The Evansville journal., 1846-10-15
CIVILIZATION IN SANTA FE.

miserable country have ever seen. The
novels the people live in are built of mud.
one story high, and have no flooring. They
sleep on the ground and have neither beds,
tables, nor chairs. In fact they burrow in
the ground like Prairie dogs. We entered
the city on the 18th of August, and took
possession without firing gum"
DIARY OF. AN OFFICER OF THE
sARMY OF THE WEST.n
IhuTsday, August l3-Started at 10, NJ,
Col. Donipllanis regiment in sight as we
leR the camp. We soon met the spy COM
pany, lCapi. Bent who, with his small par
iy, had captured four Mexicans, well mount
ed and armed. They summoned him and
his party TO surrender, but the captain told
them that he thought their safest plan was
10 surrender 10 him. They prudently con-
sented TO do SO. They acknowledged them
selves sent TO ascertain who we were. They
were made prisoners.
One of the Mexicans who was taken day
before yesterday, was disarmed and sent for
ward TO his village, distant 24 miles, with
letters and proclamations. He promised to
meet Us tomorrow. At miles, we came
in the establishment of Mr.. Wells, an Amer
ican. He had an abundance OF horses,
mules and cattle. With him was another
American. who had been sent from Santa
Fe by an American merchant of that place,
10 inform Gen. Kearney that the Mexicans
were 10000 strong, and had determined TO
meet Us Is miles ibis side of San.a Fe, at
4 deep ravine which they were fortfying.-
He stated, az his opinion, that not more
than 1000 would be well armed; and also,
that they had four pieces of cannon.
The Americans at Santa Fe and other
towns are very much alarmed for their safe
". The Mexica MS tell them. that if defeat
ed, they will return to the towns and villages
and take full vengeance on them.
All this news is communicated TO US in a
heavy rain, and we are encamping in the
midst of il. No little excitement prevails
in camp. To retreat nine hundred miles is
idle; (no one thinks Of it,) and if they do
meet Us, as they have promised, we shall
sindicate The character of the Saxon blood
indsath or victory. Mark that! General
Kearney is as cool as if walking 10 his office
on May morning TO attend to his accustom-
ed garrison. duties, and all look TO him as to
man who is TO shed glory on the American
name. II is said here that Gov. Ar,nio is
opposed TO the fight, but is urged on by the
rich men of the country; yet the late ac-
counts are that the rich are backward in
lending their money. But if 10000 men
ars assembled, they must have furnished the
means. There is MIR. Bonny living near
this place. He visited US. and gave us fat
steer. This is the first settlement we have
met. The place is called The "Moro"-
Two beautiful mountain streams meet here,
each of sufficient size for milling purposes.
The artillery came up at sundOwn. Al
this place tho road by the Simerone comes
in.
Friday, August 14.-Started at O'Clock
at 8 miles met four Mexicahs sent by Gov
Armiio TO Gen. K. with a letter. They
were dragons, dressed in a roundabout and
pants of light blue cloth, similar to our own
dragons, with red stripe down the outer
seam of the pants. They all wore large
Mexican hats; there was Lieutenant, Ser
geant and two privates. They rode small
horses. The Lie utenant had a sabre; the
others were armed with carbines and lances
They made very respectable appearance
goons. Their heavy horses and superior
!. equipment will conquer them. The four
dragons above spoken of, and those taken
day or two since, were sci at large to-day
The Col. told them that he had come with
a sufficient force 10 extend our laws ovel
them. That he came as their fiiend Tha
he came 10 give protection alike TO The pool
man and the rich. That, although he haC
the power to do az he pleased, still his or
dcrs were 10 treat all who remained at home
in the peaceful pursuit of their business. as
friends. But, that if found in arms agains
him, the vengeance of his government anc
army would be poured out upon them. He
told them that, not Gan onion or a pepper
would be taken from them without full
equivalent in cash." that their persons, prop
erly, and religion, would be respected
That hs would soon be in Santa Fe, anC
thai he hoped to meet Gov. Armilo anC
shake hands with him as friend; but if tha
were denied him, he had force sufTicien
TO put down all opposition, and that he would
certainly do it. We are encamped at tht
Passes: at this place runs small mountain
stream, and near il, village containing
probably one hundred mud built houses.
There were three hundred mounted mer
here yesterday. They have all gone tc
Santa Fe, no doubt 10 join the main army
which is esid to be $4,000 strong-2,00C
well armed, four pieces of artillery Zone siz
T FOUNDER taken fro m the Santa Fe prisoners.
: The other 10000 are said to be armed will
bows and arrows, slings and other weapons
the Mexican Dragons report that Captain
Cook left Santa Fe with them, but as the
got change of horses, they out rode him