USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 18
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" At Fort Laramie the party. found many lodges of Sioux, who were quite friendly. They left that fort on the 3d inst. Next day they met 685 wagons of Mormons, who were advancing very slowly in parties of fifty ; they had come all the way by the north bank of the Platte-they expecting to winter on the great Salt Lake; and this, they assert, is to be the final resting-place of their people. Incredible numbers of buffaloes were passed through for several days, near the junction of the two Plattes. No Indians were encountered after this time.
"The party was only 66 days from the settlements of California to Fort Leavenworth, and made not a day's stop-averaging for the last 57 days 31 miles: whole distance near 2,200 miles."
From Fort Leavenworth, Gen. Kearny paid a short visit to his family at St. Louis, Mo., where his friends and fellow-citizens greeted his return with congratulations and festivities, from which he hastened to Washington City, to attend an important court- martial, which, if it evince the fact of any discord between com- manders as to relative rank, prerogative or deserving, can subtract nothing from the united or individual gallantry of the conquest of California and New Mexico.
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COL. STERLING PRICE.
CHAPTER X.
Col. Sterling Price-Lieut. Col. Willock-Missouri mounted Volunteers-Gen. Kearny-Col. Doniphan-Col. Price remains at Santa Fé-Conspiracy- Gov. Bent's Proclamation-Organization of Government-Sickness of Troops -Enterprise and Amusements-Revolution-Murder of Gov. Bent and others -Americans to be put to death-Letters intercepted-Enemy approaching Santa Fé-Troops called together-Advance on the Enemy-Battles of Ca- nada and Embudo-Battle of the Pueblo de Taos-Death of Capt. Burgwin -Funerals and graves of Bent and Burgwin-People urged to rise-Massa- cres-Fight at Moro-Capt. Henley killed-Capt. Morin destroys the Town -- The Father-in-law of Archuleta-Leaders delivered up-Tried and Executed -State of Affairs in New Mexico-Revolutionary Spirit-Route between Santa Fé and Fort Leavenworth dangerous-Lieut. Peck-Incidents of the Desert-Indians very Hostile-Engagement with Apaches-Lieut. Brown killed-Surprise and Capture of Los Pias-Loquesta, &c .- Prisoners-Exe- cutions-Expiration of Terms of Service of Volunteers-Lieut. Love's Battle with the Indians-Indian Aggression-Measures taken to Repress and Punish -No organized resistance in New Mexico-Arrival of new Levies-Col. Price created a Brigadier-general-Visits Missouri to return to Santa Fé.
UNDER an apprehension that the force which left Fort Leaven- worth, in June, 1846, might not be sufficient fully to effect the purposes of the expedition, which was, if found practicable, to pass on to California, after conquering and securing New Mexico, the President of the United States had accepted the services of an additional regiment and battalion of Missouri mounted Volunteers, who were sent on to Santa Fé, as reinforcements, and to augment Gen. Kearny's disposable force for California ; but they had not joined him when he departed for that country, on the 25th of September. The commanders of these reinforcements were Col. Sterling Price, who had resigned his seat in Congress to serve under the eagles of the republic, and Lieut. Col. Willock, of Mis- souri.
The prompt and energetic manner in which Gen. Kearny con- ducted the Santa Fé expedition has been sketched. When he determined to leave for Upper California, with only about one
217
MEXICAN CONSPIRACY.
hundred men, orders were left with Col. Doniphan to make the march to Chihuahua, (which he so gloriously executed,) on the · arrival of Col. Price, then daily expected.
Col. Price, thus left in command of the residue of the army of the west, had been instructed to occupy Santa Fé, Taos, and other points of New Mexico with his troops.
On the departure of Gen. Kearny for California, the inhabitants, not only at Santa Fé, but throughout the whole of New Mexico, were represented to be well satisfied with the change which had taken place, and the general had reported that "there could no · longer be apprehended any organized resistance to our troops in that territory."*
Rumours of a revolution, however, began to be spoken of among the Mexicans in about two months after his departure, but the ap- parent willingness with which they submitted to the new govern- ment established over them, lulled all into the belief of a quiet submission.
An attempt to produce a revolution was concerted at the house of Thomas Ortiz, where, on the night of the 15th of December, met Don Thomas Ortiz, Don Diego Archuleta, Don Nicholas Pino, Don Santiago Armijo, Don Miguel Pino, Don Manuel Charaez, Don Domingo Boca, Don Pablo Dominguez, and Don Juan Lopez. These principal chiefs of the revolt conspired to surprise the guards, and to take bloody possession of Santa Fé. Ortiz was to be in chief command, and Archuleta second in authority. The first plan was for the conspirators to assemble with all their men, on Saturday evening, the 19th of December, in the parish church. Thence dividing themselves into several parties they were to sally forth, some to seize the pieces of artillery, others to go to the quarters of Col. Price, and others to go to the palace of Governor Bent, if he should be in Santa Fé, and if not, to send an order to Taos to seize him, thinking him the one who would give them most trouble. This was agreed upon by all. The church bell was to be the signal for the assault, from the forces concealed in
* Report of Secretary of War, Dec. 5, 1846.
T
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GOV. BENT'S PROCLAMATION.
the building, and for those which Don Diego Archuleta should have brought near the city. Midnight was the time agreed upon : all were to enter the plaza at the same moment, seize the pieces of artillery, point.them into the streets, &c.
The time was afterwards postponed, and the attempt was to have been made on Christmas night, when a great number of New Mexicans were expected to congregate in Santa Fé, for the pur- pose of attending the ceremonies of the Catholic church, and that they might gain over the whole department. For this last pur- pose, Archuleta was to go to the valley of Taos, and the leaders to different sections of the country, but the whole plot was dis- closed to the Americans by Mexican women, and the authorities were able to secure a good many of the leaders. Ortiz and Ar- chuleta fled. No positive evidence could be obtained against the other leaders, and they were released upon promise of good beha- viour. Confidence was again restored. The Mexicans, previous to the receipt of the news of Col. Doniphan's capture of Chihua- hua, were very haughty-they would jostle the Americans in the street-refuse to speak with them, except to offer wagers that Col. Doniphan was a prisoner in Chihuahua. As soon, however, as intelligence of the battle was received, they became crest-fallen, and full of friendly professions. This appearance of amity was wholly deceptive. The fire of revenge was still burning beneath.
It was at this time that the following proclamation was issued :
Charles Bent, governor of the Territory of New Mexico, to the inhabitants :
FELLOW-CITIZENS : A concurrence of extraordinary events crowd upon me, and furnish me with materials to address you for the first time. I will not make use of eloquent or sublime language, for truth needs not the ornaments of flattery to cause an impression- its attractions are inherent, and will always obtain credence.
I arrived in this country for the first time in 1829; from my first acquaintance with it, your ingenuous and frank character aroused my sympathy, which has now taken deep root, and I joined my destiny to yours. New Mexico became my adopted
219
GOV. BENT'S PROCLAMATION.
country ; all my interests are centered in its soil, and the more so at present, since joined to the United States, my native country, you compose a part of the Union, the cradle of liberty.
Gen. S. W. Kearny took military possession of this Territory on the 18th of August of last year, and he experienced the most lively pleasure in finding that without the force of arms, with- out mourning, or tears, you acknowledged the republican govern- ment, to which you now belong. You are now governed by new laws, and you now enjoy the free government promised to you by his proclamation. Use this liberty with moderation. This will enable you to gather the rich fruits which await you for the future.
Those who composed this blind opposition ; who, notorious for their vices, and full of ambition, aspired to the first offices-and those who thought to bind the people slaves to their caprices, unde- ceived, and finding that they could not obtain the offices conferred on honest and meritorious men-Thomas Ortiz and the old revolu- tionist Diego Archuleta-rushed forward desperately to head a revolution against the present government. They collected in this capital, in the middle of last month, a few heedless and unprinci- pled persons, who, after attending their meetings, were persuaded to seize the standard of rebellion. This treason was discovered very opportunely, and smothered at its birth ; they are now fugi- tives, but their doctrines are still disseminated among the people, and cause some anxiety,as the discontented who remain give pub- licity to their destructive plans.
The organic law and the statutes are the basis on which these anarchists repose ; they say that contributions and land are the maxims of the present government; that it wishes to levy the former and deprive you of the possession of the latter-astounding falsehood ! Examine the laws from the beginning to the end, and you will not find a single page that upholds the falsity. The sta- tutes, it is true, impose duties on commerce, and on distilleries, but in no manner do they impose taxes on the people. There is, likewise, an office established for the registering of land-titles, but this is to secure to you the titles of your property, and not to despoil you of them, as the revolutionists would induce you to
220
AFFAIRS IN SANTA FE.
believe. They likewise avail themselves of other means to create alarm, deceiving you by the report that troops are coming from the interior to reconquer this country. What succour can you expect from the department of Chihuahua, your nearest neighbour, when there the spirit of party has crushed and reduced to a nullity its inhabitants ?
Col. Doniphan, who was advancing on the Pueblo del Paso with his regiment, was attacked by a superior force at the Punto del Brazito-in a few minutes they were routed with the loss of thirty men. Such, my friends, are the futility and artifices with which these turbulent spirits would delude you ! Listen not, I beseech you, to their false and poisonous doctrines-remain quiet in your domestic occupations, that under the protection of the laws, you may enjoy the unspeakable blessing offered, and uniting with your government you may point out any measures which may tend to the improvement of your country, and thus enjoy, individually, all the happiness which your best friend wishes you.
Santa Fé, January 5, 1847.
CHARLES BENT ..
The organization of the government had progressed until the numerous appointments, civil officers, &c., of the territory had been filled up-clerks of courts, prefects, or county judges, she- riffs, &c., had been made. Among these, James White Leal, a volunteer of Capt. Hudson's company, was appointed attorney for Taos, or the northern judicial district, and Stephen Lee, formerly of St. Louis, but then a citizen, became the sheriff of the same.
In the meanwhile, there had been considerable sickness among the troops, which resulted in thinning their ranks, and in a conclu- sion that, of the Missourians, the troops from the city of St. Louis best preserved their health, those from St. Louis county next, and the country troops least successfully. Many died from nearly every company of the volunteers.
Nothing daunted, however, the spirit of enterprise among them set every thing in motion. Mills were established, fortifications erected, troops drilled, and a printing-press established. Nor were amusements wanting. A Thespian society was organized, princi-
221
THE THEATRE AT SANTA FE.
pally from the men of St. Louis, and a room in the palacio was permitted by the governor to be fitted up as a theatre-scenes painted, an orchestra organized, and, in fact, all appointments pro- vided. The gentlemen undertook all the characters, and were well sustained by crowded houses. These dramatic entertainments had most potent charms for the men of Col. Price's regiment. As a relic of the time, " the bill" for the night of the 25th of Decem- ber is here given :
SANTA FE THEATRE!
ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT
Will be presented the tragedy of
BARBAROSSA !
Achmet
Mr. McSorley.
Othman
Livingston.
Yuseff
Eldridge.
Aladin
Hinton.
Barbarossa
Thomas.
Sadi
Work.
Hassan
Johnson.
Slave
Doty.
Zaphira Irene
Miss Shands.
Chambers.
After which,
LA POLKA ! By an American gentleman and Spanish lady.
Mr. CHAMBERS, (from Chicago,) the young Dempster, will sing " T'he Maniac," " Irish Emigrant's Lament," " The Old Arm Chair," and the " Blind Boy."
After which, the farce of
FORTUNE'S FROLIC !
Robin Roughhead
Mr. McSorley.
Snacks
Livingston.
Mr. Frank
Shands.
Rattle .
Thomas.
Clown
Fox.
Miss Nancy
Dolly .
Miss Kennerly. Chambers.
Margery
Miller.
The whole to conclude with the
VIRGINIA MINSTRELS !
SONGS " The Old Coloured Gentleman," "Get along home, you Spanish Gals," " Blue Tail Fly," and " You aint good looking and you can't come in." Doors open at 6; curtain rises at 63. T 2
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MURDER OF GOV. BENT.
At this period the Americans at Santa Fé had only about 500 effective men-the rest were on the sick list-or were, in detach- ments, at distant points of the country, whither the horses had been sent to graze, on account of the want of forage of any kind within any reasonable distance of Santa Fé, or were garrisoning outposts. The civil government went into active operation. On the first of December, Judge Hougton opened his first court at Santa Fé, and delinquents became amenable to the laws, and to punishment, on condemnation, after a fair trial.
Gov. Charles Bent had, previous to his installation, resided at Taos, whither, confiding in this apparent tranquillity, he went, on the 14th of January, to attend to some private business.
The Pueblos of Taos were accounted the most warlike and the bravest race in Mexico; certainly the circumstances of the murder of Gov. Bent, on the 19th, evince their extreme barbarity. Two Pueblo Indians had been confined in the calaboose at Taos, for crime. The Indians from their village, two miles distant, came to the prison and demanded their release from the sheriff, Stephen L. Lee, who, perceiving his life in danger, was about to comply, when the prefect, Cornelius Vigil, a Mexican, came in and forbid it. The Indians immediately killed him and Lee, and released the prisoners. They then proceeded towards the residence of Gov. Bent ; but before their arrival he was informed of their approach. He instantly dressed himself, (for it was early,) and seized his pis- tols. A woman in the house advised him to fight, but he said it would be useless with such a crowd of savages. His object was to get into the streets to find assistance, or to escape. From one of the rooms of his house there was a window opening into that of another person, which was immediately on the street. Through this he was passing when he received two arrows from the Indians, who had covered the house-tops. He got to the door, and asked assistance from persons present : their answer was that they could do nothing-that he must die. By this time, the Indians found means to get into the house, when they shot him through the body and killed him. Tomas, who was taken after the battle at Pueblo de Taos, then took the governor's pistol, and shot him in the face.
223
PROGRESS OF THE INSURRECTION.
They then scalped him, stretched his body on a board with brass nails, and paraded it through the streets with savage yells. The fate of Mr. Leal, the district-attorney, was still more horrible, for they murdered him with all the refinement of savage barbarity. They shot arrows into his body for some time, not sufficiently deep to destroy life, and, after that, they shot' them into his face and eyes, and then scalped him alive. After torturing him thus for a long time, they finally despatched him, and threw his body into the street. They also murdered and scalped the son of Judge Baubien, who had just returned from school in the United States, and a friendly Mexican, named Harvimeah.
They then despatched messengers to inform the country people below that a blow had been struck, and invited their aid to prose- cute the revolt. These messengers were arrested, and fell into the hands of the Americans-one by the alcalde of Moro, and the other by a Frenchman of Cañada. The latter, hearing that a man had gone down, saddled his horse, and with his rifle, started in pursuit. He headed off the messenger, and presenting his rifle, demanded the letter, which was delivered to him. Being unable to read, he carried it to the next alcalde, and again cocked his rifle, and ordered him to read it. Thus possessed of the facts, he gal- loped to Santa Fé, and laid the whole before Col. Price, who describes the subsequent events, in an official despatch :
HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY IN NEW MEXICO, Santa Fé, Feb. 15, 1847.
SIR : I have the honour to submit to you a short account of the recent revolution in this Territory, and a detailed report of the operations of the forces under my command, consequent upon the rebellion.
About the 15th of December last I received information of an attempt to excite the people of this territory against the American government. This rebellion was headed by Thomas Ortiz and Diego Archuleta. An officer, formerly in the Mexican service, was seized, and on his person was found a list of all the dis- banded Mexican soldiers in the vicinity of Santa Fé. Many other
224
PROGRESS OF THE INSURRECTION.
persons, supposed to be implicated, were arrested, and a full investigation proved that many of the most influential persons in the northern part of this territory were engaged in the rebellion. All attempts to arrest Ortiz and Archuleta proved unsuccessful, and these rebels have, without doubt, escaped in the direction of . Chihuahua.
After the arrest above mentioned and the flight of Ortiz and Archuleta, the rebellion appeared to be suppressed; but this appearance was deceptive.
On the 14th of January, Gov. Bent left this city for Taos. On the 19th of the same month, this valuable officer, together with five other persons, were seized at Don Fernando de Taos by the Pueblos and Mexicans, and murdered in the most inhuman manner the savages could devise. On the same day, seven Americans were murdered at the Arroya Honda, and two others on the Rio Colorado. The names of the unfortunate persons thus brutally butchered are as follows :
At Don Fernando de Taos .- Charles Bent, governor ; Stephen Lee, sheriff; James W. Leal, circuit attorney ; Cornelio Vigil, (a Mexican,) prefect; Narcisus Baubien, (son of the circuit judge ;) Parbleau Harvimeah, (a Mexican.)
At the Arroya Honda .- Simeon Turley, Albert Turbush, Wil- liam Hatfield, Louis Tolque, Peter Robert, Joseph Marshall, William Austin.
At the Rio Colorado .- Mark Head, William Harwood.
It appeared to be the object of the insurrectionists to put to death every American and every Mexican who had accepted office under the American government.
News of these events reached me on the 20th of January ; and letters from the rebels, calling upon the inhabitants of the Rio Abajo for aid, were intercepted. It was now ascertained that the enemy was approaching this city, and that their force was con- tinually being increased by the inhabitants of the towns along their line of march.
In order to prevent the enemy from receiving any further rein- forcements in that manner, I determined to meet them as soon as
225
ENGAGEMENT AT CANADA.
possible. Supposing that the detachment of necessary troops would weaken the garrison of Santa Fe too much, I immediately ordered up from Albuquerque, Major Edmonson, Second Regiment Missouri mounted Volunteers, and Capt. Burgwin, with their respective commands, directing Capt. Burgwin to leave one com- pany of dragoons at this post, and to join me with the other. Major Edmonson was directed to remain in Santa Fé.
Capt. Giddings, company A, Second Regiment Missouri mounted Volunteers, was also ordered to join me with his company, upon- the arrival of Capt. Burgwin.
Leaving Lieutenant-colonel Willock in command of this post, on the 23d of January, I marched from this place at the head of companies D, Capt. McMillin, K, Capt. Williams, L, Capt. Slack, M, Capt. Halley, and N, Capt. Barber, of the Second Regiment Missouri mounted Volunteers, Capt. Angney's battalion of infantry, and a company of Santa Fé volunteers, commanded by Capt. St. Vrain. I also took with me four mountain howitzers, which I placed under the command of Lieut. A. B. Dyer, of the Ord- nance. My whole force composed 353 rank and file, and, with the exception of Capt. St. Vrain's company, were all dismounted. On the march, Capt. Williams was taken sick, and the command of company K devolved upon Lieut. B. F. White. On the 24th of January, at half-past one P. M., our advance, Capt. St. Vrain's company, discovered the enemy in considerable force near the town of Cañada, their position, at that time, being in the valley bordering the Rio del Norte. Preparations were immediately made by me to attack them; and it became necessary for the troops to march more rapidly than the ammunition and provision wagons could travel, in order to prevent the escape of the enemy, or to frustrate them in any attempt they might make to occupy commanding positions. As I entered the valley, I discovered them beyond the creek on which the town is situated, and in full pos- session of the heights commanding the road to Cañada, and of three strong houses at the bases of the hills. My line of battle was immediately formed-the artillery, consisting of four twelve-
15
226
ENGAGEMENT AT CANADA.
pounder mountain howitzers, being. thrown forward on the left flank and beyond the creek, the dismounted men occupying a position where they would be, in some degree, protected by the high bluff bank of the stream, from the fire of the enemy, until the wagon train could be brought up. The artillery opened on the houses occupied by the enemy, and on the more distant height, on which alone the guns could be brought to bear. The enemy discovering the wagons to be more than a mile in the rear, sent a large party to cut them off; and it became necessary to detach Capt. St. Vrain's company for their protection. This service was rendered in the most satisfactory manner. So soon as the wagon train had been brought up, I ordered Capt. Angney to charge with his battalion of infantry, and dislodge the enemy from the house opposite the right flank, and from which a warm fire was being poured on us. This was done in the most gallant manner. A charge was then ordered to be made upon all the points occu- pied by the enemy in any force. Capt. Angney, with his com- mand, supported by Lieut. White's company, charged up one hill, while Capt. St. Vrain's company turned the same, in order to cut off the enemy when in retreat. The artillery, supported by Captains McMillen, Barber, and Slack, with their respective com- panies, at the same time took possession of some houses, (enclosed by a strong corial densely wooded with fruit trees, from which a brisk fire was kept up by the enemy,) and of the heights beyond them. Capt. Halley's company was ordered to support Capt. Angney. In a few minutes my troops had dislodged the enemy at all points, and they were flying in every direction. The nature of the ground rendered pursuit hopeless ; and it being near night, I ordered the troops to take up quarters in the town. The number of the enemy was about 1500. Lieut. Irvine was wounded. In this charge, my loss was two killed and six wounded. Of the killed, one was a teamster, who volunteered in Capt. Angney's company. The loss of the enemy was thirty-six killed ; wounded not ascertained. The next morning, the enemy showed them- selves in some force (I think not less than 400) on the distant heights. Leaving a strong guard in the town, I marched in pur-
227
SKIRMISH AT EMBUDO.
suit of them ; but they were so shy, and retreated so rapidly, that, finding it impossible to get near them, I returned to town.
While at Cañada, a number of the horses belonging to Capt. Slack's company were brought in by Lieut. Holcomb.
On the 27th, I advanced up the Rio del Norte as far as Luceros, where, early on the 28th, I was joined by Capt. Burgwin, com- manding company G, First Dragoons, and company A, Second Regiment Missouri mounted Volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Boone. Capt. Burgwin's command was dismounted, and great credit is due to him and his officers and men for the rapidity with which a march so long and arduous was performed. At the same time Lieut. Wilson, First Dragoons, who had volunteered his services, came up with a six-pounder, which had been sent for from Cañada.
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