William H. Richardson

“ The picket guard came in and reported, that 10,000 Mexicans were at a lake some miles off, ready to give us battle.
25th.—The sound of the reveille started every man to his post by light. We moved on eight miles to the lake, and watered our horses and mules. We saw nothing of the Mexicans. The country begins to improve as we leave the jornada, especially on the margin of these lakes or ponds, the water of which is brackish. Here prairie grass grows with some luxuriance. Kindling a fire, the soldiers commenced baking bread, made from the wretched native flour, now our only fare. ”

“ We are not destitute of sport however—many amusing scenes occur among us, debating societies are formed among the soldiers in which the most absurd questions are dilated upon with a vehemence and mock seriousness truly laughable. A breakfast of coffee without sugar, some very poor beef soup, and onions sliced up with parched corn, made a better meal for us to-day than we have had for some days past. Yesterday I traded off two needles to the Spanish girls for six ears of corn and some onions, it was a trade decidedly profitable for both parties. ”

“ West River, July 10th.—Let no brave soldier say he cannot shed tears of joy, when clasped in the arms of his aged, widowed mother, after an absence of nearly two years, in which he has encountered the perils of both land and sea—travelling nearly 6000 miles, 2200 being through the heart of an enemy’s country, and witnessing death in every shape and feature. ”

“ All desire the speedy re-establishment of your health; and although they know that in your own noble soul will be found the best reward of your conduct, they desire also to address you the expression of their gratitude and high esteem. I am honored in being the organ of the public sentiment, and pray you to accept it, with the assurance of my most distinguished esteem.
“‘God and Liberty!’”
“This is a trophy of a new kind in war, won by thirty Missourians, and worthy to be held up to the admiration of christendom.” ”

“ At the distance of three miles a lake of considerable extent is seen, reposing in the bosom of a prairie, bounded by the horizon. To the left a continuous range of mountains loom up, whose bare and rugged tops present to the mind the idea of coldness and desolation. The whole face of the country is destitute of wood, and verdure, except a species of brush or thorn bushes. Looking towards our camp, I beheld a long line of wagons stretching along the road as far as the sight could reach. ”

“ Indeed the parade lasted so long and with so many manœuvres were we exercised, that the patience of officers and men was worn to its extremity. It was nearly thread-bare. And then came the orders for every man to see to his own provisions and water, as another desert was to be traversed. So we go—changing from bad to worse. To-day, after a march of ten miles, we reached the “Point of Rocks”—a significant name. Late at night we encamped in a valley between high mountains, where there was some grass, but no water. ”

“ There are some fertile valleys in this mountainous range, but the poor simple inhabitants have very little idea of taking advantage of the natural resources of their country. After we left Chihuahua, fields of cotton and corn, interspersed at intervals with the sugar cane, presented themselves. The ranchos are always about a day’s journey apart, and the whole aspect of nature in these delightful spots, is one of the most inviting that can be imagined, as a field of operation, for the industry and art of man. ”

“ Breakfast over, I started with the wagons, in company with some others, whose horses’ backs were sore. I felt stupified from the cold and loss of rest, having walked my round five hours last night. We went on 12 miles, which we trudged on foot. At night we cut some branches of the cotton wood for our horses to eat. We were preparing to rest, when our Captain told us, if any man lost his horse he would have to walk back to Santa Fe. He further said, that we had to go through a gloomy region or desert, 85 miles in extent, where no wood or water could be procured. ”

“ Sunday, 13th.—As we proceed, the country assumes a still more dreary aspect, bare of verdure, and broken in ridges of sand. Our horses, enfeebled by their long travel, have very little to subsist on. The men too, for the past three days, have ceased to receive rations of sugar and coffee. When we could not get these articles, we did as they do in France—that is, without them. We had to fry our meat, and a few of us entered upon the funny work of making soup out of pork, buffalo flesh, and fish, boiled up together. It was a rare mess, but we pronounced it first rate. ”

“ The mines of Mexico afford her principal wealth, but of this the poorer classes obtain but little, they are kept in ignorance and degradation by a government which has borne the name of Republican, but which every one who sojourns in that country must soon discover to be a mockery, for the mass of the people are subject alone to the will of the Roman clergy, and are not free to act. There is no slave in any of our Southern States whose situation they have not reason to envy. ”

“ We now draw water up the sides of the ship, for we are in the Mississippi river, 100 miles from New [84] Orleans. The water is good and there is plenty of it, as the river is full. Every man has just as much as he can use, and we use it freely enough. After supper I went to my bunk, but found it too warm to rest in, so I took my blanket, and laid down, as usual, in the gangway—but not being able to stretch my feet out, in consequence of a sack of bacon in the way, I got up and searched about, and at length found an empty bunk of some one who had gone on deck to spend the night. ”

“ Wool had stationed 1000 men as picket guard. We received a treat in the shape of nice American flour and mess pork, as rations.
22d.—I rode with several others to Gen. Wool’s camp. On the way we passed over the battle ground of Buena Vista, and saw the remains of hundreds of Mexicans thrown in heaps and covered over with cactus. These remained undisturbed by the wolves while they had disinterred our buried Americans and devoured them; these animals make a practice of keeping in the rear of our advancing armies, and always prefer eating our men after death to the Mexicans. ”

“ A strict guard is kept. The captured cannon is in charge of the non-commissioned officers, and our company has to practice target shooting. Being number four I have to touch off the guns. The concussion jars my head so much that I have to place a quid of tobacco in each cheek, to prevent it from injuring my teeth, which are very sore. The companies are all well disciplined, and with our 25 pieces of artillery, Col. Doniphan says he would defy 10,000 Mexicans. When not on duty, our men resort to every kind of mischief by way of amusement. ”

“ A fatiguing march of 27 miles brought us to a ranch called Remado, where we passed the night.
3d.—The country is still barren between these ranchos, which are always found in fertile valleys, mostly inhabited. Some muskeet brush was all we could find on our road to-day; no verdant carpet of grass to relieve the eye from the strong glare of the rays of the sun pouring on the sandy plains as we pass along. A late hour brought us to a large town called Huadaquilla, on the Rio Florida. We travelled 30 miles to-day. ”

“ Our route lay for the most part, on the Rio Grande del Norte, whose head waters rise in the Green Mountains, several hundred miles above Santa Fe. It forms the western boundary of Texas, and can be easily forded at almost any point above El Paso. In the dry season it is extremely low, and can be of very little importance for navigation, except near its mouth, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It is thought this river has a course of from 15 to 1800 miles. The country is elevated: being traversed by a range of mountains extending far to the northward. ”

“ After the fatigue of marching on foot heavily armed, we were illy calculated to do the duties of the camp. Our horses being too much enfeebled for further use, after our arrival at Santa Fe, were sent up the mountain to recruit. Thus our hardships increase with our progress. The ground being very broken where we encamped to-night, which is in a wheat field, I gathered all the stubble I could, to make our beds soft and even—bought some wood to cook with from the natives. ”

“ Our success is to be attributed entirely to the superior skill of our commander. Had he not taken advantage of position, in keeping out of range of redoubts and batteries, we should all have shared a common fate, as the black piratical flag was captured, together with a wagon load of that formidable weapon, the lariat, which was intended to tie us all to our saddles in case of a defeat. ”

“ A numerous and hostile population in towns—treacherous Cumanches in the mountains—were to be passed. Every thing was to be self-provided—provisions, transportation, fresh horses for remounts, and even the means of victory—and all without a military chest, or even an empty box, in which government gold had ever reposed. All was accomplished. Mexican towns were passed, in order and quiet: plundering Cumanches were punished: means were obtained from traders to liquidate indispensable contributions: and the wants that could not be supplied, were endured like soldiers of veteran service. ”

“ Many a brave man has passed it never to retrace his steps. Six miles from our last stopping place we reached Seralvo. Here we found a regiment of volunteers on the march to join Gen Taylor. We waited till the afternoon to feed our horses and mules; then marched 14 miles to another deserted ranch and stopped to sleep. We saw, on our way many ranchos and villages tenantless and destroyed. While we were at Seralvo, a Mexican was caught, who belonged to the gang that murdered the teamsters, and burned up 150 wagons, which were on their way to the army. ”

“ You have endured much toil and hardship. It is now about to terminate. You have arrived once more in the land of civilized society, and again we are citizens mingling with our fellow-citizens. Your lot has been a hard one in many respects.
“Before reaching New Mexico, by two hundred miles, you were on half rations, and never afterwards, for a single day, during our long and arduous march to Saltillo, did you receive full rations. ”

“ I slept very uncomfortably, as a high wind from the north had full sweep in the door of our tent. We were inspected at 11 o’clock, and carried through all the evolutions of the drill. After the parade we could scarcely keep warm, though wrapped in our blankets, and crowded around the fire. Yesterday one of our beef cattle died from starvation. The Mexicans came down and took it off to their habitations. We might have made a speculation by selling it but did not think of it.
Sunday, November 1st.—Several of my mess are going up the mountains to look for their horses. ”

“ But rough and uninviting as it is, all who visit New Mexico via Santa Fe, are compelled to pass it.
3d.—We have journeyed well to-day, having reached St. Clair Springs. It is a beautiful spot, well watered—and glowing in delightful verdure. It is surrounded by mountains, the surface of which are covered with craggy rocks. We searched for miles around our camp for wood, with little success. The different companies killed a number of antelopes here.
Sunday, 4th.—We are still encamped, and shall remain in our position till the morning of the 5th. ”

“ We came over the mountain four miles, where our road intersected the river again, passed a town, and further on encamped near the river. Our interpreter bought a beef from the natives, also a little wood to cook it. The wild geese are very numerous here.
14th.—The roll was called very early this morning—and as my horse had a sore back, I asked the Captain’s permission to walk behind the wagons. I walked all this day and led my horse. When I came up to the encampment I found that my mess had supper ready. It consisted of a kind of chicken pie, bread and coffee. ”

“ Our lodgings are very uncomfortable. I went down to the Rio Grande to get water, and found it nearly frozen over. A great mortality prevails among the troops who are dying from exposure and disease.
26th.—I was very much engaged all day, in nursing poor Barber. He is worse to-day, the measles having disappeared from the surface. I sat by him the livelong night and listened to his delirious ravings, and I felt sad to think I had no means of relief. At 4 o’clock this morning the Captain came, and finding him so ill, brought out a tent to cover the one he laid in. ”

“ A discharge of arrows was met by a volley from our men. A considerable skirmish now ensued. The Indians raising the war-whoop, rushed on them, discharging their arrows with incredible rapidity; but they were forced to retreat, and these bodies were dragged hither as trophies.
14th.—About one o’clock in the night, while our wearied soldiers slept, two guns were heard. In an instant our Captain jumped to his feet, and hurriedly went over the ground to wake us all up. In a few moments every man had on his arms. ”

“ To-night there are several of our men sick with the measles, supposed by our Surgeon to have been brought from Santa Fe.
[36] 18th.—The snow four inches deep—clear and very cold—another grave dug to-day for a member of the Livingston company, making five who have died since we have been out here. They are all buried near the mountain, where poor Johnson was laid.
20th.—The past two days have been employed in procuring wood, which is hard labor; but we do not complain as our fare is improved by the addition of bean soup and coffee. ”

“ As night came on, a heavy storm of wind stripped our wagons of their covers. Quite unsheltered, [58] we had to do the best we could, and that was bad enough. We laid down, as we had often done before, on our blankets. We slept uncomfortably on hillocks and tufts of grass.
20th.—The wind having abated, we were all in line at an early hour—came nine miles through this ranch, to the mouth of another jornada. Here the same scene of desolation is presented. No cultivation to be seen any where, nor scarcely any natural vegetable production except the thorn and muskeet brush. ”