[Death Notice of Don Juan Morales, Commander of Mexican Forces at the Alamo and Mexican-American War Veteran]

Jalapa: January 10, 1848. Near fine.. Mourning card, printed in gilt on black cardstock, with an elaborate ornamental border, 3.25 x 5 inches. Minor wear. An elaborate death notice honoring a decorated Mexican military commander in 1848. As a colonel under Santa Anna, Don Juan Morales (1802-1847) served as field commander for Mexican forces at the Alamo and Coleto in 1836, and as a Major General in the Mexican-American War. He served as commandant of Veracruz, abandoning the city when surrender seemed inevitable; he died shortly thereafter. The text of the card reads: "El dia 23 del procsimo pasado fallecio en Atlisco el Senor General Don Juan Morales, (Q. E. P. D.), Su Esposa, Hermanos, Parientes, Amigos y personas de estimacion, lo participan a V. llenos del mas acerbo sentimiento, suplicandole haga por su alma los sufragios que le dicte su piedad; por euyo favor le viviran reconocidos." This translates roughly as follows: "On the 23rd of last month, General Don Juan Morales (Rest in Peace) passed away in Atlisco. His wife, brothers, relatives, friends and loved ones share their deepest sympathy with you, begging you to do the prayers for his soul that your piety dictates; for which favor they will live on in his honor. Jalapa, January 10, 1848.