TROPHIES
FROM DONIPHAN'S EXPEDITION –
THE MISSOURI TROOPS THAT CAPTURED EL PASO AND CHIHUAHUA IN THE MEXICAN
WAR
ZACHARY
TAYLOR. Autograph Letter Signed to General John E. Wool,
Camp near Monterey [Mexico], 22 May 1847. 1 page, 8" x 5",
plus integral address leaf.
A fine
Mexican War letter from this American general whose victories in that
conflict would lead to his election to the Presidency in 1848. At this
date, as commander of U.S. forces in northern Mexico, Zachary Taylor
writes to General John E. Wool about the Missouri troops led by Colonel
Alexander W. Doniphan, whose enlistment was about to expire.
"I
understand it is the wish of the Missouri Volunteers to take the Cannon
captured by them to their State, when they return," Taylor
observes, "to which I have no objection, & will thank you
to communicate this to Col. Doniphin if he has not left Saltillio for
this place, & permit him to keep posession of the cannon referred
to & bring them down with his command." He has signed,
"With respect & esteem Your Friend Truly Z. Taylor."
A Missouri
lawyer, Alexander W. Doniphan organized the First Regiment of Missouri
Mounted Volunteers shortly after war with Mexico was declared in May
1846. He and his men were initially part of the Army of the West, under
General Stephen W. Kearny, which captured New Mexico that August. Late
in the year, Doniphan led his forces south from Santa Fe on an expedition
that would traverse three thousand miles of rugged terrain and win several
key victories. His troops took El Paso, after winning the battle of
El Brazito on Christmas day, and then took Chihuahua on March 1, 1847,
after defeating a superior force at the battle of Sacramento the day
before. Added to Taylor's success at the battle of Buena Vista in February
1847, the victories of Doniphan's expedition helped end the war in northern
Mexico. As the term of enlistment of his troops neared its end, Doniphan
went to Saltillo, southwest of Monterey, before making his way back
to the U.S. The cannon mentioned here may have been captured in the
battle of Sacramento, where Doniphan's men took many enemy supplies.
The letter
is in very good condition; the address leaf has minor soiling. $5500.00
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