Lachlan Allan MacLean Drawings
Collection
Identifier: AC 423
Scope and Content
The collection consists of eleven pen-and-ink drawings depicting military life as seen through the eyes of volunteer soldier Lachlan Allan MacLean. These drawings are unique in that they are a visual narrative of one of the notable and colorful facets of the Mexican War (1846-1848). The drawings include an informal portrait of Private John W.H. Patton after battle; the head of a black tailed deer; a wayside grave with a cross; a carreta (cart); Mexicans carrying water in a large wooden bucket; Bent's Fort; a Mexican woodman mounted on a burro; a soldier pulling a mule; a Mexican monument; a plan of the defenses of Santa Rosalia, Chihuahua; and a fountain at Chihuahua.
Dates
- 1846-1847
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Historical Information
Lachlan Allan MacLean was a volunteer soldier with the American troops in the Mexican War. Through his drawings, he recorded the 2,000 mile march of Colonel Alexander Doniphan and his regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers. The march, which occurred from 1846-7, took the soldiers from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, through New Mexico and into the Mexican interior. MacLean's drawings illustrated the first book written about the expedition. Published in 1847, Doniphan's Expedition was written by John Taylor Hughes, who was also a member of the regiment. Hughes' book included nine MacLean drawings, which were made into engravings. The Palace of the Governors acquired seven of those published in Hughes' work, and four others not used in the publication.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet
- Title
- Guide to the Lachlan Allan MacLean Drawings, 1846-1847
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Susanne Ristow
- Date
- © 2008
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library Repository
Contact:
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090
historylibrary@state.nm.us
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090
historylibrary@state.nm.us