The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-20
OFFICIAL.


enough to state that these transactions of piece with
the gallantry and the glory which have marked all the
operations of this brilliant They rebound like all
the rest to the honor of the commanding general, off
GERS, and of the army of New Mexico and to the
glory of our country:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST
Chihuahua, March 81, 1913.
GENERAL: have the honor to submit report of my
operations from the period OF adopting the intentions
pressed in my communication TO the War Department,
dated 9th February, ls4s, 10 the present instant
After making such arrangements, both military and
civil deemed essential for the security and tranquil
iy OF New Mexico, took up the line OF march on the
slh February, with one company Missouri horse for FL
Paso, where had previously ordered concentration of
the following troops to operate against the State OF Chi
huahua, VIZ three companies United States Dragons
commanded by Major B. L. Beale-one of which was
acting as light artillery, under the command of Leuen
ant Love; six companies Missouri horse under the
command of Colonel Rails, five companies Missouri
infantry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Eas
tom and Major w alkers battalion of Santa Fe horse,
three companies OF horse and one OF light artillery.
On the 23d arrived at Ell Paso, distant from Santa Fe
intended operations the peculiar characteristics and gem
eral features OF the country, embracing the privaons
which must necessarily be endured on the road thus
travelled have been, believe, already submitted TO the
department IN former reports.
The additional information at Ell Paso confirming the
many reports respecting the hostile intentions of the
raons in the fabrication OF cannon and munitions Of
war, together with contributions of small arms from the
adjoining States, induced me TO change my original plan
OF operations, and adopt forced marches with my best
mounted troops for the purpose of striking blow before
the enemy could conceive my design With this deter
minaton, despatched Major Walker with three compa-
MES of his battalion the night of the 2ith to occupy
the small town of Carrza distant from Ell Paso ninety
miles, and so situated to command all the passes lead
ing to Chihuahua. This command had orders to recon-
noitre the country cut off all communication, by esab
fishing strong pickets and make every effort TO obtain
information respecting the designs and movements Of the
enemy.
On the LIST of March, after having been DELAYED by the
arrival of my supply trains, conducted they were
compelled to be by inexperienced officers resumed my
command supplied with eight days subsistence leaving
orders for Loves artillery the remainder of Rails
mand, under Lieut. Col Lane and Eastons infantry with
the exception OF one company, which designed as adj
dtonal protection to the ran yet in the rear march
on the I'd. Major Walker at Carrizal, received no
additional information but succeeded in eectually stop
ping all communication with the enemy
Thus far nay march successful, and continued so
until the night of the 9Th When within sixty miles of
Chihuahua, small party of my advance Unexpectedly
came upon of the enemy's pickes, which, unortu-
natey, succeeded in escaping.
:, Aware, now, that my approach would be known on
the following morning, pushed forward my command
until arrived within six miles of the Sacramento at
point termed Laguna, where met by flag of truce
from the general commanding the Mexican forces, pro-
testing against the advance OF my troops upon Chihuahua
upon the ground that instructions had been received from
inc Mexican government suspending hostilities,
treaty OF peace had been concluded and signed by
mssioners on behalf OF both governments The evidence
adduced on behalf of this assertion did not then deem
sufficiently satisfactory, and could not therefore, comply
with the proposition Convinced of the uselessness of
further conference, solicited to send in advance of
my command two OF my officers, arrange the prelmi-
nares OF captulaton; To this request yielded, and
masters department. and Lieut. Prince my assistant ad
luiant general who were fully made acquainted with my
views Fearful that discrimination the object of this
interview, determined to move my command upon Chi
huahua that night and accordingly proceeded with rapid
!ty when IN about hour after the departure of my
officers was met by some American citizens of Chhua
hua, who informed me OF the retreat the morning prev
obs, OF the Mexican army with their munitions of war
Anticipating events OF this nature, had the previous
day. detached beas dragons, that by forced march
the mountains during the night he would be able to
lntesect the Durango road and possibly encounter the
| enemy in his rapid and confused fight For his opera
tions respectfully refer to the report herewith submit
ted AT O'Clock at night my troops had possession of
the CITY On the following morning, (the sh,) with por
majority mounted) and numbering about $50 men, pur
sued the enemy to the town Of Santa Cruz de Rosales
where ne e. had already strongly fortified himsela dis
sunrise the morning OF the 9th After careful recon-
nossance of the place, determined to carry the
town by, storm, notwithstanding the immense supe
rority of the enemy in numbers, implements, and
munitions Of Dsmounting Rails with the
exception of McNains company and Walkers COM mn
mands to operate as infantry, aad posting Bears dra
goons, now augmented by one. company of Rails regi-
ment, to act either reserve to intercept the flight
OF the enemy in the event of success, determined the
attack on the west side of the town with Rails com
mand, and on the southeast angle of the same with
Walkers command. These arrangements perfected [
despatched Lieutenant Prince, with flag of truce de-
handing an unconditional surrender of the town and
public property An interview upon this summons was
requested by General Tras, which readily granted for
the reason adduced-vz that official notice from the
Mexican government of treaty of peace having been
signed by commissioners behalf of both governments
had been received and the solemn assurance by General
lras that he himself had doubt to the existence of
the treaty. moreover that he felt assured that confirmation
OF the same from his government would reach him by a
courier (express expected in three days This declara
ton supported by the honor of the Mexican general
and, under the circumstances, was regarded important
therefore made the proposition contained in the subse
4uent correspondence, which have the honor submit
herewith. That success must inevitably follow any
was expecting reinforcemens of my artillery and horse
and was willing, if human life could be saved to with
draw Tor lew days my forces though at the time
considered Il my duty to besiege the town, as main
tanned the right TO dictate such terms deemed consist
ent with American honor.
1t will thus be seen that small American force not
exceeding 300 men in the aggregate, beseged with sue
cess strongly fortified town. containing overoO troops
OF the enemy Without tents, scarcity of provisions,
and suffering from the effects of forced marches beyond
parallel my troops cheerfuly performed the onerous du
ties of the SIEGE day and night and entitled TO the
highest considerations OF their government
From the 9th instant to the morning of the 10TH moth
ing OF Importance ranspred for the subject of nv report
save the correspondence before alluded to- and the arrival
OF small attachments of the several commands together
with two l2-pounder howtzers, of Major Walkers bat
talon, under the command OF Captain Hassendenbel,
whom left at Chihuahua on the morning of the sth
| Expecting daily sally from the enemy nv troops
were constantly in the saddle; vgilant and cautious
belongs properly the commander That the enc
exhibited sUpineness--that afor,