Aftermath of San Saba Massacre
1 33
was too severe to enable the troops to surprise the enemy. The expedition had returned to San Saba just two days before, after a hard march of over four hundred leagues in the course of a little more than two months. The horses were in bad condition and n_o new remounts could be obtained at this time. The men, too, were worn out with the long marches; the defeat suffered at the village of the Taovayas had destroyed their morale; many of them were volunteers who lacked discipline and upon whom no dependence could be placed. The number of seasoned troops available was inadequate for a new campaign. The officers were of the opinion that the Indians against whom it was intended to march now had, in all probability, taken refuge with their friends, the tribes of the north, or had fled to the country of the Comanches. Such a campaign at this time would likely prove a fruitless chase. In their opinion it would be best to allow the men to remain in San Luis de las Amarillas until December 1. This would give them a month to rest and await any possible reprisals on the part of the northern tribes. The horses and mules too, would be given a much needed rest. On December I, all additional troops should be allowed to start for home, going by way of San Antonio. All the remaining cattle, supplies, and surplus horses should also be sent to that post. If these were transported at one time, the ·retiring soldiers could escort them to protect them from any marauding bands. The regular garrison of one hundred men assigned to the Presidio of San Luis was sufficient for its safety. Colonel Ortiz Parrilla should accompany the troops as far as San Antonio, leaving Captain Manuel Rodriguez in command at San Saba until his return. 17 The disappointed commander did not wait at San Saba until December as suggested by the council of his officers. Early in November he appears to have set out for San Antonio with all the men recruited for the campaign and to have taken with him all the extra horses and surplus supplies. Because of the illness of Lieutenant Eca y Musquiz, he placed the garrison of one hundred men at San Saba under Captain Manuel Rodriguez, as suggested by the council. After his arrival in San Antonio he busied himself with the arrangements for the disbanding of the force gathered for the unfortunate expedition. Temporary increase of San Antonio's garrison. 37 Testimonio de los auttos fhos. a Consta. del Coronel Don Diego Ortiz Parrilla, en que da Cuenta de las Provincias (sic) que tomo despues de haberse restituido al presidio de San Saba con la Tropa que sirvio en la Campana ... A.G. I., Audi,-11eia de Mexico (Dunn Transcripts. 1759-1761), pp. 174-179.
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