PROMOTIONS OF ENLISTED MEN OF THE COMPANY.
Reading edition
Tepe Agualco, Mexico, May 4, 1847.
Colonel JOSEPH G. TOTTEN, Chief Engineer, Washington City.
Sir:
"I have the honor to inform you that, on the 25th of April, First Sergeant Hastings of 'K' Company, Third Artillery, was, by order of General Worth, transferred to the Engineer Corps, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief.
"Sergeant Hastings has the reputation of being one of the best first sergeants in the army. He was for 7 or 8 years orderly sergeant in the Second Infantry. He is an intimate friend of Sergeant Everett;[6] is a well educated man, very intelligent; a remarkably fine looking soldier, a good drill sergeant.
"By birth he is an Irishman—he came to this country quite young, and was brought up in Po'keepsie, N. Y.
"We were very much in want of an orderly sergeant. I think there can be no doubt but we have secured a prize.
"I would be glad if you would send a Sergeant's warrant for David H. Hastings. I respectfully recommend the following promotions and appointments in the engineer company:
Corporal Benjamin W. Coit, acting lance sergeant since 1st of February, to be sergeant from February 1st, 1847:
Artificer Charles A. Viregg, lance corporal since 1st of February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847:
Artificer Ethan T. Sheldon, lance corporal since 1st of February, to be corporal from February 1st, 1847:
Artificer William A. Noyes, to be corporal from the 18th of April, 1847:
"Privates Charles A. Pierce, Jacob T. Smith, Benjamin L. Boomer, Edwin M. Holloway, James Brannan, Joseph A. Mower, David P. Weaver, Thomas Bigley, Seth H. Taylor, and Charles A. Porter, to be artificers from the 29th of March, 1847:
"Musician Frederick W. Gerber to be artificer from the 18th of April, 1847:
"Privates Augustus B. Hussey, James B. Vansant, and William S. Bliss, to be artificers from the 29th of March, 1847:
"Corporal William Bartlett, reduced to the grade of artificer, May 1st, 1847:
"Artificer Hiram B. Yeager to be corporal from May 1st, 1847:
"Artificer Charles W. Bont reduced to the grade of second class private from May 1st, 1847:
"I respectfully call to the attention of the Chief Engineer the fact that, in accordance with his suggestion, I have delayed making the above recommendations, and now urge them as my deliberate opinion. I hope they will be favorably acted upon.
"My monthly return for April shows a total of sixty-two. My recommendations make, in the company, six sergeants, six corporals, one musician, twenty-three artificers and twenty-six second class privates".
Very respectfully, Your obdt. servt., GUS. W. SMITH, Lieut., Comdg. Engr. Co.
The foregoing recommendations were approved and the appointments were received whilst the company was in the city of Puebla.
Soon after the war ended, Sergeants Hastings, Starr and Everett were promoted to be commissioned officers in the "Old Regular Army" of the United States. Later, Sergeant Warren L. Lothrop was given a commission in that army.
FOOTNOTE:
Transcriber's Note
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