History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII, Part 44

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Oak, Henry Lebbeus, 1844-1905
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: San Francisco : The History Company
Number of Pages: 890

USA > Arizona > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 44
USA > New Mexico > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 44

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52 Pattie's Personal Narrative; see also this vol., p. 337-8, and Hist. Cal., iii. 162-72.

53 See Hist. Cal., iii. 172-5, and chap. xiv.

5+ Benj. D. Wilson, Observations, MS., 2-18, gives the most complete ac- count, having been encamped on the Gila at the time. His party was also attacked, and several men were killed, Wilson being captured and barely escaping with his life. James Johnson did not get the reward from the Mexi- cans that he had hoped for, and came to Cal., where he died in great poverty. His accomplice was a man named Glisson. Gregg, Com. Prairies, i. 295-8, also mentions this affair. An exploration of the Colorado mouth by Lieut. Hardy in 1825-8 is mentioned in Bartlett's Pers. Narr., ii. 170-1; and in Vic- tor's River of the West, 153, we are told that in 1834 a trapping party of 200 men of the Rocky Mt Fur Co. crossed from Bill Williams Fork to the Moqui towns, where several trappers plundered the gardens and shot 15 or 20 peace- ful Moquis who objected to such treatment.

CHAPTER XVII. AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO.

1846-1847.

THE MEXICAN WAR-KEARNY'S ARMY OF THE WEST-THE MARCH-MIS- SION OF COOKE AND MAGOFFIN-PLANS FOR BLOODLESS CONQUEST-AR- MIJO'S PREPARATIONS AND FLIGHT-FROM BENT'S FORT TO LAS VEGAS- SANTA FÉ OCCUPIED- KEARNY'S PROCLAMATION-TOUR IN THE SOUTH -DONIPHAN IN COMMAND-TURBULENT VOLUNTEERS-PRICE AND THE MORMONS - NAVAJO TREATY-CHIHUAHUA CAMPAIGN- CIVIL GOVERN- MENT AND KEARNY CODE-PLOTS OF ORTIZ AND ARCHULETA-GROUNDS OF COMPLAINT-REVOLT OF 1847-MURDER OF GOVERNOR BENT-DIS- ASTERS AT TAOS, ARROYO HONDO, AND MORA-PRICE'S COMPAIGN- FIGHTS AT CAÑADA, EMBUDO, AND TAOS -- FURTHER TROUBLES WITH IN- SURGENTS AND INDIANS-EXECUTIONS.

IN 1846 the United States began a war against Mexico for the acquisition of territory. This war and its causes are treated fully in other parts of this series devoted to the history of Mexico, of Texas, and of California. New Mexico and Arizona, except in the mere fact of being parts of the territory to be acquired, figured very slightly, if at all, in the prelim- inaries of the proposed conquest. There was, it is true, a claim that Texas extended south and west to the Rio Grande, by which shallow pretence the gov- ernment of the northern republic managed to afford some comfort to the national conscience, on the plea that the defence of this 'disputed' tract by Mexico was the first act of war. It should be remarked, however, that the field of the first hostilities -- of the Mexican invasion !- was not on the New Mexican frontier, but farther south-east.1

1 I have the Confidential Circular of May 13th, with the autograph of James Buchanan, containing the declaration that war 'exists.' 'The truth is, that

(408)

409

KEARNY'S ARMY.

War, or its 'existence,' having been declared, an army of the west was organized at Fort Lcaven- worth in June. Its commander was Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, its mission the occupation of the broad territory stretching from New Mexico to California, and also if practicable cooperation with other branches of the army in operations farther south. The advance division of this force consisted of 300 regulars of the first United States dragoons under Major Edwin V. Sum- ner, a regiment of mounted volunteers called out by Governor Edwards of Missouri for this campaign, and commanded by Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan, and five additional companies of volunteers, including one of infantry and two of light artillery, or a total of nearly 1,700 men. The second, or reserve division, comprised another regiment of Missouri volunteers under Colonel Sterling Price, a battalion of four companies under Lieutenant-colonel Willock, and the Mormon Battalion, in all about 1,800 men. The ad- vance, or army of conquest, left Fort Leavenworth late in June; the long supply train of over 1,000 mules was soon augmented by the 400 wagons of the annual Santa Fé caravan; and all the companies, except the artillery, were encamped at the beginning of August near Bent's Fort on the Arkansas, after a tedious but uneventful march of some 650 miles across the plains.2 An advance guard of four com-

we had endured so many insults and grievous wrongs from Mexico, with such unexampled patience, that at the last she must have mistaken our forbear- ance for pusillanimity. Encouraged, probably by this misapprehension, her army has at length crossed the Del Norte-has invaded the territory of our country-and has shed American blood upon the American soil.' Lurkin's Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., iv. 121. Prince, Historical Sketches of New Mexico, 290-327, devotes two chapters to the ' American Occupation ' and 'Revolt of 1847.' His treatment of the subject is excellent, and in almost every respect satisfactory; but I can hardly agree with his preliminary statement, 'suffice it to say that the origin of the hostilities' that is, of the Mexican war as shown by the context-' was found in the dispute as to the ownership of the territory between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River.' This is also affirmed on p. 240.

" Hughes" Doniphan's Expedition; containing an account of the Conquest of New Mexico; General Kearney's overland expedition to California: Doniphan's campaign against the Navajos; his unparalleled march upon Chihuahua and Du- rango; and the operations of General Price at Santa Fe. With a sketch of the life q' Col Doniphan. Illustrated with plans of battle-fields, a map, and fine

410

AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO.

panies had made an unsuccessful attempt to overtake a party of traders believed to have in their posses- sion arms and ammunition for the enemy.

From Bent's Fort, Lieutenant Decourcy was sent with twenty men to Taos to learn the disposition of the people, rejoining the army later with some prison- ers and a report that resistance might be expected at

engravings. By John T. Hughes, A. B., of the First regiment of Missouri cav- alry. Cincinnati, 1850, 12mo. I have also ed. of Cin., 1849, 8vo; and there are ed. of Cin., 1848, and apparently 1847. This work is a standard authority on the campaign, written in a clear and pleasing style, and with an accuracy that has not, I believe, been questioned, though the author, like others of his time and class, takes an ultra-American view of most questions, and has no doubt of the entire righteousness of the war against perfidions Mexicans.

There were apparently 5 companies of the Ist U. S. dragoons. I have found no record of the company organization, but the officers were captains Edwin V. Sumner (act. major), Philip St George Cooke, Thomas Swords (asst. Q. M.), Benj. D. Moore, John H. K. Burgwin, Henry S. Turner (adj. gen.), Abraham R. Johnston, and Philip R. Thompson (some of whom were prob- ably lientenants at the start); and lieut. Patrick Noble, Thomas C. Ham- mond, Rufus Ingalls, John W. Davidson, Joseph McElvain, C. J. L. Wilson, and Oliver P. H. Taylor. I take this imperfect list from the U. S. Official Register, 1845-7, and from occasional mention in the different narratives.

Officers of the Ist Mo. volunteers, Col Alex. W. Doniphan (a lawyer who had enlisted as a private, elected colonel June 18th); lieut .- colonel, C. F. Ruff; major, Wm Gilpin (both of whom were elected from the ranks); captains of the 8 companies (856 men rank and file) each enlisted in a county of Mo., Waldo, Walton, Moss, Reid, Stephenson, Parsons, Jackson, and Rodgers; sutler, C. A. Perry; adjutant, G. M. Butler; surgeon, Geo. Penn; asst surgeons, T. M. Morton and I. Vaughn.

A battalion of light artillery, under Major Clark, consisted of two compa- nies from St Louis, under captains Weightman and Fischer, about 250 men. A battalion of infantry had 145 men in two companies, commanded by cap- tains Angney and Murphy. There was also a troop of volunteer cavalry from St Louis; the Laclede Rangers, 107 strong, under Capt. Hudson, attached to the dragoons. Also lieutenants Wm H. Emory, W. H. Warner, JJ. W. Abert, and W. B. Peck of the U. S. topographical engineers, Warner commanding the artillery on the march to Sta Fe.

The 21 regiment of Mo. volunteers was mustered into the service at Ft Leavenworth, about the 1st of August. Its officers were Sterling Price colo- nel, D. D. Mitchell lient .- colonel, Edmondson major. It numbered about 1,000 men. There was also a separate battalion under Lieut .- col Willock, 300 men in four companies, captains Smith, Robinson, Morin, and Hendley; and a small artillery detachment under officers of the regular army.

The Mormon Battalion consisted of about 500 Mormons, who entered the service as a means of reaching California, where, according to the terms of their enlistment, they were to be discharged. It was organized at Council Bluffs in June, by Capt. James Allen of the Ist dragoons, who was to com- mand the battalion as lient .- colonel, but died before departure. Licut. A. J. Smith commanded on the march to Sta Fé, and Lieut .- colonel P. St Geo. Cooke on that to Cal. The captains of the 5 companies were Jefferson Hunt, Jesse D. Hunter, James Brown, Nelson Higgins, and Daniel C. Davis; Adju- tant Geo. P. Dykes, and later P. C. Merrill; surgeon Geo. B. Sanderson. For a full history of the Mormon Battalion, see Hist. Cal., v., chap. xviii., this series; also Tyler's Mormon Battalion.

411

PLANS OF THE UNITED STATES.

every point. Similar reports had previously been re- ceived from Major Howard and the mountaineer Fitz- patrick. From Bent's Fort, also, Captain Cooke, with twelve picked men, was sent in advance, nomi- nally as a kind of ambassador to treat with Governor Armijo for the peaceful submission of eastern New Mexico,3 but really to escort James Magoffin, the veritable ambassador, intrusted with a secret mission at Santa Fé. To send an ariny of 1,700 men, mainly composed of undisciplined volunteers, on a march of a thousand miles over a desert occupied by hostile sav- ages, to conquer, by force of arms, so populous an interior province, and one so well defended, at least by nature, as New Mexico, was on its face a very hazard- ous enterprise. It was a radically different matter from the proposed occupation by naval forces of a coast province like California. In the annals of the latter country we have seen, however, what agencies were relied on by the government, acting through Consul Larkin as a confidential agent, to insure a bloodless victory, though the success of the plan was seriously impaired by the blundering and criminal dis- obedience of another and subordinate agent. These complications of the farthest west are now well known in every particular.4 That the policy respecting New Mexico was similar in its general features, there can be no doubt, though most details have never come to light. During the past years, the Santa Fé traders, both American and Mexican, had done much to make the condition and disposition of each people well known to the other, to convince the New Mexicans

3 ' My mission ... was in fact a pacific one. The general had just issued a proclamation of annexation of all the territory cast of the Rio Grande; the government thus adopting the old claim of Texas' (the procl. of July 31st, as given in Cutts' Conq., 42, the only one I have found, contains no such propo- sition), 'and thus manifestly, in a statesman's view, a bloodless process would lead to its confirmation in the treaty of peace; and the population would be saved from the bitterness of passing sub juyum. The difficulty of a half-meas- ure remains; it ents the isolated province in two! There must be an influential Micawber in the cabinet. At a plaintive compliment, that I went to plant the olive, which he would reap a laurel, the general endeavored to gloss the barren field of toil to which his subordinates, at least, were devoted.' Cooke's Conq., 7. 4 See Hist. Cal., v., this series.

412

AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO.

how futile must be any attempt to resist the United States, and the Americans how easy would be the occupation of Santa Fé. Doubtless, certain prominent traders had been at work virtually as secret agents of the government at Washington, which from their re- ports had come to believe that no serious opposition was to be expected to the change of flag. It was understood that the New Mexicans, after long years of neglect and so-called oppression, had retained but a nominal allegiance to Mexico; that many influential citizens, from motives of personal interest as traders or land-owners, desired the downfall of Mexican rule; that many others were convinced that resistance would be useless, and more than half convinced that the change would be a benefit; that prominent officials were already disposed, or might be influenced by cer- tain appeals to their love of gain, or ambition for office, to submit without a struggle to the inevitable; that the masses might be controlled for the most part through the leaders; and that finally, any opposition based on pride, patriotism, or prejudice of race or re- ligion, must be more than counterbalanced by lack of unity, of leaders, of arms, and other resources. Thus Kearny's army of the west was sent to occupy, not literally to conquer, New Mexico. Nevertheless, the enterprise was one attended with many risks.

Magoffin, or Don Santiago, was an Irish Kentuck- ian, long in the Santa Fé trade, a man of wealth, with unlimited capacity for drinking wine and making friends, speaking the Spanish language, and on friendly terms with most of the leading men in New Mexico and Chihuahua. At Washington he was introduced by Senator Benton to the president and secretary of war, and at the request of the three agreed to accom- pany the expedition, professing his ability to prevent any armed resistance on the part of Governor Armijo and his officers.5 Cooke's party, without adventures

5 Benton's Thirty Years' View, ii. 682-4. In the Cal. and N. Mex., Mess. and Doc., 1850, p. 240-1, are letters of June 18th, from Sec. Marcy to Kearny and to the commandant of the Chihuahua expedition, introducing Magoffin

413

MAGOFFIN'S MISSION.

requiring notice, arrived the 12th of August at Santa Fé. where he was hospitably received by Armijo, who, although he "seemed to think that the approach of the army was rather sudden and rapid," concluded to send a commissioner in the person of Dr Connelly, with whom the captain set out next day on his return to meet the army.6 Meanwhile, according to Benton, our only authority, and as there is perhaps no reason to doubt, Magoffin easily prevailed on the governor to promise that no defence should be made at Apache Cañon, a point on the approach to Santa Fé which might have been held by a small force. He had more difficulty with Archuleta, the second in command, but by appealing to his ambition, and suggesting that by a pronunciamiento he might secure for himself western New Mexico, on which Kearny had no designs, he at length overcame that officer's patriotic objections, and thus secured an open road for the army.7

as a man regarded by the president as one who could render important ser- vices. Magoffin was accompanied by a friend, Gonzalez, a trader of Chihua- hua; and after accomplishing his purpose at Sta Fé, he went south to prepare the way for Gen. Wool as he had done for Kearny. Here, however, he was suspected, and kept a prisoner for a long time. After the peace he returned to Washington, where Benton, in a secret session of the senate, obtained for him an appropriation of $50,000 for secret services, of which sum a new ad- ministration, after much haggling, paid $30,000, a sum barely covering M.'s expenses and losses. Says Benton: 'The paper which he filed in the war office may furnish some material for history-some insight into the way of making conquests-if ever examined. This is the secret history of Gen. Kearny's expedition, given because it would not be found in the documents.' In the Cal. and N. Mex., Mess., p. 236, is another letter of Sec. Marcy of May 27th to Kearny, announcing that the president has determined to send a catholic of good standing, able to speak Spanish, to serve as a kind of chaplain, with a view of allaying religious prejudices of the New Mexicans against the U. S. I have no record that such a man was sent.

6 The Conquest of New Mexico and California; an historical and personal nar- rative. By P. St Geo. Cooke, brigadier, brevet major-general U. S. A., author of 'Scenes and Adventures in the Army; or, Romance of Military Life,' etc. N. Y., 1878, 12mo. The diary of this advance trip is found on p. 6-34, and there follow good accounts of later events, the march to Cal., etc.

" While, as I have said, there may be no reason to question the general accuracy of Benton's version, or to doubt that Magoffin really obtained these promises from Armijo, Archuleta, and others, yet it is probable that there is much exaggeration in the implied opinion that the U. S. relied mainly on, or that Kearny's success was due mainly to, M.'s negotiations at this time. M.'s efforts were rather the supplement or conclusion to a long chain of investiga- tious and negotiations by himself and others. Kearny's immunity from armed opposition of a serious nature rested on something more than Magoffin's abil- ity to manage the N. Mexican leaders.

414

AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO.

Unfortunately we have no definite information from New Mexican sources respecting Armijo's prepara- tions, real or pretended, for defence; and the frag- mentary rumors that found their way into current narratives are meagre, contradictory, and of no value. The governor understood perfectly his inability to make any effective resistance; and all that he did in that direction was with a view merely to 'save his responsibility' as a Mexican officer, even if he did not, as is probable, definitely resolve and promise not to fight. The people were called upon, as usual in such cases, to rise and repel the invader; and a considerable force of militia was organized and joined the two or three hundred soldiers of the army. These auxili- aries were, however, but half in earnest and most inadequately armed. If any considerable portion of them or their officers ever thought seriously of fight- ing the Americans, their patriotic zeal rapidly disap- peared as the numbers and armament of the invaders became more clearly known from returning scouts, who, in many instances, were captured and released by Kearny. With perhaps 2,000 men-though Ameri- can reports double the number-Armijo seems to have marched out to Apache Cañon with the avowed inten- tion of meeting the enemy; but on the last day, in consequence of differences of opinion between the gen- eral and his officers, the former dismissed the auxili- aries to their homes, and with his presidial troops retreated to the south by way of Galisteo, near which point he left his cannon. Armijo was blamed by the many who were hostile to the invaders and who were ashamed to see their country thus surrendered without a struggle. Doubtless the governor, had he desired it, might have waged a guerilla warfare that would have given the foe much trouble; and there is much cause to believe that his reason for not doing so was not a praiseworthy desire to prevent the useless shedding of his subjects' blood.8

8 In Bustamante, Nuevo Bernal Diaz, ii. 103-5, is an account of the N. Mex. affair made up from newspaper articles founded on information from Chihua-

415

KEARNY'S MARCH.

Kearny's army left Bent's Fort on the 2d of Au- gust. The route was nearly identical with the later line of stage travel, and differed but slightly from that of the modern Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé railroad. The march was a tedious one, there being many cases of fatal illness among the volunteers. Through some miscalculation or mismanagement of the supply trains, the men were on short rations for a larger part of the way; and it was besides a season of drought. The advance was in several divisions, by slightly different routes from day to day, in order to utilize the scanty water and grass. Fitzpatrick was the guide, Robidoux the interpreter, while Bent com- manded a company of spies. After the settlements were reached, American residents, such as Towle, Bonney, Wells, and Spry, were met, and gave infor- mation respecting the state of things at Santa Fé and Taos. Small parties of Mexican scouts were also fre- quently captured, or came voluntarily into camp, where they gave vague and contradictory accounts of Armi- jo's preparations for defence, and whence, being set at liberty, they carried back exaggerated reports of the American force and cannon, with copies of Kearny's proclamation. On the 14th, 15th, and 16th, respect- ively, the army reached Las Vegas, Tecolote, and San Miguel del Vado. At each of these places, Kearny-now brigadier-general by a commission re- ceived at Las Vegas-made a speech from a house- top, absolving the people from their allegiance to

hua. With several blunders it contains very little definite and accurate in- formation. Kearny's force is put at 3,000, with 1,000 in the rear, guarding a caravan whose goods amounted to $1,000,000. Armijo retreated because he could not control his men, who showed a disposition to pass over to the enemy, though the people blamed him. He had gone to El Paso, where a stand would be made, as 400 men from Chih. had started too late for the pro- tection of N. Mex. At the Canon de Pecos, on Aug. 14th, he had 2,000 men, of whom 270 were regular troops, with 7 guns. On the 15th, disputes with the auxiliary officers caused him to dismiss the force. The guns were spiked near Galisteo, and A. went south with only 60 men. Kearny had made Magoffin gov. at Sta Fé. Connelly, in the name of the new govt, had written to invite Armijo to return to his post as gov. with guaranties, but the offer was not accepted. The caravan will proceed south to El Paso, with troops to seize the custom-house. There are also brief notices in El Tiempo, April 19, 1846; and Iris de España, Dec. 12, 1846.

416

AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO.

Armijo, and promising protection to the life, property, and religion of all who should peaceably submit to the new order of things; and the alcalde, and in some cases the militia officers of each town, being induced more or less willingly to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, were continued in office. A letter was received from Armijo, making known his purpose to come out to meet Kearny; but whether as friend or foe, the vague wording did not clearly indicate. Cooke and Connelly were met at Tecolote, but the message brought by the latter is not known to the chroniclers. Among the men and subordinate offi- cers, there was an expectation of having to encounter from 2,000 to 10,000 foes in the mountain defile; but the general is said to have borne himself as coolly as as if on parade, as indeed well" he might, knowing how slight was the danger of a conflict. At San Miguel a Mexican officer was captured-Salazar, son of the officer with whom the Texans had to do in 1841-who reported the flight of Armijo. On the 17th the army passed the ruins of Pecos; and on the 18th, marching without the slightest opposition through the famous canon, the Americans entered Santa Fé at 6 P. M., being accorded a friendly reception by Juan B. Vigil, the acting governor. The flag of the United States was raised at sunset, and saluted with thirteen guns. General Kearny slept in the old palacio, and the army encamped on an adjoining emi- nence. Thus was the capital of New Mexico occu- pied without the shedding of blood.9

9 If General Kearny ever made a detailed report of this campaign I have not found it. A brief statement is found in his letter of Aug. 24th, on p. 59-60 of Cutts' The Conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 and 1847. By James Madison Cutts, with en- gravings, plans of battle, etc., Phil., 1847, 12mo. This is an excellent narrative en résumé of the whole conquest, the earliest published, and supplemented with many original documents, a few of which I have not found elsewhere. The most complete original record of the march to Sta Fé is to be found on p. 15-32 of Emory's Notes of a Military Reconnaissance, from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California, including part of the Arkansas, Del Norte, and Gila rivers. By Lieut .- col W. H. Emory. Made in 1846-7, with the advance guard of the 'Army of the West.' Wash., 1848, Svo (U. S. Govt Doc., 30th cong. Ist sess., H. Ex. Doc. 41, Sen. Ex. Doc. 7). This is a

417

OCCUPATION OF SANTA FÉ.

On the day following his entry into the capital, General Kearny caused the people to be assembled in the plaza, where through an interpreter he made a speech. Then the acting governor, secretary, alcal- des, and other officials took the required oath of al- legiance, Governor Vigil also delivering a brief address and reading the general's earlier proclamation. The exercises were similar, if somewhat less hurried, to the earlier ones at Las Vegas and San Miguel. The New Mexicans as subjects of the United States from this time were assured of full protection for their lives, property, and religion, not only against Ameri- can depredators, but against the Mexican nation, Gov- ernor Armijo, and their Indian foes. Three days later Kearny's position was fully explained in the formal proclamation which is appended.10

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History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII, Part 44

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Oak, Henry Lebbeus, 1844-1905 Publication date: 1889 Publisher: San Francisco : The History Company Number of Pages: 890

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Oak, Henry Lebbeus, 1844-1905
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: San Francisco : The History Company
Number of Pages: 890