Narrative of the Texan Santa Fé Expedition, Comprising a Description of a Tour Through Texas, and Across the Great Southwestern Prairies, the Camanche and Caygua Hunting-Grounds, with an Account of the Sufferings from Want of Food, Losses from Hostile Indians and Final Capture of the Texans, and Their March, as Prisoners, to the City of Mexico

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1844. Hardcover. Good+. First edition in first state binding, with 1844 date at base of spine. Vol. I: 405 pp, with 2 lithograph plates and folding map (Texas and Part of Mexico and the United States showing the Route of the First Santa Fe Expedition); Vol. 2: 406 pp, with three lithograph plates. Chipping to head of spine on Volume I, both volumes with light foxing, mild spine lean, a few signatures spring, early ownership markings of W.C. and C.C. Bulkley; good or better. The Texan Santa Fe Expedition was a commercial and military expedition to secure the Republic of Texas's claims to parts of Northern New Mexico for (truncated) Texas in 1841. According to Jenkins (Basic Texas Books, 116), "not only is this the best account of the Santa Fe Expedition, it is one of the best campaign narratives ever written. Rupert Richardson said Kendell's experiences 'represent practically every element of adventure and peril that could have befallen men on the southwestern frontier.'...George W. Kendall founded the New Orleans Picayune in 1837 and became one of the leading trumpeters for Texas. In 1841, learning of Texan plans to conquer Santa Fe, he set out for Texas and joined the expedition. Travelling through a new and hostile environment, and improperly equipped, the expedition nearly starved, surviving on hippophagy. The members straggled almost to Santa Fe and were gulled into surrendering without a fight. The captives were taken to Mexico and imprisoned for nearly two years." Howes K-75; Field 818; Wagner-Camp 110, Rader 2157. (Inventory #: 22854)