The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-29
Army Of the West.
FROM THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN OF
SEPTEMBER, 10.

We have taken some pains to procure
accurate information in regard to the con-
dillon and future prospects Of the 'Army
! of the West under Gen. Kearney, anG
we acknowledge that the result of our in
1 quiries fills us with solitude We have
1 great confidence in the commander of the
expedition We know his prudence, his
ability to surmount great q extraordinary
difficulties, bat we are satisfied also that
! he has to encounter such difficulties, and
/ that it will be miracle if he escapes
them. Gen. kearney, it is now certain,
leaves the United States under peculiar
and most critical circumstances. He
reached Fort Bent, with command of at
least 1900 men, nearly all of whom
were mounted when they left Fort Leav-
enworth; the exception. 10 be found in the
companies of infantry, which were re-
ceived into the service before his depar-
ture from the fort He has been followed
by a battalion Of five hundred infantry,
composed of Mormons; by Col. Prices
regiment OF mounted men, a thousand
strong, and by Major Wilcock's battalion
| consisting of FIVE hundred mounted men.
In the course of the present--month anoth-
/ er regiment Of infantry willsbe organized
and on their way, numbering at least one
thousand men. And to these are TO be
added thousand men at least connected
with the train of the army. Should they
ever reach Santa Fe. the command viii
consist, in round numbers, of forty-eight
hundred men: and with the teamsters and
attendants of the camp, it will be
sweIled to six thousand At least this
number viii, at all events. have to be,
subssfed. and that subsistence must, be-
yond question, be derived from the United
States.
Gen. Kearnev arrived al Fort Bent on
the 30th of July. & left on the I'd of Aug.
He had limited supply of ralions, & these
were extenuated by reducing the men 10
half rations. But he was not permitted,
/ by circumstances, to stop there and a.
wait supplies; for he was in absolute want
I of forage for horses. He was compelled
to take up the line of march in order to
find food for them Oh tic pFaigses. This
IS the true cause OF his brief STAY at Fort
Bent, and denotes the difficulties in his
way and in that OF the mounted men who
were 10 follow him. To all our inquiries
as to the prospect of forage for his ami
mails al Santa Fe, we have received the
same uniform answer: II was not to be
had, except in very limited quantities, az
I o rrp abo +rof41 tn
more miles from Santa Fe. In the whole
department the highest estimate of the
surplus wheat is 1000 to 5000 bushels,
and corn was scarce as 10 make it worth.
when il could be obtained at all, $3.50
per bushel. Such is the prospect pre-
sented for the support of the horses,
mules, and cattle which accompany the
expedition.
Now as to supplies from the United
States. Strange as il may seem, the sew
|. eral detachments of wagons, upon which
alone troops could rely for provisions.
were despatched without military es-
cort, and with no other means of defence
, than few muskets, and very limited
supply of ammunition placed in the hands
Of the teamsters. Indians suddenly, and
very unexpectedly 10 ali. made their ap-
pearauce on the road, with the evident iu-
tention Of robbing the trains and taking
such things as they wanted. The team
sters were not in a condition TO resist
them, and, as this became evident, there
can be no doubt that the Indians became
more daring in their encroachments, I'M
til, it is probable life as we'll as property
was taken. tits known that from one
! team fifteen oxen were run oa' in a night;
, there was no other alternative than 10
stop with it altogether, or lessen the num-
Der employed in hauling other teams, to
get ii along.
These difficulties were, il is feared. on
/ ly commencing, and unless Colonel
Price, who was in the rear with his regi-
ment, undertook TO give the Indians 9
, sound drubbing, all the provision wagons
were in danger of being delayed, if not
cut off. and the army left to starve. We
do not know enough of army matters tc
say where the blame belongs. but 1t seems
t to us that there has been gross neglect III
not sending proper military guard TO pro.
; tect the various detachments of provision
| wagons.
From the facts which we have stated
some idea NAV be formed of the probable
5 condition and the prospects of the Army
of the West, on, It's arrival al Santa Fe
: Unless provisions reach there before The
/ winter sets in, the main reliance of thf
men for subsistence must be upon tht
a sheep to be found and the limited quanti
D ty OF wheat and corn to be purchased IL
2 that region. This, it must be confessed
), is not very fattering prospect for an ar
T my, but no other presents itself to US il
c store for them.
= EYTP PAVAGANT pPTHFC