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

CAMP NEAR Preside DE Rio GRANpE,
Mexico, October IL, 1886
Sra In compliance with your instructions, hav,
the honor to submit, herewith brief report of you
route and march from San Antonio de Bexar TO the
Rio Grande. .
First day, September 29h.
The march commenced at 8 o'clock in the morn
ing; and in about one hour, the dry bed OF the Ala
zan Arroyo was crossed, water being found there
only at uncertain periods. After leaving this mar
valley, the land rises, and is somewhat rolling
but with the exception of the lines of shrubbery
which skirt the water courses, is generally destitute
of vegetation. The Leon is about three miles from
the Alazan, and the Medic four or FIVE miles from
the Leon These streams are seldom dry. The
Medina, distant about twenty-six miles from San
Antonio, was forded al o'clock, p. m. This is a
fine stream of water, rising N. w. of San Antonio,
and never failing tributary of the river of that
name. The village Of Castroville is located here;
the inhabitants are mostly Germans. The place is
yet in its infancy and of course, incapable of fur
nshing supplies of any sort to any considerable
tent IL is understood that several hundred bushels
of corn have been procured in the vicinity this
son. The camp was mile west of the village. On
the right bank Of the river the grazing not good
the dragoon horses were, therefore, sent over the
river where the grass had suffered from the fire.
Second day. II was o'clock this morning when
we left camp. In short time we reached a hill OF
considerable height, in descending which, the axle
tree Of an ammunition wagon was broken. The
main body however, passed on, after the necessary
means were taken for repairs, and entered upon a
wild and broken country, differing very much from
that raverscd the day before The Quije crossed
about 10 o'clock, distant from the Medina about
nine miles. The land here is fertile, and near it a
small German settlement is formed, but there is no
evidence Of prosperity in its appearance, and the
people complain Of much sickness. From the Que
TO the Alamos there is distance of FIVE miles, and
Al 81. IL Ia. cba Ia n.
country is rolling and rocky; has more timber than
is usual in Texas, among which the stunted live
oak the only kind found here, in most conspicuous.
The Hondo il good water, but is not a continuous
stream; near our encampment the water was found
only in pools We reached this position at 2 O'Clock
p. m. y
Third day The march Of this day commenced a
few minutes before SUNRISE. Soon after leaving
camp, the column entered upon an open prairie,
presenting the worst features Of the hog-wslow
species, which in wet weather would be amost i'm
passable. The Seco is nearly seven miles from
the Hondo, and from its name probably dry al
certain seasons #ns ##
The sabnsl wes crossed few minutes after IL
o'clock, where we found the advance, under Col.
Harvey, in camp. The soil through which the
road Of to-day passes is generally Of clay with
per6cial deposhes Of gravel. Distance Of to-day
about twenty miles,
Fourth day The whole body started this morn
ing at o'clock. The country traversed through
out the day is thckly covered with herbs and dwarf
shrubs, but the trees are few and Of little size
Stony creek is about seven miles from the Sabinal
and from il to the west branch OF the Frio the dis
lance is nearly the same. The I'd dragons, infan-
try, and volunteers were encamped at this place
while the LIST dragons and artillery passed on, over
a road of almost solid limestone shaded at intervals
bv scraggy live oaks TO the Leona, where we ar
rived about IL o'clock. Il was necessary to cu
down the banks Of this creek, preparatory to The
passage Of the train, which, after the labors OF the
pioneers, was successfully accomplished. The wa
ter Of this stream is the best on the route, ana u
asserted that the quantity is annually increasing
II. immediate vicinity on the left bank, the soil I
rich, and covered with an unusually dense gro VII
OF timber. The gazing is no, good
Fla day--Afler leaving the bottom OF the Leona