The daily union., 1846-10-22


ofan unofficial journal Of isi Lieut. Emory, Of the
Corps Of Typographical Engineers. Lieut. Emory
10 chief OF the engineer staff of General hearny's
command
We are pleased with the opportunity of laying
before our readers such scenes as are here described
with so much novelty aud freshness around them.
The author Of the journal, Lieut.. Emory, is distiu-
gushsd for his supe'iS intelligence as an officer and
a man.
Extracts from the Journal.
August ID. l646.--I looked in the direction Of
Bent's Fort, and large United States flag how-
ing 10 the breeze and slraning every fibre OF ash
pole thai planted over the centre Of the gate
way, with no very mathematical regard 10 centring
or perpendicularity. The reason Of this display
was soon explained by acolumn OF dust TO the east,
advancing with about the velocity OF fast-walking
horse. Il was the "Army Of the West" order
I'd my horses hitched up and as the column passed,
look my place with the staff.
The river was forded without difficulty, opposite
The fort, being paved with wel-rounded pebbles OF
primitive rock.
We advanced Ave miles along the river, where its
bed slides over black earbonaeeous shsle, which
has been mistaken for coal, and induced the Bents
70 dig for it.
Here we turn to the left and pursue our eourse
over an ard elevated plain for twenty miles, with
out water, and when We reach the Timpas, find the
water in puddes, and the grass bad.
Colonel Doniphan was ordered To pursue the
Arkansas 10 near the mouth Of the Tlmpas, and
jon the army, following the bed Of that suesm.
Near where we left the Arkansas, found on the
side Of the slope several singular demi-spherods
protruded from the ground about the size OF an um-
brea, coated wilh singular substance, Specimen
q, In pyramidal crystals.
The growth along this part OF the Arkansas con-
-. ~. 4. he
plains very short grass, burned to cinder; ute-
mesia 10 abundance. The only animals seen were
one black-iai rabbit, and one anielope-both
killed.
Our march 26, that OF the army 81 miles. The
last twenty miles without water. The artillery did
net get up all about III p. nj horses and men
parched with thirst. The teamsters, who had TO
encounter the dust, suffered excessively; when
Ter was near they sprang from their seats, and
for st like madmen Two horses sunk under the
march.
August 3D. Assembled the Timpas 81 miles, and
halted FOR the day, near running water; the grass
was all burned dry, not a green sprig TO be seen;
passed three bultes Of singular appearance, com
posed Of limestone, and (sPecimens 20 and 2i) ev-
denuy Of lgneous origin: saw more OF The nodules
described yesterday; passed the dry bed Of river
with bottom paved with argilaceous limestone, CON
tanning and then the impression OF shells very
diztinct The wiley in which We are now encamp-
ed presents the appearance Of crater, being sur
rounded with buties capped with stunted cedar.
The suanfcauoo, however, appears regular.
Grovih--an evergreen (eee specimen) which Fitz-
patrick says ia the Fremontil. beautiful cactus
three feet high, with round limbs, shaped like
rope three and half inches in diamaier. Ii is said
the Mexicsns make hedges oft.
Doniphans regiment passed our camp about four
o. IN. Water satsh. Went to the top Of one Of
the adjacent hills. Formation distinct. Limestone
10 feet hard sandstone with impression Of shells
and then blue mari. Geodes, with erystalized lime
stone on top, and the interior Of serpentne. The
ground covered with great many detached pieces
Of ferrngnous sandstone.
Growth--cedar, very stunted Missouri fax, some
Wild gooseberries, very stunted growth Of plums;
moss, cactus in great variety, one or two new
plants.
Our march only 6I miles.
August 4h.-Road runs along the valley OF the
Timpas, and the dust was overpowering; soil lGn
pregnated with lime, which makes the dust dis
uessing. Stunted cedar on each side; strata on
each side Of the valley the Same as that described
yesterday. Iron nodues very frequent. March
l3 miles, TO the crossing Of the Timpas. The only
water hole 40 feet in diameter, into which the vol
unteers rushed, pel-mell, and soon destroyed IL
March miles her, to the "Hole in the Rock" a
large hole, with p,nty Of pretty good stagnant wa
ter. Saw antelopes, rabbits, wild horses, two jack
davis, (magpies,) larks, king birds, and robbins
The grass is so bad, that Col. Kearny thinks Of
marching 16 miles further, to the "Hole in the Prai
re," where there is no water, but some little dry
grass We passed dead horse, black with crows,
and wolf in the midst, quietly feeding on the car
cass.
March at S, D. M with the staff TO the "Hole in
the PreIrie," and reach there at 10; distance l4J
miles. Find grass, we expected, and were agree
ably surprised To fad water also. All slept in
the open air, the colonel setting the example.
Found infantry encamped here. Total dis
tance, to-day, 36 miles. What we call good grass,
fs grass burned as dry as cinder. Horses falling
away in alarming manner. Mules seem to re-
quire the stimulus of distenson, and nothing else;
this the dry grass affords. The people OF the coun
mercy; when they tell you there is fine grass for an
army of 2OOO you may find grass for small party
Of 10 or Is.
On the march, Nattah-Y Yah, (twin hils,) rose sud-
denly to view, about s rs NJ; and soon Pixies peak
20 or 300 further to tho north. The dim outline of
thegreat western parallel of the Astek chain began
to show itself. We were now crossing the divide
between the waters Of the Tmpa and those of the
Purgatory, or Rio de los Animos,j of the Span
iards. r,,.
august 5h.--Descended IL 4 miles and reached the
valley of the Purgatory, swift running stream,
few yards in width No grass of any amount at the
crossing. Large trees for many miles along it's
course all dead, cause not apparent. Growth ofthe
bottom, which is very narrow, locust, the everlast-
ing cottonwood, red willow (kinikinck,) wild
gooseberry, plum, and grape. No fruit on the
bushes. March 81 miles farther, and encamped on
The bed Of a stream tributary TO the Purgatory, |
which comes down from the north side of the |
Raton, or Mouse, which is the name given to O |
chain Of low, ragged looking mountains, that strikes
he course Of the Purgatory nearly at right angles,
md separates the waters of the Arkansas from those
Of the Canadian. The banks of the Purgatory now |
begin to assume something Of a mountainous aspect,
iiferent from scenery in the States. The hills are
bare of vegetation, except few stunted cedsrs, and
ook less the work of God than the hills at home. |
In this valley, 'Is said, we have the grsly bear,
urkeys, deer, and antelope.
Passed the rear wagons of the infantry--the
horses almost DONE Trotting in their rear were
hree wolves. Many horse Of the army Of the !
west, must this night, think, give up the ghost.
Captain Cook, sent ahead day before yesterday |
% sound Armijo. The day before, Lcffendorfer,
trader, married to a Santa Fe woman, sent in the |
direction Of Taos, with two Pueba Indians, to feel
he pulse Of the Puebas and Mexican people. and |
probably to buy wheat il any, and Distribute the |
proclaniations of the colonel commanding Yester- |
lay WIN. Bent and six others, forming spy guard,
'ent forward to reconnoitrc the mountain passes.
.argpst 6ih.y- Col. Kearney left Col. .Douiphan's