John White Geary: Soldier-Statesman, 1819-1873 [Reprint 2016 ed.] 9781512808056

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PENNSYLVANIA

LIVES

JOHN WHITE GEARY

J O H N W H I T E GEARY During the Civil

War

J O H N W H I T E GEARY Soldier-Statesman 1819-1873

By

HARRY

MARLIN

t

TINKCOM

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS PHILADELPHIA 1940

Copyright 1940 UNIVERSITY

OF P E N N S Y L V A N I A

PRESS

Manufactured, in the United States of America

LONDON HUMPHREY OXFORD

M1LFORD

UNIVERSITY

PRESS

FOREWORD volume initiates a significant publication program—a series entitled PENNSYLVANIA LIVES, which is designed to do honor in brief, readable biographies to the men and women of Pennsylvania in many fields of activity who shared in the history and development of the state, but whose contributions have hitherto been overlooked. THIS

It is fitting to have the series open with the biography of a man whose life span coincided with one of the most stirring periods of American history, a man who participated in many important national events, culminating his active career as governor of his native state—a Pennsylvanian, in short, who made history. John White Geary was a member of an American profession now extinct. He and his professional brethren were to be found on the far-flung American frontier supervising and directing the adjustment of institutions created in older communities to fit the needs of the new. These state-builders wrote many thrilling pages in the annals of the "furious 'forties" and "fateful 'fifties," for their labors were heroic, tragic, even comic. Geary and his fellows had to deal with the vagaries of conduct not usually found in such profusion in the regions whence they came. They met every sort from resourceful statesmen and sober citizens to bandits and the sorriest charlatans, and to succeed in these outposts under construction the directors had to possess unusual persistence, ability, versatility, and luck. General Geary gravitated to successive centers of the unusually dynamic activities of these years. In the Mexican War, in California, in Kansas, in the Civil War, and finally in the gubernatorial chair of post-war Pennsylvania, he could count few months in which the ordinary pursuits of a peaceful and quiet life were ever known to him. Upon these pages is spread a ν

vi

FOREWORD

colorful story which is in reality more than a biography, for it is an illustration of a vital phase of the enterprise so typical of the creative years in the history of the Republic. ROY

University of Pennsylvania May 1940

F.

NICHOLS

CONTENTS JOHN WHITE GEARY

Frontispiece

Courtesy of Alfred H. Geary Page FOREWORD

ν

By Roy F. Nichols Chapter I II

E A R L Y LIFE

ι

T H E MEXICAN W A R

5

III

P O S T M A S T E R OF S A N FRANCISCO

40

IV

M A Y O R OF S A N F R A N C I S C O

J3

G O V E R N O R OF K A N S A S

58

F I G H T I N G FOR T H E UNION

99

V VI VII VIII

G O V E R N O R OF P E N N S Y L V A N I A

113

SECOND T E R M AS G O V E R N O R

127

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL N O T E

145

INDEX

151

I

EARLY LIFE IN FOLLOWING the activities of John White G e a r y w e must survey the most exciting and trying events of the United States's roaring and turbulent nineteenth century. Where the fighting was thickest, where the stakes highest, there w e find our central figure. He was attracted to conflict and action as is a moth to flame. Our country emerged from the formative crucible inured to attacks from enemies at home and abroad. T h e birth of the Republic was attended by solemn and dangerous circumstances, but no less dangerous, no less precarious were the critical events which accompanied its early youth. T h e Republic, a babe in a world of avaricious neighbors, plagued b y serious internal disorders, g r e w in strength and stature only with the aid of strong and unselfish men. A m o n g them G e a r y , statesman and warrior, is a fine example. John White G e a r y was born on December 30, 1819, near the peaceful little town of Mount Pleasant, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His father, Richard G e a r y , a native of Franklin County, and a descendant of that hardy pioneer stock, the Ulstermen, was a man of liberal education and refinement. He married Margaret White, a resident of Washington County, Maryland. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Westmoreland County, in western Pennsylvania, where Richard planned to establish himself in the iron industry, a business which was risky and highly competitive. He operated the M a r y A n n Furnace, and although he labored strenuously, his enterprise could not be placed on a paving basis. Eventually he was forced to withdraw from his project and turn over everything to his creditors, losing his entire original investment. This failure left him in straitened circumstances with many outstanding bills y e t to be paid. I

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JOHN WHITE GEARY

He now relied upon his education and opened a school. He taught Westmoreland County children for the rest of his life, but then, as now, teaching was far from being a lucrative profession. In spite of a sincere effort to recuperate his finances, he died insolvent, leaving the members of his family dependent upon themselves for support. Although never affluent after the collapse of his business, Richard Geary continually strove to give his boys a substantial amount of education. He had four sons in all, but the first and third unfortunately died before reaching maturity. The second son, Edward R. Geary, taking full advantage of the learning his father had so thoughtfully provided, studied for the ministry, and in due time became an eminent Presbyterian clergyman. Early in his life he moved to the state of Oregon, where he became an influential figure in the development of that region. The youngest son, John W h i t e Geary, was enrolled at the time of his father's death as a student at Jefferson (now Washington and Jefferson College), Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Feeling it incumbent upon him to help provide for his mother, he opened a school of his own at the early age of fifteen. Hard work and thrift eventually enabled him to return to Jefferson College, from which he was graduated. W i t h his college course behind him he looked about for a means of livelihood. His experience as a teacher had convinced him that that profession was not adapted to his taste, so in a search for opportunity he went to Pittsburgh, where he obtained a position as clerk in a wholesale house. This too proved unsatisfactory, and after a while, yielding to a natural partiality for mathematics, he began the study of civil engineering. After mastering the principles of that vocation his thirst for knowledge was not yet satisfied. Feeling that a thorough comprehension of law would prove an invaluable aid to his chances for a successful career, he took up that study and was eventually admitted to the bar. At this time, however, he fully intended to adopt engineering as his life work. This insatiable desire for knowledge had now thoroughly grounded Geary for his later public services.

EARLY LIFE

3

B o t h of the specialized courses he had taken after leaving J e f f e r son College proved extremely w o r t h while. Intent n o w upon utilizing his studies in engineering, he sought and secured a position in K e n t u c k y , where he worked f o r the State and the G r e e n R i v e r Railroad C o m p a n y in making a survey of several public w o r k s projects. W i t h the remuneration obtained f r o m these engagements and f r o m a successful land speculation, he was n o w able to return home and place in his mother's hands all the money necessary to satisfy the claims of his deceased father's creditors. T h i s had always been his aim, and n o w that it w a s accomplished he felt greatly relieved. O n c e again in Pennsylvania, G e a r y was not long in

finding

lucrative employment. H e secured a position with the A l l e g h e n y P o r t a g e Railroad C o m p a n y , and in a v e r y short time he was p r o m o t e d to the rank of Assistant Superintendent and Engineer. T h i s railway was a unit in the chain of transportation links b e t w e e n Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, one section in the three hundred and ninety-five-mile span of canals and railroads w h i c h had been constructed b y the State in response to the demand of eastern merchants that a more rapid means of transportation be created to connect the port of Philadelphia with the Ohio. It was hoped that this line of transportation w o u l d restore much of Pennsylvania's commerce with the W e s t and meet the competition of the E r i e Canal w h i c h was opened in 1825. T h e trip f r o m the coast to Pittsburgh was beset with many difficulties, the greatest of w h i c h w e r e the Alleghenies. T o meet the challenge of tlhis mountainous region a group of daring engineers built the famous A l l e g h e n y Portage Railroad. It extended over the r u g g e d c o u n t r y between Hollidaysburg and Johnstown, a dist a n c e of thirty-six miles. In order to send coaches up and d o w n the

mountain the engineers devised a series of ten inclined

plames, five on either side. Stationary engines, located at the top of e:ach plane, raised or lowered the cars b y means of strong cablies. T h e relatively level spaces between each plane w e r e traversed either b y horse or engine power. A s the double-tracked r a i l w a y stretched w e s t w a r d to J o h n s t o w n it passed through

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JOHN WHITE GEARY

what was probably the first railroad tunnel in the United States. Built in 1832 it pierced a spur in the mountain nine hundred and one feet in length. This extraordinary undertaking was one of the world's most unique railway experiments, and so revolutionary was the project that many European engineers came to inspect it. It was one of the finest examples of empire building in America. Even Charles Dickens, who traveled over the railroad on his American tour, was mildly impressed. But as the great American passion for speed continued to assert itself the Portage Railroad was found to be too slow. In 1857 it was sold to the newly organized Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which had already built a continuous line of rails across the Alleghenies. The old inclined planes were left to rust and rot themselves into limbo, their picturesque attraction supplanted by the Horseshoe Curve, then as now the scenic climax on a journey by rail from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Today a monument stands on the William Penn Highway, near the town of Cresson, commemorating the remarkable achievements of those heroic pioneers in the field of locomotion. And if one is so inclined he may wander off the beaten path to travel again the old Portage trail, where little that is physical remains except the old stone sleepers that bore the rails, grassgrown and forgotten.

II

THE MEXICAN WAR FOR some time trouble had been brewing between the United States and Mexico over the Texas T e r r i t o r y . T h e annexation of Texas had been a bitter issue in Congress. Because of the intense desire of southern congressional members to secure addirional slave states, and the determination of certain northern members to prevent such action, the ensuing quarrel presiged the gigantic conflict between the states which was soon to come. Aided by a fairly strong expansionist sentiment which prevailed in the country, it was not long before those favoring the admission of Texas succeeded. T h e House of R e p resentatives on February 25, and the Senate on March 1, 1845, passed resolutions which made Texas a member of the Union. T y l e r signed the resolution on March 1, three days before Polk was inaugurated. Polk had been so interested in the measure that he had hurried to Washington to force it through. Of course Mexico had never recognized the independence of Texas, and now that the United States had taken her into the fold, little friendliness existed between the t w o countries. T h e immediate cause of the rupture between them concerned the boundaries. T h e United States claimed the R i o Grande as her proper frontier, while the Mexicans insisted that our claims did not extend beyond the Nueces River. It was to be expected that Polk would back up the expansionist claim, having been elected to the Presidency on that platform. N o w in the chief seat of government, he forthwith prepared to satisfy the American demand by sending General Zachary T a y l o r into the disputed territory with a small force. Obviously, the President wanted the quarrel to be resolved one w a y or another: either the Mexicans would tolerate American soldiers in the contested area and accept the situation with as much grace as possible, or else they w o u l d attempt to drive T a y l o r f r o m his position b y violence. Mexico, now forced to make a decision, sent General Arista ï

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JOHN WHITE GEARY

into the territory. H e came into conflict with the troops of General T a y l o r in April 1846, and in the following month President Polk informed Congress that war existed with Mexico. N o w that w e were engaged in war, the President asked for ten million dollars and fifty thousand men. This summons for volunteers succeeded in obtaining enough recruits to more than subdue Mexico. T h e call flew rapidly to Pennsylvania and circulated among the towering Alleghenies to fall upon the ready ears of John W h i t e Geary. T h e y o u n g engineer hesitated not a moment in responding to the demand for soldiers. H e would gladly help Polk "conquer a peace." W i t h an eye to the future, G e a r y had always tried to prepare himself for life and the unexpected events which might come. This was previously evidenced in his desire to train himself in the fields of law and engineering. T h e art of warfare was no exception. For some time he had been intensely interested in military history and tactics. In addition to studying the technique of arms in an academic fashion G e a r y had been vigorously promoting schemes which would help perfect the volunteer system. A keen interest enabled him to rise quickly from the rank of a private to that of brigadier general. T h e brigade, composed of members from Cambria and Somerset counties, elected him to this rank. T o show their appreciation of Geary's services and abilities, the brigade members selected him as a delegate to the National Military Convention, held at Washington, D.C., December 10, 1842. H e represented the T w e l f t h Military Division of the Pennsylvania Militia. T h e time and energy spent in improving the volunteer system had served Geary in good stead. W i t h the knowledge gained through his military efforts he was better prepared to be of aid in the war which was now at hand. A m o n g the first to volunteer, he enrolled on December 18, 1846, quickly organized a company which he appropriately named the "American Highlanders," and set off from the Cresson Summit for Pittsburgh. T h r o u g h the early pioneer towns of Ebensburg, Armagh, and Blairsville the

THE MEXICAN WAR

7

little troop marched at a rapid rate of speed to arrive in Pittsburgh on January 3, 1847. T h e town presented a wild and riotous scene in those stirring days. T h e y were welcomed enthusiastically by the citizens, and were later bidden a hearty farewell with just as much vigor when they left for the distant fields of action. Their stay was brief but hectic, marked by numerous carousals and free-for-all fights as they elected officers to command them. T h e Highlanders joined the Second Pennsylvania Regiment under the command of Colonel W . B. Roberts, and on January 6 Geary was elected lieutenant colonel by a vote of 591 to 373 over his nearest competitor, William Murray. The Second Pennsylvania was not long in the gala city. Haste was imperative, for Santa Anna, the Mexican commander, was proclaiming with vivid oaths the fearful havoc he would create among the invaders from the North. So on January 9 the regiment, amid great excitement and rejoicing, departed for far-off Mexico, the theatre of war. With flags and martial music in the air the militant band chugged down the rolling Ohio to Cincinnati. Here an unstable boat failed to operate, and a two days' suspension of travel was necessary to make the steamer riverworthy once more. After the balky craft had been repaired, the warriors continued their voyage to N e w Orleans, which was reached on January 18. T h e y were held in the city for several days by heavy rains, but when the weather cleared they took passage on a vessel bound for Tampico. T h e student who wishes to follow the progress of doughty young Geary through our war with Mexico finds his path eased and his task made thoroughly enjoyable by a diary kept by the far-faring soldier himself. Beginning his entries on December 31, 1846, the wintry day which found him leading the Highlanders away from Cresson Summit on the road to war, he faithfully chronicled his adventures until the conflict ended. Through adversity and triumph, battle and calm, sickness and health, he continued to cover the pages of his little notebook

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JOHN WHITE GEARY

with his personal experiences and observations. The diminutive volume survived the heat, rains, and battles of Mexico; and now, after the lapse of almost a century, it enables us to live again with Geary, the soldier and the man. As an invaluable document, both human as well as historical, it deserves generous space in these pages. The entries covering the Lieutenant Colonel's trip from Cresson Summit to New Orleans are quite brief, and it is not until the troops have embarked at New Orleans on January 24, 1847, that he has time to take fuller notes. Let us turn to that day then, and follow our diarist. Jany 24. Tremenduous rain. Quite a deluge—2 feet of water in camp ground—Men wade out. Baggage all wet—Camp broken up—embarked on board the ships. "I.N. Cooper"—Geni. Veazie, and Ocean. Companies B.D. and G embarked on board the Veazie under my command—Companies C.F and Κ on the Ocean under Maj Brindle, the rest on the Cooper under command of Colonel Roberts. Jany 2