The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-09-17
From the st. Louis Republican.
Very late from Santa Fe.

pondent at Santa Fe announces his arrlVa
at Independence, in this state, on Ihursda.
last, in twenty-tour and half days from Sant'
Fe. This journey eclipses, in speed, any 9th
Ell ever performed between the two points
and shows that very soon it will be stripped
of even the character of novelty. From the
letter Of Mr.. Colburn, we gather many fact
of interest to our readers, which are here ar
ranged.
Mr.. Colburn left Santa Fe on the Sd of Au
gust. There were then only $50 Mexican
soldiers stationed in Santa Fc but the author
tiles stated they had 1000 men ready to marcel
at moments warning to meet Gen. Kear
ney, and 1000 were expected from the low
er country. How far this expectation may
be realized, may be judged from the fact that
Mr.. Kennedy, who had just arrived from Sono-
IA, reported that they had there only 800 sol
diers, 200 at chihuahua, and 40 at Ell Passo.
When Mr.. C. left Santa Fe, nothing had
been heard of Gen. Kearney smovements for
fifteen days previous. 1t was not then known
that Gen. Wool was moving against Chihua-
hua. About two hundred miles on his route
home, he met with eight Mexican dragons,
who had been watching the movements of the
American forces under Gen, Kcarney. They
said they had not seen the troops, although
they had been in sight of Bent's Fort, and to
the Simaronel Mr.. Colburn reached the
crossing of the Arkansas in ten days, being
the quickest trip ever made to that point in
wagons. He found grass and water scarce
He there met Capt. Worcester of the U.
Artillery t. Caldwell, and Charles Bent, on
ly ten days from independence, and sent by
them to Gen 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. q. Swan, Of Northampton, Mass.
He was returning it is stated from Fort Bent,
in company with Maj. G. Clark, and was shot
from his horse, when within rs yards Of their
camp, by Indians
On the 18th he met twenty-five govern
ment wagons, in charge of Mr.. Campbell and
Mr.. Coons of ST. Louis. He learned from
them that their camp had been attacked on
the night previous, and that they had killed
one Indian and wounded another. That
night his camp was attacked at Cotton Creek,
and an attempt made to run off his stock.
On the 10th he met sixty wagons, loaded
with merchandise at Pawnee Fork, belonging
to Armio Magoflln, and others. At this
point he overlook ten wagons on their return
from Bent's Fort.
On the 18th, at Cow Creek, met Messrs
Barnes and Allen, with thirty-one govern
ment wagons and forty-three men. His
camp was again attacked, and an attempt
made to drive off the animals-the guard fired
on the Indians, but they contrived to steal
three of Major Clark's mules, which caused
some delay. About three o'clock in the NOR
ming, they heard firing of muskctry, which
they afterwards learned was from Mr. Hor-
ners company of eighteen wagons at Owl
Greek. Their camp had been attacked by
large body of Indians, and they were almost
without powder. Major Clark parted with
all he could spare. Al little Arkansas river
he met forty-six wagons belonging to Algueir
and Paris, the latter in charge of Messrs.
Stilman, Waldo and No!and. Two of their
wagons had been struck by lightning, and
one man was slightly injured.
On the 18th he met Mr.. Turkeys compa-
ny of three wagons, for Taos, and also forty
three Government wagons and 81 men,
They were lying 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 to protect them
selves when hunting their oxen. The Indians
were attacking some Of the companies almost
every night. This detachment of wagons was
then sixteen days behind the Army, which
Mr.. C. learned, was subsisting on half ra-
ton of bread and meat, with neither sugar
nor coffee He expresses the opinion that
one hundred Mexican soldiers could capture
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 ammunition with them Mr. c. says
that the Indians were in Santa Fe, Offering
their services to Gen Armjo, on condition
that he should let them have the spo!ls which
they might take from the Americans, but
that he had refused to accept the proposition.
If he had acceded to it, the army might posi-
bly,, have been defeated, or their supplies cut
off, which would have caused great distress
NIajor Clark and himself gave the men all
the powder which they could spare, and left
them.
On the 10Th met Doyle and Garveys six
wagons with goods for the Indian trade, and
twenty five wagons with stores for the Z. S.
Army.
On the 22d met Nc Galley and Sandford's
CONS with merchandise and also two COM
panies of Prices regiment one of them under
Capt. Giddings, at Cotton Wood with six
baggage wagons
On the 23d met two companies of same reg
iment at Council Grove, under command of
Capts McN[illen and HORNE, and also forty
three wagons loaded with merchandise, be-
longing to T. Gentry. Same day met a
command Of twelve men and four howit-
Zers.
On the oath met Maj. Spadng, Assistant
Paymastcr, with twelve wagons and two pie
ces of artillery, twcnty-four Founders. Met
also three companies of Prices regiment I'M
der command of Captains Henley, Robinson,
and Holloway, with train of nineteen wag-
,,,,. and the five companies composing the
battalion OF; Mormon infantry, and some emf
grants to California.
On the 25th met seven wagons belonging
10 Tharp and Lee, with merchandise for the
mountains and Taos, at Switzer's Creek
same day met Lieut.. Col. Mitchell and Ma