BRACITO SACRAMENTO REVOLT IN NEW MEXICO. 353 



cessfully; and, on the 22d of November, 1846, made a treaty 

 with the chiefs, binding them to live in amity with the Spaniards 

 and Americans. Reassembling all his troops at Val Verde, he 

 commenced his march to the south, in the middle of December, 

 and, after incredible difficulties and great sufferings from inadequate 

 supplies and equipments he reached Chihuahua, fighting, on the 

 march, two successful actions against the Mexicans at Bracito, and 

 Sacramento. Having completely routed the enemy in the latter 

 contest, Chihuahua fell into his power. Here he tarried, recruiting 

 his toil-worn band, for six weeks, and, as the spring opened, 

 pushed onwards to the south until he reached the headquarters of 

 Taylor, whence he returned with his regiment to the United States. 

 His army marched five thousand miles during the campaign, and 

 its adventures form one of the most romantic episodes in the war 

 with Mexico. 



Whilst Doniphan was advancing southward, the command of 

 Price was well nigh destroyed in New Mexico and the wild region 

 intervening between its borders and the frontiers of the United 

 States. A conspiracy had been secretly organized, among the 

 Mexican and half-breed population, to rise against the Americans. 

 On the 19th of January, 1847, massacres occurred, simultaneously, 

 at Taos, Arroyo Hondo, Rio Colorado and Mora. At Taos, 

 Governor Charles Bent, one of the oldest and most experienced 

 residents in that region was cruelly slain, and a great deal of valu- 

 able property destroyed by the merciless foe. Price received intel- 

 ligence of this onslaught on the 20th, and rapidly calling in his 

 outposts, marched with a hastily gathered band of about three 

 hundred and fifty men against the enemy, whom he met, attacked 

 and overawed on the 24th, at Canada. Reinforced by Captain 

 Burgwin from Alburquerque, he again advanced against the insur- 

 gents ; and on the 28th, defeated a Mexican force estimated at fif- 

 teen hundred, at the pass of El Embudo. Passing, thence, over 

 the Taos mountain, through deep snows, in midwinter, the resolute 

 commander pursued his way unmolested through the deserted set- 

 tlement which had been recently ravaged by the rebels, nor did he 

 encounter another force until he came upon the enemy at Pueblo, 

 when he stormed the fortified position, and gained the day but 

 with the loss of the gallant Burgwin and other valuable officers. 

 Mora was reduced again to subjection, early in February, by Cap- 

 tain Morin ; and, in all these rapid but successful actions, it is esti- 

 mated that near three hundred Mexicans paid the forfeit of their lives 

 for the cruel conspiracy and its fatal results. 



