The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-31
NEWS FROM THE WEST.
From the st. Louis Reveille, July ~.
CAMP AT PLEASANT VALLEY,

CAMP AT PLEASANT VALLEY,
| July I, 1876.
| EpIroRs OF THE REvEILLE: From the point at
which we left the State line, the trace takes up the
dividing ridge between the waters which flow north
into the Kanzas, and those which flow into the Mis-
souri,, owing TO which feature Of the found
water rather scarce for two or three days. We
could only find it in pools in small groves Of timber
or low plains in the prairie. Earlier in the season.
we could plainly see by the marks, water is plenty
all along the road but the praires seem to be very
dry now. Wood, too, is not plenty along the "di-
vide" spoken of-and it is amusing to observe the
kind Of forests which pass for groves" For exam
pie, some thirty or forty miles from Westport, we
came to the elm grove" which comprises a single
elm tree, standing beside pool of dirty water! BY
some it is more appropriately called the "Lone
Elm," which name, | think, gave it in former
letter.
! When we reached the point on the trace where
the military road from the fort by the western route
comes in, we found by the "signs" that all the vol
unteer cavalry companies under Colonel Doniphan
| must have passed. On the same day we fell in with
| an infantry company from Weston, from whom we
learned that the artillery battalion, accompanied by
Col. Kearney, was on the way, and would probably
soon come up with The next day the "Ran-
| gers, reached a small stream known ITO mile
creek" at which point they encampcd and were
joined by Col Kearney and the artillery battalion,
day before yesterday. Yesterday we all marched
together, and found numerous streams, from which
our animals took large and refreshing draughts. In
the evening, we encamped on a creek about TWENTY
| five miles from Council Grove; and march of
twenty miles to-day has broughtus within five miles
of that point. have been thus particular in order
| that the citizens of st. Louis may know exactly
where the artillery battalion and Captain Hudson's
Rangers now are. Tomorrow will, Of course,
continue our march, and make another twenty miles
| il possble--whieh is the usual days march.
We have not had a serious accident, or death
in our company, nor, believe, in any Of the Others
since we left. do not think that the labor Of serv-
ing IN our company is 50 severe as in the artillery.
we can ride out on the grass, while they, with their
"big guns" are obliged to keep the road, which is
| now very dnsty.
| Captain Weightman, who had been detained at
| Fort Leavenworth by indisposition, overlook on
the road to-day, accompanied by Lieutenant Smp
son. He informs me that he feels much better than
when he left the fort, having been "mending' every
day. Major Clark is not up yet, but is understood
| to be on the way.
Colonel Kearney's staff, so far as know it, is
| composed as lows Medical director for the expe-
dition, DR.. DE Camp; quartermaster, Major Swords;
| assistant guartermaster, Captain Makissack; COM
mlssary, Lieutenant Greer; assistant adjutant gene
| al, Captain Turner; adjutant lst regiment United
States Dragons, Lieutenant Johnson. I observed
IN one Of your papers, before we left that fort,
statement that Dr. Penn, ofsaline county, had been
appointed by the colonel "medca director" That
was an error. DR.. Penn was employed, under spe-
cal contract, to act surgeon for the regiment
der Colonel Doniphan-nothng more. Dr. De
Camp is the medical director being the Oldest army
surgeon in this dep ,rtnent, IL is but Justice to Dr.
De Camp to make this correction, as his friends
have no doubt been much surprised, if not mised,
by your statement
The number Of men now here in our three ST.
Louis companies, together with regular sol
ders, recruits, and army officers, going out to Join
their companies, must be something over 400. The
train makes quite warlike appearance, as the artil-
ery moves over the prairie. So many horsemen
seem to be more numerous than they really are.
Capt. Angney's company Of infantry, from Cole
county, have their camp with us tonight. As soon
as they overtake Murphy's company from Weston,
they wish, il the Colonel will order, to hold an
election for major. | believe the captains both
candidates.
All the companies of volunteers under the first
requisition are now on the way. The "Amy of
the West" numbers at present on the praires nearly
as follows;
Three companies Of United States Dragons,
with recrults) JUL
Captain Hudson's company of volunteers,
"Lacede Rangers" OF ST, Louis, serving
with the United States Dragons 100
Major Clark's flying artillery battalion, com
posed of Captain Fscher's and Captain
Weghtman's companies, Of st. Louis 2J2
Eight companies OF volunteer Dragons, from
Missouri, under Col. Doniphan SOU
Two companies Of volunteer infantry, under
Captains Angney and Murphy, from Mis- ,-si
souri, li5l
...... -
e. .s. l,657I
These Of course are all under the command of
Col. Kesrney who is the great "war chief" OF the
expedition Il is believed here, from all we have
learned, that Capt Cooks company Of United