Carlos Alvarez de la Mesa, A Spaniard and captain in the 39th New York Infantry, known also as the Garibaldi Guards, recaptured cannon from the Confederates at Gettysburg, belonging to Battery I of the 5th U.S. Artillery.
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Description
Civil War- Veteran Reserve Corps Officer’s Voucher – Carlos Alvarez de la Mesa. This officer’s pay voucher dated October, 4, 1866 was made out for Captain Carlos Alvarez de la Mesa, of the 11th Veteran Reserve Corps. Captain de la Mesa, was originally assigned to Company “C” of the 39th New York Infantry, also known as the Garibaldi Guards.
De la Mesa, a Spaniard, born circa 1828, had come to the U.S. and settled in New York. The 39th New York, or Garibaldi Guards was a regiment made up of immigrants. Represented therein were men from Germany, Hungary, France, Sweden, Spain, other parts of Europe, and Italy. De la Mesa was quoted as saying, “I really enjoy being a part of my regiment…..Because I am European, I am happy to be a member of a regiment that bears the name Garibaldi, the hero of liberty in Italy.”
De la Mesa, enlisted as a 2nd Lt. into the 39th NY Infantry on May 28, 1861, and was discharged on September 30, 1863, He had received promotion to 1st Lt. and Captain by June of 1862. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, and later at Gettysburg. During the latter battle, on the 2nd day, Battery “I” of the 5th U.S. Artillery was overrun by the 21st Mississippi Infantry near the Trostle House, and after constant fire of shell and canister, and with the loss of men and horses, the battery was taken by the Confederates. A counter attack made by the 39th New York, was successful in recovering the cannon, but here, De la Mesa was struck by an enemy bullet in the foot. He fell on the other side of a fence, and was trampled by his attacking men, aggravating the wound further. Taken to a nearby hospital, and treated, but it would turn out the wound was serious enough to end his combat career. 
After recovery, De la Mesa was commissioned a captain in the 11th VRC, and served until August of 1866 (how much more time in this unit I don’t know). He then worked at a military hospital in Albany, New York. He died in 1872, a patient in an insane asylum at Washington, D.C. from venereal disease.
The voucher includes the pay for a colored servant, while stationed at Augusta, Georgia, as an Acting Sub. Asst. of Commissary, (per Special Order No. 97), with the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Signed Twice by De la Mesa, and the paymaster, Major F.A. Hixson.
Overall in very good – fine condition, with a small bit of loss in a fold near the edge.
A great historic piece, with a good Gettysburg association.
Additional information
| Weight | .5 lbs |
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