Wah-to-yah and the Taos Trail

by Lewis Hector Garrard, A.B. Guthrie Jr. (Introduction)

In the bright morning of his youth Lewis H. Garrard traveled into the wild and free Rocky Mountain West and left us this fresh and vigorous account, which, says A. B. Guthrie, Jr., contains in its pages "the genuine article-the Indian, the trader, the mountain man, their dress, and behavior and speech and the country and climate they lived in." On September 1, 1846, Garrard, then only seventeen years old, left Westport Landing (now Kansas City) with a caravan under the command of the famous trader Céran St. Vrain, bound for Bent's Fort (Fort William) in the southeastern part of present-day Colorado. After a lengthy visit at the fort and in a camp of the Cheyenne Indians, early in 1847 he joined the little band of volunteers recruited by William Bent to avenge the death of his brother, Governor Charles Bent of Taos, killed in a bloody but brief Mexican and Indian uprising in that New Mexican pueblo. In fact, Garrard's is the only eyewitness account we have of the trial and hanging of the "revolutionaries" at Taos. Many notable figures of the plains and mountains dot his traders St. Vrain and the Bents; mountain men John L. Hatcher, Jim Beckwourth, Lucien B. Maxwell, Kit Carson, and others; various soldiery traveling to and from the outposts of the Mexican War; and explorer and writer George F. Ruxton.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Adventure, Westerns, Travel

298 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1972

About the author

From Wikipedia: Garrard, christened Hector Lewis Garrard, was the son of a prominent family in Cincinnati, Ohio On 1 Sept 1846, Garrard, 17 years old, joined a caravan in Westport Landing, Missouri to travel along the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico. He stopped off at Bent’s Fort for two months and continued on to Taos with a company of Mountain Men to avenge the death of Charles Bent in the Taos Revolt. While in Taos, Garrard attended the trial of some of the Mexicans and Pueblos who had revolted against U.S. rule of New Mexico, newly captured in the Mexican-American War. Garrard wrote the only eye witness account of the trial and hanging of six convicted men.

Wah-to-Yah is the only well-known book written by Garrard. It has won a secure place in the literature of the American West. Garrard returned home after his 10 month trip and apparently never visited the West again.

Reviews

[Fabian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is unfortunate that Susan Shelby Magoffin did not edit her diary, for in comparison, Lewis Hector Garrard’s narrative, a parallel trek down the Santa Fe trail, is actually enticing--a more satisfying and literary read, and less a cotillion of names and household items. Her account has a disagreeable immediacy, no reflections nor personal retroaction give it any type of edginess or authority. The voice is dull and the reader must try hard to read between the lines, while Wah-to-Yah is thoroughly captivating throughout. His narrative begins in a different spirit altogether from the “Doña’s” haughty sense of entitlement: “In February, 1846, being then in my seventeenth year, I tossed away schoolbooks, and glided down the Mississippi river.” (Introduction) Mark Twain constructed his Huck Finn with exactly this type of joie de vivre; additionally, Garrard writes, “Any one, in the Far West, is romantically inclined.” (40)

Similar experiences with prairie dogs, mirages, the “marriage ritual” (which unlike that in Black Hawk’s story exchanges the romantic flute playing to the girl with horse-tying to the girl’s father); buffalo chases, improvised beds for two male bodies against the harsh weather, Cheyenne kids with prematurely white hair… all these are never mentioned by the homebound Prairie princess. Garrard has a wider access to subjects such as the drunkenness of squaws and the taste of dogmeat. He tries to court a squaw, Smiling Moon, and fails. There is widespread talk of deaths that may or may not had transpired, and of an incredible jailbreak. The genuine camaraderie makes up for the tons of footnotes added on to Magoffin’s diary: Garrard met these men himself and talked with them and interacted amongst them, while Magoffin got most reports (to which she succums to in the last 50 or so pages of her journal) by--her husband.

The effect of polishing this tale of the trail to turn it into an actual novel is a great improvement over the stumbling, half-finished, uneven lines produced by the housewife (“Travels in Mexico Commencing June 1846. El Diario de Dona Susanita Magoffin“), who more than observing with unyielding patience, only judges and pinpoints the (slight) disadvantages of being a stranger in a strange place--& to comply fully with the almighty Samuel Magoffin. Garrard knows his freedom (The object of the expedition, in which we were about to engage, was to travel as far as we could toward taos; kill and scalp every Mexican to be found, & collect all the animals belonging to the Company and the United States [138]) & writes about it: this account actually inspires the reader to fully formulate a grand picture of the grand old west.

There is definitely a complete genuineness to Wah-to-yah: I expect this to be precisely its charm. Garrard is not the Everyman, although he is chameleonic. Because he passes for one of the men at all times, he goes about his trek down the trail lackadaisically but also with an utmost uncertainty.

[David Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will pass most people by without much of a notice. They may see it at the gift shop of Bent's Old Fort or perhaps even at the Museum of the Fur Trade in Pinedale, Wyoming, but for whatever reason, it will be glanced over for another title. That's a shame. This book should be read in schools. It was written by a fresh American voice during a time period that is usually weighed down with racism and contempt for Mexicans, Indians and French Canadians. Garrard is having the adventure of his life and the pages transport the reader with unusually clarity into the waning days of the open frontier. Mountaineer speech and native custom alike are treated with the amusement, respect and wonder one would hope to be elicited from a young man's travels into a world very different from his native Cincinnati. Most American school children skip right from Lewis and Clark to the Civil War, leaving out 60 years of the most interesting transitions in American History. This book will help fill some of that gap.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1850, the author describes his journey down the Santa Fe Trail and the later Taos Rebellion where the Native Americans rose up against the whites. He also describes the culture of the region at the time. A fair historical read.

[Frank Kelso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine tale of the Taos (Santa Fe) Trail in 1847-49

Garrard touched all the well-known characters of the time & place. A charming tale of time past. Written in venacular of the time, it can be difficult.

[McKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few interesting and neat details included in this book, but the writing was difficult to follow and it jumped around like crazy. Lots of words were used to describe the wildlife and nature and his horses and the way they drove livestock that are not currently used or accurate so that makes it increasingly difficult to follow. Probably a very good writer for his time considering his level of education, but still rough.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garrard began his adventure at 17 and his account, published at 21, breathes youthful exuberance:
"On Friday the ninth, the sky was unspotted, save by hastily-fleeting clouds, and, as the rising sun loomed over the Taos Mountain,t he bright rays, shining on the yellow and white mud houses, reflected cheerful hues, while the shades of the toppling peaks receding from the plain beneath, drew within themselves." (p. 219)
The narrative is remarkable for the descriptions of dress and customs of Mexicans, Native Americans, and mountain men. Stories and conversations in dialect add to the readers' enjoyment, though the Spanish seems inauthentic.
It is remarkably insightful for a young man off in search of adventure. He feels the injustice of the war with Mexico as deeply as Thoreau, when he seems the prisoners taken in the revolt at Taos: "I left the room, sick at heart. Justice! out upon the word, when its distorted meaning is the warrant for murdering those who defend to the last their country and their homes." (p. 198), though he doesn't scruple from attending the hangings themselves. In a long mountain man tale of an escape from the devil, he puts a remarkably modern view of the Bible into the mouth of Satan: "'Come now! what is the reason you imagine faith in the Bible is the work to take you to Heaven?' 'Well, don't crowd me an' I'll think a little -- why, it's the oldest history anyhow: so they told me at home. I used to rad it myself, old hos -- this child did. It tells how the first man an' his squaw got hyar, an' the buffler, an' antelope, an' beaver, an' hosses too. An' when I see it on the table, somethin' ahind my ribs thumps out: "look, John, tha'rs a book you must be mighty respectful to," an' somehow, I believe it's moren human, an' I tell'ee, its agin nature to believe otherwise, waqgh!'" (p. 253-4)
The 1856 setting makes it interesting in itself, and the interesting characters of the day: the Bents, Kit Carson, Jim Beckwith, all make appearances.

[Jrobertus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis Garrard was 17 when he left home in Ohio and traveled west in 1846-7. The Mexican War had just commenced but the New Mexico territory had already been occupied by Americans and a governor, Charles Bent installed in Santa Fe. Garrard went by river boat to Westport (Kansas City) and from there went with a wagon train toward Bent’s old Fort in what is now SE Colorado. The trek was an arduous winter ordeal but the young man seems to have taken it all in good spirits. When they got there he met William Bent and Ceran St. Vrain, owners of the place along with many other famous mountain men (he met Kit Carson on the trip south). He lived in an Indian Village with a trapper and his Indian wife and learned a great deal about Cheyanne customs. Later they learned William’s brother Charles had been scalped and killed (in that order) in a pueblo uprising. To seek vengeance and secure the territory for the U.S. Garrard joined a force that went to Santa Fe. An American army had gotten there and put down the rebellion; he witnessed a trial and the hanging of several of the leaders. Garrard seemed to have mixed feeings. He wanted to avenge the murder and scalping of “whites” but he seemed to feel that at least some of the pueblo warriors and Mexicans were just fighting for their own land and culture. After some months, Garrard joined a wagon train going back to civilization. Again, it was a difficult trip. They ran into hostile Indians, Comanche and Arapaho and several men who broke off the main party were killed. Indeed after reaching Bent’s Fort he caught another train east and they were attacked twice by large Indian parties. The writing in this book is very erudite and it is clear Garrard was an intelligent observer and literate recorder of his experiences. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone interested in American history. It contains many prejudices of its time but that is an important part of history. The dialog of the mountain men and some of their “yarns” are also fascinating.

[Jennifer Bohnhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book of the year. Lewis Garrard was a 17 year old boy whose parents thought he needed to be toughened up, so they sent him on an adventure on the Santa Fe Trail. The year was 1846, and the trail was a rough and tumble place. During the next year, Garrard lived with Comanches, rode with some of the most rugged of mountain men and French trappers, helped build and hold a fort, and witnessed the trial and execution of the Taos men who either rebelled or tried to defend their country from interlopers, depending on what side you are on. He had a keen sense of what was going on around him and described the conversations and scenery in vivid ways. I think his description of how mountain men talked sheds a lot of light onto their characters. One mountain man tells a tale of travelling into hell that is every bit as comedic and graphic as Dante's account.

Anyone who is interested in the early American period in New Mexico will appreciate this book and recognize a lot of names of people, places and events that seem far drier in the history books but come to life here.

[Wesley Redfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable book written by a seventeen year-old from Cincinnati who ventured west during the Mexican War. Garrard writes of leaders, entrepreneurs, mountain men, and his role in hanging participants in the Taos Revolt against American occupation. His line about how can a man be a traitor in his native land is haunting. The Apache term in the title means Breasts of the World, the former name of the Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado. Another victim of civilization.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing! Born in Cincinnati, a 17-year-old young man decided he wanted to go West. With his parents' permission and letters of introduction, he set out for St. Louis, then Westport Landing (Kansas City), where he joined a caravan heading west on the Sante Fe Trail. The year was 1846. Through his nearly one-year adventure, he witnessed and experienced some of the most profound events to take place in Taos and surrounding area, and met many of the key players, describing them in detail.

We are extremely fortunate he was educated, took notes, had an excellent memory, and upon his return, he wrote this book. I found it at the Bent's Old Fort NHS bookstore. I usually purchase books recommended by the staff; while I don't remember if that was the case, I'm not sure what would have otherwise prompted me to purchase this rather unassuming book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a polished, marketed, and well edited book. This is published from the notes and journal entries scribbled down after long days in the wilds of Colorado and New Mexico. He was 17 at the time. The details are pretty amazing because he took notes as it was happening. I learned so much that other historians never bothered to write down. This is similar to Lewis and Clark's journals, without the science. The other source of accurate details in this comes from him writing his own experiences, these aren't historians'observations of other people.

[Steve Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh... I know it's an interesting story, it just couldn't hold my interest the way it was written. Lots of different heavy accents with little or no translation. No real direction even though, geographically speaking, he is going in a direction. I'm far more disappointed in this than I feel I have a right to be.

[Tom Claycomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly well written

The author was 19-20 years old as he kept his journal that then became this book. His descriptions of people and territory are complete and detailed worthy of a far more experienced writer. And the life he lived among Indian tribes and then with US government parties far from “the States” borders on incredible.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was tiresome and boring to read. Some good highlights but, when author wanted to write in another language accented theme, it became even more not only hard to follow and was incorrect in delivery and seemingly ignorant in its white biasness of other cultures especially when it came to the author’s description of the hispanic culture.

[Nick Werle · Rating 5 out of 5]

despite difficulty reading the vernacular he quotes - it was an eye opening account of his trip to Taos right at time of the trial that hung the Taos rebels. He met Kit Carson, Lt Beale, and so many famous American west characters. It is free on google to read (although format has too much white space)

[David Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

That a seventeen year old boy is allowed to go west in 1846 or 1847 is unusual. That he did all that he has written about in about a year and a half that he met and experience all that he did is fascinating. That he took notes to remember all the things, places, and people he met, things he did, or witnessed well I can only say you must read this book to absorb all this young man did.

[Xina Uhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and Disturbing

I liked the descriptions of life in the West, including the French and Mexican men and women described by the author. It's true to the time period, which means the biased against Mexicans and natives are also there, as well as some unfortunate name calling that was pretty common at the time. If you can get past that ok will enjoy this book.

[Vince Pillig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

Very interesting book . It amazes me how intertwined trappers and mountain men actually were in such a large expansive country . Well-written this gentleman had a great vocabulary for his day .

[Kyle Beggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

An interesting read told from the perspective of a young man on an adventure. Worth your time you will pick up some history of the era not learned in school.

[Chris Barraclough · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up this little book in a second-hand book shop my first thought was of Francis Parkman, another young man who went west that year and wrote a book. On reading Wah-To-Yah I found a new favourite. Parkman was a more refined writer, but also a Boston snob who saw the people he met on his trip through that lens. Garrard, however, actually LIKED the people he met and took them at face value and without prejudice, and was accepted by them in return. He was not without literary ability himself, and possessed a naturalness that is refreshing. For me, he came closer to truth in his writing than the refined Mr Parkman, and his book is a pleasure to read. So for me, it's 5*****

[Hannah Figgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was glad to find a copy of this in a box of books from a friend. Garrard is an open, amiable narrator who isn't afraid to laugh at himself. He enjoyed his adventure in the West and it shows in his relating of it. His descriptions of and interactions with the land, people, and animals were interesting and entertaining; and yes, Jim Hatcher's tale was hilarious! A fascinating and delightful memoir.
One factor that added to my enjoyment was that I live within a 2-3 hour drive of scenes of some of his adventures (and used to live in the immediate vicinity of part of his travels). I have often wondered how many times my trail has crossed and re-crossed with the trails of Garrard and his compañeros.

[Edwin M. Pasic · Rating 5 out of 5]

WA to yah. Fabulous story of a long past time.

I live in the area described in the book. I wake up to the sight of the Cumbres Espaneolas every day. The story made me sad that the voices and songs of the Cheyenne are no longer heard along the Arkansas. The home of Governor Bent still stands in Taos. Along with the Plaza and the home of Kit Carson. If you are interested in the era of the mountain man and the Indian before the whites settled the area between Bent's Fort ( which still stands) and Taos, this is the book to read.

[James Prothero · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few first hand accounts of the Rocky Mountains in 1846, by a teenage boy who takes a year to wander down the Santa Fe Trail and hang out with Mountain Men. He also witnesses the trial and execution of Mexican fighters who retook Taos briefly during the Mexican War. Garrand is a good witness and reporter of attitudes and speech.

[John K. Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites

This was one of the best first person historical books I have read to date. Wonderful observations, first rate writing and personal thoughts made this an enjoyable read.

[Trent Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 1st person narrative on the Taos fur trade industry.

[Noreen]

Adventure Library

[Ralph Estes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, 17-year-old's acct. up & down Santa Fe Trail