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GEORGE W. GUILD : 1845 - 1850 HANDWRITTEN FIRST HAND MANUSCRIPT OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR AND LEDGER OF A BUSY PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND MERCHANT AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall. On offer is a remarkable, historic handwritten manuscript relic of Rhode Island's involvement in the Mexican War and regional commerce being the journal and ledger of George W. Guild, who was a soldier in the Mexican War, a merchant and a Justice of the Peace in Providence Rhode Island. This 266 page hand numbered book was used from 1845 - 1850 as a ledger for Mr. Guild's prosperous business. He tended to do most of his invoices, notes, sales and orders on the right side of the open book. The left side was saved for other notes relating to store operations. It is here on these mostly blank pages than George Guild wrote his Mexican War travels and adventures very soon upon his return from service. There are about a dozen pages of written narrative detailing travel, vessels, conditions, battles, brothers-in-arms etc, and then more pages of point form notes, possible chapter headings etc. It seems without doubt that Guild is documenting his immediate memories with an intent to later flesh out for either a book or memoir. A noted dated 1850 in the book confirms this as Guild makes mention of the cost of publishing 100 copies of a 100 page book at a cost of $1.00 per book. Students of the time period will know that when Congress declared war against Mexico on May 13, 1846 volunteers in large numbers enlisted to fight against her. About this period the movement of General Taylor, or "Old Rough and Ready," as his men called him, from Corpus Christi to the relief of Fort Brown on the Rio Grande River, was the theme of general conversation throughout the state. Meetings were called by the commanders of the various military companies, after the battles of "Palo Alto" and "Resaca-de-la-Palma," for the purpose of offering their services to the government. The act passed by Congress to increase the strength of the army by adding ten additional regiments to be enlisted for the war, defined the "quota" of Rhode Island to be one company of infantry. Now there were four companies in process of organization at this time, but only one could be mustered into service. In January, 1847, the Legislature of Rhode Island made an appropriation of $2,500.00 for volunteers for the Mexican War. To Captain Joseph S. Pitman and Lieutenant John S. Slocum was assigned the duty of preparing the company intended for the field. The Second-Lieutenancy was subsequently filled by the appointment of John Glackin of Woonsocket, R. I. George W. Guild was appointed First Sergeant. Frequent changes were made in the "non-commissioned" officers as their various qualifications developed. The following is the "roster" after entering the valley of Mexico. His narrative is first hand and well expressed. This was a fascinating time in Rhode Island history and this rare journal is a unique first hand original relic of that time. Overall G+.. Book Condition: Good+

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