San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-07-03
written for The Pass Pnsss,l
"reminiscences OF Texas veteran.''The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
ny q. FhnARr
oorYnIanrnD.
LXXv.

oorrnienrHp.
LXXv.
On the morning Of the Goth OF
October we left Socoro without regret;
for although its name in English sig
nifies succor or assistance, we found
none there. We had travelled but q
short distance before the principal
chief of the Apache Indians, with q
small retinue OF his warriors, was
seen rapidly dashing over q hill, to
see los Americanos, as they called us,
who had surrendered to the New
Mexicans.
The chief was dignified person
in appearance, he was about middle
height, and well built he must have
been old, for his hair was gray. His
countenance was stern, strongly
marked, and very expressive, and he
was mounted on powerful gray
charger of fine action.
He rode up to the head Of the line
of us prisoners, in company OF Sale
Ear. As we passed in review OF him,
a ragged, haggard and emaciated
throng, the old chief examined us
with the eye of an eagle-his thoughts
could not be OWNED.
After a walk of unusual length
across bend of the Rio Grande--
for it was nearly forty miles-we
reached, just at dark, large grove OF
cottonwoods close upon the river
bank. This grove was called the
Bosque, forest grove) de los Apaches,
and it was fine camping ground.
We recrossed the river at an early
hour on the following morning, and
another long and tiresome march
brought us to Fray Cristobal, the
last camping ground before we enter
ed La journado del muerto.
Dead mans journey.) This is awell-
known stretch of ninety miles. 1t is
level sterile and desolate plain--a
desert with no vegetation, save here
and there clumps of the smallest kind
of cactus, of dwarf like proportions,
and clumps of the smaller kind Of
palms, growing to the height of some
seven feet, with long coarse leaves
branching up from the roots and
forming a very mat from the close
ness with which they grow together.
This species of palm is sometimes to
be seen in gardens in Texas for an
ornament, as well as curiosity, but
here in Texas it grows more luxuri-
ant, and in the month of April it bears
blooms some two feet in height and
with white wax-like flowers closely
clustered together. I believe the bo-
tanical name is "Yuca." Near the
centre of this desert is o lake which
in spring or summer, is filled with
water, but when we crossed the bed
was perfectly dry.
Immediately on our arrival at the
camping-ground of Fray Cristobal,
Salezar ordered that beef should be
slaughtered for us, it was miserable
poor OK, but he for himself and some
of his men took the best portions OF
it.
I believe the beef contained not
ten pounds of tallow, but being wolf
ish hungry we devoured our scanty
rations allowed us eagerly,
During the earlier part of the night
the wind was biting and chilly, but at
midnight the weather moderated, and
then commenced fall Of snow, next
morning when we got up we shook
the snow from our blankets, yet the
snow seemed to protect us from the
severe cold that night.
We remained at Fray Cristobal un-
til near sundown. Salezar said aloud
on starting, that we were to be driv-
en- through the entire ninety miles
without sleep or a morsel of food.
At steady pace we travelled on
ward, but now a raw night wind sprung
up, fresh and piercing, from the snow
clad mountains, and chilling our weak
frames SO thoroughly that the most
violent exercise could not keep us
warm. The animals of our guard
went begging for riders, for even
their hardy owners were obliged to
dismount and run on foot TO prevent
them from freezing.
! Near midnight We met regiment
of Dragons under Colonel MunOz. on
their way from Durango TO Santa Fe,
troops that had been sent by the
Central Government 10 fight US If we
exhibited any hostility in being taken
, -. n..~rr frsorn q roora cor1th