A Letter from John B. Tisdale, May 6, 1846

In Alfred S. Waugh's “Travels in Search of the Elephant” he quotes a letter from John B. Tisdale written shortly before Tisdale joined Doniphan's Expedition.

“Your letter of the 3d May, I should have answered last night that it might have gone by to day's mail but I got home after dark from hunting---tired and sleepy,---totally unfitted for answering your letter as it deserved, for it breathes the spirit of the good Col Waugh of Mobile, instead of the cross, crusty old bachelor of Missouri, it was an effort of the pen of the friend of Auld lang syne, and I read it with much pleasure.

I was one week painting the scenes for the Thespian Society, and on the second day I had a high fever (which did not leave in fact for twenty four hours) I painted however until I lost control of my mind,---lay down on the floor for about three hours---got up at the expiration of that time and, leaning with one hand on a chair, painted wit the other---gradually getting stronger until I could stand without an effort. After I had finished, White and an other fellow came down to clean up and would you believe it, this daub of a house painter, took it upon himself to improve my work, laying on strong light and shadow upon the distance, thus as it were suspending it in the air in the foreground. I was extremely vexed, and so much astounded when in answer to my enquiry, he told me that he did it, that I knew not what to say. But a few hours afterwards meeting him at the City Hotel I gave him such a cursing that he will not easily forget me, which will, I hope, effectually prevent his meddling with the work of an artist for the future.

Last Thursday night I killed half the audience with laughter in the character of Numps in the farce “Tis all a Farce”---forgot more than half my part, bid farewell to the prompter and rattled away on my own hook until I got ready to give the other fellow his 'cue', and judging from the continued and prolonged applause, I did not miss it far after all.---All the other characters were well sustained and the evening went off finely. Previous to the farce Douglas was performed; Martin as Norval, Yeomans as Randolf; Barnett as Glenalvan; and Mills as Lady Randolf. ---Mill's performance was classically fine; Martin and Yeomans played remarkably well and Barnett tolerably.

I am at leisure now, and will not work for any one, I owe nothing and am ready to start at a moments warning---I am relaxing, taking some pleasure, in fishing, hunting &c and do not know when I shall leave.

Remember me to all those who may value my friendship, and to Genl Lucas and each member of his family tender my kindest regards, and most sincere wishes for their health and happiness.---And now for yourself dear fellow, here is the hand of affection and esteem, I bid thee a sorrowing farewell, yet the future is filled with bright visions of hope for your prosperity.

God bless you. J. B. Tisdale

Lexington Mo., May 6^th 1846

Waugh's subsequent letter to Tisdale dated July 14^th, 1846 in Santa Fe is also quoted in the book's appendix titled “A Trip to Mexico.”

Southern Literary Messenger, XII (December, 1846)

A correspondent in the “Far West” has been so kind as to procure for the Messenger, a long contribution, “A Letter from Don Alfredo, El Artista Viajante. To his friend and pupil, J.B.T.”

He says, “it was not intended for publication; but it will not be less interesting in consequence of the unreserved, conversational style of master to pupil.” The author is an artist, who made a tour to New Mexico, during the last summer, for the purpose of collecting materials for an illustrated work on that country. He reached Santa Fe the 24^th of June, and commences his letter, from that place, “beneath the hospitable roof of an excellent son of the 'Emerald Isle,' on the eve of the festival of American Independence, and amid innumerable rumors of war.” But its length, with the time at which it was received, precludes the publication of the whole of it, in the present number; whilst the posture of our affairs toward Mexico, especially since the Expedition of Gen. Kearny, renders it desirable to avoid delaying it. We have therefore determined to omit the description of the journey from Independence, and with our Artist-Traveller we enter at once into SANTA FE: THE CAPITAL.”

A footnote by John Francis McDermott, the editor of Waugh's Journal, says:

Waugh left Independence for Santa Fe before Tisdale joined Company A of the Mounted Volunteers; he assumes here (and in the direction of his letter) that his friend is still in Independence or Lexington. They were not to meet in the Southwest, for Waugh left Santa Fe before the Army of the West arrived.

“Travels in Search of the Elephant: The Wanderings of Alfred S. Waugh, Artist, In Louisiana, Missouri, and Santa Fe, in 1845-1846,” published in 1951 by the St. Louis Missouri Historical Society, is available to read at Hathi Trust Digital Library