A Correct Map of the Seat of War In Mexico. 1847: Being a Copy of Genl Arista's Map, taken at Resaca de la Palma, with additions and Corrections; Embellished with Diagrams of the Battles of 8th & 9th May, and Capture of Monterey, with a memorandum of forces engaged, results &c. and Plan of Vera Cruz and

Details:

Hand colored lithograph with linear frame and decorated corners
J. Disturnell, Publisher
New York, 1847
On stone by J.Probst
Designed by J.G.Bruff, Washington, D.C.
Lithography by E.Jones & G.W. Newman, New York
dimensions: 25 3/16" x 19 11/16"
condition: good condition, professionally conserved, toned complexion of paper includes some spotting and reflects age, original color all as found except pink outline in part restored, backed on very thin mulberry tissue, earlier period remnants of silk edges removed
Description:

This example of A Correct Map of the Seat of War in Mexico 1847 is one of a pair of maps on offer. The other map in this pair is Map of the Country Adjacent to the Left Bank of the Rio Grande below Matamoros, 1847. The maps were purchased together and likely have the same provenance due to period treatment with remnants of silk edging now removed. There were three editions of the map with the title A Correct Map of the Seat of War in Mexico published in 1847 each with certain graphic art variations. The American published map is a spoil of war, stolen as we are told in the map's title from the Mexican Army at Resaca de la Palma and in use by Mexican General Arista to chart the battle plans for his army.

A Correct Map of the Seat of War in Mexico, 1847 in its American published editionis a victory map that presents a map of the seat of the war between the United States and Mexico from the point of view of the conquering American Army and thus incorporates several new graphic inset elements of the key battles and victory. The map shows geographic information obtained from the enemy, as the source of the map was Mexican General Arista from whom it was taken in battle. The map key here labeled "Explanation" explains certain symbols on the map. A small circle is a standard identifier for town, as is a square with a cross for the capitol. Other distinctions are symbols for "ranches and estates, Good roads, Bad roads and Mule Tracks" are specific to this map. A flag symbol indicates where the United States has taken possession of a town or territory. The scale is in miles.
One new element, A "Memorandum of the Battles of 8th and 9th of May" for Palo Alto states that Palo Alto, May 8th 1846. Am. Force 2,288. Mexican Force 6000 Regular and several thousand irregular troops. It also states that for Monterey, Sept 21st 22d & 23d 1846 the Mexican troops capitulated on the morning of the 24th, counting the number of casualties on both sides of the battle. Another new element is a small inset map titled "Map Showing The Battle Grounds of the 8th and 9th July 1846 by J.H. Eaton 3 eng, and "Plan of Monterey" show great detail including roads, the Citadel, a street grid for the city etc.
The primary new element on the Map of the Seat of War is at the top center of the map sheet and functions as a symbolic title for the victory map, namely a youthful American Eagle looking to his right, wings wide spread perched astride a shield with the American stars and stripes. A grouping of banners and the American flag frame the image of the powerful eagle, the martial flags attached to staffs topped with metal weapons - a spear, a hatchet and points - and draped with thick braid. The American Eagle oversees A Table of Distances drawn as an unfurling scroll. Implicit in this imagery is America's dominion over the territory described both on the scroll and on the geographic map below.
The graphic element that completes the narrative of this American battle map is a drawing of an American cavalryman astride his war horse, both soldier and horse wearing the uniform of the United States Army. The soldier holds his right arm aloft with sword in hand ready to strike as he rides into the smoke of cannon fire, from which deadly bayonets project. The horse as well his mouth thrown open charges into the fray leaping over the fallen soldiers on the ground not in American uniform. The speed of the charge is expressed as well by the feather plume of the cavalryman and the gold braid on the back of his tall hat fly straight out behind him.
Of course, the map is the central feature and prize as it shows Mexican territory seized by the U.S. Army. Thus although the map's original draftsman made the map as a guide to navigation and military strategic advantage by the Mexican Army, once seized by the U.S. Army the map took on both a military and an ultimately celebratory role.