He was the leading Ordnance expert of the U.S. Army in pre-Civil War years.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008

"ALFRED MORDECAI (1804-1887)"; born North Carolina; graduate U.S. Military Academy, West Point 1823; first in his class. His highly accomplished Army career led to special duty with the Sec'y of War (1832); Command of Army Ordnance Arsenal, Washington, 1833 and again 1848-55; Command of Frankford Arsenal, Pa 1835-38; Ass't. Chief of Ordnance 1838-42; Command of Washington Arsenal 1848-1855 and most importantly the key member of the Military Commission to study the arms and weaponry of various European countries and Russia during the Crimean War. the Crimea" (accompanied with Geo. McClellan)…At which time he took command of the Watervliet Arsenal New York and detailed to the Board "to revise the program of instruction at the Military Academy at West Point." Here is the scarce, original copy of his report of that outstanding survey "MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE IN 1855 AND 1856…REPORT OF MAJOR ALFRED MORDECAI" published by U.S. Gov't Washington, 1861. 232 pages (large 9 x 11 ½) plus many full page detailed plates of drawings of equipment, cannon, projectiles, etc. (in use by European gov'ts) plus 13 large foldout plates at rear. Does not show wear; mostly light aging; some minor brown spotting on the first section of book with the latter section (pages 180 to end) more heavily spotted with damp stains, but all intact and illus. plates fine. Original cloth hard covers (edges only worn); rebound on spine only. Of Southern birth, Mordecai felt he could not draw his sword against companions of his Southern boyhood, nor would honor and duty to the United States permit his rebellion against the U.S. flag…and consequently at outbreak of Civil War, resigned his commission, retiring to his home in Phila. His son (same name, Alfred) graduated West Point 1861 (near very top of class) and served gallantly during the Civil War in U.S. Army with a very distinguished career to retirement in 1904 accompanied with photostats from official U.S. West Point biographies (of father and son) and Jewish encyclopedias. A book of significant military importance. Very scarce.

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