The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848

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Additional Instructions

Sir:   By direction of the President, I have given the bearer hereof, Colonel James W. Magoffin, a letter of introduction to you and trust you will derive advantage from his knowledge of the country in which you are to carry on military operations, and the assistance he may afford in securing supplies, etc.

    I have nothing of important to add to the dispatches which have been already forwarded to you.  Since my last letter it has been determined to send a small force round Cape Horn to California.  The arms, cannon, and provision, to be sent to the Pacific, will be accompanied by one company of artillery of the regular army.  Arrangements are now on foot to send a regiment of volunteers by sea.  These troops, and such as may be organized in California, will be under your command.

    More than common solicitude will be felt here in regard to the expedition committed to you, and it is desired that you should avail your self of all occasions to inform the government of your progress and prospects.  The President desired your opinion, as early as you are in a situation to give it, on the practicability of your reaching California in the course of this autumn, or in the early part of next winter.  I need not repeat the expression of his wishes that you should take military possession of that country as soon as it can be safely done.

To: Colonel S. W. Kearny

July 2, 1846   ~   On The Santa Fe Trail 

All was now fairly upon the great Santa Fe road which lead to the enemy’s country.  At break of day on the 2^nd of July, reveille was sounded.  The army was on the march as the first beams of the morning sun had kissed the glittering dew drops from the prairie grass, bearing aloft their streaming flags to the breeze.  As the troops moved off majestically over the green prairie they presented the most martial and animating sight.  The long lines stretched over miles of level plain.

   On the plains our horses were the objects of our most special attention.  Who ever was so unfortunate as to lose his charger was necessitated to continue the march on foot or drive a wagon, both of which were unpleasant to the volunteer soldier, to say nothing of the chagrin of losing his place in his company as cavalier.  We therefore secured our horses with all possible care at night, to guard against escapes.  Great prudence was also necessary in riding cautiously and grazing carefully, to prevent stock from failing on the road.  Chasing deer, antelope and buffalo on the plain would ruin a horse and become unfit him for military service.  When a soldier, by ill luck happened to lose his horse, he would purchase another at almost any cost if by chance a surplus one in camp.

   The 4^th of July, Independence Day, seemed to inspire the troops with new life and cheerfulness, although upon the wide prairies of the west, we could not forget to commemorate the annual return of the hallowed day that gave birth to our national liberty.  After a toilsome march of twenty-seven miles, upon the green, boundless plain exposed to the heated rays of an almost vertical sun we pitched our tents at sunset on the banks of Bluff Creek, where we found plenty of cool spring water, and an abundant supply of grass and fuel.  The greatest good humor prevailed in camp.

Observations by John T. Hughes of the First Regiment of Missouri Cavalry

LETTER NUMBER 1
by MAJOR STEP. W. KEARNY on DECEMBER 3, 1821

Sir:

Since my arrival at this Post I have understood that Bt. Major Twiggs, of the 7th & Capt. Jones of the 1st Infy have applied for Transfer to other Regt.  Allow me.

Respectfully, to protest, in the strongest terms, against the injustice that would done me were this Transfer to be sanctioned.  The Hon’l the Secy of War, attached me to the 1st Regt.

In consequence of my Rank.  I being Senior Capt. & the board having removed me from a Regt. in which I had been in the situation for many years.

LETTER NUMBER 2
by CAPTAIN S. W. KEARNY on OCTOBER 14, 1837

Figure  No. 2.   October 14, 1837  Cantonment Leavenworth, Missouri
Letter to Capt E. A. Hitchcock, U. S. Army, Saint Louis, Missouri
From Captain Stephen S. Kearny, First Infantry
Manuscript postmark with 18-3/4 cent rate

Dear Capt

Above you have a draft on of my Nephews who writes to me that he has that amount ready – will you please sell it for as much advance as it might bring & deposit the amount to my credit, in the State Bank of Missouri, & let me know when you have done so that I may draw accordingly.  I return from Arkansas on the 9th when at Fort Coffee, I saw Lieut. Col. L. Whistler & Capt Stuart of the 1^st  Inft. who have a letter from Macomb saying that they are appointed by the War Dept. Commissioners to select a site for a new Fort to remove the troops from Fort Gibson to direct them to certain points on the Arkansas to examine.

From what I could gather I think they will give their opinion of several places, & if they express any preference will follow the recommendations made last winter by my self & others.  The joys of the political machinery of the Country – I care not one farthing about it.

I have no news to communicate – every thing is quiet & still the 180 Indians who left the neighborhood for the Florida War are not missed by us — there were however amongst them, some of the very best warriors we know of & if properly managed may be made service able – I blush for my Country when I think of the invitation they received to go so far from their home & fight Our Battles.

    Write me at length & Congress I suppose has adjourned.

Yours,  S. W. Kearny

LETTER NUMBER 3
by CAPTAIN S. W. KEARNY on OCTOBER 13, 1837

Figure No. 3   Datelined  October 13, 1837  Cantonment Leavenworth, Missouri
To Capt. E. A. Hitchcock, U. S. Army, Saint Louis, Missouri
Carried by hand to Saint Louis

Dear Capt

      The Steam Boat Pirate has arrived this afternoon & brought me your letter of the 3rd Inst.   – – I thank you for you the trouble I have occasioned you.

I enclose a check of Maj. Morris for $600. and wish that you deposit it in the Mo. State Bank in my credit – –  and as you have been so good as to say you will do some business for me I also enclosed you a check for my own for $234.00 which I will thank you and put out at interest for me the whole (Principal & Interest) to be payable on the 16th of May  1839 – – I have done little in St. Louis at interest of 10 per cent & some at 12 — I suppose the letter can be obtained with good endorsers – –

You see I make no scruples in availing myself of your friendly offers.  –  I ask of you to act for me, as if acting for your self & I will be perfectly satisfied.  I will write to you again, when more at leisure.

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