The Old Santa Fe Trail

d to operate against Mexico at three distinct points, and consisting of the Southern Wing, or the Army of Occupation, the Army of the Centre, and the Army of the West, the latter to direct i

l A. W. Doniphan, were to make a descent upon the State of Chihuahua, while the remainder and gre

fter a storm and a little before sunset, a perfectly distinct image of the Bird of Liberty, the American eagle, on the disc of the sun. When they saw it they simultaneously and almost involuntarily exclaimed that in less than twelve months the Eagle of Liberty would spread his broad plumes over the plains of the West, and that the flag of our

ragoons, commanded by Major Sumner; the First Regiment of Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Doniphan, and two companies of infantry, commanded by Captain Aubrey.

mmand of Lieutenant W. H. Emory.25 In writing of this expedition, so far as its march relates

, they were driven into corrals formed of the wagons, or tethered to an iron picket-pin driven into the ground about fifteen inches. At the outset of the expedition many laughable scenes took place. Our horses were generally wild, fiery, and unused to military trappings and equipments. Amidst the fluttering of banners, the sounding of bugles, the rattling of artillery, the clatt

al as any other body of troops then in the field. The volunte

ion, and asking for such provisions as could be spared. Lieutenant-Colonel Ruff of Doniphan's regiment, in command of the troops now camped on the Little Arkansas, was almost destitute himself. He had sent couriers forward to Pawnee Fork to stop a train of provisions at that point and have it wait there until he came up with his force, and he now directed the courier from Kearney to proceed to the same place and hal

Doniphan's E

e Arkansas, a lan

uresque nature ma

glossy undulation

spread out in in

ing after a storm

ng buffalo, on th

nty-five to a hund

of the sand hills

oad, majestic rive

hickly beset with

resembling heap

osis has taken place within the last thirty years; for the author of this work well remembers how the great sand dunes used to shine in the sunlight, when he first saw them a third of a century ago. In coming from Fort Lea

stream, over which the army passed, carrying in their arms the sick, the baggage, tents, and other paraphernalia; the animals being forced to swim. The empty bodies of the wagons, fastened to their running gear, were floated across by means of ropes, and hauled up the slippery bank by the troops. This required two whole days;

an officer, Major Howard, who had been sent forward to Santa Fe some time previously by the general to learn somethin

ople, or plebeians

ns of peace propose

would lay down the

to the government o

intents and purpos

c, receiving the pr

anteed to other Am

s who held the off

e, and were making

that two thousand

for the defence o

were assembl

ated quite a sensatio

y hoped, that the entr

rately opposed; such is

n the moment he dons t

hundred buffalo suddenly emerged from the Arkansas, and broke through the long column. In an instant the troops charged upon the surprised animals with guns

New Mexico; and that the American advance would be vigorously opposed. Some Mexican prisoners were taken near Bent's Fort, with blank letters on their persons addressed to the general; it was supposed this piece of ingenuity was resorted to to deceive the Am

ards were posted, and the animals turned loose to graze, guarded by a large force. Notwithstanding the care taken to confine them within certain limits, a pack of wolves rushed through the herd, and in an instant it was stampeded, and there ensued a scene of the wildest confusion. More than a thousand horses were dashing madly ove

surprise at the big guns, and declared that the Mexicans would not stand a moment before su

to proceed through the mountains to the valley of Taos, to learn something of the disposition and intentions of the people, and t

-mules laden with

o be long absent, t

ys after we left t

her gentle means no

ast effect in ind

ice with Uncle Sam

he sergeant. "Di

ts and drawers, men

an bag one-twentieth

e bacon was distribu

uppers of their sa

ut the slightest fe

being

ta Fe was resumed

s Fort the America

ur troops, and, li

n the gale that sw

e houses were crowde

intently beholdin

in advance to see how matters stood returned and reported that two thousand Mexicans we

light artillery in the centre, and Colonel Doniphan's regiment in the rear. The companies of volunteer infantry were deployed on each side of the line of march as flankers. The supply trains were next in order,

Kearney administered to the chief officers of the place the oath of allegiance to the United States, using the sacred cross instead of the

of the Mexican army. Salezar was kept a close prisoner; but the two privates were by order of General Kearney escorted through the camp and shown the cannon, after which they were allowed to depart, so that

troops, part of them well armed, and the remainder indifferently so. The Mexican general had written a note t

pache canyon at noon, with his whole force ready and anxious to try t

dazzling brightne

uadron, regiment,

unfurled. The dro

from the gay arr

with spirit, and

all. All wore the a

the day's march th

sound the chief men

the distance, at f

ping the sides of

as now surely in th

two dashed up to t

th joy, an

anyon, my brave; p

As soon as his ext

ight, and the pleas

ided, he gave a pr

s force an

s a rumour reache

ns assembled in the

ng themselves; and

issensions, has fl

he south. It is we

ttle, but some of h

used to fight. He

of his own people t

hat they are blind

esis

he ancient town of

a mule, came towa

hand to the general

himself and army.

jo and his troops

anyon is

hat their artillery could play to better advantage upon the American lines, and by throwing up temporary breastworks. It was ascertained afterward, on undoubted authority, that Armijo had an army of nearly seven thousand Mexicans, with six

of the Army of the West, the reader is referred to general history, as this book, necessarily, treats on