Hernando de Soto is dead. His army is stranded deep in North America. And the survivors have one question left: How do we get home?

In the conclusion of our nine-part De Soto expedition series, Luis de Moscoso leads the remaining conquistadors westward through East Texas, hoping to reach the Spanish settlements of New Spain.

But hostile encounters, dwindling food supplies, and unreliable guides force the expedition to abandon its overland escape.

The survivors return to the Mississippi River, build seven makeshift boats, and embark on a desperate voyage toward Mexico. Along the way, they face attacks from Native war canoes, violent storms, and the dangerous waters of the Gulf Coast.

After more than four years of marching, fighting, and struggling to survive, the expedition finally reaches its end in 1543.

Coming next: A special De Soto Q&A, an interview with historian David Carson, and the beginning of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition.

Have questions about the De Soto expedition? Email HistoryOfTexasOfficial@gmail.com. Frontier Scouts and higher-tier Ko-fi supporters receive priority consideration.

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Music: “Anamalie” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

The army that survived Mabila is falling apart.

In the winter of 1541, Hernando de Soto's expedition faces freezing temperatures, dwindling supplies, and growing resistance from the Native peoples whose lands the Spaniards have invaded. A devastating nighttime attack at Chicaza leaves the conquistadors scrambling to survive.

Still determined to find wealth and glory, De Soto pushes westward, crossing the Mississippi River and entering a world of powerful Indigenous chiefdoms, dangerous political rivalries, and increasingly desperate circumstances.

But the expedition's greatest losses are still ahead. The death of interpreter Juan Ortiz threatens the Spaniards' ability to communicate, and De Soto himself falls gravely ill.

On May 21, 1542, Hernando de Soto dies. His surviving men secretly surrender his body to the Mississippi River.

Now, under the command of Luis de Moscoso, the remnants of the expedition must find a way home. Their next destination will take them into present-day Texas.

Join Justin Day for Episode 18 of The History of Texas, as we follow the final chapter of De Soto's extraordinary and devastating expedition.

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On October 18, 1540, Hernando de Soto marched into the fortified town of Mabila, despite warnings that warriors were gathering inside.

What followed was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire expedition.

In this episode of The History of Texas, we follow De Soto's army through the powerful chiefdom of Coosa and into the territory of Tascalusa, a Native ruler who refused to surrender his people's freedom. A confrontation at Mabila erupts into hours of desperate fighting, leaving the town in flames, thousands reportedly dead, and the Spanish expedition devastated.

With winter approaching, wounded soldiers, and much of his equipment destroyed, De Soto faces a decision that will determine the fate of his expedition.

Explore written episodes and historical sources at https://historyoftexaspodcast.com.

Support The History of Texas:

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Your support helps me research, write, record, and preserve these stories of Texas history.

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For stress-free business bookkeeping, visit The Fiscal Fairy:

TheFiscalFairy.com

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Enjoying the show? Leave a five-star rating or review wherever your platform allows, and subscribe on YouTube. It helps new listeners discover The History of Texas.

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Hosted by Justin Day.

Music: “Anamalie” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.