The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-03

first settlement in New Mexico, informa-
ton was received thatthe enemy had col
/ lected about two or three thousand at a
/ pass ten miles in advance. The order of
battle was formed, the infantry passed O.
| yer the mouNtains, so as to attack the
enemy in the rear the Mexicans fell
back without giving battle, until they ar
rived within fifteen miles of Santa Fe, at
one of the strongest passes in Mexico,
where they cut down timber and raised
Notifications. TO this strong pass the
\ Governor came from Santa Fe, bringing
with him seven pieces Of artillery, one OF
which was six FOUNDER that had been
taken from The Texan Rangers in the eel
ebrated Santa Fe expedition, and an ad-
ditional force, augmenting the one al
ready at the pass TO the number of about
| four thousand.
Col. Doniphan encamped within three
miles of the enemy, and the next morning
resumed the order of march, and found
they had deserted their works and fled.
On the same day the Americans took for
NAL possession of Santa Fe. In few
days they were enabled to capture the
artillery, which the Mexicans were at
tempting to smuggle off, and the whole of
New Mexico fell into our possession
without gun being fired.
Gen. Kearney's proceedings at Santa
Fe are familiar with the public. AS ri
diculous as they appear, there is good
reason to suppose that the General has
his orders for his Justification, which will
appear in due time.
Shortly after the conquest of New
Mexico, Gen. Kedrney started with an es-
cort Of one hundred men for California.
Before his departure, he gave orders to
Col. Doniphan to make campaign a
gainst the Navajo Indians, living in the
Rocky Mountains, between the Del Norte
and Pacific Ocean, and then TO report to
Gen. Wool, at Chihuahua, where it was
understood General Wool would be be-
| fore Col. Doniphan could reach there
The second regiment of Missouri volun-
teers having arrived in New Mexico on
the 18th of October, Col. Doniphan COM
menced his campaign against the Naya-
Jos.
The Navajos were large tribe Of In
dians who had been at war with the Mexi-
cans for two hundred and fifty years, and
lived entirely upon plumber taken from
that people. At the earnest solicitation OF
the Mexicans, Gen. Kearney ordered the
expedition of our troops against them.-
Col. Doniphan divided his command into
three columns, one of which entered the
Navajo country about two hundred miles |
north of Santa Fe, under the command Of
Major Gilpin, the other two columns en-
tering it in the west and south west, un-
der the commands Of Col. Doniphan and
| Lieut.. Col. Jackson.
The column under Maj. Gilpin marched
TO the source ofihe Chanas, and crossing /
the Sierra Madre, descended to the waters
Of the San Juan, one of the branches of
the Colorado of the west, marched down
the river in the direction of the Pacific,
and crossing the mountains again, formed
junction with Col. Doniphan's com
mand at the Ojoso, having performed
march Of over six hundred miles, over
mountains covered with snow, Maj. Gil
pin brought with him a great number of
chiefs, all of whom professed great friend
ship for the American nation. At the o.
joso, Col. Doniphan met the principal
chiefs of the tribe and great warriors,
probably five hundred in number, and
there made treaty stipulating entire
friendship between the. Navajos and A
mericans and Mexicaus.
The march performed by Major Gilpin
was one of the most arduous in the cam
paign. The country through which he
travelled did not permit the way for
baggage train, and his stores had TO be
carried upon the backs Of a few mules
He was continually surrounded by snow
and storms, and among mountain passes
never before threaded bv the foot of man.
There will be thrilling interest in mar
rahve Of that journey not to be met with
in the most highly wrought fiction.
The Navajo Indians are a warllke peo-
pie, have no towns or houses, or lodges
they live in the open air or on horseback,
and are remarkably wealthy, having lm-
mense herds of horses, cattle, and sheep.
They treat their women with great atten-
ton, consider them equals, and relieve
them from the drudgery ofmenial work.
They are handsome, well made and In
every respect higher order of beings
than the mass of their neighbours, the
Mexicans. About the time Col. Doni-
phan made his treaty, division of his
command was entirely out Of provisions:
the Nayalos supplied its wants with liber-
atty A portion of the command returned
to Cuvano Maj. Giipin's command, to-
geiher with Col. Doniphan went TO the
city Of the Sumai Indians, on the 70 Pls-
COW, which is supposed to be a branch
oil the Geyle, made treaty OF peace be-
tween the Snmni- nrd Nara;ns and fhen