Lot 807
(Mail Routes) (Sante Fe Trail) "Albuquerque N.M., July 13th 1847", datelined folded letter from Capt. William N. Grier to Brig. Gen. R. Jones, Adj. Gen. U.S. Army at Washington D.C., endorsed "On Public Service" and "New Mexico", carried by military courier back up the Sante Fe trail to Fort Leavenworth, delivered to a non-contract Missouri River steamboat leaving for St. Louis, struck with red St. Louis "STEAM 10" straightline rating due handstamp, "10" crossed out and manuscript "Free" rating since the Adjutant General had the franking privilege, receipt docketing of Sept. 24, 1847, two months 11 days after it was written, Very Fine and choice.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A RARE SANTA FE N.M. MILITARY LETTER TO WASHINGTON D.C.
This letter was written by Captain William N. Grier, a member of the Doniphan's Expedition that seized Santa Fe at the beginning of the Mexican War. Letter reads: "It becomes my melancholy duty to report to you the death of 2d. Lieut. Joseph McElvain 1st Dragoons, who died at this place at 12½ O'Clock P.M. yesterday (July 12th) from the effects of a gunshot would in the left arm near the shoulder joint. On the morning of the 14th Inst. Lieut. M. & two other officers of my command with a Detachment of twenty Dragoons went in pursuit of a party of Marauding Indians (Navajos). About two miles from this place Lieut. M. was wounded as described above by the accidental discharge of a carbine which he held in his right hand, Very Respectfully, Wm. Brier".
Realized: $4,250