390 THE MESILLA VALLEY. Book II. 
CHAPTER XII. 
March of General Trias' Brigade from Chihuahua to El Paso, and the Author's 
Return by the Sandhills — Cause of this Military Movement — The 
Mesilla Valley — Accompanying Circumstances of Mexican Politics — 
Proclamation of the Garrison of Chihuahua — Don Angel Trias — De- 
parture of the Brigade — In what Capacity accompanied by the Author — 
March, and Camp Scenes — Important Intelligence — Burning Prairies 
and Insolence of the Indians — El Sause — Sheep herded with Artillery 
— Hacienda de Encinillas — Ojo de la Laguna — Plan de Alamos — El 
Carmen — -Punta de Agua, Disappearing ftiver — Alamos de Pena and 
Reappearing River — Carrizal — Forced March of Eighty-four English 
Miles in Twenty-four Hours — El Paso — Electric Bed — Return — Ojo 
de Samalayuca — Drive over the Sandhills, and Natural Flower-garden of 
gigantic proportions. 
In April, 1853, while Mexico was disturbed by one of its 
numerous revolutions, it appeared as if the most trifling 
frontier question would have sufficed to produce actual 
hostilities between this republic and the United States. 
Difficulties arose in a mixed commission of both republics, 
in settling the boundary line, the result of which was to 
make the large village of Mesilla, with a portion of the 
valley to the right of the Rio Grande, the subject of a 
serious struggle. This small territory has, under the un- 
suitable name of the Mesilla valley, gained a reputation far 
beyond its merits. Although its area does not exceed a few 
English square miles, and does not form a separate valley, 
still it belongs to the most beautiful and fertile portions of 
the valley of the Rio Grande. The dispute was, however, 
subsequently adjusted, by the Republic of Mexico, under 
the Presidency of Santa Ana, agreeing to sell to the United 
States a strip of their northern frontier, to which, in addi- 
tion to a desert of some 300 or 400 miles in length, the 
