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[Mexican American War]. Archive of Army Newspapers The American Star, Daily American Star, and The North Ame...
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Description
An Extensive Archive of U.S. Army Newspapers Chronicling the Occupation of Mexico
[Mexican American War]. Archive of Army Newspapers The
American Star, Daily American Star, and The
North American. An archive of fifty-seven U.S. Army
newspapers printed in English and Spanish, ten lithographs, one
sketch, and one engraving. The collection includes one issue of
The American Star dated October 5, 1847; forty-five issues
of the Daily American Star, dated October 13 to December 8,
1847; and eleven issues of The North American, dated October
26 to December 7, 1847.Newspapers measure 12.5" x 19" and the accompanying images measure 17" x 12.25". The newspapers were originally bound, but have been removed and the original boards are present. The boards have a printed from a library in Massachusetts, but it has been confirmed that they were properly deaccessed. All items are housed in a custom half leather and marble clamshell case.
The newspapers focus primarily on the events of the Mexican American War, the status of the American troops, and other pertinent foreign affairs. The periodicals often circulated rumors about any military developments, printing descriptions of the battles as well as translated intercepted letters from Mexican nationals. In the October 5 edition of The American Star, editors printed, "Important Rumor - During yesterday morning it was currently reported that Gen. Taylor was on the march to and near, San Louis de Potosi. Information to this effect was conveyed to a prominent officer of our army, by a gentleman of varacity [sic], who spoke of it as a matter beyond doubt. For ourselves, we know not what to think if it: Gen. Taylor has at least 5000 men with him, and why he should remain in the neighborhood of Monterey with such a force, we cannot conceive. With 1500 men we believe that Gen. Taylor could now come to this city." This is likely outdated information as U.S. forces had maintained control of Northern Mexico since the spring of 1847.
On October 13, 1847, the Daily American Star printed an intercepted letter from a member of the Mexican Congress dated August 21. The letter laments the advance of U.S. troops to the edge of Mexico City, just one day before General Winfield Scott instituted a two-week armistice. It reads, in part, "In truth, this war is going to cease, as I suppose, because, on the 19th and 20th, at the gates of Mexico, our nation has covered itself with mourning and dishonor, and our generals and chiefs in particular, with opprobrium. There is not even left to us the glory to say, with that French personage well known in history, that 'all is lost but our honor;' as our army has long since lost both honor and shame, which is not necessary to prove when this capital groans with sorrow and anger against those who call themselves its defenders. The enemy, as yet, has not soiled with his tread the palaces of the Montezumas, but that is because a suspension of hostilities has caused him to to [sic] pause in his triumphant march."
The same issue included an opinion mocking Mexican surveillance of General Zachary Taylor. It reads, "The Mexicans seem very much troubled about Gen. Taylor, and to be impressed with a sort of an idea that he moves with the velocity of lighting, and something after the fashion of a Jack o'lanthorn [sic]. One day they report him near San Luis, and the next one he is at the Brazos. The last accounts we had of the general he was marching for and near to San Luis. That news was from a San Luis paper. Now here's what a paper from the same place, under date of the 6th inst., says: 'By a private letter received from a friend of ours at Saltillo, we learn that Gen. Taylor has embarked for Vera Cruz in order to unite his forces with those of Gen. Scott, who was not considered safe with the force under his command.' Nobody but the Mexican army ever believed that Gen Scott was not safe, and shrewd enough to keep so. We reckon El Independent feels safe now that he has sent Taylor to Vera Cruz."
In addition to speculation and confiscated letters, the newspapers also published detailed accounts of recent battles. The November 5, 1847 edition of the Daily American Star, recounted the Battle of Huamantla and the death of legendary Texas Ranger Samuel Walker, which had taken place the month before on October 9. Journalists wrote, "Brilliant victory and capture of Mexican artillery - Santa Anna again beaten, and two of his Aids made Prisoners - Death of the Heroic Captain Walker... Gen. Lane, leaving a considerable portion of his forces at the hacienda, with the baggage wagons, and part of the artillery, determined to advance upon Huamantla, taking with him the Indiana and Ohio Regiments, and Col. Wynkoop's, Maj. Lally's and Capt. Simmon's battalions, and sending in advance the mounted men about 200 under command of Capt. Walker, with instructions to act as circumstances might require. Capt. Walker advanced rapidly towards the town, and when within a short distance, ascertained that the enemy were there in considerable force, with several pieces of artillery, and fearing lest any delay, in waiting for the advance of the Infantry, might enable the enemy to escape with their cannon, gallantly ordered a charged with his handful of men, and after a brisk fight, succeeded in capturing four pieces of artillery, and driving off the enemy... This movement of the enemy was unknown to Capt. Walker, and supposing after the capture of the guns, and the rout of the 500 men with them, the affair to be over, suffered his men to disperse through the town, to cut off the retreat of the enemy, and capture any more guns and ammunition that might be discovered. Captain Walker with some 50 or 60 men, remained in the plaza, or centre square of the town. At this time, to the entire surprise of all, a sudden rush was made into the plaza by the enemy, who made a fierce attack with lances and escopetts [sic] upon the small band. Capt. Walker soon rallied his few men, and took a position in front of a church, and determined to fight until the last. He had maintained the position some 15 or 20 minutes, when he fell mortally wounded."
An American victory, the Battle of Huamantla was fought between General Joseph Lane's troops and those of President Santa Anna. Despite Santa Anna's early advance with the death of Captain Samuel H. Walker, Mexican soldiers were forced to retreat to Querétaro shortly thereafter. The American victory at Huamantla resulted in the end of the siege of Puebla.
That same day, The North American published information on the Battle of Atlixco on October 19. Also known as the Atlixco Affair, the conflict took place between General Lane and Mexican General Joaquín Rea only a week after Lane had forced Rea from his position in the Siege of Puebla.
The newspaper reported, "Another Victory. Gen. Lane left this city on the morning of Tuesday, in search of the enemy, on the road towards Mexico, and had the good fortune to encounter a small party of them between the old town of Cholula and Atlixco. The greater part of them were infantry, and were first encountered near Cholula, about noon of Tuesday, and from thence a running fight was kept up until both parties reached Atlixco, about 8 o'clock in the evening. The only part of Gen. Lane's forces who could share in such an engagement was the cavalry, as our infantry are not equal in legs, although superior in arms, to the enemy. They, however, followed by, forced marches as rapidly as possible, and were present in the fight at Atlixco... The enemy number about four or five hundred men - the cavalry, which pursued them composed of Captains Ford's, Walker's, and another company, the name of which we have not learned, did not exceed seventy-five or eighty men at the most. Capt. Ford was in command of our cavalry, and acquitted himself handsomely, as did his little but gallant force. Before reaching Atlixco, the enemy made a stand in a favorable place, when some of Walker's men dismounted, and used their rifles upon them with great effect. Leaving some thirty dead upon the field here, the enemy again fled before our troopers, and did not halt again until they reached the town above named. So anxious were they to effect their escape to this place, that they threw away about 200 muskets to facilitate their movement."
There are newspaper clippings also included with content about a Captain E.A. Kimball of Company D, New Hampshire. It was likely he that compiled this collection and obtained the lithographs while serving in Mexico City. Kimball was one of the heroes of Churusbusco and Chapultepec and received a citation and promotion.
Condition: Newspapers are toned throughout with smudging and staining. Most have separations along the integral folds. Several have been reinforced with tissue. Deckling and closed tears to the margins, occasionally affecting text. Lithographs, sketch, and engraving are lightly toned throughout with smudging and staining to the margins. The original boards have been separated and are stored separately.
Auction Info
2023 December 2 The Ted Lusher Texas History Collection, Part One Signature® Auction #6281 (go to Auction Home page)
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