1846-1882. The First Regiment of New York Volunteers commanded by Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson, in the Mexican War. Names of the members of the regiment during its term of service in Upper and Lower California, 1847 1848, with a record of all known survivors on the 15th day of April, 1882, and those known to have deceased, with other matters of interest pertaining to the organization and service of the regiment. Compiled by their comrade, Francis D. Clark

Clark, Francis D.

Published by Geo. S. Evans & Co, New York, 1882

About this Item

A PRESENTATION COPY.New York: Geo. S. Evans & Co., 1882. First edition. Octavo (9" x 5 5/8", 230mm x 144mm): binder's blank, 1 2-58 68(-68) ?8, binder's blank [$1 signed]. 55 leaves, pp. 1-7 (blank, portrait of Stephenson, title, note, blank, portrait of Clark, introduction) 8-94, 21-2 (appendix title, blank) 23-16. With two lithographed portraits integral with the text. Bound in the publisher's brown pebbled cloth gilt. Title gilt to the front board. Brown coated end-papers. All edges of the text-block gilt. Damp-stains to the front board. Rubbed generally, with some wear at the corners. The end-papers chipping at the joints. Mild even tanning, approaching moderate at the appendix. Presentation inscription ("Compliments of/ Francis D. Clark/ N.Y. Oct (?)of 83.") in ink to the recto of the front binder's blank. Systems tend toward equilibrium, and so in the decades of conflict shifting from the East Coast westward, the soldiery for fighting the Mexican War came to be drawn from places as far-flung as New York. This first volunteer regiment, raised by Jonathan Drake Stevenson (a New York State Assemblyman) in 1846, was as much an instrument of combat as of redistribution. The Secretary of War particularly sought unmarried men with various training with a view to their remaining in California after the conflict ended. The regiment sailed around Cape Horn and participated in a handful of battles, but the interest in its history is drawn largely on the Nachleben of its men. Most did indeed stay in California and, just in time for the Gold Rush of 1848, many of its veterans thrived in commerce and government. Francis Clark served in D Company of the regiment, and undertook the present work, both recording the history and achievements of the regiment as well as the accomplishments and whereabouts (if still alive, or else when and how deceased) of its veterans. Clark would go on to be Justice of the Peace in San Joaquin County 1852-1854. Much is made of the issues of the book: viz. without the second portrait of Clark and without the appendix; it is generally agreed that the print-run was ca. 400. Presentation copies are rare on the market, and the book has come to auction only 5 times this century.Graff 733; Howes C 432; Tuturow 3523.

Seller Inventory # JLR0671

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 1846-1882. The First Regiment of New York Volunteers commanded by Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson, in the Mexican War. Names of the members of the regiment during its term of service in Upper and Lower California, 1847 1848, with a record of all known survivors on the 15th day of April, 1882, and those known to have deceased, with other matters of interest pertaining to the organization and service of the regiment. Compiled by their comrade, Francis D. Clark
• Publisher: Geo. S. Evans & Co, New York
• Publication Date: 1882
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First.
• Condition: Very good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • New York
  • Americana
  • Military