The Forbes Expedition To Mexico

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Archive of 13 items pertaining to the Mexican War experience of Alexander S. Forbes (1819-1848). Lieutenant Forbes, a New Yorker, saw no combat in Mexico, however became a public hero nonetheless. When the war ended, he led a party to Mexico to exhume the bodies of several fallen officers and bring them home. Returning, Forbes died of yellow fever in New Orleans and was buried in New York amid much fanfare along with the corpses he retrieved. This group consists of the following items: Eight Autograph Letters Signed "Alexander S. Forbes", 32 pages total, all quarto, 1848, New Orleans, Vera Cruz and Mexico City variously to his wife, brother and a friend, George. They read in very small part: "(March 2)...I am going to the castle to take measure of the coffins and have cases made air tight, as they are I could not bring them. Col. Baxter's the Qr Master is going to have it opened for me and filled with lime. I am in hopes I can preserve him enough to recognize something...(March 11)...I have the cases containing our Friends already for shipping and as soon as the Train which is daily expected I shall know something of my return...(May 6)...Supposing you would like to hear from the Halls of Montezuma I will try to amuse you...When we arrived at the National Bridge we just missed Santa Anna, he was on his way down. he gave a grand dinner to the American officers at his hacienda at El Cerro...". Folds and stains as expected. Very Good condition...Plus; Autograph Letter Signed "Geo. H. Purser", 2 pages, quarto, January 25, 1848, New York City to Forbes. Purser chaired the committee that was largely funding the retrieval of the bodies from Mexico. His letter reads in part: "...We shall be pleased to receive intelligence of your movements on reaching Mexico and desire that you will apprise us of the mode in which you send the bodies and the name of the vessel, that appropriate arrangements may be made here...". VF condition...Plus; Manuscript document, one page, quarto, ca. 1840's, New York. A short speech written by Forbes in which he represents the Galick Guard in honoring one Captain Helms. Aging, small splits. Overall VG condition...Plus; Partially printed document, one page, quarto, January 10, 1848, New York City. A certificate naming Forbes as a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows. Fine condition...Plus; Partially printed document, one page, oblong quarto, June 5, 1848, New York City. Here Forbes is named a Private in the Baxter Blues. This is likely a posthumous honor as Forbes would be buried in New York one week later. The certificate has a nice martial vignette. Fine condition.

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