President James K. Polk Promotes a Hero of the Mexican War for “gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco”

Andrew Thomas McReynolds was an American colonel and lawyer of Irish origin who commanded the 1st New York Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War. His obituary reads, “He was born in Dungannon, Tyrone County, Ireland, on Christmas Day, in 1808. He came to America in 1830, to Detroit in 1833 … He began the practice of law at Detroit in 1840, and that has been his life profession… In 1847 he was a democratic member of the Michigan senate, and his remarks upon the subject of the relations with Mexico were so eloquent that he attracted notice at Washington and President Polk tendered him a captaincy in the Third dragoons. He accepted, and his record among the “greasers” (as they were called) was that of a gallant soldier. In 1848 he was commissioned, by brevet, major “for gallant and meritorions conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco.” At the latter place he was wounded in the left arm, which was ever afterward comparatively useless. It was at McReynolds’s side, also, that Civil War Gen. Phil Kearneys’ arm was shot off.

McReynolds went on to fame leading the 1st NY Cavalry, the so-called “Lincoln Cavalry” during the Civil War, where he distinguished himself as a prominent commander.

The Battles of Contreras and Churubusco were major victories for the US during the Mexican war, in which Winfield Scott defeated Santa Anna’s troops and forced an armistice.

Document signed, Washington, August 23, 1848, signed by Polk as president and Secretary of War William Marcy, being the original appointment of Andrew T. McReynolds as Brevet Major for “gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco.” Evidence of framing at edges and touching the end of one letter of signature.