Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-02-04
OVER the MOUNTAINS IN as
Gen. Cooks sketch or "a Winters
Work by the Dragons.

] Acns DORIS ~ FtCn OF N w lnkGr
work by the Dragons.
Gen. Philip St, George Cook is as
well known in Detroit rs he is in army
circles. II honorable M litary career
and his services in the field have been
supplemented by literary record
which is hardly less conspicuous. Gen.
Cooke is the author of several Interesting
books, aud contribut ons from his pen
frequently appear in the magazines.
The current number of the Magazine Of
american History has sketch by him
on "A Winters Work of Captain of
Dragons. Ii describes the march of
an infantry battalion from New Mexico
across the Rocky Mountain range to
San Diego. CAL. without road or
guide, in tho winter of 1861, the
making of map of the route. until
that time unknown, and the discovery
of practicable railroad route TO the
acilic years before the railroads reach
ed the shores of the Miss SIS PIP. This
route is now that of the Southern Pacif-
ic Company. One of the results of this
expedition OF General, then Capt. Cooke
was the establishment of the new south
ern boundary of the United States
amounting to the acquisition of a deal
of territory not heretofore contemplate
ed Ia be taken, but found to be of great
value, a value which is now beginning
to be appreciated.
We quote from the article to show
the hardships endured on the march:
january 10. day and N ght, the Rio
Grande was crossed about ten miles
below the mouth of tho G Ia; the
river is as large and deep as the Nj s.
sour; the ford was about mile wide,
with a sand island in the midst; il swan,
in places. the smaller mules. / had
two watertight wagons; these very
slowly carried the men and little bag
gage and provisions left.
Poor. exhausted men! 1t seemed as
il they could not be got over: and
could not be on both sides. and they
had sterner trial just ahead! There
was no grazing on lie west lie. and
the march must go on; I had to leave
one company in the middle OF the river;
/ knew III would excite energy. ex-
pected 10 find well of water fifteen
miles on: when we arrived it was dry.
Across this desert-which is ev-
identity u former bottom of the Gulf
the battalion marched irregularly part
~ by night; give an official resume of
part of it; Thus without water for
near three. days for the animals. and
camping two nights in succession
without water. the battalion made in
forty-eight hours. four marches of eigh-
teen. eight. eleven and nineteen miles.
suffering from frost and from summer
heat. At this time their sole food
was fresh meat, and of many the feet
were bare save for wrappings.
The battalion arrived and camped
at San Diego Mission. six m les from
San Diego. January %. 1917. 1t mad
marched 100 miles from Santa Fe in
lob days, but from Fort Leayenworth
about 1900"
Gen. Cooke entertains, il one NAV
judge by the article. poor opinion of
Gen. Fremont's services in California
and characterizes his assumption OF
authority there rs mutiny. Speaking
of events of January. 1S47. eliminating
in the occupation by Gen, Kearney of
the capital of Contamination Los
Angeles-January IL, 1S47. Gen. Cooke
says:
Col. Fremont had been marching
his mounted men 20 meet these enemies
for six weeks-34j III les in all eight
miles day, was not FASTENED by daily
news received. and even official notice,
of approaching conflicts. Accordingly
when the capital surrendered lie was a
few miles off. and. with II Governor de
facto and legal Governor (and gener-
al officer) at the head of troops in tile
capital they had just captured. made
capitulation and peace with the insur-
gent commander.
The wrangles of the military and
naval commanders and their Individual
assunpt ons of supreme authority. civil
and military, is humorouslv hinted-
under the date March /, 1849. about
the time that Gen. Taylor was resting
from his pursuit of the flying squad
rons of Santa Ana and Scott Vera Cruz
to the City of Montezumas-in such
terms as these:
For forty days | have commanded
the legal forces in California the war is
still existing; and, not pretending to tile
highest authority of any sort. have had
no communication with any higher. or
any other, military, naval or civil. 80"
[ have put a garrison in San Diego. the
civil officers. appointed by naval Of
firer refusing to serve. while naval
officer ashore is styled by some Govern
of San Diego.
Gen Kearney is supreme some
where up the coast; Col. Fremont
supreme at Pueblo dc Los Angeles;
Commodore Stockton is Commander
in-Chief at San ID ego; Commodore
Shubr ok the same at Monterey, and
at San Luis Rey: and we are all
poor. the Government hav-
ing no supplies, money or credit. and
we hold the territory because Mexico
is The poorest of all. Detroit Free
Press.