Last night I went on the Internet to check what happened here and found a very interesting story. In the morning I spent two hours in the tiny museum in the park learning more. As usual the good old US of A had their long finger in the pie because of mining interests along with backing politicians. At one point they transported Mexican troops on a train across southern New Mexico and Arizona so they could access a different location back in their own country.
Poncho Villa was a revolutionary during this time of civil war in Mexico. Enterprising American businessmen sold ammunition to Poncho Villa and as one story goes was the root of his attack across the border on Columbus and the small fort in 1916. His solders were looking for the guys who sold them Hollywood movie blanks and as live ammo.
The US of A responded to this hostile intrusion with 10,000 troop with 9,000 horses and for ten months tried to track down Poncho Villa in the Mexican countryside. The person who headed the operation was Pershing with a guy named Patton under his command. It was the first time ever that mechanized warfare was used with bi-planes, motor cars and trucks traveling at 5 miles per hour, troop trains, tanks with two drivers each with their own motor. (There was no reverse gear so to “back up” the solder in the rear would start his engine and drive in that direction.) Gasoline had to be delivered to the vehicles via mule train traveling at 3 miles per hour. Supply systems were quickly learned. Just months after the operation ceased the entire operation was shipped overseas as America joined in World War I. Looking for Poncho Villa was a training ground.
I left the tiny village of Columbus with its huge history at 10 in search of cooler weather. Instead of seeking out the Interstate I elected to drive east to El Paso, Texas on a back road paralleling the Mexican border. Over fifty miles of flat land desert driving produced only twelve vehicles (I counted) not including the Border Patrol guys who were thicker than flies on fresh horse manure. At one point I pulled off the road to rest and in my review mirror saw a patrol car appear. Not wanting to be hassled I started back on the road…. He followed me, then passed me, then slowed down, way down, then he pulled over into the on-coming traffic lane. Nice maneuver. Now what was I to do? I didn’t know the rules of the game so said, “Okay, I’ll pass him on his right”; and did. I must have been thoroughly sniffed because he fell in behind me then whipped a u-turn and disappeared again.
El Paso was a good gas-up city ($3.07 @ Costco) and left behind. Next came two more hours of flatland desert driving heading for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Roadside historical markers always interest me and I use them for a break. Such as one was for the “Salt Lakes” near the park. These dry lakes were first a source of salt to the Apaches then the Mexicans who for decades would journey north with a few wagons, load salt in this hostile environment and return south to sell in the villages. Some El Paso businessmen thought they should pay for their cargo bringing the US and Mexico to the brink of war. [Note: As I type this, I can’t get Internet connection due to the isolation of the campground at Guadalupe so I can’t double check my information – as well as the information about Columbus]
Pulling into Guadalupe Mountains National Park was such a relief: first the 6,000 foot level temperature was 65 and secondly it was remote and not crowded. Here I could stay.
Again on this sojourn there are so many surprises where they are least expected: In the foyer of the visitor center where a couple of large panels about the black Buffalo Solders of the post Civil War era. I stood transfixed as I read about their history and connection with the Guadalupe Mountains. It was well written and revealed information that I was not aware of. Love exploring.
No comments:
Post a Comment