The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-03-23

Horrible Massacre Governor of New Mer-
leo Murdered. Of Amerl
cdns.-Probdble Capture Of Santa Fe.-
Trap Set to Lure Col, Doni phdn.
PITTsBURaH, March l6.
By river we have St. Louis papers foui
days in advance Of mail, with dates from San
Ia Fe covering important news. There has
been an extensive Mexican Iusurrection at
Taos. All the Spaniards who evinced nnv
sympathy with the American cause had been
compelled 10 escape.
Gov. Bent, Stephen Lee, Acting Sheriff,
Gen. EIlo: Lee, Henry Seal. and twenty A
mericans, were killed, and their families des-
poiled. The chief Alcalde was also killed.
This all occurred on the 18th January. The
instruction had made formidable head. and
the dsaffection was rapidly spreading. The
insurrectionists we're sending expresses out all
over the country to raise assistance. The
number engaged in the outbreak atTaos was
about 600, They were using every argu-
ment to inCite the Indians to hostilties, and
were making preparations to take possession
of Santa Fe.
The Americans at Santa Fe had only a.
bout 500 effective men there. the rest were
on the sick list or had left to JOIN Col. Doni
phan, Snch being their situation they can
not send succor out, as they are hardly able
TO defend themselves. Ii is thought Santa
Fe must be captured, as neither the Forl uor
Block House are completed.
Ii is announced as the intention Of the in
surrectionists who captured Taos, TO take
possession Of the Government agon trains,
which are carrying forward our supplies, and
thus cut off all communication.
The representations made 10 Col. Doni-
phan, tina; Chihuahua would be an easy CEN
quest, were evidently intended as lure TO
entrap him, beget a spirit of security, and
lead him far off into the interior, where he
might be easily cut of.
1t is the universal opinion in Santa Fe that
If Gen. Wool had gone direct TO chihuahua
there would have been no trouble in New
Mexico. Col. Doniphan had possession Of
FL Paso del Norte on the 2Sth December
Letters had been received from the Governor
Of Chihuahua, stating that Gen. Wool was
within three days march of the Capital
This, too. was doubtless another ruse to lure
Col. Doniphan on in confidence, and cut him
of from all chances of escape, or of falling
back upon Santa Fe, TO relieve il in its emer-
gency.
The Mexicans are bold in their tone and
confident of capturing Col. Doniphan ant bis
command, which consists of about 600 men,
500 Of them being of his own troops, the FIRST
regiment of Mounted Missouri Volunteers,
and a detachment of 100 men from Santa Fe.
under command of Lieut. Mitchell, of the I'd,
misunderstanding Of 80 men from Clark Is
battalion Of light artillery, under command OF
Capt. Hudson and Lieut.. Kirbben. and 20
from Col. Prices regiment andCol. Willock's
battalion. They then assert that they will
massacre every American in New Mexico
ard con6scate all their goods.
A letter from Lieut.. Alert, United States
Typographical Engineer. of later date, con-
Trims all the above intelligence. The details
OF the battle of Bracito are also confirmed
The massacre beyond doubt has been a borri-
Die one, which we have as yet heard but
the eesinning; and the insurrcciipn has been
kept SO quiet until all was ready for the cut
breas' that our handful of troops there must