On the 29th we kept along the northern escarpment of the grand prairie to the Arroyo de Abajo. On the 30th, near the north-westerly point of this prairie, we stopped at the Monte Revuelto (mixed wood). The guides stated that in the spring they had driven sheep from San Miguel to this point for the purpose of grazing. The district abounded in a low cactus, which they called the organon, very different from the tall plant of that name which grows in the valley of Mexico. On the 1st of October we halted at the Arroyo de Monte Revuelto. We had, when on the grand prairie, sent forward a party to San Miguel to ascertain why the provisions promised, when the guides were sent to us, had not arrived. At this place we sent off another party on the same errand. On the 3rd we passed the Boca, which I suspect is a southern pass of the same line of mountains which are crossed to the N. at the Angosturas. We here saw the fresh sign of horsemen and mocassin tracks : the guides were alarmed and could not explain it. In the evening we stopped at the Arroyo de Tuncarrie. To the W. was a long flat-topped mountain, and a conical-shaped mountain at each side of it: there was also a range of mountains to our right.

On the 4th we reached the high grounds which divide the streams running to the Red River and those running to the Puerco. The first of the streams running to the Puerco that we came to was at the Laguna Colorada: it was situated in a sandy plain lying between an escarpment of hills. Among the sand was a large quantity of cedar-wood brought down by floods from the N. The guides said it would be 5 days' journey from this place to San Miguel: to Parajito, one day; El Cuervo, the second; Los Esterros and Rio Galena, the third ; Ticoloti, the fourth; Los Huevos de Vernal and San Miguel, the fifth.

At this place, however, we were stopped by a large body of Mexican troops : they were encamped behind some rising ground, on the road, having a high ridge of rocks nearly perpendicular on their left and the lake on their right. Our men were at this time in a very distressed state; we had only fifty rounds of cartridges to a man made up, and powder for about as many more; our most efficient men and best horses were with the first division, of whose fate we knew nothing; many men were sick and infirm, and nearly all our horses had been carried off by the Indians. Retreat was impossible, for we had not the means to protect our cattle from being cut off by cavalry; and the possible success of one day would not have enabled us to advance, nor to have carried away our wounded if we retreated. A surrender was agreed upon, and the terms, securing to the party the treatment of prisoners of war, were signed by the officers on both sides. On October the 5th the Mexicans took possession of our arms, baggage, and the merchandize. On going over to their camp there was a very large body of troops drawn up, and soon afterwards a reinforcement of 150 men, very well armed and mounted -- many having the muskets and pistols of our advance division -- arrived.

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Adapted from Thomas Falconer
"Notes on a Journey through Texas and New Mexico, in the Years 1841 and 1842"