Military Life

Documents concerning complaints Cerrogordo soldiers concerning their teniente, Andres Vidal. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

In further attempts to re-organize the presidio system the governor has capt. Berroteran interview the soldiers of the squad posted at Durango to find out how they are spending their time. (T. Barnes) (1977)

Visitador general Gregorio Alvarez Tunon y Quiros inspects Janos presidio, receiving roster of soldiers, arms, horses from captain Antonio Bezerro Nietto and conducting formal interrogation of Janos officers concerning state of presidio. Similar visita to Cerrogordo presidio. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Visitador general Alvarez reviews the presidios of Conchos and Mapimi, receiving rosters from their captains listing men, arms, horses and salaries. Alvarez also administers formal interrogation of 7 questions to captains, officers concerning state of presidios, including their garrison strength, horse herds, military discipline, whether the soldiers have any complaints against their officers and are receiving their salaries. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Visitador general Gregorio Alvarez Tunon y Quiros inspects Pasaje presidio, receiving a roster of 40 soldiers, their arms and mounts, from presidial capitan Joseph de Alday, who also answers a formal interrogation concerning state of presidio. Capitan Alday informs him that although Pasaje has 50 plazas, or soldiers, 5 sent to Mapimi presidio and 5 to Gallo presidio. Visitador general also notes capitan Alday's preparations to deport 300 Indian prisoners, rebeldes, to Mexico City. Formal interrogation administered to other officers of Pasaje presidio as well. Desertion of one soldier, Marcos Lopez, noted. Reduction of horse herd due to many campaigns against rebel Indians previous year. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Soldiers of compania de Compana of Nueva Vizcaya petition Audiencia for payment of salaries owed them by Miguelena, their abiador. Similar petition filed by soldiers of Gallo, el Pasaje, Cerrogordo, Conchos presidios. Mention of criminal case against 16 soldiers from Cerrogordo for desertion filed by Phelipe de Orozco, as well as similar desertion at Conchos because of excessive prices soldiers had to pay for supplies. Much information on problems of presidial supply systems, finances, conflict between officers and soldiers. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Provides information respecting the conditions prevailing in the area during this period - lack of population, water resources, etc. Gives the complaints of the writer in regard to the difficulties encountered in carrying out the mandated ordinances in a remote and deserted area - his lack of effective power to enforce the diligencias. (C. Needham) (1975)

An extremely detailed reglamento issued by Charles III to establish and maintain the 15 presidios that were to become the northern line of defense of New Spain, as well as other military garrisons of the north. Included are the numbers and ranks of soldiers at each location, then proposed pay, uniforms, and duties, as well as numerous incidentals concerning the proposed defense line. (G. Miller) (1977)

An account of the expedition into Sonora and Sinaloa by one hundred members of a compania de Voluntarios de Cataluna in 1768, 1769, and 1770 under the command of comandante Domingo Elizondo, Coronel del dragones de Espana. In spring of 1770 the area was peaceful. (G. Miller) (1977)

Ff.109-116 concern military promotions, retirements. Ff.117-148 concern P. Nolasco's request for permission to marry M. Garza. F.118-119 are regulations for marriage of officers. Rest is documentation of Garza's and Nolasco's clean lineage, catechism, legitimacy, references of ancestry, dowry (hers), prospects (his), etc. F.147 is Nolasco's baptismal record. (A. Dean, may 1990)