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Our Catl/.Olic Heritage in Texas
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of Nueva Vizcaya, to organize an expedition with soldiers from the Pre- sidios of Conchos, Mapimi, Coahuila (Monclova), and San Juan Bautista, and placing it under the command of Captain Jose de Berroteran, of the Presidio of Conchos, to let it explore the territory from San Juan Bautista to the Junta de los Rios, Conchos and Rio Grande. The expedition was to start its exploration from San Juan Bautista and follow the river to the north until it came to its juncture with the Conchos. It was to note the character of the country and to find out all information possible con- cerning the various nations who lived in this unexplored region. It was pointed out that this area had been and was the refuge of hostile Indians, who preyed upon the frontier settlements of Nueva Vizcaya and Coahuila. 37 Berroteran's Expedition. The orders were accordingly transmitted to Captain Jose Berroteran, at Presidio de Conchos. Agreeable to the instruc- tions, Berroteran started from Conchos on January 13, 1729, arriving at Santiago de l\fapimi, on January 24, where he was to be joined by twelve additional men. Upon his arrival he found the soldiers from Mapimi were not ready to start. The rest of the men, who numbered fifty-eight, were fairly well equipped with arms, supplies, and horses. Each man had a minimum of six horses and two mules. He consequently notified the gov- ernor that he was leaving for Nazas River with the fifty-eight men and six Indian guides, having left instructions for the other twelve to follow as soon as possible. 38 On January 26, Berroteran marched out of Mapimi in the afternoon and traveled for a distance of three leagues due east. He camped in the vicinity of some rain pools, from where he started early next morning, following a course to the southeast. After traveling about eight leagues he decided to halt, although there was no water, to allow the horses to graze, but that night, at about eight o'clock, they stampeded. The twenty- seven mounted guards on watch were unable to check the rush and as many as three hundred and fifty horses and mules ran away. Next morn- ing, he left the baggage and supplies in camp with an adequate guard and went after the runaway animals with the rest of the men. At a dis- tance of about ten leagues, he came upon the horses and mules and sue- 37Expedientes relativos a reconocimientos hechos en Rios de! Norte, Conchos, etc. A. G. N., Historia, ~o. 52; Copia de! Diario de la Campana executada de orden del Exmo. Seiior .Marques de Casafuerte, por Dn Joseph Ilerrotcran Capitan de! Presidio de! Conchos . . . A. G. /., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-6-1 5 (Dunn Transcripts, 1710-1738). JBDiario de la Campaiia executada ... por Dn. Jose Ilerroteran. A. G. I., Audi- encia de Guadalajara, l 04-6-1 5 .
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