The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-03
LATR INTELLIGENcE FRoM SANTA FE.

uNNEhAL hEAhNf's APPROXIMATIONS MAR
CH ~,
We have been furnished with the following sx.
tracts from letter written by Lieut. Gilmer, of the
corps Of engineers, to friend in this city'
"sASrA FE, Texas, Sept l6, 1886.
81 wrote 10 You some ten or twelve days ago,
but as there is a despatch TO leave on tomorrow,
by order of the general, | must write again. Al
the date of my last, portion Of the army had
marched, or was about TO march, 10 the south, UNI
der the command Of General Kearny, for the puT-
pose Of visiting the smaller towns the east Of the
Rio Grande These troops have since returned, and
the report is favorable in all respects and the sol
dieTy met with friendly reception at every point
visited, and the officers were entertained in the best
manner which the country would afford by the
more wealthy-the sei0rs Of the land. The army
advanced about IS miles southward-yisting San
t1hppe, Albuquerque. ST. Domingo, and other
points. The country around these towns was
found in a higher state Of cultivation than thai
which surround this town, and the soil more pro-
duetye. The principal productions are Indian corn,
wheat, melons, grapes, apples and peaches; these
were found in considerable abundance along the
route followed by the army; but this route lay
along the valley Of the Rio Grande and the vallies
Of It's tributaries. The country, generally, on the
right and left at the distance Of four or 1--WE miles,
becomes mountainous and the soil barren. Near
the small streams there are sometimes narrow bot
toms which produce tolerably well, but by far the
greater portion OF the country is mlserably poor,
producing nothing but scrubby pines, a very thinly
scattered grass, and the prekly pear Poor as the
country appears and is, there are still many sheep
and goats raised in the woods, and few cattle in
certain localities. About six seven miles from
Santa Fe there is some good pine timber, portion OF
which we cutting and hauling for. the defensive
buildings in the vicinity Of the fort.
"SInce the date Of my last have been busy laying
out the different parts Of the field work which s
now under construction near the town, and urging
forward the excavations and embanknents. The
work progresses much slower, however, notwitli-
standing my constant exertlons, than 1t should.
The system first adopted in making the details
was bad, and caused much delay. The whole num-
Der Of men for labor was made up Of small delach-
ments from the numerous commands composing the
army Of the west and these detachments wee sent
TO the site Of the fort under corpoTas and sergean
who were inefficient in all, and would frequently
rive an hour, or even more, after the time appointed
for commencing work BY making strong represent.
atoms to General Keany in regard to the matter,
few days ago, have induced him to order a change;
and captain and lieutenant are now daily detailed
to command the troops laboring on the fort. The
general has issued order, giving TO the work the
name of Fort Marcy in honor of the present head
Of the War Department.
General Kearny will march from this place. with
about 300 men, flour companies Of the LIST dragons
all the Tegula that with the army, for CalIfor
nIa the 25th instant and leave the volunteers in
this department at different points. He has decided
TO follow what is called the southern route which is
to follow down the road leading south, and on the
east side Of the Rio Grande for about $50 or 100
miles, and strika the country tn the west I'M
Ill he reaches the head waters Of the ella or Ha riy
err then continue nearly parallel the stream until he
approaches its mouthi but when within 100 miles
(perhaps more) Of its mouth, his course changes
more TO the north, and intersects the Rio Colorado
not very great distance north Of the Gulf Of Cali.
fornia. From this river his course will be north OF
northwest, until the town of Angelas is reached
Being at the aforementioned place, hs difficulties ere
over; the country is inhabited, and the army will be
able TO obtain supplies, which will not be the case
previously. The information which the command
ing general has been able TO collect in regard to the
route, from different persons, is very contradictory
but all agree that he will have many obstacles 10
overcome, not the least Of which are bad roads,
scarcity Of water and in some places no grass for
the horses end mules. There are said TO he one or
two stretches, of from 30 to so miles, where no wa
ter is to be obtained, and scarcely any grass roads
bad. i he army will go prepared 10 abandon ell
baggage wagons, should the roads prove impossible
LAS il Is generally believed they will and TO trans
port everything in packs on mules. Many persons
here, who profess to know something of the coun-
try, say that no horse can be taken from Santa Fe
to California, and that mules must be the reliance
Some $50 of the dragoon horses will be TAKEN how
ever, and the attempt made. do not go, but am to
remain in this department for the fall and most prob
ably for the winter made most pressing appli.
cation 10 the general for permission to accompany
his small force, but he considered it important for
me to remain here, in charge Of the duties apper-
tanning to the engineer department"
'"while in Albuquerque, Gen Keany, with his staff
visited Sonora Armijo, Armihol the exgovernors lady
and greeted with friendly reception She expressed
confidence in him as governor and protector" :
We have also been furnished with the following
eyt from n letter urIt hu c.,
Fe to friend in Washington:
GAS yet have been able to make little or no
progress in the Spanish language. My duties are
too numerous to allow sufficient time. Still hope
to do better after things become well established
We have many dances-or "fandangoes," as they
called here-and some of the sei1oras talk their
language with soft, sweet tones. To understand
the language of the lips well of the eyes is most
devoutly desired; and You may be well assured no
exertions are wanting my part. Some four or
five days ago we gave grand "fandango" to the
fair ones of Santa Fe, which was well attended, and
the affair was considered brilliant. All the floors
of their houses are made of dirt; but we overcame
this by selecting some Of the whites of our wagon
covers, having them washed with care, and then
spread smoothly over the floor. The common
wooden settees used in the town were converted
into cushioned sofas by using the nentest Of our
blue and red blankets. The walls were decorated
with some four or five large flags, and the room
well lighted win sperm candles Our supper DIFF
fered slightly from the suppers given on such occa
sions in Washington; but such as we could get was
in great profusion. The subslantals were cold
hams, cold mutton, cold beef, light bread American
brandy, and Mexican whiskey. The delcacies
were grapes, VERY good) cantelopes, watermelons,
sweet crackers, and light wine made from the
grape of the country, which is toleraby good. All
was good humored, and the ladies' went home ap-
parently much delighted with our attentions. We
attend church regularly every Sunday morning, and
the general takes the chair of state formerly occu-
pied by Armijo, the ex-governor The form Of
worship is nearly the same as in the Catholic
church IN the different parts Of the United States
but the priests appear to he ignorant; and to Judge
from their appearance, they are low and coarse IN
their tastes and habits. The people are very de-
won't, and seem TO pay great Difference to everything
said and done in the church." w.
The following is an extract of a letter from Major
+. Swords, quartermaster, 10 Gen. Jesup, quarter
master general of the army: go. .,. -sras.. .