The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #
LETTER NUMBER 23
by LIEUT. JOHN HINTON on DECEMBER 28, 1846
Santa Fe, N. M. 28th Dec. 1846
My Dear Edward,
I have not had this pleasure for sometime & in the interim am without any of your esteemed favors to reply to. Samuel will have informed you of my promotion to the first Lieutenancy of the Howard County Company; & since my rise, have grown so much, in love with the service that have determined, in the event of Congress authorizing the raising of new Regiments to be a candidate for an appointment to a Captaincy, & to forward my views, I must call you to my aid. I wish you to write to Judge John Y. Mason & request him to place my name before the President for a Captaincy in the event of a new Regiment being raised.
It would be as well for you to back the application by letters from Dr. Wm. B. Goodwin, Geo B. Cary & such other influential gentlemen as you may know. I no W. Jones might be useful. – You will of course state that I am a Citizen of Missouri & at present a 1st Lieut. in the 1st Reg. Mo. Mounted Volunteers & now in New Mexico. I have seen some service & will before I return home have served one year & it is presumed that the President for appointing those who have already served the Country & can bring honorable testimonials of their good & soldier like conduct. In making the application be sure & state that it is for a Captaincy in a Cavalry Regiment. I much prefer that Corps, but would go into the Infantry if the other could not be obtained.
Figure No. 23 March 2, 1847 Independence, Missouri
To Wm E. Hinton, Esq. Petersburg, Virginia With 10 cent rate
Carried by Military Courier up the Santa Fe Trail
I shall try & get the member of Congress from my state to beg for me, but I will stand a double chance if Judge Mason will use his influence for me. – – I depend on your exertions that you will. Do all you can to advance my interest. My Regiment has moved to EI Paso were they will await my arrival with a battery of artillery and a Provision train & then march to Chihuahua. Rumor reports from 700 to 1000 Mexican troops at the Pass [El Paso] to oppose Col. Doniphan’s advance, if true they must have a fight before I can come up, as I cannot leave here before the 1st present & it will take me fully 20 days to reach the Pass, I cannot but hope that no fight will come off without me. It looks a little selfish but I calculate largely on winning a brevet or 2 in my first fight.
We have had quite a stir here for the last 10 days owing to the discovery of a plot to recapture this territory. The Mexicans had laid their plans very well & completed their organization; but having sufficiently early in information Col. Price was enabled to take such steps as to lead to the arrest of most of the ring leaders. But the Chief & 2nd in Command are still un-captured & they are smart, well educated & poor ambitious men & consequently dangerous. – Those now in custody will be tried as soon as practicable & it is the general opinion that they will pull hemp – Col, Price is a firm & decisive man & well calculated to be in command at the present time.
Give my love to Jenny, Mother, Jane & to the kids, all their little ones, for their Uncle Jack remember me to Mamma & the servants.
Yours truly John Hinton
Lient. Hinton preformed with bravery at the battle of Sacramento February 28, 1847
Write & Direct to Lieut. John Hinton Company “G” 1st Regt Mo. M. Vols.
Genl Wool’s Command Chihuahua / Care / Quartermaster San Antonio del Bexar, Texas
Received at Independence, Missouri March 2, 1847 64 Days Travel Time
Marching to Santa Fe
LETTER NUMBER 24
by G. L. JACKSON on JANUARY 11, 1847
Santa Fe, New Mexico January 11th 1847
My Dear Margaret
Hearing that a mail starts tomorrow I hasten to write you a few lines. I am sorry to inform you that I am suffering from a very severe attack of Rheumatism which troubles me very much more especially as I cannot get off duty. The number of sick here is very great and there is no one to do the duty of the hospital but myself. I have to put up more than 100 prescriptions every day and one of my feet so much swollen that I am unable to stand on it. Major Walker is laid up with the same disease and a great many are suffering from it. I fear you are spending but a dull winter but My Dear Margaret this is the last tramp I will ever make with the troops and if I am ordered to march again I will apply for my discharge.
Figure No. 24 March 3, 1847 Independence, Missouri
To Mrs. Margaret Jackson Hospital U. S. A. Fort Leavenworth, Missouri
G. J. Jackson served as the Surgeon at Fort Marcy
Is my Dearest little boy well and are you well yourself. I have kissed & re kissed the hair you sent me over & over again. When my Dearest Girl will your trying come oh how much I wish you could have me with you. Dr. D. Camp has just shown me the account of the battle of Monterey and among the killed I see the name of Capt Fields – we have had a battle at a place called EI Passo (Brazito) about 200 miles from us in which our troops come off victorious and I am in hopes that the war will soon be over; Mr. Rich is very sick and all his clerks are laid up and his store is closed for want of some one to attend to it.
There have been a great many death among teamsters in the Quarter Master employ but among the soldier the deaths are not so numerous we have lost none of the regulars. Billy Welsh is still at Albuquerque about 100 miles from this place with Dr. Simpson & some of the Dragoons, he writes to me every opportunity and constantly enquires after you and Mousy. Lt. Ross is well and Corp Kuns is broke.
I have no more to tell you and besides I write in a great deal of pain so now forth with take care of yourself for my sake and take good care of my little boy Mousy and Dearest Margaret farewell. I see you in my imagination and a warm loving kiss and embrace from me and pay them all back to Dear little boy.
Give my respect to Fleming. The Tedik’s, Wm Courtright and all friends, you had better hand over the note I sent back to you of Blackburn to Major Tanner and ask him to present it to the board of Administration again.
Ever your devoted Husband G. J. Jackson
Fort Marcy View From The Plaza
Santa Fe New Mexico ~ 1868
General Kearny ordered fortifications built at Santa Fe on August 23, 1846. He appointed 1st Lieut. William H. Emory, U. S. Topographical Engineers who selected a site at the top of a hill overlooking the town plaza. 1st Lieut. Jeremy F. Gilmer of the U. S. Corps of Engineers was appointed to supervise the construction of the earth works and blockhouses.
Fort Marcy evolved into a post split between the fortification at the top of the hill and the area below, around the Governor’s Palace. The area below became a cantonment for the fort with officer housing, administrative and quartermaster functions. The fortification at the top of the hill slowly fell into disuse after the threat of war with Mexico passed.
The garrison at the fort was withdrawn and the fort deactivated in August 1867, however some military functions remained. The post then became known as Post at Santa Fe. Then once again activated during the Indian troubles in 1875. Finally in 1891 it was scheduled to be permanently closed in October 1894 with the property transferred to the Interior Department on June 28, 1895
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #