Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1842-03-01
NARRATIvEo OF MR. FRANKLIN COMBS.
One he Amsricaa Pri-one,s in Merieo.

One hs American Pri-oaeis IN Merieo.
The expedition, after about ten weeks march
thrnugha country infested by Indians. arrived NJ tho
fa'o Duro, where being siraighIened for food. and
having previously sent their guides IN advance. il
was determined 10 despatch about a third of The mr..
med force. and lwo Of The cumnissioper, IN n-ocn,.
Provisions and prepare The way for the entrance of
the expedition IntO the province Of Santa Fe. Tn.
impression al the time was that tho expedition had
reached within ninety miles Of Santa Fe. IN con.
sequence Of which belief the advanced division took
with them Only three days ration. Col. Cooke ami
Dr BRENNAN were the commissioner accompanying
The advance, and Capt. Sutton commanded the a..
med escort. The remainder Of The forces were led
AZ the Pal" Doro. under the command Of Cen
NieLcO surrounded 10y a vast number Of Indians
who were CONTINUALLY hlrrassing them and who had
actually Killed i've Of Them the DAY upon which The
division set out upon its march.
The advanced force soon learned That the eype.
dillon had made a fearful mistake in surprising tho
fa'o Euro TO he within ninety miles Of Santa Fe-
me distance was nearly three hundred miles md
a. q Consequence, the rations provided Lr Tho
troops were exhausted before they aecom,Ii,bed =,
ihird ct The road TO Santa Re. The division then
resoned 10 every e~xpedIont 70 escape starvation-
The irSi subsisied upon such Of the h1r es as had
broken down, and Wild berries which were pcco.
siouaily met with IN The .rairies. Whom these re.
S'Grces i1iled, they were compelled 10 live pp,p
snakes horned frogs and other replies which abound
ia the prairIeS and which constituted their priuri.
pal and for a time their only fool. Aher march.
ING IA ihis way Dr two weeks or Whereabouts the
division arrived at Gallinas. From this place, Van
Ness. Lewis. Howard. and Fitzgerald, accoupapteJ
ny Alr Kendall were sent on IN Santa Fe. 10 hold
IA interview with the Governor. explain the pac,6e
Objects OF The expedition, obtain stores for the i,o,ns
and permit TO bring The merchandise taken ont Inv
the traders within The province.
To-. .r h.. -
The camp az Gallinas, n note was received from
Captain Lewis TO the eject thnt the country yg,s h
arms bui inat they would proceed on their journey
70 santa Re. They were, however. seized sbortIv
o~ierWards, (s Captain Lewis Stately bound. ami
iaken ont 20 be shot, bat that their lives we're .p,,.
81 through The iniercession Of q Mexican officer
VINO look them 10 meet Governor AmijU In the
mean While' The Governor had despatched a force
OF several hundred men to intercept the Te1ians
: ne oominnnder Of these troops held several inter.
views WIN Tie commissioners. aud endeay0rcd Ia
set The Toxians 20 lay down heir arms by pssu-
ing H4em Of The friendly disposition Of the Governo,
lHc me nhabiiants. This The Texans would moi
." HE Mexican officer undertook 90 take cnre oil.
The few rsmaimng horses Of The Texans. and suo.
ihe men with 60d 10 order 10 all1y al appr1.
tensions Of any hostile purpose. lis ~nextetep vas
o-cfoss The GaHmas with bis men. with the uvau.
.d %otJectOf camping The two forces Together n.
.1Hher proi Of friendship. Tins be DID, bui. as he
IRE" near me Texan camp. the disposition or bis
.mc' Ter lHilo doubt Of bis bcligerent intentions.
Toe Ietlans were immediately got under arms
Aboui tbs urs. also another party crossed tie river.
i"fming o. Junction with tho fni. banshrd
very lingering doubt Of tho ohJecfs offho Mexi
ans. and an engagement was on The eve OF taking
lace when Captain Lewis md The nephew and con.
denual sccfcuy of The Governor made their an
W'en tlp',i0 Let'r and th- Governors rs5r. =
" como ops Flhey vas bad between hem and
10 Texans. The loops upon 5y,h stIcs mau,usipr !