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Show 262 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN THE HISTORY Indians other than those of the pueblo of Taos were aiding the insurgent Mexicans in their guerilla warfare east of the mountains and the Apaches also joined the band under PLAINS INDIANS BECOME Manuel Cortéz. On the plains, incited, as TROUBLESOME it is believed, by the Mexicans, the Comanches, Pawnees, and Arapahos became very troublesome. There was hardly a party of traders over the Santa Fé trail that escaped attack and many were killed and large numbers of cattle and mules were lost. Lieutenant Love with a company of dragoons escorting government and lost all of his animals in June. funds had five men killed Later on comparative security was restored by stationing troops at different points. These troops, however, were not of the best, being volunteers, and apparently their officers had small control over them.’*? In the west, the Navajés were again raiding the valley of the Rio Grande, murdering and stealing, and paying no attention to the treaty which had been made in October the year previous with Colonel Doniphan. Shortly after the executions of August 3d, Price left Santa Fé for the states, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. R. Newby in command. Meanwhile two regiments of volunCOLONEL PRICE LEAVES SANTA _ teers, one of infantry and the other of Ff FOR THE STATES cavalry, an infantry battalion, and later another battalion of cavalry and artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gilpin, known as the Indian Battalion, which had been stationed on the plains guarding from attacks of the Indians, came to New Mexico. the traders In the month of December Price came back with a commission as brigadier-general and resumed the command of the department. There were noW about three thousand men in the ninth military department and 187 Garrard, L. H., Wah-to-yah or the Taos Trail, p. 285, gives us some idea of volunteer discipline. While on the plains he met a company of volunteers doing guard duty. He says: ‘‘ Volunteer-like, they were in the rear, at the side, and 1 advance of their commander; they, disregarding military deference, he military control. For a mile and a half, others were strung along the trail, in irregular squads, riding, sauntering carelessly, some without arms, and a few with muskets, beating the sage bushes for hares. On passing the three baggage wagons, the first lieutenant — the same who helped the sheriff at the Taos execution— poked his head under the wagon-sheet. He was in his shirtsleeves, his hair ucombed, and altogether he was a rare specimen of that peculiar genus, know? as a Missouri volunteer officer. He shouted as I passed — ‘How are ye-— Now wasn’t that a tall time dow? like to hang any more Mexicans? ye “ae to Touse! ’ ’’ WAR WITH MEXICO 263 with a part of these General Price marched south and in March, 1848, fought the last battle of the war at Santa Cruz de Rosalia, near Chihuahua. Upon the return of Price from Chihuahua and the announcement of peace, the volunteers, except two companies, returned to their homes, leaving New Mexico in August and September, 1848. The force of regular troops was now increased and in 1849 the entire number of troops in the department was 885, including a garrison at El Paso. In the spring of 1849, a force of volunteers was called into service and a company of Mexicans and Pueblo Indians served in a campaign against the Navajoés, led by Colonel John M. Washington. During the absence of Price in the south the command had devolved upon Colonel Newby in 1847 and in 1848 it was held by Major Benjamin L. Beall. In September, 1848, Colonel John M. Washington assumed command and in October, 1849, he was relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel John Munroe. In 1848 Colonel Newby made a campaign against the Navajés and secured a treaty with that tribe. In 1849 Colonel Washington also led an expedition to the Navajé CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE NAVAJOS country, of Jemez with 350 men and accompanied starting from the pueblo on by the United the 22d of August States Indian agent, On the 30th of the month, at Tunicha, several James S. Calhoun. hundred Navajés were met and negotiations for a treaty were begun. While this was going on, a dispute arose about a horse, and when Colonel Washington ordered its seizure, the Indians ran away and were fired upon, losing several men, among them their noted chief, Narbona. On the 6th of September the army reached Canyon de Chelly, where on the 9th, a treaty was signed. The return march was by way of Zuni, Laguna, and Alburquerque. This treaty was made only to be broken, for it is said that the Indians reached the Settlements before the soldiers and stole mules almost in sight of the flag-staff in the plaza at Santa Fé.1* Donaciano Vigil, after the death of Governor Bent, was acting governor of New Mexico; he did not desire to hold the office and St. Vrain, Strongly recommended the appointment of Colonel Céran : 188 o Was Washington’s reports, “02-10. Also Indian Affairs iii-15, including the Report, 1858, p. 188. treaty. Calhoun’s reports, |
