REMOVAL OF VETERANS TO THE NATIONAL CEMETERY, SANTA FE
Transcribed by Howard Henry
Re-typed by C. W. Barnum

As reported in the Albuquerque Daily Citizen May 21, 1895, page 2

"BODIES TRANSFERRED

"Moldering Dust of Fifty Soldiers Moved to National Cemetery

Santa Fe New Mexican.
"Pursuant to an order of Gen. R. N. Batchelder, quartermaster general of the United States army, issued through Major C. R. Bennett, quartermaster, U. S. army. Superintendent Theodore Joseph of the National cemetery in this city, has recently transferred to the National cemetery the bodies of all the dead soldiers and sailors buried at the old Masonic cemetery north of the federal building.

"The bodies of about fifty persons, all of whom had served as soldiers in the Mexican war, war of the rebellion or in Indian campaigns were moved. Superintendent Joseph has prepared and forwarded to the quartermaster general a complete list thereof with all the information procurable concerning the dead.

"The list includes Gov. Chas. Bent, a volunteer in the Mexican war and the first territorial governor of New Mexico, assassinated in his 47th year, by Indians, at his home in Taos, on January 19, 1847; Gov. W. F. M. Army, New Mexico volunteer Indian fighter, secretary of New Mexico from 1862 to 1867 and acting governor during the last fifteen months of his term; Col. J. L. Collins; served in the Mexican war and a volunteer in the engagement at Valverde, found dead in his office in Santa Fe, June 6, 1869; Col. Julius C. Shaw, New Mexico volunteer, died at Fort Union, December 27, 1865; Col. H. R. Sheldon, United States army, died March 25, 1866; Major Lawrence G. Murphy, 1st New Mexico Cavalry; Lieut. Col. John A. Whitall, United States army, died March 31, 1866; Major Joseph Cummings, New Mexico volunteer, killed by Navajo Indians near Pueblo, Colo, August 18, 1863; Major L, B. Dusenberry, quartermaster United States army, died April 5,1865, aged 52 years; Captain William Rosenthal, Kansas volunteers, and quartermaster of the department of New Mexico, Captain Benjamin C. Cutler, California volunteer, and surveyor general of New Mexico, died October 18,1868; Major Benjamin A. Norton, Ohio volunteers, and Superintendent of Indians, died January 18,1868; Capt. Thomas L. Roberts, California volunteers, and U. S. A., died February 26, 1868; Dr. T. R. Spence, United States army.; Lieut. J. W. Smith, 15th US infantry, died January, 1873, Mrs. Sophia C. Smith, wife of Lieut. Smith, died October 23, 1872. and buried in the grave with her husband; Lieut. J. B. Mackall, U S engineer corps, died April 19, 1871, Lieut. Richard L. Barrett, 1" California volunteer infantry, killed by Indians, December, 1863; Lieut. Martin, New Mexico volunteers. Captain Isaac Adair, 6th Texas mounted volunteers, died of wounds at the battle of Glorietta, [sic] April, 1862; Charles P. Clever, New Mexico volunteers, adjutant general of territory, and besides holding the important offices, was delegate in the 41" congress, his seat being unsuccessfully contested by J. Francisco Chaves.

"It will thus be perceived that the list includes two former governors, one delegate in congress, one surveyor general, and one Indian superintendent, besides several distinguished army officers. The removal of the body of Gov. Bent recalls the turbulent times of 1847, when a fruitless effort was made on the part of emissaries of Old Mexico, aided by Pueblo Indians, to recapture this territory from the United States. The original plot was discovered and frustrated by the vigorous action of Gov Bent, and supposing all danger past, the governor left Santa Fe on January 14, 1847, to visit his home and family at Taos, and arrived there after a two days' trip. He was accompanied by five persons, including the sheriff, prefect of the county and the circuit attorney. On the night of the 19th a large body of men, chiefly Pueblo Indians, attacked his residence, and succeeded that night not only in killing the governor, but also Sheriff Stephen Lee, Circuit Attorney, J. W. Leal, Prefect Cornilio Vigil, Narcisco Beaubien and Pablo Jaramillo, a brother-in-law of Gov. Bent.

"At about the same time seven Americans, including Mr. L. Waldo, a brother of Captain Waldo of the Missouri volunteers, and father of Judge Harry L. Waldo of Santa Fe, were attacked and killed at Mora.

"The startling news of the assassination of Gov. Bent was swiftly carried to Santa Fe, and Col. Sterling Price, then in command here, acted with wonderful celerity and success, considering his limited resources, and the insurrection was soon suppressed with such disastrous results to the insurgents that no such experiment was ever again tried.

"Donaciano Vigil, who was the first secretary of New Mexico, succeeded Gov. Bent as governor by military appointment and acted in that capacity until 1848, when he was succeeded by Col J. M. Washington, and resumed the position of secretary, which he held until 1854. Donaciano Vigil was the father of Don Epifano Vigil, now a resident of Santa Fe."

From: NMG 39:1, March 2000, National Cemetery, Santa Fe, page 23

©2005 C. W. Barnum