Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-07-05
From the N. o. Plcayune'
THE TEXAN SANTA FE
EXPEDITION.

Sudden Rise aud more Sudden Fall
-.ArriuaI at the Brushy-Presldent
Lamar, DC. !
Il was not until the 18th oil June, al
least one month later than 1t should
have been ready, that every prepare
ton was made for the departure oil the
expedition. The different companies
were already oncamped on the Brushy,
some fifteen miles from Austin, when
the last party left the latter place Tor
bead-ouarters. Gen. Lamar accom-
panied us as far as the Brushy, where
he was received by the command with
military honors.
On leaving Austin we left the last
signs and marks Of civilization. Sin
gtIar as it may appear the capital Of
Texas is the extreme frontier town
and what may appear still more singu-
lar, the Indians have frequently been
known to enter the principal streets,
and in some instances they have rObb-
cd and even murdered the inhabitants
Of the seat Of government within few
hundred yards Of the capitol.
From Austin to the Brushy the
road--for here there is an old military
road-runs across rolling and beauti-
full prairies, occasionally relieved by
the slight skirting Of timber which (rin-
yes the margins Of the small streams.
TO the left of the road, and at the dis
tance Of some mile and a half or two
miles, is a beautiful situation which
some visionary Speculation years since
endeavored to convert into a stirring
town.
In the first place he purchased beau
ii(ul site for a city-lacking only two
OF the great essentials to support {
large town, a front as we'll as a bacl
country. Highly coIored plans wer,
got out, ard on paper at leasta NOR
hourishing town never existed. Their
were colleges and squares, city hail
and penitentiaries, public walks an,
public houses-and TO look at the en-
cravings, so we'll were they executed
a man could almost imagine he Icarc
the carriages rafting over the pave
ments and the busy hum general
which denotes the large and thrivin
city.
The name by which it was know
on the plant cannot be found OF
the map Of Texas-was Athens; ant
so firmly did the visionary who settle,
II believe in his speculation that h
built Lighthouse and made some othe
and expensive improvements on TN
premises. While engaged one da,
IN digging a well, assisted by some tv,
or three negroes, he was attacked b
roaming party Of Camanches an
driven off, narrowly escaping with hi
life. The person who gave me thi
Information stated that the man neve
returned, and that every thing remain
cd Just as he left it. Thus fell a mod
ern Athens.
twas late in the evening when w
arrived at the camp, a beautiful situa
ZION upon the Brushy and within le
yards Of several noble springs Of coo
and limpid water. Although unabl
10 walk at the time, | could not bel
imbibing portion oftbe exciting spiI
Il with which all we're animated. Man
Of the volunteers had been encampe
for three or four weeks at this plac
and had become impatient at the delay
now that il was certain they were to b
On the route Immediately all was 10
and hustle.
President Lamar was accompanie
by the Hon. Mr.. Chalmers, Secretar
ofthe Treasury, and several other ger
tlemen, who "roughed it'' on tn
ground along with the volunteers tn
first night. The next morning tn
different companies were reviewed, a
address was delveredby the Presiden
after which himself and party returne
toAustin.
The expedition having now Gairl
started, shall not dwell at length uI
on the Incidents which occurred on q
march up to the 2Sth August, the da
on which we found ourselves in clos
proximity to large body Of host
indians and on which a party Of OF
men we're killed. ahall still endea,
or to keep up a connection, DESERT
baS'Ily the country through which "
passed, and give the readers Of Ill
Flcayune an account Of the more in
Portant matters connected with the tri
Departure from The Brusly-- The Ii,
YMarch-Ths San Gabrielle Cool
mg--CdmP Stories-.THe Way
Sleep, DC.
Two days were spent at the Brush
In reIoading the wagons, packing "
and making other necessary arrang
men's for the long journey we had b
lore Us, and here / would state tn
never since the discovery of Ameri,
has such journey been undertaken
Years before the first Wagon starit
from st. Louis for Santa Fe the cou
Hy was well known and the route tn
was 70 be taken clearly defned;alI IN
.e was knownin our case was, that Au
TN was in such a latitude and In