Mexican War Officers, Including Brevet Major George Ramsey, Post-Mexican War ALS Discussing the Battle of Monterrey, Plus

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American History, Featuring the Property of N...

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Jun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-06-09 10:00:00 2017-06-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-featuring-the-property-of-n-flayderman-co-2392
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• Lot Description

  Lot of 5. Four Mexican War pre-war documents and one post-war. All with transcriptions.

  ALS, Fort Monroe Arsenal, December 8, 1851, 5pp (7 x 8.5 in.). George D. Ramsay, Bvt. Maj. to Colonel John Mercier (?), U.S. Army, N.York. George D. Ramsay (1802-1882, USMA 1820), Chief of Ordnance 1863-64. Ramsay was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame in 1984. He served for half a century, and kept the Union army supplied during the Civil War. This letter was written in response to rumors regarding his behavior at the Battle of Monterrey, in which he implies that everything he did was following orders of Colonel Mercier and others, that he behaved honorably and with skill handling a mortar that had no platform.

  ALS, Philadelphia, October 22, 1842, Office of Purchase QM's Department, 2pp. Henry Stanton, Co. & Adjt. QM Genl., US Army to Colonel Thomas Aspinwal [sic], United States Consul, London. Asking Colonel Aspinwall if he can procure ten beds such as those the British Army uses for trials in the US Army, since he (Stanton) does not have any "mercantile correspondents" in England. Henry Stanton (ca 1796 - 1856) served in the War of 1812, in the Seminole wars in Florida, and in the Mexican War. He was brevetted brigadier general for meritorious conduct on January 1, 1847.

  AN, n.d. other than Dec. 23rd. Invitation from Colonel & Mrs. Davenport to M. Nicolet(t). At the bottom: Egg-Nogg!!!!!! Clearly a holiday party. Colonel William Davenport (1787-1858) enlisted in 1812 as a captain, worked his way up the ranks to colonel. He served in the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Black Hawk War (distinguishing himself at the Battle of Bad Axe) and the Mexican War. He resigned at the end of January 1850. His Seminole War papers are in the University of Florida collections, other papers at UNC.

  ALS, Fort Adams, August 5, 1844, 1p. Captain Francis Taylor to Lieutenant Sam G. French. A somewhat vague letter about the impending meeting of the Artillery Board. Francis Taylor attended USMA, graduating in 1825. He served in the Artillery School at Ft. Monroe, and many other subsequent postings (Charleston Harbor, Plattsburg, NY, Trenton, NJ; Fort Adams, RI (1842-44), Pensacola, FL, Ft. McHenry, MD, Ft. Brown, TX, and more. He fought against the Seminoles, and was posted in New York during the Canada Border Disturbances. He went to Mexico, earning brevets for "Gal. & Mer. Conduct" in the Battle of Cerro Gordo (major) and Churubusco (lieutenant colonel). Samuel Gibbs French (1818-1910) also graduated USMA (1843) and served in the Mexican War. At the start of the Civil War, he took a commission with the Confederacy, even though he was a native of NJ. There are memorials and markers to honor French in both northern (Philadelphia) and southern sites (Vicksburg, MS).

  ALS, Baltimore, August 1, 1845, 1p. William H. Watson to Samuel L. Clement, Esq. About meeting at the Imes' Hotel. Lieutenant Colonel Watson (1808-1846) commanded the Baltimore and District of Columbia volunteers in the Mexican War. Before that he served in the Maryland militia and in the US Navy fighting pirates in the West Indies. A monument to Watson stands at the corner of West North Ave. and Mount Royal Terr. in Baltimore. Watson was killed at the Battle of Monterrey (September 22, 1846), and that event is referenced in the fourth verse of "Maryland! My Maryland!:"

  ...With Ringgold's spirit for the fray.
  With Watson's blood at Monterey,
  With fearless Lowe and dashing May,
  Maryland! My Maryland!

  Condition

  Most very good, with expected folds and faults.
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