Title:
Allen Swift Crocker letter: Veracruz, Mexico, to Alexander and Sarah Crocker, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 1847 April 4
Creator/Contributor:
Crocker, Allen Swift, 1821-1911, creator, correspondent.
Creator/Contributor:
Crocker, Alexander, 1795-1859, correspondent.
Creator/Contributor:
Crocker, Sarah, 1797-1889, correspondent.
Abstract:
Handwritten letter from a Mexican-American War soldier to his parents following the battle and seige of Veracruz, March 9-29
1847. Crocker says that he has "been on the Frontiere [sic] of Mexico two months and am hartily [sic] sick of it," although
he has just witnessed "30,000 Men in Battle array and some hard fighting which is some consolation as you no [sic] I am courious
[sic] to see evry [sic] thing I can." He describes the battle which "lasted on our side four days and nights" in graphic detail,
including the "cries of women and Children being distinctly heard," and "the dead ... left to stink wherever they happened
too [sic] fall." Despite widespread "starveation [sic]," Crocker says "greate [sic] was the day there when the American Flagg
[sic] was hoisted in the City and Castle." He then describes the events leading up to the battle, including the amount of
armaments surrendered by the Mexicans to the Americans. He ends by admitting that "I feel some what Home Sick," and wishes
to hear from family and friends. Typescript transcription included
Date:
1847 (issued)
Subject:
n-mx---
Mexican War, 1846-1848 -- Personal narratives
Guerre du Mexique, 1846-1848 -- Récits personnels
Veracruz (Veracruz-Llave, Mexico) -- History -- Surrender, 1847
Mexico -- Veracruz (Veracruz-Llave)
Crocker, Allen Swift -- 1821-1911 -- Correspondence
Crocker, Alexander -- 1795-1859 -- Correspondence
Crocker, Sarah -- 1797-1889 -- Correspondence
Note:
Purchase; From Ken Harrison Western Americana; 20140325.
Captain Allen Swift Crocker was born in Waquoit, Massachusetts on July 19, 1821, the third child of Alexander and Sarah Crocker.
At fifteen, he received a U.S. Seaman's Protection Certificate on July 6, 1837 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the Mexican-American
war, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. According to "The Grizzly Bear," of January
1912, Crocker arrived in San Francisco in 1849 as a Ship's Officer, resulting in his title of "Captain." Soon after, he went
to Big Oak Flat and Deer Flat in the California Gold Country, and is noted as "one of the first white men to see Yosemite."
In 1870, census records list Crocker as a miner at Chinese Camp, Tuolome County. From at least 1880-1900, the census shows
he resided with the family of his cousin, Henry R. Crocker, who built a famous stagecoach inn at Crocker's Station, along
the old Big Oak Flat Road in 1880. Allen Crocker served as postmaster of Bronson/Sequoia, Tuolomne County from 1883-1911.
He died on November 11, 1911 and is buried in Groveland, Tuolomne County; he never married.
Preferred citation: Allen Swift Crocker letter : Veracruz, Mexico, to Alexander and Sarah Crocker, East Falmouth, Massachusets,
1847 April 4, BANC MSS 2014/41, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
In English.
Type:
Personal Narrative
History
Personal narratives
Personal correspondence
Personal narratives.
Récits personnels.
Physical Description:
print
1 (3
Language:
English
Origin:
Mexico