Soldier In The West, Letters Of Theodore Talbot During His Services In California, Mexico, And Oregon, 1845-53

HINE, ROBERT V. and SAVOIE LOTTINVILLE [EDITORS]

Publication: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972, Norman

First Edition. Cloth. xxv.-210pp. Illustrations. Map. "Theodore Talbot was a minor participant in major events. "The son of Senator Isham Talbot of Kentucky, Theodore was born in 1825 to a family of wealth and prominence. The urbane, finicky and somewhat sickly young man obtained, through family connections, an appointment to accompany John Carles on that explorer’s second expedition to Oregon and northern California in 1843. The adventure having had a salutary effect on Talbot’s precarious health, he eagerly joined Fremont’s third expedition in 1845, and was thus involved in the Bear Flag Revolt and the outbreak of the Mexican War. When Fremont’s scientific expedition was recommissioned as a fighting unit, Talbot became a sergeant major and, in 1847, lieutenant adjutant. It was while commanding a small force at Santa Barbara that Talbot experienced the only combat of his career, leading his men in a harrowing escape from a much larger enemy force. Posted to Vera Cruz during the concluding phase of the Mexican War, Talbot subsequently was stationed in Oregon, sailing there by way of Cape Horn and Hawaii. Talbot was promoted to major shortly before dying from tuberculosis in 1862. Only the letters written during his western experiences are included in this collection." An interesting series of lengthy letters that Talbot wrote to his mother and sister, providing insight into the many experiences and challenges that Talbot encountered during the Fremont expedition to California, the subsequent "conquest of California", as well as his later experiences in Mexico and Oregon. A Fine copy in near Fine dust jacket.

Inventory Number: 50056