USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 20
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Loquesta is a town of considerable size, and admirably located for defence, being situated on the San Miguel river, surrounded by mountains of an almost inaccessible character. The prisoners
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CAPTURE AT LOQUESTA.
stated that Cortes and his party were at or near Anton Chico, a frontier town situate on the San Miguel river, some fifteen or twenty miles below Loquesta. Having disposed of the prisoners taken at the storming of Los Pias, by sending them to Santa Fé for trial, Major Edmonson, with the companies of Capts. Horine and Holloway, and two pieces of artillery, started on the 15th of July to the town of Anton Chico, a distance of about forty-five miles.
Upon our arrival at the latter place, at daylight the following morning, we found the town deserted, except by a few old men, women, and children, from whom we extracted the information that their men, with their arms, had likewise gone to the town of Loquesta. Pursuing our march, and when within about five miles of the latter town, a Mexican-supposed to be a spy-was cap- tured by our scouting party, who informed us that from four to six hundred armed Mexicans, under their leaders Gonsales and Cortes, were then in the town of Loquesta. Upon our arrival on the heights commanding a view of the town, we discovered the enemy dispersing in every direction to the mountains. We, however, succeeded in capturing about fifty prisoners ; the mule, saddle, bridle and sabre of Gen. Cortes ; and a great number of American horses and Cumanche and Apache Indian horses, obtained from those Indians in exchange for horses stolen by the Mexicans from the American troops.
The enemy had evidently made great preparation for defence, as their houses were generally barricaded and fortified, and their goods and valuables either hid in the mountains or buried. Our prisoners informed us that the great panic amongst the Mexican troops was produced by our sudden and unexpected approach, together with the fact that we had with us artillery, which I think they never intend to face again if they can avoid it.
It is but justice to the troops-being part infantry, and having with them artillery drawn by oxen-to state that the march from Los Vegos, by Anton Chico, to Loquesta, a distance of between fifty-five and sixty miles, was performed in less than twenty-four hours, over a rough and mountainous country, and a great portion
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LIEUT. LOVE ATTACKED BY INDIANS.
of the distance without even a road to guide them ; to which ex- traordinary march may be attributed their success on the occasion.
We are endeavouring, here in Santa Fé, to raise a new regi- ment. Three companies have already been mustered in, and two others reported ready for being mustered. They are composed principally of discharged volunteers and wagoners.
Six of the prisoners charged with the murder of Lieut. Brown and his party were executed on the 3d inst., in Santa Fé, by sen- tence of a drum-head court-martial. The balance, it is supposed, will be released for want of sufficient testimony.
Yours, respectfully,
J. H. BOURMAM,
Second Lieut. Co. F, Second Reg. Mo. Mounted Vol.
The troops alluded to as departed and departing, were the com- panies of Capts. Fischer and Dent, and portions of the original commands of Capts. Weightman and Hudson, which left Fort Leavenworth with Gen. Kearny, were left at Santa Fe by Col. Doniphan after Gen. Kearny's departure for California, and had been mustered into service on the 6th of June, 1846 ; consequently their term of service, for one year, had expired, and they were sent home, and arrived in good season, at St. Louis, in the latter part of August, 1847, where they were greeted with every distinc- tion by their fellow-citizens.
Lieut. Love, of the First Dragoons, arrived with a train of wagons, and specie for the troops. The difficulties that beset his march are best described by an officer of his command of eighty United States Dragoons :
CAMP ON BATTLE-GROUND,
Arkansas River, 1st July, 1847.
DEAR SIR : Previous to your receiving this, you will no doubt have heard of our engagement with the Indians on the 26th ult., and of my being engaged on that occasion ; and from the very severe wound I received from a ball in the side, which is lodged backwards and cannot be extracted, left me in a very weak and uncertain state; however, I feel now much easier, and being anxious that you should have in part at least the particulars, I avail
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PERILOUS POSITION.
myself of an opportunity of writing by traders who are going to the States. On the 23d, we arrived at the Pawnee Fork, and there met two government trains of provision wagons destined for Santa Fé, and learned from them that the day previous the Indians charged on them as their cattle were grazing, wounding three men -one severely-and driving off from traders and a return train of government wagons under Mr. Bell, some seventy yoke of oxen, leaving twenty wagons and a considerable quantity of provisions and other property without the means of transportation. The wagons and property were burned to prevent their falling into the hands of the Indians. Next day, (the 24th,) we travelled up to the Fork and encamped, and on the 25th to this place, on which day I was in charge of the guard, and the night passed over with- out any alarm, although every vigilance and precaution was used. Next morning, the 26th, immediately after reveillé, Hayden's train, which was encamped about five hundred yards due west from the guard-tent, drove their oxen from the corell to graze. All were scarcely out, when a large band of Cumanches and Mexicans emerged from a ravine called Coon creek, about two hundred yards west, and charged furiously on the teamsters and herdsmen, wound- ing three and driving off one hundred and thirty yoke of govern- ment oxen and thirty yoke belonging to a trader who was accom- panying them. One conspicuous Indian rode within carbine range-I fired and killed the horse from under him, and, as far as could be ascertained, wounded himself; however, he was soon be- hind another Indian. In the mean time the camp was armed, and some eighteen or nineteen mounted dragoons were ordered out under my command, for the purpose of retaking the cattle. When my command reached within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy, I halted, and formed in extended line, expecting to rally on a body of teamsters who were out as footmen; then charged on the Indians, and forced them to retreat. As they were just retreat- ing, a large body of well-mounted Indians crossed the river be- tween me and the camp on my left, and charged us in the rear with great fury, and preventing us from rallying, but to cut our way through them. About this time I was shot, and charged on
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16
242
TRAIN PLUNDERED BY THE INDIANS.
by several Indians. I made my sabre, however, drink blood, having killed one and wounded another. Every man in my little com- mand fought bravely and manfully, and five of my poor fellows were killed defending themselves to the last, and selling their lives at a dear rate, and six wounded-three more besides myself severely wounded. The killed were Arlidge, Deckhart, Short, Gaskill, and Blake. The wounded, myself, Vancaster, Lovelace, and Ward, severely-and Burk and Wilson slightly. The severe loss we met with I attribute to the almost unmanageable state of the horses, all being new in the service, and to the Indians being permitted to charge on us from behind. The enemy took off the cattle, scalped three men, and took off the horses, equipments, arms and ammunition, and the clothes of the dead. The Indians, when in a body, numbered about 500. I make no comments, I merely give you the facts as they occurred before me. The Indians were all armed with lances measuring from twelve to fifteen feet in length, bows, and arrows, and a great many with rifles and mus- kets. There were some white men among them. Several of our men saw them as well as myself. The air was actually as dark as if a flight of birds were hovering over us, from the balls, lances, and arrows that were flying through the air. Twelve or fifteen of the enemy are known to have fallen-perhaps more-but were immediately carried off. Four of their horses were left dead on the ground. Since then, we remain here, merely changing posi- tions, for the purpose of pastime. To-morrow, I understand, we will proceed again on our route, arrangements being made to take all the trains along, with somewhat less team, however. The In- dians have attacked every train that has gone out or come in this year, and are bound to attack every train that will follow. These infernal Cumanches, Pawnees, and Arrapahoes deserve a castiga- tion that would ever after keep them quiet, and which they are sure some day to receive.
Lieut. Love was in a most distressing situation. Never has man suffered, I believe, more in one day than he suffered. Here were twelve wagons, with six mules to each-provisions, and all the specie, that he could not by any possible means abandon, as another
243
COL. GILPIN'S COMMAND.
large force were ready to attack the camp if he were to go out with a large force ; and yet he saw the awful situation in which we were placed, and could not give us the slightest aid or assistance. I am convinced that he acted prudently and wisely ; for it has been his special care to take all the precautions that an experienced officer could take to save his men and animals ever since he commenced his march.
Such was the character of the Indian aggression on the route to New Mexico. The violence was, however, confined to the Cu- manches, and to a small portion of the Arrapahoes, and the band of Pawnees south of the Platte. This violence the United States government took effectual measures to quell, by placing a compe- tent force under the command of Col. Gilpin, who had signally distinguished himself with Doniphan in Chihuahua.
In August, all organized resistance to the troops had ceased in New Mexico, the elections were held, and the persons principally concerned in the late insurrectionary struggles had been tried, and those convicted had been executed. Six of the murderers of Lieut. Brown were of this number.
New levies had arrived and were arriving to replace the volun- teers whose constant and arduous services entitled them to their discharge as soon as their enlistments expired.
Col. Price, on the 20th of July, 1847, was made a brigadier- general, and commands at Santa Fé, whence he lately returned for a short visit to Missouri.
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APPENDIX.
No. 1.
Letter of the Secretary of War to Gen. Kearny.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 3d, 1846.
[CONFIDENTIAL.]
SIR : I herewith send you a copy of my letter to the governor of Missouri for an additional force of 1000 mounted men.
The object of thus adding to the force under your command is not, as you will perceive, fully set forth in that letter, for the reason that it is deemed prudent that it should not, at this time, become a matter of public notoriety ; but to you it is proper and necessary that it should be stated.
It has been decided by the President to be of the greatest importance in the pending war with Mexico to take the earliest possession of Upper California. An expedition with that view is hereby ordered, and you are designated to com- mand it. To enable you to be in sufficient force to conduct it successfully, this additional force of 1000 mounted men has been provided, to follow you in the direction of Santa Fé, to be under your orders, or the officer you may leave in command at Santa Fé.
It cannot be determined how far this additional force will be behind that de- signed for the Santa Fé expedition, but it will not probably be more than a few weeks. When you arrive at Santa Fé with the force already called, and shall have taken possession of it, you may find yourself in a condition to garrison it with a small part of your command, (as the additional force will soon be at that place,) and with the remainder press forward to California. In that case you will make such arrangements, as to being followed by the reinforce- ments before mentioned, as in your judgment may be deemed safe and prudent. I need not say to you that, in case you conquer Santa Fé, (and with it will be included the department or state of New Mexico,) it will be important to pro- vide for retaining safe possession of it. Should you deem it prudent to have still more troops for the accomplishment of the objects therein designated, you will lose no time in communicating your opinion on that point, and all others con- nected with the enterprise, to this department. Indeed, you are hereby autho- rized to make a direct requisition for it upon the governor of Missouri.
It is known that a large body of Mormon emigrants are en route to California, for the purpose of settling in that country. You are desired to use all proper means to have a good understanding with them, to the end that the United States may have their co-operation in taking possession of, and holding, that country. It has been suggested here that many of these Mormons would will-
245
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APPENDIX.
ingly enter into the service of the United States, and aid us in our expedition against California. You are hereby authorized to muster into service such as can be induced to volunteer ; not, however, to a number exceeding one-third of your entire force. Should they enter the service they will be paid as other volunteers, and you can allow them to designate, so far as it can be properly done, the per- sons to act as officers thereof. It is understood that a considerable number of American citizens are now settled on the Sacramento river, near Suter's esta- blishment, called " Nueva Helvetia," who are well-disposed towards the United States. Should you, on your arrival in the country, find this to be the true state of things there, you are authorized to organize and receive into the service of the United States such portion of these citizens as you may think useful to aid you to hold the possession of the country. You will, in that case, allow them, so far as you shall judge proper, to select their own officers. A large discretionary power is invested in you in regard to these matters, as well as to all others in rela- tion to the expeditions confided to your command.
The choice of routes by which you will enter California, will be left to your better knowledge and ampler means of getting accurate information. We are assured that a southern route (called the Caravan route, by which the wild horses are brought from that country into New Mexico) is practicable ; and it is suggested as not improbable that it can be passed over in the winter months, or, at least, late in autumn. It is hoped that this information may prove to be correct.
In regard to the routes, the practicability of procuring needful supplies for men and animals, and transporting baggage, is a point to be well considered. Should the President be disappointed in his cherished hope that you will be able to reach the interior of Upper California before winter, you are then desired to make the best arrangement you can for sustaining your forces during the winter, and for an early movement in the spring. Though it is very desirable that the expedition should reach California this season, (and the President does not doubt you will make every possible effort to accomplish this object,) yet, if in your judgment, it cannot be undertaken with a reasonable prospect of success, you will defer it, as above suggested, until spring. You are left unembarrassed by any specific directions in this matter.
It is expected that the naval forces of the United States,-which are now, or will soon be, in the Pacific, will be in possession of all the towns on the sea- coast, and will co-operate with you in the conquest of California. Arms, ord- nance, munitions of war, and provisions, to be used in that country, will be sent by sea to our squadron in the Pacific, for the use of the land forces.
Should you conquer and take possession of New Mexico and Upper California, or considerable places in either, you will establish temporary civil governments therein-abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist, so far as it may be done with safety. In performing this duty, it would be wise and prudent to continue in their employment all such of the existing officers as are known to be friendly to the United States, and will take the oath of allegiance to them. The duties at the custom-houses ought, at once, to be reduced to such a rate as may be barely sufficient to maintain the necessary officers without yielding any reve- nue to the government. You may assure the people of those provinces that it is the wish and design of the United States to provide for them a free govern- ment with the least possible delay, similar to that which exists in our territories. They will then be called on to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to the territorial legislature. It is foreseen, that what relates
247
APPENDIX.
to the civil government will be a difficult and unpleasant part of your duty, and much must necessarily be left to your own discretion.
In your whole conduct you will act in such a manner as best to conciliate the inhabitants, and render them friendly to the United States.
It is desirable that the usual trade between the citizens of the United States and the Mexican provinces should be continued as far as practicable, under the changed condition of things between the two countries. In consequence of ex- tending your expedition into California, it may be proper that you should in- crease your supply for goods to be distributed as presents to the Indians. The United States superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis will aid. you in pro- curing these goods. You will be furnished with a proclamation* in the Spanish language, to be issued by you, and circulated among the Mexican people, on your entering into or approaching their country. You will use your utmost endeavours to have the pledges and promises therein contained carried out to the utmost extent.
I am directed by the President to say that the rank of brevet brigadier-general will be conferred on you as soon as you commence your movement towards California, and sent round to you by sea, or over the country, or to the care of the commandant of our squadron in the Pacific. In that way, cannon, arms, ammunition, and supplies for the land forces, will be sent to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
Col. STEPHEN W. KEARNY, Fort Leavenworth, Missouri.
Letter of the Secretary of War to Gen. Kearny.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 5, 1846.
SIR : I enclosed to you a few copies of a proclamation prepared for Gen. Taylor, to issue to the Mexicans. 1 discover that there are parts of it that will not answer our purpose for Santa Fé or Upper California. You will not, there- fore, use these copies. It is intended to make the needful alterations in it, and thus altered, send on copiest to you before you will have occasion to distribute them. I must, however, urge you not to use those which have been forwarded. Yours, respectfully,
Col. S. W. KEARNY. W. L. MARCY.
* No proclamation for circulation was ever furnished to Gen. Kearny. A few copies of that prepared for and sent to Gen. Taylor were forwarded to Gen. Kearny, but he was requested not to use them. These copies were the only proclamations sent by the War Department to him, and I am not aware that he ever used any of them. See letter of the Secretary of War to Gen. Kearny, of the 6th of June, 1846, a copy of which is, with the papers, sent to the Pre- sident, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 15th of December, 1846. W. L. MARCY.
+ No proclamation, modified as proposed, was sent.
W. L. MARCY.
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APPENDIX.
No. 2. Letter of the Secretary of War to General Kearny.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, September 12, 1846.
SIR: A volunteer regiment raised in the State of New York, engaged to serve during the war with Mexico, and to be discharged wherever they may be at its termination, if in a territory of the United States, has been mustered into service, and is about to embark at the port of New York for California. This force is to be a part of your command ; but, as it may reach the place of its des- tination before you are in a condition to subject it to your orders, the colonel of the regiment, J. D. Stevenson, has been furnished with instructions for his con- duct in the mean time. I herewith send you a copy thereof, as well as a copy of the instructions of the Navy Department to the commander of the naval squadron in the Pacific; a copy of a letter to General Taylor, with a circular from the Treasury Department; a copy of a letter from General Scott to Captain Tompkins; and a copy of general regulations relative to the respective rank of naval and army officers. These, so far as applicable, will be looked upon in the light of instructions to yourself. The department is exceedingly desirous to be furnished by you with full information of your progress and proceedings, to- gether with your opinion and views as to your movements into California, hav- ing reference as to time, route, &c. Beyond the regiment under the command of Colonel S. Price, and the separate battalion called for at the same time by the President from the governor of Missouri, a requisition for one regiment of in- fantry was issued on the 18th of July last; but the information subsequently received here induced the belief that it would not be needed; and the difficulty of passing it over the route at so late a period in the season, with the requisite quantity of supplies, &c., was deemed so great, that the orders to muster it into service have been countermanded. It will not be sent. Your views as to the sufficiency of your force, and the practicability of sustaining a larger one, &c., are desired.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
Gen. S. W. KEARNY, Fort Leavenworth, Missouri.
No. 3.
Letter of the Secretary of War to Colonel Stevenson.
WAR DEPARTMENT,' September 11, 1846.
SIR : The transports having on board the regiment under your command are destined to the Pacific, and will repair to our naval squadron now on the coast of California. Instructions, with a copy of which you are herewith furnished, have been given to the naval commander on the station in regard to his opera-
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APPENDIX.
tions, and you are directed to co-operate with him in carrying out his plans, so far as the land forces may be needed for that purpose. Without undertaking to give specific instructions as to the movements of our forces in that quarter-for much must be left to the judgment of the commanding officers it is proper to state that the military occupation of California is the main object in view. There are three points deemed to be worthy of particular attention. These are San Francisco, Monterey, and San Diego. It is important to have possession of the bay of San Francisco and the country in that vicinity. The necessity of having something like a permanent and secure position on the coast of California, and probably at this place, will not be overlooked. Assuming that such a position will be found and selected in the bay of San Francisco, it is expected that a fortification, such as the means at your command may enable you to construct, will be erected, and that the heavy guns heretofore sent out, and those taken by the transports, to the extent needed, will be used for its armament. This work should be designed for a two-fold object-the protection of the vessels in the bay, and the security of the land forces. The selection of the site will be an import- ant matter. It should be preceded by a careful examination of the place with reference to both objects, and the location made under the advice and direction of the commanding naval officer. It may, however, be that your first debarkation will not be at this point. The circumstances which may be found to exist on your arrival in that region must control in this matter.
It is probable that Monterey will have been taken by our naval force before the land troops reach that coast, and they may be needed to hold possession of it. This place is also to be secured by fortifications or temporary works from an attack either by sea or land. Judging from the information we have here of what will be the state of things on your arrival on the coast of California, it is concluded that these will be found to be the important points, and the possession of them essential to the objects in view in prosecuting the war in that quarter ; but the particular mention of them is by no means intended as instructions to confine our military operations to them. As to the third place suggested, San Diego, less is known of it than the other two. Should the naval commander determine to take and hold possession of it, and need the land force, or a part of it for that purpose, you will of course yield to his views in that respect. Whatever is done upon the coast of California, or of any other part of Mexico, will require, it is presumed, the co-operation of the land and naval forces, and it is not doubted that this co-operation will be cordially rendered.
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