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F ollowing the invasion of Mexico until late 1876, little is known of Armstrong ’s activities. He did reenlist for another quarter, as his name appears on the muster and payroll dated February 29, 1876, prepared at Laguna de las Flores by Lt. T. C. Robinson. This shows service was from December 1, 1875, to February 29, 1876, with the rank of fifth sergeant. Other sergeants were George A. Hall, Roe P. Orrell, and brothers Lawrence B. and Linton L. Wright. On December 28 a scouting party under the command of an unidentified sergeant was on the Rincón de Perro ranch some forty miles north of Las Rucias , a mile north of the river in Cameron County, when they found a “perfect Golgotha of stolen hides,” as Lieutenant Robinson described the grisly scene in his report. The sergeant, possibly Armstrong, but conceivably any of the others, arrested the ranchero nominally in charge, who then attempted to bribe them. When the sergeant refused to be bribed, the ranchero attempted to flee and was killed for his effort. No additional details are provided in Robinson’s report.1 On May 17 McNelly and his men caught up with a party of four Mexicans crossing stolen cattle only five miles from Edinburgh (present-day Hidalgo).2 Two of the raiders were killed, one wounded. Seven head of cattle were recovered as well as six horses and their equipment. This action occurred while Mexican general Mariano Escobedo was dining with U.S. officers at Edinburgh and within earshot of Escobedo’s twenty-piece band. C H A P T E R F O U R Engagement at Espantosa Lake A lively little fight ensued. —JOHN B. ARMSTRONG McNelly had first requested Capt. Henry J. Farnsworth of the 8th Cavalry to assist, but he refused to cross the river. McNelly and three volunteers did cross and searched for but failed to find any sign of the stolen beeves. “Capt. McNelly then sent for the Alcalde of Reynsia [Reynosa], and demanded the return of the cattle and thieves. He promised both, but nothing was done. The impression prevails that the cattle were for Escobedo’s troops.”3 If Armstrong was a member of that scouting party he would have undoubtedly volunteered to again cross into Mexico to recover stolen cattle. Surprisingly, the press gave very little attention to this second McNelly invasion, perhaps because so few animals were recovered, they apparently were not stolen from Richard King, and the “invaders” were in Mexico but a short time. One significant event in which Armstrong no doubt participated, although again neither his name nor any other individual names appear in the available record, was the arrest of desperado John King Fisher in June 1876. By the time McNelly entered the Nueces Strip, Fisher was notorious, a thief and a killer, considered the leader of a large group of desperate men. Fisher, born in 1854, was four years younger than Armstrong and got in trouble at an early age. As a teenager he broke into a store in Goliad County and stole some trifling items. In October of the same year, 1870, he was arrested by Texas state policeman C. C. Simmons and charged with theft and robbery. Sentenced to two years in Huntsville State Penitentiary, he was pardoned after serving only four months. On April 6, 1876, he married Sarah Vivian, daughter of a prominent ranching family. Although some credit Fisher with killing dozens of men, McNelly believed he had killed only nine. His reputation originated from the influence he held over the area around Pendencia Creek, a stream rising west of Carrizo Springs in northwestern Dimmit County and flowing into Zavala County. The lands which depended on that creek became known as “King Fisher’s Territory.” Fisher was considered the leader of many young men—some no doubt outlaws but some having joined him for protection from other desperadoes. He was intelligent , and his ability to manipulate the court system—and avoid prison— proved it. When he faced arrest by McNelly and his squad, he knew fighting was useless and surrendered, much to the chagrin of the young Rangers, who would have preferred a fight.4 Fisher’s “home place” was not far from Carrizo Springs. McNelly divided his force into two groups and “rounded up” (surrounded) the house. Instead of fighting back, Fisher’s men chose to surrender, no doubt on the orders of Fisher 26 CHAPTER FOUR [52.14...

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