USA > California > The conquest of California and New Mexico, by the forces of the United States, in the years 1846 & 1847 > Part 4
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Col. Kearny's well-known experience had been fully exercised in putting the column in motion, so that the successive battalions, stock animals, trains, &c., might not interfere with the subsistence, foraging, and celerity of the march.
On the 27th, the Topographical Engineers started for the prai- ries, ahead of the main column. They had with them some eight or ten "voyageurs," several pack mules, a baggage wagon, and a spring car, with four mules harnessed to it, to carry the instru- ments.
The movement from Fort Leavenworth having been com- pleted, the troops travelled uninterruptedly on a most interesting route-"the Santa Fé trace," too often described to be necessary here ; until about the 1st. of August, when the whole original force of about 1657 men concentrated at Bent's Fort, or rather, for the convenience of grazing, about nine miles below. They had then marched 564 miles from Fort Leavenworth, in excellent order and fine spirits, without an accident, and in improved health and discipline.
It is worthy of remark that the two infantry companies had out- marched, and reached, on foot, the fort in advance of the mounted companies ; and, as showing the precision of experienced military combination, and the energy and discipline of the volunteers as well as regulars, it may be mentioned that many of the battalions arrived at the hour, and the whole force on the day fixed upon by the commander-in-chief.
The corrected longitude of Bent's Fort, as ascertained by Lieu- tenant Emory, and published by the Topographical Bureau, is 103° 25' 45" west ; and latitude 38° 2' 53" north. It is distant from Santa Fé exactly 309 miles.
While the troops rested here, for four or five days, to recover from the fatigues of the march, three spies from New Mexico were brought in, and were so promenaded into-through-round and D 2
42
COL. KEARNY'S PROCLAMATION.
about, and round about again the different encampments, as to be made to entertain a very lively and exaggerated conception of the number of the American forces, which they doubtless reported, in full, to Gov. Armijo, on being dismissed unharmed by Col. Kearny, with a message that he would see the governor in a few days.
At Bent's Fort, Col. Kearny held a talk with the Chyennes Indians, advising them to peaceful pursuits, &c. Here, also, was promulgated the following :
Proclamation to the citizens of New Mexico, by Colonel Kearny, commanding the United States forces.
The undersigned enters New Mexico with a large military force, for the purpose of seeking union with and ameliorating the condi- tion of its inhabitants. This he does under instructions from his government, and with the assurance that he will be amply sus- tained in the accomplishment of this object. It is enjoined on the citizens of New Mexico to remain quietly at their homes, and to pursue their peaceful avocations. So long as they continue in such pursuits, they will not be interfered with by the American army, but will be respected and protected in their rights, both civil and religious.
All who take up arms or encourage resistance against the go- vernment of the United States will be regarded as enemies, and will be treated accordingly. S. W. KEARNY,
Colonel First Dragoons.
CAMP AT BENT'S FORT, ON THE ARKANSAS, July 31st, 1846.
At Bent's Fort, as at Fort Leavenworth, various rumours reached the camp of the movements of the enemy. By some it was said there would be little or no fighting ; by others, that the Mexicans were straining every nerve to fortify Santa Fé and Taos, and were, elsewhere, marshalling their forces.
The ordnance was still on its way from Fort Leavenworth, whence, as soon as prepared, Lieut. Warner, of Topographical Engineers, had been left to bring it up with the column. This
43
ARMIJO'S LETTER.
was an undertaking not so easily accomplished with the only means left-ox-teams-and, although this officer worked "like a beaver," and struggled ahead with characteristic energy and per- severance, yet he was unable to reach Col. Kearny with his charge, until after the occupation of Santa Fé, when his serviceable fatigue and labours were gratefully and very complimentarily acknowledged by the commander.
On the 3d of August, Col. Kearny, having determined not to wait for his ordnance train, or for the new levies, pushed rapidly on, that, by the celerity of his movements, he might frustrate any combination of the forces of the enemy.
On the march, several hundred horses and mules had to be left behind, unable longer to follow. On the 13th, their progress had overcome the sandy soil, bad quality of the grass, want of good water, and the inconvenience of almost insupportable heat and hot winds ; for they had begun to ascend the great chain of moun- tains running north and south on the west side of the Rio Grande, and had reached the settlements.
The march now became intensely interesting. Messengers arrived from Armijo with a letter to Col. Kearny, in answer to one sent by Capt. Cooke, of Dragoons, some days previous. " It was a sensible, straight-forward letter, and if written by an Ame- rican, or by an Englishman, would have meant this: You have notified me that you intend to take possession of the country I govern. The people of the country have risen in mass to my de- fence. If you get the country, it will be because you prove the strongest in battle. I suggest to you to stop at the Sapilla, and I will march to the Vegos. We will meet and negotiate on the plains between them."*
Messages reached the advancing columns from Americans at Santa Fé and other towns, stating they were very much alarmed for their own safety, the Mexicans having told them that, if they were defeated, they would return and take full vengeance on them. They stated variously the forces which had gone out to meet the Americans.
* Lieut. Emory's Journal, in " Union" of 22d Oct. 1846.
.
44
JOURNAL.
The Spy company, in advance, met four well-mounted and armed Mexicans, who summoned Capt. Bent and his small party to surrender, but quickly concluded it would be most advisable to surrender themselves, and accordingly they were added to other prisoners made of the scouts of the enemy. Some of these were disarmed, and sent forth to the villages with proclamations.
On the 14th, the order of march was the order of battle .- (Here the author finds a published description of the exciting events of this period, so graphical and authentic, that he fears to attempt its abridg- ment, as well on account of its great interest, as that he must avow his inability to do it justice, otherwise than by copying it entire.)*
" Friday, August 14 .- Started at 7 o'clock ; at four miles met four Mexicans sent by Gov. Armijo to Gen. Kearny with a letter. They were dragoons, dressed in roundabout and pants of light blue cloth, similar to our own dragoons, with a red stripe down the outer seam of the pants. They all wore large Mexican hats ; there was a lieutenant, sergeant and two privates. They rode small horses. The lieutenant had a sabre ; the others were armed with carbines and lances. They made a very respectable appear- ance, but such soldiers cannot fight United States dragoons. Their heavy horses and superior equipment will conquer them. The four dragoons above spoken of, and those taken a day or two since, were set at large to-day. The colonel told them that he had come with a sufficient force to extend our laws over them. That he came as their friend. That he came to give protection alike to the poor man and the rich. That, although he had the power to do as he pleased, still his orders were to treat all who remained at home in the peaceful pursuit of their business, as friends. But, that if found in arms against him, the vengeance of his government. and army would be poured out upon them. He told them that, not 'an onion or a pepper would be taken from them without a full equivalent in cash ;' that their persons, property and religion,
* It assumes the shape of a diary, and from the position of the author-near the general commanding-may be regarded, with all its statements, as of the most authentic character."-St. Louis Republican, Sept. 24, 1846, and Washing- ton " Union," Oct. 2, 1846.
45
MEXICAN ARMY.
would be respected. That he would soon be in Santa Fé, and that he hoped to meet Gov. Armijo and shake hands with him as a friend; but if that were denied him, he had a force sufficient to put down all opposition, and that he would certainly do it. We are encamped at the Passes : at this place runs a small mountain stream, and near it, a village containing probably one hundred mud- built houses.
"There were 300 mounted men here yesterday. They have all gone to Santa Fé, no doubt to join the main army, which is said to be 12,000 strong-2,000 well armed, and four pieces of artillery, (one six-pounder taken from the Santa Fé prisoners.) The other 10,000 are said to be armed with bows and arrows, slings, and other weapons. The Mexican dragoons report that Capt. Cooke left Santa Fé with them, but as they got a change of horses, they out-rode him. (The captain had been sent from Bent's Fort, by Gen. Kearny, with letters to Gov. Armijo.) He will be with us to-morrow. From white men, who reside here, we learn that the governor exercises the most despotic sway over the com- mon people, aided by the priests. They say to such men as we have met, 'Go on such a road, ascertain where Cooke and his men are, and return to me at such a time.' They furnish no man for the performance of the duty, and give no compensation. Yet no Mexi- can dare to refuse, or fail to perform the duty. What a change will be effected among these people when they are emancipated. If Gen. Kearny succeeds in this expedition without inflicting any pain, he will be the greatest man that has ever been in New Mexico. There are extensive fields of corn near us, cultivated by irrigation. After spring sets in, there is no rain here till in Au- gust, when they have refreshing showers, and the grass begins to grow again. The rain of this season commenced about ten days since, and grass is more abundant. But for this, it would be im- possible to take our animals to Santa Fé, probably not beyond this place. Gen. Kearny's 'good luck' still attends him. We have passed, within the last two days, cattle and sheep enough to sub- sist the army all winter, and we have no fear of starving.
" Saturday, August 15 .- Started at 7, A. M., and passed through
46
ADDRESS OF GEN. KEARNY.
the village. The colonel was overtaken at this place by Major Swords, from Fort Leavenworth, who brought him a commission as brigadier-general.
" After having passed through the village, the troops halted near it, while the general addressed the alcalde and people from the top of one of the houses. He told them 'that he came by order of the government of the United States to take possession of New Mexico, and to extend the laws of the United States over them. That he had an ample force with him, and that another army would soon join them. That, in future, they were absolved from all alle- giance to the Mexican government and Governor Armijo, and must hold allegiance to the United States, and to him as their governor. That, for this allegiance, they would be protected by the United States government from the Indians, (who are dreadful scourges to them,) and from all their enemies. That he came to protect the poor man as well as the rich man. That, if they remained peace- ably at home, they would be considered good citizens ; but, if found fighting against him, they would be considered traitors, and treated accordingly.'
"He continued the alcalde in his office, and told him to be go- verned by the laws of Mexico for the present.
"He stated to them that he had been well informed 'that some of the priests had endeavoured to make them believe that he was coming to destroy their religion, and to inflict grievous wrongs upon them.' This, he said, was false. He told them that their persons, property, and religion would not be interfered with. 'Now,' said he, 'under these circumstances, are you, Mr. Alcalde, and you, two captains of militia, willing to take the oath of allegi- ance to the United States?' Two of them readily consented, but one of the captains evaded the question. The general demanded a categorical answer. The captain said 'Yes,' but it was evident it was with a bad grace. They then raised their hands and made the sign of the cross with the thumb and finger, all present unco- vering their heads, and the general in a solemn manner adminis- tered the following oath : 'You do swear to hold faithful allegiance to the United States, and to defend its government and laws against
47
ORDER OF MARCH.
all its enemies, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,' or words to that effect. The general then said : 'I will shake hands with them as good friends.' When he came to the captain, who did not seem to enter fully into the matter, he took him by the hand, and told the interpreter, 'Tell the man to look me in the eye.' The general gave him one of his significant smiles, and with his keen eyes fixed firmly on him, seemed to say, 'I know you are a rascal ;' (such he no doubt was,) but the others, I think, were honest. He then told the people, (about two hundred,) 'I shake hands with you all, through your alcalde, and hail you as good citizens of the United States :' upon which they raised a general shout. At this town are extensive fields of wheat and corn, culti- vated by irrigation, from a beautiful creek. The water is taken out on each side in canals, and spread over their fields. It was a beautiful sight to see the clear mountain water rushing through these canals, and producing luxuriant fields of corn and wheat, where rain so seldom falls.
"Our camp was near these fields, and although sentinels were placed very near together, with strict orders to keep every animal out of them, yet some did get in, and some damage was done. The general told the alcalde that he had used every precaution to prevent 'any interference with their crops,' yet 'they had sus- tained some loss.' He told him to examine the fields and ascertain what the damage was to each man, to send him a statement of it to Santa Fé, and that full compensation should be paid them. They seemed delighted with this exemplification of equal justice-a thing not dreamed of in New Mexico, under the rule of Armijo.
"News reached the general last night, that we would have a fight to-day in one of the mountain gorges, and our movement has been in a strict military manner. When paasing through these narrow defiles, (where an enemy would be most formidable,) the word ' draw sabre' was given, and we passed through at a fast trot. But no enemy has been seen. The infantry passed over the moun- tain to take them in rear. We passed through several other vil- lages, where the general assembled the inhabitants, and proceeded as with the first. The two last appeared happy to be recognised
-
48
MEXICAN VILLAGES.
as citizens of the United States, and were seen to embrace each other in token of their joy at the change of government. At the last one, they brought forward their wives to receive the congratu- lations of the general, (whose manner on such occasions is most happy,) and it was evident that his words had gladdened their hearts, for they smiled upon him in a manner which woman alone knows how to do. We encamped at 4, P. M., in poor grass, having marched seventeen miles. Capt. Cooke met us to-day, from Santa Fé, and says Governor Armijo will meet us with an army. He had been kindly treated while in Santa Fé, and smoked many a ' segarito' from the fair lips of the ladies.
"The villages we have passed to-day are built of sun-burnt bricks. The houses have flat roofs, covered with earth, and are dry and comfortable from the absence of rain or moisture. Each one has a church, and a graveyard, with high walls of sun-burnt brick. There is more intelligence among them than I expected to find, and with a good government and protection from the In- dians, they will become a happy people.
"The Eutaws have recently stolen their stock, and carried off several children. Well may they hail this revolution as a bless- ing. One of the alcaldes to-day said, that God ruled the destinies of men, and that as we had come with a strong army among them to change their form of government, it must be right, and he sub- mitted cheerfully. Major Swords and Lieut. Gilmer brought us the mail to the 19th of July, and many a heart was made glad by tidings from wives, mothers, children, and dearly beloved ones. There are plenty of cattle, sheep, and goats in the country, and we shall fare well enough.
.
" Sunday, August 16 .- Started at the usual hour, and at seven miles, came to the village of St. Miguel, built like the others, of sun-burnt brick, and with flat roofs. After much delay, the alcalde and padre were found, and presented to Gen. Kearny. They received him politely, but it was evident they did not relish an interview with him. This village contains a respectable church, and about two or three hundred houses. The general expressed a wish to ascend one of the houses, with the priest and alcalde,
49
TRANSFER OF POWER.
and to address the people of the town, informing them of the object of his mission. After many evasions, delays, and useless speeches, the padre made a speech, stating that " he was a Mexi- can, but should obey the laws that were placed over him for the time, but if the general should point all his cannon at his breast, he could not consent to go up there and address the people."
"The general very mildly told him, through the interpreter, Mr. Robideau, that he had not come to injure him, nor did he wish him to address the people. He only wished him to go up there, and hear him (the general) address them. The padre still fought shy, and commenced a long speech, which the general interrupted, and told him he had no time to listen to 'useless remarks,' and repeated, that he only wanted him to go up and listen to his speech. He consented. The general made pretty much the same remarks to the alcalde and people that he had made to the people of the other villages. He assured them that he had an ample force, and would have possession of the country against all opposition ; but gave them assurances of the friendship and pro- tection of the United States. He stated to them that this had never been given them by the government of Mexico, but that the United States were able, and would certainly protect them, not only in their persons, property, and religion, but against the cruel invasion of the Indians. That they saw but a small part of the force that was at his disposal. Many more troops were near him on another road, (some of which he showed them a mile or two distant,) and that another army would, probably, be through their village in three weeks. After this, he said, 'Mr. Alcalde, are you willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States ?' He replied, that 'he would prefer waiting till the general had taken possession of the capital.' The general told him, 'it was sufficient for him to know that he had possession of his village.' He then consented, and with the usual formalities, he said : 'You swear, that you will bear true allegiance to the government of the United States of America.' The alcalde said : 'Provided, I can be protected in my religion.' The general said: 'I swear you shall be.' He then continued, 'and that you will defend her E 4
50
BATTLE EXPECTED.
against all her enemies and opposers, in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost-Amen.'
"The general then said : ' I continue you as the alcalde of this village ; and require you, the inhabitants of this village, to obey him as such. Your laws will be continued for the present, but as soon as I have time to examine them, if any change can be made that will be for your benefit, it shall be done.' After shaking hands with them, he left. The padre then invited him to his house, and gave them and his staff refreshments ; and after sun- dry hugs, jokes, and professions of friendship, with an expression from the general, that the 'better they became acquainted, the better friends they would be,' and an invitation to the padre to visit him at Santa Fé, (which he promised,) we left the village. The padre was evidently the ruling spirit of the village, and the alcalde was under great restraint by his presence. The visit to - the priest, and the frank and friendly manner of the general had the desired effect, and I believe they parted the best of friends, and have no doubt that the inhabitants of St. Miguel will soon be as good democrats as can be found in Missouri.
"The alcalde informed the general that 400 men left the village to join the Mexican army, but that 200 had returned home.
"Soon after leaving this village, an express arrived from Santa Fé, informing the general that a large force would oppose his march fifteen miles from that place, in a deep ravine. It was headed by an individual known as Salazar. That Gen. Armijo refused to command them, and said he would defend the town. The same information was soon after brought by Puebla Indians, who said there was a large force of their people among the Mexicans, armed with bows and arrows; that their people had been forced into the service, and that their chiefs would not permit them to take their guns.
""As it is not more than two days' march to Santa Fé, if we have a fight, it will probably be to-morrow. Marched seventeen miles.
" Monday, August 17 .- Started at the usual time. Our picket- guard took a prisoner, the son of the noted Salazar, well remem- bered by the Texan prisoners for his cruelties to them. He stated
51
ANCIENT TOWN OF PECOS.
that the Mexican army had left the canon and gone home. The general told him he would keep him a prisoner, and if he found that he had told him falsely, he would hang him. We soon met others from Santa Fé, who congratulated the general on his arrival in the country, and their deliverance from the tyrannical rule of Armijo.
"They further said, that Armijo had taken one hundred dragoons and his cannon, and gone this morning towards Chihuahua. . We passed, to-day, the ruins of the ancient town of Pecos. I visited it with some Mexicans, and an interpreter, who gave me a full account of it. It was said to have been built long before the con- quest. It stands on an eminence. The dwellings were built of small stones and mud ; some of the buildings are still so far perfect as to show three full stories. There were four rooms under ground, fifteen feet deep, and twenty-five feet across, in a circular form. In one of these rooms burned the 'holy fire,' which was kindled many centuries before the conquest ; and when the Pecos Indians- were converted to the Catholic faith, they still continued their own religious rites, and among them the 'sacred fire,' which never ceased to burn, till seven years since, when the village was broken up. The population is probably one thousand. The church is large, and although in ruins, was evidently a fine building. It was built after the conquest. The eastern roof of the main building is still good-it is filled with birds. As we came in front of it, the Mexi- cans took off their hats, and on entering the building did the same. The general learned, to-day, that Salazar had been in command at the cañon, and that he had passed round us and gone to St. Mi- guel, the town we passed yesterday. The general sent him word that he had his son a prisoner, and would treat him well, if the father remained peaceable, but if he took up arms, or excited the people to resistance, he would hang him.
" We encamped at 3, P. M., on the Pecos creek, in excellent grass, where was a beautiful farm, well watered-distance, to-day, fifteen and three-quarter miles.
" An abundance of vegetables have been brought into camp this evening, and we have fared better than since we left Missouri.
52
ENTRANCE INTO SANTA FE.
Bread, coffee, and bacon are excellent articles of food, when accom- panied with other little 'fixings,' which ladies only can provide us with, but of themselves, after a few weeks, campaigners be- come a little tired.
"An. American gentleman has just arrived in camp from Santa Fé ; he left at 12, M., to-day, and says that after the governor's abdication, the alcaldes held a meeting, and gravely discussed the propriety of tearing down the churches to prevent their being con- verted into barracks, and that the American citizens interfered, and assured them that they had nothing to fear on that subject, and thereby saved the churches. A lady also sent for him this morn- ing, and asked him if he did not think it advisable for her to leave the town, with her daughters, to save them from dishonour. He advised her by all means to remain at home, and assured her that she and her daughters were in no danger from the approach of the army.
"Most of the respectable people of the town have left, and many country people are going to town for protection.
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