Military Service Records

Military rolls including filiaciones and papeles de tiempo from may 1 - August 1, 1818 for presidial and Opata and Pima companies of Horcasitas, San Buenavista, Fronteras, Santa Cruz, Tucson, Altar, Bavispe, Bacoachi, and Tubac. Includes clases, nombres, destinos, premios; Altas and bajas of personnel; lists of invalids. (may begins on ff. 113; June on ff. 134; July on ff. 154; August on ff. 175.) (D. Uhlman, October 1988)

Addresses issue of how to deal with officials who are 'viciosos y inutiles'; includes brief descriptions of vices and manners in which individuals considered useless; Castro, author of diatribe, urges their immediate 'separacion o Retiro' from military, offers brief service records of viable replacements; particular attention paid to fate of Alferez from Bejar, 'un ebrio incorregible,' who left presidio to live and drink among Tahuacanes; virrey orders Alferez brought to him under pretext of new post assignment; final outcome not included in documents. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Veteran teniente requests and is granted position in 'compania de presidio de Santa Rosa.' (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Comisario Lopez de Toledo verifies service record of Zambrano to support latters' claim for amount due him. Apoderado Urrengoechea provides further demographic data and refers to royal treasury regulations for same purpose. Interesting material for tracing progress of claim through levels of bureaucracy up to viceroy. (J. M. Johnson, June 1989)

Documents concerning bonus pay to Lower officers and soldiers for stalwart service in troops of Sonora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Mexico. Includes printed copy of notice of royal decree (1766) allowing for bonus pay, listing requirements. Some brief abstracts of further related correspondence. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Uribe, Monclova, minjaras, Molina being retired from military due to age; their service records included; certified invalid by doctor. List of soldiers to receive pay bonuses for stalwart service. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Garcia conde's Vita, list of references. Discusses in detail participated in 78 campaigns, took 388 prisoners, killed 199 people. Letters confirming his eligibility for governor of Durango. Instead, Bonavia appoints him general commander of Nueva Galicia. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Service records for Zacatecas troops showing length each post was held. Brief mention of events of war of 1812 with French. Further mention of Garcia conde as interim replacement for Bonavia. Most documents triplicated. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Real Alencaster removed from office as governor of New Mexico, transferred elsewhere. Manrrique appointed governor in his place, complete service record included. (A. Dean, February 1989)