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Show SPANISH RULE, 1700 TO 1822 431 Governor Valverde was very active in the performance of the duties of his office. In the year 1719 he led an expedition, consisting of one hundred and five Spaniards and thirty Indians, and a force complications between Hurtado and Valverde, I have found no record, but suppose that the former ruled but a few months, and that before the end of 1717, as soon as orders could be returned from Mexico, Valverde assumed the office, which he held for four or five years.’’ A tradition has come down to the descendants, now living, of Captain Sebastian Martin, that, in the year 1717, the Comanches were on the warpath and the lives of the Spanish settlers were in great danger at all times. Two daughters of Captain Martin were the wives of Spanish captains, Don Juan de Padilla and Don Carlos Fernandez; these men were famous in those days as spirited soldiers and intrepid Indian fighters. Of all the Indian tribes, the Comanche was the most aggressive, and its warriors were constantly committing Finally depredations and carrying into captivity the children of the settlers. it was determined to make a campaign against the marauders, and a general The officers selected to command the expedition junta was held at Santa Fé. were Don Juan de Padilla, first, Don Carlos Fernandez, second, and Don Pedro of the soldiers were equipped with firemajority A third. Pino, of Santa Fé, The first arms but many had only machetes, lances, and bows and arrows. night out the expedition camped at the pueblo of Pecos, whence they marched on the were buffalo Many Chico. Anton to the Llano Estacado by way of Finally they came to a beautiful valley, where the scouts plains in those days. They were informed that the dreaded Comanches and trailers had led them. Arrangements for a night march were made were only a few leagues ahead. and the enemy was attacked at sunrise. In those days the Spaniards wore their hair long, similar to the Indians, but Before starting all the men painted their faces red with tied in the back. almagre and let their hair down in order to look like Indians as much as possible. A At dawn they found the Comanche camp; hundreds of tepees were 1n sight. charge was ordered, and giving the war-cry of ‘‘Santiago,’’ the Spaniards Spanthe that first at thought Indians The charged and surprised the enemy. soon iards were a returning war-party of their own people, but they were Hundreds perished and seven hunThe slaughter was terrible. undeceived. there were captives Spanish Most of the dred Indians were taken prisoners. The Comanches numbered hundreds, and had been in camp and were liberated. some time awaiting the return of war-parties that were raiding the country a Only a few escaped this massacre. settled by the Spaniards. march, and, arriving The victorious Spaniards now started on the homeward announce the at the pueblo of Pecos, sent messengers ahead to Santa Fé to success of the expedition to Governor Valverde. When the messenger arrived which Miguel, San of the captain-general and all the people were at the chapel The governor announced to the people the good had only recently been rebuilt. of the city went out tidings which had been received and nearly every resident to the parish church, to meet the returning soldiers, who, on their arrival, went where a Te Deum was sung. ‘ : bl was a serious pro What disposition was to be made of the Indian captives It was finally determined to send them to Cuba, which was done by order ofwork Ie to do the It did not take long for the climate of Cuba of the lot a queen of Spain. In a few years there was not one Comanche of extermination. possession 0 the in letters were Until a few years since there to tell the tale. done bywithone theof prisoners. the members of the Pi ino family i iving full accounts of f W what was arse giving this campaign was written in vel The story of New Mexico, a play the expedition and to this day, in some places in to the matachines. upon the story is acted in a manner very similar based |
