Lesson 51: The Texas Santa Fe Expedition - Part V

On the morning of the 17th September it was determined to take up the line of march, at the same time a message was received from Salezar, stating that Governor Armijo would arrive in a few hours, and that, as an evidence of his friendly disposition he would cross over and camp near them.

Salezar had been greatly reinforced and numbered about four hundred men, who marched around to the left and front of their camp. The men were formed into line, but were dismissed on perceiving no hostile movement of Salezar. In a short time they saw a party of near two hundred advancing to their right and rear, this gave cause for a suspicion of danger, and the men were formed for action. In five minutes, battle to the death would have commenced, but some one exclaimed that Captain Lewis was at the head of the party; both parties of Mexicans began to close in. Captain Lewis advanced with the nephew of the Governor. Lewis told the Commissioners and officers that the people were exasperated at their coming and were in arms; that besides the troops here, he had seen four thousand of the best equipped men he had ever met with who would be there in a few hours. He also stated that five thousand men were marching from Chihuahua; but that the Governor had commissioned him to offer, if they would give up their arms, permission to enter and trade, and at the end of eight days they would be returned to them, together with their recruited horses.

He further stated that he knew this to be the custom of the St. Louis traders, and that no possible harm would result, and for the truth of his statements, Lewis pledged his honor, and to one of the officers, his Masonic faith. Lewis's countenance had undergone a great change since he had left them, and his conduct at that time aroused the suspicions of one of the officers, who proposed that they should return to their companions, and if they could not do better, walk and live on the horses that they had left. The nephew of the Governor replied that his uncle knew Americans were gentlemen and that such inhumanity could not be permitted towards them; and urged them to comply with the requisitions made upon all traders visiting Santa Fe. A consultation of the Commissioners and officers was held. They had traveled over a thousand miles and were among strangers; they were destitute of the very necessaries of life; were two hundred and fifty miles from their companions, and there were no means on the route of supporting nature in an effort to reach them. Added to all these, they had the assurance of one of their companions, who had been considered a man of honor, that they were among friends and would be treated accordingly. It was a painful conclusion to surrender their arms, and with misgivings they reluctantly complied with the offer.

Just before dark they were ordered into line, and then Mexican faith began to show itself. Colonel Cooke, in the hearing of Lewis's new found associates, denounced him, reminding him of his pledged honor, which had been forgotten; of his plighted Masonic faith, which had been broken; and declared that but for him his former associates would have died in the ditch. After they were formed, their knives, watches and nearly every article of personal property were taken from them. They took a small purse from the writer of this article, and the fellow, feeling its contents, remarked to Salezar, "Two reals, Senor, no more." Salezar, shrugging his shoulders, told him to return it. Instead of a quarter dollar it contained a quarter eagle, for which he afterwards purchased a jacket. Carlos, who had been captured, in endeavoring to escape was pierced by a lance in the body. He had a copy of President Lamar's address. He was brought to the camp and directed to point out the different officers, and was then led away.

Armijo arrived the next day, and was much exasperated that the betrayed prisoners were not tied. By his orders they were bound, four, six and eight together, as their lariats would confine. After nightfall, a consultation was held by the officers more immediately in the interest of Armijo, as to the propriety of either executing them all upon the spot, or sending them to the city of Mexico as trophies of the valor of New Mexicans. The party in favor of the latter course prevailed by a majority of one vote.

Gen. McLeod's party had been continually harrassed by the Cayguas Indians, who had killed several of the men, and at one time rode directly through the camp and stampeded 87 horses, which were never recovered. After waiting fifteen days, without hearing from Col. Cooke's party, they determined to wait five days longer, and then, if no tidings from them, it was resolved to burn the wagons and goods, and make their way back by forced marches. Two days after, the guides reached them, and they resumed their journey. Captain Caldwell, with a small party, who had been sent in advance, were captured; and General McLeod and his party who had reached Red Lake, about forty miles south of the Angosturos, were imposed upon by the treachery of Lewis, were made prisoners and marched to San Miguel. Two men died on the prairies. The wagons were taken to the plaza of San Miguel, and nearly a whole day was occupied in distributing the goods among the different companies. Lewis was seen standing by the side of Armijo, and frequently pointing out a box or bale of goods, which was placed in a large pile, apparently for him.

The second morning after the surrender of Col. Cooke's party, the officers were mounted on horses, and the men were tied three or four together, with one end of the lariat fastened to the saddle of the guard. They were marched through a creek and up the steep rocky sides of a spur of the mountains to a level country, over which they were taken to the road leading down the Rio Grande Valley, where the lariats were removed. At two or three times on the road, they were on the point of rising on the guard and making their way to Texas, but were restrained by considerations for their companions behind them.