I can safely attribute the following letter to Major Joseph Hatch LaMotte (1807-1888), an 1827 graduate of the US Military Academy, Mexican War Veteran and career infantry officer. Joseph was married to Ellen M. Chambers (1818-1911) in May 1842 and his two oldest children, Francis Xavier LaMotte (1843-1868) and Charles Chambers LaMotte (1846-1896) are mentioned in this letter. An infant and unnamed daughter is also mentioned. She was Catherine Mullanphy LaMotte (1848-1852); she died in 1852 and was buried in St. Louis. A sister, Louisa, is also mentioned which would have been Louisa LaMotte (1826-1897).
Joseph’s presence at Fort Brown is confirmed by an article published in the New York Herald on 4 December 1848 stating that “The following officers are attached to the First Regiment of Infantry, five companies of which arrived at Fort Brown on the 21st inst.—Col. H. Wilson, Major J. H. LaMotte, Capt. R. S. Granger, Capt. F. S. Mumford…”
Joseph filled various frontier posts, rising to the rank of captain in the War with Mexico. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Monterey in September 1846 for which he was recognized for gallant and meritorious conduct, and was later reassigned as the acting Inspector General of Brig. General Kearny’s Division at Mexico City. After a brief stint at East Pascagoula, Mississippi, he was transferred to frontier duty in Texas. He retired to his farm near St. Louis in the 1850s where he died at the age of 81. His Italianate style home, called “Wildwood,” built in 1857 in Ferguson, still stands.
Fort Brown, originally called Fort Texas, was begun in April 1846 by Zachary Taylor. It was built near Brownsville on the Rio Grande river to establish the river as the southern boundary of Texas—the boundary between the United States and Mexico being the principal matter of dispute between the two countries. The earthen fort had a perimeter of 800 yards, with six bastions, and walls that were 9 feet high and a parapet 15 feet wide. It was surrounded by a ditch 15 feet deep and 20 wide. It was when the fort was being outfitted that a Mexican force intercepted the supply train and triggered the Mexican War. In 1848, after the war ended, the US garrison constructed quarters for officers and enlisted men at a permanent site a quarter mile north of the fort. The post was abandoned by US troops in 1861 though it was used for various purposes well into the 20th Century.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Fort Brown, Texas
24 January 1849
My dear wife,
Since my last dated, I believe, the 8th inst., I have not had a line from you. No mail, however, has arrived during this period and I am therefore—per force—as the Mexicans say, contento. The Quartermaster [Major. W. W. Chapman] it seems is disposed to send a steamer here every ten days and the growing wants of the country about us will probably induce the department to run a mail regularly for the benefit of the citizens. I hope therefore ere the lapse of many months, to be in direct communication with New Orleans (especially) as it takes but three days to run over.
The Mexican troops are directly opposite to us—1,000 in number. The music of their fine bands & the trumpet & bugle calls we hear day and night. The most friendly feelings appear to govern them. Gen. [Francisco] Ávalos, the commander, came over the other day and insisted upon our naming the time when we could dine with him. we went over as agreed and were treated very handsomely—so well indeed that we did not get back till 11 p.m. At the table we fixed upon the night for a Grand Biler [Ballare] as they call it, or as we would say—a Big Ball. It comes off this evening. Tomorrow at 9 our mail starts. If I have time and space after the labor is ended, I may attempt a short account. But you are aware that when I come to Ladie’s dresses, my genius loses all of the graphic, which in a fit of vanity, I might occasionally aspire to.
Two companies of Dragoons start for Camp Ringgold 1 tomorrow. That garrison will upon the arrival of this reinforcement number 5 companies. Some of them, however, will soon be on the way to Laredo and when I go up the river again, it will probably be towards that point. The Rio Grande Station will soon be passable though the access must always be more or less unpleasant. Notwithstanding the abuse that has on this account been heaped upon the country—in spite of appearance and prejudices—the region of the Rio Grande is even now very healthy and what was once considered a great drawback in this respect is now regarded as the greatest blessing. I mean the compulsory use of the river water. This becomes perfectly sweet and beautifully clear when settled, but when just taken from the river in time of high water, is is so turbid that the Missouri even would pale beside it.
Everything here seems quiet though we are busy in the erection of quarters and the town near us [Brownsville, TX] expands as rapidly as the mushroom does.
I commenced this letter in the full belief that ere this point was attained, I should have heard from you, but the mail has arrived without bringing me a letter. As this rarely happens, however, you are pardonable. Besides, there was an interval of five days only between the departure of the last two boats from New Orleans. Learn philosophy from this!
I have had, however, the satisfaction to receive a duplex epistle from Capt. Smith & his wife, & am pleased to hear that you and Frank & Charley and the little one continue in good health. Be assured it gives me joy to learn that the infant bids fair to equal, perhaps even to surpass, her brothers—those dear little fellows that I once fondly imagined would not so soon be eclipsed. Upon this point, however, I must have better proof than woman’s base assertion for in the philanthropy of her sex, she is bound to favor the weaker party. I am grieved to hear of Louisa’s ill health & sincerely hope she may soon recover. Our Mother will be much distressed when she hears of Louisa’s arrival in Saint Louis in such a state. I am exceedingly sorry to hear that the Judge is still an inmate of the Hospital.
The Ball is over (9 a.m.). Mr. [Capt. Ferdinand S.] Mumford & [1st Lt. Stephen D.] Carpenter & Mrs. & Dr. [Eugéne Hilarian] Abadie were there from our side—nearly all the officers. It was very much crowded and the room consequently warm. Altogether it went off well. Give my love to all. Kiss the children & believe me forever yours, — L.
1 Camp Ringgold was located upriver from Brownsville and barracks were eventually built on a high bank of the Rio Grande within a half mile of Rio Grand City. Camp Crawford was established in March 1849 just outside the old Mexican village of Laredo, 120 miles further upriver. A fort was eventually built there called Fort McIntosh.
Spared & Shared 23 