The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-04


low me from New Mexico, but presume they will be
here before long. On their arrival, shall agreeably to
the instructions of the President of the United States,
have the management of affairs in this country and will
endeavor to carry out his views In relation to IT.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Brig. Gen. r. JONES, Adit. Gen U. s. A., Washington
chihuahua Doniplian's Letters.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY IN CHIHUAHUA,
City of Chihuahua, March 20, 1Si7.
SlR: The forces under MY command are portion OF
the Missouri volunteers, called into service oi tile pur
pose of invading New Mexico under the command Of
Brigadier General (then ColoneD Keamy After the
quest of New Mexico, and before General Kearny's de-
parture Tor California, information was received that
another regiment and an extra battalion of Missouri vol
uneers would follow us to Santa Fe The service of SO
large force being wholly unnecessary in that State |
prevailed on Gen. Keany to order my regiment TO report
TO you at this city The order given the Odd Sep
TENDER, 1916; but after the general arrived at La Joya,
in the southern part of the State, he issued an order re-
curing my regiment to make campaign INTO the coun-
try inhabited by the Navajo Indians lying between the
waters of the io del Nortc and the Rio Colorado OF the
west This campaign detained ME until the 18th OF De-
cember before our return to the Del Norte. We imme
dately commenced our match for FL Paso del Norte
with about 500 rlemen. All communication between
Chihuahua and New Mexico entirely prevented.
On the 18th of December. 1910, my van guard was at
tackled Rrazto by the Mexican forces from this State
our force about $50, and the force Of the enemy
lO0 the engagement lasted about forty minutes, when
the enemy fled, leaving SO killed and since dead, $50
the engagement either side On the Goth we entered
Ell Paso without further opposton from the prisoners
and others learned that you had not marched upon this
State then determined TO order battery and 100 ar
lletists from New Mexico. They arrived in El, Pas9
about the 9th February, when took up the line OF
march for this place copy OF my official report OF the
battle of Sacramento, enclosed to you, will show you all
subsequent movements, up to our taking military pos
session Of this capital The day of my arrival had de-
termned to send an express to- you forthwith but the
whole intermediate country in the hands OF the enc
my and cut of, and had been for many months,
from all information respecting the AmeIcan army;
Mexican reports are never TO pc July credied yel from
forced by overwhelming numbers to abandon Satllo,
and OF course we could send express under such cir
toleraby reliable information that battle had been
fought near Salo between the American and Mexican
forces, and that Santa Anna had probably fallen back on
San Luis de Potosi.
MY position here is exceedingly embarrassing. In
the first place, most of the men Under my com
rand have been in service since the Isl OF June,
and have never received cent of pay. Their marches
have been hard. especially in the Navajo country and no
forage; that they literally without horses clothes,
or money, nothing but arms and disposition to use
them. They all volunteers, officers and men, and,
although ready for any hadshps or danger wholly
unfit to garrison town city at is confusion worse
COMPOUNDED" Having performed march Of more than
900 miles, and their term OF service rapidly expiring,
they restless TO join the army under your command
Still cannot leave this point safely for some days
the American merchants here oppose violently and have
several hundred thousand dollars at stake They have
sent memorial, and my determination has been made
known TO them. copy of both they will send YOU Or
one thing it is necessary to inform you: the merchants
admit that their goods could not be sold here in five years.
if they go south they will be to the markets OF
Durango and Zacatecas they now are: ! am anxious
and willing TO protect the merchants as far as practcabe
but | protest against remaining here as mere wagon
guard garrison city with troops wholly untitled for IT.
and who will soon be wholly ruined by improper mdu-
gences Having been originally ordered to this point,
you know the wishes OF the government IN relation to IT.
and of your orders will be promptly and cheerful
ly obeyed fear there is ample use for US with you,
and we would greatly prefer joining you before our term
OF service expires.
All information relative to my previous operations,
present condition. &C., will be given you by Mr. j.. Col
ns the bearer OF these dispatches He is highly hon
orabe gentleman and was an amateur soldier at Sacra-
The Mexicans report your late battle having been
entirely favorable to themselves but taking It for grant
ed they report the truth we have fired salute for
our victory in honor OF yourself and Gen Taylor presu-
ming, from report you were both present.
Very respectfully, your obedent Sc servant,
Comd'g st Reg Missouri Mounted Vols.
Should the horses mules of those bearing this ex-
press fall prove unfit TO return upon have to request
that they may be supplied by the government with the
p'Vr'' "''''' % ''''' A. w. DoNIPHAN,
Colonel LIST Reg Missouri Vols.
Brig. Cen Wool, U. S. A.
Battle of Saerumento.-Deteat Of The Enemy.-Capt,ue
of chihuahua.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY IN CHIHUAHUA,
City of Chihuahua, March lth, lS47.
have the honor TO report to you the movements of
the army under my command since my last otcal report
On the evening of the sh of February, 1S17 we left
the town of FL Paso del Nore, escortng the merchant
train of about 3l5 wagons for the city OF
Chihuahua Our force consisted OF 92f effective men
III officers and privaes of the artillery 90 OF Lieut. Col
Mtchells escort, and the remainder the lst regiment
Missouri mounted volunteers. We progressed in the
direction of this place until the 25h when were In.
formed by our spies that the enemy TO the number OF
800 men, at Inseneas, the country seat of Gov
Trias about IS miles in advance
When we arrived the evening OF the 26h near that
point found that the force had retreated in the drec-
ton of this city On the evening OF the 9th arrived at
Sans and learned from spies that the enemy in great
force, had fortified the pass of the Sacramento ve about
5 miles in advance and about the distance from this
city. We were also informed that there was water be-
tween the point at and that occupied by the
enemy; we therefore determined to halt until morning.
AT sunrise on the 2sth the last day of February, took
up the line of march and formed the whole train, con-
slstng OF 3l5 heavy traders wagons and our comms-
ary and company wagons into four columns thus short
ening line to make IT more easily protected
We placed the artillery and all the command, except 20)
cavalry proper, in the intervals between the columns
Of wagons We thus fully concealed our force and It's
position by masking force with the cavalry When