282. [SCRIBNER, Benjamin F.]. Camp Life of a
Volunteer: A Campaign in Mexico, or a Glimpse at Life in
Camp. By "One who has seen the Elephant." Philadelphia:
Grigg, Elliot, and Co.; New Albany: J. R. Nunemacher. And
for Sale by All Booksellers and Country Merchants South and
West, 1847. [5]-75 [1, blank], 8 ads [Popular and Cheap
Books, Particularly Suitable for Family Libraries] pp.,
folding engraved map: Battle of Buena Vista...Drawn by
H. H. Green Lt. U.S. Army Engd. by E. F. Woodward
Philadelphia (24.5 x 38.5 cm; 9-5/8 x 15-1/4 inches).
8vo, three-quarter near contemporary nineteenth-century
smooth black calf over marbled boards, spine gilt lettered.
Front pastedown slightly abraded where bookplates(?) were
removed, contemporary ink number "234" on title, occasional
mild to moderate foxing. Very good copy of a book seldom
offered on the
market.
First edition. Connor & Faulk, North America
Divided 92. Garrett, The Mexican-American War,
p. 249. Haferkorn, p. 51. Howes S246. Palau 304216. Tutorow
3679: "Scribner was a private in the 2nd Regiment of
Indiana Volunteers. His account begins July 11, 1846, and
ends on July 3, 1847. He was discharged following the
battle of Buena Vista. The map of the battle, by Lieutenant
Henry Hall Green of the 3rd and 15th Infantry is regarded
as one of the best." This lively account includes an
excellent description of camp life on the lower Rio Grande
in the Texas-Mexico borderlands—Brazos de Santiago,
Camp Belknap (fourteen miles below Matamoros), Point
Isabel, Burrita or Burita (nine miles up the Rio Grande),
etc. See excerpts in Smith & Judah’s Chronicles
of the Gringos (pp. 277-82), who comment on
Scribner’s account: "He gave perceptive insights into
the common soldier’s psychology—his pleasures and
his
discomforts."
Pingenot: A rare work on the Mexican-American War,
especially its coverage of the Battle of Buena Vista in
which the author was a participant. He also provides an
unvarnished volunteer’s view of officers: "Those who
hold commissions have the best pay, the best fare, and all
the honor. The private performs the work, endures the
privation, and when the toils and sufferings of the
campaign are over, forgetfulness folds him aside gracefully
in her capacious mantle."
($800-1,600)