Property from the Texan༺a Collection of Howard Wilcox

(Texas) — Field, Joseph E. 

Three Years in Texas. Including a View of the Texan Revolution, and an Account of the Principal Battles, Together With Descriptions of the Soil, Commercial and Agricultural Advantages, &c. Boston: Abel Tompkins, 1836

In 6s (203 x 127 mm, uncut). Dampstained throughout, scattered foxing and spotting. Printed blue wrappers; soiled, lacking lower wrapper. Red morocco-backed slipcase, cloth chemi𒐪se.

First edition, second issue, with the Boston imprint substituted for the Greenfield, Massachusetts, imprint of Justin Jones. "This important Texas pamphlet seems to be the first printing in book or pamphlet form of an account by a participant of the taking of San Antonio by the Texans in December 1835. … Indeed, except for the broadside Fall of Bexar and Surrender of General Cos and the four-page folder on the Mexican side, Noticias Interesantes, also the broadsheet which followed it, telling of Fannin's capture, this is the first published account by a participant, except perhaps in a newspaper, of these two important events in the Texan revolution. It is one of the best sources of the tragic defeat of Fannin. … Field, who came to Texas in December, 1833, took part in the opening skirmish of the revolution at Gonzales and then was in the force which besieged and later took San Antonio in December, 1835. He joined Fannin at Goliad on March 6, 1836, and was with the little force which surrendered to Urrea" (Streeter, Texas, introduction).

Field was spared from Santa Anna's execution of Fannin's surrendered troops because he was a doctor, and was ordered to treat the Mexican wounded. He was one of only a few men to survive. After his escape, he was granted a furlough to visit friends in Massachusetts, where he wrote this account which first appeared in August 1836 as a sketch in the Franklin Mercury, a weekly newspaper published by Justin Jones. In September Jones printed the pamphlet version, which includes a short section on “The Commercial and Agricultural Advantages of Texas.” Field later traveled overland with Asa B. Clarke, author of Travels in Mexico and California.

REFERENCE:

Clark, Old South 3:15; Fifty Texas Rarities 14; Graff 1314; Howes F114; Jones 980; Raines p. 81; Sabin 24283; Streeter, Texas 1202A; 

PROVENANCE:

"The Texas Independence Collection" (Sotheby's New Yo♑rk, ♓18 June 2004, lot 33)