The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-11-14
Late News from Santa Fe.
GENERAL KEARNEY'S MOVEMENTS
FORT MARCY, SC.

FORT MARCY, sc. &
We have been furnished with ,he
following extracts from letter writ.
ten by Lieut.. Gllmer. Of the corps OF
engineers, to friend in this city;
"SANrA FE, Texas, Sept. Is, 1916.
zt.l wrote to you some ten or twelve
days ago, but as there is despatch to
leave on tomorrow, by order of the
general, must write again. At the
date of my last, portion of the army
had marched, or was about to march,
to the south, under the command OF
General Kearney. for the purpose OF
visiting the smaller towns on the east
the Rio Grande. These troops have
since returned, and the report Is favor
able in all respects, and the sodlery
met with friendly reception at every
point visited, and the officers were en-
tertained in the best manner which the
country would afford by the more veal
thy-the senors of the land. The ar
my advanced about 95 miles south
ward-visiting San Filippe. Albu-
ouerque,* ST. Domingo, and other
points. The country around these
towns was found in higher state OF
cultivation than that which surround
this town, and the soil more productive.
The principal productions are Indian
corn, wheat, melons, grapes, apples and
peaches; these were found in consider
able abundance along the route follow
ed by the army; but this route lay
along the valley of the Rio Grande and
the vallies oiits tributaries. The coun-
try, generally, on the right and left at
the distance of four or five miles, be-
cones mountainous and the soil bar
rem. Near the small streams there are
sometimes narrow bottoms which pro,
duce tolerabIy well, but by far the great
er portion of the country is miserably
poor, producing nothing but scrubby
pines, very thinly scattered grass, and
the prickly pear. Poor as the country
appears and is, there are still many
sheep and goats raised in the woods,
and a few cattle in certain localities.
About six or seven miles from Santa
Fe there is some good pine timber, Il
portion of which we are cutting and
hauling for the defensive buildings in
the vicinity OF the fort.
"Since the date of my last | have
been busy laying out the different parts
of the field work which is now under
construction near the town, and urging
forward the excavations and embank'
ments. The work progresses much
slower, however, notwithstanding my
constant exertions, THANH it should. The
system first adopted in making the de-
tails was bad, and caused much delay
The whole number Of men for labor
was made up ofsmall detachments from
the numerous commands composing
the "army of the west,'' and these de-
tachments were sent to the site OF the
tort under corporals and sergeants
who were inefficient in all, and woul'
frequently arrive an hour, or even more
after the time appointed for commend
ing work. By making strong repre-
sentations to General Kearny in re
gard to the matter, few days ago,
have induced him 10 order 4 change
and captain and lieutenant are nov
daily detailed to command the troop
laboring on the fort. The general ha
issued an order, giving to the work tn
name Of "Fort Marcy" in honor of th
present head of the War Department
general Kearny will march from
this place, with about 800 men, (tou
companies of the lst dragons, all th'
regulars that are with the army,) 10
California, on the e5th instant, ant
leave the volunteers in this department
at different points. He has decided tt
follow what is called the southern route
which is, to follow down the road lead
ing south, and on the east side OF tht
RIO Grande, for about $50 or 100 miles
and strike across the country to the
west, until he reaches the head waters
of the ella or Hila river; then continue
nearly parallel to the stream until h'
approaches its mouth; but when with
In 100 miles (perhaps more) of its moutl
his course changes more to the north
and intersects the Rio Colorado not
very great distance north Of the Gulf o
California. From this river his cours
will be. north of northwest, until th'
town of Angelas is reached. Being a
the last mentioned place, his Difficult
ties are over; the country is Inhabited
and the army will be able to obtain th'
supplies, which will not be the cas-
previously. The information whicl
the commanding general has been abl
e to collect in regard to the route, iron
different persons, is very contradictory
but all agree that he will have man.