Doniphan’s Expedition – Legends of America
In the annals of American military history, few campaigns rival the sheer audacity and improbable success of Doniphan’s Expedition. This remarkable feat of arms, undertaken during the Mexican-American War, saw a regiment of Missouri volunteers, led by the charismatic Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan, march thousands of miles across unforgiving terrain, engage in multiple battles against numerically superior forces, and ultimately emerge victorious. The expedition’s impact on the war’s outcome and its enduring legacy in the annals of American military lore are undeniable.
The Genesis of the Expedition
The seeds of Doniphan’s Expedition were sown in May 1846, when the Governor of Missouri, recognizing the looming conflict with Mexico, called upon Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan, a prominent lawyer from Liberty, to raise troops for volunteer service. Doniphan, a man of action and unwavering patriotism, wasted no time in rallying support. Within a week, he had assembled eight companies of men from the western counties of Missouri.
These newly formed companies were organized at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, under the banner of the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers. This regiment became an integral part of the Army of the West, commanded by the seasoned General Stephen W. Kearny. After a period of intensive drilling and preparation, the Army of the West commenced its march towards Santa Fe, New Mexico, on June 26, 1846.
The March to Santa Fe
The journey to Santa Fe was a grueling test of endurance for the Missouri volunteers. They traversed vast stretches of prairie, braved scorching heat, and navigated treacherous terrain. Yet, their determination remained unwavering. On August 18, 1846, the Army of the West triumphantly entered Santa Fe without encountering any resistance, marking a significant victory for the United States.
Following the occupation of Santa Fe, Colonel Doniphan received orders to lead his regiment into the territory of the Navajo Indians, who inhabited the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The mission was to quell any potential aggression and establish a peaceful relationship with the Navajo people.
Subduing the Navajo
Doniphan and his men embarked on their arduous journey into Navajo territory, braving snowdrifts that reached depths of three feet on the mountain crests and eastern slopes. Despite the harsh conditions, they pressed forward with unwavering resolve. Through diplomacy and a display of military might, Doniphan successfully negotiated a satisfactory treaty with the Navajo Indians, ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Having accomplished their mission, Doniphan and his regiment returned to the Rio del Norte, where they rested and replenished their supplies, preparing for their next assignment: to rendezvous with General John E. Wool.
The Advance Towards Chihuahua
In December 1846, Doniphan and his men commenced their southward march towards Chihuahua, a strategic city in northern Mexico. This marked the beginning of a series of daring military maneuvers that would solidify Doniphan’s place in American military history.
The first major engagement occurred at Brazito, where Doniphan’s forces clashed with a larger Mexican army. Despite being outnumbered, the Missouri volunteers fought with extraordinary courage and skill, securing a decisive victory. The Battle of Brazito boosted the morale of Doniphan’s men and instilled fear in the hearts of their adversaries.
The Battle of Sacramento
The culmination of Doniphan’s Expedition came at the Battle of Sacramento, a pivotal clash that would determine the fate of Chihuahua. Doniphan’s forces faced a formidable Mexican army, entrenched in a heavily fortified position. The odds were stacked heavily against the Americans, who were outnumbered by a ratio of nearly five to one.
Undeterred by the daunting challenge, Doniphan rallied his troops and launched a bold assault on the Mexican defenses. The Missouri volunteers charged with unwavering determination, their courage and fighting prowess overwhelming the enemy. In a stunning display of military skill and bravery, Doniphan’s men routed the Mexican army, capturing Chihuahua and securing a strategic victory for the United States.
The Aftermath
Following the capture of Chihuahua, Doniphan and his regiment embarked on a perilous journey through the uncharted territory between Chihuahua and Saltillo. After arriving at Saltillo, his regiment was ordered home. The march continued to Matamoras before making its way to New Orleans. The men were discharged at New Orleans and arrived home about July 1, 1847.
The march of this regiment from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, Chihuahua, Saltillo, and Matamoras – a distance of nearly 3,600 miles – is called Doniphan’s Expedition. It is important in Kansas history, as there was no road leading from Fort Leavenworth to the Santa Fe Trail at the time of the expedition. The army, therefore, steered its course southwesterly, with the view of intersecting the main Santa Fe Trail at or near the Narrows, 65 miles west of Independence, Missouri. Many deep ravines and creeks with high and rugged banks were encountered. The heat was often excessive; the grass was tall and rank; the earth in many places so soft that the heavily loaded wagons would sink almost up to the axle upon the level prairie, and the men were frequently compelled to dismount and drag them from the mire with their hands. Hence, the march was, of necessity, both slow and tedious. About noon on June 30, they arrived upon the banks of the Kansas River, which they crossed in boats without loss or accident and encamped for the night on the west bank among the friendly Shawnee Indians. On July 1, the troops continued a southwesterly march to intersect the road leading from Independence to Santa Fe. After a toilsome march of some 15 miles without a guide, sometimes directing their course to the southward and sometimes to the westward, they at length struck upon the Santa Fe trace and encamped for the night near Black Jack in what is now Douglas County.
Provisions were conveyed in wagons, and beef cattle were driven along for the men’s use. The animals subsisted entirely on grazing. By July 5, the troops had reached Council Grove, now the county seat of Morris County, Kansas, one of the most important stations on the old trail. Advancing about 16 miles further, they encamped near Diamond Spring.
On July 9, they arrived at the Little Arkansas River in Rice County. On the evening of July 12, they were found at Walnut Creek in Barton County. The following day brought them to the noted Pawnee Rock, near which they diverged from the main Santa Fe Trail and followed the Arkansas River to a point near the present city of Pueblo, Colorado, where they crossed into the enemy’s country.
Legacy
Doniphan’s Expedition stands as a testament to the courage, resilience, and military prowess of the American volunteer soldier. Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan’s leadership and strategic brilliance were instrumental in the expedition’s success. The State of Kansas has honored Colonel Doniphan by naming a county and a town for him, and the State of Missouri named the seat of Ripley County in his honor.