Autograph letter, signed, March 4, 1847, by Zachary Taylor to Edward George Washington Butler that describes events leading to and including the Battle of Buena Vista against Mexican forces commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna. The letter also discusses critics of William Orlando Butler and interactions with Winfield Scott, as well as dismissing his own candidacy for president of the United States.
Description:
Edward George Washington Butler (1800-1888), was the son of Edward Butler (1762-1803), and a ward of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). In 1826, Butler married Frances Parke Lewis (1797-1875). After graduating from the United States Military Academy, Butler served in the United States Army until his resignation in May 1831. Between 1846 and 1847, he served as Major General in the Louisiana State Militia. In 1847, Butler was appointed as a Colonel in the United States Army, and commanded the District of the Upper Rio Grande during the Mexican War from September 1847 to June 1848. Butler lived in Louisiana, and owned and worked several plantations in the Iberville Parish area. He died in St. Louis, Missouri., Formerly owned by Allyn Kellogg Ford. Formerly owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. Purchased from William Reese Co. on the Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 2013., Includes envelope., and Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) was the 12th President of the United States (1849-1850) and an American military leader with a four-decade career that ended with victories during the Mexican War.
Subject (Name):
Butler, Edward George Washington, 1800-1888, Butler, William Orlando, 1791-1880, Ford, Allyn Kellogg, 1878-1964--Ownership, Minnesota Historical Society Ownership, Santa Anna, Antonio López de, 1794?-1876, and Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866
Subject (Topic):
Buena Vista, Battle of, Mexico, 1847--Personal narratives, American, Mexican War, 1846-1848--Campaigns, and Mexican War, 1846-1848--Personal narratives, American
Fragment of an ALS written by Zachary Taylor while serving in the Mexican War. Writing to his son-in-law, Robert C. Wood, a United States Army surgeon, Taylor discusses news of the war and the possibility of peace negotiations, his views on war and peace, and news of family members. The beginning of the letter is missing.
Description:
Gift of Frederick W. Beinecke. and Soldier; president of the United States, 1849-1850.
Subject (Name):
Wood, Robert C.
Subject (Topic):
Mexican War, 1846-1848--Campaigns--Mexico and Mexican War, 1846-1848--Personal narratives
Letter from Zachary Tayor as Aide to the Commander in Chief, to the Cuartel General Ejercito de Ocupacion concerning a previous communication by a commission dealing with contributions for Nuevo Leon. Taylor expresses satisfaction with the impartiality shown by the committee, asks the commissioners to recognize the importance of neutrality and to convey that to the people, and states his belief that no one from Nuevo Leon participated in the violence against the trains.
Subject (Name):
United States--Army--History--Mexican War, 1846-1848
Subject (Topic):
Mexican War, 1846-1848, Mexican War, 1846-1848--Campaigns, and Mexican War, 1846-1848--Occupied territories
Zachary Taylor asks General Jones for the power to increase the militia in the future whenever it is necessary. Some of the officers felt that Taylor had overstepped his authority in commanding Colonel Warren to increase his battalion to a regiment without permission from Washington.
Description:
Original (in folder 1) Restricted fragile material; preservation photocopy (in folder 2).
Subject (Name):
Jones, Roger, 1785-1852 and United States--Adjutant-General's Office
Zachary Taylor's letters concern his nomination for president by the Whig Party and the Whig Party of Oneida County, New York. The letter to Jonathan R. McFee, dated Jul 13, 1848, is a character reference for John M. Clayton, a supporter of the Whig party (WA MSS S-1044;T219). The other letter, to W. D. Butterfield, dated Sep 24, 1848, acknowledges receipt of the copy of resolutions passed by Whigs of Oneida County, N.Y. (WA MSS S-1045;T219).
Subject (Geographic):
United States--Politics and government--1815-1861
Subject (Name):
Butterfield, W. D., Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856, McFee, Jonathan R., Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850, Whig Party (Oneida County, N.Y.), and Whig Party (U.S.)
Zachary Taylor's letters concern his nomination for president by the Whig Party and the Whig Party of Oneida County, New York. The letter to Jonathan R. McFee, dated Jul 13, 1848, is a character reference for John M. Clayton, a supporter of the Whig party (WA MSS S-1044;T219). The other letter, to W. D. Butterfield, dated Sep 24, 1848, acknowledges receipt of the copy of resolutions passed by Whigs of Oneida County, N.Y. (WA MSS S-1045;T219).
Subject (Geographic):
United States--Politics and government--1815-1861
Subject (Name):
Butterfield, W. D., Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856, McFee, Jonathan R., Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850, Whig Party (Oneida County, N.Y.), and Whig Party (U.S.)
Zachary Taylor's letters concern his life as commander of the 1st Military Department, with headquarters at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, 1844-1845, and as commander of the army of occupation in Texas, 1845-1846. Taylor's correspondence records his role in the war with Mexico and his political ambitions.
Subject (Geographic):
United States--Politics and government--1815-1861
Subject (Name):
Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850 and United States Army Adjutant General's Office
