Lot
610 
[Mexican War] 1845 (Jul. 11) New Orleans, La. To Burlington Vt. and Forwarded To Montreal L.C., folded letter with blue "New Orleans La. Jul 11" cds, blue manuscript "10" rating, red "Burlington Vt. Aug 13" cds with "forwarded 5" rating added and totaled to "15", Montreal Aug. 14th backstamp and manuscript "1/1½" due rating, Very Fine, ex-Golden, Steinhart. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
WHILE ON HIS WAY WITH HIS INFANTRY TO FIGHT IN TEXAS, GENERAL HITCHKOCK EXPRESSES GRAVE MISGIVINGS OVER THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
The letter is rated 10¢ from New Orleans to Burlington Vt. (Over 300 miles), forwarded to the border and charged an additional 5¢ U.S., total 15¢ collect (9d Cy equivalent), plus 4½d Canadian postage, totaling 1/1½ Cy collect.
The letter is from General E.H. Hitchcock to his brother regarding Texas and the Mexican-American War. The letter reads, "I arrived here yesterday with the 3rd Infantry on my way to Texas. The 4th Ify left its camp near Jesup a few days before me and occupies the New Orleans barracks… destined also to Texas… A company of Arty is expected daily from Charleston that is placed under orders of Gen. Taylor [Zachary Taylor, future President of the U.S.]… The 2nd Regt of Dragoons is to proceed overland from Jesup to the Western Texas Frontier and more regiments are promised. We have various reports from Texas and it now seems settle that Annexation is to take place for better or worse. The movement of troops from the U.S. is a precipitate measure resorted to at Washn in ignorance of the real state of public feeling in Texas and from a feverish anxiety to take some step of an overt kind to force annexn all events… I will not undertake to speculate upon our prospects. We are going to a new and comparatively unknown coast at a sickly season for an unholy purpose.".
Lot
611
[Mexican War] "Buena Vista, Jany. 2nd 1848", dateline on folded letter with "10" rating to Cambridge Mass., forwarded to Washington D.C., original 3½p. ALS letter from Charley F. Force regarding a Military Execution., Very Fine and interesting letter, Quoted in "Taking of Texas" on pg. 236-238. Estimate $400 - 600.
Letter to his brother Manning, in part: "I suppose. you will have read accounts of a man being shot here. He was shot for threatening the life of his Captain and lying in wait for him several times. It was a very imposing sight to see all of the troops at this place drawn up in a line of battle. On the right were the two batteries of light Artillery, next to them was the Mississippi reg't of riflemen, next was our regiment, then the N.C. regiment, then the regiment of Texas Rangers.When the band struck up the dead march, the prisoner was brought out of the Provost guard house, escorted by the firing party, following his own coffin on foot." Force also discusses the possibility of receiving a naval commission and his Christmas holiday.
Realized: $300
Lot
612
[Mexican War] Detroit, Mich May 23, red cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp on cover addressed to 1st Lieut. Frank Woodlidge 2nd Artillery, with Genl. Scotts Army, Mexico and endorsed "Belonging to the Army"; edge tear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
The Act of March 3, 1847, stated "All letters, newspapers, or other packets, not exceeding 1 ounce in weight, directed to any officer, musician, or private of the Army of the United State in Mexico, or at any post or place on the frontier of the United States, bordering on Mexico, shall be conveyed in the mail free of postage during the present war and for three months after the same may be terminated." Such letters had to be endorsed "Belonging to the Army".
Realized: $180
Lot
613
[Mexican War] Jacinto Miss., red cds with manuscript "5 Fby" date and matching "Free" rating on blue 1848 fold letter to Representative Jacob Thompson at Washington D.C., letter from David Gallahn was requesting a furlough for his son for business purposes, letter sent on to Adjutant General's office where Roger Jones, Adj. Gen. signed it Mar. 16th and referred it on by military mail, received in Monterey Mexico on April 22nd and sent to Brig. Gen. John E. Wood who signed it Apr. 26th and Col. Hamtramick who signed Apr. 29th; it was decided no merit to the case and sent back to Rep. Thompson on May 24th, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
614
[Mexican War] James Buchanan, free frank "Free, James Buchanan" on folded cover addressed in his hand to Chester Butler at Harrisburg Pa., Extremely Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Although not President until later, Buchanan served as Secretary of State during Polk's administration.
Realized: $160
Lot
615
[Mexican War] James Polk, free frank "Free, J.K. Polk" on 1833 folded cover to Paris Tenn., black "Columbia Ten. Aug. 28th" cds, 1833 docketing on reverse, cover repaired, Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
It was during James Polk's aministration (1845-1849) that Texas was annexed and the Mexican War wass fought., Mexico ceding the territories of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Neveda, Arizona and California.
Realized: $325
Lot
616
[Mexican War] Jefferson Barracks May 5, folded letter datelined "Steamer Hannibal, May 3 - 1846" and showing greenish "Jefferson Barracks Mo. May 5" cds with matching "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "10" rating to Milwaukee Wisc. Ter.; some light toning, F.-V.F., Quoted in "Taking of Texas" on pg. 233. Estimate $150 - 200.
Letter from First Lieutenant Garrett Barry on his way to Texas reads in part, "Suddenly received orders to start for Texas and are now near the Ohio on our way - I was fearful you would write me at Jeffn. Bks. after that reason inform you without delay to address me "Rio Grande, Texas, Care of Qtr. Master U.S. Army Near Texas", Please don't take my canal land as a soldier has expressed a wish to take charge of it for me - he is a farmer by profession and I think a very capable one…".
Realized: $135
Lot
617
[Mexican War] New Bedford Ms. Jun 16, red cds and matching "Paid" rating handstamp with magenta "10" rating addressed to Lieut. Samuel Lockwood on U.S.S. Potomac at Pensacola Flor., Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
During the Mexican War, the USS "Potomac" was at sea from March 14th 1846 to July 20th 1847. On May 8th 1846, she landed troops at Port Isabel, Texas in support of General Taylor's army at the battle of Palo Alto. She also participated in the siege of Vera Cruz Mar. 2nd to Mar. 28th, 1847. After the war, she served as flagship for the Home Squadron 1855-56 and at the outbreak of the Civil War, she was part of the West Gulf Blockade Squadron off Vera Cruz.
Lot
618
[Mexican War] Tecumseh, Mich. Feb 24, folded letter with red cds and matching "X" rating handstamp to East Bradford Mass., Very Fine and interesting letter. Estimate $300 - 400.
The letter contains Anti-War Sentiment, "You letter of the 19th net, came to hand on the 10th Inst. and found your freinds all in Tecumseh…".
Lot
619
[Mexican War] Vera Cruz, Mexo Oct (2)3, two-line postmark (missing digit) and matching "10" rating handstamp on 1847 folded letter datelined "City of Mexico, Oct. 19, 1847" from General Gideon Pillow to his wife at Columbia Tenn., soldier's endorsement "Majr. Genl. Pillow, U.S.A." at top right; minor tear repaired, some paper loss where wax seal has been opened., F.-V.F. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
General Gideon Pillow was responding to his wife's very affectionate letter, reading in part: "Your letter my Dear touches my heart and deeply affects my feelings - I am fully of the opinion that this army will be recalled early in the Winter, or Spring of next year. If so I will be at home, if God spares my life, by 1st Apl… Gen. Scott has now given orders for opening the line of communication with the coast, so that in the future I will receive your letters and you mine… I have sent you a handsome bracelet made of my hair…" The month previous to writing this letter, Pillow would anonymously write letters (published in a New Orleans newspaper) claiming credit for victories at Contreras and Churubusco. Although discovered and brought to trial for this deceit, Pillow would escape punishment and be discharged by the Army in July of 1848. His next term of service would come during the Civil War, when he joined the Confederate Army.