Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1847-12-30

STATES, except the few dragons who oco,,,, 1e,
S;.1 Ne,r'iy, mot exceeding one hundred had
" .,:si' ~ Sanorna The company of nrt;lInrn
re"c tLa, at New York in July 1876, did not
rtoo' wa. country until February 1917. and tho ro
gi'nent OF volunteers from New York. which se;Iod
~ ssepteInDer, arrived there in March.
in january, 1S47. This battalion also proceeded by
way of the ella river, and, by deyaling from the
route taken by General Kearny, found one more
practicable over which, though no wheel carriage
of any description had ever before passed. they were
enabled to take n train of wagons.
About two hundred recruits have been sent out,
within few months past TO ill up the companies
in the regiment of volunteers in California
BY the last report, dated 18th June from Colonel
Mason now chief in the command of the military
force i'm California, and exercising the functions of
temporary civil governor there it appears that the
troops in that country do not exceed seven hundred
and fifty exclusive of the battalion from Santa Fe,
whose term of service expired in July, and who
were not expected TO re-engage. When the recruits
shall have arrived, the entire force in that country
will be about one thousand. These occupy seven
posts, at long distance from each other. a detach-
meut has been sent to garrison La PaZ, the capital
of Lower California.
Under almost any circumstances, this force can
hardly he regarded as sufficient answer the pur-
pose for which troops required in that country.
Though all is quiet there and no serious appre
heuson is entertained of disturbance, yet the
try in occupation is extensive embracing many
positions which should be garrsoned, and the Indian
race is there numerous, with the propensity and hab-
it of depredating In of threatened disturb
ance, it is not doubted that considerable augment
alton of force could be derived from the nhab-
itents of the country; still, think it advisable to in
crease the number Of troops there. To show
the state of things in California, in regard militia
ly aaits wen as ~ Utivr a''vre 10 -'oI shall
hereafter aude, herewith transmit the last com
municaon received from Colonel Mason.
Soon after the departure of the expedition, under
Col Doniphan, for ChhGala, an instruction broke
out in the northern part of New Mexico, which APP
reared to have for its object the massacre of all
American residents, without reference to their being
in the public service, and such of the MeXicans as
had taken Office under the government established
by our military authority. The first act of outrage
was the deliberate and brutal murder of the COVER
nor of the territory, and several other American cit
liens at Taos Similar atrocities were, at the same
time, perpetrated at the Arroyo Honda and the Rio
Colorado. Flushed with the success of their first
sudden movement, the insurgents proceeded to col
lect and organize their force for attack on Santa
Fc. AS soon the commanding officer was inform
cd of their designs, hc took prompt measures TO in
tercept their march, TO restore order throughout the
territory, and TO punish their leaders. Ordering in
The dcachments at the outposts, and leaving sufli-
cent garrison at Santa Ee, Col. Price, with three
hundred and fifty men, includinga company of horse
and battery of mountain howitZers, moved on the
Odd of January in the direction OF Taos, and on the
succeeding day discovered the enemy-about fifteen
hundred-neur the town of Canada. They were
Immediately attacked driven from their POSITIONS
and Dispersed with loss of thirty-six killed and
many wounded. ,,,,,- nj, ~ 40
Crande, our force-now increased to near five hum
dred men-reached La Joya OH the 29th of Jnuunrv
A detachment was sent forward to dslodge a party
OF the enemy-betwecn six and seven hundred
who had possession of the heights which command
| ed the defle leading TO Enpudo. The heights were
/ immediately attacked and carried, and the enemy
precptatey driven i'll the direction of the town.
Without further resistance, this detachment of orr
troops entered and took possession of Enpudo and
IN few days thereafter joined the main body at
Trampas.
On the Oath of January small recommending par
ty of eighty men, under Captain Ilendev proceeded
III the direction OF Mora TO ascertain the strength
OF the enemy, reported TO be in that vicinity From
three to five hundred MeXicans were discovered in
strong position behind defcnces whiting the town.
Here conflict took place, in which the enemy suc
iered loss in killed and wounded, of about thirty;
but the deiences were found too strong and too well
guarded to be taken by escalade with so small force
The party after destroying of the buildings in
The town. retired with the prisoners to Vegas. Our
loss in this affair was three slightly wounded and
one killed-tle gallant commander of the party, who
fell in storming the works.
On the Sd of February, the command under Col
Price, after difficult march through deep SHOWS
arrived at Pueblo de Taos place Of considerable
strength surrounded by adobe walls and strong pick
cts with buildings well calculated for defence and
capable Of holding large garrison. Preparations
Tor an immediate attack were made our batteries
opened upon the town, and the fire continued dur
ing that and the following day; but, owing TO the
lightnesS of the metal IA six FOUNDER and mountain
howzers it was found impossible 10 make breach
in the walls 1t was then determined to carry the
place by assault, and 1t was done iii gallant man
ner. Tie next morning the insurgents sued for
peace which was granted on condition of surren-
dering up some of their principal leaders, who had
insgated the disturbance and directly concern
ed in the murder of the governor and others About
one hundred and fifty, OF the seven or eight hundred
Mp oh in hatt la Hal. o,,l
the loss Oh our side seven killed and fory-fiye
wounded Some of the leaders in this scheme for
general massacre, who had survived the several
engagements by which the outbreak was suppressed,
were tried convicted, and executed.
Occasionally through the course Of the last sum-
mer, some of our grazing parties, along the line of
the eastern settlements, attacked by struggling
bands Of McXcans and Indians embodied for preda-
tory purposes, and some loss was sustained both
sides.
Most of the troops first sent to New Mexico were
volunteers from the State of Missouri who were en-
gagged for only twelve months. The terms of their
service expired in August, aud as esgls esoser9u Vi
lake their places inuking the present force in New
Mexico about three thousand six hundred and thirty
four men, including battalion for service in the ln-
dian country, the routes TO Santa lie and oregon
On the 3lst of March, call was made on the
State of Missouri for regiment OF mounted Noluh,
teers part OF which was directed TO he employed
i'm establishing military posts on the route 10 oregon,
pursuant to the act of the 10th of May, 1916 and
the remainder were ordered to Santa Fe TO supply
the place of the twelve months men whose term OF
service would expire in the summer Afterwards
this direction was so modified, that the whole regl-
ment was pressed on to Santa Fe and battalion OF
similar troops from the same State was assigned to
the duty of establishing the Oregon posts
Upon full consideration of the subject, it was de-
ternined confne the operations OF the year 10 TWO
military stotions-both on this side of the Rocky
mountains instructions were given, and the necessa-
ry arrangements made, for post near Grand Island,