Mayne Reid

Thomas Mayne Reid (April 4, 1818 – October 22, 1883)

When the Mexican-American War began in the spring of 1846, Reid was working as a correspondent for the New York Herald in Newport, Rhode Island.

On November 23, 1846, Reid joined the First New York Volunteer Infantry as a second lieutenant. In January 1847 the regiment left New York by ship, and participated in the invasion of Central Mexico, which began on March 9. Using the pseudonym "Ecolier," Reid was a correspondent for the New York newspaper, Spirit of the Times, which published his Sketches by a Skirmisher. On September 13, Reid received a severe thigh wound while leading a charge. He was afterward promoted to the rank of first lieutenant for bravery in battle. On May 5, 1848 Reid resigned his commission and in July he returned to New York with his regiment.

Reid published WAR LIFE, an account of his army service, June 27, 1849.

Reid returned home to northern Ireland. He shortly moved to London, and in 1850 published his first novel, The Rifle Rangers. The young Theodore Roosevelt would become a huge Reid fan.