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"The Very Best American Battle Scenes in Existence" - Bennett.

Nice example of the Molino del Rey battle scene from one of the greatest American colorplate books and by far the most important single visual work relating to the Mexican-American War.

George Wilkins Kendall was a proponent of the offensive war against Mexico, and as a true war correspondent, he joined the Texas Rangers soon after hostilities broke out, later joining General Scott's expedition. This is one of 12 finely hand-colored lithographs illustrating the major battles of the War with Mexico.

The plates are the work of French artist Carl Nebel. As noted by Sandweiss & Stewart:

The eyewitness prints that must be compared against all other [of the Mexican-American War] are those produced under the direction of George Wilkins Kendall for his book The War Between the United States and Mexico Illustrated, published in January 1851.... [which] represents the climax of the confluence of journalism and lithography on the prints of the Mexican War  (Sandweiss & Stewart, pages 36-39).

The work was originally issued in three formats: paper covers at $34; in "elegant portfolio," at $38; and bound in half leather, $40. According to the text:

Of the twelve illustrations accompanying [the] work... the greater number were drawn on the spot by the artist. So far as regards the general configuration of the ground, fidelity of the landscape, and correctness of the works and buildings introduced, they may be strictly relied upon. Every reader must be aware of the impossibility, in painting a battle scene, of giving more than one feature or principal incident of the strife. The artist has ever chosen what he deemed the most interesting as well as exciting points of each combat...

The lithographs were produced in Paris. Carl Nebel was particuarly keen on French lithographers as the best qualified to reproduce his paintings, and both Kendall and Nebel supervised the production of the plates. The full set of plates includes:

• The Battle of Palo Alto
• The Capture of Monterey (margins slightly trimmed)
• The Battle of Buena Vista (margins slightly trimmed)
• The Bombardment of Vera Cruz  (margins slightly trimmed)
• The Battle of Cerro Gordo
• The Assault at Contreras
• The Battle of Churubusco
• The Battle of Molino del Rey - Attack Upon the Casa Mata (margins slightly trimmed)
• The Battle of Molino del Rey - Attack Upon the Molino
• The Storming of Chapultepec - Quitman's Attack
• The Storming of Chapultepec - Pillow's Attack
• The General Scott's Entrance in to Mexico

The Battle of Molino del Rey 

The Battle of Molino del Rey, fought on September 8, 1847, was a pivotal engagement during the Mexican-American War. Situated near Mexico City, this battle saw American forces under General Winfield Scott engage Mexican troops commanded by General Antonio León. The clash occurred as part of the U.S. campaign to capture Mexico City, with Molino del Rey believed to house a cannon foundry crucial for the Mexican defense.

American forces launched a pre-dawn assault, facing fierce resistance from entrenched Mexican soldiers. Despite heavy casualties, the U.S. troops succeeded in capturing the mill complex, demonstrating superior military tactics and firepower. The battle was one of the war’s bloodiest, highlighting the ferocity of the conflict and the determination of both sides.

The aftermath saw significant losses: approximately 800 U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded, while Mexican casualties were even higher. The victory at Molino del Rey paved the way for the subsequent Battle of Chapultepec and the eventual capture of Mexico City, effectively sealing the American triumph in the war.

Strategically, the battle showcased the importance of intelligence and reconnaissance, as the Americans initially underestimated the Mexican fortifications. It also underscored the tenacity of Mexican defenders, who fought valiantly despite being outnumbered and outgunned. 

Rarity

Individual plates from this work are quite scarce.