San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-03-15
written for the Fsss rsss,
"reminiscences Of a Texas Vateran--.Tho
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
DY O. ERHARD.
tCopyrighied
XIV
Copyrighted ]
XIV.
DY @. ERHARD.


Mornings, when We wero marched out of
camp, our mongrsl, moro than half Indian
guard, who numbered more than o thous-
md men. who had the proud satisfaction to
have l5O betrayed and half starved Texans
for prisoners, in great pomp and parade
would pass us on gallop. though they
were only half clad, and 80 poorly armed
that they looked more like Indians.
This grand galaxy of New Mexico's Vol
unteers improvised sort of kettle drum, on
which their expert musician made o most
dismal noiss,
On Saturday about forenoon We reach
ed the camp of the Governor Of New Mexi-
co. Genl. Manuel Armijo, fine, large.
portly and fair looking man. Well dressed
as he was he made quite military appear
ance. But he was tyrant treachercus,
and feared and in secrst hated by his peo-
pie.
We were halted; 1t was an open rolling
prairie with scattered mesquite trees here
and there, and the little creek Gallenas
running through the valley.
In the afternoon our mon were formed
in line, Mexican mounted men were drawn
up in rear and front Of US about equal dis
tance, 80 steps apart, in front and rear. all
armed with guns. Next some Mexicans ap-
preached with ropes. and tied our men, ff-
teen in a bunch, pinioned midway of the ell
bow and shoulder.
Some seven of us young boys were sepa-
rated, not tied and placed outside the
guard.
Things looked really very serious; it was
expected that all our men would be shot
We could see the Mexican camp about
half mile OF.
Our men were thus in suspense for about
an hour, when all the cavalry was with
drawn again, and only dozen of infantry
took charge OF us.
1t was afterwards rumored, that while
we were in that situation the Mexican Of
ficers held kind of court martial to vote
whether we should be shot or not with tho
exception of the boys separately. There
was only one majority who was opposed to
this summary execution, and that saved our
men.
should have mentioned that before they
tied US they stripped us of our coats and took
our blankets away.
After the cavalry RETIRED we boys were
ordered to get such dead wood as we could
find in in the neighboring ridges, and bring
it to where our men were, but we were also
guarded. Perfectly useless to have such
company, for thero was no chance Of es-
cape Next we had to pack water from the
creek mentioned, which was about 300
yards from us. In the meantime some
Mexicans killed some sheep, quartered them,
and we boys had to serve as cooks for cur
men. They let each of us have butcher
knife to divide and serve our men with meat.
Nov that was hard job to portion ont rar
tons and slice them off equally. Our men
having had nothing to eat that day, were
hungry; some men swcre they would kill
me, if they ever got united again. for il
was impossible TO divide portions very ex-
actly. Well, | concluded at least would
have my share, although did not appro-
pirate an undue portion. | had at least
some right to it, for / and the other boys
had to carry wood and water long dis
tance.
At night, MS the men were tied, all those
in one string had to lie down at once, nor
Yss any cover furnished them; fortunately
it vas not cold, though it must have besa
then about the 9th of October.
Sunday afternoon we saw some Mexicans
pile up our coats in heap down the valley.
then some 500 of their men were placed IN
line some 500 yards from the pile, and at n
signal race began for the pile. II proved
that the beat runners were to have selec-
ton by snstching; the inferior runners had
to do as best they could, and egot none
ut all.
That may have heep fine sport fer them,
but il was not 10 ns. We had nothing but
shirt and pants on, nor were We furnished
with any clothing afterwards.
Next day CsioEday1 cur men were united,
each one given a poor Mexican blanket. ia
place of our wooden ones Of which they
robbed US, and We took up tho line OF
march.
Here I will say that the thrsst Of killing
ne by our own men. for being POOR cary-
n, was not carried out; i even bsd not .
iard word spoken n me; they seemed 20
be again in better spirits. At sny rate 1
vas an involuntary cook for the past days.
Mutton. not fet. without seasoping or any
hickenirg. did not make even good soup.
md II Il Rad. We had 90 spoons or plates
urui<hed Us
Our General and officers and Antonio M
AFRO. we're ordered tEo days previoas to
,rooeed TO san Miguel and Il vas sO-@