Title:

Abner Doubleday ALS Dated Just After Battle of Buena Vista to N. Doubleday (Twice Signed) 

A Full Four Page Handwritten Letter from Monterrey, Mexico During Mexican-American War with INCREDIBLE Content – PSA/DNA & Beckett LOAs

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Description:

Presented here is an outstanding Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) by Abner Doubleday, written entirely in his hand and signed at the conclusion. Dated December 10, 1847, this four-page letter was composed from Monterrey, Mexico, during Doubleday’s early military career in the Mexican-American War. Addressed to his brother, N. Doubleday, at the American Exchange Bank in New York, the letter provides detailed observations on Mexican society, political turmoil, and the U.S. military presence in the region.

Penned on a single folded folio sheet measuring 15.5” x 10”, which has been folded into a "greeting card" four-page format, beginning with his brother's name and ending with a full signature—thus, two Doubledays for the price of one. The letter remains in very good condition, with some expected age toning and tears around mailing folds. The ink is dark and legible throughout, and Doubleday’s signature is bold. A remarkably preserved, content-rich letter from one of the 19th century’s most intriguing figures.

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In Full:

My Dear Brother,

I am here on a visit for a few days. One of the chief objects I had in view was to have a personal interview with Gen. Wool in the hope of persuading him to let me go to the Vera Cruz. Such an interview, as I have ascertained, would be utterly useless—the General having given notice that he will not grant any permission of the kind to any officer of his command. He said last night to Lieut. Stewart of the 3rd Arty (artillery), whose claims are far stronger than mine—“You shan’t go, nor shall any other officer of my command go.”

So you may consider it as settled that I am to remain in Saltillo for the present, and you will continue to write as you had done formerly. I have been much delighted with my visit here. For the first time since my arrival in Mexico, I have been received in the first families of the country.

All my former Mexican acquaintances, male and female, threw themselves into my arms and welcomed me as they would one from the dead—for they never expected to see me again when I parted from them on the eve of the battle of Buena Vista.

In this country, females will embrace you without considering it as a mark of extraordinary attention, but at the same time they would look upon a kiss as an act of gross indelicacy which nothing could pardon.

In effect, I find the upper class of Mexicans have given up the cause of their country as hopeless; and whatever may be their feelings at seeing a foreign army in the heart of the Republic, they are not blind to the miserable mismanagement of their own rulers and the frightful tyranny of their military chiefs. No longer demonstrating a hope of success, they are ready now to cease their hostility and cultivate warm and friendly relations with us.

Last winter, I used to spend much of my time with a young Mexican lawyer of highly liberal opinions named Don Manuel Llamo. All of his political career has been an earnest battle against the Priesthood and the military authorities—the two great curses of the country. I admired his principles and independence of character very much, but I hardly dared to be friends with him, as I was one of those who wounded his country.

Since my arrival, Manuel has treated me with the greatest hospitality. He has introduced me to all his relatives, who are the aristocracy of this part of Mexico, and has offered to make me acquainted with any family with whom I may desire to have friendly relations. How different this conduct from the bitter hostility still secured against us by the people of Saltillo. They will not allow Americans to enter their houses and are frightened at even being seen with one in the street.

The Massachusetts Regt. committed while here every kind of atrocity which could disgrace the American name. Officers and men united in breaking open and plundering houses and in every kind of theft and murder. The present Regt. of green regulars are highly praised for the good order which they preserve.

The Mexicans seem to be very unanimous in the belief that the Mexican Congress will soon make peace. I think it very probable. Give my love to all the family and remember me to all my friends.

I have not heard from home for a very long time, but I hear there are some letters in the Post Office for me at Saltillo, so that when I return, I hope to have some news of you.

Your Aff. Brother,
Abner Doubleday

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Historical Context:

Composed during the final phases of the Mexican-American War, this letter offers an extraordinary firsthand account of American military occupation, Mexican societal response, and the personal experiences of Abner Doubleday, who would later become a Union general in the Civil War. At the time, Doubleday was stationed in Saltillo, near the battlefield of Buena Vista, where he had previously served in one of the war’s bloodiest confrontations.

One of the letter’s most powerful moments comes when Doubleday recalls being reunited with his Mexican friends and acquaintances in Monterrey:

“All my former Mexican acquaintances, male and female, threw themselves into my arms and welcomed me as they would one from the dead—for they never expected to see me again when I parted from them on the eve of the battle of Buena Vista.”
This quote underscores how dire and deadly the battle had been, and how fully both Doubleday and those around him believed he would not survive it. His return was met not only with affection but with genuine shock and emotion, reflecting the personal bonds he had formed with local civilians and the ever-present danger U.S. officers faced on the front lines.

Equally revealing is Doubleday’s sharp political observation of Mexico’s internal crisis, describing the elite class as politically resigned and demoralized:

“The upper class of Mexicans have given up the cause of their country as hopeless and whatever may be their feelings at seeing a foreign army in the heart of the Republic, they are not blind to the miserable mismanagement of their own rulers and the frightful tyranny of their military chiefs.”
Here, Doubleday captures a critical turning point in the war. Rather than harboring universal hostility toward the American presence, many Mexicans—particularly from the upper class—had become disillusioned with their own leadership. His letter suggests that a growing portion of the population, while understandably unhappy with foreign occupation, saw little hope in continued resistance under a corrupt and ineffective government.

Yet perhaps the most damning moment in the letter is Doubleday’s condemnation of his own countrymen, recounting the brutal misconduct of a prior occupying regiment:

“The Massachusetts Regt. committed while here every kind of atrocity which could disgrace the American name. Officers and men united in breaking open and plundering houses and in every kind of theft and murder. The present Regt. of green regulars are highly praised for the good order which they preserve.”
Such blunt criticism is rare in letters from this period and underscores Doubleday’s sense of honor, responsibility, and justice. His willingness to expose the atrocities committed by fellow Americans—while commending the discipline of current troops—adds gravity and complexity to his voice as both an American soldier and observer of the cruelty the Mexican people faced at the hands of the Americans.

This sentiment is echoed in Doubleday’s closing political forecast:

“The Mexicans seem to be very unanimous in the belief that the Mexican Congress will soon make peace. I think it very probable.”
At the time of writing, peace negotiations were still unfolding, but Doubleday’s on-the-ground impression was that many locals—especially the educated and elite classes—saw war’s end as inevitable and perhaps even desirable. His letter captures not just a soldier’s perspective, but a diplomat’s sensitivity to the political pulse of a weary nation.

Abner Doubleday’s service in the Mexican-American War began in 1846, shortly after graduating from West Point. He served as a first lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery, stationed in the northern theater of operations, including Saltillo and Monterrey—two major American strongholds near the front. While not as widely known for his role in this conflict, the war was a critical formative experience for Doubleday, shaping his views on military discipline, national policy, and the human consequences of occupation. His postings placed him close to the site of the Battle of Buena Vista, and this letter, written later that year, reveals his growing skepticism about the war’s aims and the moral consequences of American expansionism.

The Battle of Buena Vista, fought on February 22–23, 1847, was one of the most significant and hard-fought engagements of the Mexican-American War. U.S. forces under General Zachary Taylor, numbering about 5,000 men, faced a vastly larger Mexican army of approximately 15,000 led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna near the town of Saltillo in northern Mexico. Despite being outnumbered nearly three to one, the Americans used the rugged terrain to their advantage, forming defensive lines along mountain passes and ravines. After two days of intense combat, with brutal hand-to-hand fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, Santa Anna’s forces withdrew, allowing Taylor to claim a strategic—if costly—victory. The battle not only solidified Taylor’s national reputation (ultimately helping propel him to the presidency) but also left a lasting impression on junior officers like Doubleday, whose presence near the front lines exposed him to the brutal realities of large-scale warfare for the first time.

Doubleday would go on to much greater prominence during the American Civil War. At the outbreak of hostilities, he was stationed at Fort Sumter, where he ordered the first Union artillery shots in response to the Confederate bombardment—marking the war’s official start. He later served in major battles including Antietam and Gettysburg, where he temporarily commanded the Union’s I Corps on the first day of fighting. Though eventually reassigned, his role at Gettysburg secured his legacy as a significant, if sometimes controversial, Union general. He was known for his professionalism, reformist views, and a reputation for being outspoken in both praise and criticism—qualities fully evident in this 1847 letter.

Though Abner Doubleday is often (mistakenly) remembered as the inventor of baseball, the 1907 Mills Commission report that popularized this myth ensured his lasting association with the sport. In 1920, Doubleday Field was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York, just steps from what would become the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While historians now agree that Doubleday had no connection to the game’s invention, the field remains a living tribute, hosting the Hall of Fame Classic each summer and keeping his name firmly embedded in the cultural mythology of America’s pastime.

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Authentication & Encapsulation:

This item is accompanied by Full Letters of Authenticity from both PSA/DNA and Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

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Closing Appeal:

This four-page wartime letter is a deeply human, unflinching, and politically astute document—blending the emotion of reunion, the horror of war, and the complexity of cultural occupation. With vivid quotes, detailed narrative, and bold firsthand critique, it stands as one of the most compelling personal accounts from the Mexican-American War. Authenticated by both PSA and Beckett, this piece is an essential acquisition for collectors of military history, early American politics, and the enduring legends of the 19th century.

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Shipping Notice:

For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.