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José Maria de Ortega Broadside Announcing the Capture of the Mier Expedition. ...
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Description
The Capture of the Mier Expedition
José Maria de Ortega Broadside Announcing the Capture of the
Mier Expedition. One page, 8.5" x 12.25", Monterey; January 1,
1843.FIRST EDITION. Printed announcement issued by José Maria de Ortega, Governor and Commander General of the Department of Nuevo Leon, regarding the recent capture of the Mier expedition. Signed in type, with a docket on the verso, "For circulation throughout all towns."
It reads, "Fellow citizens, a horde of eight hundred Texan bandits had the audacity to attack our borders by taking possession of Laredo and Guerrero City. They insulted the nation by staying in those towns which did not have enough forces to repel them; but our troops having flown to where the enemy was enjoying themselves destroying and robbing our lands avenged our national honor so offended by these adventurers, the memorable battle having been decided in our favor on the 26th of the present month in the town of Mier. These men succumbed to the Mexican bravery proved so many times in battle, without being able to save even one of their men, as such, in addition to the dead and wounded, 242 men surrendered after such a tenacious fire that lasted for over seventeen hours.
In this way, the hateful insolent Texas has learned its lesson. [The members of the expedition] tore their flag carrying the insulting theme of 'vengeance' and replaced it with a white one when they realized they faced no other prospect but death...
Citizens of Nuevo Leon: Our national honor remains unharmed and the vain pride of the ungrateful and treacherous enemy has been cut down. A number of their leaders suffer as prisoners under charge of their crimes, and the day is not far when that republic [Texas] disappears and it is nothing more than a den of evil."
Remembered as the most disastrous of the early expeditions from the Republic of Texas into Mexico, the Mier Expedition took place from December 20 to 26, 1842. The ill-fated attempt developed out of the failed Somervell expedition. After capturing Laredo and Guerrero, Texas commander Alexander Somervell decided it was safer to retreat back into Texas than to remain in northern Mexico, an unpopular decision. The majority of his command chose to ignore his order and instead proceeded into Mexico in search of plunder.
The men, led by William S. Fisher, temporarily captured the town of Mier and immediately demanded provisions. The alcalde agreed, but because the expedition did not have the means to transport their bounty across the river, he promised to deliver the goods to the Texas camp the next day. The next day, Mexican General Pedro de Ampudia arrived with his troops. Upset at the presumed trap, the Texans decided to engage with Ampudia's soldiers and take the town by force. After a long day of hard fighting, Ampudia forced the men to capitulate on December 26, 1842, which is gleefully announced here.
Exceptionally rare: Only one online auction record listing a sale in 2007. Streeter locates a single copy at Yale.
Condition: Lightly toned and creased along the center fold. Irregular margins with minor paper loss to the left and right margins. There is a small separation along the horizontal crease, resulting in a small hole that affects the text.
References: Streeter 997.2, citing a single copy at Yale; TSHA Handbook of Texas Online.
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
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