Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-21
FROM new MEXICO.
From an Occasional Correspondent

we had arrived at the place of our tenn |
porary home, If the word home can be used
at all with a soldier after a weary, tiresome |
and adventurous march of more than 1900
miles from tn, Missouri river to the Rio
Grande, across the Great American Desert
some of the southern chains of the Rocky
Mountains. We were all anticipating a
quiet, easy time after all the fatigues and
privations of the long journey. The ex-
pected blessing was, however, not extend
ed to your correspondent, for in his capac-
ity of regimental quartermaster a huge
pile of official papers waited for his atten-
tion, which had to remain unnoticed dur
Ing the long march. Vouchers, accounts,
returns and all those documents insepara-
BILE from the military business routine, had
to be made out, compared, collected and
forwarded to Washington before any such
thing as recreation could be thought of.
After two months hard work the last
scratch of the pen was accomplished which
wound up the affairs connected with the
expedition. The last business letter was
sent East; the Colonel readily approved
my application for weeks leave of ab-
sence. had promised a visi. with my
family to the friend whom mentioned in
my last letter. and on bright October morn
Ing we started from Fort Selden, my wife
and two children, with female attendant,
and the driver occupying our ambulance,
while 1 followed on my saddle-horse, a
beautiful black animal, which has since
shared the fate of so o-many-- others, being,
captured by the Indians. 1t was one of
those splendid balmy days for which New
Mexico-is so favorably known and which
leave an everlasting impression on all those
who have lived in that splendid climate.
The surrounding scenery, although wild
and offering but little variation, for viii
lages are scarce in that part of the coun-
try, presented picturesque appearance
From between the sage brushes and the
shrubbery through which our road was
winding, the Rio Grande was perceptible,
with the hills of the opposite side bathing
in its waters and presenting a romantic
appearance. With the pair OF strong horses
which had taken us across the plains, ano
come all the way from Kentucky, we soon
reached Las Cruces, one of the few good
sized towns which the Territory of New
Mexico can boast of. We were received
here with much hospitality, a quality
which hardly any Mexican will be found
deficient of, by the family of a man who
was In constant business relation with the
Quartermaster's Department, and who
warned us by no means to leave the place,
for our ultimate destination, without COM
pany, as the Indians have lately been rath-
er troublesome in. the vicinity. Now ]
might have obtained military escort at ouI
fort without the slightest Inconvenience to
the service, but was assured that no dam
ger whateyer existed, and that we could
travel without the least apprehension.
1t so happened that three gentlemen were
going to Fort Bliss, to our place of desti-
nation, at an early hour the next morning.
| OF course we at once agreed to make the
trip together. At six O'Clock in the morn
ing was all ready to start, and was told
| by the same gentlemen, who were likewise
in the saddle, that they would overtake us
in few moments. So off we went, pretty
| slowly at first, but when mile after mile
laid between us and La Cruces, when hour
after hour passed without a sign of our
companions, and when further delay, or
our return to the town, might have been all
the more dangerous, ordered full speed
to the driver, myself riding ahead at
short distance to reconnoitre the country.
l may here just as well state that the above
gentlemen never overlook us, but endeav-
ored to make us believe they went the next
day and that they were close behind u.s.
At about ten miles from La Cruces, is an
abandoned military station called Fort
Fillmore, gloomy looking spot, where
many white man has lost his scalp, for it
is the great gathering place for the savages,
who take their ponies and stolen cattle
there to water. At short distance from
the old fort are what is termed the water
hoes, number of hollow places, where
the rain water collects, and is often eagerly
sought for by the Indians, whose hiding
places are in the surrounding mountains
where no water can be obtained. No
wonder that in a country like New Mexico,
where water is comparative scarcity, such
places arc infested by the aborigines. AS
rode through the low trees and brushes,
recommending the driver behind me not
to spare the horses, and thought of the con-
sequences of an engagement with gang of
savages with no chance of escape, it was
but natural that should apply the spur
oftener than was otherwise - nv
habit and 1 knew that the carria ge
horses would not hesitate to follow
the example of their companion ahead
After half an hours suspense and fast driv-
ing we reached the open field again and
my mind was temporarily relieved, for the
Indians, unless In large force, never attack,
where their approach can be noticed. and
where they would consequently expose
themselves to number of rifle shots, be-
fore reaching the scene of conflict. About
O'Clock p. NJ, we arrived at what is called
the halfway house, and our tired animals
required rest and food, and we were like
wise ready for substantial meal. While
! had scrupulously withheld any express
sion from my wife, the landlord mentioned
In her presence that he expected to be at
tackled in his building at any time by the
Indians, and that the camp fires of the
sayages were distinctly visible every night
on the neighboring hills. The probability
is that the man was afraid that by our
staying at the ranch during that night the
indians who were watching every traveller
on the road, might be attracted by the ex-
pectation of capturing our horses, an OBJ
ject which is in much demand among them;
the landlord s object may have been to get
US away by all means. This was an un-
necessary precaution, for 1 was but too
anxious to get out of the uncertainty, and
as soon as the animals were well fed and
watered we started off again for our place
of destination. The deep sand of the Rio
Grande shores prevented our proceeding
rapidly and long before we could expect to