Doniphan's Expedition
The most important
military expedition to pass over the Santa Fe Trail was Doniphan's
Expedition. To Santa Fe it was commanded by General S. W. Kearny, who went
on to California. Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan was left in command of the
expedition. This whole military movement is known in history as Doniphan's
Expedition. It was organized at Fort Leavenworth in the spring of 1846, as
a part of the American forces of the Mexican War. The volunteer force was
made up on the frontier of Missouri, various counties of that State
contributing companies. It was called the First Regiment Missouri Mounted
Volunteers, Mexican War. Alexander W. Doniphan had joined the Clay County
Company as a private, but in the selection of officers he was elected
Colonel of the Regiment. Congreve Jackson was Lieutenant-Colonel, and
William Gilpin was Major.
Col. A. W. Doniphan
[From Photograph Owned by William E. Connelley]
The regiment marched from Fort Leavenworth on the 26th day of June, 1846.
It crossed the Kansas River at the mouth of the Wakarusa. From that point
it marched south to the Santa Fe Trail, coming into that historic highway
at Black Jack Point. The location known by that name to the Missourians is
not the point of the same name where John Brown met and captured the
Border-Ruffians. It is the elevation overlooking the valley of Coal Creek,
and where the Fort Scott Road crossed the Trail. The town of Brooklyn was
laid out there. The regiment followed the Trails and arrived eight miles
below Bent's Fort and crossed into Mexican territory on the 29th of July.
The final stage of the march to Santa Fe was begun from Bent's Fort on the
2d of August. Santa Fe was entered on the 18th day of August, 1846, and
New Mexico was taken without the shedding of a drop of American blood.
Colonel Doniphan made a successful campaign against the Navajo Indians and
then invaded Mexico from the north. He defeated the Mexicans at Brazito,
north of El Paso, which post fell into his hands in consequence. On
Sunday, the 28th day of February, 1847, he fought the battle of
Sacramento, twelve miles north of Chihuahua. This was not the greatest
battle, but it was the most remarkable battle ever fought by Americans. An
army of five thousand Mexicans was attacked and destroyed by an army of
Missourians, less than a thousand strong. And the Missourians lost but
four men killed and eight wounded. Colonel Doniphan took possession of
Chihuahua, which he held until ordered to report to General Wood at
Saltillo. The expedition returned to Missouri by way of New Orleans.
