San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-01-04
Written fer the FHkx PRsss. t
"reminiscences Of Texas Veteran.
BY O. ERHARD

After the burial of our five unfortunate
comrades (in one grave, each one simply
wrapped in blanket), the detailed men for
that service joined tho main command, at q
rivulet we camped at two nights previously
only higher up its course The water was
brackish, but not far from it were little clust-
ers of mesquite trees, to furnish US fire.
wood.
Here the officers held consultation, and
the general named the camp Resolution"
for as we were lost, nearly out of beef cat
tie and work oxen it was resolved in this
desperate condition to divide the command,
| for our scouts could not find water or tim
ber ahead of US; and some of our men thus
detailed were never heard Of being proba-
blv killed by Indians or furnished There
fore it was resolved to send forward one
hundred man, on horseback (of such poor
horses as the Indians did not succeeded in
stampeding from us), mon who willingly
volunteered to run the risk to find the Mex-
can settlement, ut the peril of their lives,
and il successful to send Us back report.
il no report came within two weeks, the
command would scatter by single companies
in order to better sustain ourselves by game
we, perohance might be able to get even
at the risk of bel lg killed by the Indians.
rather than attempt to reach the settlement
in large body, who being out of provisions
might starve. Our situation was as forlorn
as that of Robinson Crusoe wrecked on a
desolate island.
After the consultation of the officers some
few oxel were killed and kiln dried Chat is
kind of half cooked over small fire) to
give our advance men supply of food if
they could not find game.
This being finished the advance, consist
inc of the commissioners sent out by Texas
(also Kendall), to make treaty of com
merce and peace, most OF the merchant
traders and others, started off with the
blessings of all our men that they might be
successful. Sad indeed was the parting We
had but little hope of their success in finding
the settlements or in their obtaining succol
and relief for us in the way of provisions
or finding way 10 bring our expedition u
n successful end. The name of ''CamI
Resolution" should have been called II
Desperate Resolution"
Some may blame our officers for DIVIDING
the command, thereby being less able t
ii lht the Mexicans who later opposed III
ald treacherously deceived u.s. But hope
the reader has understood ere this, that be
ing lost and our men and animals worn on
= for want of sufH ,ient food, and 30 often SUI
fering for want of water. we looked nag
gard and despai-ing. While ] write thes'
lines which are not connected as they shoui(
!. be. nor as descriptive as they might be-
~ had often to stop between sentences, Tor m!
heart wss too full, to think of the brave
men We lost trying to find way forward o.
b of gettinn game for the mea for sustenance
Tears too. often come to my eyes to thIul
. over the past suferings Of our men. the 5O'
] that left Austin in June 1871, j do not thinl
4 there are now aiiye over 10 men-so terri
4 ole d.d the sulTerings aud Indian surprise
together with orr msltreatment in MeTic1
. and disease from exposure while prisoners
tell on Us. The party detailed 10 go in al
. vance . find the Mexican ssttlsment BY o.
der Of the General commanded by Cart
sutton. brave, experienced and eiicien
oeicer.
. While We tarried at Cnzp Resolution
for the r-iurn of ths aiva1ce guard Or a -
: ra.- e iaaal ~ p,soed our wagons IN
2 .s-.-r o. ..as--.r s, = sOrt Of fOrtiEeltion IA
I'll -. .-a-fv n.