die rather than |
permit the invading American troops |
to pass. The pass was won only |
after desperate attacks.
The passage Of the lava fields, the |
battle Of Cherubusco, the fight at |
Moline del Rey and the final storm
ing Of Chapultepec, citadel of Mex
leo City, are among the outstanding |
chapters Of the Fourth's history dur
ing the Mexican campaign.
In 16l8, the regiment returned to |
the United States and in 1852 set |
sail for the Pacific coast via the
Isthmus Of Panama. The trip across
the Isthmus was called one Of, the
most trying ever made. There were