Sidney Breese to James K. Polk, 4 January 18491
Washington Jan. 4. 1849ToThe President,The undersigned Senators of the State of Illinois, respectfully represent to the President, that they are of opinion, a very meritorious
officer of the Army, Brevet Major J. B. Backenstoss Mtd[Mounted ] Rifles, has been, in the distribution of Brevets for gallant services in Mexico, unintentionally overlooked, and the object of this communication is, to draw the
attention of the President to his Case–
Major Backenstoss was appointed Captain of Rifles from Illinois and is a citizen of
that State– He was brevetted ^Major^ for gallant conduct at Contreras & Churubusco whilst for similar conduct at Chapultepec & the Garita de Belen on the 13th Sept.[September] 1847, he is unnoticed.
By reference to the reports of Major Genl Quitman commanding the Division, of Genl[General] Persifor F. Smith, comdg.[commanding] Brigade & of his subordinate Col. Loring & of Major Sanderson of the same corps on file in the War Dept. it will be seen Capt.[Captain] Backenstoss’ conduct is highly commended– He was, as th ^we^ under-
a line?] a stop to the action & was often very close to them– He, with Capt. Simonson, & Lieut. Stuart, were the three first Americans within the gates of the city of Mexico– They entered at the head of about forty Riflemen and captured two pieces of Cannon,
driving the Mexicans into the citadel–
<Page 2>
stand, engaged with his company against the enemy from 8 O’clock in the morning,
until night put [Of that gallant Regt.[Regiment] the following officers have been brevetted for gallant conduct on the 13th of Sept. 1847:
| Bvt. Lt Col. Loring | to be | Col[Colonel]. by Brevet. |
| Capt. J. S. Simonson | to be | Major by Brvt.[Brevet] |
| ca" S. S. Tucker | to be | majdo– |
| ca" B. S. Roberts | majdo. | |
| ca" A. Porter | majdo. | |
| Bvt[Brevet] 1st Lieut[Lieutenant] Geo. McLane | to be | Capt. by Bvt. |
| bvt 2d Lieut Robt. M. Morris | " | 1st Lieut 1 " |
| bvt" " F. S. K. Russell | " | 1st " lieute " |
| bvt" " James Stuart | " | 1st " lieute " |
The undersigned now asked that the name of Brevet Major Backenstoss may be added to this list as Bvt. Lt. Col.[Brevet Lieutenant Colonel] & respectfully refer the President to the official
Sidney Breese<Page 3>
reports before alluded to.
[ endorsement
]
I cordially & earnestly unite ^in^ the above recommendation in behalf of Major Backenstos. By reference to the official
reports it will be seen that Major Backenstos performed the most gallant deeds in
connection with his brother officers, and that all were Brevetted except him. We [oly?] only ask the same meed of justice to him which has been awarded to them
S. A. Douglas2[ endorsement
]
I was acquainted with Maj.[Major] Backenstoss as a private citizen and civil officer; in both of these capacities he
was highly and justly respected. His services during the late war were emenently brilliant & useful– such is the testimony of his superior officers, and such is the
estimation of his numerous friends in Illinois. I hope, sir, you will promote him.
J A McClernand3<Page 4>
[ endorsement
]
We concur in the foregoing recommendation
Thos J. Turner5Orlando B FicklinJno WentworthRobert Smith[ endorsement
]
If it shall appear by the reports of the proper officers, that the good conduct of
Major Backinstoss, was such as to entitle him to further promotion, according to what
is customary in such cases, I very cheerfully add my request, that his case may not
be overlooked. Of the facts of the case I know nothing.
A. Lincoln6[ docketing
]
President. U.S.
Hon S. Breese & others–
In favor of addl Brevt for Maj J. B. Backenstoss, Mounted Riflemen
Hon S. Breese & others–
In favor of addl Brevt for Maj J. B. Backenstoss, Mounted Riflemen
[ docketing
]
P. 104. Rec Feb[Received February] 26/49[1849]
[ docketing
]
[?]
5Thomas J. Turner wrote the text of the endorsement and signed his name. Orlando B.
Ficklin, John Wentworth, and Robert Smith signed their own names.
6Abraham Lincoln wrote and signed this endorsement. On February 6, 1849, Secretary
of War William L. Marcy sent the U.S. Senate a letter written to President Polk on January 31 recommending Backenstos for brevet
promotion to lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct at the Battle
of Chapultepec to date from September 13, 1847. On March 2, the Senate confirmed the
promotion.
Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903), 1:179; U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 30th Cong., 2nd sess., 6 February 1849, 35; 2 March 1849, 55.
Autograph Letter Signed, 4 page(s), Box 180, RG 107, Entry 18: Records of the Secretary of War, Record Series Originating During The Period 1789-1889, Correspondence, Letters Received, Letters Received (Main Series), 1801-1889, NAB.