[SCOTT, WINFIELD]. MOORE, H. Judge. Scott’s Campaign in Mexico; From the Rendezvous on the Island of Lobos, to the Taking of the City, Including an Account of the Siege of Puebla, with Sketches of the Country, and Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants. Charleston: J.B. Nixon, Publishers, 48 Broad-Street, 1849. [i-iii] iv-xii, [1] 2-234 pp. 8vo (19.7 x 12 cm), original dark brown roan over black cloth boards, spine gilt-lettered. Spine extremities chipped, front joint split, lower hinge slightly split. Mild to moderate foxing and light waterstaining, the latter confined to the front part of the book and generally to the blank margins. Overall very good copy of a rare book.

First edition. Garrett & Goodwin, p. 163: “Moore was supportive of the war and the contributions made by southerners.” Haferkorn, p. 61. Howes M769: “Narrative of an eye-witness; remarkable for credit given Santa Anna.” Sabin 50386. Tutorow 3390.

A history of the war written by a Southerner, for Southerners, and published in the South. The first paragraph of the Preface is a marvel of historical writing. Although it is only two sentences, it contains about 350 words, making it one of the more Faulknerian pieces of writing in Mexican-American War literature. The history covers the war from the invasion at Veracruz to the final victory in Mexico City and includes numerous passages on Mexican life, folkways, manners, and people. He was very wary of the San Patricios at Churubusco: “The steeple of the church had been filled at all times with the enemy’s best marksmen and most skillful sharp-shooters, among whom were many of Riley’s deserters, and it was, no doubt, their shots which told with such fearful effect upon the assaulting columns, for they fought like desperadoes with halters about their necks” (p. 142). The author served in the South Carolina Palmetto Regiment.