Having accomplished this by concluding a satisfactory treaty with the Indians, he returned to the Rio del Norte, and on the banks of that stream collected and refreshed his men, preparing to meet up with General John E. Wool.

In December, 1846, he and his men began to move south towards Chihuahua. In quick succession followed his brilliant and decisive victories at Brazito and Sacramento, the capture of Chihuahua, the plunge of his little army into the unknown country between Chihuahua and Saltillo, and its emergence in triumph. After his arrival at Saltillo, his regiment was ordered home. The march was continued to Matamoras, before making their way to New Orleans. The men were discharged at New Orleans and arrived at 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 at the time of the expedition, there was no road leading from Fort Leavenworth to the Santa Fe Trail. 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. In accomplishing this, 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 30th, 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 1st, the troops continued their march in a southwesterly direction, 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 driven along for the use of the men. The animals subsisted entirely by grazing. By July 5th, 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.

 From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Old West Exclusive Products - Legends of America and the Rocky Mountain General Store now provide a number of exclusive products that you won't find anywhere else! Utilizing our vintage photos, Old West words, and original graphics, you'll find selections for t-shirts, bumper stickers, Old West prints and calendars, and much more. Click HERE to see the entire line.