The Battles of Palo Alto & Resaca De La Palma, a Musical Delineation by Charles Grobe, 1846

Grobe, Charles. The Battles of Palo Alto & Resaca De La Palma, a Musical Delineation Composed for the Piano Forte and Dedicated as a Tribute of Respect to the Officers & Men of the U.S. Army. Op. 72. Baltimore: F.D. Benteen, 1846. First edition. Folio. Presented in a new, archival cloth covered chemise and large ¼ leather and cloth clamshell, with raised bands, gilt titles, and tooling to the spine. 

Presented is a first edition printing of a piano composition by Charles Grobe. The composition is titled “The Battles of Palo Alto & Resaca De La Palma, a Musical Delineation Composed for the Piano Forte and Dedicated as a Tribute of Respect to the Officers & Men of the U.S. Army. Op. 72.” This first edition folio was published by F.D. Benteen in Baltimore in 1846, the same year as both battles. The first edition is very rare, with only two copies on OCLC. It is presented in a new, archival cloth covered chemise and ¼ leather and cloth clamshell case. 

Well known for his programmatic pieces, American composer Charles Grobe wrote this piano music with commentary on both the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, the first two major battles of the Mexican-American War. Written without lyrics, the sheet music includes captions such as "Two O'Clock P.M." to guide the performer through the narrative and timeline of the battles. Grobe makes references to “flying artillery,” and the wounding of Commander Ringgold, and concludes the piece with “The victory has been decisive. A small force has overcome immense odds of the best troops Mexico can furnish—veteran regiments perfectly equipped and appointed.” 

The Battle of Palo Alto, fought on May 8, 1846, marked the first major engagement of the Mexican-American War. It took place near present-day Brownsville, Texas, in disputed territory claimed by both the United States and Mexico. U.S. forces under General Zachary Taylor clashed with a larger Mexican army led by General Mariano Arista. Despite being outnumbered, the Americans held a significant advantage due to their "flying artillery," highly mobile, horse-drawn artillery units, which allowed them to inflict heavy casualties on the Mexican forces and force a retreat. 

The following day, on May 9, 1846, the conflict continued at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, where Taylor pursued the retreating Mexican troops into a dense thicket and ravine. In chaotic, close-quarter fighting, U.S. forces launched a decisive bayonet charge, capturing enemy artillery and ultimately driving the Mexicans across the Rio Grande. These early victories secured U.S. control of the contested area and boosted American morale, while propelling Zachary Taylor into national prominence.

Charles Grobe (ca. 1817–1879) was a prolific American composer of the mid 19th century, best known for his patriotic and parlor piano music. Grobe composed hundreds of works for amateur pianists. Often written in accessible styles like marches, waltzes, polkas, and quick-steps, his music reflected current events and national sentiment, particularly during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Pieces such as “Battle of Buena Vista” and “Funeral March on the Death of President Lincoln” were two of his more popular titles. 

CONDITION:

Good condition. First Edition. Folio, loose sheets. Moderately water stained and foxed, fourth leaf missing section from lower blank margin. Original price “Pr. 38 Cts Net.” printed on the cover. With an ink stamp of E.P. Nash, Petersburg, VA, and faint penciled name on title page. 

Presented in a new, archival cloth covered chemise and large ¼ leather and cloth clamshell, with raised bands, gilt titles, and tooling to the spine. 

Folio Dimensions: 13 1/8" H x 9 1/2" W x 1/16" D. 
Clamshell Dimensions: 14 5/8" H x 11" W x 1 5/16" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.