BRAGG, ASKING SUCCOR.
DONIPHAN CROSSING THE DESERT OF DEATH.
DONIPHAN’S MARCH.
The Americans, under the command of General Kearney, having taken possession of New Mexico, Colonel Doniphan with a regiment of mounted riflemen, was ordered to march to Chihuahua, and join General Wool. The country between Santa Fe and Chihuahua was very little known, and therefore when Colonel Doniphan set out he did not expect to encounter the toils and dangers he afterwards met. A vast and dreary desert was to be traversed, and a hostile people to be dealt with. Colonel Doniphan began his march on the 17th of December, 1846, and soon after reached the tract of country called by the Mexicans the “desert of death,” where the bones of murdered men and famished animals were strewn along the road, and where not a drop of water nor a blade of grass met the eyes of the traveller. After passing through this desert, the troops reached Bracito, where they repulsed an attack made by the Mexicans. Doniphan was reinforced soon after, and marched for Chihuahua. Near that place he again defeated the enemy. He remained six weeks at Chihuahua, and seeing nothing of General Wool, marched to meet General Taylor.
GENERAL PRICE AT TAOS.