Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

George D. Baylor letter to John N. Baylor, 1848 January 16

Item

Dublin Core

Title

George D. Baylor letter to John N. Baylor, 1848 January 16

Date

Description

George D. Baylor letter to his son, John N. Baylor, who was serving as a private under General David Twiggs during the Mexican War. Baylor writes concerning his efforts to enlist help in securing an officer's commission from General Winfield Scott for his son. Baylor encourages his son to get a letter of recommendation from his captain or colonel to support his nomination.

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Text

[Page 1]

My dear Son

Your brother George has recently
got the letter you wrote by the train that
genl Twiggs brought to Vera Cruz

By that letter we are very
sorry to hear of your continued weakness
and inability to perform Military service -

It has filled me and all of us
with perplexity what to do in order to
reliee your situation: After your
first letter I wrote to Mr. Pollard
of Norfolk (the father of my son in law
to obtain a commission for you. Mr. Pollard
promptly informed me in reply and in
the kindest manner that although he had
no influence at Washington still that he
had a conference with his brother in law
Mr. George Loyall who directly offered
to serve you. Mr. Pollard says that
I should apply to our representative
Mr. Beall ; that Mr. Polk is resolved to fill
all vacancies from the ranks! that he
(Mr. Pollard) has a capt Frank Page who
is his nephew in your part of the army
and a capt Newton who married a
daughter of George Armistead both of
whom he thinks at his request will

[Page 2]

interest themselves for you; but before
I had received Mr. Pollard's letter
that you intended to apply to Genl Scott
for a discharge. So that I am truly
distressed and confounded in regard
to what should be done -

Your cousin John R: B
who is personally acquainted
with Mrs. Scott says he is resolved
to write to her and solicit through
her interest with the Genl: a
commission for you. Now let
me advise you to remain until you
hear from us   Your health may
improve. Scott may refuse to
discharge you and woud recommend
that you wait. Mr. Pollard says
he wishes you to get a recommenda
=tion from your Col: or Capt when
e thinks he can succeed in getting
a commission either in your regt.
or in one of the ten to be raised -

Write to some of us without
loss of time and try to oblige me
and get a recommendation.

[Page 3]

Mr Pollard advises that you ask for a Captaincy.

We are well and your
brother Warner and myself are
going to commence business on
the lot by [illegible] court.

Yours truly -
G D Baylor

Bowling Green
Jany 16 -1848

[Page 4]

John N. Baylor
A private in Company K
12th. regt. U:S: infantry
By New Orleans
to city of Vera Cruz Mexico

Original Format

Ink on paper

Citation

Baylor, George D., “George D. Baylor letter to John N. Baylor, 1848 January 16,” Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed March 29, 2024, https://cwfjdrlsc.omeka.net/items/show/288.
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