Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/381

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DEPREDATIONS COMMITTED.
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several days at San Fernando, they discovered no more indications of disaffection, and therefore returned to Santa Fé.

Symptoms of revolt had been manifested at the capital, but the severe defeat sustained by the insurrectionists in the north, prevented any attempt openly to resist the authority of the United States. A greater degree of vigilance was afterwards observed, and every thing remained peaceful and quiet until the month of May, when bands of Mexicans and Indians, many of whom came from Taos, were embodied in the valley of the Moro, for the purpose of attacking the supply trains on their way from Fort Leavenworth, and capturing the horses of the grazing parties which Colonel Price had again distributed through the country.

On the 20th of May, the camp of Captain Robinson, of Lieutenant Colonel Willock's battalion, was surprised; one man was killed and two wounded, and over two hundred horses and mules were driven off. Major Edmonson, then in command at Las Vegas, immediately started in pursuit with about 80 men. Upon his arrival at the Wagon Mound, where Captain Robinson was encamped, he learned that a wagon-train had been attacked at Santa Clara springs, on the 23rd instant, by the same party of marauders, supposed to be between three and four hundred strong, commanded by Cortés. Following closely upon the enemy's trail, in the after-


    have been done, which it could not, under the laws of nations. the revolters were all guilty of treason, and the execution of Montoya would therefore have been justifiable. Colonel Price seems to have regarded the matter in this light; but a few weeks later he was advised that his government had disapproved the official acts of General Kearny, transferring the allegiance of Mexican citizens, and an individual by the name of Trujillo, then recently convicted of treason, was ordered to be set at liberty.