Fort Defiance New Mexico
[New Mexico Territory]

October 17th 1860 [Wednesday]

The next day, turned North and in about five miles found myself again in the dry bed of the Salada, and near three high peaks which can be seen for a long distance. called by the Spaniards or rather by the Mexicans "Los Tres Hermanos" or the three brothers. I named one Willie, another Johnny and then not being another boy I made the third peak a girl and called it Laura, it was a little fat looking mountain and seemed as if it had its head on one side talking to the other two, her brothers. The head of the creek was so dry that I began to be fearful about obtaining water, and after digging in the best looking place to see if there was any appearance of moisture, & finding none, I went on feeling more anxious. however in about sixteen miles, I saw the spy company ahead halt and turn out their horses to graze & on reaching this place found a hole of water about one yard wide & two long about enough for the men to have a good drink from, but none for the animals. On searching over the wide bottom we were then in the guards found another pool, out of which five ducks flew. I immediately shouted out for the men to watch the ducks, which every one did, and after they had described many circles very amazing to us anxious expectants, the kind birds were seen to disappear in the midst of some tall weeds about a 1/2 mile distant, I at once galloped over there and found a long narrow "gully" full of rain water. I was so delighted that I let the ducks go & thanked them as they went, as they had proved my best friends in this time of need. although I could have shot some if not all of them, as my double barrel gun was loaded & you know I can kill ducks. The water proved sufficient to give the animals one drink, and for the men during the rest of the day and to fill their canteens in the morning. ⁽¹⁾
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(1) Los Tres Hermanos is Spanish for three brothers. LM named the three peaks after his three children, William Huguenin, John Taylor, and Laura Taylor (Laura). Willie was eight years old at the time the letter was written. Johnny was six and Laura was four years old.