Alex and Chauncey Brown Mexican War Letters: A Guide

Alex and Chauncey Brown Mexican War Letters:

A Guide


Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	Brown, Alex and Chauncey.
	Title:	Alex and Chauncey Brown Mexican War Letters
	Inclusive Dates:	1846-1848
	Abstract:	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 the brothers 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 Potosí. 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.
	Identification:	GA51
	Extent:	1 folder (0.01 linear ft.)
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library

Biographical Note

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.

Scope and Contents

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 Potosí. 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.


Organization
	The letters are arranged chronologically.

Restrictions

Access

Open for research.

Literary Rights Statement

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.


Index Terms
	These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
	Persons
		Brown, Alex--Archives.
		Brown, Chauncey--Archives.
	Subjects
		Mexican War, 1846-1848--Personal narratives, American.
	Alternate Titles
		Historical Manuscripts Collection