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Zachary Taylor Letter Signed with Rank. ...
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Description
General Taylor Documents the Outbreak of the Mexican War
Zachary Taylor Letter Signed with Rank. One page, 8" x 10",
Point Isabel; May 5, 1846.A letter addressed to the Adjutant General of the Army in Washington, D.C. describing the outbreak of the Mexican American War. Signed, "Z. Taylor B't Br. Gen'l / U.S.A Comd'g."
The letter reads, in full: "On the morning and during the day of the 3.d inst, a heavy cannonade was heard in the direction of Matamoros. Though not at all solicitous in regard to the safety of our Fort, I was anxious to hear from Major Brown and dispatch a party to communicate with him under cover of a squadron of cavalry. The squadron returned in the morning of the 4th, after reconnoiting [sic] the enemy's position on the prairie, but without bringing news from Major Brown, the party sent forever to communicate not having returned. This morning however, the party, which was commanded by Capt. Walker of the Rangers, returned to this place bearing a dispatch from Major Brown which I have the honor to submit herewith, I cannot speak too highly of the good conduct of Major Brown and his command, and the excellent dispositions of himself and the Engineer officer Capt. Mansfield, by which so severe a cannonade was sustained with so little loss. I am awaiting at this place the arrival of the recruits from New Orleans, when I shall move forward to join Major Brown and assume offensive operations."
A pivotal letter documenting the outbreak of the Mexican American War, which forever changed the boundaries of the United States and Mexico. Three days after Taylor reported on the attack on Fort Brown, the first formal battle of the war was fought at Palo Alto, on Texas soil. Taylor writes, as yet unaware of the death of Major Jacob Brown, namesake of Fort Brown and subsequently Brownsville. Taylor mentions that Capt. Walker has been sent to pick up a dispatch from Brown. Later in the war, legendary Texas Ranger Samuel Hamilton Walker, best known as the co-inventor of the Walker Colt Revolver, was killed while leading his troops in the Battle of Huamantla.
On April 1, 1846, Mexican General Mariano Arista marched his army across the Rio Grande. Taylor, stationed at the time at Fort Texas on the northern bank, ordered that his men strengthen the garrison's fortifications in preparation for an engagement. A month later, Zachary placed Major Brown in command of the fort and moved his forces to Point Isabel, where he wrote this letter. On the morning of May 3, at 5:00 A.M., Arista opened fire on Fort Texas and shortly thereafter, ordered its investment by Mexican General Pedro Ampudia. Taylor heard the firing of Arista's forces. After the fort's newly built fortifications proved stronger than anticipated, Ampudia decided to establish a formal siege. Three days later, on May 6, Brown was wounded by an enemy shell. On May 8, Arista withdrew his forces back across the Rio Grande. On May 9, Brown died from his wounds, becoming one of only two American soldiers who died in the conflict. Two days after Brown's death, President James K. Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico. Congress agreed and on May 13, the United States officially announced that it was at war with its southern neighbor.
Letters from Taylor while in Texas at the beginning of the Mexican American War are seldom found on the market. One recording the opening cannonades of the war is especially desirable.
References: National Parks Service website; TSHA Handbook of Texas.
Auction Info
2023 December 2 The Ted Lusher Texas History Collection, Part One Signature® Auction #6281 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
2nd
Saturday
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