Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1877 — Mexican Soldiers’ Wives. [ARTICLE]

Mexican Soldiers’ Wives.

At about Dine o'clock that evening, under the glare of a full moon, the Mexican soldiers started. First and foremost went a dozen pack mules, laden with the necessities of the trip, with the baggage of the officers, a quantity of ammunition, arms, and some spare saddles with accouterments. Next came the troops, about 100 in number, dressed in white with red stripes, cuffs and collars, and with the high cap, long since gone out of use with us. Behind them came the women folks —wives of the soldiers—though they have been forbidden to come, and every soldier ordered not to alight to let his wife ride, as an attack might be expected at any moment. When this order was given there was weepings and wailing and gnashing of teeth, for the Mexican soldier’s wire follows him even to the field of battle, and has often been known to pick up the dead husband’s rifle and fight. Many petitions had been sent to the Commandant to revoke the order, but he steadily refused to do so, and the copsequence was that the women determineefto follow, though it should be on foot, and follow did, some carrying their children in their arms. Not only did they keep up with but often reached the place of destination or of camping before tfle troops, and had fires built in readiness for their coming. Borne of these journeys were thirty, forty and fifty-five miles. I think that a further description of the Mexican soldier’s wife, her character, etc?, will be interesting. Wives, I said, but I am sorry to say that they more often occupy that position without the sanction of the padre than with it, but to the last they are true and faithful, and undergo all manner oi toil and hardships • for those whom they claim as husbands. For instance, when we started jd our trip it was clearly understood and believed by them that they should have to w“alk the entire distance, yet they were not deterred, but started out with a firm resolve to do or die. I well recollect the first night, how my heart ached for some of these women, one in particular, who not only carried her child, a boy of about three years, slung to her back, and a big gourd of water by her side, but was barefooted. I made a special request to Don Jesus that she be permitted to ride a short distance on her husband’s horse. He laughingly replied: “Bhe, with her load, will tire the rest, and out-travel the horses,” which I found to be true.

And still another moved my pity. She was young and beautiful. The older odea gazed on her with a smile, and, as they noticed my look of sympathy, would significantly say, “Her first campaign?’ Bhe was the wife of the “ Primero,” a position equivalent to our Sergeant-Major. At every camping place where there was running water the women washed theii own and husband’s clothing, and when the pack train under escort went ahead they kept with it, and:often upon our arrival the frugal meal would be prepared. —Hew Orleans Times. .