Z 1850.000 Wunder (Lewis H.) Mexican War Letter

Scope and Content:

In his letter, Wunder mentioned that one Captain Montgomery had remarked "that if the attack was not made on Vera Cruize (sic) by the 1st of April that they would have to give it up or else loose (sic) a great number of men from the heat or a disease which is called the black vomit [yellow fever]." He also mentioned that General Winfield Scott had arrived on the island the day before and that he intended to attack Vera Cruz in the course of about two weeks.

Of additional importance are Wunder's descriptions of the health and living conditions of the soldiers on the island. For instance, he noted that the Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina regiments were in good health; but the Mississippi and Louisiana soldiers were in poor health. He also noted that the Mississippi regiments had lost more than 100 men from exposure since their departure from New Orleans, Louisiana. Wunder also described the misery of the encamped soldiers and the lack of adequate medical attention for those who were ill.

Series:

1. Letter. February 22, 1847.