Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-08-09

mamie spot. 1t had apparently been
Jnst deserted, the inhabitants, in their haste
to secure their horses, having left nlanv OF
their tent poles and other utensils, besides
a quantity of dried buffalo, mustang and
deer meat. The latter we Appropriated
! to our own use, and in our half Starving
condition found excellent.
Capt Strain, with a party of twenty or
twenty-five men, was ordered out imme'
dIatery, with orders TO find and bring in
some Of the Indians ifpossibe, and at alf
events 10 ascertain their feelings and IN.
ientons. In the mean time the horses
land cattle were herded close within the
lines, strong guard set, and the cannon
IpIaced in an advantageous position TO
guard against a night attack. The night
lpassed off, however, without any alarm.
The journey was resumed early in the
morning, our course now being nearly
north to avoid the cham ofhllls on our left.
| BY many it was thought that Red River
came through pass in tbs chain, and it
was even conjectured that we should find
that stream at the base Of the farther noun.
lain in the ridge so well did it answer
the description given by Carlos before he
left US of the country in the immediate
vicinity the Narrows.
A party of some twenty or thirty
started ahead for the purpose of FIN
ding the best road, while The main body
kept slowly on. While stopping to
noon near a small hole Of muddy wa
ter the last mentioned party returned
and reported that they he'd encounter
ed deep and impossible ravines in a
northern drection--impassable even
for mules. A halt for the night al
though there was no water by this time
even Tor the men, was now called, and
a party OF ten picked men, well noun
ted, were sent out under Lieut. Ham
to scour the country 10 a northern di-
rectiOn in order to find a road around
the head of the gullies and ravines.--
Al the time it was considered impos-
s,ble 10 CT oss, with the wagons, the
high and ragged hills and mountains
west Of US, and our only course was
oy road to the northeast.
In lhe mean time night overlook US,
and still no lidings were received from
Capt. Stain who had now been oui
over tweny-four hours. The bright
dreams Of the night before vanished
when we saw that our onward course
was ilnpeded by impossible barriers,
and in their stead were gloomy FORE
bodlngs as we wrapt ourselves in our
blankets, half starved, and with nar-
rowing feelings of uncertainty as 10 our
present position and future lot cast
ourselves upon the ground TO seek
relief in sleep.
Il False Report about Water---4 Re
turn to'opr old Camp Resotred upon-
Horrible Massacre Of Lieut.. Hull
and four men by ndiaas-InefecluaE
Pursuit made-Arrical Of Captain
Strain-March to the Qaintgtue--
Council held and determination made
to send a strong Party TO the Settle
ments, &c. DC.
Another night passed without an
alarm, or without losing any of our
horses; but the morning brought no
news Of Capt. Strain. Our camp was
in small bend, projected in the rear
by skirting Of cotton wood and hack
berry trees which frirgeI the dry bed
Of a creek. The berries Of the latter
tree were ripe at the time, and the
limbs were completely stripped by our
men to satisfy a gnawing desire for
food Of vegetable nature and TO ap-
pease hunger.
A report was raised early in the
morning that fresh water had been
| discovered two miles distant, in the d.
reCtion Of the mountains. and our suf-
taring animals were driveD there inme-
diateIy; but about eight o'clock they
returned unsuccessful in their search.
| To endure the horrible suffering we
were then experiencing could not be
borne any longer, and at a consulta-
ton held among the officers it was re-
solved TO fall back upon the stream we
hsd left the previous morning, and
there await the return Of the scouting
parties which had been sent out. The
weather, might here add was insup-
portably hot, adding much to our suf-
fering. ...-....
Our conjectures were any thing but
hattering on account Of the continued
absence Capt. Strain and his party,
now out over thirty-six hours. Ii was
known, however; that both he and Lit.
Ham, as well as the small parties OF
three and five who were out hunting
for water on their own account, could
easily find their way back 10 camp by
following the trail of the wagons, and
immediate preparations were accor-
dinghy made &c. retrace our steps TO the
old camp or some point higher up or
the same stream. ~.
The horses and mules were driver
up and saddled, the oxen were being
yoked, and the other preparatory worl
going on for our departure, when sud
denly young man came dashing int
camp from the northward, much agi
lated from FRIGHT. and stated thar