Southern Argus., 1842-09-06

AA' ~ vas OCtCl iAlluCu upOu lO take up
the line of march, when message was
received from Capt. Salezar, stating
that Gov. Armijo would arrive in a
few hours, aud that as an evidence of
his friendly disposition he would cross
the river that intervened between our
encampments and encamp near us. As
he took up the line of march, our men
were formed 10 receive him u la militia
lre, and in a proper manner. He
marched, however, entirely around our
line, and took his position within two
hundred yards of US, having received
further reinforcements, and now num-
bering about 400 men. We were then
dismissed, but with orders 10 be ready
to seize our arms at moments notice.
In about fifteen minutes we perceived
a party Of about $50 or 200 men, ad-
vancing to our right and rear.-This
gave cause for a suspicion of danger,
and Col. Cooke Immediately ordered
Capt. Sutton TO form the men for ac-
ton. In five minutes battle 10 the
death would have been commenced
but some one exclaimed that Cav
Lewis was at the head Of the party.
The order was therefore given to stand
at ease the advancing party uniting in
the meanwhile with the party in our
front. We then perceived Capt. Lew
is advancing towards US, with another
whom we alterN Nards ascertained TO be
the nephew Of the Governor. Lewis
stated to US that the people were exas-
perated at our coming, and were in
arms-that in addition to the 600 troops
before US, he himself had seen 1000
ofthe best equipped men he had ever
met with before-that they were on the
march, and would be on the ground in
few hours, He further stated that
five thousand men were marching from
Chihuahua, and were expected daily,
but that the Governor had commits
stoned him 10 say, if we would give up
our arms, we would be permitted to
come in and trade, and that at the end
of eight days they would be returned
to us, together with our recruited hor-
ses. He further stated that he kRelc
this to be the custom Of the ST. Louis
traders visiting Santa Fe, that no pos
sible harm would result from such
course, and for the truth Of these state
ments Lewis pledged his honor. 1t was
observed, during the conference, that
Lewis in his language disconnected
himself from US, using continually the
pronoun you instead of ,0e. This arou-
sed the suspicious Of one of the Off
GERS, who proposed that we should re-
turn to our companions as we came
and five could do no better, walk, and
live upon the horses we had left. The
nephew of the Governor replied that
such course would never do that
his uncle knew Americans we're gen
tlemen, and that such inhumanity
could not be permitted towards them;
and again urged us to accept the prop
osition, and comply with the requisi-
tions made upon all traders visiting
Santa Fe. They then started for their
camp. While our officers were in con-
sultaiion one Of them reminded Col.
Cooke of the peculiarly he had OBJ
served in Lewis conversation, and
told him his suspicious were aroused
for his very countenance lOreboded
evil. Col. Cooke went after Lewis
and held a private conversation with
him. On returning he stated that the
officer must be wrong, for Lewis had
pledged to him his masonic faith for
the correctness ofhis statements. That
day oar arms and equipments tUcre td-
ken from as
"We were among strangers desti-
tute of the very necessaries of life
broken down physically, and we'll nigh
mentalIy-25O miles from our COM
panions, and no means on the route Of
supporting nature in an effort TO reach
them added to all these, we had the
assurance Of one Of our companions,
who had ever been considered man
of honor-we had his plighted faith
that we were among friends, and would
be treated accordingly. Could we,
would any one have done otherwise
than capitulate upon the terms offered!
1t is painful to denounce one with
whom have associated as brother
officer and fellow soldier upon a dam
gerous expedition, one whom l have
looked upon as a man, as Texan :
it's painful | say, TO denounce any one
thus situated, as william and traitor
but the facts are too conclusiye-Wll-
liam p. Lewis betrayed his associates
to a cruel and inhuman enemy. He
has the mark upon his forehead and
will yet be found, recognised and pun
ished as the Judas Of The nineteenth
century,"
"Jusl before dark we were ordered
to form, and then Mexican faith begar
to develope itself. While we were
forming, however, the treachery 0
Lewis becoming apparent, Col Cooke
called to him, and in the hearing c
his betrayed and ne,oly found associates