On Oct. 10, 1848, Col. John M. Washington marched into Santa Fe leading four dragoon companies intended to bolster New Mexico's scant military defenses against hostile Indians.

On that very same day, a convention of elected delegates, called by acting civil Gov. Donation Vigil, met in the capital to draft a petition to Congress asking it to grant New Mexico full territorial status.

Washington, however, brought word from the federal government that the civil office of governor, first established by Gen. S.W. Kearny upon the conquest of New Mexico in 1846, was now to be held by the commander of U.S. military forces.

By this, Washington would enjoy absolute authority as both civil and military governor. Described as a bull-headed Scotsman, he quickly became unpopular with New Mexicans.

The colonel had been born in Virginia, a distant cousin of President George Washington, and was a graduate of West Point. He fought against Seminole and Creek Indians in Florida and gave distinguished service in the Mexican War.

As New Mexican governor, Washington showed little interest in politics. Not surprisingly, he directed the bulk of his attention to dealing with a longstanding war between local citizens and the Navajos.

Shortly after his arrival, Washington put together an expedition of Army regulars and volunteer militia to chastise the Indians. His powerful force moved into western New Mexico where Navajo emissaries approached and said their headmen were willing to make peace.

Washington went into camp and his troops were soon surrounded by Navajos on horseback, patiently waiting for a council. One of the militiamen spotted a horse in the crowd that had been stolen from him.

The colonel ordered a soldier to seize the horse, and thereupon the Navajos broke and fled. Foolishly, Washington instructed his men to open fire, killing six.

Among the slain was 82-year-old Narbona, ironically a leading advocate of peace with the Americans. One of the militia lifted his scalp with its long white hair. A modern writer has said that the victim died for no good reason.

The expedition continued on over a high mountain pass. A junior officer, Lt. James Simpson, named it Washington Pass in honor of his commander. It bears that name to this day, much to the displeasure of the Navajos.

Washington's mission into Navajo country was a complete failure. His bungling simply prolonged warfare with the tribe.

Back in Santa Fe, his conduct there likewise proved wanting. A persistent rumor of the period has him seducing an orphan girl cared for by the famous lady gambler Doña Tules.

Allegedly as a result of the illicit encounter, a baby girl, Rallitos, was born and. like the mother, was raised by the wealthy Tules. The child had red hair and blue eyes.

As an adult she went by her mother's last name, Gutierres, but stray references of the time also refer to her as Rallitos Washington.

La Tules's biographer, Mary J. Straw Cook, carefully sifted the conflicting evidence and suggested that Washington was probably not the biological father of Rallitos.

Before 1849 was out, the colonel received orders transferring him to a post in New Hampshire. He remained there until December 1853 when he was assigned, along with a body of troops, to duty in California.

They took the steamer San Francisco for the West Coast, but the voyage had scarcely begun when the ship was struck by a violent storm. Washington and 181 U.S. soldiers were swept overboard and drowned.

In his book on the origin of Albuquerque and Santa Fe street names, Donald A. Guild says Santa Fe's Washington Avenue was named for Col. John M. Washington.

However, since two other downtown streets — Lincoln and Jefferson — are clearly meant to honor U.S. presidents, I believe we can safely say that Washington Avenue bears the name of our first president and not that of the relatively obscure John M. Washington.

Historian Marc Simmons is author of numerous books on New Mexico and the Southwest. His column appears Saturdays.