Kearny Expedition

On August 18, 1846, Stephen W. Kearny declared himself military governor of the New Mexico Territory. He had captured Santa Fe without firing a shot, as part of the Kearny Expedition.

Stephen Watts Kearny was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1794. He served with the 13th Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812 and would spend much of the next 30 years on the frontier.

During this time, he ordered his men to escort travelers along the Oregon Trail across the plains to avoid Native American attacks. He established a post along the route, which was named in his honor. The post was then moved to the Platte River in central Nebraska and was also called Fort Kearny.

When the Mexican-American War broke out in 1846, Kearny was promoted to brigadier general. He was ordered to lead an expedition from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to capture New Mexico and California for the United States. Kearny had a force of about 2,500 men that were marching toward an unknown number of defending Mexicans.

The governor of Santa Fe didn’t want to fight but was convinced by his priests that they should defend the town. They set up positions, but on August 14, before Kearny and his troops arrived, the governor changed his mind. He ordered his men to retreat to Chihuahua.

Kearny and his men reached the town on August 15, but didn’t encounter any Mexican forces. They claimed the New Mexico Territory for the United States without firing a single shot. On August 18, 1846, Kearny declared himself the military governor of the New Mexico Territory. He used the Palace of the Governors as his administrative center. After taking control of Santa Fe, Kearny established a civil government and promised a democratic administration of the area. These actions secured popular support for the US government and its troops.

Kearny then appointed a civil governor and set out for California on September 25 with 300 men. Along the way, he met Kit Carson, who told him California was under American control, so Kearny sent back 200 of his men. As he continued toward his destination, Kearny encountered another American soldier who said there was a revolt in Los Angeles.

On December 6, Kearny and his force of 100 men encountered a force of about 150 Californio Lancers in the Battle of San Pasqual, north of San Diego. The American troops’ powder was wet, so their guns wouldn’t fire. About 18 of his men were killed and his unit was surrounded. However, Kearny was able to get a message to Commodore Robert F. Stockton in San Diego, who sent a relief party. When the reinforcements arrived, the Californios dispersed. Kearny’s troops, along with Stockton’s, then retook Los Angeles in January 1847.

Kearny then served as military governor of California from February to May 1847. He received a hero’s welcome in Washington, DC, and was then appointed the governor of Veracruz and later Mexico City. He died the following year, on October 31, 1848.

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