Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-09-14
A PRAIRIE ON FIRE.
From Kendal's Santa Fe Expedition,

From KendalIs Santa Fe Expedition.
While some of our party were digging
into the sand near The edge Of the stream,
with the hopes of finding water more fresh
and others enjoying the luxury Of a bath,
loud report, as Of a cannon, was heard
in the direction of the camp, and a dark
smoke was seen suddenly TO arise. 'An
Indian attack = was the startling cry on all
sides, and instantly we commenced hud-
ding on our clothes and bridling our hor-
SEES. One by one, as fast as we could get
ready, we started off for what we suppos-
ed scene OF engagement. As we neared
the camping ground, it become plainl y ev-
ident that the prairie was on fire in all d.
rections. When within Il mile Of the steep
declivity which cut off the prairie above
from the valley, the bright flames were
seen flashing among the dry cedars, and
dense volume Of black smoke arising above
all, gave painful sublImity to the scene.
On approaching nearer, we were met by
some Of our companions. They stated that
the high grass Of the prairie had caught
fire by accident, that many Of the wagons
had been consumed, and among them the
commissioners which contained not only
our trunks, but large amount Of cartridges.
The explosion Of these we had mistaken
for the report of our cannon.
We dashed ahead with the hope Of rem
dering assistance to our companions, but
before we could reach the place of the
steep and rugged hill, the fire was dashing
down with frightfuI rapidity, leaping and
flashing across the guIics and roaring in
the deep and yawnlng chasms with the
wild and appalling tones of a tornado
Ever anon, as the flames would strike q
dry craggy top Of the cedars, a report as
of muskct would he heard, and such
quick succession did these reports follow
each other, that IIkcn them to nothing but
the irregular discharge of musketry.
l he wind was blowing fresh from the
west when the prairie first caught, carry
ing the flames with rapidity astounding
over the very ground on which we had
travelled during the day. The wind lulled
with the sun, and now the fire began to
spread slowly in the other direction. The
passage by which We had descended was
cut off by flames, and ght found our par
ty still in the valley unable to find any 9TH
er route 10 the lanu ABOVE. Our SUuatlOn
was dangerous one too; for had the wind
sprung up and vccred into the east, with
such velocity did the flames spread, we
should have found much difficulty in esca-
ping.
About nine O'Clock was fortunate enough
to meet with some Of our men, who directed
me to passage up the ascent. 1t should
be remarked here, that our party who had
started from the river by this time, were
scattered in every direction, each man en-
deavoring to find his way to the camp by
his own road. Fortunately, the fire had
been checked in the western direction by
the peculiar formation Of the ground and
by the wind.
Worn down by fatigue, hungry and al
most choking with thirst, | laid down upon
the blackened ground that night, but it was
long before sleep visited my eyelds. A
broad sheet Of flames, miles in width could
still be seen in the east, light up the hcav
ems with bright glow, while the subducd
yet deep roar Of the element was plainly
heard, as it sped on with wings Of light
ming across the prairies. In the valley far
below us the flames were flushing and
eaping about among the dry cedars, re-
sembling magnificent display OF fire
works, the combination forming a scene Of
grandeur and subiimity it is impossible to
describe.