Mexican-American War-dated ALS signed “Frank. Pierce,” one page both sides, 8 x 9.75, April 6, 1847. Written from Concord, New Hampshire, a letter to Colonel Caleb Cushing stationed in Matamoros, Mexico, in part: "I presume you looked for a letter from me at New Orleans altho' I suppose one could hardly have reached there before some if it had been mailed on the night of our last interview. I pressed with much earnestness, in the right quarter, the subject on which we convers'd the night before you left Washington and am not without hopes that your services may be put in requisition in a diplomatic capacity. The news of Gen'l Taylors great victory at Buena Vista has of course given great satisfaction to the friends of the country. There was evidently much alarm at Washington & indeed throughout the union as the first rumours were received. The general impression seems to be that Vera Cruz is before this time in possession of our troops. If so what is to be the effect of these rouses upon the Mexican Government? Will they listen to proposals for peace or will they in their madness prolong the struggle? How does the present aspect of things impress your mind? The bitterness & violence of the opponents of the administration and the war seemed to me to have increased in this region since you left, at all events it is more open & unscrupulous. The base means resorted to to discourage enlistments for the New England Reg't are almost beyond conception. Still the Reg't is filling rapidly." In fine condition.
Pierce would soon leave Concord to join the war, taking command of a brigade of reinforcements for General Winfield Scott's army. Zachary Taylor had dealt a decisive blow to the Mexican Army at Buena Vista in late February, and Winfield Scott had captured Veracruz in March. Pierce reached the American-held port in late June, and began the perilous journey inland to join Scott's forces, arriving in time to take part in the Battle of Contreras in August. Although his men won the fight, it was disastrous for Pierce—his horse, suddenly startled during a charge, tripped into a crevice and pinned him underneath, leaving him with a debilitating knee injury. The incident made it appear as though he fainted, and some of his soldiers believed him to be a coward. Pierce recovered to take part in the capture of Mexico City, and he was hailed as a war hero upon his return to Concord in December 1847. An interesting piece of wartime correspondence connecting two future presidents.
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