PBA Galleries

Includes:

• Headquarters of the Army, Mexico, February 18, 1848. General Orders 59. [1] [3, blank] pp. 12mo (20x13.5 cm), disbound. First Edition. Last order issued and signed by Scott as army commander in Mexico.
• Headquarters, Army of Mexico, Mexico, February 19, 1848. Orders No. 1. [1] [3, blank] pp. 12mo (20x13.5 cm), disbound. First Edition. Butter's first order as commander.

Also includes two campaign biographies of General Scott.

[1] Life of General Scott [caption title]. [Colophon]: New York: C.A. Alvord, Printer, 29 Gold-St; New York: A.H. Jocelyn, Engraver and Electrotyper of Wood-Cuts, 64 John-Street, [1852]. [1] 2-32 pp. 8vo (23 x 15.5 cm), unbound and stitched, as issued. First Edition. 

[2] General Scott’s Correspondence with Hon. W.L. Marcy, Secretary of War under President Polk [caption title]. [N.p.: ca. 1852]. [1] 2-16 pp. 8vo (25 x 15.5 cm), in double columns, stitched. First Edition. 

These two orders are the result of a tangled political imbroglio that was actually playing out in the United States, mostly in President Polk’s head. Fearful of Scott’s popularity and somewhat fed up with the man, ostensibly because of his actions against fellow officers, Polk relieved Scott of his command. Scott was a Whig; Butler, like Polk, was a Democrat. Polk’s maneuvers proved futile, however, because both Scott and Butler lost their bids for high office. Interesting example of the influence of politics on military matters.