San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-03-01
written for the fskk PRsss,
"reminiscences OF Texas veteran-..rhe
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
tcopyrighted.l
XIII.
ny O. ERHARp.


XIII
We left the Arroyo do Monte Revuelto in
the morning. The high table land was to
our left, we traveing west, on our right
was mountain having two pyramidical
mountains on each side Of it, Nearer to
our right We came to high ground, and the
road between this and the staked plains to
our left, was the Bocos (or pass into the
Plains). Here we found distinct trail Of
horses, it was evident that large party of
cavalry must have recently been there.
We soon reached the Arroyo Tuncanarie,
where we also discovered fresh horse signs,
evidently of mounted men.
We kept our course west, between high
grounds to our right and left. The ground
was favorable to passage for wagons. We
had only some six or eight left, for, for
want of draught oxen, tents and some goods
were abandoned and burnt up at the river
Quintefue where our Mexican guides met
US. We assembled gentle elevation tol
wards the Laguna Colorado, branch of the
Rio Puerco (Hog river.)
About afternoon. few Mexicans, well
armed, and expert horsemen, which they
exhibited after they left us by chasing the
swift antelope, rode up to us, and told our
officers that Col. Andreas Archuleyte was en-
camped above u.s.
These Mexican officers told our General
that according to custom, and law of their
country, which was also enforced on the
ST. Louis Mo- traders, we would have to
give up our arms at that point; that we
could then peaceably trade, and on our re-
turn to Texas, our arms should be delivered
us at this place and the Moxicans would
guard and protect US from invasion of In
dams to the place where we were required
to give up arms.
We halted at that Laguna, Ga small lake):
flowing creek, and we found there drift
cedar trees, which furnished us plenty of
fuel
Gen. Mcleod, and Senor Ant. Navarro
started to meet Col Archuleyete, interview
him, and promised to him that after con-
sulting our officers he would get o final de-
oision by nine o'clock next morning.
Our General, returning late at night,
then commenced discussion of our officers
privates listening, they also took great in
terest in it; many privates who knew the
treacherous character of the Mexicans were
opposed to giving up our arms.
This discussion lasted till after midnight;
sad and anxious were our men to hear the
final decision.
But what could we do? We had had no
bread for three months, also no coffee for
nearly the same time, and even no salt to
season our scanty rations of poor tough
meat. Our men were weak and exhausted
some even had the scurvy for want of vege-
tables; we could have whipped the Mexi-
cans but we had no supplies to return home,
so far off. The Mexicans could as last re-
sort have stampeded our oxen and few beef
cattle and starvation in that case would have
stared us in the face. Also our ammunition
was reduced. Again, We knew nothing OF
the fate of our comrades, the advance guard.
If we had defeated the Mexicans in battle.
on their retreat, for revenge they might have
massacred our men ahead of us.
We were in sad and solemn dilemma,
retreat was impossible, therefore we had, to
trust to treaty and Mexican honor to be
treated If not as commercial traders, at least
as prisoners of war, according to civilized
usage. Our men were so exhausted that we
could not have mustered so effective able
bodied men. With Capt. Sutton were the
ablest bodied and chosen men, with the best
horses we had left, and his fate was unknown
to us. We had only some go poor horses
left. Desperate and sad indeed was our
condition, full of evil forbodings
After midnight of October 4th, 1841, our
men, overcome by natures, demand for rest,
wrapped themselves up each in his single
blanket and went to rest on their bed the
sandy soil Next morning we learned that
officers had decided TO give up our arms.
Our general found that the AIexicans who
were in numerous force had chosen a posi-
ton to impede our Bdvance as vel as 70 cut
of our retreat About nine O'Clock A. NJ.
on the 4th of October the Mexicans appear
ed in front Of u.s. Our commander ordered
r,s ont in single file in front Of them, and
pavo orders 70 lay down arms. The order
was reluctantly followed, for a Texan volun-
teer and veteran does not give up ms arms
without resistaace. But the former cd regu-
lars of the former army Of the Republic of
Texas. understood the order. being better
drilled In tactics the old Texans slowly fol-
lowed thsir example. we then received the
order to retreat twenty PAGES, then Tire
Mexican soldiery picked up our arns, End