DeLancey Floyd-Jones Letters

This collection, in one manuscript box containing six folders, consists primarily of 31 letters written by DeLancey Floyd-Jones during his service in the United States Army in the Mexican War, eight letters written during his service shortly after the Mexican War, and one letter written during his service in the Civil War. Also included are three captured Mexican documents (in Spanish) and one manuscript map showing the relative positions of American and Mexican troops during the fighting at and around Mexico City in August and September 1847. The recipients of the 39 letters dated from 1846 to 1850 were his father, Major General Henry O. Floyd-Jones; his mother, Helen Floyd-Jones; his sisters, Sarah (“Sis”), Helen (“Nel”), and Cate Floyd-Jones; and his brother, Edward Floyd-Jones (“Ned”). Over 40% of the letters were written to his sister Sarah, with whom he appears to have been especially close. The 1862 letter from Virginia was written to a person named “John” whose last name and exact relationship to DeLancey Floyd-Jones are unknown, but who, based on the closing of the letter, likely was a brother-in-law. Also included is a manuscript map drawn by DeLancey Floyd-Jones showing the relative positions of American and Mexican troops during the fighting at and around Mexico City during August and September, 1847. This map was likely sent to one of his family members as an enclosure to a letter, but since it could not be definitively associated with any particular letter in the collection, it was housed in a separate folder.

Finding aid available here. Materials provided by Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington.

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DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter, July 6, 1862

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to John from the banks of the James River in Virginia following the Seven Days' battles in the Civil War.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones manuscript map of Mexico City

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Manuscript map of battle of Mexico City, approximately 1847. The manuscript shows the relative positions of American and Mexcan troops during the fighting at and around Mexico City. August-September 1847.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his family, December 14, 1849

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his family from the Detroit Barracks in Michigan. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, February 14, 1850

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from the Detroit Barracks in Michigan. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, December 9, 1849

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from the Detroit Barracks in Michigan. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Helen, October 3, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Helen (nicknamed "Nel") from Camp Jefferson Davis at East Pascagoula, Mississippi. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his mother, October 16, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother, Mrs. Henry Floyd-Jones, from the city of New Orleans. The letter describes his experiences in a hurricane or tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico in October 1848, including the death of Lieutenant Perry, "son of the old Commodore so distinguished in Naval history."
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Helen, September 18, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Helen (nicknamed "Nel") from Camp Jefferson Davis at East Pascagoula, Mississippi. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his family, September 8, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his family from Camp Jefferson Davis at East Pascagoula, Mississippi. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, August 29, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from his station at East Pascagoula, Mississippi. The letter generally recounts the life of a young, single Army officer.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones. The letter's writing is "cross-hatched" and difficult to read.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones. The letter's writing is "cross-hatched" and difficult to read.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, July 6, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from camp two miles from Jalapa. Floyd-Jones' last letter from Mexico. The letter discusses the withdrawal of American forces from Mexico City after Mexican ratification of the peace treaty; the ceremony when the last American troops left the city; prediction of future political instability in Mexico; criticism of President Polk and volunteer troops; and limited prospects for promotion in the Army. The last page is very difficult to read.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, April 15, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from a courtroom in Tacubaya, Mexico. He is sitting on a court-martial. The letter is a long discussion of the defendant in the first case, a Lieutenant [Bussy] who had been appointed to Floyd-Jones' regiment from the Guard House of the 14h Infantry. Mentions his promotion to First Lieutenant. Includes critical comments about General Wroth, General Pillow, and the conduct of volunteer troops. Talks about how the Mexicans will observe Good Friday and his plans to go into Mexico City and attend church services.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, May 20, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Mexico. The letter is written on Ministro de Estado y del Despacho de Guerra y Marina letterhead captured from "the Palace." The letter discusses Mexican politics (election of an interim president, and prospects for approval of a peace treaty by the Mexican legislature); potential danger to Americans who remain in Mexico after the Army leaves; and efforts by the Mexican government to raise a Foreign Legion of American troops. Says the U. S. government should not be surprised if some American officers join the Foreign Legion because of how the Regular Army is mistreated in comparison to the volunteer troops. Describes in detail a week-long trip to Cuernavaca to see the cave of Cacahuamilpa as well as Aztec and Spanish ruins.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, January 12, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Tacubaya, Mexico. The letter discusses rumors of peace.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, March 12, 1848

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Tacubaya, Mexico. The letter is mostly illegible because the writing is "cross-hatched." The letter appears to include an explanation of the "Halls of Montezuma" and a mention that Floyd-Jones prefers living in Tacubaya to Mexico City.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Cate, December 13, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Katherine (nicknamed "Cate") from Hospital Terceros. The letter discusses the arrival of American reinforcements, service on a court-martial, rumors about whether the Mexicans will try to continue to fight, and the prospect of Mexico becoming part of the United States. Relates the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe and describes the interior of the church built near the site where the Mexican tradition says she appeared to farmer Juan Diego.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, December 7 and 8, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Hospital Terceros. The letter discusses American officers' quarters and lifestyle in Hospital Terceros, which was next to the College of Mines. Describes the Mexicans' celebration of the Conception of the Virgin Mary and makes other observations and Mexico City and its people. Comments about the prospect that Mexico will become part of the United States, about low pay in the military, and about how civilian attitudes about the glory of war would change if they experienced it.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Edward, October 28, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his brother Edward (nicknamed "Ned") from Mexico City. The short letter says that a box is being sent with items for the family; the gun captured in Mexico City is for Edward.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, October 31, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from Mexico City. The letter describes in detail a box of items he has collected and is sending to the family. Following the letter are two documents in Spanish captured from the cabinet of General Tornel, Mexico's Minister of War, one of which bears the signature of General Tornel.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to mother, October 15, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother from Mexico City. The letter describes the fighting around Mexico City, including the death at Chapultepec of his West Point classmate and long-time friend Lieutenant Rodgers; American attacks on St. Antonio and Churubusco; the armistice following the fighting at Churubusco, and the Mexican's violation of the armistice; the American attack on Molino del Rey; and American casualties. Also includes comments criticizing the accuracy of reporters' accounts of the fighting and expressing hope that the performance of the American troops will discourage Congress from cutting the troops' pay and make the British (our brethren across the Water) less inclined to want to go to war with the United States. Mentions the conduct of American troops occupying Mexico City.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Helen, May 26, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Helen (nicknamed "Nel") from Puebla. The letter describes the city of Puebla, mentions guerilla raids on the mail, and appears to criticize General Worth.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, May 1, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Tepeyahualco. The letter discusses Mexican morale, as well as his own moral (which was suffering from lack of opportunity for promotion and from resentment toward volunteers).
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his mother, April 24, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother, Mrs. Henry Floyd-Jones, castle of Perote. The letter provides a detailed description of the castle, which was used by the Mexicans as a prison for Texans during the days of the Republic of Texas, as well as a detailed description of the battle of Cerro Gordo (which he spells "Sierra Gordo") and a discussion of the march from Veracruz to Jalapa (which he spells "Xalapa").
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, March 24, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from the castle of Perote. The letter discusses casualties in the battle of Cerro Gordo; the quality of volunteer versus Regular Army troops; items captured in the battle, including Santa Anna's carriage, bed, and artificial leg; comments about Jalapa; and eating ice cream made from mountain snow.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, March 28, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from Camp Washington, Veracruz. The letter reports the capture of Veracruz and the castle of San Juan Ulloa, as well as the terms of surrender.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, March 30, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from castle of San Juan Ulloa, March 30, 1847. The letter discusses the fighting at Veracruz (Floyd-Jones' first combat experience) and the damage to the city; estimates of military and civilian casualties; the surrender ceremony at Veracruz and the occupation of San Juan Ulloa; and impressions of the defeated Mexican troops and the city. Following the letter is a captured Mexican document dated November 18, 1846, signed by the commandant of the castle.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Cate, March 2, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Katherine (nicknamed "Cate") from the transport North Carolina off Lobos Island. The letter is an abridged description of movement between Monterrey, Victoria, the Rio Grande, and Lobos Island discussed in other letters.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, February 13, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Camp Page at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The letter discusses plans to embark for Lobos Island, and a souvenir that he purchased in Monterrey.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, February 27, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from the mouth of the Rio Grande. First two pages are very difficult to read because the writing is "cross-hatched" to save space. The letter discusses criticisms of volunteer troops (New York volunteers excepted); the size and composition of American forces preparing for the attack on Veracruz; and the murder of an American lieutenant (the name appears to be Bickley) at the town of Villa Grande and the Mexicans' capture of the plans carried by the lieutenant for the attack on Veracruz.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his brother Edward, January 13, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his brother Edward (nicknamed "Ned") from camp near Victoria, Mexico on January 13, 1847. The Letter discusses his marches over the past month and descriptions of the countryside through which he passed; his promotion from the 7th Infantry to the 4th Infantry; his concern that he will be assigned garrison duty at Monterrey and miss out on combat; and planned troop movements to Tampico.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, February 9, 1847

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from the mouth of the Rio Grande. First two pages are very difficult to read because the writing is "cross-hatched" to save space. The letter discusses criticisms of volunteer troops (New York volunteers excepted); the size and composition of American forces preparing for the attack on Veracruz; and the murder of an American lieutenant (the name appears to be Bickley) at the town of Villa Grande and the Mexicans' capture of the plans carried by the lieutenant for the attack on Veracruz.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, December 20, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from a camp 20 miles from Monterrey. The letter discusses General Worth's concern that Santa Anna was advancing on Saltillo with 20,000 troops and Worth's request for help, which caused Floyd-Jones' unit to be diverted from its march to Victoria. The letter refers to Worth as "something of an alarmist" and also discusses criticism in the Army of President Polk's conduct of the war. The letter includes comments about insufficiency of American troops given the size of the country and questions about where the additional 50,000 troops promised by the President are.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his mother, December 22, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother, Mrs. Henry Floyd-Jones, from a camp near Monterrey. The letter discusses the plan to resume the march to Victoria after General Worth's false alarm, as well as Army food and the hardships of life on the march.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, December 7, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from Monterrey. The letter discusses the planned march from Monterrey to Victoria, Mexico, including the expected size and composition of the force. Mentions that General Worth has declared himself governor of the city of Monterrey.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, November 17, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from Monterrey. The letter discusses a detailed account of the movements and actions of General Worth's division in the battle of Monterrey, based on reports of participants, with a manuscript map keyed to the narrative. Mentions Texas troops. Describes General Worth as the "hero of Monterey [sic.]" Mentions problems with volunteer troops.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his mother, October 25, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother, Mrs. Henry Floyd-Jones, from Monterrey. The letter describes the march to Monterrey, as well as the city of Monterrey and its environs. The letter also mentions the conduct of American troops in Monterrey and his duties in administering discipline.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, October 13, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from Camargo, Mexico. The letter discusses the size of the force in which he will travel from Camargo to Monterrey.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Sarah, October 2, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Sarah (nicknamed "Sis") from the mouth of the Rio Grande. The letter discusses the planned move upriver to Camargo and then overland to Monterrey, as well as the terms of the Mexican capitulation at Monterrey.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his father, September 30, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his father, General Henry Floyd-Jones, from Brazos Santiago. The letter discusses General Taylor's capture of Monterrey and lists the names and units of regular army officers killed or wounded in the battle.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to his mother, September 29, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his mother, Mrs. Henry Floyd-Jones, from on board a steamer at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The letter discusses impression of New Orleans ("Perfect mud hole") and the south, as well as the Army's planned move by river to Camargo and then overland to Monterrey. Note that the end of the letter is above the beginning of the letter.
DeLancey Floyd-Jones letter to Helen, September 21, 1846

DeLancey Floyd-Jones

Letter from DeLancey Floyd-Jones to his sister Helen "Nel" from on board a ship. The letter describes sailing through a hurricane on September 9 through 11 of 1846 and rescuing the crew of the schooner Anna Maria, including one crew member from the McCloud, which sank during the storm.

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