[BIOGRAPHY]. CLAIBORNE, John Francis Hamtramch. Life and Correspondence of John Anthony Quitman, Major-General, U.S.A. and Governor of the State of Mississippi. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, Franklin Square, 1860. 2 vols. Vol. I: [i-v] vi-xii, [2], [15] 16-400 pp., frontispiece; Vol. II: [i-iii] iv-v, [6-7] 8-392 pp., folded map. 8vo (20 x 14 cm), original dark brown patterned embossed cloth, spine gilt-lettered and decorated. Spines slightly chipped, corners bumped, Vol. I lightly stained. Vol. I, pp. 238-239 slightly scorched in gutter margin, a few leaves in Vol. II bumped and wrinkled. Overall very good. With pencil signature Lawrence on pastedowns and embossed stamp of W.B. Sprague on Vol. I flyleaf.

First edition. Connor & Faulk 685. Clark, Old South II, 142. Field 321. Garrett & Goodwin, p. 199. Haferkorn, p. 60. Howes C417. Raines, p. 50: “In the spring of 1836, Capt. Quitman, with his company of Mississippians, subdued the Cherokees, but did not reach the Texan army till two days after the battle of San Jacinto.” Sabin 13192. Tutorow 3762.

Quitman’s experiences during the Mexican-American War occupy Vol. I, chapters 9-13. The materials cover not only Quitman’s personal experiences but also observations about Scott and Taylor and British and French intrigues. Quitman played prominent roles in the Battle of Monterrey and the taking of Mexico City, of which Scott appointed him governor. He is an excellent observer, noting after his criticism on the assault on Molino del Rey: “Be this as it may, the leading Mexican journals derived comfort from this bloody affair, and declared that a few such victories as we claimed at the Molino would convert our anticipated conquest into a chastisement and a curse” (Vol. I, p. 353).

Quitman (1798-1858) was a prominent Mississippian, once serving as governor. He was favorable to annexing Texas to the U.S.