John M. Washington
| John M. Washington | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Governor of New Mexico | |
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In office 10 October 1848 – 23 October 1849 |
|
| Preceded by |
Sterling Price (military) Donaciano Vigil (civil) |
| Succeeded by | Colonel John Munroe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Died | 24 December 1853 New Hampshire |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Known for | Military Governor of New Mexico |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | US Army |
| Years of service | 1817 – 1853 |
| Rank |
Major Brevet Lieutenant Colonel |
John MacRae Washington (died 1853) was a United States artillery officer who became military governor of New Mexico shortly after the end of the Mexican–American War of 1846-1848.
John M. Washington was born in Virginia, and was a remote relative of President George Washington. He graduated from West Point in 1817, and fought in Florida against the Seminole and Creek people. He served with distinction in the Mexican–American War of 1846-1848 under Brigadier General John E. Wool, being promoted to Major and brevet Lieutenant Colonel following the Battle of Buena Vista. He reached Santa Fe on 10 October 1848 with four dragoon companies. The next day he assumed office as governor, combining the civil and military roles.
Washington's main priority was to settle a war against the Navajo people. He assembled a strong force of soldiers and volunteers that moved west into Navajo country, where they were met by Navajo envoys saying they were willing to discuss peace, and then met the main Navajo forces. A scuffle broke out when a militiaman spotted a horse that he claimed had been stolen from him. The Navajos fled, and Washington's troops killed six of the fleeing men. One was the old warrior Narbona, now in favor of peace, who was scalped by a U.S. militiaman. The expedition moved on through a pass that one of them named "Washington Pass". In 1992, in response to a proposal by the Navajo people, the pass was renamed Narbona Pass. There were no positive results from the expedition. On returning to Santa Fe Washington became involved in a scandal, probably unjustified, over a child he allegedly fathered on an orphan girl.
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