MEXICAN WAR SURGEON'S LETTER
$180.00
60078-8
War-date A.L.S. from surgeon William A. Hammond, patriarch of the famous family of the same name, 2pp., 4to, New Orleans Barracks, Jan. 17, 1847, to his daughter, Ann Hall. Hammond includes some rumors about the ongoing war with Mexico, in part: "...The Mexicans may intend fighting from the breastworks at St. Louis Potosi [San Luis Potosí] until driven from them which they will certainly be before the middle of March heat unless peace is made which I think is doubtful...some excitement about Santa Anna moving to cut off Worth at Santillo...[we may make] movements on Vera Cruz and make it and Tampico the base of operations...". Hammond, a surgeon and army major, died in Benicia in 1851, and left behind successful progeny, including William Hammond, Jr., army Surgeon General during the Civil War, George Hammond, a Navy surgeon who served with Comm. David Farragut in the Civil War, and Richard Pindell Hammond, an artillery major who served at the Battle of Chapultepec, was personal friends with Robert E. Lee, and was father of famous industrialist and engineer John Hays Hammond. Hammond makes several references to his sons, in part: "...I would go at once to Mexico and perform my tour but the anxiety about William, George & [illegible] has me decided to remain for the present...I hear from Richard occasionally thru the paper he is well and stands very highly as a military man with everyone...". Minor folds and slight soiling at folds with a small hole from the wax seal, else very good.