The Mexican War Uniform of
 President Franklin Pierce

When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, successful New Hampshire politician Franklin Pierce (1808-1869) enlisted as a private in the Concord Light Infantry. He was appointed a colonel on 16 February 1847 and then a brigadier general of volunteers on 3 March 1847. In June 1847, he arrived in Mexico and led his 2,500 troops inland as reinforcements for Winfield Scott’s army marching on Mexico City.  His brigade was designated the 1st Brigade in the newly created 3rd Division and joined Scott's army in time for the the battle of Conteras.  During the battle he was seriously wounded in the leg when he fell from his horse.  He returned to his command the following day, but during the battle of Churubusco,  the pain in his leg became so great that he passed out and was carried from the field. His political opponents used this against him, claiming that he left the field because of cowardice instead of injury. According to Ullysses S. Grant, “this circumstance gave rise to exceedingly unfair and unjust criticisms of him when he became a candidate for the Presidency....he was a gentleman and a man of courage.”  He again returned to command and led his brigade throughout the rest of the campaign culminating in the capture of Mexico City.  Although he was a political appointee, he proved to have some skill as a military commander. He served as the 14th President of the United States from 4 March 1853 until 4 March 1857. 

This handsome uniform coat is that prescribed for the General Staff of the United States Army per the official uniform regulations of 1847.  This uniform was identical to that worn by general officers, except that it was “single-breasted, with a row of eight to ten buttons placed at equal distances, according to the length of the waist; the collar to be part buff; the buff to extend four inches on each side from the front; the rest of the collar blue; the cuffs also blue.”  Pierce must have worn this uniform during his short tenure as a colonel, prior to his promotion to brigadier general, which accounts for its fine condition.  Pierce was described as being 5 feet and 10 inches tall, with wavy hair, penetrating gray eyes, and a fine physique.  Known as "Handsome Frank", he was vain and a colorful dresser.  This beautifully-made uniform was ideally suited to such a man.  It was purchased by Joseph Copley from the last Pierce family member to reside in the Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsboro, New Hampshire (now operated as a museum by the local historical society).  It was in turn sold to collector and author Sydney Kerksis, who subsequently sold it to a noted collector of Americana on 7 December 1970 and in whose family collection it remained until this day.  Besides being the Mexican War uniform of the 14th President of the United States, it is also the only surviving example of a regular army General Staff uniform from the Mexican War era.