Mexican-American War Era U.S. Army Quartermaster Letter -- Military Clothing & Supply Shipment Inventory

Important official United States Army manuscript letter written from the Office of Army Clothing & Equipage, Philadelphia, dated August 15, 1848, during the closing phase of the Mexican-American War. Four-page folded letter with integral address leaf, addressed to: “Colonel Henry Stanton, Asst. Quarter Master General, Philadelphia, 60 Greenwich St., N.Y.” Marked “Official Business” with clear postal markings including a red AUG 16 circular datestamp. The letter concerns Quartermaster Department logistics, military supply shipments, and inventory management, with extensive references to uniforms and equipment arriving from Vera Cruz aboard the barque Elizabeth. Of particular importance is a detailed memorandum listing thousands of military garments and accoutrements being unloaded for army use following operations connected to the Mexican War. Among the listed items are: wool jackets, cotton jackets, great coats, fatigue frocks, forage caps, flannel shirts, drawers, cotton shirts, blankets, haversacks, stockings, bootees. The correspondence references Major Crossman, Captain Walbach, Captain Chilton, Major Donaldson, and transportation orders involving steam boats and arsenal unloading operations. The writer notes that both the General Jesup and Elizabeth had arrived and discusses immediate military supply distribution and arsenal activity. A superb artifact of U.S. Army administrative history from the immediate postwar occupation period, illustrating the enormous logistical demands of outfitting American troops in the 1840s. Such detailed Quartermaster inventories from the Mexican-American War era are increasingly scarce and highly desirable to collectors of military manuscripts, postal history, and early American government documents. Condition overall very good with expected folds, light toning, and minor handling wear. Postal markings and manuscript remain clear and attractive.

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Official Business Colonel Henry Stanton, ast Qr. Master General Philadelphia 60 Greenwich St. N.Y. Office of Army Clothing & Equipage Philadelphia August 15th 1848. Colonel, Only two letters were received by this morning’s mail — one from the Quarter Master General with estimate for a storm flag to be sent to Capt. L. A. Walbach Corps Officer at Frankford Arsenal (which has been ordered) — the other from Mr. Stinson with Rider & Bro’s voucher for J.R. knapsacks paid by him. Capt. Chilton accompanied by Major Donaldson called at the Office this morning. The Captain commended his respects to you. The Major starts for New York today & will see you this evening or tomorrow morning at the Office in Greenwich Street. Major Crossman has today referred a letter to this Office from Capt. Jordan with triplicate invoices of 498 tierces containing clothing & shipped at Vera Cruz per Barque “Elizabeth.” I annex an enumeration of the principal articles. I have seen the Major who informs me both the “General Jesup” & the “Elizabeth” have arrived, & that he has ordered them round to the Arsenal to unload. Unless I hear from you, Colonel, by mail, I shall write again tomorrow, but should a remittance, or any letter of consequence from the Quarter Master General be received this afternoon I shall write you again this evening. The air here is oppressive — I am therefore the more happy that I can assure you, there is nothing whatever requiring your presence. I have the honor to be, with sincere regard, Colonel, Your obdt faithful servt. James Harris Colonel Henry Stanton Asst. Quart. Master Genl. Mem. of the principal Articles shipped at Vera Cruz per Barque “Elizabeth” 7541 Wool Jackets 7822 Overalls 2539 Cotton Jackets 4106 Overalls 1334 Great Coats 337 Fatigue Frocks 10665 Forage Caps 5186 Flannel Shirts 6616 Drawers 5354 Cotton Shirts 2190 Blankets 2978 H.R. Haversacks 10004 pr. Stockings 630 Bootees Since writing the above, the Caster has called to state that Capt. Lopez will have the “Elizabeth” hauled round by steam boat. The “General Jesup” is in the river, but is still below.