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Show 222 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY THE 3,500 men and a heavy park of artillery had been directed thither for its subjugation. On the 28th, near the city of Chihuahua, the American army came in sight of the enemy at a place called Sacramento. All day long an immense eagle, sometimes soaring aloft and again sweeping down amongst the fluttering banners, followed the line of march and seemed to herald the news of victory. Like the Romans of old, the soldiers regarded the omen as good. The approach of the American troops had been for a long time anticipated by the authorities of Chihuahua and preparations were made to obstruct their advance by Governor Angel Trias and General José Heredia, the general commanding the district.!® time had mounted returned to camp, a few of his men, followed them still further. All now and congratulated one another on the achievement. The Mexican loss was 71 killed, 5 prisoners, and not less than 150 wounded, among whom was their commanding officer, General Ponce de Leon. Also a considerable quantity of ammunition, baggage, wine, provisions, blankets, and a great number of lances, some guns, and several stands of colors, were among the spoils. ’’ _See report of gives full details of New pel Mexico, of Colonel Doniphan, from of the battle of Brazito. R. E. Twitchell, pp. his officers are found in O28, the Chihuahua, March 4, 1847, which See also The Military Occupation 102-104. same Biographies work, pp. 325, of Doniphan 329, 337-339, and 346- ~~ According to Heredia’s official report, dated March 2, 1847, he had but 1,575 men and ten pieces of artillery. In this estimate he could not have included all the militia and rancheros who were present at the battle of Sacra- mento, and the Americans certainly captured more than that number of guns Including the culverins. Colonel Doniphan, in his report, dated March 4th, says that ‘‘the force of the enemy was 1,200 cavalry from Durango and Chihuahua, with the Vera Cruz dragoons, 1,200 infantry from Chihuahua 300 artillerymen, and 1,420 rancheros, badly armed with lassoes, lances and machetes, OF corn knives. ’’ A complete plan of the Mexican fortifications was given to Colonel Dontphan by Captain Santiago Kirker and some of the Delaware Indians who were with Kirker. In his Doniphan’s Expedition, note 99, pp. 388-9, Connelley says: Meredith T. Moore Says that at the south end of the Jornada, above Brazito, a man appeared on the west bank of the Rio Grande and called over to the army. He was questioned by the officers, who finally ordered him to cross the river to the encampment, which he did, bringing with him some half dozen Delaware Indians. He proved to be James Kirker. He was dressed a8 4 “ome ape of cat day — fringed xican hat, a Mrican Shey. He was mousegrt Soe ee, a affection a sis. and ehec to which buck-skin hunting shirt and breeches, i ‘ i a he gxgave most f 1 attention. vtech, . ; carefu Inie, an addition to aa Hawk: ; e, elegantly mounted and ornamented with silver inlaid on the stock, ite aohaete a —— assortment of pistols and Mexican daggers. He said lanai a ron oe eS Maa In the service of the governor, e ihe down thease tudiene s oo ot is scalps he might take. ae Some time before the© war ' 7 ils was declared between ee the ia United ate States and Mexi¢ . WAR WITH MEXICO 223 At a meeting of the departmental assembly of Chihuahua, Trias presiding, it had been decided that when Doniphan’s men had been captured, they were to be stripped of their money and arms, and sent on foot to the city of Mexico; and a quantity of cord was cut in suitable lengths for tying the prisoners, which was afterwards captured at the battle. General Heredia, with Generals Justiniani, Garcia Conde, and Ugarte and Governor Trias, who acted as brigadier general, advanced to the pass of Sacramento about the middle of February, with near four thousand troops, regulars and militia, ten pieces of field artillery and six culverins, or rampart pieces. The position was skilfully and strongly fortified, under the direction of General Code, who was afterward detached with 800 cavalry to observe the American force, and on the approach of Doniphan fell back to the main body of the Mexican army. The road to the rancho of Sacramento, in front of which the enemy had fortified themselves, followed the course of an open level valley, bounded on either side by ranges of sterile mountains. The Mexican position the governor of Chihuahua owed him $30,000 for Indian scalps, he said; and instead of paying him, had repudiated his claim and threatened to arrest him and his Delawares and throw them into prison. Most of the Indians had returned to their own country, but he, with those he could find had out for the American army. Some of the Delawares went home by way of set Santa Fé; others remained with the army and went home by of New Orleans. Peacock says the Delawares came with Kirker. way Some of them had seenJames the fortifications at Sacramento, and one of them in conversation in the sand with a stick a plan of all the works and a map with Peacock drew of the locality in Which they were situated. He told Peacock that the Mexicans reminde d him of his first efforts to trap birds when he was a little boy; that they had og structed their fortifications on the theory the America a trap set in plain view, when by deployithat ng to the right nsthe would trap walk might —be avoided; that the Mexicans expected the Americans would march along the Toad in the ravine upon which all their artillery was trained. Peacock took the Indian to and gave army did it would Doniphan, for whom he drew designs of the Mexican fortifications, a description of all the surrounding country. And the American at Sacramento exactly what the Delawar suggested to ro do—turn to the right and avoid the eMexican artillery. The a fact that it was the Delaware who had a knowled ge the Mexican fortifications Would indicate that Kirker had not recently been of Sacrame Moore says Kirker was absolutely fearless; that at he Chihuah was a ua fine orrider, wellnto. ac- complished in the daring horsemanship affected by the old trappers and plainsmen of the time, such as leaning over from the saddle so far that his long hair would sweep the ground with a horse at full speed. He knew trails the of northern Mexico, and where water could be found along them. all Hethe spoke Spanish language well, also a number of Indian languages; he proved a valuable acquisition to the army.’’ Thomas Forsythe, another celebrated frontiersman, army. It is supposed that’ Forsythe Leon at the battle of Brazito. is the man who was shot with the American General Ponce de |
