Sold – General Zachary Taylor Praises the “chivalric zeal and enthusiasm” of U.S. Troops in Mexico

Military commander in four wars, hero whose victories in Mexico catapulted him to the Presidency.

Letter Signed “Z. Taylor, Major Genl. U.S. Army,” 2 1/2 pages 4to, Headquarters, Army of Occupation, Camp near Monterey, Oct. 19, 1847, to Col. John F. Hamtramck at Buena Vista, Mexico. “…It would have given me much pleasure to yield to your wish to join the other column, but under circumstances which so vitally affect the public service in this quarter I am compelled to retain yourself and your noble regiment in its present position. No one better than I myself knows its chivalric zeal and enthusiasm, its excellent state of drill and discipline and desire for more active service, but these very qualities render it the better safeguard for the public interests on this line. My late communication to the War Dept. has strongly recommended the charge of this line to be given, on my leaving the country, to Genl. Wool and if my suggestions can be of any avail, there are sure prospects that the command will fall upon him. I am confident that it is not in my power to speak of a successor in more strong or flattering terms than I have in my recommendation of him, and I do not doubt that it will be accorded to him…It is well understood that additional troops have been called out, and it is not impossible (indeed it is anticipated) that a portion may come here and afford at no very distant day, should the war continue, opportunity for active operations. I truly hope such good fortune may fall upon yourself and your regiment, it needs but the occasion, I feel assured, to distinguish itself and behave with honor to itself and the state it has thus far so well represented…”

The war was winding down at this point, and Taylor was giving up command. It is interesting that he personally selected as his successor John Wool, also a War of 1812 veteran, who would become a Union major general in the Civil War. Hamtramck was the commander of the 1st Virginia Regiment, anxious to see action. An exceptionally uncommon war date letter of Taylor, praising the qualities of the troops who served under his command in Mexico. A year later he would be elected President.