Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal, Volume 9, Number 2, May 1999 Page: 64
[57] p. : ports. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal
plains was a little uncomfortable, we have seen
nothing yet but the highest state of luxury com-
pared to what we are to see and go through
before we get back to Texas.
Chapter VII
From El Paso to Fort Thorn,
and from Fort Thorn to Val Verde.
A great poet has said that the best laid plans
of men and mice "Gang aft aglee," and so it is
with us. When we reached El Paso we thought
that we would be supplied with corn, upon
which we would recruit our jaded horses, but
we found that their could not be obtained half
corn enough for our teams, so our wagons had
to be reduced in number, and what is worse,
our own rations have to be reduce owing to the
fact that supplies can not be obtained, and we
have now found it utterly impossible to get any
antiscorbutic food of any sort, and hence our
blood must soon get in bad condition and a great
deal of sickness must necessarily follow, be-
sides the exposure that we have been forced to
endure is bound to tell on our constitutions, but
all this we can bear without a murmur, if they
would just march us on, this eternal delay is
what is trying most on the men.
Up to this time, the health of the brigade
had been good, and we have lost but a few men,
not one-fifth of what we might expect would
naturally result from a campaign in mid-win-
ter.
Cutting down our wagons and teams and
cutting down our rations, we proceed in col-
umn of regiments, first one regiment and then
the other marching in advance by easy marches
up the Rio Grande valley to Mesella. On the
second day after leaving El Paso we crossed
the Texas line and bid farewell for a while to
Texas. The thought naturally presented itself
how many of these noble men, now so full of
life and hope will ever live to see Texas soil
again. We know that toil and suffering and dan-
64ger is ahead of us. We know that hard blows
are going to be given and received. We know
that some of us will be killed, but how many
and who time alone will tell. We halted awhile
at Los Cruces; I do not remember how many
days, and then proceeded up the Rio Grande to
the San Diego crossing where we crossed that
river and kept up on the the other side to Fort
Thorn.
We are camped around Fort Thorn, the
Yanks are just above us, pickets and scouts from
each side are exchanging occasional compli-
ments. The small-pox and measles have bro-
ken out among us, and while both are in a mild
form, yet many of our men are dying, there
are too, a good many cases of pneumonia, two-
thirds of which are fatal. This winter campaign
is beginning to tell on the health of our men.
Lt. Col. McNeil made a scout with two
companies of the 5th up to the Fort Craig the
other day but the Yanks sent them back faster
than they went.
We have had two false night alarms in which
the brigade was got under arms, thinking the
Yanks were upon us, onee of these alarms were
caused by Capt. Lord, a gallant fellow in the
Federal army, who I suppose, wanted to see
how quick we could get in line of battle, the
other was kicked up by Kit Carson. They've
been prowling round our camp, but then we've
been prowling round their's too. Lord in prowl-
ing round the other day captured some of our
boys. We'll take that fellow in yet.
Indians made a dash at the 4th the other
night and got one of their number killed, they
have his body there now.
November 24, 1887
Chapter VII
From El Paso to Fort Thorn,
and from Fort Thorn to Val Verde.
We are now in a "fix," measles, small-
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Nesbitt Memorial Library. Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal, Volume 9, Number 2, May 1999, periodical, May 1999; Columbus, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151406/m1/16/?q=nesbitt%20memorial%20library%20journal: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nesbitt Memorial Library.