Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Cosmos Mariner
Taken: June 2, 2014
Caption: Painting depicts the 1860 expedition of Lt. William B. Echols, whose journal entries appear below:
Additional Description:
June 30, 1860:
“left the Pecos at camp this morning with intention of making our way across the country to Fort Davis... Whilst ascending to the Mesa two camels fell and busted two of the kegs and injured several others, wasting about forty gallons of our most appreciated loading. The animals I believe are not injured. One of them lost its foothold, fell, and pulled the others from the trail by the rope attaching the train. Others might have suffered the same fate but for the timely assistance of lieutenant Holman, who cut the lead line. During the ascent they had to resort to their feat of walking on their knees, which they do when the inclination of the trail is very great and heavily laden, to throw the center of gravity equally over the four legs, or on a sloping trail when their feet slip from under them. Marched 15.4 miles.”

July 4, 1860:
“This is the fifth day since leaving the Pecos; the men are on foot, with half allowance of water; marched 120 miles, thermometer about 100 in shade… over the most rugged country known, the last days made about thirty miles. The mules were watered only twice on half allowance and on the sixth day from water, the camels stood it well. Today, however, four mules gave out before reaching comp, two of which managed to reach camp after the command; the others abandoned. It was strange to see how eagerly they would seize a canteen whenever they were near it, and try to tear it to pieces... the men were cautioned about permitting them to drink too much at a time, as it sometimes proves fatal.”
Submitted: December 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Database Locator Identification Number: p408423
File Size: 0.122 Megabytes

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