"[Lot of 2] Military Reconnaissance of the Arkansas, Rio del Norte and Rio Gila… [and] Notes of a Military Reconnaissance, from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California…", Emory, William Hemsley

A) Military Reconnaissance of the Arkansas, Rio del Norte and Rio Gila, by W.H. Emory, dated 1847, (67" x 30"). An important Mexican-American War period map that shows the route of Col. Kearny and his Army of the West as they traveled from Ft. Leavenworth to Los Angeles via Santa Fe and San Diego. Wheat states that the map was an important milestone in the cartographic development and accurate determination of the geography of the West. Published in Senate Doc #7, 30th Cong., 1st Session. A large map printed on three sheets, joined as issued. Ref: Wheat [TMW] #544. Condition: Scattered foxing with numerous short splits at fold intersections and a few light damp stains at left. Folds into attractive contemporary hard blue covers with ribbon tie closures. (C+)

B) Notes of a Military Reconnaissance, from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California..., by W. H. Emory, published 1848, (6" x 9"). This is the Senate edition of Emory's important report documenting the 1846-1847 journey of the advanced guard of General Kearny's Army of The West. Emory was Brevet Major of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. Emory's reports are enjoyable reads and this is no different, with passages such as "I stopped in the little town of Isoletta, to visit my friend, the accolade, who has the reputation, Indian though he be, of being the most honest man and best maker of brandy in the territory."

The report summarizes the activity of the U.S. Army of the West after the capture of New Mexico with important early views of the region. It is illustrated with 26 lithographed views, three battle maps, and 14 botanical plates. The important view of San Diego is present. The battle plans are: Sketch of the Actions fought at San Pasqual in Upper California…; Sketch of the Passage of the Rio San Gabriel...; and Sketch of the Battle of Los Angeles Upper California. Fought between the Americans and Mexicans Jany. 9th, 1847. Complete with the two page report (Appendix No. 7) by P. St. Geo. Cooke, Major 2d Dragoons. Printed by Wendell and Van Benthuysen. This is the second edition printed, and thus did not originally contain the large folding map by Emory, which was included in the first and third editions. 416 pages + plates. 8vo, hardbound in brown cloth covers with original paper label on spine. Ref: Wagner & Camp #148:2. Condition: Moderate to heavy foxing throughout the text with the plates showing only light scattered foxing. Label and covers are very worn. (B)

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