San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-02-08
Written for the FsEr PRKss,
"reminiscences Of q Texas Veteran--.Tho
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
DY O. ERHARD.
lCopyrightedl ]

NOW Will resume portion OF the yet
unwritten history of the Santa Fe Expedi-
ton, till we met Geo. w. Kendall again |;
after that will give history of my own
sufferings and experience in Mexico. But
before begin with the latter, will give
the reader extracts of Kendall's trip over the
staked plains and the suiferings of the 100
men under command of Capt. Sutton, till
they reached tho settlements Of New Mex
leo.
The next morning after the guides reach
ed u.s. we broke camps, left the eminence
on which our camp was situated, crossed
the braclsish running creek heretofore men,
toned, and assembled gentle sloping hill
opposite; reaching the top thereof we pas
sed for few miles small clusters of mes
quite trees; after that there was the vast
expanse of the table land, known es Staked
Plains, before us. Our Mexican guides with
unerring aim brought our party at each
days journey to one of natures water tanks
of fresh water.
have traversed the Atlantic Ocean, the
Gulf of Mexico, but never met such singu-
lar loneliness, as on the plains
The ocean at least offers q variation of
storm, gale or calms. The ocean in its
gentlest mood of calm, presents long swells
having the azure hue of the sky, while on
these long waves, probably not higher than
three or four feet, ther, were little ripples,
dolphins would play around the ship, afar
off perhaps flying fish might be seen keep
ing many feet above the waves to escape
the pursuit of the shark. The little birds,
resembling the swallow, apparently walk
the waves, with wings futtering, picking
up such morsels of food as passengers or
the steward throw overheard
These little diminutive birds follow q
vessel during the whole long trip over the
ocean; at dark I sup oose they tako rest on
the rigging of the vessel.
In storm the waves in angry tumult
would present white foam, caused by the
great waves which are sometimes 80 feet
high, the waves then partook of the dullness
of the dark SKY overhead, and looked ne1r-
ly as black as ink. Yet ocean life offers be-
sides these variations occasionally sail is
seen far off in the distant horizon; the pass
enger watches its approach, at first only
the tips of the highest masts are seer, then
as the vessel approaches nearer all the sails
and hull appear; all would like to know the
name of the vessel or it's destination; still
contemplating the scene the vessel disa-
pears again.
At night, the ships prov plowing its way
through the Ocean, the breaking waves
would exhibit phosphorus sparks in myr-
iads, resembling fire flies on Texas prairie;
but on the Staked Plains there was not even
seen the fire 6ies.
There can be nothing more dreary than
the journey over the Staked Plains, except
it be the Sandy desert of Africa or the cold
desoiGte Arctic regions.
There is no variation, the land IS as
nat as table, no nlhOcA or Iree Ri'en
variation to the scene no bird, no game is
to be seen; supreme silence, as deep as the
grave prevails.
After days travel, from the smoothness
of the ground, it appeared as if we had left
last nights camp only few hundred yards.
There was the clear sky above us caao-
by of the buffalo grass Il believe Che botan-
ical name is ,Gramma grass grass Of
short leaves but very nutricious. Evidently
at certain seasons there must have been i'm
mense herds of bufaloes On these plains,
and then the scene may have been enliven-
ed by Indians hunting them, but when we
passed nothing was to be seen, even the In
dian dill not venture 20 live in that dreary