The Battle of Buena Vista took place near Saltillo, Mexico, on February 22 and 23, 1847. Following the fighting, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna withdrew his troops, leaving the field to the surprised Americans.

Lithographer Nathaniel Currier learned the printing trade as an apprentice at the Boston firm of William and John Pendleton, the first successful lithography firm in the United States. Currier moved to New York City with John Pendleton in the early 1830s and soon established his own firm there. Currier found success producing images of current events and making them available quickly and inexpensively. James Merritt Ives joined the firm in 1852 and became a partner in 1857.