After America declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846, New York City politician Jonathan D. Stevenson proposed forming a volunteer regiment of New Yorkers. He contacted President James K. Polk to offer his services, and Polk accepted. In June, the 7th New York Regiment of Volunteers, also known as Stevenson’s Regiment, was officially recognized by the War Department. During New York City's difficult economic times, Stevenson primarily recruited soldiers in Lower Manhattan, par