The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #
LETTER NUMBER 44
by PRIVATE E. B. BATEMAN on JULY 23, 1848
Wagon Mound 120 Miles from Santa Fee July 23, 1848
My Dear Brother
I seize a few passing moments, as we have just met a Train for the States, again to inform you of my whereabouts we are still on the great plains slowly wending on our way to the point of our destination and have been among the mountains several days & enjoy a delightful cool atmosphere, night very cool we cross a branch of the Rocky Mountains running down into Texas, in which State we have been traveling since we left the Semirone (Cimarron River) but are now within 25 miles of Mexican line & 40 miles from the first and most northern Spanish settlement called “Bagus” (Las Vegas).
Figure No. 44 August 19, 1848 Independence, Missouri
To Prof. Newton Bateman St. Charles, Missouri Forwarded to Jacksonville, Illinois
Our march has been tedious & toilsome on the extreme, lack of the quality of water than the quantity as it has often been so highly impregnated with mineral & Earthy solutions as to be positively Medicinal, we have lost but one man who died of “Congestive Fever” and buried at this place today.
This is a beautiful romantic place 120 miles from Santa Fee in a mountain pass and finest springs I have ever seen, and now we begin to come to the little grove of Pine, last night the men cooked supper with real old fashioned Pine wood. We have heard of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace at Fort Mann, but had not there nor have we yet any counter order which must come to us through the commander of our Battalion who from last accounts was in Chiwawa (Chihuahua, Mexico) we will go to Santa Fee at least & there probably either to be discharged or marched to Fort Leavenworth nearly all the men which to be discharged there & I would much prefer it myself.. I shall write again when I reach Santa fee
Forever your aff. Brother E. B. Bateman
LETTER NUMBER 45
by PRIVATE E. B. BATEMAN on AUGUST 26, 1848
Santa fee New Mexico Aug 26th 1848
Dear Father
I have only time to write a few lines before a part of men leave for the States & by who I send this letter. I rec’d your kind letter dated June 19th on the 19th of the present month, sixty days after it was dated & was very glad to hear from you once more. I have found favor with the officers & people of this place. My term of service expired in the Army by virtue of the Treaty of Peace, having enlisted for the duration of the war & accordingly rec’d my discharge on the 23rd. Having concluded, to remain here until spring I have commenced the practice of my profession in the city under tolerably favorable auspices & hope to do well. I have in common with all the other Non-commissioned officers not rec’d any extra pay in this however I am not disappointed.
Figure No. 45 September 28, 1848 Independence, Missouri
To Burgin Bateman, Esq. Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois
Sent by he “Urbanity of Mr. Cutler to States”
The last of the Volunteer Troops left for the states a few days since. Genl. Price & staff leave tomorrow. Price is well liked here esteemed among officers and good man, sets a praiseworthy example to the men. We are of course under military Government & will be until the arrival of Coln Washington & the organization of civil government. There are a few praying Americans here but no other organized church than the Catholic. We received no reliable information of Peace until arrived here, tho all began to expect it, and the majority I believe were glad of it. My own health is good. That you may enjoy the same and all other blessing is my earnest wish & prayer
Of your ever aff. Son. E. B. Bateman
LETTER NUMBER 46
by PRIVATE CHARLES BOARMAN on SEPTEMBER 7, 1848
Boonville Sep, 7 1848
Dear Brother
I learned from a young man by the name of Berry who resides ten or twelve miles from here that you would in all probability stop in Boonville. There is no doubt you will understanding from this that I have located in this City. I have been living here about three months & am much pleased with my location to be sure there are as goodly number of doctors in town, consequently will take sometime before I can get under full headway – I received a letter not long since from Thomas Post marked Chester he & Horine are in the wood business opposite there and have done tolerably well.
Father, Jerome, Francis are well with the exception of Getty who had a long spell of sickness, but was getting better. Jerome came as far as St. Louis, John did you know this Berry in New Mexico that he represents himself as being a Lieutenant & fought with you at the battle of Rosales & he has no character here, they tell me so I put on your guard. I have very little to say to you I want to see you badly & merely
Figure No 46 September 9, 1848 Boonville, Missouri
Received and forwarded from Fort Leavenworth September 26, to Independence
To Lieut. John A. Boarman Member of the “Santa Fe Battalion”
Notation: If the troops are discharged at Independence, the P. M. will please forward to that office
write this to let you know that I am in Boonville & wish you to stop with us on your way down, you will be delighted with this place, Eliza has some relations living in town and want to see you very much leave your Moustache on & your friends have heard great things about you — in fact very many who know you speaks in the highest terms of your conduct as a gentlemen and as soldier.
It is very gratifying I assure you Eliza Adelaide sends her best love she expects to see you soon Emily is going to school & Charles is a fine boy. John when you come to Town you will find us near Col. Pierces Hotel*, excuse the writings bad spelling for I have been in a great hurry.
Your affectionate Brother Charles
* Colonel Sterling Price of the Second Regiment of the Missouri Mounted Volunteers
LETTER NUMBER 47
by ROBERT AVERILL on APRIL 17, 1849
Monterey, California April 17, 1849
My dear Mary
Today the Oregon arrived here on the way to Panama, only stopping a half hour. The mail which contained my letters home was closed immediately upon her arrival, and she brought all my letters from San Francisco, (which she had carried up there) and which I received some how after she left. As I learn also that the California is to leave San Francisco in 5 days. I thought I would write a few lines an answer to your letters. Although I did not received all the letters you have written to me.
Figure No. 47 Monterey, California April 17, 1849 Letter to Mrs. William I. Averill
c/o Mr. William Averill 68 Pearl Street, New York City
The earliest recorded postmark exhibiting California with 40 cent rate
Yesterday Warren & myself received orders to proceed to San Francisco with all the accoutrements. What we are to do there no one knows. I leave tomorrow in the Brig Malek Adel. Warren goes up by land & will arrive before me as the brig stops 4 or 5 days at Santa Cruz.
Gen. Riley has arrived & Col. Mason has resigned to him the command both civil and military. The California is expected to sail from San Francisco on Wednesday (the 18th) and as that will be before I arrive there. I have to mail this now. Mrs. Gen. Smith, Mrs. Major Ogden & another lady all of whom came up with me and return in the California because I suppose, no servants can be obtained here and they have no means of living. Col. Mason also returns on her.
Tell William he will not make much of his venture here as Brandy is now $30.00 a dozen soon to be $12 or perhaps less. You see I could not stop but have filled up this patge in spite of myself.
With my best love to all I am. Yours as ever Bobby dear.
P. S. Please tell Louisa our Mr. Gorin is dead, the Mr. Gorin she speaks of I did not much with.
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #