Beschreibung:

TAYLOR, Zachary. A group of four very extensive letters vividly reporting on the Mexican War, the Battles of Buena Vista, Palo Alta and others, all to an unidentified officer ("My Dear General"), comprising: TAYLOR. Autograph letter signed ("Z. Taylor") Matamoros, Mexico, 24 May 1846. 4 pages, 4to. -- TAYLOR. Autograph letter (incomplete at end), "Head Quarters Army of Occupation or Invasion, Agua Nueva, Mexico," 8 March 1847. 4 pages, 4to. -- TAYLOR. Autograph letter (incomplete at end), "Head Quarters Army of Occupation, Camp near Monterey Mexico," 20 August 1847. 4 pages, 4to. -- TAYLOR. Autograph letter (last line and signature trimmed away), Monterey, Mexico, 24 October 1846. 6 pages, 4to. TOGETHER 18 FULL PAGES, closely written. Minor repairs along some folds, in a half blue morocco folding protective slipcase. "...BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT I TOOK POSSESSION OF TEXAS....": TAYLOR'S FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF HIS VICTORIES IN THE MEXICAN WAR, INCLUDING BUENA VISTA, AND DECLARING "I HAVE NO ASPIRATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY, OR TO BE EXCLUSIVELY THE CANDIDATE OF ANY ONE PARTY" ..."MUZZLE TO MUZZLE, SABRE TO SABRE, & BAYONET TO BAYONET..." A very remarkable and extensive series of letters, to an unidentified officer, describing in considerable detail all the major actions of the Mexican War in which Taylor commanded, from the first hostilities on the Rio Grande to his upset victory over Santa Anna at Buena Vista. 24 May 1846: Written just three weeks after victories at Palo Alto (8 May, the opening battle of the Mexican War) and Resaca de la Palma (9 May) and some 10 days after President Polk declared war. "...By order of the President I took possession of Texas the last of July...and located my command at Corpus Christi..." He was ordered to occupy the left bank of the Rio Grande but was not to cross "unless the Mexicans should make war..." Inevitably, by late April, hostilities ensued, as Taylor narrates, at Palo Alto: "...the enemy opened his batteries on us...he made two attempts to charge with his dragoons and lancers...in both of which he was handsomely foiled...it was for the most part an affair of artillery...." The battle "was one of the most exciting scenes that can be imagined..." The next day, Taylor assaulted Mexican positions at Resaca de la Palma: "...both sides were closely engaged, & after a severe contest which lasted for two hours...[the enemy] was...put completely to rout & pursued to the bank of the Rio Grande...In this well-contested affair...cannon was opposed muzzle to muzzle, sabre to sabre, & Bayonet to bayonet..." He recounts his crossing of the Rio Grande to occupy Matamoros, and speculates "whether or not our Govt. will carry the war into the large cities...or confine it to the Valley of the Rio Grande...I will do all in my power to carry out fully the views & instructions of the govt...." 24 October 1846: 21-23 Taylor describes his hard won victory at the Battle of Monterrey, glossing over his command errors, his controversial truce terms and the atrocities committed by his army at the fall of the city: "[T]he town was found to be well fortified...the plan was to take out their advanced works...the other command had succeeded in carrying the works on the west end...which opened the town to them...driving the enemy...from street to street into the principal plaza or public square adjoining the great cathedral..." The bloody street-fighting and heavy shelling convinced General Ampudia to ask for an armistice, which Taylor granted, though he admits his terms "may be considered too liberal by many at a distance" (In fact, Taylor was widely criticized--even by Polk--for the liberality of the armistice). Taylor details a war strategy he believes should be adopted by the American forces to win victory, leaving the surrendered territories "to be taken care of by the Texians." 8 March 1847: From the Headquarters of Taylor's "Army of Occupation or Invasion," Taylor gives a vivid account of his brilliant vic