The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-29
FROM OUR NEW MEXICO CORRESPONDENT


a
Since last wrote you. have received intelligence Of
battle between Colonel Bonnevles expedition and the
coyotero Indians, the Rio ella, in the Gadsden pur
chase. The battle fought the 9th ult Forty
one Indians killed fory-ive taken prisoners one
Mexican prisoner recaptured thirty horses taken
and several cornelds destroyed The troops had nine
wounded including Lieuts. steen and Ewell and one
Pueblo Indian II Is believed that Colonel B. has most
efectualy accomplished his mission and administered
such chastisement TO the Indians that viii be
forgotten His expedition has been ordered in
On the 18th instant soldier named Sumner, from
Massachusetts, where he has father mother wife, and
chid,) hung at Taos Gin Judge Brocchus's dstrict
for the murder Of youth named Stewart Sumner was
young man only ~ years of age He exhibited the most
obdurate indifference during the whole progress of the
trial, and only brought to show emotion when the
solemn sentence of death being upon him
by the learned and accomplished Judge After that be
maintained the caousness that had marked his pre-
vious conduct He said ii his WISH after he got to hell
(where he said he was to go to back and
ment several persons in Taos seemed delighted that
the wife of Of the oceswas going to send him clean
suit to be hung in. He wrote very affecting letter to
his aged parents in which he confessed his guilt and JUS
tilted his punishment. He begged them to keep
knowledge Of his true fate from his WIFE while before
his death he made full confession to the minister who
attended him. and the scaold exhibited much contri-
ton and emotion
few days ago received intelligence OF the deser-
ton of three soldiers from Fort Cantonment Burgwine
They supplied themselves with mules, provisions and
arms before leaving AT Fort Massachusetts, about 100
miles from the place of deserton where Capt Bowmans
rifles stationed, detachment headed by the corporal
sent after the deserte to them They resist
ed and killed the corporal in the melee OF the de-
serers shot in the leg and taken the other two es
capped, leaving behind their provisions and They
cannot possibly subsst In the desert country through
which they travelling without provisions and this
doubtless the pursuing rifles have captured them.
this day had the pleasure of seeing and conyersing
with the far famed Kit Carson. He is mild pleasant
in the expression of his face, and would
suspect him Of having led the life Of daring and adven
which distinguish him He is refined in his man
ner and very polite in his intercourse his conversation
is marked by great earnesness and his language appro
pirate and well chosen though not pronounced with
rectness He has strong mind, and everything he says
is pointed and practical except when indulgng in vein
of humor, which not unfrequent No
with him hour without being avorably impressed he
has oval, honest, open countenance and kindness
Of heart almost feminine He is universally beloved here
and favorite with all classes Indians included. He
audes to his adventuer unless ques-
toned relative to it, Although he is free and easy his
conversation everything he says regard to himself par
whose life has been an unboken succession Of haships
and dangers Yon may have seen small periodical float
ing about Washington called Exit Carson, the Gold Hun
ter / had read it, and in the course Of converse
ton asked him ii it true. He said it not
every made is false He represented in this
pamphlet as colossal figure when he is not over five
feet eight inches in height He is heavy framed and
weighs about 10 pounds He is foyeght years old but
does not look to be more than thrtyfye He came to
xI, oGCr
near Bonneville Missouri whom he apprentced to
learn the sadders trade The facts Of his life in
the possession of Washington Irving and will doubtless
be thrown into the form Of book during the coming
winter He il strong State-rights democrat.
Col James L. Collins superintendent OF Indian affairs
for New Mexico came TO this country in 1921. When
the war with Maxco broke ont he engaged in the
trading business in the State OF Chihuahua The Ameri-
cans after the Of the battle of Pao Alto,
dered to leave the city and State OF Chihuahua. He
came to Santa Fe, and remained here until Colonel Doni
phans regiment Of volunteers arrived in the Territory
Colonel Doniphan had been mportuned by the merchants
to halt on the way certain point in order to protect
the goods Of the traders until they could be driven off
places Of security Colonel Collins at that this
movement would give the people Of Santa Fe and vicinity
time to organize and prepare defend the city; Whereas
If Doniphan would Immediately on there would be
no resistance He accordingly despatched letter to
Captain Waldo conveying his views to the best policy
to be pursued Doniphan acted his suggestion. and
Immediately marched into Santa Fe without opposition
Colonel ponpaan then employed Colonel Collins spy
or guide for his regiment and proceeded on TO the from
tier of Mexico to join as soon rs nossibie Woois divs
always going In advance with select party
as scout
The night previous to the battle Of Sacramento Collins
out In one direction and old Indian hunter
named Kirk In another to reconnotre, and report If any
of the enemy to be About midnight Collins
discovered campres; he despatched of his to
ascertain what it meant The returned and reported
troops Collins questioned him closely, and found from
his answers that the return was not sufficiently rel
able. lie proceeded cautiously himself up to within
distance TO sec plainly that 1t was Kirk and his
party who had diverged from the assigned path, and
very iaprudentlT camped in the road and lighted up
fires The scouts thus got together and Collins leading
went of from the road and eamped. About daylight he
determined to proceed 70 small town in advance of
them Kirk and the murmured, and expressed
wish to return Collins made known to them his deter
mnaton TO go alone, If one ,,;,l;r, d accom-
nanv hfvv Hn' !, ~. y,
,s somewhat shamcd them, and they all
Joined him marched forward and took possession q ts
town After taking soTe refreshments Collins ana one
Of his men proceeded elevated piece OF land whence
they had am extended view Of the plains before them
with the assistance of spyglass, they discovered at
some distance troops issuing from rancho to the num-
Der of about 200. Collins instantly set about eommu-
NaF; tha lttpl