The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-24

the country presents the usual appearances Of The
prairie, is Of sterl and unproduetiye character,
stony, and without much timber. We came In
sight Of the Hueces in three hours march, distant
about ten miles from the Leona. On theseft bank
Of the river there is open prairie; But either nom
hres, or previous eneampments, furnished very
seanty supply Of grass -,
O'Clock in the morning, after which the column en-
tered upon a desert region, Astounding IN dwarnsh
specimens Of chsparral and mezquite, and laxuri-
ant growth Of prickly pear. Between the Nueees
and The Nina an interval Of seven or eight miles,
the soil is Of clay with the exception OF belt Of
sand, about half mile in width, nearly midway be-
tween the streams. The banks OF the Nina required
little labor TO render the ford practicable Iravers
ing a continuation Of the same desert waste, we ar
rived at the channel Of the Erquipula about 10
o'clock; this was found perfectly dry, and made IL
necessary to proceed the Chaparoza, distant about
ten miles from the Nina, which we reached about
noon. The water here was In siagnant pools, sep
arated from the natural bed OF the stream.
Ssvenih day.-From the Chaparoza the road lies
througha hog-wallow prairie, extending a mile or
two, which then becomes sandy, and sbounds IN The
usual amount of thorny vegetation. The Saline, or
5adito, is Ave or six miles distant from the Chap
aroza its name indicates that its waters are bracksh
and Mexican guides SO report them such how.
is hardly surpassed by any stream on the
route. A temporary bridge Of branches required
few repairs before the passage OF Tie artil-
larry and baggage wagons was effected. Pass
ing over region Of country Of the same uninviting
aspect before, we reached the Picoza, about hf-
teen miles from the Chaparoza, which, like the lat
ter, consisted only OF detached pools Of bad water,
and so thickly surrounded with the prickly pear as
almost to elude the search. The grazing here was
DOOR and il was deemed advisable to proceed fur
Their. Four miles in advance We came upon series
Of pools, the waters Of which somewhat brack-
il Al. II "a. -
was originally given, now misappiied, as above sta
ted TO a stream Of pure fresh water. After haluns
here short time intelligence was received that there
was good water ahead and in about an hours march
we reached another collection Of ponds, which, in
high water, are supposed TO form a nyulet whose
confluence with the Cueyas, ten or eleven miles far
ther west, il is eonjectured, forms the Nonta The
fuel at thiH place was scarce, and the grazing
ty. Distance to-day twenty-five miles.
Eighth day.-The country trayersed to-day Is gen.
orally hat and supports but very scattered growth
of vegetation. We encsmped on the banks of the
supposed Cueyas. Fuel was with difficulty pro-
cured here, and even the prickly pear was reduced
10 a dwarf The water was in ponds, muddy and
unpalatable. This encampment was continued un-
al the Sth il having been determined 10 await the
arrival Of the troops under Col Harvey, and effect
a concentration Of both attachments, before pro-
ceeding to the Rio Grande, distant about twelve
miles. These troops came up on the 7th, about 10
o'clock a. m.
Tsaih dap.-The army arrived at the Rio Grande
this day at III o'clock, m. The road is very wind
ing and passes over several narrow and deep ra-
vines, which were crossed, however, without much
difficulty. The country is billy, the vegetation
stunted and scattered, and the soil Of Indifferent
quality.
The line of march is known as Wolrs road. IL
is more ci-cuous than the old Preside route; but
by crossing the streams their source, IL is per
haps practicable for an army during greater por-
ton Of the year. lts general direction Is southwest
erly; the southing being mostly made west Of the
Nueces. ...r..-......
Z Ii may be added that the march was accomplished
under circumstances no less favorable than was the
success which attended it remarkable. IL had been
preceded by drought Of several weeks, which had
not only rendered the road hard and in good condi-
ton for travelling, but had reduced the streams to
fordable depth. Over many of the latter 1t would be
very difficult to construct bridges during freshets,
and to ford them at such times would be impossible.
large portion Of the route lies through country,
the soil Of which is Of such nature that light
rains would convert the roads into condition so as
to be impassable for loaded wagons, even If the
streams offered no Obstacles. IL is presumed that
east of the Nueces during all seasons there is an
ample supply Of WATER west of that river, however,
the streams generally shallow, and soon become
dry II cannot be doubted, therefore, that droughs
Of long duration are favorable 10 military operations
in this country.
The temperature during the march has been very
unequal, and its extremes appear somewhat remark
able. On some days the mercury has ranged from
900 to $50 Fahrenheit and at night It has sunk to
$50. These nights, though cold have been favora-
bic, as the heavy deposites of dew thereby produced
greatly improved the grazing, and might have
proved, if necessary, substitute for water.
Very respectfully, am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
C. P. KINGSBURY,
Lieut.. Ordnance.
Brigadier General J. z. Wool, .. - F..
Commanding Centre Division,