Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-10-01
SANTA Fc taken by Gen. Kcarney.


We learn that Gen. Kearney marched into Santa
Fe on the 18th of August, and took possession without
resistance The army marched out again the same
evening, and encamped the city until the next
day, when Gen. Kcarneys command and two compa-
MES Of infantry took up their quarters in the city
Col. Doniphan's command were encampcd about one
mile out, and were all well. A writer in the army,
in letter TO the ST. Louis Union, says:
ION Monday next VIC will commence the erection
OF fort at this place beautiful selection has been
made and have no doubt ono will be constructed
that will astonish the natives. confess do not see
the Importance Of this ratification In my opinion
the whole country from the crossing Of the Arkansas
to this place. is not worth what il has cost the Gov
eminent 10 march the troops here; no man who has
not visited this region can form any idea Of the charac
ter Of the country. Never has nation been so COM
petely humbuggcd about any thing as the United
States have been about this province | am candidly
of the opinion that Gen. Kearney would do his coun-
try much service by abandoning the expedition and
returning to the United States. am fully persuaded
that if the President and Congress knew much
about the state Of things here as we do, that effort
would be made TO acquire IL. have discovered that
every man have met or seen since left the
States has exaggerated the accounts Of this country.
IL appears that there is something in the atmosphere
dat creates propensity to lie would therefore adj
wise you TO pay no attention TO what you may learn
from those who have visited this city or the noun
tains Before we reached here there were two places
where We expected fight; there were gaps in the
mountains, where FIVE hundred well disciplined troops
could have successfully resisted Eve thousand; yet
efJrt was made TO stop US. Al one Of these places
we were all arranged IN regular order OF battle; my
company being next 10 the one IN advance; every
man seemed anxious for brush; our object was, II
there should be an enemy, to charge through. The
bugle sounded and the way we dashed through, over
rofk Ia nd m "a
got to the point, not gun was fired nor n Mexican
SEEN The last place where we expected the enemy,
we discovered that some preparations had been made
for defence, but in consequence of the dsaiEection
amongst the troops Of Armjo, the whole had been
abandoned Armo left the city about thrty-six
hours before our arrival and has been moving to-
wards the south with all dispatch since; he sent
Gen. X. letter stating that he would return the
DIST; this was only used as means 10 prevent pur-
suit We have found several pieces Of cannon, among
them the one taken from the Texans. All the public
property of any value removed before we arrived.
The citizens here becoming very well pleased with
u.s. aud seem disposed to submit cheerfully TO our
Government, at the several towns through which we
passed AT st. Jose, Vogos, and st. Miguel, Gen.
X called the people together and caused them to pro-
mise allegiance to the United States; he made
speeches to them and administered oaths TO the diff
ferent Alcades."
As TO the writer's suggestions about abandoning
the expedition, we presume others will differ from
him; for it cannot be expected of who has CON-
munications cut off from him for months at a time
who cannot possibly be supposed to be able to view
the whole ground which he is called to act-to be
able to form the best judgment in the world. His
statements in regard to the nature Of the soil and eli
altogether different from multitude Of other
writer's This we impute to difference Of judgment
merely.
The St. Louis Union has the following remarks on
its intelligence:
We have received several letters from Santa Fe,
giving a sketch of the condition Of things at that
place. after the army under Gen. Kearney had taken
possession Of the city. They all describe the people
as apparently willing to come under the authority Of
the United States. Many Of the citizens left before
the arrival Of our army, but were returning, after
they assured they had nothing to fear and were
engaging in their former occupations. We received
letter, dated August 9th, six days after the army
had been in possession Of the city. Gen. Kearney
was acting Governor, assisted by the former Lieu
tenant Governor. 1t was thought the army would
remain at Santa Fe until dispatches were received
from the United States, but of this sure.
portion of the command retained in the city as
guard, but large portion were encamped, in some
instances twenty miles from the Generals head quar-
ters this for the purpose Of procuring forage for
The horses Our correspondents all describe the
try being extremely poor, and not well adapted to
agricultural pursuits.