The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-05-01
aAs From the 81. Louis Union.
From Santa Fe.--Highly Important.

From santa Fe.-Highly Important.
/ The following particulars Of recent occur.
FENCES in New Mexico, we procure from an
extract published by the Government press in
Santa Fe: s
Massacre Of Coz. Bent and other .Anericans at
Taos--Battles Of Canada, FL En,boda, Taos
and Observation-Disclosures Victorsotu!
On the 18th Of January, l847, Charles Bent,
Governor of the Territory of New Mexico,
left Santa Fe, the seat Of Government, for
Taos, his place ofresidence. Whilst there, the
two Friends Of two Pueblo Indians, who were
confined in the prison at that place, requested
thm 70 release them, TO which he replied, that
although Governor of the province, it was en-
tirely out of his power to release any one con-
fined by law, until they were tried. They
then resolved to release the prisoners by force,
and murder all the Americans at Taos, togeth-
er with those Mexicans who had either accept
ed office under the American government. or
were favorable to Americans. On the Tues
day following they effected their resolution, re-
leasing the prisoners and barbarously murder
ing and scalping Gov. Bent, Stephen Lee, the
Sheriff; James w. Leal, Circuit Attorney;
Cornelio Vigil, "a Spaniard) Project; Narcesas
Beaubien, and Parbeau Herrmeah, sparing but
one American, named Elliott Lee. Leal was
scalped alive. At the AFRO Ondo, twelve
miles from Taos, the following men fortified
themselves in house, aud after standing
severe seige of two days, were taken and mnr-
dered; Simon Turley, Albert Cooper, William
Hatfield "a volunteerD Louis Foique, Peter
Robert, Joseph Marshall, VIM. Austin, Mark
Head, and VIM. Harwood. The number of
Mexicans and Indians engaged in this massa-
Gre, has been estimated al 800.
1 On the morning of the Goth Of January, in
Itelligence of the massacre of Gov. Bent was
brought to Santa Fe by an Indian runner. A
circular letter was also received by the priest
at this place, stating that the Mexicans and
Indians at Taos had risen against the invaders
Of their country, and requesting him to join
them. This letter was handed to Col. Price by
the priest. Various reports reached this place
of the advance Of the enemy and their near
approach. In consequence of these reports,
Col, Price determined to march out of Santa
| Fe and meet them in the open field. He took
with him three hundred and forty men, COM
fp6sed Of Capt. Angney's battalion and imam
4 srsx portions Of six companies 6f the I'd regi-
ment, and company Of citizens and noun
taineers, under the command of Capt. St. Vrain
leaving Lieut.. Col. Wilcox in command of
the post, with force composed of his own
battalion, three companies of the Cd regiment,
portion of Capt. Fishers company oil light
artillery, and one company of regulars. On
the evening of the Oath, Col Price encountered
the enemy at Canada, numbering about 1000
men, under command of Generals Jesus Tafoyo,
Pablo Chavez, and Pablo Montova. The enc
my were posted on the hills, commanding each
side of the road. A bout O'Clock, P. NJ, a
brisk fire from the artillery, under the COM
mand of Lieuts Dyer (of the regular army
and Harsentiver, was opened upon them. but
from their being SO much scattered it has but
little effect.
The artillery were within such short distance
as to be exposed to a hot fire, which either
wounded or penetrated the clothes of nineteen
out of. twenty men who served the guns. Col.
Price seeing the slight effect which the artille-
ry had upon them, ordered Capt. Angney, with
his battalion, to charge the hill, which was
CALAMITY done, being supported by Cspt. St.
Vrain, of the citizens, and Lieut.. White, of
the Carroll companies. The charge routed
them, and a scattering fight ensued, which last
cd until anudaxyn 0ur laaa WI fuo cd |
and seven wounded. The Mexicans acknowl- |
edge loss of thirty-six killed, and forty-fve
taken prisoners. The enemy retreated towards
Taos, their strong hold. Col. p, on the 9th,
took up his line OF march towards Taos, and
again encountered them at Ell Emboda on the
goth. They were discovered in the thick brush
off each side of the road, at the entrance of
the de6le, by party of spies, who immediate
ly fired upon them. Capt. Burgwin, with his
company of dragons, hearing the firing, came
up, together with Capt. St. Vran ms and Lieut..
Whites companies. A charge was made by
the three companies, resulting in the total route
Of the Mexicans and Indians. The battle
lasted half an hour, but the pursuit was kept
up for two hours.
The march was resumed on the next day,
and met with no opposition until the evening
Of the Sd of February, at which time they ar
rived at Pueblo de Taos, where they found the
Mexcans and Indians strongly fortified. A
few rounds were fired by the artillery that
evening, but it was deemed advisable not to
make general attack then, but wait till morn
ng. The attack was commenced in the morn
ng by two batteries, under the command of
Lieuts. Dyer and Wilson of the regular army,
md Lieut.. Harsentiyer Of the Light Artillery,
BY throwing shells into the town. About 70
,'clock, NJ, charge was ordered and gallantly
executed by Capt. Burgwin's company, sup
ported by Captain McMillan's company and
Captain AnRney's battalion of infantry, sup
ported by Captain Barbee's company. The
,hurch, which had been used as part Of the
ortifications, was taken by this charge. The
light was holly contested until night, when
wo white flags were hOisted, but were imme-
lately shot down. In the morning the Fort