R. S. Ripley papers, 1846-1847.

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R. S. Ripley papers, 1846-1847.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702138337

29 ALS by Ripley to his parents Christopher and Julia Ripley, married sisters Mrs. A. B. James and Mrs. C. Shepard, and an unnamed cousin, with most letters written to his mother. The first four letters, from February to June 1846, were written while he was serving on the Coast Survey. The rest of the letters document his participation in the Mexican War, beginning with his departure from New York to his arrival in Mexico, and including the battles of Monterrey, Vera Cruz, and Cerro Gordo. His participation in the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and Mexico City are touched on only briefly in two letters of August and October, 1847. The last two letters describe his work as aide-de-camp to General Pillow in Mexico City at the end of 1847. Ripley's letters contain detailed descriptions of his regiment's movements, battles, as well as Mexico's countryside, customs, and people. A letter dated "March 26 or 7 1847" carries a detailed manuscript map of the defenses and placement of troops during the siege of Vera Cruz, and a letter of April 3, 1847 carries another small sketch of Vera Cruz. There are several instances where Ripley writes separate letters to his mother and sisters describing the same battle. Accompanied by two Texas land grants: one to P. G. Merritt, dated Oct. 21, 1846, and one to Samuel Slater, dated Jan. 29, 1847. A printed map of Texas entitled, "Map of the Richest Part of Texas with part of the Adjoining States and including therein the possessions of the Rio Grande and Texas Land Company," New York, n.d., is also present.

0.4 linear ft. (1 box + 3 broadsides)

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8016687

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Related Entities

There are 8 Entities related to this resource.

Ripley, R. S. (Roswell Sabine), 1823-1887

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61g1b65 (person)

Brigadier general in the South Carolina State Militia, based in Charleston, S.C. From the description of Papers, 1862. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20115889 General Roswell S. Ripley, a native of Ohio, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1843 and served in the Mexican and Seminole Wars. Subsequent to leaving army service, he settled in South Carolina, where he was a businessman and also active in the state militia. He was named Major of South Caroli...

James, A. B., Mrs.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dv5pc8 (person)

Shepard, C., Mrs.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64j4hbs (person)

Pillow, Gideon Johnson, 1806-1878

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gt5kpb (person)

Gideon Johnson Pillow (1806-1878) was born in Williamson County, Tennessee. He practiced law with James Knox Polk (1795-1849), the 11th presdient of the United States. Pillow was appointed Brigadier General of the U.S. Volunteers in 1846 and later promoted to Major General because of his friendship with President Polk. He served during the Mexican War (1846-1848) and fought during the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and Chapultepec. He was appointed Senior Major General of the Prov...

Rio Grande and Texas Land Company

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xw9k5v (corporateBody)

Ripley, Julia Caulkins.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p852z2 (person)

United States coast survey

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65x5z3h (corporateBody)

Ripley, Christopher, 1781-1851

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6b8600z (person)