CHAPTER XI.
REVOLT IN NEW MEXICO.
Disaffection among the inhabitants of New Mexico — Murder of Governor Bent and others — March of Colonel Price — Defeat of the enemy at Cañada — Affair at Moro — The Pass of Embudo — Storming of Puebla de Taos — Suppression of the Revolt — Depredations in the valley of the Moro — Skirmishes with the Marauders — Quiet restored in the Province.
Santa Fe came very near proving a Capua to the American soldiers. Colonel Price,[1] of the 2nd Missouri mounted volunteers, who remained in command of the troops in that quarter, does not appear to have been a martinet in discipline, although he certainly displayed both ability and energy as an officer in the field. Relaxation and excess were more frequently witnessed than subordination and good order, and the wholesome restraints imposed by General Kearny were, one by one, disregarded. During the fall of 1846, and the ensuing winter, the soldiers were employed in the construction of a fort on a high hill commanding the town and the surrounding country, which was named Fort Marcy, in honor of the head of the War Department. There was a great deal of leisure time,however, neither wisely nor profitably spent; and many of them fell victims to diseases engendered by unreasonable indulgences, and the unfriendliness of the climate.
- ↑ Colonel Price was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers, July 20th, 1847.
