American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

[From the St. Louis Reveille.]

LETTER FROM CAPTAIN MOORE.

We have received from a friend in Jefferson City, for which he has our thanks, a private letter received from Capt. Moore, commander of the advance guard of U. S. Dragoons, now en route for Santa Fe, from which we make the following extracts:

Head Q'rs Advance Guard, U. S. A.,
Pawnce Fork, Santa Fe Trail, July 10, 1846.

Dear Friend:—Your kind letters have been received by an express, and I embrace this, the first opportunity that has offered to write to the United States. You know I was ordered, with a squadron of dragoons, (with only eight hours notice,) to proceed in pursuit of Speyers, the Santa Fe trader, who had some wagons, loaded with arms and ammunition, for New Mexico; but from his having too much the start, I was unable to overtake him. When I left my camp at Kansas river, on the 7th ult., and up to the time of my arrival at the crossing of the Arkansas river, I could not perceive that I had gained much on him, judging from the age of the sign he made, although I followed in a forced march, reaching the crossing in eleven and a half days. Our march was the most disagreeable out of many that I have experienced, in consequence of the drought, no rain having fallen since last spring. The roads were exceedingly dry and dusty, and for several days we marched 25 miles without water.

On our arrival at the crossing, finding no Mexicans, nor sign of any, and the grass scarce and insufficient, I fell back, with my command, to this point, about eighty miles from the crossing, in tolerable grass, where I have remained since; but to-morrow I shall take up the line of march for Bent's Fort, on the Arkansas, with five companies under my command, three of dragoons and two of mounted volunteer riflemen—the two latter companies, Captains Waldo and Reed, having joined me yesterday. The volunteer officers are clever fellows, and have a fine-looking set of men, who, although ignorant of military matters, evince a disposition to learn highly creditable to them.

We have no news worthy of credit from Santa Fe, but it is rumored that Gen. Urrea, from the Passo Del Norte, has marched to Santa Fe, with an army of from three to four thousand troops; if so, we may meet with a warm reception. Well, it is not usual for us to be rivalled in cordiality. We will reciprocate their politeness—the American eagle will vie with the Mexican in a hearty grip.

Lieutenant Colonel Ruff, of the Missouri mounted volunteers, was about two days in rear of Captains Waldo and Reed's corps; he will overtake us at Bent's Fort. The traders (all of whom I have retained at this place as they arrived) have concluded to go by Bent's Fort, instead of the Semarone, as they originally intended. Among the traders, and those accompanying them, I have found some polite and courteous gentlemen; amateurs; some travelling for the sake of locomotion, some for pleasure, and some in the pursuit of health. Among the latter I have met an old friend, George R. Clark, of St. Louis. I am glad to say, his health is much improved. I have taken him into my mess, and by the time he reaches the base of the mountains, and enjoys the bracing air, so celebrated for its efficacious influence in pulmonary and dyspeptic affections, I hope to see him perfectly well, and able to kill and butcher two buffaloes, instead of one, (he mastered one a few days ago, on a hunt with me.)

We are all well, and in fine spirits, in contemplation of "business on hand." As opportunities of communication with the United States will now be frequent, I shall write often and hope, in future, to have something more interesting to impart.

Yours, truly,
Benjamin D. Moore. U. S. D.