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The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848

The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #

LETTER NUMBER 41

by PRIVATE C. W. ABBOTT on JANUARY 16, 1848

Santa Fe New Mexico January 16, 1848

Santa Fe New Mexico  January 16, 1848

Figure No. 41 March 4, 1848 Fort Leavenworth, Missouri

Figure No. 41  March 4, 1848  Fort Leavenworth, Missouri

To Rev. John Barnes  Lebanon , Illinois

From U. S. A  Santa Fe  X  with 10 cent rate

Santa Fe  New Mexico   Jan. 16, 1848

Bro. Barnes

                   Dear Sir,  Again I would inform you that I am still in the land of the living in a good state of health.  Our Reg. is still cooped up here in this place having nothing to but drill! drill!  We are doing it up brown.  I have no news of any importance to communicate for we have no prospect of any fighting, for all the enemy that could have been mustered in N. M. has lately been attacked and beaten.

During several month past a Mexican marauder by the name of Cortes has been prowling through the country with about 10 men.  On the 22nd of Nov. Capt. Armstrong of the Mo Battalion found out his whereabouts and attacked him with 40 men, took several horses, three tents and camp equipage.  I put them all to flight no lives were lost but several of the Mexicans were taken prisoners.  New Years and Christmas helped of quiet dull except that some of the soldiers took themselves a little furlough and got drunk.  On New Years day we buried one of our lieutenants of the Reg. by the name of Cameron. We always bury the dead with much parade and with military honors.  Such a scene on such a day brought to mind the line of this rhyme:

Act is long and time is fleeting     Like muffled drums are beating

Though our hearts are stout and brave     Funeral man has to the grave !!

Religion is I think not much thought about here.  I have not heard a prayer since I left Alton (Illinois)

The Mexican Congress that has encampment here.  This high-archy have passed laws, one is that the Mexican’s may bury their dead free from the charges of the Catholic priest craft, and another encourage the support of schools throughout the province.  Many others were passed and put into effect which will have a tendency to benefit this ignorant and superstitious people.  So that you see that even here we are amidst the waters of the redemption and regenerations.  The wave of Freedom that rose so powerful on the shores of the Atlantic has rolled with irresistible might across the waters of the Mississippi and now the same will mingle with the waves of the Pacific Coast.

This country has many advantages by nature though it is generally despised by the soldiery here.  There is gold, silver, iron, glass, coal, salt, i.e.  The valley’s are so rich that they would be good for agriculture if attended by those who understand the arts and sciences.

But this is the last country in which I would wish to live in.  The people do not suit me.  I would rather be in any place on this side of Christendom that to be cooped up here under the control of others so that we can scarcely say that our will is our own.  Lt. Johnson is loved and respected by all the Company, he makes a good officer.  Stiles has that selfish important turn together with his bigotry never giving up an Idea but contending to the last , has won himself the ill will of most that know him.

Still he remains the same as when he left.  I hear many scandalous reports has come back of many of us but you kneed not believe more then half of them.  For my part I have lost ground ever since I started, heart felt religion has fled.  I am surrounded by more then I can nature bare.  I have a bitter and sarcastic enemy in the person of Capt. Bond who strove to injure me and he has done it, yet I have I believe more friends in Co. and Regiment than he.  I sometimes feel that cursed was the day that I volunteered under him.  But amidst all I trust in God with bright hopes that all will end come out right.

My respect to Sister Barnes, Mother, yourself and all friends.  I hope to live to get back and square the yards with all with whom I am indebted in a pecuniary point of view, yet I fear that I owe many their debts of gratitude that I can never repay.  Yet every dollar shall be paid if life is spared me.  Respect to Garret and wife if he has yet one.  Please write me.  I have never received a letter from the grave yet, but have written many.  We would like hear of some peace news.  The army is now healthier then is has been before since we left Illinois.  The winter so far has been mild and warm.

Yours respectfully,  C. W. Abbott

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

On The Road to San Diego  ~  January 25, 1847

John T. Hughes  Doniphan’s Expedition and Conquest of New Mexico   1848

It was on this return march that General Kearney, dismounting, walked one hundred and forty-five miles with the common soldiers, covered with dust and sweat, having placed on his horse one of the sick men, whose feet were worn and blistered, and who from Exhaustion, was unable to proceed further.  About this time the gallant Private Willard P. Hall, of the Missouri volunteers, in Col. Doniphan’s regiment, and recently elected member to Congress, came up to meet General Kearny in the road.

Private Hall reported to him the near approach to California of the Mormon battalion under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cooke.  Upon seeing the general toiling in the dust with common soldiers he generously offered him his charger, observing “General! Take my horse and ride; I am younger then you and will walk.”  “No, I thank you; I am a soldier, and can walk better than you, as I am accustomed to it.”

DOCUMENT NUMBER 42

by COLONEL R. W. MASON on FEBRUARY 9, 1848

Know all men by these Presents

Know all men by these Presents

That I, Richard B. Mason, Colonel 1st Regiment of Dragoons, United States Army and Governor of California by virtue of authority in me vested, do herby appoint Dolores Pacheco 2nd Alcalde for and in this jurisdiction of the Pueblo de San Jose, Upper California.  Done at Monterey the Capitol of California this 9th day of February A. D. 1848.  In the 72nd year of the Independence of the United States.

R. W. Mason Col. 1st Dragoons – Governor of California

LETTER NUMBER 43

by PRIVATE E. B. BATEMAN on MAY 14, 1848

Fort Leavenworth Missouri May 14, 1848

Fort Leavenworth  Missouri  May 14, 1848

 

 

Dear Father   Your letter of the 5th instante was received was received 8 days after it was mailed. The Fort is beautifully situated on the left bank of the Missouri River 482 miles from St. Louis and 993 miles from Santa Fe.  A vast amound of Government stores are here of almost every kind of provision for transport of munitions of war & men.

Figure No. 43 May 27, 1848 Westport Missouri

Figure No. 43  May 27, 1848  Westport Missouri

Letter to Burgin Batman, Esq. Jacksonville, Illinois

From Dr. E. B. Bateman at Fort Leavenworth with 10 cent rate

Please write soon and direct to my new address  below, we are expected to leave with the first train tomorrow or the next day.  I expect to go with 6 or 7 hundred infantry and 300 heavy wagons.  Please write soon to the address below.

Your faithful son. E. B. Bateman

Postal Address

The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #