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Show 946 FACTS LEADING OF MEXICAN NEW HISTORY THE WAR WITH MEXICO 247 In the month of June, 1847, there was trouble at Las Vegas. Lieutenant Brown and three men, pursuing horse-thieves, were killed. Property and equipment which had belonged to Brown were DEATH OF LIEUTENANT BROWN — found in the possession of some of FIGHT AT LAS VEGAS the inhabitants of the town. Major Edmondson attacked the town, killed ten or twelve men, found indications of a new revolt, captured the town and sent about fifty prisoners to Santa Fé, also burning the mill of the alcalde, Juan de Dios Maes, who was charged with complicity. In the month of July a detachment of thirty-one soldiers was attacked at La Cienega, near Taos, Lieutenant Larkin and five men being killed. On the approach of reénforcements, however, the enemy fled. Subsequent to this time there does not seem to have been any important engagement other than the fight with Cortéz, near Anton Chico or La Cuesta, in which more than four hundred Roberson near Wagon Mound by a party of Indians and Mexicans, in which we lost one man killed and two wounded, and about 250 horses. Being destitute of mounted men in consequence of the departure of the commands of and opened fire upon us from every point occupied by them. The bottom of the canyon was so narrow as to expose our men to the fire of the enemy from the hills on either side, which were very rocky and so nearly perpendicular as to render a charge impossible. I determined to re-cross the river in view of Captains Morin and Dent, on the morning previous, I immediately ordered in the grazing parties from the Ocaté. I was thus enabled by the use of some government animals to mount between 75 and 80 men, with which command I reached Captain Roberson’s camp on the evening of the 24th. I there found Captain Brown (with 12 Messrs. Rich and Pomeroy) wagons laden with goods belonging to our sutlers, who had been attacked the previous day at Santa Clara Springs (eight miles distant) by the Indians, who made a desperate effort to get possession of the wagons. Failing in that attempt, they drove his oxen out of reach of gun-shot and deliberately killed them to the number of between 60 and 70. The killing of the cattle was doubtless intended to detain the wagons and thus afford an opportunity to surprise and get possession of them. On the following morning, 25th, leaving about 30 men for the protection of the sutler’s wagons, I organized two scouting parties, one under charge of Captain Holloway, and the other in charge of Lieutenant Elliot, with directions to rendezvous at Santa Clara Springs the following night. We that day discovered where the enemy had corralled their animals a few days previous in the mountains, about 15 miles south of Santa Clara Springs, but had left in the direction of Red river. On the following morning, after forming an advance or Spy party, under command of Captain Holloway, company E, the remainder were formed into three platoons; number one, commanded by Captain Roberson; number 2, by Lieutenant Elliot and number three by Lieutenant Brown, com- pany F. Thus organized I proceeded to follow the trail discovered on the day previous to. the canyon of Red river. I entered it with Captain Roberson’s command, leaving the commands of Lieutenants Elliot and Brown behind, the company of spies going some fifty minutes in advance in order to prevent surprise. Descending into the canyon with great difficulty through the rocks, leading our horses and following the meanderings of the Indian trail about half a mile, discovered three Indians secreted behind the rocks about 200 yards from out trail. Supposing that a large number might be there secreted, and having my: self the advantage of the ground, I ordered a halt until the rear of the command should arrive. Whereupon the three Indians, who had no doubt been placed there as sentinels, made a rush for their horses, they being close at hand and ready-saddled. They were immediately fired upon, killing one of them and unhorsing another; the two remaining Indians mounted one horse and thus made their escape for the time. canyon, and with some We then continued to descend to the bottom of the difficulty effected a crossing of the river. tracks up the bank of the river, we passed the two Indians Pursuing the above spoken 01; who immediately made a desperate attempt to reach the main body of the enemy, who were then in our rear, but were immediately pursued and both slain before they could reach their party. The hills around us were by this time literally covered with Indians and Mexicans, who witnessed the tragedy occupying some high points on the opposite side which mand the outlet from the canyon, but the enemy, would at all times com- understanding the order, or anticipating it, got possession of the ford before the men could be rallied, who were somewhat scattered in pursuit of the two Indians spoken of. I then returned up the river some half mile and took possession of a point of rocks which was out of gun-shot reach from the hills on the opposite side of the river, but being too far from the river to command access to water, I determined to occupy a point more favorably situated, in passing to which Lieutenants EIlliot, Miller and Searey, who were in the rear, discovered a large party of Mex- leans rapidly descending the hill (who had escaped my notice), rallied about 20 men and kept them in check until the main body got possession of the point last designated. The men were immediately ordered to dismount, conceal their horses as far as possible, and take advantage of the rocks until the enemy should approach sufficiently near to enable us to make a charge, sending at the same time a detachment to the bank of the river to secure the water and prevent the enemy passing up the canyon in our rear. Our troops being thus disposed of, the fight commenced at the three several points and continued with- out intermission about four hours, the enemy alternately advancing and reAbout sunset, having driven beyond our reach treating as new recruits arrived. the Indians and Mexicans, finding a large portion of the troops out of am- munition, many of our men having ceased firing for want of it, and knowing that we would necessarily have to fight our way out of the canyon, as the enemy octhe passes, I determined to reach the open ground at the top of the cupied the canyon before dark, which was effected in good order, except in fordingconriver, where the enemy, anticipating our movement, were concealed in siderable numbers, opened a hot fire, wounding two of our men and killing several horses. After crossing the river we returned the fire of the Indians and drove them back with the loss of five killed and several wounded. We then proceeded to the top of the hill in good order, reaching it at dark, whereupon our troops were immediately formed for action; but no enemy appearing, we marched to water and encamped for the night, in view of returning to the Canyon the Seven; the number following morning. of. the enemy Our number in the engagement was could not be correctly ascertained, seventy- but have been variously estimated at from 400 to 600. Our loss was one man killed and The num3 slightly wounded, while the enemy’s loss was reported at 41 killed. as they were moved off the field ascertained, be not ber of their wounded could as fast as they fell. On consulting with the officers the next day, 27th, and parties (comfinding that that portion of our troops furnished by the grazing out of ammuPosing much the largest portion of the command) were entirely a further until operations suspend to compelled nition, we were reluctantly |