James Polk Autograph Letter Signed....

Description

President Polk seeks the aid of General Butler, still recovering from wounds suffered at Monterey, in getting additional forces to Vera Cruz in preparation for the assault on Chapultepec

James Polk Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages of a bifolium, 8 x 10 inches; Washington City; August 30th, 1847. President Polk writes to General William Butler asking for his assistance in transporting additional troops to Vera Cruz in preparation for the assault on Chapultepec the following month. He writes to Butler in Kentucky, where the General is still recuperating from wounds suffered at the Battle of Monterey the previous year.

In part: "The plans of rendezvous of the two Kentucky Regiments will be at Louisville and Smithland; of the two Tennessee Regiments at Nashville and Memphis; and of the Indiana Regiment at some suitable point on the Ohio River. To all these points you could go in a steamer, and it may be, that your presence - and general superintendence and direction might facilitate the departure of the troops. I wish to have them en route for Vera Cruz, at the earliest practicable period. Transport will be provided for them for the sea voyage, at some point above New Orleans, so as not to expose them by any detention at that city, to the epidemic which is now prevailing there.

Majr Genl Patterson is now in this City, and will proceed to Vera Cruz, via Pensacola, in two or three days. If peace is not made soon, Genl Scott's communication with Vera Cruz and other points in his rear, must be opened and left open, and if necessary he must be still further re-inforced. - with such a people as the Mexicans, and retrograde measurements, as the abandonments of placez, are occupied by our forces would be viewed by them as evidence of our weakness & would be disastrous.

We have nothing official from Gen. Scott's army since my last, and nothing unofficial made in detail that has been published in the newspapers. I have serious apprehension for the safety of the train - under the command of Majr Solly [?]. It is composed almost wholly of detachments and single companies - belonging to the regiments now with Genl Scott, - and of undisciplined troops. The movements of this train was a matter decided upon at Vera Cruz, & I feared from the moment I heard of it that the force was too small." Signed, "James K. Polk."

In August 1847, the U.S. Army, under the command of General Winfield Scott, was preparing for the Battle of Chapultepec, a key engagement in the campaign to capture Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. The preparation for this battle involved detailed planning and positioning of troops to assault the heavily fortified Mexican position at Chapultepec Castle. Planning for the assault had begun much earlier, but even at this late date Polk was anxious to ensure the army would have enough troops to succeed.

The assault on Chapultepec began on September 12, 1847, and involved a combination of artillery bombardment and infantry assaults. Even if these troops did not arrive in time to participate in the assault, they would have been used to occupy captured territory. A necessary show of force to encourage the Mexican government to concede.

Chapultepec was the last major battle of the war and was fought on September 12 and 13. Following this decisive engagement, U.S. forces successfully captured Mexico City on September 14, 1847. Peace negotiations began shortly after.

Earlier in the letter Polk advises Butler not to resign from the army. Butler must have heeded his advice as he returned to Mexico in February 1848 to replace General Winfield Scott as commanding general.

Condition: Complete separation along horizontal fold, with a few chips of loss affecting a few words. Several short tears along the top margin, and partial separations along the vertical folds, mainly at the margins. Separation at top right fold ends in two diagonal tears, each about an inch long with no loss but affecting a few words. Light toning, with bold ink resulting in some show through. Blank integral verso has some soiling, and darker toning to top half.

More Information: Full transcription of the letter:

Washington City
August 30th, 1847

My dear Sir:

I arrived several days ago, your letter of the 15th in answer to mine of the 7th instant. I regret to learn from you the present condition of your wound, and that you continue to be disabled by it, but still hope as you do, that as the cool season approaches, you may gradually recover from its effects. In that hope, and considering as I do, your services as very important to the country, if the war should continue, I repeat the advice which I gave you in my former letter, that you should not resign. Three or four days ago, I caused a requisition to be made for an additional Volunteer forces viz. - for two Regiments of Infantry from Kentucky, two Regiments from Tennessee, and one from Indiana. I hope they will be raised promptly. In your letter you inform me, that in the event of such a call you ‘may be able to assist in their organization' even in your present condition, and know that it will afford you much gratification to do so. I have made this known to the Secretary of War who will address you on the subject. You must not understand that you are expected to perform even this service – unless -you feel perfectly able to do so. It is only in consequence of the suggestion which you make in your letter – that the Secretary of War will address you. The plans of rendezvous of the two Kentucky Regiments will be at Louisville and Smithland; of the two Tennessee Regiments at Nashville and Memphis; and of the Indiana Regiment at some suitable point on the Ohio River. To all these points you could go in a steamer, and it may be, that your presence – and general superintendence and direction might facilitate the departure of the troops. I wish to have them en route for Vera Cruz, at the earliest practicable period. Transport will be provided for them for the sea voyage, at some point above New Orleans, so as not to expose them by any detention at that city, to the epidemic which is now prevailing there.

Majr Genl Patterson is now in this City, and will proceed to Vera Cruz, via Pensacola, in two or three days. If peace is not made soon, Genl Scott's communication with Vera Cruz and other points in his rear, must be opened and left open, and if necessary he must be still further re-inforced. – with such a people as the Mexicans, and retrograde measurements, as the abandonments of placez, are occupied by our forces would be viewed by them as evidence of our weakness & would be disastrous.

We have nothing official from Gen. Scott's army since my last, and nothing unofficial made in detail that has been published in the newspapers. I have serious apprehension for the safety of the train – under the command of Majr Solly [?]. It is composed almost wholly of detachments and single companies – belonging to the regiments now with Genl Scott, - and of undisciplined troops. The movements of this train was a matter decided upon at Vera Cruz, & I feared from the moment I heard of it that the force was too small. – I hope it may go through in safety. The entrance of Paredes through Vera Cruz, was most unfortunate. His presence in the country will I fear be [?] to postpone a peace.

To Majr Genl Wm. O. Butler
Of the U.S. Army
Carrollton
Kentucky