View Larger PictureCoins from Left to Right
These Coins were passed down from
Wesley B. Smith.
Passed to Garland T. Smith Sr. in June of 2008 from
Frank Rankin Smith
who received them from his father
Ora Thomas Smith Sr.
Wesley B. Smith traveled to Mexico for the Mexican War in 1846.
One Mexican Coin is before the war and the other after the war.
Mexican War was from 1846 to 1848.
Read about Wesley B. Smith from the Harrison County Web Page.
Story below is from the Cynthiana Democrat News Paper
In the war with Mexico, Cynthiana furnished a company of cavalry. Infantry companies were first formed but the 2d regiment at Frankfort was found full and the boys were compelled to straddle their fiery steeds. The call was made May 22, 1846, and on June 6 the start for Louisville, the rendezvous was made. One hundred and five men were enlisted. The officers were: John Shawhan, Captain; Henry VanHook, First Lieutenant; George Swinford, Second Lieutenant; Noah Patterson, Orderly Sergeant. As the company passed through Cynthiana the streets were lined with sympathetic spectators. When the then Fowler's Cross Roads were reached, neighbors and friends were on hand with refreshments, and the same generous treatment was extended along the entire march through the country. At Leesburg Abner Monson was seized with a sad case of nostalgia, occasioned by recollections of a sorrowing mother and the demonstrations of the girl he left behind him. Arrangements for a substitute were effected and Abner returned. Citizens of Georgetown turned out in force to receive the recruits. A visit was paid to the old hero and slayer of Tecumseh, Richard M. Johnson, and the Indian boys whom he was educating were inspected. The Colonel delivered a flattering speech in honor of the occasion, and declared that with 10,000 such men he could capture the ancient halls of the Montezumas in ninety days. At Louisville the Cynthiana contingent was added to eight companies under Col. Marshall, and mustered into service. Some of the boys became sick and were compelled to return home, but ninety-six out of the original 105 went into the service. From Louisville the route lay to Memphis, thence to Little Rock and on through Arkansas and Texas to Port Lavacha on the Gulf. Will Duncan died on the trip. The Rio Grande was crossed and the enemy's country invaded. The Battle of Buena Vista, on February 21 and 22, 1847, was the company's first taste of real war. In that battle Capt. Shawhan's company lost these men: Corporal J.A. Jones, privates D.P. Rogers, W. McClintock, James Pomeroy. Wounded: Captain John Shawhan, Wm. Snodgrass, I.S. Bryson, W.C. Parker, S.M. Vanhook, George H. Wilson, James Warford and Chas. H. Fowler. That was the only battle of consequence in which the men were engaged. Active hostilities were confined to the Gulf coast. While on their way to the City of Mexico, the company's services of twelve months expired, and about the first of July they were taken to New Orleans, paid off and discharged. It is believed that ten of the company yet survive: James Warford, of Millersburg; Wm. McChesney, of Lexington; Edmond Hawes, of Harrodsburg; Joseph Perrin[,] of Falmouth; Dr. John Wall, of Flemingsburg; Orderly Noah Peterson, David Ross, Thomas Miller, George H. Givens, of Harrison, and Wes. B. Smith, of Bourbon.The DEMOCRAT is indebted to Mr. Wes. B. Smith for the facts in this sketch.
