Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1842-03-05
PRISONERS IN MEXICO
Narraiirc of Mr. Franklin Combs,


One Of the priSoners.-The expedition
after about ten weeks march, through a
country infested by Indians, arrived al
tho Palo Duro, where being Strengthened
Tor food, and having previously sent their
guides in advance il was determibod tc
despatch about third Of the armed force
and two of the commissioners to procure
7 provisions ana prepare dior 5aJs FOR sssS
entrance of the expedition into the prov
lnce OF Santa Fe.-The impression at the
time was that the expedition had reached
within 80 miles Of Santa Fee, in conse>
quence oil which belief the advanced d.
vision took with them only three days ra-
tons. Col. Cooke and DR.. BRENNAN
were the commissioners accompanying
the advance and Capt, Sutton commanded
the armed escort. The remainder OF
the forces were left at the Palo Duro un-
der the command Of Gen. Mcleod, sur
rounded by a vast number of Indians,
who were continually harrassing them
and who had actually killed five Of them
the day upon which the division set out
upon its march
The advanced force soon learned that
the expedition had made fearful mis-
take in supposlng the Palo Duro TO be
80 miles oil Sanle Fe. The distance was
nearly 800 miles and as consequence,
the rations provided for the troops were
exhausted before they accomplished
third OF the road TO Santa Fe. The dis
vision then resorted to every expedient
to escape starvation. They first subsisleI
upon such as the horses mad broken down,
and wild berries which were occasionally
met with in the prairies. When these
resources, failed, they were compelled TO
live upon. horned.s snakes, frogs, and many
other reptiles which abound in the prai-
res and which constituted their prin-
cpaI and for time, their only food -
After marching in this way for two or
three weeks or Whereabouts, the division |
arrived al Galinas From this place,
Van Ness Lewis, Howard and Fitzger-
aid, accompanied by Mr.. Kendall, were
sent on TO santa Fee, TO hold an interview
with the Governor, explain the pacific
objects Of The expedition, obtain stores
for the troops and permit to bring the
merchadize taken out by the traders
within the province.
Two or three hours after these gen.
tlemen left the camp at Galinas, note
was received from Captain Lewis to the
effect that .the country was in arms, but
that they would proceed on their journey
to Santa Fe. They we're, however, seized
shortly afterwards, las Captain Lewis
stately bound and taken out TO DO shot,
but their lives we're spared through The
Of Mexican officer, who
took them TO meet Governor ArmDo. Ia
The mean while the Gvenor had despatched
a force oil several hundred men 10 nter~
cepi the Texans. The commander OF
these troops held several interviews with
The Commissioner and endeavored to get
The Texans TO lay down their arms by
assuring them Of the friendly disposition {
Of the governor and the inhabitants. This I
Inc Texans would not do The Mexican
officer undertook TO take care oil tho low
horses Of the Texans, and {
supply the men with food in order to al
ay all apprehcnsons OF any hostile pur- {
pose His next step was TO cross the
iaIinas with his men, with the avowed