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The Mexican-American War, spanning from April 1846 to February 1848, marked a significant chapter in American history. Major Thomas M. Murphree played a pivotal role during this period, meticulously maintaining records of all Pike County soldiers who served not only in the Mexican War but also in the Civil War. His efforts were immortalized in a story published in 1911, honoring the veterans of the Mexican War and preserving their legacy for future generations.

The following is a roll of Company “E,” First Alabama Regiment, which fought in the Mexican War.  The company was organized in Pike County, going thence to Mobile, where it was mustered.  At Mobile the soldiers were enlisted into the service for one year.  Then came orders from the Secretary of War that the company be remustered, the men signing up for a period of three years’ service, and that those who did not desire to enter for three years be relieved of further duty.  The roll, as given below, gives the names of those who entered for the three years’ service:  Captain Parks, who was later succeeded by Captain John B. Youngblood.  1st Corporal, Daniel N. Lee; 2nd Corporal, Wm. A Griffin, 2nd Sergeant, Joseph C. Rhodes, and 4th Sergeant, Jacob Youngblood.  Privates as follows:  Josephus M. Davis, Daniel M. Blake, Atcheson B. C. West, Hinds Eubanks, George W. Grissett, John Ginrett, James Faulkner, Wm. J. Barnett, Sam J. Harwell, Wm. B. Johns, Denton King, Rufus B, King, Edward F. Kemp, Joseph H. Kolb, Thomas J. Mills, David B. Lee, Martin Mitchell, Toliver D. Pardue, Christopher C. Pennington, James  R. Reeves, George W. Reeves, Thomas T. Stubbs, Joseph Stewart, Fleet E. Spivey, John Still, James M. Salter, Wilson Ryall, James Stephens and Allen G. Bush.

After the company left Mobile, it went to New Orleans, where it embarked for Mexico.  The company landed at Camarga, Mexico, and joined other United States forces in the fight against the Mexicans.

At New Orleans, however, the company was joined by E. Spivey, James Brabham, and John S. Carter, who left here after the company had made its departure.  These three men joined the company and fought with it through the war.  Mr. Carter was the father of Prof. J. M. Carter and a large family of other children.

A number of the patriots enlisted above were slain by the Mexicans and never returned to their native soil.  However, many of them did return to their homes and were prominent citizens and had much to do with the upbuilding of Alabama.  A number of them joined the Confederate army at the outbreak of hostilities between the States and made valiant Confederate soldiers.  E. Spivey, who is mentioned above as one of the men who joined the company at New Orleans, was later a Confederate soldier, was captured, and later died at a Chicago soldier prison.

As will be seen, the list of officers of the company is not quite complete, but is complete so far as records are obtainable.

     The Messenger is indebted to Maj. Thomas M. Murphree of Troy, for the list and information as given above, he having made considerable study of the matter in his work of securing pensions for some of the widows of the Mexican troops.

     There were other men who fought in the Mexican war and who were later citizens of Troy, but they were not members of this company  Among them was Captain Wesley G. Cox, who was a Mexican war veteran, but he went forth as a member of a Georgia company.

     All of the men mentioned in the roll of the company are now dead, having “passed over the river to rest beneath the shade of the trees.”  However, many of the descendants of the veterans are now living in Troy and Pike County.

     All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical, and Preservation Society.