Stephen A. Douglas Asks President Polk to Appoint Officers For the Mexican War

The Mexican War was officially declared on May 13, 1846, and President Polk immediately called for volunteers from each state to serve a twelve-month enlistment. Pursuant to the President’s plan, the Secretary of War asked the Governor of Illinois for 3,000 volunteers or three regiments on May 29.

Governor Ford’s call for Illinois volunteers filled the government quota in ten days. For some states, including Illinois, this conflict would be the first for which they would raise troops for a national purpose. Senator Douglas was a supporter of the conflict, with his enthusiasm perhaps increased by the fact that he chaired the Senate’s influential Committee on Territories, so any new lands obtained from Mexico would come under his jurisdiction. Here he requests that Polk appoint some officers for the Illinois regiments.

Autograph Letter Signed, no place or date but Washington, May 1846, to President James K. Polk. “I have the honor to recommend for appointments in the new regiments of the army from Illinois the following persons: Samuel Ashton to be captain, William H. Snyder to be captain, William J. Wyatt to be captain, Doct. J.J. Linn to be surgeon in the army.”

At least Snyder and Wyatt received commissions and served and some interesting details are known about Wyatt’s service. He joinedthe First Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on May 30, 1846 and became captain of his company. At the battle of Buena Vista, the regiment was in the right wing of the American army and played a significant part in the victory. The regiment’s commander, Colonel John J. Hardin, was killed, and Wyatt, an intimate friend, brought in his lifeless remains from the battlefield. At the battle’s end, when the Mexican army withdrew, the Americans were left in control of the north of Mexico. Letters of Douglas with interesting content are uncommon, this being as good as any we have carried.