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September 1
Marched 10 miles and camped at McNees Creek.
September 2
Made 11 miles. Stopped at Cotton Spring.
September 3
Came 12 miles and stopped at Rabbitteer [Rabbit Ears] Creek.
September 4
Came 18 miles and stopped at Rock Creek.
September 5
Came 15 miles and stopped at Rockey Point.
September 6
Came 18 miles and camped at what is called Camp Water. Came in full view of the Rockey Mountains.
September 7
Came 18 miles and camped at Camp Water.
September 8
Came 18 miles and camped at 3rd Camp Water.
September 9
Came 17 miles and camped at the Wagon Mound. Crossed Red River same day.
September 10
Came 11 miles and camped at no regular camp ground.
September 11
Came 12 miles and camped in a notch of the Rockey Mountains 2 miles west of [Veges] the first Spanish town. Our camp today is the handsomest we have seen on the road. It is surrounded by high mountains, beautiful valleys and pine forest. Here we rested one day and viewed the Spanish country, giving our teams a chance to rest. Veges, like all the Mexican buildings is made of unburned brick about 16 inches long and 8 wide, the houses being one story and having a square or flat roof.
September 13
Came 9 miles and camped at [Vookawlotta].
September 15
Came 15 miles and camped at San Migell [San Miguel].
September 16
Came 12 miles and camped at Gusano.
September 17
Came 12 miles and camped at the ancient City of Pacus, now in ruins. It was formerly the residents [residence] of the Indian King, Montezuma.
[September 18 - date appears marked out]
Came 10 miles and camped at the mountain pass.
September 18
Came 5 miles and camped at Rock Corral.
September 19
Came 5 miles and camped on the hill above the City of San [Tuite] together with the whole regiment, being 67 days on the road sometimes without wood and little water. Having traveled afoot a distance of about 900 miles on a good road over one of the poorest countries in North America. The first two hundred miles west of the fort may in time be settled by white men, but the remainder on to the Rockey Mountains is a barren, bleak, and dreary waste without timber except a little on the banks of the streams, in short it is only fit for the wild beasts and savages that roam over it.
October 4
Struck tents and pitched them on the parade ground in the City of Santa Fe.
October 10
Remained in camp. The weather began to be cold and windy. Many of the soldiers took sick and some quite dangerous.
October 15
Sickness still prevails, about 20 of our company are now sick.
October 24
Half of our regiment started this day for the south with the intention of going to Chihuahua, but their cattle gave out and they only got 160 miles from here. Left 5 companies of Ill. Reg. and one company of artillery from St. Louis commanded by Capt. [Giles]. |
November 4
Our company removed into comfortable quarters.
November 10
I was taken sick with the fever which kept me confined to my room several days.
November 30
All remains peaceable and quiet in Santa Fe. Nothing takes place worthy of note except that some of the soldiers sometimes carry their license of deviltry too far and get popped into the Guard House, and occasionally some Spanish are detected in theft.
December 3
The weather here at present is mild, warm, and pleasant.
December 15
Gen. Price arrives here from the U.S. and brings mail which is hailed with much joy and satisfaction by the soldiers.
December 16
Col. Newby from this date commences the drilling of the regiment.
December 25
This being Christmas day it passed off dry and dull. The soldiers dined on bread and blue mutton so poor that it would scarcely make glue. And many a boy wished himself under his parental roof.
January 1, 1848
The New Year came in with a snow storm and cold north wind, yet today we had a drill and a general review of the battalion by the Gen. and staff.
January 8
This day had an extra touch of parade and firing a national salute in honor of Jackson's victory. During the exercises of one of the artillery, a man accidently got his arm shot off while loading a canon.
The month passed off pleasantly by having a drill and dress parade every day.
January 25
The other half of our reg. all return from the south. The health of the soldiers at this time is quite good.
February 1
Some of the soldiers are now beginning to take the Scurvy.
February 5
Two companies are ordered to Veges to garrison that place which are Hooks and Hampton.
February 8
Gen. Price left Santa Fe with his staff bound to El Passo, taking with him 4 companies of Mo. Dragoons.
February 9
This day our company together with the Marion & Madison Co. left Santa Fe bound to Albuquerque, a distance of 65 miles, for the purpose garrisoning that place. Came 5 miles and camped at Ouar freea [Agua Fria] which means Cold Water, but instead of finding good water, we used out of a goose pond.
February 10
Started in a South East direction. Came 20 miles and camped at Salt Creek in a very deep valley between the mountains.
February 11
Made 15 miles and camped at San Phillippe on the banks of the Reo [Rio] Grande. The famous river upon whose banks so many battles have been fought and so many victories won.
February 12
Came down stream today 12 miles and camped at Bernerlea. Passed some farms and some good vineyards.
February 13
Came 16 miles and camped at the fort of Albuquerque Mountain.
February 14
Arrived at Albuquerque after a march of 6 miles. Find it a small filthy town, 1/2 miles from the river and 20 miles from wood. The quarters anything but comfortable and convenient. This day got mail from U.S.
Col. Boykin [Boyakins] commands our division here and we drill every day. The reminder of the month passed off pleasantly with the exception of much sickness among the boys. Some have the Scurvy and others the diarrhea and fever. During the past month, our camp has been called to mourn the loss of 8 noble comrades and brother soldiers from our own Co. |
