Alex and Chauncey Brown were brothers who served as Pennsylvania volunteers in the Mexican War. Alex served as adjutant and later as brigade major for his regiment. Chauncey also served as adjutant of his regiment. In October 1847, Chauncey was asked to stay on after his regiment returned to Pennsylvania to command two pieces of artillery in Company A, 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, an honor he claimed had never before been conferred on a volunteer officer.
Five letters were written by brothers and Pennsylvania volunteer soldiers, Alex and Chauncey Brown, to their sister, Emma, in Philadelphia. The sole letter from Alex was written in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1846 and reported that he was made adjutant of the regiment. The remaining letters all were penned by Chauncey between February 22, 1847 and January 15, 1848. Places mentioned in his letters include the Island of Lobos, Jalapa, Perote, Mexico City, Vera Cruz, Queretaro and San Luis PotosÃ. In addition to military affairs, he reported being entertained by General Scott with a dinner of fried oysters, and provided extensive detail on how the Mexicans celebrated Christmas Eve and the American celebration of New Years Eve.
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Gift/purchase from Michael Vinson,
Gift/purchase,
Accessioned as number 2010-135.
Alex and Chauncey Brown Mexican War Letters, 1846-1848, GA51, Special Collections, University of Texas at Arlington Library.
Finding aid was prepared by Brenda S. McClurkin on August 16, 2011.
The letters are arranged chronologically.
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