The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-22
FROM NEW MEXICO.
Correspondence of the Republican.
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Mr., Coons, to write you, although nave holihB Vi
| special importance to communicate.
The city of Santa Fe presentsa totally difierentap-
pearance from last year. Then gambling, riotng,
and public disorder characterized the place. The
soldiers instead of being exercised to learn their du
ty, as soldiers, were allowed TO roam unchecked,
wherever their fancy vicious propenslties might
lead them Insults were daily heaped upon molten
siye citizens; private dwellings unceremoniously en-
tered as if the intruder was the lawful occupant. In
| short, the city perfect Bedlam." The daily
funeral train, conveying some soldier TO his last rest
| ing place. seemed to produce no effect upon survv
ing commissioning and debauchery still went on
The many hundred graves in the public burial ground
mournfuly attest the truth of what say. II is idle
to attribute the disorder and fearful mortality which
prevailed last year. to this or that cause Upon the
Colonel commanding, Of course the chief blame will
forever rest; yet company officers, seeing the total
incapacity of Col. Price, should have exerted them
selves the more to stem the tide of dissipation and
vice which was hurrying SO many of those commit
| ted to their care to untimely graves. We almost
dreaded the arrival of new troops, fearful lest the
scenes of last year were about to be enacted again.
and looked upon the new troops as so many fresh
| victims. "s
| The first troops which arrived was the Missouri
l Infantry Battalion, commanded by Colonel Easton.
| This gentleman was unknown to us here, but very
soon after he assumed command, we began to see
that we had an officer who not only knew his duty,
but seemed to feel the responsibility resting upon
him, and was determined to discharge il as became
an officer Of the American army. =
Orders were issued prohibiting all games; fandan-
goes were not allowed, except at certain times, and
upon certain conditions; dran-shop keepers were
forbidden sell liquor to soldiers; Provost Marshal
was appointed to enforce obedience to these ORDERS
| ,,,d Ia ipoo chnuo nd
now this city is as quiet and tranquil night and day.
as any town village in the States. Good citizens
congratulate each other upon the changeall classes
are loud in praise Of Colonel Easton: whatever may
be his reputation at home his friends may rest as
| sured, that here h 8 popularity is unbounded
In his habits and manners he is circumspect and
dignfed-devoted to his duty, he is rarely seen in
public places, but wherever he goes he attracts the
attention and commands the respect Of all classes
No officer since Gen. Kearny left ever enjoyed so
universally the good will and esteem of the people
of Santa Fe-both Americans and Mexicans-as
Col. Easton, and we all regret we have not the pow
or to continue him in command of the post
Such is the respect entertained for Col. Easton,
and the officers Of the BATTALION that II is the opinion
that the city of Santa Fe, and country around would
continue quiet, and property Of all kinds would be
more safo with only his battalion stationed here,
than If a whole regiment were here with an incom-
petent officer TO command. FIR ne 4nerieans say
he is The only officer trho seemed prg and able 10
make good Tie promises Of Gen. Kearny.
Col. Newly, who succeeded Col. Easton, has en-
deavored to carry out the orders previously issued
but although the city remains very quiet yet ne mas
not succeeded in gaining the respect and confidence
of the people equal his immediate predecessor
| To us here the reasons are obvious, but II is not
| worth while TO state them now %:
OF the appointment of Colonel Price as Brigadiel
| General, l need not speak--pubic opinion is much
against him here, and he will have to do much to re-
trieve the disgrace brought upon our common coun-
try by the officers and soldiers under his command
last year Personally, l have nothing against him
| he has always treated me well, and believe him to
be generous, kind -hearted man-but he will never
make military man, and they were far from being
his true friends who were instrumental in placing
him in the position he now occupies military
| leader.
! Of the condition of the troops here, something
l may be judged by what have said above.
The ST. Louis battalion is in the best possible con-
dition-well disciplined and well drilled. They pa
rade in the public square every Sunday and go
through the various evouons of battalion drill with
much cred-certainly the most soldier-looking body
| of men have ever seen in Santa Fe--and all in
| good health
| The Illinois infantry is improving very fast in
company drill--he officers seem attentive to their
duty, and doubt not they will sustain the high re-
putation gained by the Illinois volunteers last year
The Missouri mounted regiment am sorry to
say, is not in very good condition. Excepting
Capt. Haley, and perhaps two ieutenants in Of
the St Louis companies, there Is not single officer
who seems TO possess the least qualification for the
station he occupies Sickness and all the attending
| evils of want Of discipline and due subordination
hat Aot,,
they are the most unpromsing set of men ever mus
tered into the service.
Three of the companies arrived here in toerable
good condition. but the remainder, although mount
ed infantry when they left Fort Leavenworth, they
arrived here as mounted scdre-crons. To take good
care of their arms and accoutremens and keep their
horses in order is rather too much to expect of men
who have natural disgust for musket, and still
greater horror of all sorts of labor.
Our Santa Fe battalion is composed of the best
kind of material for the duty they are now on--they
ought TO be constantly employed among the noun
tans 10 keep the Indians quiet.
The artillery company, under Capt. Hassendeubel,
Is a very respectable and efficient body Of men, and
can be depended upon
Much uncertainty existed in regard to the move
ment of troops until within few days, and at last
an expedition has been agreed upon, destined for
chihuahua The following troops will move for e.
Passo land await further orders) soon Transport
taon can be provided, which will probably be with
in the next ten days.
The st. Louis battalion five companies; n'batta-
ion of the Illinois infantry, composed Of the follow
ing companies Capts. Cunnngham's, Hampton's
Kinney's Mosess, and Adams's.
tits supposed that the above five companies will
be attached to Colonel Eastons command, making
full regiment This will probably be the arrange
ment.
The following companies Of the Missouri Mounted
Regiment under command of Col. Rails and Lieut..
Col Lane-Capts McNair, Korponay, Jones, LOT
land, Clarkson and Haley.
One company of regular dragons will be changed
to artillery, (now at Albuquerque) to be under the
command Of Lieut.. Dyer, of the regulars; also the
artillery company now here, commanded by Captain
Hassendeubel.
presume Lieut.. Loves company Of dragons will
also be included but believe il is not yet decided
upon.
The troops remaining here to be disposed of as
follows