Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-16
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

thunder, yesterday afternoon, upon the public
men Of ell nations now In Washington. As
they are gentlemen Who may fairly be pre-.
sumed TO have better means Of forming correct
views of the probable political effect OF hat
event than las q class any others Ia our coun'
try, we have lsbored to aoq ire an insight
into their opinions on it, aud we md that
with great unauimity, they are Of the impress
sion that England VII otf,r terms Of peace
more favorable than those she lately declared
to be her ultimatum, alleging that as her
quarrel was with Nicholas personally, rather
than Russia, she oar come to settlement with
the new government on terms to which she
could not agree with Nicholas as her sntsgo.
mist without forfeiture of something Of her
national dignity.
1t is not thought among those to whom We
refer above that the new Emperor osn or will
recede an iota from the demands Of bis late
father. Nicholas could have done so, mas
much as he had fairly won the entire conf
dence Of his people, with whom the war, with
all its consequences, is far more popular than
even our revolutionary war was when it was
being fought. The weight Of his influence
would have carried. him through in sacrificing
what is conceived in Russia to be points Of
national honor. Not SO, however, with the
P,iuce who succeeds him His policy is to
contend, to the bitter end, for ali the points
his predecessor claimed. Otherwise, his throne
must be ''shakey" from the beginning. We
need hardly add, after this explanation, that
few diplomatists In Washington fancy tina,
the death of Nicholas will be likely to result
in the abatement of any Of tho demands Of
Russia, in oven the most unimportant par.
ticular.
Il Gallant Ichievemsnt.-There has been
aud is, much excitement In the Territory Of
New Mexico growing out Of the Indian mas
sacres and depredations which have been per.
petratcd with impunity, in a great measure
for the want Of a sufi ,ient military force In
that country. Oar little army there now
however, small as it is, has visited prompt
retribution, in several instances, upon tn,
murderous savages who have been preying
upon the helpless and defenceless inhabitants
without regard to age or sex. For these dar-
iDg acts of bravery on tho part Of our officers
and men, the people of New Mexico manifest
the highest approbati On and gratitude.
The recent papers from that Territory refer
IN high terms of praise to an expedition under
Lieut.. 5. d. Sturgis, Of the LIST dragons, and
his command. A band of Indians had muir
dered o number of men, brutality outraged
their women, and then decsmped to the noun
tains with large number of stolen animals
Information Of il was received at Santa Fe, at
Q o'clock at night, and at 10 Lieutenant StuI-
gs and his command were mounted and IL
pursuit. In sixty hours, having marched
us miles, ne came up with tbs In iians, snc
battle ensusd, IN which several of the sava-
ges were killed, number wounded, and the
remainder routed, and the whole Of the stolen
property recovered. The dragons had three
men rounded. Such prompt and summar,
punishment will 20 far to check Indian out.
RACES.
The Legislature Of New Mexico manifested
their gratitude ard appreciation of the achiev-
ment by passing joint resolution of thanks e
Lieutenant Sturgis, and the citizens invited
him to public dinner. DeemiDg The service
rendered worthy Of more substantial marx,
the Legis ature unanimously passed resolu
tlon a'king the President to appoin, him a
major IN one Of the now regiments, In which
the citizens Of Santa Fe joined by petition
these documents were not received hero be
fore the field appointments we're made.
Lieut.. SIurgis graduated at West Point a.
ls4o, and Immediately joined the army il
Mexico under General Taylor. On the day
preceding the battle Of Buena Vista, he &C
companied the squadron of dragons undsr
Col. May, on a reconnaissance. Arriving at 9
high mountain behind which clouds of dus,
or smoke were seen rising, and the squadron
being unable to ascend, Lieut. st,rgis volun.
teered TO 30 himself and recounoitre. He
as,ended on horseback, accompanied by a
private, until the steepnsss of the mountain
prevented that mode, when they dismounted,
tied their horses, and proceeded On foot in
many places upon their hands and knees
As they reached the summit, large party of
MeIicans lying in ambush, watching the
squadron, rushed upon aud fired at the m, and
their lives were only saved by the Mexican
officer in charge. They were taken prisoners
aid carried into Gen. Minon's camp and were
with his cavalry In the battle of Buena Vista
prisoners CT war. They were exchanged about
eight days after the battle.
The firing Of the Mexic.ns upon Lieut..
Sturgis gave Col. May sufficient iufer m ,tisn
Of the position Of the ensny, and giving
Surgis up 70. lost, he returned, Communicated
the facts to General Taylor, who immedi .tely
prepared for the great battle, which crowned
him, and his gallant army with imperishabls
honor and glory.
Appointments and Promotions in thu Rsy.
enue tNsrine) servioe.-Wm. D. Whitehead,
dropped at the reduction Of the service In
1883 rsappointed to q saptainoy.
First lieutenants promoted to be eaptaips-
John Faunco and Cbas w. Bennett.