Excerpt from a letter written by Charles Alden, M.D., from Fort Garland, New Mexico, February 22, 1860, on the occasion of a ball and Fandango held for the American military and Hispanic settlers of Costilla County:
As soon as all had entered and the Company was
standing, Corporal McIntyre, in a short but very appropriate address (written
by Lt Steen) made known the cause of the celebration, that it was the
anniversary of the birth of Gen. Geo. Washington, the first in peace, the first
in war, the first in the hearts of his countrymen. Then to the accompaniment of excellent music by four native
performers, all gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the dance. The senoritas in their best array, the
soldiers in their …brushed uniforms made as fine an assemblage as could be seen
anywhere, and notwithstanding the frequent visits which custom sanctions to an
adjoining room were drinkables of all kinds were afforded, the most perfect
good order and decorum prevailed.
At 12 o’clock the drum beating Roast beef summoned
the dancers to the supper spread out in the mess hall behind the quarters. An abundance of all the substantials of
life, in well-cooked and well served hands, and above all in the hearty
appreciation which all who sat down to the loaded tables …., the supper could
not be excelled. A prominent
object in the center table was a lofty pyramid of cakes fancifully ornamented
and surrounded at the top by two little national colors.
Supper over, the assembly repaired again to the
ballroom. Again and again did the
unwearied dancers respond to the flowing music of the slow waltz, the Cuna and
the Varsovianna, all unconscious of the lapse of time, the night sped on till
the drums at reveille (day break) awoke them from their trance.
After a hearty breakfast the visitors began to
return home, long to remember the celebration of Washington’s birthday. To judge by the many expressions of
Muy, Muy, Bonito fandango!, as they left, our Mexican friends at least were of
the opinion that it was the Baillie of New Mexico.
Source:
Fort Garland Historical Site, Costilla County, Colorado
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