William Jenkins Worth

General William J. Worth was born in 1794, in a house which is still standing, on the south side of Union street, between Second and Third, in the city of Hudson. In this city, for a considerable time during his youth, he was a clerk in one of the stores.

Upon the breaking out of the last war with England young Worth was one of the first to apply for a military commission, and on the 19th of March, 1813, he was appointed first lieutenant in he Twenty-third Infantry. In the battle of Chippewa he acted as aid-de-camp to General Scott, and was commissioned captain, Aug. 19, 1814. For good conduct in the battle of Niagara he received the commendation of his superior officers, and was advanced to the rank of major. At the close of the war he was placed in superintendence of the military academy at West Point. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, July 25, 1824; appointed major of ordnance in 1832, and colonel of the Eighth Infantry, July 7, 1838.

In the Florida war he performed excellent service. He was brevetted brigadier-general, March 1, 1842. He fought the battle of Palaklaklaha on the 19th of April in that year, completely defeating a large body of Seminoles, and capturing their chiefs.

In the Mexican war General Worth was with Taylor’s column, and his second in command, leading the main part of the corps to the Rio Grande, while Taylor moved towards Point Isabel. Soon after he was superseded in the command of his division by General Twiggs, who, arriving on the ground, claimed the command by priority of commission. Upon this General Worth, considering himself aggrieved, left the army, proceeded to Washington, and tendered his resignation, but at the same time expressed the hope that if actual war should take place, he might be permitted to resume his place in the army.

“While at Washington the aspect at the seat of war changed. News arrived of the danger of Taylor at Fort Brown, and soon after of the march to Point Isabel, and the battles of the 8th and 9th of May. Worth immediately applied for his commission; it was granted, and he hurried on to Texas. He was received by General Taylor with open arms, and conducted the negotiations attending the capitulation of Matamoras.

“But another and nobler field was now offered to him at Monterey. General Taylor, with the generosity of a true soldier, intrusted him with the attack upon the Bishop’s palace, an almost impregnable fortress, commanding a steep and rocky height, and the key of the road to the interior. This was considered by the whole army as an almost desperate undertaking, and none who saw the division of the general march from the camp towards the palace expected to see half of them return.

“The peculiar situation of Worth favored this belief, as it was supposed that, in order to atone for his lost opportunities and stop the voice of calumny, he would rush headlong into danger, and recover his reputation at every hazard. Worth acted differently. He felt his duty to the soldiers, and allowed no personal feeling to hinder its execution. Where the Americans expected the heaviest loss, and perhaps total failure, they were scarcely injured. During the whole time the troops labored in range of the enemy’s guns, crossing ravines, climbing rocks and ledges, wading through water and carrying their cannon up precipitous cliffs. Worth was all the time on horseback, riding from post to post, and using every effort to cheer his men I their laborious duties. His conduct is mentioned by the commander in terms of the warmest approbation.

“Worth was one of the commissioners at the negotiations for the capitulation, and performed efficient service during the evacuation of the city. He was subsequently detached to Saltillo, where he remained until January, at which time he marched for the Gulf coast to join General Scott.

“At Vera Cruz, General Worth was the first officer that formed his troops in line after their landing. His services in the siege were valuable; and he was the head of the American deputation to arrange the terms of capitulation. When the Mexicans had left the city, Worth was appointed governor, and occupied it with his brigade. His prompt and exact measures soon resuscitated the trade and commerce of the city, and repressed the disorders which had long disgraced it.

“On the same day that the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought, Worth took unresisted possession of the town and fortress of Perote, in which were found immense stores of ammunition, cannon, mortars, and small arms. This is one of the strongest castles in Mexico. Here he remained for some time, principally engaged in perfecting the discipline of his army. The movements of Santa Anna called him from his retirement; and, after the battle of Cerro Gordo, he was very active in cutting off supplies from the Mexican camp. Early in May he advanced toward Puebla, and on the 14th he was met by Santa Anna, with a detachment of about three thousand men, most of them cavalry. A skirmish ensued, several Mexicans were unhorsed, and the whole force returned to the city.

“The next morning, before daylight, Santa Anna left for the interior, and at ten o-clock the Americans obtained quiet possession of the city, which contained a population of 80,000.”*

The services of General Worth in Mexico were fully appreciated by the government, and his storming of Monterey is regarded as one of the most brilliant exploits of that war.

Having safely passed through the dangers and hardships of the Mexican struggle, General Worth was stricken by cholera, at San Antonio de Bexar, in Texas, and died there May 17, 1849. His remains are interred in the city of New York. Upon the roll of fame his name is clearly written as one of the most brilliant soldiers and heroes of the Mexican war.

*Extracted from the “Rough and Ready Annual”

Columbia County, New York Biographies