"Major John Henshaw's firsthand account of the American invasion of Mexico includes not only narratives of the war's major battles but also forceful critiques of military leadership and strategies and vivid descriptions of Mexico's countryside, cities, and people. Editor Gary Kurutz provides extensive annotations of Henshaw's journals and letters"--Provided by publisher.
Excerpt from Recollections of Mexico: And the Battle of Buena Vista, Feb; 22 and 23, 1847 [Although it has always been the intention of the writer to record for his own satisfaction, his memories of the scenes occurring in Mexico, at or about the time of the battle of Buena Vista, this record might have been procrastinated, - just as repentance is too often said to be, - but for a feeling of duty towards an association of gentlemen, each of whom contributes for the general information from the stores of his own professional knowledge. Even now this is offered with some hesitation, because this battle, which appeared to us and to the country as of such great importance at the time, is dwarfed into insignificance by the giant struggles of these later days, whose warriors were counted by millions, and their dead by hundreds of thousands, - which gave an emperor to reunited Germany, and a president to the re United States. Yet this lesser struggle, where our soldiers were but as many thousands, and our dead as many hundreds, was still the bloodiest strife that our country had ever then known. And this victory likewise gave a president to our great country. This narrative is offered really from personal recollections only, first written down within a very few days recently, as an offering to the association above alluded to. But the recollection of these events has so crowded upon the memory, that much may appear to be of minor detail and of lesser interest. Yet there may be an excuse for introducing many of these incidents which would scarcely become the grave page of history, except, perhaps, as its foot-notes, as it appeared there might be more of life and interest to the narrative, in the writer's being able to say 'I saw,' instead of 'I have read' or 'heard.' And all of this he may say he saw, or had from the eye-witnesses within a very few days after. Nothing is from the record of others, or even from his own letters, orders, or notes, excepting only the maps made by himself, and a glace at a single page of statistics from Captain (now General) Carlton's book, the only history of this battle as yet published. It is perhaps at times more difficult in this profession than in any other to relate what has been seen, without appearing, however unconsciously, to play the role of "magna pars fui." It is more rare to write, than to fight, like the great Roman; to do both, the world's verdict gives but to himself. But the subordinate position of a lieutenant must avert the suspicion of assumption here; while, as an engineer, the calls to the many various portions of such a field would make it a duty to see if possible, if not even to record, every circumstance that occurred.] It will be remembered by our older friends, that the war of 1846-48 for Texas was mainly a Southern war, and principally for the benefit of a "domestic institution," now happily existing no more among us; though the North, as in duty bound, when the whole country was involved, bore its fair, full share in the struggle. Yet, as showing what slight causes actually precipitated that war, I may mention, as of interest, a single sentence, that many years after I accidentally heard brought out at a dinner-table, from the speaker himself, Mr. Benton, which, as I believe, had more effect than all things else to bring on the actual conflict. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
An excellent work for those interested in the Mexican/ American War and the War between the States. Major General Maury's recollections will give the readers a glimpse of the greatness of the men in the Southern Armies by describing how these soldiers thought and their determination to defend their country.
Excerpt from Reminiscences of the War of the Rebellion, and of the Mexican War In the summer of 1861 three young patriot officers found themselves fellow-captives of war within the gloomy walls of the old tobacco-warehouse. In Richmond. One of these, Colonel J. R. Hurd, then Captain, was a Ken tuckian, faithful found among many faithless. The love of adventure had lured him in very early years from his home, and, reveling in the wild and semi-barbaric life of a frontiersman, he had become inured to hardship, peril and self-reliance. As we have mentioned, Colonels Hurd and Raynor had been companions and friends in childhood. They now became inseparable. Through a friend ly guard they obtained a few yards of calico, and some cotton and thread, with which they made a quilt, which, with a block of wood for their pillow, constituted their only bed. Mr. Murphy was regarded as a surgeon by the rebels, and was consequently allowed, under close surveillance, to visit the hospitals where our wounded were languishings He was thus enabled to con tribute very much not only to their relief, but_to the aid of his suffering com panions in the warehouse. In one of these hospitals he found Mrs. Major General Ricketts, who had heroically consented to become a prisoner-of - war that she might attend upon her wounded husband. This noble woman moved through the Sad wards of that hospital at Richmond an angel of mercy, an other Florence Nightingale, sharing the misery she attempted to alleviate. Officers and soldiers alike were cheered by her tender hand\ and her sympa thizing heart. She was obliged, writes Mr. Murphy, to quarter in the same room with her husband and some six other officers, with only a small shawl used as a screen to shield her from observation. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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Charles J. Murphy's personal account of his experiences during the Civil War and the Mexican-American War, including his time as a prisoner of war and his views on various key figures of the time. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
