[HISTORIES]. FROST, John. The War and its Warriors; Comprising a Complete History of all the Operations of the American Armies in Mexico: With Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Most Distinguished Officers in the Regular Army and the Volunteer Force. Philadelphia: Hogan & Thompson, 1848. [2], 5-6, [vii]-viii, [9] 10-319 [1, blank] pp., wood-engraved frontispiece, 30 full-page text illustrations (included in pagination). 12mo (19 x 12 cm), contemporary three-quarter tan sheep over marbled boards, spine gilt with raised bands and black leather label, matching marbled endpapers and edges. Binding rubbed, upper hinge starting, but overall a fine, fresh copy.

An early edition published before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago was signed. Haferkorn, p. 32. Tutorow 3194: “An avowed attempt by the author to impose some order on the many accounts of the Mexican War in circulation at the time of writing.” The bibliography of this work has never been satisfactorily explained.

A complete history of the war through the Battle of Mexico City but without the results of Trist’s negotiations. A good deal of descriptive material seems to be taken either directly or indirectly from official reports. Includes biographies of prominent leaders, though Frost is clearly prejudiced towards Taylor, whom he prominently features as the first article, whereas Scott is relegated to a brief piece at the very end. Includes information on Texas Rangers Benjamin McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, and John Coffee Hays.

“Frost, who graduated from Harvard in 1822, was one of the most prolific writers of non-fiction in nineteenth-century America. According to one account he published over 300 works, assisted by a corps of writers. His works range from a history of the world to a history of California” (Connor & Faulk 12).