LOT #47596 |
Sold on Sep 21, 2023 for: Not Sold
[Battle of Monterrey]. Mexican American War Soldier's Letter [Incomplete]. ...
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Description
[Battle of Monterrey]. Mexican American War Soldier's Letter [Incomplete]. Four pages of a bifolium, 9.25" x 11", Monterrey, Mexico; September 25, 1846. An incomplete letter from a soldier who fought in the Battle of Monterrey on September 21 to 24, 1846.The soldier writes, in part, "On the morning of the 21st Gen Quitman's brigade... were led to the attack of Monterey, one of the best fortified towns in the world as you will readily perceive by the rough chart I have drawn of it. Well, the above forces were led on to the attack, Forts A B and C being left for the Mississippi and Tennessee boys to annoy by their rifles until Col Twiggs could bring up his division to the charge. We advanced under the most galling discharge of grape, cannister, and round shot to say nothing of musket... Every Mexican who showed his head above fort a was immediately cut off by our rifles in the mean time however a perfect hailstorm of balls of all sorts sizes and descriptions [sic] were poured upon us from forts b and c killing and wounding a great many of our men, suddenly the order to charge was given by Col Davis and away we went like so many devils hooting and yelling with nothing but our rifles, no bayonets even. Jumped upon the walls of the fort and pouring a murderous fire among them as they went, another yell, and off we pushed for fort b where we served them in the like manner. Our Lieut Col. McClung was here very badly wounded while at the head of our men he was shot by a Mexican retreating, the ball cutting off two of his fingers on the left hand and entering his side just above the hip. His fall caused a momentary pause in our headlong career."
One of the key battles in the Mexican American War, the Battle of Monterrey resulted in the defeat of Mexican General Pedro de Ampudia and his Army of the North. Ampudia had been previously warned by superiors to retreat from Monterrey, but the general refused in the hopes of clinching a victory from the U.S. On September 21, 1846, the U.S. Army of Occupation, led by Zachary Taylor, attacked from both the east and the west. Three days later, Taylor negotiated a two-month armistice with Ampudia in return for the surrender of Monterrey. The loss greatly affected morale amongst Mexican troops and was largely regarded as the beginning of the end of the war.
Condition: Creased along folds with small separations. Staining at central bifolium fold, affecting all four pages. Minor closed tear to the top margin and center of all pages. From the Private Collection of a Mississippi Gentleman.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
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