USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 3
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Tampico, in the Gulf of Mexico, taken possession of by Com- modore Perry, November 14, 1846.
Saltillo occupied, by Major-general Taylor, Nov. 16, 1846.
Occupation of Victoria, by Brigadier-general Quitman, Dec. 29, 1846.
Alvarado occupied by Commodore Perry and Brigadier-general Quitman, April 2, 1847.
c 2
30
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN MEXICO.
Tuspan taken by the naval forces, April 18, 1847.
Tabasco captured by Commodore Perry, June 16, 1847.
Brigadier-general Wool, in command of the centre division of U. S. Army, arrived, with an aggregate force of 1954 men, from San Antonio de Bexar, at the left bank of the Rio Grande, near Presidio, on the 8th October ; entered Santa Rosa, in Chihuahua, on the 24th of same month ; occupied Monclova, in Coahuila, on 3d November ; arrived at Parras, December 5, and thence, on same month of 1846, reached Saltillo, to participate afterwards, gloriously, in the battle of Buena Vista.
Major-general Scott departed from the capital of the United States, on 24th November, 1846, to assume command in chief of the army. Sailed from New Orleans on 23d December, 1846- visited, with his staff, Brazos Santiago, Tampico, and the Island of Lobos, and landed with the army from the fleet, on the 9th March, 1847.
As condensation is appropriate in matters which only collaterally appertain to our narrative, the most prominent battles of the south are collected, from official despatches, in the following tabular form :
AMERICAN.
MEXICAN.
Battles.
Date.
Force engaged.
Killed.
Wounded.
Force
estimated.
Killed.
Wounded.
Prisoners.
Palo Alto
May 8, 1846
2,288
9
44
6,000
100
400
Res. de laPalma May 9, 1846
1,700
39
82
6,000
100
400
135
Monterey
Sep. 23 & 24, 1846
6,645
120 368
10,000
500
800
Buena Vista
Feb. 22 & 23, 1847
4,759
267
456
20,000
500
1,500
294
Vera Cruz
March 9 to 27, "
13,470
11
55
8,000
400
600 5,000
Cerro Gordo
April 17 & 18, "
8,500
63
407
12,000
500
700 2,837
Contreros
August 19,
2,000
137
877
30,000
500 1,000 1,100
Molino del Rey
September 8,
3,100
116
655
14,000
3000 kill'd, w'ded & pris.
Chapultepec
Sept. 12 & 13, "
7,180
130 703
25,000
1000 2,000 3,000
City of Mexico
September 14, “
6,000
30,000
8,000
750 1,000 1,500
Churubusco
August 20,
66
8,497
Major-general Taylor's despatch, of 17th May, 1846, gives the enemy's loss in killed, wounded, and missing, in the two affairs of the 8th and 9th of May, as 1000 men, "moderately estimated." The
31
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN MEXICO.
Mexican account sets down their loss, in the two actions, as 262 killed, 355 wounded, and 135 prisoners.
The despatch of March, 6, 1847, from Major-general Taylor, fixes the Mexican force, at Buena Vista, at 20,000, "as stated in Santa Anna's summons, and as confirmed by all the information since obtained ;" and states that their killed and wounded "may be fairly estimated at 1500, and will probably reach 2000."
The Mexican loss at Monterey was never ascertained; it was estimated at some one or two thousand killed and wounded.
The Mexicans estimated their loss, during the bombardment of Vera Cruz, at nearly one thousand killed and wounded.
Major-general Scott's despatch, of April 23d, 1847, gives our "whole force present, in action and in reserve," as 8500, and estimates the enemy's at 12,000 or more. "About 3000 prisoners, 4 or 5000 stand of arms, and 43 pieces of artillery were taken." And computes the enemy's loss, at Cerro Gordo, to have been from 1000 to 1200.
GENERAL SUMMARY
From Gen. Scott's Despatches of September 18, 1847.
AUGUST 19, 20 .- Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wounded, 877, including 62 officers. Missing, (probably killed,) 38 rank and file. Total, 1,052.
SEPTEMBER 8 .- Killed, 116, including 9 officers. Wounded, 665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 789.
SEPTEMBER 12, 13, 14 .- Killed, 130, including 10 officers. Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 29 rank and file. Total, 862.
Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers.
On the other hand, this small force has beaten, on the same occasions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at the beginning) thirty odd thou- sand men, posted always in chosen positions, behind intrenchments, or more for- midable defences of nature and art : killed or wounded of that number more than 7,000 officers and men ; taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh officers, including 13 generals, of whom three had been Presidents of this Republic; captured more than 20 colours and standards, 75 pieces of ordnance, besides 57 wall-pieces, 20,000 small-arms, an immense quantity of shots, shells, powder, &c.
Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments, artillery, &c., twenty odd thousand have disbanded themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments-the largest about 2,500-now wandering in dif- ferent directions, without magazines or a military chest, and living at free quar- ters upon their own people.
32
ARMY OF THE WEST.
CHAPTER IV.
" Army of the West"-Purpose of the greatest importance-Gen. Kearny -Orders and instructions for New Mexico and Upper California-Civil governments-Forces organized at Fort Leavenworth-Capture of Santa Fé- Proclamations, &c .- Legislative and Executive action thereon-Expedition -Fort-Treaties with Indians, &c .- Orders to Col. Doniphan, &c .- Marches for Upper California.
THE existence of the war with Mexico having been recognised by the act of Congress of May 13, 1846, the Executive of the United States prepared to prosecute it with the utmost vigour. The ports of Mexico on the Gulf, and on the Pacific, were placed under blockade, and her territory invaded at several important points. The operations on the Gulf, and of our armies in the south of Mexico, have been rapidly sketched in the last chapter ; and, if it be true, as it undoubtedly is, that their gallant achieve- ments have afforded " examples of courage and skill scarcely ex- celled in the history of military operations,"* it is equally a subject of patriotic exultation that our army and navy have earned unfading laurels on the Pacific, and in the north.
The rapid and almost bloodless movements by which a territory, vast and extensive as one-third of our entire Union, has been sub- jugated, are not alone objects of the deepest interest from the mo- mentous consideration, that the Conquest of California and New Mexico may have finally dissolved the political ties which bound these States to Mexico, and this consummation eventually become the principal result of the Mexican war; but that an absorbing interest is created by the romantic and perilous enterprises of the small " Army of the West," led, for thousands of miles, through unexplored regions-across trackless deserts and arid plains-or over mountains and through defiles whither the foot of civilized man had seldom, if eyer penetrated -- now victoriously contending
* W. L. Marcy, Secretary of War.
33
ARMY OF THE WEST.
against vastly superior numbers of Mexicans, and anon chastising savage tribes of Indians for cruelties and robberies perpetrated on an enemy, from a bloody contest with whom they had issued, with scarce time enough to bind up their wounds, or wipe the dust of battle from their brows. In fact, it will be seen that an "almost fabulous" interest attended the expeditions of our military and naval forces in the west and north-west, apart from their great poli- tical importance, which has already engrossed so much legislative discussion, and still occupies the press and the minds of the people.
That the vigilance of our government was early directed to the vulnerable points of Mexico, was apparent from the position of our fleets and forces at the breaking out of the war. The " Army of the West" was one of those instruments chosen by the executive, at the earliest period of hostilities, to execute, in conjunction with the Pacific squadron, a purpose of "the greatest importance." And well and nobly did this little band of regulars and volunteers accomplish the object of their enrolment.
Simultaneously with the recognition of the war between the United States and Mexico, the President was authorized to accept the services of volunteers, not to exceed 50,000, to serve for the period of twelve months, or to the end of the war. Immediately twenty-six regiments were called for from the western and south- western States. A regiment of mounted volunteers, thus called out from Missouri, were mustered into service, on the 6th of June, 1846, at Fort Leavenworth, where, under orders from the War Department, five companies of the First Regiment United States Dragoons, with one volunteer troop of horse, two companies of foot, and two of light artillery volunteers from St. Louis, were being concentrated to compose an expedition to Santa Fé.
To the command of this force, afterwards increased as its pur- poses were enlarged, Col. Stephen W. Kearny, of the First Regi- ment United States Dragoons, was designated.
Col. Kearny ranked very high as an energetic and accom- plished officer, and his long service in the west, on the frontier and among the Indians, had admirably qualified him to direct this very difficult and distant enterprise to a successful termination.
3
34
GENERAL KEARNY.
The gallant achievements of Colonel, now Brigadier-general Kearny, require some biographical notice of one who has won for himself rank among the most distinguished of our American gene- rals. It is hoped that the concise sketch here given will be found, at least accurate, though far short of the subject.
Stephen W. Kearny was born in New Jersey, where his parents then resided, although they belonged to one of the old colonial families of New York. At the age of sixteen years, young Kearny was placed at Columbia College, New York city, to complete his education. Here he much endeared himself to his classmates and companions ; always punctiliously respectful and courteous in his deportment, he never wounded the feeling of others, while the serenity and equableness of his temper, joined to his unpretend- ing modesty, stern integrity, and cool and resolute determination of character, won the highest respect of all his acquaintances. In fact, he possessed in himself, and in his nature, so much of high and chivalrous feeling, that he may be almost said to have been born a soldier. It may not, therefore, be surprising that, when the late war with Great Britain was about to be declared, no persua- sions of his friends or family could delay young Kearny from leaving his collegiate studies-though, as he was just about to graduate with honour to himself, it is presumed his diploma followed him in a few weeks-and seeking a commission, which was be- stowed upon him, as first-lieutenant of Thirteenth Infantry, on the 12th March, 1812. He repaired promptly to his post on the Nia- gara frontier ; and, in the fall of 1812, participated in the battle of Queenstown Heights, where, with others, he was taken prisoner. Having been exchanged, we find him promoted to a captaincy in the First Infantry, on the 1st of April, 1813. He is known to have served through the war of 1812, with the reputation of a gallant, intelligent, and energetic officer, who gave every promise of rising to high distinction, should opportunity offer itself. On the 1st of May, 1829, he was appointed major of the Third Infantry, of which he had been brevet-major since April 1, 1823. On the organi- zation of the First Dragoons, March 4, 1833, he was made the lieutenant-colonel; and, on the 4th July, 1836, he became the
35
GENERAL KEARNY.
colonel of that regiment. For the last fifteen or twenty years, he has been stationed in the far west-at St. Louis, and generally at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri-in the dragoon service. He has made frequent reconnoissances, in military expeditions, in that region. In 1845, he marched, with five companies of his regi- ment, at least 2200 miles, as a summer campaign, in 99 days, through the Indian country, a considerable portion of it a barren wilderness, carrying their provisions and stores with them, and their horses subsisting on the grass of the prairies. This tour swept westward until it fell on the Oregon trail ; thence to the Nebraska, &c., to Fort Laramie ; thence to the "South Pass," and to the waters of the Green river, on the Colorado of the West ; and from thence returned, by a route leading them some hundreds of miles further south, to Fort Leavenworth, without the loss of a man. Thus Col. Kearny had acquired such knowledge of the phy- sical features of the country, of the Indian habits, and of the resources of a western life, as amply qualified him to act the pio- neer and commanding officer of the expedition which he so suc- cessfully conducted to Santa Fé, and afterwards extended to Cali- fornia. In personal appearance he has much the look and carriage of the soldier-of good stature, erect, and well formed, his sun-burnt and somewhat care-worn countenance presents still a face of oval proportions, intelligent, and dignified repose ; while the short black hair, rapidly verging into gray, and keen eye, indicate the energy of the man and the soldier. Col. Kearny married the step-daughter of the celebrated Wm. Clark, of St. Louis, who penetrated, with Meriwether Lewis, to the Columbia river, in 1804-5-6; and is said to be rich, and independent of the profession of arms, which he has long followed, and for which he is said ever to have had an unconquerable predilection.
The projected movements of Col. Kearny on Santa Fé were looked to with the most intense interest in Missouri, where so many volunteers were anxious to get into the saddle, and take a part in the gallant enterprise. However great the enthusiasm, which even carried a delegation of seventy ladies up from St. Louis to Fort Leavenworth, to present a flag to the Clay county volun-
36
PREPARATIONS AT FORT LEAVENWORTH.
teers, it was not deemed necessary to accept the services of other than eight companies of mounted men from Missouri, under Col. Doniphan, and Capt. Hudson's company of dragoons, "Laclede Rangers," of St. Louis, who served with the United States dra- goons-a compliment to their discipline and efficiency ; Major Clark's flying artillery battalion, composed of Capt. Fischer's and Capt. Weightman's companies, of St. Louis ; and two com- panies of volunteer infantry, under Capts. Angney and Murphy, from Missouri.
The preparations were pushed forward with the utmost vigour. Ordnance, subsistence, near a thousand mules for draught, several hundred horses for the ordnance, and for mounting the dragoons, at least three hundred wagons, baggage trains, &c., and other stores in proportion, were collected in June. The volunteers, during this month, as they successively reached Fort Leavenworth, were drilled and instructed, so that-containing within themselves many an old campaigner and hardy trapper of the western wilds and Rocky Mountains-it was then apparent, as it subsequently proved, " they could not be beat."
With an energy that " gave assurance of the end"-the faithful and gallant performance of the duties assigned to them-four talented young officers of the United States Topographical En- gineers, Lieuts. William H. Emory, W. H. Warner, J. W. Abert, and W. G. Peck, hurried on from the seat of govern- ment, and quickly completing, at St. Louis, their equipment for the campaign, arranging their instruments, &c., reported to Col. Kearny.
While thus preparing at the general rendezvous, rumours ar- rived from Santa Fé, of various species of hostile reception they might expect-one, which was reasonably near the truth, that Governor Armijo was at Moro, about ninety miles this side of Santa Fé, with about four thousand men, ready to engage with any force that the United States might send against them. Two companies of dragoons were despatched to intercept a party of Mexican traders, who were charged, erroneously as it appeared afterwards, with conveying to Santa Fé a large quantity of arms
37
COL. KEARNY'S INSTRUCTIONS.
and ammunition, while other peaceful traders were assured that private property and rights would be respected.
It was while thus energetically occupied in mustering, ordering, and disciplining his forces, that Col. Kearny received, from the Secretary of War, the highly important instructions,* of June 3, 1846, informing him, that "it had 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." That an expedition with that view was "hereby ordered," and that he was designated to command it. And that, to enable him to be in suffi- cient force to conduct it successfully, an additional force of a thou- sand mounted men had been called for, from the governor of the state of Missouri, to follow him in the direction of Santa Fé, and to be under his orders, or the officer he might leave in command at Santa Fé.
-In this communication, Col. Kearny was told that it was deemed prudent the object of adding to the force under his command should not, at that time, become a matter of public notoriety.
It was supposed the additional force would be behind that or- dered for the Santa Fé expedition, probably not more than three weeks. That, should he take possession of Santa Fé with the force already called out, and find himself in a condition to garri- son it with a small part of his command, (as the additional force would soon be at that place,) he should with the remainder press forward to California, and make such arrangements as to being followed by the reinforcements before mentioned, as he might deem safe and prudent. The Secretary cautioned him to provide for retaining safe possession of Santa Fé, including the State of New Mexico ; and should Col. Kearny deem it prudent to have still more troops for the objects designated in the communication, he should lose no time in forwarding to the department his opinion on that point, and on all others connected with the enterprise. In fact, he was authorized to make a direct requisition on the gover-
* As this is an interesting document, though here closely followed, it is given in the Appendix, No. 1.
38
COL. KEARNY'S INSTRUCTIONS.
nor of Missouri. He was informed that a large body of Mormon emigrants were en route to California, to settle there, and desired to use " all proper means to have a good understanding with them, to the end that the United States might have their co-operation in taking possession of, and holding, that territory." To aid in the expedition against California, he was authorized to induce to vo- . lunteer into the service a number not exceeding one-third of his entire force, to be paid as other volunteers, and to allow them, so far as it could properly be done, to designate their own officers. It was supposed that a considerable number of American citizens, well disposed towards the United States, were then settled on the Sacramento river, near Suter's establishment, called "Nueva Helvetia," and, should he find such to be the true state of things there, he was authorized to organize, and receive into the service, such portion of these citizens as he might think useful to aid him in holding possession of the country, allowing them to select their own officers so far as he should judge proper.
The choice of routes to enter California, was left to his judg- ment, and more ample means of accurate information, but a south- ern route (called the Caravan route, by which the wild horses are brought from that country into New Mexico) was intimated as practicable ; and it was suggested as not improbable, that it could be passed over in the winter, or at least late in autumn.
The Secretary advised him, that, should the President be disap- pointed in his cherished hope of his being able to reach the inte- rior of Upper California before winter, he should make the best arrangements he could for sustaining his forces during the winter, and make an early movement in the spring. That, though very desirable the expedition should reach California that season, (the President not doubting he would make every possible effort to ac- complish it,) yet, if in his judgment it could not be undertaken with reasonable prospect of success, he should defer it, as before suggested, until spring.
Col. Kearny was informed it was expected the naval forces of the United States were there, or soon would be, in the Pacific, and in possession of all the towns on the sea-coast, and that they would
39
COL. KEARNY'S INSTRUCTIONS.
co-operate with him in the conquest of California. That arms, ordnance, munitions of war and provisions, to be used in the country, would be sent by sea to the squadron in the Pacific for the land forces.
Should he conquer and take possession of New Mexico and California, or considerable places in either, Col. Kearny was or- dered to establish civil governments therein-abolishing all exist- ing arbitrary restrictions, so far as might be done with safety, and in this it would be wise and prudent to continue all such exist- ing officers as were known to be friendly to the United States, and would take the oath of allegiance to them. He was advised the duties at the custom-houses ought, at once, to be reduced to such rate as would be barely sufficient to maintain the necessary officers. He was authorized to assure the people of those pro- vinces, that it was the wish and design of the United States to provide for them a free government, with the least possible delay, similar to that which existed in the territories, and then they would be called on to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to the territorial legislature.
That it was foreseen that what related to the civil government would be a difficult and unpleasant part of his duty, and much must necessarily be left to his own discretion, and his whole con- duct must be so regulated as best to conciliate the inhabitants, and render them friendly to the United States.
The Secretary of War instructs him that it is desirable the trade between the citizens of the United States and the Mexican pro- vinces should, as usual, be continued as far as practicable under the changed condition of things between the two countries ; cau- tions him to increase his supply of goods to be distributed as pre- sents to the Indians ; informs him that he will be furnished with a proclamation, in the Spanish language, to be issued among the Mexican people by him on his entering into or approaching their country, and that he must use his utmost endeavours to have the pledges and promises therein contained carried out to the utmost extent ; and, finally, the Secretary tells Col. Kearny, in conclu- sion of this communication, marked "confidential," that he was
40
MARCH FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH.
directed by the President to say, that the rank of brevet brigadier- general would be conferred on him as soon as he commenced his movement towards California, and sent round to him by sea, or over the country, or to the care of the commandant of our squad- ron in the Pacific, and that in that way cannon, arms, ammuni- tion, and supplies for the land forces would be sent to him.
Two days after the date of the above instruction, the following letter of the Secretary of War was forwarded to Col. Kearny.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 5th, 1846.
SIR :- I enclosed to you a few copies of a proclamation pre- pared for Gen. Taylor, to issue to the Mexicans. I discover that there are parts of it that will not answer our purpose for Santa Fé or Upper California. , You will not, therefore, use these copies. It is intended to make the needful alterations in it, and, thus altered, send on copies to you before you will have occasion to distribute them. I must, however, urge you not to use those which have been forwarded.
Subsequently, Congress were informed that "no proclamation, modified as proposed, was sent" to Col. Kearny-that "no pro- clamation 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 úse them. These copies were the only proclamations sent by the War Department to him," and that the Department "are not aware that he ever used any of them."
By the last days of June, the energy and activity of Col. Kearny, of his officers, and of the Secretary of War, had per- fected the arrangements at Fort Leavenworth. All were impa- tient for action-every thing promised fairly-the troops were in excellent health and spirits-the horses in better condition than when they came there. The trumpet sounded-then came the joyous spring into the saddle of the dragoons and mounted men- the roll of the infantry drums-the artillerists harnessing up their draft horses and manœuvering with the "big guns"-and they
41
BENT'S FORT.
were off on their distant tramp, over a wild country, where, for hundreds of miles, a long train of baggage and provision wagons carried, through tribes of savage and thieving Indians, their only support-until " they met the enemy and they were theirs."
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