Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-04-09
KIT CARSON'S HEROES
Brief Sketch of the First Regiment
New Mexico Cavalry, Kit Car
sons Command.
SERVICES AGAINST NAVAJOS
A Record Of Indian Warfare Unexcelled--
Living and Dead Officers Of the Regi-
ment-Written By One Of
the Survivors.

The people of New Mexico will al
ways feel a deep interest in the memory
of Kit Carson and his brave officers and
soldiers, through whose efforts and
many sacrifices, the Navajos and other
hostile Indians were subdued, and peace
and tranquility restored to the territory.
This regiment, according to the Of
fetal records, with the exception of
companies L and M, was organized
May 81, 1852, by consolidation of certain
members of the First, Second. Fourth,
and Fifth regiments, New Mexico infan-
try. Company M was organized at
Fort Garland, Colorado, October A.,
1862, and company L at Santa Fe, N.
January 20, 1863, each to serve
three years.
The original members Except veter-
ans) were mustered out July 81, 1864, by
reason of expiration Of term of service,
and the organization, composed of vet
Grams and recruits, retained in service.
Company M was consolidated with COM
pany G. January 10, 1866. The remain
ing companies were mustered out OF
service from September 10 to 30, 1866,
with the exception Of certain members
who were consolidated with q portion of
the First Regiment New Mexico Infan-
try, and retained in service to form a
battalion of cavalry and infantry, desig.
mated First battalion of New Mexico
volunteers; said transfer and consolida'
ton to date from August 81, 1866.
The Regiment In Navajo Campaign.
The record of Kit Carson's regiment
has not been excelled in Indian warfare
The campaign against the hereditary
foes of the people of New Mexico-tht
savage Navajos-was most brilliant anC
complete in it's success. A brief refer
ence to that expedition is appropriate
Determined to strike the tribe a decisive
blow and, for this purpose to invade
their boosted stronghold, Kit left For
Candy January 4, 1864, with his com
mand. The result is set forth in the
partment under date of February, 1864,
in which he states: SIT will be seen BY
these papers that the operations of the
troops during the severely cold weather
have been of the most praiseworthy char
acter, and been crowned with unpar
allied success. This Is the first time any
troops, whether when the country be
longed to Mexico or since we acquired it
have been able to pass through thu
Canon de Chelle, which, for its grea
depth, it's length, it's perpendicular
walls, and its labyrinthian character
has been regarded by eminent geologist.
as the most remarkable of any fssur,
flor such it is held to be) upon tn
face Of the globe. 1t has been thu
great fortress Of the tribe since time GU
Of mind. To this point they fed whel
| pressed by our troops. Colonel Wash
ington, Colonel Sumner, and many othei
| commanders have made an attempt Il
60 through it, but had to retrace thei
| steps. 1t was reserved for Colonel Car
| son to be the first to succeed and / re
s%pectfully request that the government
| will f%avorably notice that officer ant
| give him a substantial reward for thi!
browning act in a long life spent in vari
Gus capacities in the service of hi
country"
Legislative Resolutions.
General Carleton then predicted: 50
| believe this will be the last Navajo war,
and history has verified his prediction
The people of New Mexico were not un
mindful of the benefits conferred by tn,
%subiugation of this ever hostile trib'
and by a joint resolution of the legisla
tive assembly, approved January 80
1865, 1t was set forth, as follows:
Whereas, The territory of New Mex
leo has for many years been exposed tt
the ruinous incursions of the Navajo
Indians; and,
Whereas, The people of this territory
in seeking relief from the many losse
and grievous injuries they have suffered
at the hands of these Indians, have fire.
quently petitioned congress to plac,
them upon a reservation and snbiec
them to a discipline which would pre-
vent them from the commission of NOR,
depredations in the future; and,
Whereas, Congress and the War ant
Interior departments Of the government
have approved the policy of placing
these Indians upon a provisional reser
walton when they shall be changed from
the condition of captivity In which the,
now are; therefore, be It
| OResolved by the council and house 0
representatives of the territory of New
Mexico, That these bodies tender thei.
thanks to the government of the United
States for the manner in which 1t ha!
complied with our petitions for relic
from the wrongs which the territory hal
suffered at the hands of its savag.
enemies, in reducing them to o state o
captivity at the Bosque, as the place O
security for the Navajos and Apaches
and thereby placing 1t out Of theil
power to commit further depreciation.
in the future; be it further
Resolved, That to the brave soldier.
and officers of the territory, who pur
sued the Indians and conquered then
in their rugged mountains. and deel
canons, we owe a lasting debt Of graft
tude for the valor exhibited by them