The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-12
VERY LATE FROM SANTA FEE

MI Coiourn, me correspondent of the ST. |
Louis Republican, announces to that Journal his
arrival at Independence (Mo.) on the 9Th Of
August, in twenty four and half DAYS from
Santa Fe. This journey eclipses in speed any
other ever performed between the two points, and
shows that very soon it will be stripped of even
the character of novelty.
Some of the facts stated in Mr.. Colburn's let
tiers are Of interest. We give them as detailed
in the Republican of September Cd.
Mr.. Colburn left Santa Fe on the Sd of August
There were then only $50 Mexican soldiers sta
toned in Santa Fe but the authorities stated that
they had ,000 men ready to march alta moments
warning 10 meet General Kearney, and 1000
were expected from the lower country How far
this expectation may he realized, may be Judged
OF from the fact. that Mr.. Kennedy, who had Just
arrived from Sonora. reported that they had there
only 800 soldiers, 200 at chihuahua, and 40 at
Ell Passo
When Mr.. C.. left Santa Fe, nothing had been
heard OF General Kearney's movement for fifteen
days previous. 1t was not then known that Gen
Wool was moving against chihuahua. About
2OO miles on his route home he met with eight,
Mexican Dragons who had heen wa tchng the
movements Of the American forces under General
kearney. They said they had not seen the
troops, although they had been in sight of Bent's
Fort. and TO the Simarone. Mr. Colburn reached
the crossing Of the Arkansas in ten DAYS. being
! the quickest trip ever made TO that point in wag-
ons. He found grass and water scarce He
there met Capt Worcester of the United States
Artillery, Il. Caldwell and Charles Bent. only
ten days from Independence. and sent by them
TO General Kearney all the news of which he was
in possession From this party, he heard Of the
murder, on the evening before, of Mr.. w. H.
Swan, of Northampton, Mass. He was return
ing. it is stated. from Fort Bent. in company
with Major G. Clark. and was shot from his horse
when within seventy five yards of their camp, by
Indians.
On the 18th. he met MIR. Turly's company of
three wagons, for Toas, and also forty three gov
eminent wagons and fifty four men, They were
laying by for repairs They had lost fifteen yoke
of oxen; many of the men were sick, and they
had only two rounds of ammunition. No guard
could be placed at night, and they had nothing
with which 10 protect themselves when hunting
their oxen. The Indians were attacking some
of the companies almost every night. This de-
| tachment OF wagons were then sixteen days be.
| hind the army, which, Mr.. T.. learned, was sub
slstng on half ration of bread and meat, with
neither sugar coffeei He expresses the opin.
ION. that one hundred Mexican soldiers could cap
ture all the supplies of government stores from
the Cotton Wood to Bent's Fort if they only
knew their exposed situation. 1t was also stated
that the dragons had only fifteen rounds of am
munltion with them. MIR. c. says that the In
dams were in Santa Fe, offering their services to
General Armijo. on condition that he should let
them have the spos which they might take from
the Americans. but that he had refused to accept
the proposition. If he had acceded to it, the
| array might possibly have been defeated, or their
supplies cut off, which would have caused great
| distress. Major Clark and himself gave the men
All the powder which they could spare, and left
| them.
On the 18th, he met twenty-five government
wagons in charge of Mr. Campbell and Mr..
Cooos, of St. Louis. He learned from them that
their camp had been attacked on the night pre-
vious, and that they had killed one Indian and
wounded another. That night his camp was at
tackled at Coon creek, and an attempt made to
run off his stock.
On the 10th, he met sixty wagons loaded with
mercha ndIse, at Pawnee Fork, belonging to Ar
mUo, Nlaggoffin, and others At this point, he
overlook ten wagons on their return from Bents
Fort.
On the 18th, at Cow creek, met Messrs Barnes
and Allen, with thirty one government wagons,
and forty-three men. His camp was again at
tackled, and attempt made to drive off the ami
mals-the guard fired on the Indians, but they
contrived to steal three of Major Clark's mules.
which caused some delay. About o'clock in
the morning, they heard a firing of muskelry,
which they afterwards learned was from Mr.
1orner's company Of eighteen wagons at Owl
creek Their camp had been attacked by large
body OF Indians, and they were almost without
powder. Major Clark gave them all he could
| spare AT Little Arkansas river, he met forty
SIX wagons belonging TO Aguier and Paris-the
latter in charge of Messrs. Slillman. Waldo, and
holland. Two of their wagons had been struck
by lightning. and one man was slightly injured.
On the l9th, met Doyle and Garvey's six
wagons, with goods for the Indian trade. and
| twenty-five wagons with stores for the United
States army.
| On the 22d, met McCauley's and Sandford's
| wagons with merchandise and also two compa-
pies Of Prices regiment, one Of them under Capt
GiddIngs, at Cotton Wood, with six baggage
wagons.
! On the 23d. met two companies of the same
| regiment. at Council Grove, under command of
| Capts. McMillen and HORNE, and also forty three
wagons loaded with merchandise, belonging TO r.
| Gentry. Same day met a command of twelve
men and four howizers.
| On the 24th. net Major Spalding, assistant
| paymaster, with twelve wagons and two pieces
of artillery, twenty four Founders. Met also,
three companies of Prices regiment. under com
mand of Capts. Henley, Robinson and Holloway,
with a train of nineteen wagons and the FIVE
companies composing the battalion of Mormon in
fantry, and some emigrsnts TO California.
| On the 18th, met seven wagons belonging to
| Tharp and Lee, with merchandise for the noun
tains and Toas. at Swtzer's creek Same day,
met Lieut.. Colonel Mitchell and Major Walker,
| paymaster, and the remaining companies of Prices
regiment, together with Colonel Price, at Rock
creek.
| On the 26th, met Armijo. with thirteen wagons
loaded with merchandise at Hickory Point Lieut..
Oxley was at the same place, on his route, hav-
ING been delayed by fall from his horse. Met.
also, thirty wagons for the United States
army, in charge of Thompson
On the 9th, before arriving at Independence
met four wagons belonging to Miller and Reed,
and Mr.. A. Armllu, who had been detained nv