The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-03
FROM THE N. o. NATIONAL.
Col, DOniphan'S Expedition,

The arrival of Colonel Doniphan and
his regiment in this city has created an
unusual degree OF interest, although ii has
for the last fifteen months been wrought
up TO the highest pitch of excitement by
military novelties. A full and carefully
written history of Col Doniphan's expe-
diton would be volume of rare interest,
and develope not only strange military
adventure, but call the attention of anti
quarians and others, to nations living on
our continent, of whose existence we
have been heretofore ignorant, and whose
manners and customs fill the mind with
astonishment. While listening to the de-
tails Of these stern Missouri warriors, we
have felt for months as if some ancient
Spanish grave had yielded up follower
Of CorteZ, to recount his adventures and
personal experience as he progressed to-
wards the capital of the Montezumas.-
1t presents a wonderful picture, this mar
ching of few hundred men through po-
pulous states. conquering their inhabitants
in pitched battles, and occupying their
cities and towns as garrisons. Men,
who, up to the time they enlisted under
the banner Of their country, were employ
ed exclusively in the arts of peace, using
the rifle only as a source of amusement,
and looking to the annual return of the
militia muster as subject of ridicule,-
Yet when demand is made upon them,
they seem easily to put on the panoply
of the ancient crusader, and to go forth
conQuering as if they had been schooled
in the camp, and been disciplined from
youth amidst the clamor OF war. vi
such materials is composed this mighty
race of North Americans, who seem des-
lined to overshadow the greatness of all
nations of times past; and who are called
upon 10 enact part in the present and fu-
ture more subllmely great than has ever
yet been accorded by Providence to any
people.
Col. Doniphan is man of giant frame,
Of that loose carriage peculiar to the west,
that deceives the eve as to proportion and
strength. We can imagine that his gi-
gantic arm must have welded his huge
sabre IN the heat Of battle with force
that not only struck down the foe, but lit
orally annihilated him; that each success
sive swoop, opened wide avenues for his
advance, as did Cortez among the crow
ded ranks of the warlike Tlascalans.-
His officers and men have strange un-
couth appearance; piece meal, the ifl-made
clothing Of the volunteers have fallen from
them, and they have supplied its place
with what chance and the wild beasts Of
New Mexico have thrown in their way.
Their sun-burnt faces, grizzly boards, and
withal, their dcVil-may-care air, is perfect
ly irresistible. Yet beneath those rough
exierlors, are concealed minds of educa-
ted and high-toned sentiments, full of lof-
ty thoughts and love of liberty; minds
that are destined to be felt in the councils
of the nation, and play prominent part
ln the stirring events of the times.
Col. Doniphan's command was mus
tered into service on the 18Th of June,
1871, at Fort Ieavenworth. On the 22d
OF June portion of the command started
for Benfs Fort. on the Arkansas, and on
the 26lh Col. Doniphan left with Their
niaiader.of the regiment for the same des-
ilaalion. From Bent's Fort the com
mand proceeded together to Santa Fe
which is eight hundred and seventy-fve
l.'ies from Fort Leayenwor,h, and two
l.'ns'rc'l miles from Bent's Fort. On the
! L Day Of August, Col. Donphan ar