How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Matamoros, Mexico, September 8, 1846. Bifolium. Two-page autograph love letter in blue ink, signed by a United States Army soldier to his love interest, recounting his unit's march on Matamoros. Addressed on integral leaf, with additional manuscript in another hand, "Miss Eliza Whiting Eagleville". Creasing from old folds; scattered soiling.

Early in the Mexican-American War, a United States Army soldier, stationed in Matamoros, Mexico, writes to his love interest, recounting his march on the city: "I'm thinkin that would done your very soul good to see us when we lumbered thiseer town. If we didn't make a noise equal to almost any thunder clap you ever hearn, and made it as lite a day in the night, then i'll be hanged. We worked plenty hard, for so much gunpowder burnt down in thiseer hot-clymit don't make it none the cooler, When yeller Mexicans tried to blow us up but they couldn't cum it, for all them ateen pownders of ours went made for nothin, and they sent a lot of balls in amongst em and they made turin work for we put in the catriges full into em and when we tuched em of they bellerd like a made Ruffler. B____ they giv up and then we marched in and took possession on em. Tween you and me Kate I didn't feel none the wurs for the fite fur Jineral marched us into the town with all dignity, and sooty Mexican gals lookin as iff they was skeered haf to deth looked at us wen we cum in but I didn't see none I liked so much as you Kate. I kep my head up and looked as smart as I could..."

General Zachary Taylor marched on Matamoros, Mexico in mid May 1846, following his victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma that ended the Mexican Army's siege of Fort Texas on the Rio Grande River. The city would remain occupied by U.S. forces for the remainder of the war, and serve as a critical staging ground and supply depot for Taylor's troops as they advanced into the interior of Mexico.