Doniphan's Expedition and the Conquest of New Mexico and CaliforniaA soldier's personal account of the Mexican War of 1846-48, experienced as a member of the First Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Col. Alexander Doniphan. |
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Common terms and phrases
advance American Apaches Armijo arms army arrived artillery battalion battery battle of Sacramento Bent's Fort Brazito California camp cannon Capt Captain Reid cavalry charge Chihuahua citizens Clay county Colonel Doniphan column command Connelly desert detachment died Durango El Paso encamped enemy enemy's expedition fire force Fort Leavenworth Frémont Genl Governor grass Gregg guns Henry Connelly honor horses howitzers Hughes hundred Indians infantry Jackson Jackson county James John Kansas Kearny killed Lafayette county Leavenworth Lieut Lieutenant Lieutenant-colonel Louis Major Gilpin ment merchants Mexican Mexico miles Missouri volunteers Missourians Moore morning mountains mules mustered Navajos night Norte officers party Paso passed plain possession prairie Private provisions Pueblo redoubts regiment returned river road Saltillo Santa Fé sent soldiers Sterling Price took town traders train troops United valley wagons Weightman William William Gilpin Wool wounded
Popular passages
Page 209 - It is the wish and intention of the United States to provide for New Mexico a free government, with the least possible delay, similar to those in the United States; and the people of New Mexico will then be called on to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to the territorial legislature.
Page 146 - What do we want with this vast, worthless area? This region of savages and wild beasts, of deserts, of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus and prairie dogs?
Page 208 - House dissenting) had declared that 'by the act of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between that Government and the United States...
Page 35 - Th' expressive glance — whose subtle comment draws Entranced attention, and a mute applause ; Gesture that marks, with force and feeling fraught, A sense in silence, and a will in thought ; Harmonious speech, whose pure and liquid tone Gives verse a music, scarce...
Page 209 - The United States hereby absolves all persons residing within the boundaries of New Mexico from, any further allegiance to the republic of Mexico, and hereby claims them as citizens of the United States. Those who remain quiet and peaceable will be considered good citizens and receive protection — those who are found in arms, or instigating others against the United States, will be considered as traitors, and treated accordingly.
Page 204 - ... body of Mormon emigrants are en route to California for the purpose of settling in that country. You are desired to use all proper means to have a good understanding with them, to the end that the United States may have their cooperation in taking possession of, and holding that country. It has been suggested here, that many of these Mormons would willingly enter into the service of the United States, and aid us in our expedition against California. You are hereby authorized to muster into service...
Page 338 - Moore and his advance and the dragoons coming to his support,- rallied their whole force, charged with their lances, and, on account of their greatly superior numbers, but few of us in front remained untouched ; for five minutes they held the ground from us, when our men coming up, we again drove them, and they fled from the field, not to return to it, which we occupied and encamped upon.
Page 502 - Your march and exploits have been among the most wonderful of the age. At the call of your country you inarched 11 thousand miles to the conquest of New Mexico, as part of the force under General Kearny, and achieved that conquest without the loss of a man or the firing of a gun.
Page 449 - Expedition were confined, when they passed through the place, on their way to the city of Mexico. This edifice has also acquired considerable celebrity as having received within its gloomy embraces several of the most distinguished patriots, who were taken prisoners during the first infant struggles for Mexican independence. Among these was the illustrious ecclesiastic, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who made the first declaration at the village of Dolores, September 16, 1810.
Page 201 - New Mexicans: — We have come amongst you to take possession of New Mexico, which we do in the name of the government of the United States. We have come with peaceable intentions and kind feelings toward you all. We come as friends, to better your condition and make you a part of the Republic of the United States.