Lot
1399 
1847-1848, Illinois Volunteers on the Santa Fe Trail, 15 letters from members of the 1st Illinois Volunteers, traveling on the Santa Fe Trail in the summer and fall of 1847 and returning in 1848. Though the fighting had ended in that part of the eventual Mexican cession, soldiers were being sent to hold it for the United States. The letters begin upon steamer "L.V. Lind" in the Missouri River at Boonville, Missouri, and follow the regiment to Ft. Leavenworth, Cottonwood Creek (near current-day Lost Spring, KS), Cold Spring (in what is now the Oklahoma panhandle), and Santa Fe, with one letter from Cold Spring on the return trip. Most are to John Snyder in Belleville, IL, from his brother William. The soldiers raise hell in Missouri, foraging and even stealing alcohol. The trek is at first a "pleasure trip…We have found the most beautiful country" rather than the dry brush they were told about. But that was still in Kansas! some excellent military content upon arrival at Sante Fe from William including Oct. 18th 1847: "An expedition to El Paso some 337 miles from here will start on Thursday next, and with it if I live I am soon to go. Our company has refused upon taking the vote, to go. I am very sorry for this as from all accounts a fine opportunity to do something worthy of this soldier…The expedition will consist of eighteen of as fine companies as the U.S. service can boast of five Companies of the Mo. Battalion of Infantry, five Companies of the Mo. Mounted Regt., Capt. Henson detail light Artillery and Co. G. of the 1st Regt. U.S. Dragoons. We will go to the Pass (El Paso) where we understand that Armijo is waiting for use with some 1,500 or 2,000 men and after getting through them will probably advance against Chihuahua and Durango…", Sante Fe Nov. 14th by military express "…The Colonel had a visit from chiefs of the Utah tribe (Utes) they are decidedly the finest specimens of natures nobility, I ever set my eyes on…" and notes "There is an express going out this day to the States…Colonel Newby is not liked at all there is not a man in Sante Fe that like him he is going way in few days we are looking for Colonel Price every day…", Sante Fe March 1848 "…New has arrived…to the effect that Gen. Uruea with a force of from six to ten thousand strong is advancing against the Territory. But two days since it was reported that he had advanced upon El Paso, and totally defeated Col. Ralls of the missing only. Mntd Regt. The latter suffering a loss of one hundred killed alone…Last night and this morning we added travel reports to the effect that Uruea with seven thousand men, was at a town called Donana - forty five miles, this side of El Paso. If this be the case, he has defeated by far greater part of the force that Gen. Price intended to rely upon, ad there is hot working store for us suckers…we have a fight in the territory it will be with tremendous odds against us….", Sante Fe Apr. 24th 1848: "…Next Monday (1st May) I am off for a campaign against the Navajo Indians. Our detachment will consist of one hundred and fifty Missouri Volunteers under Major Reynolds and fifty Illinoisians who have been mounted for that purposes - under command of Capt. Moses of our Regiment the whole under command of Col. Newby. Our campaign will be through one of the toughest and most desolate regions in the world, being that Country between this territory and the California basin…Governor Armijo was captured by Genl. Price in an action last month at Santa Cruz. He is now upon is parole and residing at Albuquerque. We are daily expecting his arrival here….I wonder how the old fellow will feel when he finds me, a U.S. volunteer occupying his most spacious room at his old Palace. Our news from the South Mexico as well a from the U.S. induce us to believe that peace will soon be made…" With much interesting content on sickness in the ranks, searches for Sterling Price (who had gone south to Chihuahua), and William's growing collection of Native American artifacts, meteorites, and other curiosities from the Old Southwest., F.-V.F., ex-Risvold where it brought $20,000+. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A REMARKABLE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR CORRESPONDENCE FROM AN ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER. SOLDIER LETTERS FROM MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVED IN THE "ARMY OF THE WEST" ARE RARE AS SO FEW MEN SERVED IN THESE REGIMENTS.
(1) 6-25-1847 Boonville, Mo. Traveling on the steamboat L. V. Lind to Fort Leavenworth, enjoying the excitement.
(2) 6-28-1847 Fort Leavenworth Finally arrived after the steamboat hit many snags in the river, and health of the troops not good as sixty men are sick with measles.
(3) 7-3-1847 Fort Leavenworth Nothing much, training and packing supplies getting ready to depart for Santa Fe.
(4) 8-2-1847 Cottonwood Creek On the Plains 173 miles from Fort Leavenworth. Constant wind and cold weather in August need three blankets every night, but enjoying the best health ever.
(5) 10-18-1847 Santa Fe, New Mexico Letter sent via Mr. Coon. Looking forward to going to El Paso and a battle against Gen. Armijo 2,000 men. We have 18 companies from Missouri and Illinois with artillery and will soon leave.
(6) 10-18-1847 Santa Fe Parcel Letter via Military Express Lt. Snyder is a collector sending home native clothing items from the Indian Pueblo, and a gold ring worth $16.00 made from gold mined twenty miles away.
(7) 11-2-1847 Santa Fe Parcel via Military Express The Colonel met chiefs of the Utah tribe (Utes), and are the finest specimens of natures nobility, I ever set my eyes on. Much illness, but the health of the men is rather improving.
(8) 11-14-1847 Santa Fe Fair with tear I had spell of fever, and seven have died out of our companie, and 50 died since we came here. Colonel Newby is not like at all and we hope for a change when Colonel Price arrives.
(9) 1-30-1848 Santa Fe Parcel Letter via Military Express A large complaint abut the poor quality of the beef ration.
(10) 2-10-1848 Santa Fe Parcel Letter via Military Express Capt Turner has stolen a great deal of the regiment's money he was given to be taken home for the men. We hope to find him as this very sad.
(11) 2-28-1848 Santa Fe Parcel Letter via Military Express Sending home Indian artifacts and minerals and meteorites specimens. Mr. Chouteau just arrived and going onto California.
(12) 2-28-1848 Santa Fe No Postmark (Tear) By Politeness of Dr. Furlong, parcel with meteorites and cassalite rock.
(13) 3-21-1848 Santa Fe Gen. Urrea with 7 thousand troops are north of El Paso. Snyder worries that General Price with his 1,500 men have been badly defeated near El Paso. Yet we here are ready for such a fight with only 1,200 men.
(14) 4-24-1848 Santa Fe Parcel letter via Military Express Leaving soon for campaign against the Navajos in the West.
(15) 8-29-1848 Cold Spring, Texas Short letter written at Camp Cold Springs, the men in high spirits going home again.
Realized: $7,500