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 6


DR. HENRY CONNELLY
[From Photograph owned by
William E. Connelley]
I do hereby certify that being in Santafe, N. Mexico in August, 1846, before the arrival of Genl. Kearney, and being intimately acquainted with Col. Diego Archulette and having an opportunity of conversing with him particularly on the subject of impeding the entrance of the U. S. forces into that City.

Always found him determined to make all possible resistance having in his Command 1000 soldiers, the best New Mexico could produce. On the arrival of Capt. Cook and J. W. Magoffin August 13 was requested by Mr. M. to give him my opinion respecting the intentions of Genl. Armijo, and particularly that of Col. Archulette which I did, informing him that the Genl. was not determined but the Col. was decided in making all possible defence and his opinion would be adhered to by a majority of the officers. I then left Santafe with many other Americans by permit of Genl. Armijo, believing it would be unsafe to remain in the City, leaving behind Magoffin who remained for what purpose I knew not believing a strong resistance would be made a few miles from the city must say that I was much astonished as well as gratified to find that Genl. K. met with no opposition on his entry into Santafe. on the contrary was received with much courtesy, by the acting Governor of the city and the rest of the authorities, Mr. Magoffin being one of the number on his reception at the Palace. The day before Genl. K. entrance, some few leagues distant, Genl. A. called his officers around him in order to consult what would be the best measure to adopt. Col. Archulette being second in command gave as his opinion that it was unnecessary to make a defence, This was adopted by all. The troops were then disbanded and Genl. A. retreated with a Company of Dragoons to Chiha. Col. Archulette retired to his country residence. The opinion of Col. Archulette was surprising to many; knowing his previous determination was entirely contrary, Mr. Manos and Palacios, Mexicans of the first standing in this city being in New Mexico before and on the arrival of Genl. K. and knowing the positive intention of Genl. Armijo and particularly of Col. Archulette was to defend the place, retired immediately to this city and reported to the Governor that J. W. Magoffin had been the cause of non resistance and that he had bought over Genl. Armijo and Col. Archulette this information with others led to the imprisonment of Magoffin on his arrival at el Paso. I was also imprisoned on my arrival there a few days. Afterwards I brought down in Company with Magoffin to this city in October. This is in substance what occurred under my knowledge.

Chihuhua, Sept. 20th, 1848.

HENRY CONNELLY.

Commercial Agency of the
United States,
CHIHUAHUA, SEPT. 20, 1848.
I, Alfonso C. Anderson, Vice-commercial Agent of the United States for the City of Chihuahua. certify that this day personally appeared before me Henry Connelley, a gentleman of high standing and character in this City, who being duly shown made oath and declared that the foregoing document to which this is connected, and to which he has signed his name is true in every respect, and that his signature thereto is genuine and deserving full faith and credit.
(Seal) In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal, the day and date above written.
ALFONSO C. ANDERSON,
Vice-Comml. Agt. c.
PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 21, 1849.
To J. W. Magoffin, Esq.

Deal Sir:

If the following statement of such of your important services as came to my personal knowledge during the invasion of New Mexico call serve to elucidate your sacrifices and risks during the war, it gives me pleasure to make it.

I shall not easily forget the pleasure which your company give me when I preceded the army with a flag, from Bent's Fort to Santa Fe, nor the advantages of your knowledge of the country and its language.

I am strongly impressed with the skill you exhibited not to compromise your old influence over the Mexican General, by an appearance of your real connextion with myself. (even furnishing an interpreter, rather than appear on the official occasion;) At night, however, you accompanied Genl. Armijo to my quarters, when, by your aid, we had a secret conference. I then understood the Mexican Governor's real disinclination to actual resistance, to which, I believe, according to our instructions, you gave important encouragement particularly in neutralizing the contrary influence of young Colonel Archulette, by suggesting to his ambition the part of bringing about a pronunciamento of Western New Mexico in favour of annexation; (Genl. Kearney's first proclamation claiming only to the Rio Grande.)

I had personal knowledge of the high opinion which that General entertained of your discretion and services; and, that it may well be considered a piece of good fortune. that at the expense of a large bribe, you were suffered to destroy the General's own written statement of them, only shows how narrowly you escaped with your life, in your further efforts to serve our Government in Chihuahua.

With high respect, sir, I remain,
Your ob. Servant,
P. ST. GEO. COOKE,
Major, 2 Drags.

Washington, March 23, 1849.
The Honorable Mr. Crawford,
Secretary of War.

Sir:

In a conversation with the late President of the United States, Mr. Polk, he informed that Co. Megoffin was introduced to him by my colleague Col. Thomas H. Benton, and from Col. Mcgoffins intimate knowledge of the Mexican affairs and his intimate acquaintance with the leading men in New Mexico and Chihuahua, he deemed it important to secure his services for the government of the United States in that quarters during the war and engaged his services accordingly.

He further said that he was reddy[sic] and willing to make a just allowances for such services, but that there was no appropriation of money for that purpose.

An appropriation was made at the last session for such services growing out of this claim.

Your obt. Servt.,
DAVID R. ATCHISON.

I hereby certify that in the month of April, in the year 1847, Mr. Samuel Magoffin sold some three hundred and eleven bales of merchandise which he stated to be the property of his brother, Mr. James Magoffin, then a prisoner of war in the state of Durango, said three hundred and eleven bales I purchased on time at a cost of an amount equal to their original cost and an augmentation of 50 per cent of the expenses thereon to this city, with a guarantee that I should not be responsible for duties of any kind whatsoever.

I further certify that Mr. Samuel Magoffin would not have disposed of this property at a rate so ruinous to his brother's interest, but for the utter impossibility of removing it from Chihuahua and the fear of its being seized by the authorities of Mexico, to which danger he was much exposed from the precipitate retirement of Col. Donaphan from this city, who had no sooner withdrawn his forces than the Mexican government called on me to pay duties on the same which amounted to fifteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight dollars 96c, $15,968.96, which I was compelled to satisfy and which sum has been refunded to me lately by Mr. James Magoffin.

Chihuahua, Mint.
MEXICO, 1ST OCT. 1848.

JOHN POTTS

Commercial Agency of the United States,
CHIHUAHUA, OCTOBER 1ST, 1848.
I, Alfonso C. Anderson, Vice-Commercial Agent of the United States, for the city of Chihuahua certify that this day personally appeared before me John Potts a subject of Great Britain, who is personally known to me and is a gentleman of high standing and character in this city, who being duly sworn, made oath and declared that the foregoing document to which this is connected and to which he has signed his name is true in every respect. Further that his signature thereto is genuine and deserving full faith and credit.
(Seal)In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal the day and date above written.
ALFONSO C. ANDERSON,
Vice. Comml. Agt.

GILPIN'S SANTA FE TRAIL EXPEDITION

After the return of Colonel Doniphan's Expedition to Missouri the Indians became troublesome along the Santa Fe Trail. The force raised by the Government to protect travel and trade on the Plains was organized by Major William Gilpin. It was also commanded by him in its remarkable campaign along the Santa Fe Trail. Here is the account of its organization and services:

Gilpin's Santa Fe Battalion, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, Mexican War.

The battalion consisted of Companies, A, B, C, D, E. Company C Captain William Pelzer's Artillery Company.

  Mounted Companies ....................................A and B
  Artillery ............................................C
  Not Mounted...........................................D and E
  Roster of Company C shows 20 officers and 84 privates.
  Roster of Company D shows 17 officers and 63 privates.
  Roster of Company E shows 17 officers and 69 privates.
Rosters of Companies A and B not found in the office of the Adjutant-General, State of Missouri.

Field and Staff

Field and Staff, Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, Mexican War.

Muster Roll for September 18, 1847, to April 30, 1848, shows station at Fort Mann, Middle Arkansas River [in what is now the State of Kansas]. This Roll bears date, June 25, for April 30, - "nunc pro tunc." Reason, "absence of myself and three Companies in the Comanche Country." W. Gilpin, Lt. Col. Commanding.

Roll signed: W. Gilpin, Lt. Col.

Muster Roll, April 30, to October 3, 1848, shows Company at Independence, Missouri. Roll signed: W. Gilpin, Lt. Col.

Field and Staff mustered for discharge at Independence, Missouri, October 3, 1848, and honorably discharged by E. A. Hitchcock, B. Col., U. S. A., Mustering Officer.

Roster of Field and Staff, Colonel W. Gilpin's Battalion of Missouri Volunteers, Mexican War.

Roster

1. William Gilpin, Lt. Col.
1. Henry L. Routt, Adjutant.
1. Ephraim P. January, Asst. Surgeon.
1. Ashley G. Gulley, 2nd Lieut.
1. Edward Colston, 2nd Lieut.
1. Jacob T. Tindall, Sgt. Major.
1. Adam Krafft, Chief Bugler.
1. Benjamin S. Long, Asst. Surgeon.
1. William Kuhlan, Q. M. Sgt.

Company A

Captain John D. Griffith's Company A, Mounted Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, Mexican War.

Muster-in Roll dated September 3, 1847, shows station of company at Fort Leavenworth.

Company arrived at Fort Leavenworth, Missouri, place of general rendezvous, September 1, 1847.

Company accepted into the service of the United States for term of "During the War with Mexico" from September 3, 1847, by C. Wharton, Lieut.-Colonel First Dragoons, Mustering Officer.

Muster Roll, September 3, 1847, to April 30, 1848, shows station of company at Fort Mann, Middle Arkansas.

The company had been encamped and on the march in the Indian country since the middle of September, 1847, and during March, April, and May, in the center of the Comanche country. This Muster Roll is therefore made at this date - "nunc pro tunc." Roll dated June 24, 1848.

Roll signed: John C. Griffith, Captain.

Muster Roll, April 30 to September 28, 1848, shows station of company, Independence, Missouri.

Roll signed: John C. Griffith, Captain.

Company mustered for discharge at Independence, Missouri, September 28, 1848, and honorably discharged by E. A. Hitchcock, B. Col., U. S. A., Mustering Officer.

Company B

Captain Thomas Jones's Company B, Mounted Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Volunteers, War with Mexico.

Muster-in Roll, dated September 11, 1847, shows station of company at Fort Leavenworth.

Company arrived at Fort Leavenworth, September 8, 1847.

[Other entries, similar to those made on the Rolls of Company A.]

Company C

Captain William Pelzer's Company C, Artillery, Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Volunteers, Mexican War.

Muster-in Roll, dated September 10, 1847.

Company arrived at Fort Leavenworth, September 8, 1847.

Term of service same as Companies A and B.

Report from Fort Mann, Middle Arkansas, "nunc pro tunc" owing to continued separation; difficulty of communication between detached portions of battalion; and absence of Paymaster.

Company discharged at Independence, Missouri, October 2, 1848.

Company D

Captain Paul Holzcheiter's Company D, Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Volunteers, Mexican War.

Muster-in Roll. dated September 18, 1847.

Company at Fort Mann, Middle Arkansas, same dates and same reasons for "nunc pro tunc" reports as given by Companies A and B.

Company discharged at Independence, Missouri, October 1, 1848.

Company E

Captain Napoleon Koscialowski's Company E, Santa Fe Trace Battalion, Missouri Volunteers, Mexican War.

Muster Roll, September 18, 1847, to April 30, 1848, shows company at Fort Mann, Middle Arkansas. The above company being on the march through the center of the Comanche country during March, April, and May, this Roll bears date in June - "nunc pro tunc." W. Gilpin, Col. Comdg.

Roll signed: Napoleon Koscialowski, Captain.

Company Muster Roll, April 30, to September 30, 1848, shows company at Independence, Mo.

The company left Fort Leavenworth on the 4th day of October, 1847, and ascended the Arkansas to the foot of the Rocky Mountains at Bent's Fort. From thence with the cavalry companies under the Lieutenant-Colonel, crossed the Raton Mountains on the 10th of March, 1848, and descended the Canadian through the country of the Apache and Comanche Indians during March, April, and May, to the Antelope Buttes, being engaged in skirmishing warfare with the Comanche and Pawnee Indians on the Middle Arkansas and Kansas until the expiration of the term of service by the peace with Mexico.

The marches have exceeded 3,000 miles in the aggregate, mostly being in the depth of winter.

Roll signed: Caleb S. Tuttle, Captain.

Company mustered for discharge at Independence, Mo., September 30, 1848, and honorably discharged (except Lieut. Colston) by E. A. Hitchcock, B. Col., U. S. A., Mustering Officer.

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