The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-21
Major Beall's Expedition.

tFrom the Santa Fe Republican, Feb. 81
This distinguished and indeiatigabe officer ar
rived in Santa Fe on the 18th utmo from Taos,
after making one of the most successful as well as
arduous excursions against the savage tribes that
have SO often and SO long scourged the inhabitants
of New Mexico. ..
The ostensbe object of the expedition was to
protect Mr.. Aubry's train of wagons from rumored
attacks Of the Indians; but, with the accustomed
energy OF the man, finding on arrival at the train,
that his services were not needed he accomplished
much more than was commanded or expected.
On the 23d of December he left Taos with de-
tachment Of only forty-eight men of company |, in
defiance of the assurances of the citizens, and
those acquainted with the route, that at that season
of the year it was utterly impractcable, and could
only result in failure. Undaunted by their prog
nostics, he plunged into the Taos mountains,
then covered with from eight to twenty feet
deep of snow, and without road to follow, with
out mark TO direct, save the snowclad peaks, and
trusting alone to his own iron will, the devotion of
his soldiers, and the Judgment of his guides, he
order to make passable path for his pack mules !;
then at the head of his little squadron, setting the
example of Drawing at once the obstacles of nature,
and the fierceness Of the elements. For three con-
secutive days. after toiling thus through the day.
they had to clear away snow to the depth Of ten
feet before they could kindle their cherries fire.
At the end of six days they reached the train, and
found It perfectly safe, not having been molested
by the Indians in the slightest degree
Having procured little supply of coffee and
sugar from the train for his command, he pro-
ceeded to the valley of Green Horn, in order to
obtain forage for his horses. This accomplished,
and much useful information gained, in obedience
to Instructions, he directed his march again for
Taos, via the Guajatoya mountains. This route
proved even worse than the Taos chain, the COM
mand having to struggle through snow from twenty
to thirty feet deep for distance of ten to fifteen
miles,
On the afternoon of the 9Th Of January, the com
mand struck a fresh trail of Indians, and pursuit
was Immediately made. In short time, q party
nj Ana ri oil nlnn rfntfnn
terlng one of their villages. The Major could
easily have annihilated the whole band, including
their village, but acting upon the spirit of his m
stIuSiohns and an IN with the
tory, he held great talk, not only with them, but
all their neighboring chiefs, including one of the
principal chiefs OF the Eutaws, all of whom not
only agreed to make treaty, but, as evidence of
their sincerity and good faith, to deliver all the
stolen property in their possession. Nor do we
fear their Noncompliance. The very manner as
well as speech OF the Major, NEST have impressed
those savages with the strongest conviction that
neither distance, mountains, nor seasons, would be
sufficient TO furnish security against such foe.
We can imagine we see him he erects his tall
figure before those savage chiefs and warriors, and
tells them that he comes not among them to buy
peace by distribution OF presents, but to demand
all their stolen property, make sincere peace
and be friends, or continue to rob, and he would
return and extrpate them; that the land was now OF
the white man, and he would maintain 1t while the
mountains should retain their places, or the tenn
pests continue to rock the lofty pines on their
breasts; we say we can imagine how he looked on
delivering these truisms to the savages, and the
impression which il must have made upon their
minds. 81 one thing we are certain-that visit
to their villages, made in such season, and rem
dered memorable by such bold and energetic
style OF talk, are worth more than the revenues of
the entire nation distributed among them in pre-
sents.
We learn that the gallant old veteran, in the
course OF few days, will be despatched upon
another excursion of more important character,
attend him; and may he return from this expedition
az he did from his last, without the loss Of either
man or beast! -
We also learn tLat the treaty entered into be-
tween Major Beall and one Of the principal Chiefs