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Aztec Club of 1847

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Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Military_and_War Societies
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Contents

History

The Aztec Club of 1847 is a military society founded in 1847 by United States Army officers of the Mexican–American War. After the last battles of the Mexican–American War a sizable force of regular U.S. Army troops occupied Mexico City; on October 13, 1847, a meeting of officers was held in the city to form a social organization to help pass the time comfortably until their return to the United States. The original organizers were Robert C. Buchanan, Henry Coppée, John B. Grayson, John B. Magruder, Franklin Pierce, Charles F. Smith, and Charles P. Stone.

Original Members

There were a total of 160 original members of the Aztec Club, all of whom were serving in the occupation of Mexico City at the time of the Club's founding in 1847. Over time, the club's membership requirements were changed to extend membership to male descendants of officers who served in the Mexican War. Of the 160 original members, 72 became generals in either the United States Army or the Confederate States Army and a majority served in either the Union or Confederate armies during the American Civil War.

Among the Aztec Club's original members were future presidents Franklin Pierce and Ulysses S. Grant as well as Robert E. Lee.

Veteran Members

In 1871 Club members agreed to accept other officers who had served in Mexico during the Mexican War as Veteran Members; including officers of the United States Navy. Veteran Members were veterans of the Mexican War but were not among the 160 original members who formed the society in 1847. As of 1895, 127 individuals had been admitted as Veteran Members – 49 of which were generals or admirals in United States or Confederate States service.

Honorary Members

Only two individuals were chosen as an honorary members of the Aztec Club.

Hereditary Members

In 1883 provisions were also made to allow male relatives of officers who had died during the Mexican War, prior to the Club's founding, to become members. In 1887, membership was extended to the eldest son or nearest male relative of original and veteran members as hereditary members in order to keep the club alive after the deaths of the veterans. Later, this rule was extended to include direct and collateral male descendants of eligible officers.

Present-day Membership

Any male person above the age of eighteen years shall be eligible to membership in this club who is descended lineally or collaterally from an officer of the Army, Navy or Marine Corps, Regular or Volunteer, who served in some part of Mexico, Mexican territory or Mexican waters, during the War with Mexico (May 13,1846 to February 2, 1848). The Club allows collateral relationship to fourth cousin.

The Aztec Club of 1847 has only one class of membership, that being life membership. There are no annual dues. Membership is by invitation only.

Brothers, Sons, Grandsons and Nephews of a current member may join by proving the relationship.





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