There is evidence that the Spanish or Mexicans had visited LC; on some 1800s regular Maps there is a note of Old Stone Fortifications. No doubt they existed but the location on the few maps is suspect, they are shown on the east side of the Sacramento Mts. and south of the Hondo valley. Maybe the cartographers were careless or had faulty information possibly they are correct and just haven't been otherwise reported.

We do have a trustworthy account from a US Army Major going down to Ft. Stanton to check on the status of the artillery there:

From the Diary of Major Thornton, regarding his trip from St. Louis to NM to inspect the Ordinance at the Army Posts.

May 5, 1856
Left Santa Fe for Stanton at 9 1/2 a.m. and reached Algodones at 5 p.m. General Garland, Col. Grayson, Major Thornton, Capt. Easton and Lieut. Craig. Day very cold causing the use of overcoats and buffalo robes - distance 43 miles.

May 6, 1856
Left Algodones at 7 a.m. and reached Albuquerque at 11 a.m. Weather cold but more moderate. Frost has cut off much fruit and vegetable plants. Remained at Albuquerque the 7th, 8th, and 9th awaiting the arrival of Major Smith from Fort Defiance to take advantage of our escort.

May 10, 1856
Left Albuquerque on the 10th at 11 a.m. and encamped opposite Los Lunas at 3 p.m. in a bosque(?). Thunderstorm at sundown. Major Smith joined us after dark, and so did Captain Emitt with a detachment of dragoons 50 strong - distance 23 miles.

May 11, 1856
Marched at 6 1/2 a.m. down the river. At 10½ left the river south and took over the hills on our left and encamped 4 p.m. near the ruins of Juan Lujau. Day warm in the morning but threatening a storm before night. Country a prairie for 20 miles, then our route lay over the Manzano Mountains. Good wood and but little water, and poor grazing - distance 40 miles.

May 12, 1856
Marched at 6 a.m. Passed the ruins of Abo, differing from anything of the kind seen before by me. Thin flat stones with a joint of mud in place of mortar. Age of structure unknown. Passed at 11 a.m. the ruins of Quivira in all respects the same as its antecedents. Encamped at 11½ because there was no water to be found on our route for a long stretch from this point. Country quite beautiful being along the foot of the Manzano Mountains - distance 20 miles.

May 13, 1856
Marched at 6 a.m. and encamped at the foot of the Gallinas Mountains. Country prairie with hills of sand causing the road to be heavy. No water found on the route. Had to send 1½ miles for cooking water. Wood in abundance and grass pretty fine. Morning foggy. Grand Covaro ruins seen on our right a great distance from our road. Antelopes and deer frequently seen. Turkeys gobbling at sundown all around us but could not be found - distance 38 miles.

May 14, 1856
Marched at 6 a.m. and encamped at Patos or Duck Creek at 5 p.m. Crossed a range of Gusano Mountains and Tecolote. Road for the first eight miles very rough and stony. The remainder over beautiful prairies and down ravines. Came in sight of the White Mountain, said to be the highest point in New Mexico, distance to its top not less than 60 miles. It is almost constantly covered with snow. Game plenty, no water during the march. Wood and grass in abundance and water quite near camp. Foundations indicating building regularly laid out for defenses. Indian scenes painted on the bodies of large trees after the bark had been taken off. The Capitan Mountains due east of us. Carrizo Mountains north of northwest of us, rising high in the clouds not two miles from our camp. Capitan Mountain about 10 miles from our camp - distance 45 miles.

May 15, 1856
Marched at 7 a.m. and reached Fort Stanton at 11 a.m. Weather warm, road good, and scenery beautiful. This post is located 33, 30 latitude and 105 longitude. Santa Fe is in latitude 35, 40, longitude 106. It is in a beautiful valley on the right bank of the Rio Bonito which runs northeast in passing the fort, down the said pretty valley. As you look up this valley the top of the White Mountain covered with snow seems to terminate it but the valley does not reach to the foot of the mountain. The mountain is about 40 miles from the fort, but the air is so pure and clean that distance to the mountain does not appear to be over 20 miles. North of northeast from the fort rises the beautiful Capitan Mountain about 20 miles off. The White Mountain is south of southwest from the fort, while still close at hand rises other points not so commanding as those named. The river passing the fort turns to the eastward. It is but a small stream made by the snow on the White Mountain, but it is alive with fine trout. About 60 Indians came in to see the General. They are a hard set and from appearances have never been flogged. Captain Stanton fell by their hand. We got them to make a treat of arrow shooting which showed how formidable they are in battle. Major Van Horn commanding post - distance 20 miles. Commenced the inspection of ordnance stores.

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