During the Battle of Monterrey they guarded a mortar battery and did not return fire. The Legion missed the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, but participated in the Monterrey campaign. The Legion traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans before taking ships to northern Mexico. Sally Ward, reputedly the most beautiful woman in the city, presented the Legion with regimental colors. Owsley, however, convinced the secretary of war to accept the unit since they were fully armed, equipped, and ready to deploy to the seat of war, which they did in the summer of 1846.īefore embarking for Mexico by steamboat, the Legion was treated to a patriotic send-off by the citizens of Louisville. Competition to be accepted into the Legion was fierce, and, once in, few members left.Īlthough the Legion quickly responded to Governor Owsley’s call for troops, so many men across the nation volunteered that the federal government nearly rejected the Legion. While other Kentucky militia units used their muster and drill dates as social occasions, the Legion trained and drilled faithfully. Members of the Legion were well-known for their military bearing and high standards and companies prided themselves on drill and discipline. When Kentucky Governor William Owsley issued the call for troops, the Louisville Legion was the first unit to respond and to be accepted for service. The Mexican-American War provided the Legion their first opportunity for real military service.

One of the first units to offer their services was the respected Louisville Legion.Īlthough the Louisville Legion had roots starting in 1837, the unit was formally organized by the Kentucky legislature in 1839 as an official state militia unit. Kentuckians responded enthusiastically to the call for volunteers to fight in the Mexican-American War.

Historical Marker #1589 in Louisville notes the military service of the Louisville Legion. Tour navigation: Previous | Tour Info | Next Text

Art of war legions units