[BIOGRAPHY]. SHEPARD, Elihu H. The Autobiography of Elihu H. Shepard, Formerly Professor of Languages in St. Louis College. St. Louis: George Knapp & Co. Book and Job Printers and Binders, 1869. [4], [vii]-viii [1, blank], [9] 10-275 [1, blank] pp., two original albumen photographs pasted in (author and wife). 8vo (24.7 x 16.5 cm), original brown cloth, spine gilt-lettered. Spine slightly chipped at extremities, hinges weak and rubbed, lower board separating, corners rubbed. Light uniform browning to interior, photos slightly faded. Presentation copy to New England Historical Genealogical Society from the author’s grandson. Printed bookplate of New-England Historical and Genealogical Society on front pastedown and their blind stamp on title page and one other page.

First edition. Howes S386, Kaplan 5166. Sabin 80175. Tutorow 3711.

The author mustered into Company A of the St. Louis Greys at the age of fifty one. Their terms of service running out quickly, they went back home shortly after landing in Texas. He joined another regiment from Missouri, which saw considerably more action, being initially dispatched to Santa Fe, whence they went to Chihuahua, where they remained for three months. After going to El Paso, they were mustered out.

Although in Texas only a short time, he remarked: “I did not explore the country to any great distance from the river, but saw enough to satisfy me that it is bound to be one of the richest countries in the world, and that at no very distant day” (p 143).