The Old Santa Fe Trail
ch seems to be an intuitive attribute of the native Mexican. The American, of course, soon became as expert, for nothing that the genus h
Fe trade. The Americans made many modifications, but the basis was purely Mexican in its origin. A pack-mule was termed a mula de carga, and his equipment consisted of several parts; first, the saddle, or aparejo, a nearly square pad of leather stuffed with hay, which covered the animal's back on both sides equally. The best idea of its shape will be formed by opening a book in the middle and placing it saddle-fashion on the back of a chair. Each half then forms a flap of the contrivance. Before the aparejo was adjusted to the mule, a salea, or raw sheep-skin, made soft by rubbing, was put on the animal's back, to prevent chafing, and over it the saddle-cloth, or xerga. On top of both was placed the aparejo, which was
in, is thrown a square piece of matting called a petate. Sometimes, when a mule is a little refractory, he is blindfolded by a thin piece of leather, generally embroidered, termed the tapojos, and he remains perfectly quiet while the process of packing is going on. When the load is securely fastened in its place, the blinder is removed. The man on the near side, with his knee against the mule for a purchase, as soon as the rope is hauled taut, cries out "Adios," and his assistant answers "Vaya!" Then the first says again, "Anda!" upon which the mule trots off to its companions, all
d it is difficult for him to get on his feet again. Sometimes he is badly strained in so doing, perhaps ruined forever. When the train starts out on the trail, the mules are so tightly bound with the ropes which confine the load that they move with great difficulty; but the saddle soon settles itself and the ropes becom
und to carry off the water, if the weather is stormy. After two or three days' travel each mule knows its own pack and saddle, and comes up to it at the proper moment with an intelligence that is astonishing. If an animal sh
evel region, could not compete with it. Five dollars a month was the amount paid to the muleteers, but it was oftener f
as they are all turned loose to shift for themselves, depending upon the grass alone for their subsistence. Each herd has a mulera, or bell-mare, which wears a bell hanging to a strap around her neck, and is kept in view of the other animals, who will never leave her. If the mare is taken away from the herd
ppery path, and fall hundreds of feet into the yawning canyon below. Generally instant death is their portion, though I recall an instance, while on an expedition against the hostile Indians thirty years ago, where a number of mules of
drawn by eight mules or the same number of oxen. Later much larger wagons were employed with nearly double the capacity of the first, hauled by ten and twelve mules or oxen.
nce, whether great or small, and regardless of its intrinsic value. As gold and silver were paid for the articles brought by the traders, they were also required to pay a heavy duty on the precious metals they took out of the country. Yankee ingenuity, however, evaded much of these unjust taxes. When the caravan approached Santa Fe,
ir vocation, used wagons only; the Mexican nomenclature was soon dropped and simple English terms adopted: caravan became train, and majordomo, the person in charge, wagon-master. The latter was supreme. Upon him rested all the responsibility, and to him the teamsters rendered absolute obedience. He was necessarily a man of quick percepti
ey go, rushing into each other, and becoming entangled in such a manner that both drivers and mules have often been crushed to death. It not infrequently happened that five or six of the teams would dash off and never could be found. I remember one instance that occurred on the trail between Fort Hays and Fort Dodge, during General Sheridan's winter campaign against the allied plains tribes in 1868. Three of the wagons were dragged away by the
l Custer's command during the winter above referred to. It comprised over eight hundred army-wagons, and wa
the front legs of the mule just at the fetlock, the slides pushed close to the limb, the animal could move around freely enough to graze, but was not able to travel very fast in the event of a stampede. In the Indian country, it was usual at night, or in the daytime when halting to feed, to fo
erially from that of the army-train in later years. I here quote Gregg, whose authority on the subj
at which the resp
s for office were
stem of government
tom of these pro
aimed elected, but
stitutional provis
gue and uncertain
ests, they are ofte
the subordinates.
that the captain i
l during the day a
night, with many
in the exercise o
nvenient t
he task of organiz
by proclamation t
s. The latter are g
particularly when t
ivisions, a lieute
inspect every ravi
est crossings, and
arlance the forming
much dreaded by inex
guard duty. But n
yment of the indiv
chance of evadin
mateur tourist and
e same wholesome pr
lar turn at the wat
dlers attached to
t work in devising
me hours at the
se trips of pleasur
ense; for the hospi
te even a loafing c
ut charge. But thes
ast to do good ser
r permitted to fur
ne in military expe
o stand the tour
rcely be watchful
en the invalid must
of his inability,
lea is a
f watchers is eigh
ernate night. When
erally reduced, w
hey are sometimes c
h on duty half th
ain usually appoi
of whom takes an
his co
ey aspect of the
ved without an ide
s. The most fashio
k of the city-bred
f pockets capable
ckling. Then there
leather hunting-s
-the wagoner with
ssortment of othe
up the
firearms there i
y. The frontier h
ould induce him to
scatter-gun." The
s his double-barre
nce in its superio
ide with a bountif
y description, so
ery brigand-li
p!" is now sounded
om every division
The woods and dale
e light-hearted wag
d with joy at the
lamorous in the ext
ow who shall be so
tful pride to be th
's s
le which follows, t
als, the exclamati
from their wrathfu
bells, the rattle
s, all conspire to
metimes amusing to
n animal to its po
a stubborn mule,
ack, determined no
re thinks it proper
say, "Wait till
e seen a driver hitc
by that process h
of his four projec
row b
finally heard fr
rectly responded f
mediately vocifer
o the drivers, the
eet, the occasiona
wagons, while "Fal
the train is stru
tarted on its
f the commander of the troops which escorted the caravan, the camps were formed with regard to strategic princi
with more than ordinary friendship. For many years he was employed by the government at the suggestion of General Sheridan, to teach the art of packing to the officers and enlisted men at several military posts in the West. He received a large salary, and for a long period was stationed at the immense cavalry de