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Edmund P. Gaines

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Edmund P. Gaines

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Auction Date:2016 Apr 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS, one page, 7.75 x 10, May 26, 1846. Letter to the future president, “General Zac. Taylor, the U.S. Army in Mexico.” In full: “This will be handed to you by Colonel Morton Simms of Alabama, who goes with some choice volunteers of that state, to unite with their comrades with you in the war against Mexico. Col. Morton is warmly recommended to me by my brother G. S. Gaines & my nephew H. S. Lyon, as a gentleman of great integrity, honor, and chivalry. Give him if you can an opportunity to measure his strength with your gallant enemy and you will confer a favor on him.” He adds an important postscript, “I send you a copy of my orders of yesterday from the Adjt. Genl. directing me to countermand my authority for raising mounted Gun men.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered overall creasing and a small stain along fold.

This letter dates to just thirteen days after President Polk declared war on Mexico and concerns Gaines’s unauthorized call for volunteer troops from Louisiana. Even after being reprimanded by the War Department he called upon Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri for the same. Gaines was then removed from his command for insubordination and received a court martial, but successfully defended himself. A remarkable piece of wartime correspondence of the utmost historical interest.