July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Autograph Letter Signed by “N.N. Upton” 2pp. quarto, Shelberne Falls, November 11, 1846, being a letter from the father of Barna Upton to a family member, in which he transcribes a letter from Barna recounting action at Monterrey. At this time Barna Upton, a man of education and standing in Massachusetts, fought as a private with the Third Infantry in Mexico, and his wonderfully detailed letters provide a basis for several histories of the war, including Goetzmann’s ‘Our First Foreign War”; Winder’s “Mr. Polk’s Army: The American Military Experience in the Mexican War,”; and Bauer’s “The Mexican War, 1846-1848.” This letter reads in part: “...I will tell you the joyful news that we had a letter from Barna yesterday. He is alive & well, God spared his life in the battles...I will write down Barna’s letter, it is short. You will see although it is worth a 1000 dollars to me...[followed by Barna’s letter] Monterey, Mexico, Sept. 29, 1846. Dear Friends I write these few lines to let you know that I am alive and well. A merciful God has preserved my life during the long & bloody conflict which resulted in the defeat of the Mexicans and capture of Monterey...Our regt. has suffered severely. I do not know our whole loss but believe it to be 5 or 600 in killed and wounded. Our Capt. Morris & Lt. Hazlet were killed, 20 killed & wounded in our Regt. In the beginning of the furious storming of the Mexican forts on the 21st a ball struck my cartridge box cutting away the lower tier of cartridges. I escaped unhurt while the dead and wounded lay on every side....By agreement hostilities are to cease for 2 months during which time we shall probably leave here...[and again followed by commentary of his father] Now don’t you think we was glad to get this short letter. Yes & thank God too...” Portion of integral leaf removed, some minor paper loss at seal, else Very Good.
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