Cole County, Missouri: Military Records of the Adjutant General's Office at Jefferson City:
Mexican War: John Ussery, private, age 24, enrolled June 28, 1846, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. Mustered in June 28, 1846. Capt. W.S. Murphy's Co. B; Capt. J.S. Wood's Co. B. Discharged Aug. 18, 1847.
Newspaper, Decatur Daily Republican, January 20, 1894: Death of W.J. Usrey.
Captain William J. Usrey died this (Saturday) morning at 3 o'clock at the family residence, 707 N. Church St., in the 67th year of his age. He came to Decatur in 1842 and taught school at Long Creek Township and in Moultrie County. Mr. Usrey married Miss Mary Daly and two children were born: Mrs Flo Moffitt, wife of D.A. Moffitt; and Miss G. Usrey. A.J. Williams and ____ Williams are half-brothers of the deceased. In 1846 Mr. Usrey became a Private in Co. C, 4th Illinois Infantry, to go to the Mexican War. Colonel Baker commanded the regiment and J.O. Pugh was Captain of the Company. He also enlisted in the 35th Illinois Infantry and was appointed adjutant. On Feb. 3, 1855 the Illinois State Chronical was established by Mr. Usry and Mr. Wingate. He continued to publish the paper until 1861 when he entered the army. In 1871, Mr Usrey retired from active newspaper work.
Survivor's Service Pension No. 12856, Act of Jan. 29, 1887: William J. Usrey, 707 N. Church St., Decature, Macon Co., IL. Corporal of Capt. Isaac C. Pugh's Company C, 4th Illinois Infantry, Enlisted June 13, 1846; discharged May 5, 1847. Age 58.
Widow's Service Pension, Mexican War, No. 11870: Mary J. Usry, ...widow of William J. Usry, Corpl., Capt. Pugh Co., 4th Illinois Vol. Inf., enlisted June 13, 1846, discharged May 25, 1847, died Jan. 20, 1894,aged 61.
Affidavit of Mary J. Usrey: "I am 85, being born April 23, 1831 at Miflin Co., PA. I was married under my name of Mary J. Daly to my husband by Rev. William S. Crissey on 1st July 1851, at Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois. My husband's service: Springfield, IL to Alton, thence to Jefferson Barracks, MO., New Orleans, LA., Brazos Santa Tago, TX, Metamoros and Camargo, Mexico, then to VeraCruz via Metamoros and Tampico, Cerro Gordo and Halapas; and was honorably discharged at New Orleans, LA., on 25 May 1847. In battle of Siege of Vera Cruz and Battle of Cerro Gordo 17 and 18 April 1847."
Physician's Certificate of Death, Macon Co., IL: William J. Usrey, male, aged 67-7-5; died Jan 20, 1894. Born Natchez, Miss., in 1827. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Jan 22, 1894. S.J. Bumstead, MD
Soldier applied March 2, 1895 for an increase of pension from $8 to $12, but died before adjudication of claim.
Declaration for Service Pension, War of 1846 with Mexico: "Marched from Decatur, Illinois, on 7th of June 1846; mustered by the State officer on or about June 13; marched to Alton (date forgotten); by boat to Jefferson Barracks; mustered by US Mustering Officer about July 18, 1846; by boat to New Orleans, LA; by ship to Brasos Santiago; marched to Lower Camp Patterson; thence by boat to Upper Camp Patterson. While at Lower Camp Patterson was slightly wounded while suppressing a mutiny on board Steamer Corvette, Capt. McMahan of Alabama Troops commanding company of mutineers; thence to Comargo, by boat back to Metamoros; marched to Tampico; by vessel to Vera Cruz; investment of Vera Cruz; thence to Cerro Grande; participated in battle; thence to Halappa in pursuit; thence back to New Orleans and discharged."
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