Transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918. 5 v. (lvi, 2731 p., [228] leaves of plates) : ill., maps (some fold.), ports. ; 27 cm.

1918 KANSAS AND KANSANS Chapter 8 Part 4

THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN SMITH

Captain Jedediah Strong Smith was one of the most remarkable men who ever traversed the mountains and plains of the West in the pioneer days. He was born in New York near the Seneca Indian Reservation. He was given a good education, but he had as playmates the Seneca Indian boys, and his associations with them bred in him a desire to see pioneer life in the Far West. He was but a boy in the War of 1812, yet he was one of the victorious sailors in Perry's Victory. He continued westward, arriving at St. IJouis. There he entered the service of General Ashley, of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. He soon became the first trapper in the Rocky Mountains. His coolness in danger, his daring, his judgment, his aptness for trade, his comprehension of the fur business in all its bearings, made him a leader. He formed the Company of Smith, Jackson & Sublette to take over the business of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company when General Ashley decided to sell out his business. His company did a heavy business, and Smith amassed a competency. He determined to retire from active life in the mountains, for he had seen them all, to the Pacific Ocean. At an early day he led a party into California to hunt. This party passed a winter in the foothills on a stream east of Sacramento. From that circumstance the stream was called the American River - which name it still bears. Leaving his party there, Smith returned to the Great Salt Lake for assistance. He returned and led his companions home through Oregon, up the Columbia, and south through what is now Idaho. As an American explorer Smith stands in the first rank.

In the spring of 1831, some of the old partners of Smith engaged in the Santa Fe trade. Smith did not wish to do further business on the Plains, but was induced by his former partners to become a member of their venture to Santa Fe. The company was one of the best equipped that ever took a cargo across the Plains. All went well with it until it entered the desert between the Arkansas and the Cimarron. It seemed that the water had disappeared from every stream and spring. It seemed that death for all was certain. Captain Smith was not daunted. He had faced death too often and in too many forms to quail at the terrors of the Cimarron desert. Mounting his buckskin hunting-horse, he followed a buffalo trail across the burning sands for miles. At length he came upon an elevation from which he descried the winding channel of a stream. It was the Cimarron. He hurried to it and rode down into its bed only to find it dry and glistening sand. But Smith was a plainsman. He dug, with his hands, a hole in the bed of the river. Water slowly rose in this rude spring. As he lay prone upon the sand to drink he was attacked by a vagabond band of Comanches. They wounded him with arrows as he drank. He rose and faced the roguish savages. He battled with them, but was overpowered by numbers and slain. He killed several of his savage assailants - just how many is not now certainly known. The Indians said he killed three of their band. If they would admit the loss of three, Smith probably slew twice that number. The death of Smith was soon widely known, and it was regretted from the Mississippi to the lone hunting-camps of the Rocky Mountains. Few men ever impressed themselves upon the times as Captain Smith did on the wilderness of his day.

THE MURDER OF CHAVEZ

The Santa Fe trade continued without interruption until the year 1843. The Mexican forts on the American frontier were closed in that year in consequence of military activity along the Santa Fe trail by the armed forces of Texas, whose north line was, for some distance, the Arkansas River. In November, 1842, it was reported in Santa Fe that Texan forces were planning to attack traders passing over the Trail, as then in use, in the coming spring. Giving little heed to that rumor Don Antonio Jose Chavez, of New Mexico, started from Santa Fe to Independence, Missouri, in February, 1843. He took with him five servants. He had two wagons and fifty-five mules. He carried some twelve thousand dollars in gold and silver, and some bales of furs. Severe weather was encountered, the month of March proving unusually cold. The men were frost-bitten, and all the mules save five perished in the storms. By the 10th of April Chavez had come to the waters of the Little Arkansas, a hundred miles or more over the line into American territory. There he was intercepted by a company of fifteen men commanded by one John McDaniel. He had enlisted and organized his band on the frontier of Missouri for the purpose, as he said, of joining a certain Colonel Warfield, then on the Plains claiming to be in the service of the Republic of Texas, and intending to attack the Santa Fe caravans. Chavez was made captive and taken off the trail. He was robbed, and his effects were divided among this banditti, seven of whom immediately set out for Missouri with their portions of the spoil. The others decided to murder Chavez, which they presently did, shooting him, in cold blood. They then packed their loot upon the mules of Chavez and also departed for Western Missouri. But information of what they had done soon came to the Missouri authorities, and several of them were arrested. Some of the most guilty escaped, including three of the actual murderers. But John McDaniel was tried at St. Louis and hanged for his crime.

THE TEXANS

One Snively, styling himself a Colonel, organized, in North Texas, early in May, 1843, a force of about one hundred and seventy-five men for the purpose of preying on the Mexicans engaged in the Santa Fe trade. Texas and Mexico were then at war, and the purpose of Snively would have been justified had he molested only the Mexicans. He arrived on the Arkansas in May, and was soon joined by Warfield and his company, who had recently lost their horses to the Mexicans by a stampede. Snively came upon a party of Mexicans south of the Arkansas sand hills, and in the skirmish which ensued eighteen Mexicans were killed; and five of the wounded died later. The force of Snively sustained no casualties. The surviving Mexicans fled in the direction of their own country, finding their scalawag Governor, Armijo, encamped with a strong force at Cold Spring. That ferocious sheep-thief waited for nothing, but broke into a mad rout for Santa Fe.

After his encounter with the Mexicans, the force of Snively fell off, seventy-five men leaving for Texas in a body. Soon after this the caravan of traders from Missouri appeared upon the Trail. But they were under escort of Captain P. St. George Cooke, who had a command of two hundred United States Dragoons. Snively was on the south side of the Arkansas about ten miles below the "Caches." Upon the arrival of Captain Cooke Snively crossed the river to meet him, and was informed that he must surrender his arms. This he avoided by a trick, turning over the antiquated and harmless fusils taken from the Mexicans in the recent skirmish.

The action of Captain Cooke demoralized Snively's forces. Many of his men returned directly to Texas. And when Captain Cooke retraced his steps to Fort Leavenworth he carried about forty of the Texans with him as captives. Something like sixty of Snively's force soon elected Warfield as their commander and pursued the caravan of traders, then well on their way beyond the Cimarron. At the Point of Rocks, twenty miles east of the Canadian, they abandoned the pursuit, and went back to Texas. And the interference of the Texans with the Santa Fe trade was at an end. Santa Anna, then President of Mexico, issued a decree on the 7th of August, 1843, closing the port of New Mexico to all commerce. That decree was superseded by the order of March 31, 1844. And ninety wagons carrying goods valued at two hundred thousand dollars, taken out by nearly two hundred men, found their way from Missouri to Santa Fe the following summer.

DONIPHAN'S EXPEDITION


COL. A. W. DONIPHAN
[From Photograph Owned by
William E. Connelley]

The most important military expedition to pass over the Santa Fe Trail was Doniphan's Expedition. To Santa Fe it was commanded by General S. W. Kearny, who went on to California. Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan was left in command of the expedition. This whole military movement is known in history as Doniphan's Expedition. It was organized at Fort Leavenworth in the spring of 1846, as a part of the American forces of the Mexican War. The volunteer force was made up on the frontier of Missouri, various counties of that State contributing companies. It was called the First Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, Mexican War. Alexander W. Doniphan had joined the Clay County Company as a private, but in the selection of officers he was elected Colonel of the Regiment. Congreve Jackson was Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Gilpin was Major.

The regiment marched from Fort Leavenworth on the 26th day of June, 1846. It crossed the Kansas River at the mouth of the Wakarusa. From that point it marched south to the Santa Fe Trail, coming into that historic highway at Black Jack Point. The location known by that name to the Missourians is not the point of the same name where John Brown met and captured the Border-Ruffians. It is the elevation overlooking the valley of Coal Creek, and where the Fort Scott Road crossed the Trail. The town of Brooklyn was laid out there. The regiment followed the Trails and arrived eight miles below Bent's Fort and crossed into Mexican territory on the 29th of July. The final stage of the march to Santa Fe was begun from Bent's Fort on the 2d of August. Santa Fe was entered on the 18th day of August, 1846, and New Mexico was taken without the shedding of a drop of American blood. Colonel Doniphan made a successful campaign against the Navajo Indians and then invaded Mexico from the north. He defeated the Mexicans at Brazito, north of El Paso, which post fell into his hands in consequence. On Sunday, the 28th day of February, 1847, he fought the battle of Sacramento, twelve miles north of Chihuahua. This was not the greatest battle, but it was the most remarkable battle ever fought by Americans. An army of five thousand Mexicans was attacked and destroyed by an army of Missourians, less than a thousand strong. And the Missourians lost but four men killed and eight wounded. Colonel Doniphan took possession of Chihuahua, which he held until ordered to report to General Wood at Saltillo. The expedition returned to Missouri by way of New Orleans.

How possession of New Mexico was secured without a battle has never been told. The story has been withheld by the War Department at Washington. This author learned of the existence there of the valuable documents. Access to them was long denied. But perseverance finally prevailed, and in May, 1910, I was permitted to make copies of those papers the only copies ever made. They tell a thrilling story, and a story of great importance to the history of the country. It is the most important incident connected with the Santa Fe Trail. Because of their value they are set out here:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, JUNE 18, 1846.
Sir:

At the request of the President I commend to your favorable consideration the bearer hereof, Colonel James W. Magoffin. Mr. M. is now and has been for some years a resident of Chihuahua and extensively engaged in trade in that and other settlements of Mexico. He is well acquainted with the people of Chihuahua, Santa Fe and intermediate country. He was introduced to the President by Col. Benton as a gentleman of intelligence and most respectable character. The President has had several interviews with him and is favorably impressed with his character, intelligence and disposition to the cause of the United States. His knowledge of the country and the people is such as induces the President to believe he may render important services to you in regard to your military movements in New Mexico. He will leave here for Santa Fe immediately and will probably overtake you before you arrive at that place. Considering his intelligence, his credit with the people and his business capacity it is believed he will give important information and make arrangements to furnish your troops with abundant supplies in New Mexico. Should you apprehend difficulties of this nature it is recommended to you to avail yourself in this respect and others of his services for which he will as a matter of course be entitled to a fair consideration.

Very respectfully,
Your Obt. serv.,
W. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.

Colonel S. W. Kearney.

SANTAFE, AUGUST 26, 1846.
Hon. W. L. Marcy,
Secretary of War,
Washington City.

Sir:

I arrived at Bent's Fort on 26 July, where I found Genl. Kearney, presented the letter I received from your hands, and was well received. The Genl. on the 1st day of August dispatched Capt. Cook with 12 Dragoons accompanied by myself, with a letter to Governor Armijo which was delivered on 12th inst. 10 P. M. We were well received, and dined with his excellency, had a long conversation with him and proved to him from Genl. K. letter that the troops then entering the Department were only to give peace and protection to the inhabitants and assured him that I had been dispatched by the President of the United States in order to inform him and the rest of the good people of New Mexico with whom I was acquainted that this was the only object of our Govmt. I found many of the rich of the Department here, also the militia officers, with whom I had ample intercourse. I assured them the only object of our Govmt. was to take possession of New Mexico as being a part of the territory annexed to the U. S. by Texas and to give peace and quietude to the good people of the country which gave them entire satisfaction. Was then assured by Col. Archulette, 2nd in Command, that he would not oppose Genl. K's entrance, etc. Genl. Armijo on the 15th ordered his troops say 3,000 in number to be placed between two mountains with four pieces of artillery on the road by which our army had to pass, having promised Genl. E. to have an interview with him in his note borne by Capt. Cook 14th inst. Say some 50 miles dist. at a place called the Vegas, Armijo left this place early on the 16th with 150 Dragoons and joined his army, called his officers together and wished to know if they were prepared to defend the territory. They answered they were not, that they were convinced by the proclamation they had seen from Genl. K. that the U. S. had no intention to wage war with New Mexico, on the contrary promised them all protection in their property person and religion. Armijo, apparently appeared very much exasperated, gave orders for the troops to be dispersed and in 48 hours they were all at their homes, he himself leaving for the state of Chihuahua with say 100 dragoons, maltreating all good citizens on his route, and pressing their animals. Genl. Kearney entered this city on the 18th 5:00 o'clock P. M., the authorities and people of the place being ready to give him a hearty welcome, marched up to the Palace, entered the apartment prepared for him and his servt., made an handsome and appropriate speech to the authorities after which they all swore allegiance to the United States. The palace was crowded and many bottles of generous wine was drank being prepared for the occasion by the acting Governor. The next day by request of the Genl. the people were assembled in the public square where he addressed them in a very handsome manner, after which the people shouted long live our General and the United States.

The clergy of the province have all called on the Genl. since his arrival and have returned to their homes perfectly satisfied. I had the honor of accompanying the Genl. and the staff to high mass last Sunday. The church was filled with natural and adopted sons of the United States and all passed off in the most perfect order. The Genl. gave on yesterday a splendid ball at the Palace, which was universally attended by all the respectable citizens of the city, and passed off in handsome style. The fact is to make a long story short.

Genl. Kearney by his mild and persuasive manners has induced the good people of New Mexico to believe that they now belong to the greatest nation on earth, and that the stars and stripes which are now so gallantly waving over the capitol of this City will always give them ample protection from foreign foes. The Genl. will leave this on a visit to some of the principal towns on the Rio Grande and I will leave with him and proceed to Cha. with all possible speed. Will give you all the news from there as soon as practicable after the arrival of General Wool.

My respects to the President, and believe me to be Yours truly,

J. W. MAGOFFIN.

WASHINGTON CITY, APRIL 4, 1849.
Hon. Mr. Crawford,
Secretary at War.

Sir:

The remark which you made that Mr. Marcey said there was no "contract" with me for my services in Mexico, and the time that has elapsed since without hearing anything more, naturally makes me uneasy, and I write this brief statement for the purpose of showing my view of my case.

I certainly made no contract with the Government, nor did such an idea enter my. I engaged, at the request of President Polk, to go to Mexico, where I had been for many years, to be of service to our troops, and I took what they gave me, to wit: letters to accredit me to the Generals. They did accredit me and imploy[sic] me. I went into Santafe ahead of Genl. Kearney and smoothed the way to his bloodless conquest of New Mexico. Col. Archulette would have fought: I quieted him. It was he who afterwards made the revolt which was put down with much bloodshed by Genl. Price. Fight was in him, and it would have come out at first, carrying Armijo with him if it had not been for my exertions. I recommended to Genl. Kearney to give him some place, which would compromise him, which the General intended to do, but was prevented by some cause to me unknown, and the consequence was the revolt at Taos, the death of Governor Bent, and all the bloodshed that took place. Archulette fled to the South and did not return til after the peace. He was second in command and had about a thousand of the best troops in New Mexico and if he had held out for resistance, Armijo would have been obliged to have done the same, and a bloody resistance would have been made in the defiles through which General Kearney had to pass. Bloodless possession of New Mexico was what President Polk wished. It was obtained through my means. I could state exactly how I drew off Archulette, from his intention to fight. The papers which I file, Doc. Connelly's letter, Major Cook's and Capt. Turner's, all allude to it, and Genl. Kearney's was explicit.

After this service I went forward under the directions of General Kearney to render the same service to General Wool. I entered Chihuahua, he did not arrive, and that led to my imprisonment to the great loss of my property and the vast expenses which I had to incur, it was to smooth the way for General Wool that I went to Chihuahua. If he had come I should probably have done as much for him as I did for General Kearney.

I have neglected my business for three years, have not been with my family during that time, have made great expenses and suffered great losses and the statement of items which I presented is not an account, but a statement to give some idea of what it would take to remunerate me the service I rendered is above paid. I was engaged in June, 1846, by the President and Secretary of War in the presence and with the knowledge of Senator Benton. The service and the engagement was acknowledged by President Polk, after I got back in presence of Senator Atchison and the only reason for not paying me was the want of money, see Mr. Atchison's certificate, then Mr. Atchison sent a resolution to the Military Committee of the Senate to inquire into making an appropriation for me. My papers were before the committee and no other claim, I am informed, and the $50,000 was reported to cover my case. Senator Atchison has gone away, Senator Benton is going and I begin to feel uneasy about my compensation and beg your attention to my case.

Yours respectfully,
J. W. MAGOFFIN.

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A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans , written and compiled by William E. Connelley, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, 1998.