The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-20

Extract of letter from an officer of The u S. 1opo
graphical Engineers, dated


Extract Of letter from an officer of The y. s. Iopo-
graphical Engineers, dated
/ A .ttlts .SANTA FE, New Mexico Feb 3, ls47
son the 10th of January, Gov Bent, be-
ing Taos, set upon by rabble and most barbar
ously murdered together with Lsle, CLERK o. COURT
Lee and OF Judge Beauben Their scalps were
paraded through the town, and messengers were de-
spached to inform the country people below that blow
had been struck and inviting their aud to prosecute the
rebellion These messengers arrested, and fell INTO
the hands OF the Americans-one by the acde OF Moro
and the other by Frenchman of Canada, The latter
hearing that a man had gone down. saddled his horse
and with his rifle started in pursuit. He headed on the
messenger, and, presenting his rifle demanded the letter
which was delivered 10 him. Being unable to read. he
carried il to the acalde. and again cooked his rifle
ordering him to read it, Thus possessed OF the facts he
galoped Santa Fe, and laid the whole before Colonel
Price, who Immediately set out for the north with one
ordering the troops from the Rio Abajo to Santa Fe.
For time expected attack here, but the prompt
measures taken by Col Price seem to have disconnected
the insurgents He met rabbe of about thousand at
Canada and after sharp skrmlsh, routed them, having
killed 26 and wounded about 60 of the enemy lie was
here Joined by Capt Bawn dragons and pToieeded
which the Mexcans lost about 20 men The entire loss OF
COL Price, in both skrmishes, killed and wound
ed At the Moro Capt Henley was killed. but not till
his company had slain ii IS OF the enemy and taken
many prisoners. lstl ,
..At the latest adyces, Col. Price within six miles
Of Taos, and anticipating speedy termination OF the
affair.
81 will give you more details by the mall which will
leave in or 10 days"
Ertrdct of letter from officer df the United States
corps Of Typographical Engineers dated
''SANTA FE, New Mexico Feb 10, lsi7.
To-day has been al day of mourning This morning
attended the funeral of our amented friend, Captain
Burgwln; this afternoon followed the remains OF our
late governor to their final resting place Capt Bugwin
was buried with the usual honors paid to officers Of that
rank The governor buried by the Masonic frater-
nifty assisted by all the military OF the place Never
such funeral pageant witnessed in this country AT
of Mexicans Their graves on little knoll just un
der the western angle OF Fort Marcy You may recol-
lect the place.
In my last letter gave you an account of the open
ing of the revolutions few words will relate its close
Did speak of the skrmish at Embudo' Capt Burgwin,
with St vrains company, OF Santa Fe volunteers,
ed on them Immediately. They fought from bush to
bush; but after loss OF twenty men, the rabbe retired
TO the Pueblo Of Taos, leaving their path marked with
thick adobe walls Col Price had succeeded in getting
his guns the mountains and advanced to cannonade
their stronghold The first day he unsuccessful, his
shot producing effect upon their thick walls He re-
tired night TO Taos San Fernandez to return at day
break the next day Here they found that something
more than firing against mpeneable walls was necessa
ry The day had nearly passed, and Col. p. about
to withdraw again. when by the advice OF some officers,
he allowed charge to be made the church This was
done by Capt Burgwn and Capt Angney, and though en-
trey successful il cost the life of the former gallant Of
fcer He fell in the charge, at the head OF his company
The capture of the church terminated the affair." and Col
pablo Montoya leader, was captured, and hung at
Taos Another leader taken, and shot by Dragon,
in Taos Several prisoners are now in the calaboose,
&c The loss of Americans in the entire affair." including
murders, at Taos and elsewhere is not far from 49, and
that OF the Mexicans about 200"
In addition to the above particulars, have much
pleasure in laying before readers the following letter,
received at the Union Office from most respectable and
intelligent gentleman at Santa Fe
:" SANTA FE, February IT, 1s47.
:" seize interval of comparative leisure, to give you
the news; and you will perceive, speak OF some
thing more than mere 'rumors OF wars
"You have doubtless heard that suspicious were,
time since, I'm December last entertained to the del
ty of our newly made Americans, the Mexcans These
suspicious, it ascertained well founded but
positive evidence could be obtained all of those dis
conented and suspected persons who had been arrested
consequence of the disclosures made upon the eXamna
ton OF the first person arrested Pablo DomnSues, one OF
the leaders among the DISCONTINUED were released upon
promise OF good behaviour.
These made in the latter part of Deem
Der last and, in very few days. confidence seemed to
have been reganed by the authorities UNTIL the 10th
of January last when the citizens of Taos rose
and murdered every American living there, with the
cepon of some few who accidentally absent at the
ernor Charles Bent and Mr. Leal the latter of whom
first scaped and then tortured to death with Indian
cruelty and ingenuity.
Kearny, took prompt and effective measures to punish
this outrage, and defeat the plans of the rebels lnor-
nation reaching nm That the OF were taxing
steps obtain the control of Moreau Town and OF
the other advantageous positions between and the
States he despatched in the proper direction, and
moved with small force, under his own command, to-
wards Taos
sc 1t has long been conceded by the Indians Of this
country and by those who know the people OF the
try that the Puebos de Taos the bravest and most
warke in Mexico. And it is the general opinion
that Taos is the easily defended position in the west
in fact il may be almost considered the Gibraltar of Amer
lea The town is built of the usual material in this
trytha is of mud (sun- the houses are built
seemingly for the special purpose of defence The major
ity of them stories high, and all of them have
their entrances top. The walls are, many of them,
four feet thick the lower story and OF the best maer
ais possible to resist artillery.
"The force with which Colonel Price moved on Taos,
would inadequate to take it and it to have
been feat of which he and the under his command
might well feel proud,
"Col. Price moved with mixed force of about two
hundred and fifty men, of cavalry, infantry, and artillery
the cath of January, when they reached Canada, where
meeting the Mexcans, in force fight ensued. 1t is
said that the charge made by at this place
most glorious sight and gallant affair. The moved
steadily, with unbroken ranks, up steep and difficult
mountain, under almost blazing fire from the enemy
and gave them good reason to think, of them
afterwards sad that they conendng against deus
instead OF men. Not having been present, unable to
state, at this tme the loss in killed and wounded but the
official report will shortly advise you of it,
Col Price, however, carried everything before him.
and moved to Luceros, where, the 2sth of January