EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THB[MEXICAN WAR] "Ready to March for the Seat of War," 1846 Recruitment Letter by General
![[MEXICAN WAR] "Ready to March for the Seat of War," 1846 Recruitment Letter by General](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/3567/35678668.jpeg?t=1VY9rn)
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
LiveApr 24, 2026
Day one of Fleischer's 2026 Spring premier auction includes early American artifacts, documents, signatures, ephemera, and weaponry. Rare material relating to African American history is featured, as well as fine examples of antique photography. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com
View Full Catalog (380)
- Lot Description
"...one hundred volunteers organized ready to march for the seat of war..."
Autograph letter signed by Henry Livingstopn Webb (1795-1876), to Robert Smith (1802-1867), as U.S. Representative from Illinois. Caledonia, [Illinois], 1 June 1846. 1 page, 4to. With address panel to integral leaf verso. With Louisville and "Steam" cancel.
Henry Livingston Webb (1795–1876) was the son of Revolutionary War General Samuel Blachley Webb (1753–1807), who was notably one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati. After moving to Illinois from his native New York in 1817, Henry followed in his father’s military footsteps, recruiting and commanding a company in the 2nd Brigade of Illinois Mounted Volunteers during the Black Hawk War.
Here, he writes to Robert Smith (1802–1867), the U.S. Representative from Illinois’s 1st District, informing him of his success in recruiting a company of volunteers for the Mexican-American War.
Webb writes in full:
“I have one company of one hundred volunteers organized ready to march for the seat of war so soon as we can receive orders to do so. I was unanimously elected Capt. with an understanding if 2 companies were raised out of my regiment I took the command of both. I think another company from Alexander will volunteer, they compose a part of my regiment. William A. Hughes was elected 1st. Lieut. + Aaron Atherton 2d Liut. The first men of the county are in my company volunteered to serve their country for one year unless sooner discharged. I this day wrote to our friend Green(?) to tender our service to the President + I sent my orderly sergeant to Jefferson Barracks and to our Gov. to let him know we were ready.”
The Alton Telegraph published the same elections in its 18 July 1846 issue, also noting that William Price was elected 2d Lieutenant and commissioned on July 3.
Near the end of the year, Webb resigned his commission, and early in 1847 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Regular Army and assigned to the 16th U.S. Infantry on 9 April 1847. Promoted again to Colonel, he commanded the 9th U.S. Infantry as of 23 May 1848 before being honorably mustered out on August 8.
[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Mexican War, Mexican-American War, Seminole Wars, Florida Wars]
- Shipping Info
-
All packages valued at over $250 are shipped with a signature required upon delivery. All packages handled and shipped in-house by Fleischer's Auctions are not insured unless insurance is requested. Successful bidders who would like their packages insured are responsible for notifying us that this is the case and are responsible for paying the cost of insurance.
-
- Payment & Auction Policies
-
Available payment options
-
-
- Buyer's Premium
