CHAPTER XIV.

CONQUEST OF NEW MEXICO.-Recognition of the War, and Disposition of the Forces-General Kearny-Army of the West-Instructions from the War Department--March from Fort Leavenworth--Arrival at Council Grove--The Prairies -Bent's Fort-Proclamation by Colonel Kearny--March resumed--Las Vegas -Expected Battle-Tacoletè-Pecos-The Cañon--Capture of Santa FéAppointment of Officers-Departure of General Kearny for California.--CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA.-Commodore Stockton-Colonel Fremont-Kit Carson -Counter-revolution-Battle of San Pasqual-San Bernardo-Battle of the San Gabriel-Reoccupation of Los Angelos--Return of General Kearny.

THE story of the recent conquest of New Mexico and California is one of rare and romantic interest. Yielding the preeminence in brilliancy of achievement and blood-bought triumph to the operations in southern and central Mexico, it takes no second place in the importance of its results, while it asserts for the force employed, skill, valour, devotion, and endurance, unsurpassed in military annals, and has crowned our arms with the truest and most abiding fame.

On recognition of war between the United States and Mexico, the American land forces designed to operate against the latter formed three divisions, with distinct points of attack. The "Army of Occupation," under Major-General Taylor, was instructed to move forward from its position on the Rio Grande, and subjugate and hold Coahuila, New Leon, and Tamaulipas. Brigadier-General Wool, with the "Army of the Centre," was to rendezvous at San Antonio de Bexar, and move on the city and state of Chihuahua; while at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri, was concentrated the "Army of the West" under Colonel Kearny, of the 1st regiment United States dragoons. His primary instructions were to march upon Santa Fé, the capital

of New Mexico, and effect the conquest and occupation of that state or department, but they were subsequently enlarged so as to embrace the conquest of California.

Mounted troops were considered best for the expedition; and agreeably to the requisition of Governor Edwards of Missouri, companies began to arrive at Fort Leavenworth in the early part of June, 1846. They were immediately mustered into service, and instructed and drilled in military exercises. Horses, mules, wagons, ordnance, subsistence-all the necessary materiel for an invading army were collected with prudent haste, and before the end of June, the expedition, fully organized, was on its route for Mexico.

The little army under Colonel Kearny numbered 1658 men, with sixteen pieces of ordnance, twelve 6-pounders, and four 12pound howitzers. It consisted of the following corps :-Five companies 1st regiment United States dragoons, under Major Sumner, three hundred men, and the only regulars in the army; Captain Hudson's company of St. Louis dragoons, the "Laclede Rangers," one hundred and seven men ; two companies of flying artillery, under Captains Fischer and Weightman, two hundred and fifty strong, with Major Clark as field-officer; a battalion of infantry, numbering one hundred and forty-five men, under Captains Angney and Murphy; with eight companies, composing the 1st regiment of Missouri mounted volunteers, eight hundred and fifty-six men, with the following field-officers-William Gilpin, Major; C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel; Alexander W. Doniphan, Colonel, and second in rank to the commander of the whole column. A gallant band of field and topographical engineers accompanied the expedition, consisting of Lieutenants Emory, Warner, Abert, and Peck. They received their orders at the seat of government, on the 5th of June, and within twenty-four hours thereafter were on their way, and having expeditiously completed their equipment at St. Louis, reported to Colonel

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of a raft. The energy of the comthe cheerful labours of his soldiers, and ed their struggles with, and triumph over, that presumed to obstruct their onward of the 16th, immense toil and resolution passage across, and on the 17th, the whole

Kearny at Fort Leavenworth, in time to take their line of march across the prairies ahead of the main column.

A short time previous to his departure, Colonel Kearny received a communication from the Secretary of War, covering additional instructions and extended command. After the conquest and occupancy of Santa Fé, he was to press forward to California, and co-operate with the fleet there in conquering and holding that province. Besides one thousand men added to his column, he was empowered to call for additional troops, and was directed to secure the aid of a large body of Mormon emigrants, en route for that distant region. His orders in relation to the route, and many other things appertaining to the expedition, were discretionary, and he was informed that the rank of Brigadier-General would be conferred on him as soon as his movement to California should be commenced.

In the last days of June, the army, broken into divisions, and preceded or accompanied by long trains of baggage and provi sion wagons, set forth on its toilsome westward march. Health, hopeful impatience, confidence in their chief and in each other, gave nerve to every limb, and to every bosom soldierly pride. For some days their wholly pathless route lay over elevated and rolling plains, covered with tall luxuriant grass and matted vines, and traversed by many deep ravines and steep-banked streams, the tributaries of the Kansas, or " Kaw," and its sovereign, the Missouri. The country, rich in picturesque beauty and fertility, presented the general appearance of " vast, rolling fields, enclosed with colossal hedges." The army, on the 1st of July, struck upon the great Santa Fé road. The earliest rays of the morrow's sun glanced brightly back from the long lines of polished arms and streaming banners that already moved across the broad, level plain, or rose over the gently-heaving hills, which here and there diversified the boundless sea of green. Out upon the silence of the mighty solitudes, with nought but plain and sky on every