MOSCOSO, Luis Alvarado de (mos-ko'-so), Spanish adventurer, born in Badajos in 1505; died in Peru in 1561. He served as captain under Pedro de Alvarado (q. v.) in Guatemala from 1529, and accompanied him in 1534 on his expedition to Peru. When Alvarado relinquished all claims to the possession of the country, in consideration of 100,000 gold castellanos, Moscoso received a large share of this indemnity and lived luxuriously for a few years in Spain. After he had dissipated his fortune he joined Hernando De Soto (q. v.), who was preparing his expedition to Florida. After De Soto's death, 20 June, 1542, Moscoso became commander-in-chief of the expedition, and, having wintered with the Natchitoches, resolved on the evacuation of the country. Beginning his retreat on 1 July, 1543, he returned with greatly diminished forces to the Mississippi, built seven frail boats, on which he embarked his men, drifted down the river, and, after several fights with the Indians on the banks, entered the Gulf of Mexico, 19 July, 1543. On 10 September they reached Panuco river, in New Spain, and arrived at last in Mexico on 23 December, 1543. Moscoso was well received by the viceroy, Mendoza (q. v.), and accompanied the latter in 1551 to Peru, where he held various important commands, and was employed against the Indians with success till his death.