San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-12-06
Written Tor the Pass Psss.
"reminiscences OF q Texas veteran-..The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
l0opyriGhied.l
XIX.
M o. KnHAAp.

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XIX.
HEspAII's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.
The guard who had charge OF US
wheeled us round, and marched us the
same route taken by our unfortunate
guide, and within ten yards OF him.
A more gloomy procession cannot DO
imagined. With Rowland in ad-
vance we were now conducted to the
plaza, and halted close to the spot
where, in plain sight lay the body OF
our recently murdered companion.
A bandage was placed over the eyes
of the new victim, but not until no
had seen the corpse Of his dead com
rade. Worlds would we have given
could we have exchanged one word
with our unoffending friend-to re-
ceive his last, dying request-yet
even this poor privilege was denied
us. After the cords which confined
his arms, had been frightened, and the
bandages pulled down 80 as to con-
ceal the greater part of his face, How
land was again ordered to march
With o firm, undaunted step, he
walked to the place of execution, and
there by the side Of his companion,
was compelled to fall upon his knees
with his face towards the wall Six
of the guard then stepped back a
yard or two, took deliberate aim at
his back, and before the report OF
their muskets died away, poor How.
land was in eternity! Thus fell as
noble, as generous, as brave man as
ever walked on earth. He was o ma
tive of New Bedford, Massachusetts,
of good family, and by his gentle
manly and afable department, had
endeared himself to every member OF
the expedition. In daring attempt
to escape and reach Col. Cookies par
ty, in order to give him important
information, he had been retaken af-
ter desperate struggle, and the life
he could not lose in the heat of that
struggle, was taken from him in this
base and cowardly manner.
Our feelings, while looking upon
this brutal tragedy, it is impossible
to describe. A fearful, q terrible
thing it is to see q man shot-one
who deserves his fate-even when he
is allowed to stand bravely up and
die facing his executioners; for much
as every human being may dread the
king of terrors, there is hardly one so
base as not to wish, when death
makes his last, inexorable call, to meet
him face to face. How much more
terrible, then, to see brave and hon
orable being like Rowland; full OF
manhood, and capable of no base or
craven deed, led out and shot in q
manner so cowardly, and to see this,
too, without the power to act in his
behalf! Tumultuous feelings did the
scene call up-feelings of indignation
and deep hatred for his worse than
savage murderers; and for him, be-
tween whom and us the common ties
of friendship had been strengthened
and drawn into more than fraternal
closeness by our long intercourse in
the wilderness, were mixed emotions
of regret, pity, love and admiration
of fate so horrible, 80 heroically met.
This barbarous execution was no
sooner over than we were conducted
to the portals in front OF the soldiers
quartet, and again placed under a
strong guard of the regular troops.
The sergeant appeared to have more
kindness of heart than his fellows, as
he gave one Of my companions a
blanket to spread upon the hard,
earthen floor, which was chosen as
our sleeping-place, for the ensuing
night The young priest, who had
called on us in the morning, shortly
made us a second visit, telling us
that we need be under no alarm, as
the governor had determined upon
saving our lives unless we made an
attempt to escape. There appeared
to be an exceeding delicacy, not only
in the visits, but in the conversation
of this young man. He was evident
" a man of education; his actions
showed that he was anxious to i'm
press us with the belief in our own
personal security, while scenes Of the
most sanguinary nature were going
on around us. Often, on that event
full day, did recollections of the
French Revolution pass through my
mind. Armijo 1 could not look upon
but as a second Robespierre, only re-
curing a field of equal extent to
make him equally an assassin, muir,
derer, a blood-thirsty tyrsnt His
power, 1 knew, had been purchased
by blood saw it was sustained by