Sent by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar to establish trade and expand Texas' legal boundaries, the members of the 1841 Texan Santa Fe Expedition faced numerous hardships in carrying out their mission. On July 6, 1841, the expedition crossed the Bosque River near this site with great difficulty because of the steep river banks. After enduring Indian attacks and a lack of food and supplies, the travelers finally reached New Mexico in September, where Mexican troops captured them and marched them to prison in Mexico City.