Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-07-19

huahua meant to hold out three months
at least. Even if the enemy had let them
alone during that time, hunger and misery
wonld surely have disposed OF the Span
iards. No alternative was left therefore
than to evacuate
THE sMoULDERING RUINS OF SANTA FE
and to attempt retreat to Ell Paso del
Norte.
This was no easy matter. The dis
lance was 800 miles, part OF which was
occupied by the enemy. 1t was likely,
also, that the Indians would remove all
crops and stores along the passage of the
Spaniards. Even ii no opposition was
offered, starvation might be expected
From Indian prisoners, Otermin had
heard that the majority OF the inhabi-
tants OF the Rio Grande valley, were COR
gregated at Isleta. These he hoped to
find yet, and thus reinforce and revictual
his people. Furthermore, he nourished
a faint hope that the thirty men under
command OF Pedro de Leyba might be
on the return, and hearing of the disaster
in New Mexico be Fastening north to
the rescue. On the other hand, there
was no telling how far the instruction
had extended, and whether perhaps the
defenceless mission of Ell Paso del Norte
had also been wiped out by the Mansos
and Sumas living there. Otermin chose
the least certain OF the two dangers, and
determined retreating to Ell Paso.
ON THE 21sT OF AUGUST
that determination was made pub
lie, and everything not strictly in
dispensable cast way. VI the
remnant OF public stores, the bulk
was distributed among non-combatants.
The number of horses still disposible
did not suffice for carrying more than
the soldiers and limited number OF in
valids and women, so that the majority
of non-combatants were left on foot and for
the support of the animals, the pasture and
fields along the road were relied upon.
The soldiers had to be mounted in order
to prove effective against the Indians,
who were expected to attack on horse
back. OF the two pieces Of artillery, one
was abandoned, and the other taken
along. 1t was, however, left behind be-
tween San Marcos and Santa Fe.
Although the date is not positively
stated, it still SEEING probable that
SANTA FE WAS EVACUATED
during the night Of the Dist and 22d OF
August. On the evening OF the 22d the
whole body, numbering little over 1000
people including seventy-fve soldiers,
camped near the springs of San Marcos,
The pueblo had been abandoned by its
people. No opposition had been offered
to the retreating force, but spies were
manifestly following its tracks, for one
of them was captured near San Marcos,
and he informed that the Indians were
massing their forces at the so-called Ar
gostura between San Felipe and Algo-
dones, with the intention of disputing
the passage. The same Indian also re-
ported, that on the day previous, the in
surgents had ventured to Santa Fe again,
where they proceeded to sack and plum
der the Palace.
The northern Pueblos seemed disposed
to leave the retreat of the whites undis-
turbed. The Indian reported that, while
his people were sacking the palace ebay
dead in the plaza of the town, in the
streets, houses and surroundings, the
rebels said, We are even with the Span
iards in the number Of people killed by
them to us, and us to them, it is imma-
terial therefore if they 60, let them get
out of the county and we shall settle in
this town aud wherever We please"
On the oath the camp marched as far
as the banks of the Rio Grande near the
pueblo of Santo Domingo. Already at the
outset
TWO BODIES OF INDIANS APPEARED
on the hills south of the arroyo, making sig
nal fires. Santo Domingo was deserted.
In the rear of the church lay the corpses
Of the five Spaniards killed during the
massacre, and in the church itself the
bodies of the three priests had been hastily
buried and in common sepulchre. The
church ornaments were intact. On the
opposite bank of the river several Indians
were seen herding horses. A Spaniard
ventured to cross and he quickly discov-
cred that the horses we're there only as a
bait, for numerous body of Indians rose
from cover and rushed toward him. Some
of the Indians crossed after him, and
followed the Spanish corps which by the
time was already in motion, continuing
its march along the river. The sandy ex.
panse, along which the railroad runs to-
day, WAS occupied by the forlong throng,
women, children, old men, and servants
occupied the center with whatever sup
plies could be carried along. Armed
horsemen and few armed Indians on
foot protected the front, TANKS and rear,
of the noncombatants. 1t was impossi-
BILE to proceed
OTHERWISE THAN VERY SLOWLY.
On the oath, halt was made close by the
village of San Felipe which stood then on
the left river bank, at the foot Of the
small circular mesa opposite almost to
the pueblo of to-day.
Atsunset, several Indians on horseback
appeared on the long mesa on which
stands to-day the ruins of the church.
They gazed down upon the Spanish en-
campment awhile, and then disappeared
again.
ITO be continued