The Conquest of New Mexico and California; An Historical and Personal Narrative.

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1878. First edition, iv, 307pp, folding map. Extremities slightly frayed, front hinge starting, else clean and very good. Philip St. George Cooke (1809-1895) had a long and interesting military career and was a highly readable author. This is his account of the march of the Army of the West over the Santa Fe Trail to Santa Fe in 1846. There Cooke took command of the Mormon Batallion and opened a wagon road through Mexico to Tucson and on to San Diego that later became a popular route for westbound emigrants and gold seekers. In addition to his experiences crossing the desert, he describes the final stages of the Mexican War in California. Cook is highly critical of Fremont's actions. The folding map, Sketch of part of the route and wagon road of Lt. Colonel Cooke, from Santa Fe to the Pacific Ocean, 1846-7, shows the route of the batallion from Santa Fe to the Gila River. Howes C738, Rittenhouse SFT 129, Tutorow 3426. Item #21132

Price: $500.00

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