The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #
DOCUMENT NUMBER 7
BRIGADIAR GENERAL BELA M. HUGHES
BRIGADE ORDER NO. 1
MAY 25, 1846
Signed Bela M. Hughes
Br. Gen. 1st Brigade 15th Division, Mo. Militia
DOCUMENT NUMBER 7
BRIGADIAR GENERAL BELA M. HUGHES
BRIGADE ORDER NO. 1
The Regiment comprise in the bounds of Clinton County is herby ordered to assemble at Plattsburg on the first Monday in June ensuing for the purpose of raising a company of volunteers under the order of the Commander in Chief of this state. The object of which is to guard this frontier from any attack from any quarter, war having already commenced with Mexico.
Volunteers so raised will be held ready to march at an hour’s warning. At the same time and place an election will be held for Colonel, Lt. Colonel and Major of said Regiment. It is hoped by the undersigned that the proverbial alacrity of our citizens in responding to the call of their country by rushing to its defense will again be exhibited.
By Order of the Br. Gen. J. W. Denver, Aid
Bela M. Hughes
Br. Gen. 1st Brigade 15th Division, Mo. Militia
Clinton County is one of the leading live stock counties in Missouri. It is the home of the best herds of Herford and Shorthorn cattle in the entire state. It is international known to be the greatest market for horses and mules. Clinton County contains 440 square miles much of which is improved farm lands, and large timbered areas. Originally there were 30,000 acres forest of black oak, post oak, black walnut, elm, hickory sycamore, cottonwood and ash along the many streams.
Soil is black prairie loam of a depth of two to four feet over subsoil of porous clay. In 1900 exports of cattle and corn were over three million dollars. The major towns are Cameron, Plattsburg and Lathrop, which are business centers as well as having schools and small colleges.
Clinton County ~ Plattsburg County Seat
Army of the West ~ Route to Santa Fe
Courtesy Richard Frajola
The Army of the West gathered at Fort Leavenworth where the post took on a sense of urgency for the mission ahead. The stockpiling of war supplies and training new recruits for the coming battle. Steamboat traffic increased bringing supplies the army would need from Independence and Westport
During the Mexican War, Fort Leavenworth served as departure point for three major expeditions. To do this task, Kearny made detailed plans and organized three expeditions. He led the main expeditionary force to conquer Santa Fe. Colonel Doniphan invaded and conquered the Mexican state of Chihuahua, finally Colonel Price and his smaller force of the second regiment of Missouri Volunteers followed Kearny to reinforce Santa Fe and secure the area.
Kearny and his force of 300 Dragoons and over 1,300 Missouri Volunteers departed Fort Leavenworth on June 26, 1846. A huge crowd of Army families and local well wishers turned out to see the army off.
It was an impressive force consisting of more then 100 wagons, 500 pack mules and over 500 covered wagons, with large herds of beef cattle.
For the first time, soldiers at Fort Leavenworth were to fight a foreign foe. The “Road to War” was uneventful with the main enemy that proved to be oppressive heat, which killed sixy artillery horses, and disabled a number of soldiers.
At Bents Fort Kearny met with James W. Magoffin, who worked as a scout for the army, to persuade the Mexicans at Santa Fe to surrender. Using money and some subtle advice, Magoffin had succeeded in getting Governor Armijo to resign and surrender the city. When Kearny arrived, the stars and stripes were run up the flag pole in the Santa Fe town square, and he read a proclamation taking over the territory. He took up the office in the palace as the first military governor of the territory.
After a short time touring a number of smaller southern towns in the area, Kearny departed on September 23rd with 300 Dragoons for California. This difficult journey over a 1,000 miles nearly ended badly at the battle of San Pasqual. There Kearny and his men barely held off a large battalion of the Mexican army, when military from Commodore Stockton aid arrived Kearny and his men were then able to recover and proceed to San Diego
DOCUMENT NUMBER 8
by BRIGADIAR GENERAL S. W. KEARNY on APRIL 27, 1847
Figure No. 8 Special Decree Signed by Brig. General and Governor of California
Monterey, California ~ April 27, 1847
Sir I have received your communication of the 30th March relating to a Decree made by me on the 26th of that month in the case of Gabriel Castro vs Antonio Hermano, & I have since learned that you have contrary to that Decree “given judgment & issued an execution to be levied by a Sheriff against various portions of the Property of the Defendant” A. Hermano. I have now to decree, that you stay all further Proceedings, until you hear further from me on this subject.
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. S. W. Kearny Brig. Gen’1. and Gov. of California
John Barton Esq, Alcalde at Pueblo de San Jose
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #