Mexican War - Maryland Militia Archive

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006

Enormous Maryland Militia archive, consisting of 138 documents and letters from the files of Brigadier General Tench Tilghman (1810-1874) the grandson of the famous Revolutionary War hero, Colonel Tench Tilghman (1744-1786) whose name is attached to many places in Maryland. Col. Tilghman served George Washington as Military Secretary and Aide-de-camp and was selected by President Washington to carry his official dispatch of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to Congress. All of the documents in this group related to the organization of the Maryland Militia, primarily in the counties of Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline, in preparation for the Mexican War and generally relate to commissions of officers, armaments, and uniforms. There are multiple signatures of at least 2 future Maryland Governors, Phillip F. Thomas (a Colonel at the time) and Thomas H. Hicks who was a captain. Thomas also served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury 1860-61 and in the U.S. House of Representatives both before and after the Civil War. Hicks also served as a US Senator from Maryland during the Civil War and died in office on February 14, 1865. There are also two documents referencing Colonel Edward Lloyd VII who owned Frederick Douglass, before he escaped north. All of the documents have been recorded, a complete list may be provided upon request. In small part this archive contains: Broadside, 1p. quarto, being General Orders No. 1, from Thomas Pratt, Governor and Commander-in-Chief Maryland Militia, May 21, 1846, signed by Adj. Gen. Watkins and issued to Brig Genl. Tilghman, it reads in small part: "...Our country is at war with Mexico, and there are indications which can not be disregarded of approaching difficulties with a more powerful enemy. It is , in my judgment necessary, that the Militia of the State should be thoroughly re-organized, that Maryland may be placed in a position to meet as it becomes her, the existing, or any exigency that may occur..." VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "Trench Tilghman" 1p. quarto, addressed to President Polk, February 18, 1847, and reads "I have the honor, most respectfully, to make a tender of my services for the command of the Brigade to which the Maryland Troops may be attached..." Fine...plus; Printed General Orders No. 3, 1p. quarto, May 21, 1846 issued by the Governor of Maryland to Gen. Tilghman, pertaining to the proper accounting of expenditures on the Mexican War to avoid a loss to Maryland as happened during the War of 1812 when the state could not be properly reimbursed because of the lack of proper vouchers. VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "William McLean" captain of the Caroline Invincibles, 2-1/2p. quarto, May 28, 1846, McLean requests a minimum of forty rifles and also offers "From our position as a county bordering immediately upon the free states, with a population of 10 free blacks to one slave, independent of the present difficulties with Mexico, and threatening of England, we think it necessary that one such Company at least should be kept up in our Country town..." VG....plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "Geo. Handy Major Genl. 2d Division Militia", 1p. quarto, May 28, 1846, addressed to Gen. Tilghman ordering the militia to be properly prepared. Fine...plus; General Tilghman's 'To do' list which includes such things as "Field Officers recommended by Brig. Gen'l without regard to rank or being in commission - Organize volunteers into a separate regiment - uniforms of volunteer companies to be as substantial as U.S. uniforms - Uniform companies may attach Wednesday to my Regiment in the County or if of cavalry to bring infantry or cavalry regiments..." More. VG...plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "Joel Cornwell" 2p. quarto, August 20, 1846, Vienna, addressed to Genl. Tilghman, it reads in part: "...Your recent order to the officers of the 11th Regiment (order their command to parade) at this place...has brought forth some inquiries into the Militia law of this State and I am constantly harassed either by the resignation of officers who agreed to accept their commissions or by others who wish instructions how to proceed in enforcing their orders or how to collect fines after they have been imposed by a court martial. There are two cases now before me; one where a Captain accepted his commission and neglected to resign 60 days prior to the review meeting to be held on the 10th previous - Another who received his commission and paraded his company on the 18th ultimo afterward returned his commission and stated he had not accepted because he had not sworn in; it is impossible for me to muster my battalion except the law can be enforced and what is the law? ..." More. Fine....plus; Autograph Letter Signed, "T.W. Lawing" 1p. quarto, August 31, 1846, to Gen. Tilghman, and reads in small part: "...General, I do not send you the stars you write for several reason two of which will suffice just now. 1st you are not entitled to them. 2nd they will ruin the appearance of your uniform...You and Mackey must whistle for your plumes for a few days; they are not to be had for love or money..." Fine...plus; Much much more. All VG or better. An outstanding and thorough archive of the Maryland Militia during the Mexican War.

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