Two volumes. Vol. I: [i-iv] v-vii [1, blank], [6]. 1-389 [3, blank] pp., frontispiece, 6 folded maps; Vol. II: [i-iv] vii [1, blank], [4], 1-432 pp., frontispiece, 25 folded maps. (8vo) 23.2x16 cm (9x6¼"), original green cloth, spines gilt lettered. First Edition.
This work was written by Mead’s son and edited by his grandson, who completed it after his father’s death. Meade’s services in the Mexican-American War are in vol. 1, pp. 19-219. His letters, all to his wife, are well written and full of interesting details available nowhere else. His letters start on August 15, 1845, when he writes his wife from Washington and end on April 20, 1847, from a ship in the Potomac informing his wife, “You may look for me to dinner.” Meade (1815-1872) fought at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey before being assigned to Scott, who sent him back to the states because he had enough topographical engineers. He is best remembered as commander of the Union army at Gettysburg.