1596-98 Diary records kept by Spanish Army Commanders as they marched from Mexico(then called New Spain) into New Mexico...............Buffalo and all types of animals were found to be plentiful...."IT IS A LAND ABOUNDING IN GAME"....................................and with that statement that warms the hearts of all of us who share a vision for Rewilding this Continent...........I wish you all a Happy, healthy and productive New Year ahead

RECORD OF THE MARCHES BY THE ARMY,
NEW SPAIN TO NEW MEXICO, 1596-98.'

 ON November 4 Captain Márquez arrived from New Spain and left Puaray for Acoma, following the governor.
On the 8th the sargento mayor came back from the land of the buffalo. He brought quantities of meat, fat, and tallow, although he was unable to bring any live animals. There were infinite numbers of them. Their hide is very woolly and thick. He traveled seventy leagues inland, as far as the pueblo which is nine leagues long. Several times he found traces of Umafia On Wednesday, November 18, at noon, the maese de campo set out for the South sea, following the governor.

 From the peñol of Acoma, traveling to Zuñi and Mohoce, provinces with well-disposed Indians, to the source of the Mala Nueva river it is four leagues. It is eight to Agua de la Peña, and four to the spring which flows 'to Zuñi. In that region there are three pueblos in ruins. It is three leagues to the first pueblo of Zulfii-sl. At that place our men were well received and furnished with what they needed. It is a land abounding in game. There are crosses, erected in former times, and the Indians worship and offer them what they offer their idols. At that place descendants of the Mexican Indians left there by Coronado were found.

From the first pueblo of this province of Zuñi, in which there are six, to the last one, it is three leagues. From here to the province of Mohoce, it is six leagues to Cieneguilla, and six more to the small springs [Manantialejos].

There are crosses on the way to the first pueblo of Mohoqui or Mohoce. The natives scatter meal as a sign of friendship. The distance is five leagues. To the second pueblo it is threeleagues. To the fourth pueblo, going through the third, it is four leagues. The people are all very good. They wear blankets,
generally of istle, excellent and beautifully painted cotton clothing, and skins of the buffalo and other animals.

From the mines of Casco, in the government of New Vizcaya (when the latitude was taken on June 20, 1596, the army was at 27 degrees), to New Mexico, describing the watering places and their distances apart, in leagues. The entire road is suitable for carts, both by way of the ranch of Rodrigo de Rio and by Avifio.2 Prepared by a witness, a priest, who saw and experienced it all and who reports the truth.