WHILE we were in Santa Fe, Colonel Sterling10 Price came in with his cavalry11 command, and soon the town prison was filled with them, so that it became necessary for a guard from the Mormon Battalion12 to be posted at the prison. I do not recall that any of our command was put into the prison, though it is possible one or two might have been, for a few of them got rather too much wine; but it was a very few who acted that way. There were many invalids13 of other commands left to garrison15 Santa Fe, and they caused considerable disturbance16, many of them getting into prison.
It seems that word had gone ahead to the Mexican town that the Mormons were a very hard class of outlaws17, consequently at first we were looked upon as "toughs" of the very worst kind. But when the people had an opportunity to see our superior conduct in contrast with that of the other troops, they realized the true situation, and male and female thronged18 our camp in friendly visit.
It was on October 13, 1846, that Lieutenant Colonel P. St. George Cooke assumed command of the Mormon Battalion, having been designated for that purpose, and by this proceeding19 we were liberated20 from the little tyrant21 Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Smith.
By order of Colonel Cooke, Captain James Brown of Company C took command of all the sick that were unable to continue the journey to California; also of most of the laundresses, and a few able-bodied men, with directions to go north to Pueblo, and join Captain Higgins. In order to determine who were not able to continue the march to California, we were drawn22 up in line, and the officers and Dr. Sanderson inspected the whole command. The doctor scrutinized23 every one of us, and when he said a man was not able to go, his name was added to Captain Brown's detachment, whether the man liked it or not; and when the doctor said a man could make the trip, that settled the matter. The operation was much like a cooper culling24 stave timber, or a butcher separating the lean from the fat sheep.
My desire was very strong to continue the overland journey, and when the doctor neared me, I braced25 up and tried to look brave and hardy26. To the doctor's inquiry27, "How do you feel?" my answer was, "First rate." He looked at me suspiciously and said, "You look d—d pale and weak," then passed on, and I was greatly relieved at having gone safely through the inspection28.
In order No. 8, Colonel Cooke called the particular attention of the company commanders to the necessity of reducing baggage as much as possible; that means for transportation were very deficient29; that the road was almost impracticable, much of it being in deep sand, and how soon we would have to abandon our wagons it was impossible to ascertain30; that skillets and ovens could not be taken, and but one camp-kettle to each mess of ten men.
Colonel Cooke very properly and correctly pointed31 out that everything seemed to conspire32 to discourage the extraordinary undertaking33 of marching the battalion 1,100 miles, for the much greater part of the way through an unknown wilderness34, without road or trail, and with a wagon5 train. He said the battalion was much worn by traveling on foot, marching from Nauvoo, Illinois; their clothing was very scant35, there was no money to pay them, or clothing to issue; the mules were utterly36 broken down; the quartermaster's department was out of funds and its credit bad; animals were scarce, and those procured37 were inferior and deteriorating38 every hour from the lack of forage39. All this made it necessary that such careful preparation as could be should be made in advance.
It can be easily seen from this statement that the condition and prospects40 of the battalion were not very encouraging; yet there were very few of the men who had the least desire to retrace41 their steps—they knew what they had passed through, but looking ahead they tried to hope for the best, realizing, just as they had been told, that the country through which they had to travel was an unknown region.
With the colonel's orders carried out, we got ready to move, and about the 21st of October we left Santa Fe and traveled six or eight miles to a stream called Agua Fria (cold water). Grass for animals was very short, the nights were very cold, and our road was in heavy sand almost from the start. Our advance was slow, for the best teams had been taken for extra service or express duties in other departments. Besides, there was added to our already overburdened animals the load of sacks, packsaddles, lashing-ropes, etc., necessary in the event of being compelled to abandon the wagons, so we would not be entirely42 without means of transportation. There was also the burden of sheep pelts43 and blankets to use under pack saddles, and as most of these were bought second-hand44, they were well stocked with the insects commonly called "greybacks."
In a short time we drew near to the mountains, and the weather became colder. Having but one blanket each we began to use the pelts and saddle-blankets to splice45 out our scanty46 store of bedding. Thus we proceeded over sandy roads, through the towns and villages of Spaniards, Indians and Greasers—the surroundings presented being of such a sameness that the journey became very monotonous47.
Soon after leaving Santa Fe our rations were reduced to one-third the regular amount allowed by law to the soldier. A detail of men was called as a substitute for mules, to move and to lighten the loads of the ammunition48 wagons. Each soldier was required to carry sixty-four rounds of cartridges49 that contained each a one-ounce ball, three buck-shot, and powder enough to send them where they should be, besides the heavy paper they were wrapped in, and extra flints for the firelock—about two hundred ounces added to the already overburdened soldier.
Now the soldier must wade51 the tributaries52 of the Rio Grande del Norte, sometimes waist deep and more, and is not allowed even to take off his shoes, or any of his wearing apparel. An officer, perched on his white mule8 on some point or eminence53 overlooking the whole command, with a hawk's eye for keen military experience, calls to this or that squad54 of men, with a horrid55 oath, as if they were brutes56; often he curses the men until they long for a battle where perchance someone would remember the tyrant with an ounce ball and three buckshot. And yet, if that feeling were not quenched57 in the soldier's bosom58 it would not require an engagement with the enemy to accomplish the deed. But, praise God, that feeling quickly passed off as the men marched along, their clothes wet, and their thick soled cowhide army shoes partly filled with sand—the chafing59 and galling60 of the flesh without and the gnawing and grinding of the stomach within defied the mind to dwell upon any one subject for long at a time.
Is it any wonder that under these conditions fifty-five of our comrades wore down and collapsed61 so they had to go on the sick list and it became necessary for Lieutenant W. W. Willis to take command of that number of invalid14 soldiers, and join Captains Higgins and Brown at Pueblo? This company of sick and exhausted62 men left us, on their return, about the 10th or 12th of November.
About this time, the quartermaster was ordered to leave the remaining two heavy ox-wagons, while the company commanders were directed to reduce their tent-poles two-thirds; that is, to cast away all the upright poles and use muskets63 instead, and to put gores64 in the back part of the tents so they could shelter nine men in place of six; we were also to leave one-third of the campkettles.
Then came some sport in putting packs on a number of our mules and worn-out oxen. Some of these, which did not look as though they could travel a hundred miles further, when the crupper was put in place would rear up, wheel around, and kick in a most amusing style; nor did they cease until their strength failed them.
When this sport, if sport it may be called, was over we began to realize in a small degree the gravity of our situation. Our guides were "at sea," so to speak. We were in an enemy's land, with not a soul in camp who knew anything of the country. Men had been sent ahead to hunt a route for us to travel, and every time, on their return, they reported impassable barriers ahead—rough, high, steep mountains, without springs of water or creeks65, or sandy plains, and barren deserts that it would be impossible to cross. In this dilemma66 we had to bear to the south, along the river, in hopes of finding a pass to the west.
One night, while camped near the Rio Grande del Norte, we heard a great noise as though a band of horses were crossing the river. This created quite an alarm, as there had been rumors67 of Mexicans revolting. For a short time it was thought it was Mexican cavalry crossing to attack us by night, but on the colonel making inquiries68 of the guides it was learned that the noise proceeded from beaver playing in the river. After watching and listening for a time, all settled down, contented69 that there was no enemy at hand.
On resuming our march next day, we passed through a grove70 of cottonwood trees, and saw where many of them had been cut down by the beaver. Some of the trees were two feet or more in diameter, had been cut off in long sections, and a surprisingly large dam had been constructed by the beaver across the river. This dam had caused to be formed a large pond, in which the beaver congregated71 at certain seasons, for sport. Thus the mystery of our midnight disturbance was solved to our satisfaction.
We passed along the sandy road to a large bend in the river, which Colonel Cooke decided72 was the place where we would cross the stream. He stationed himself on an abrupt73 point of rock, from which he could view the whole proceeding. Men were detailed74 from each company to follow the wagons through the river. In order to avoid a rocky ridge50 the stream had to be crossed twice within quarter of a mile. There were very heavy quicksands, and if the teams were allowed to stop one minute it was doubtful whether they could start again; consequently the precaution of having men close at hand was very important, though the average soldier did not understand the real reason for forcing him into the water without stripping off at least part of his raiment.
The crossing was made early in the day, and the water was very cold, as I had ample evidence, being one of those detailed to attend the wagons. Our comrades took our muskets over the point while we lifted at the wagons. As the water was waist deep, when the men would stoop to lift it would wet our clothing very nearly to the armpits; our shoes also were filled with sand.
Wet and cold, almost chilled, we continued our march through deep sands, pushing and pulling at the wagons till our clothing dried on our bodies, our shoes became so dry and hard that walking was very painful and difficult, and our feet became raw. If this had been all, we might have had less reason to complain; but when an irritated officer (not all the officers pursued such a reprehensible75 course, but a few of them did) swore at us as if we were brutes, when we were already burdened almost beyond endurance, it is no wonder there was an impulsive76 desire to retaliate77. For my own part, my feelings never were so outraged78, and the desire for revenge never ran so high and wild as then. But we cooled down, though our physical sufferings were not lessened79; as we tramped on through the sands we became so weak it was almost impossible to keep our ankles from striking together as we walked, and our hard and dry shoetops would cut our ankles till the blood came.
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1
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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pueblo
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| n.（美国西南部或墨西哥等）印第安人的村庄 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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7
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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8
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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11
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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13
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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15
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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16
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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18
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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21
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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23
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
culling
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| n.选择，大批物品中剔出劣质货v.挑选，剔除( cull的现在分词 ) | |
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25
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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26
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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27
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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28
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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29
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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30
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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31
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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32
conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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33
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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34
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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35
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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36
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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37
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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38
deteriorating
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| 恶化，变坏( deteriorate的现在分词 ) | |
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39
forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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40
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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41
retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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42
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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43
pelts
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| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
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44
second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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45
splice
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| v.接合，衔接；n.胶接处，粘接处 | |
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46
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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47
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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48
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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49
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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50
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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51
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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52
tributaries
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| n. 支流 | |
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53
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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54
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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55
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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56
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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57
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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58
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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59
chafing
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| n.皮肤发炎v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的现在分词 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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60
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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61
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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62
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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63
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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64
gores
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| n.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的名词复数 )v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的第三人称单数 ) | |
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65
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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66
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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67
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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68
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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69
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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70
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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71
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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73
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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74
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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75
reprehensible
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| adj.该受责备的 | |
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76
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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77
retaliate
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| v.报复，反击 | |
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78
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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79
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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