61 : [26] 
The elevation of Chihuahua above the sea is, according to my numer- 
ous conan 4,640 feet. Its geographical latitude I determined to be 
in 28° 3 
its longitude, according to lunar observations made by 
Gregg, is i n 106° 30’ w of Greenwich. The climate is delightful. Of 
diseases I tens seen eer dysenteries in summer, typhoidal fevers and 
rhaiihaitie affections in the winter. Intermittent fevers and scurvy, which 
prevailed then among the: aiorro es troops, are not common to the Mexi- 
- cans. 
Part of the population. are very wealthy, but the majority are quite poor. 
The lower classes are ragged and filthy, and as to thievishness they 
might excel in London or Paris. ‘The manners of us people are gener- 
ally oh Co in patriotic paroxysm;) the: sefioritas are celebrated for 
their a Satara grace; and fandangos: pr aad ge cock- 
fights. and os flourish as well here as over all Mexic 
Let us return now to the icin troops in Chihuahua. When Colo- 
nel Doniphan’s regiment left Santa Fe for this place, it was done in con- 
huahua, General Wo ol’s destination. was afterwards changed, but -n 
news of that event nor contrary orders reached the troops at Santa Be, 
and the ‘¢ lost?” regiment marched towards the south to meet with General 
Wool, in Chihuahua or spiidtr hele’ else. In el Paso they ascertained, for 
the first Heres be the General had not yet come to Chihuahua, and’ that 
the gi of that State had made formidable preparations. for de- 
fence. At Ue same time, news reached them of the revolution in New 
Mexico, exaggerated, for purpose, by the Mexicans. ‘In this dilemma— 
ded in the rear and. front by enemies—thrown in the middle of a 
hostile country—cut off from all communication and support of their own 
count they took the only ae that could avail | in such ee: 
rched on, to conquer or die. 
> Alaeltig conquered. Ohititistita’ and not t finding General Wool there; an 
express was sént from heré to his camp near Salti filo to ask further orders. 
John Collins, esq., of Boonville, Missouri, a trader, who had volunteered 
‘in the battle of Seat undertook the dangerous excursion with only 
12men. The regiment was stationed jn t the meanwhile in Chihuahua, 
and indulged in the luxuries of the town. Towards the end of March the 
first news of the battle of Buena Vista was received. Although Santa 
Anna claimed, in his official report that reached Chihuahua, a victory on 
his part, the American $ were too well versed in translation of Mexican re- 
ports not to consider themselves privileged to fire a salute on the Plaza in 
honor a our victory. 
, ; “: Fa 7K. x ‘i 2 po S Z 
thorities of se eon who had’ fled fled in f this ee led to ates 
ny result; kept up, on the soitary a shadow of 3 exican gt 
ae in the south =e ae State, a t Parral. ’A march of the American {roops 
there would have broken up ‘hat government at once, and being nearer 
to the seat of war, the regiment might rar to Recibiere have 
either 1 itself u e of Durango or marched to towards 
mn the St 
