Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-07-17

| uuu NIIty pIoNo tuhCu pIISOuCIb
on the head Of the Rio del Norte had been
marched captives into Chihuahua in the
year l847, Doniphan and his men enter il,
as conquerors. The paltrv triumph Of a
Captain General over Lieutenant, was ef.
iected in the triumphal entrance of a thou.
sand MIssourians into the grand and ancient
capitol OF all the INTERNAL PRovINcEs and
old men, still alive, could remark the grand.
eur Of the American spirit under both
events--the proud and lofty bearing of the
captive thirty--the mdness and modera.
ton of the conquering thousand.
Chihuahua was taken, and responsible
duties, more delicate than those Of arms,
were 10 be performed. Many American
citizens were there, engaged in trade; much
American property was there. All this
was 10 be protected, both lives and proper.
~, and by peaceful arrangement; for the
command was two small to admit Of divis-
ion, and Of leaving a garrison. Concilia-
ton, and negotiation were resorted to, and
successfully. Every American interest
was provided for, and placed under the
safeguard, first, Of good will, and meet, Of
guarantees not 10 be violated with impuni.
ty.
Chihuahua gained, it became like Santa
Fe, not the terminating point Of long ex.
petition, but the beginning point Of new
one. Gen. Taylor was somewhere-no
one knew exactly where but some seven
or eight hundred miles towards the other
side Of Mexico. You had heard that he
had been defeated-that Buena Vista had
not been good prospect TO him. Like good
Americans, you did not believe word Of
it; but, like good soldiers, you thought it
best to 90 and see. A volunteer party OF
Ia, headed by Collins, of Boonvlle, under
take to penetrate to Saltillo, and to bring
you information Of his condition. They sell
out. Amidst innumerable dangers they &C.
complish their purpose; and return. You
march. A vanguard of 100 men, led by
Lieut.. Col. Mitchell, led the way. Then
came the main body, Gf the name is not a
burlesque on such thankfully commanded
by Col Doniphan himself.
The whole table land OF Mexico, in all its
breadth, from west to east, was to be ira
versed. A numerous and hostile popula
ton in observation-disclosures Camanches in
| the mountains-were to be passed. Every
thing was to be selfprovided- provisions,
transportation, fresh horses for remounts,
and even the means Of victory-and all
without military chest, or even an empty
box, in which government gold had ever
reposed. All was accomplished. Mexi.
can towns were passed, in order and quiet /;
plundering Camanches were punished |;
means were obtained from traders to liqui
date indispensable contributions: and the
wants that could not be supplied, were en-
dured ike soldiers of veteran service.
say the Camanches were punished
And here presents an episode OF novel, ex.
traordInary, and romantic kind-Americans
chastising savages for plundering people
who they themselves came to conquer, and
forcing the restitution of captves and OF
plundered property. A strange story this
to tell in Europe, where backwoods charac
ter, western character, is not yet complete
ly known. But to the facts. In the mus
ket forest OF the Bolson de Mapimi, and in
the sierras around the beautiful town and
fertile district Of Pairas, and in all the open
country for hundreds OF miles round about,
the savage Camanches have held dominion
ever since the usurPer Santa Anna dlsarm.
ed the people; and sally forth from their
Businesses to slaughter men, plumber cattle,
and carry off women and children. An ex-
plot of this kind had just been performed
on the line Of the Missourisns march, not
far from Parfas, and an advanced party
CHANGED to be in that town at the time the
news of the depreciation arrived there. 1t
was only Is strong. Moved by gratitude
for the kind attentions of the people, espe.
cially the women, TO the sick Of General
WooL's command, necessarily lef, in Parras,
and unwilling to be out done by enemies in
generosity, the heroic Is, upon the spot
volunteered to 60 back, hun, out the depre'
dators, and punish them, without regard &c
numbers. A grateful Mexican became
their guide. On their way they fell in with
IS more Of their comrades; and, in a short
time, II Camanches killed out Of 65, ia
csptives restored to their families, and $50
head OF cattle recovered for their owners
was the fruit OF this sudden and romantic
episode.
Such noble conduct was not without il
effect on the minds Of the astonished Mexi
cans. An official document from the Pre-
feet OF the place, TO Capt. REID, leader o
this detachment, attests the verify Of thu
fact, and the gratitude of the Mexicans
and constitutes trophy Of a new kind il
the annals of war. Here il is in the origin
al Spanish, and will read it off in English
, l, is officially dated from the Prefecture
, Of the Department Of Parras, signed BY tn
. Project, Jose Ignacio Arrabe, and address
t ed to Capt. Reid, the 18th Of May, an
|, says:
CAT the first notice the barbarians, ate
!, killing many, and taking captives, were re
4 turning to their haunts, you generously an
8 bravely offered, with fifteen OF your subol