Letter, Mexican War

Object number2003.063.12

DateFebruary 12, 1848

Mediumpaper and ink

DimensionsOverall: 8 x 12 in. (20.3 x 30.5 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection Purchased with funds from the Natural & Cultural Resources Council

Terms

DescriptionWritten by Arkansas Volunteer James Henry on February 12, 1848, to his family in Fayetteville. Henry served in Captain Stephen B. Enyart's independent company of Mounted Gunmen. In his letter, Henry described the frustration felt by his fellow soldiers over their length of service. Originally, volunteers served a twelve-month tour. As the war continued, new volunteers--like Henry's company--signed up for a tour that would last the duration of the war. Most soldiers did not believe the war would last longer than twelve months; some of Henry's comrades were ready to go home and contacted lawyers in an effort to shorten their tour.

Disease was the number one killer during the U.S.-Mexican War. In his letter, Henry notes that two men in his company recently died of the "fever".

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Not on view

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