Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca from La Relacion

first European to set foot in interior of what would become states of Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona Relacion is his account of eight years of traveling on foot across North America was one of only four survivors of Spanish expedition

from family of conquistadors “head of the cow“ soldier for about 20 years appointed to second in command and treasurer of expedition led by Pamfilo de Narvaez in 1527

about men in 5 ships set sail in 1527 in 1537, Cabeza de Vaca returned to Spain as one of only four to survive

two ships lost in hurricane/ 200 men drowned or deserted after landing in Tampa, Narvaez sent ships north and ordered men to march to New Spain (Mexico) after a month, ships were gone and landing party was desperate built 5 barges and sailed along Gulf Coast

2 barges and 80 men washed up on or near Galveston Island Cabeza de Vaca and only 3 others survived lived among Native Americans for about 6 years before escaping Set out across desert in search of New Spain

returned to Spain in 1537 wrote La Relacion (The Account) as a report to the king appointed governor of South American colony

Relacion was first published in 1542 details of disastrous Narvaez expedition included details of North American species, fury of hurricane, and witness accounts of Native Americans