Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -
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Sale 2708 - Lot 265

Estimate: $ 5,000 - $ 7,500
(MEXICO.) Papers of Cosme Furlong, who commanded the defenses of Puebla against the United States. 46 items (44 manuscripts and 2 broadsides) in one folder; generally minor wear, a few items with more wear. Various places, 1845-1849, bulk 1846-May 1847
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Additional Details

Cosme Furlong y Malpica (1797-1861), son of an Irish immigrant to Mexico, became a civic and military leader in Puebla. He served two short stints as the state's interim governor (in 1834 and 1853), was appointed as the military commander of Puebla's defenses in April 1847 shortly before the American occupation, and became a Brigadier General in 1853.

Almost all of this collection relates to the war with the United States, and in particular with the preparations to defend Puebla in the months before its May 1847 occupation. Highlights of this lot include:

Two letters from General Ignacio Inclan relating to the capture of deposed president Antonio López de Santa Anna, 9 and 17 January 1845.

5 Letters Signed by Minister of War Juan Nepomuceno Almonte on official letterhead, discussing military appointments, uniforms, and more, 1845-1846.

2 Letters Signed by President Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga, 10 January 1846 and 25 March 1846, the latter hoping in the coming dispute to "preserve the territory of the Republic and not allow it to be usurped."

4 documents from the Lanceros de Puebla, an important local militia unit, including two rolls of troops in the 1st Company, March-April 1847.

Several letters congratulating Furlong on his appointment as commander, April 1847. One letter from friend Luis G. Marín of Huamantla, asks to join the troops resisting the American invasion, 10 April 1847. Another from Miguel Dominguez offers his horses to the cause, 9 April 1847. One is dated from Cerro Gordo on 19 April with a Jalapa postmark of the same date, the day after the decisive American victory there.

3 letters from José Ignacio Ormachea y Ernaiz concerning his group of 300 Tlaxcala guerrillas who are attempting to slow the American march westward, 23 April to 4 May 1847.

Letter Signed by General Valentin Cruz reporting on the progress of the Americans as they marched west from Cerro Gordo to Puebla, and expressing fear of a defeat, Matehuala, 24 April 1847.

Letter requesting help for a captain who was wounded at Cerro Gordo, 2 May 1847.

Letter from General Juan Álvarez (later president) after the American occupation of Mexico City, informing that the guerrilla commander of Rio Prieto was devoid of resources, Santiago de Puebla, 28 September 1847.

The collection also includes two broadsides. The first, titled "El Comandante General de la Plaza, a su Heróica Guarnicion," was issued by Furlong in Puebla on 14 January 1845. It congratulates General Inclan and his men for the capture of deposed president Antonio López de Santa Anna. It measures 12 x 8½ inches.

The second is titled "El Comandante General de las Armas de este Estado, á los Habitantes del Mismo," also signed in type by Furlong and dated shortly after his appointment as commander at Puebla, 6 April 1847. It measures 16 x 11¼ inches. Nine days after the fall of Veracruz, Furlong laments that it had been abandoned, and urges Poblanos to "take up arms, and prepare yourselves for glorious combat . . . Now or never! Tomorrow will be too late!" Puebla was occupied without resistance four weeks later. No other examples of either broadside have been traced in OCLC or elsewhere.

More detailed inventory available upon request.

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