El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-04
]. s. SOLDIERS
CROW RESTLESS
Americans In Mexican o.
cupation Army Want To
Fight, Not Guard City.
CONTINUED from page II

We Immediately commenced our
march for Ell Paso del Norte with
about 500 riflemeu. All cOmmunica-
ton between Chihuahua and New
Mexico was entirely prevented On
the 25th OF December, 1886, my van
guard was attacked at Brazito by the
Mexican force from this state, our
force was about $50, and the force or
the enemy. 100; the engagement last
ed about 40 minutes. when the enemy
lied. leaving 90 killed and since dead.
$50 wounded, ard one howitzer, the
only piece OF artillery In the engage
meut on either side On the 9th we
entered FL Paso without further op-
position; from the prisoners and 9th
His March Into Mexico.
learned that you had not
marched upon this state. I then de-
rermined TO order a battery and 700
eruuerists from New Mexico They
arrived in FL Paso about the 5th or
February, when we took up the line
Of march for this place. copy or
my official report Of the battle OF
sacramento. enclosed TO you viii
show you all our subsequent move
ments Up 10 our taking military pos
session Of this capital The day Of
my arrived 7 had determined TO send
an express 10 you forthwith but the
whole intermediate country was in
The hands OF the enemy and We were
cut off, and had been for many
months, from all information respect
ing the American army Mexican re-
ports are never TO be fully credited
get, from all we could learn. we did
not doubt that you would be forced By
overwhelming numbers 10 ABANDON
salullo. and Of coure we would SEND
10 express under such circumstances.
On yesterday we received the FIRST
even tolerably reliable Information.
that a battle had been fought near
Saltlllo between the American ana
Mexican forces, and that Santa anna
had probably fallen back on san Luis /
5Ien Want 70 Quit.
ny position here is exceedingly en-
harrassing. In the first place, most Z
Of the men under my command have /
been in service since the lst Of June, Z
Their marches have been hard es- Z
pecially in the Navajo country, and /
10 forage; so that they are literally 4
without horses, clothes or money, I
having nothing but arms and a dis Z
position TO use them They are all /
volunteers officers and men. and al I
though ready for any hardships or I
danger, are wholly unfit to garrison /
a town or city ct IS confusion worse ]
confounded" Having performed /
march OF more than 1000 miles, and 1
their term OF service rapidly eIpir- /
i1E. they are restless 10 Join the army /
under your command Still We can i
not leave this point safely for some /
davs-the American merchants here j
oppose * violently. and have several
hundred thousand dollars at stake. /
They have sent ne a memorial and 4
ny determination has been made 4
known to them A copy OF both they Z
viii send you OF one thing Il Is nee
essary TO INFORM you. the merchants
admit that their goods could not be I
sold here in five years; II they 20 j
south they VII be as near the mar
Izsts OF Durango and Zacatecas as
they now are
wants Activity.
7 am very anxious and fuEt as
willing TO protect the merchants as
against remaining here IS a mere
wagon guard, 20 garrison a city with
troops wholly unified for 10. and who
-ill soon be wholly ruined by i'm
proper indulgences- Having been
originally ordered TO this point. you
know the wishes OF the government
IN relation 70 it. and OF course your
orders viii be promptly and cheer
fully obeyed. ] fear there is ample
use for US with you. and We would
greatly prefer joining you before our
Term Of service expires
All information relative to my pre-
Vious operations, present condition.
etc. viii be given you by Mr. J. Col
Iins. the bearer Of dispatches. He s.
a highly honorable gentleman. and
was an amateur soldier at Sacra-
uento.
Very respectfully. your obedient
servant A. W Doniphau.
Colonel 1st Regiment.
Missouri Cavalry. 7.
Brig Gen. Wool. c. s. A
Tomorrow another iusralmeuf viii
appear. telling OF the experiences Of
sent by Col. DOniphan TO
Cen. Wool