Description:

Native American 0 - 0

ALS by Cavalry Lieutenant noting Indian attacks on the Wild West frontier





Two page bi-fold ALS on lightly lined paper, 7.75" x 9.75", inscribed on three sides with last page blank except for a small graphite note: "Dear Henry's last letter to me ... his mother". Dated "Jany 10th 1868" and signed "Your loving son / Henry W. Smith". Pages heavily stained, but text is still legible. Professional strengthening to separation at folds. Accompanied by a typed transcription of the letter.

An incredible account of a cavalry lieutenant's typical two-week stint as a scout on horseback traversing the Wild West. Smith and his companions traveled 375 miles crippled with cold, noting: "We went through "Alamo Canon" and crossed the "Sierra Sacramento" and the "Sierra Blanco". Lieutenant Smith also describes brutal encounters with Indians, such as: "We killed 2 (two) Indians one of whom I killed with my own hand"; and that "three of their mail riders have been killed by Indians". Lieutenant Smith alludes to the forthcoming completion of a railroad near Santa Fe, heightening the reader's awareness of just how truly isolated the Wild West was along the Mexican frontier.

The revealing ALS is shown in full below:

"My dear Mother

I have just come in from a two weeks scout and find no letters either from 'G ... ia' or you, but I hear that 3 (three) of our mail riders have been killed by the Indians lately so our letters may have been lost. We had a terribly cold time. I was in command, and only had 20 men all told. We killed 2 (two) Indians one of whom I killed with my own hand. We went through "Alamo Canon" and crossed the "Sierra Sacramento" and the "Sierra Blanco" making a trip of 375 miles in ten days. You have undoubtedly seen an account of it in the papers ere this. I am very comfortably fixed now all I want now is my dear wife to make me happy. 'G ... ia' wants to come to me but I will not let her attempt the journey across the plains until the Rail Road is completed to Santa Fe.

You must not think my dear Mother that I am neglecting you. I have not had any money since I came out to New Mexico. as soon as I can draw any money you can count on me certainly for $20.00 per month if not more my pay is not as much as I would wish for your sake, but I will give you all that I have over my own immediate expenses. Give my love to all friends. Kiss my little Josie for me, and with love to Pamelia, Aunt Louisa and Horace. I remain dear Mother

Your loving Son

Henry W. Smith

Lieut 3rd Cavly, Brt Major, USA"

Judging from his mother's forlorn pencil inscription at the back of this later, Henry W. Smith died soon thereafter, presumably killed in action.

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June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
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