Juliet signal., 1846-08-04
Santa Re Expedition. q,
CAAlP AT CoTToNwooD CREEK, !
g. ..E-s.sJulY 10. 1916. {

from O0unclf 0r0Yesl we are now at Cot
tonwood Creek, about fity miles further
on, andabout two hundred and ten miles
from Fort Leayenworth. The artillery
from ST. Louis, and the two infantry com.
panies are still with US. We are lying
in camp, to-day, as we have had showers
since. last evening, and our horses require
resting as their backs are some what seal
ded. This has, therefore. beena day of
overhduling, in the interval between the
showers--Putting guns in order, shoeing
horses, baking, &C., cannot tell the dis
lance to the crossing ofthe Arkansas from
this place, but suppose ii to be about 200
miles, which .would leave US still $50
miles to Bent's Fort.
. When in Col. Doniphan's regiment we
were called, officially, accompany E" but
the company from Franklin county hay.
ing taken our place, have also taken our
letter. We are now as an independent
company, officially known by our own
name-.sLaclede Rangers"
Major Clark came up last night, in good
health and condition, bringing US some
very acceptable letters from the FORT
Our friends who wish to address us will
please direct to "Fort Leavenworth, care
OF Captain Hudson, Laclede Rangers,
Missouri Volunte ers. The letters will
all be sent forward as opportunity offers.
Letters and papers are always acceptable
on such a campaign as this. No one who
has not been in the wilderness can ap.
preciate the pleasure it affords the wan
derer to hear from dear absent friends
The slightest memento, which shows that
we are not forgotten, has value beyond all
estimate.
Col. Kearney is still with us-or rath-
er still has US with him. Nothing could
exceed the confidence which every man
seems to have in him. As military
man we find himjust strict enough 10 keep
us all in order, but not in the least oppres-
sive. He is, however, fond ofrapid march
ing and keeps Us to it very steadily. Yes
ierday, for example, we made about thir.
ty miles, and expect to make. twenty five
tomorrow. These distances will not
seem great to persons unaccustomed to
military movements: but we find BY expe-
ence that twenty miles a day is good
distance to move camp. There is
great deal to be done-packing, loading
The wagons, getting the horses ready.
unloading, pitching tents, taking care of
the horses, cooking, &C., &c. Every
man in the company, from Captain down,
is kept busily employed-so much so, that
find the keeping of a diary, even with
brief notes, quite an interference with
other calls. We think that service in the
artillery must be more jabolious than in
dragoon companies. The artillery bat
TALON moves in good order, and presents
formidable appearance. When all our
camp gets in motion in the forenoon our
wagons. struggling horseman, and the
companies spread over four or five miles
ofthe prairie, we find it great convent
ence TO scatter along, as it leaves us all
better choice of the road, and keeps us
clear ofthe dust. BIZ % ysaa.s
Ii is reported in camp to-day that Ma
jor Clark btought along Col. Kearney's
promotion as Brigadier General, but do
not know whether the report is correct,
though such a promotion has been expec-
ted by others than the Colonel for some
time. Il lis also reported that our destina-
tion is the Pacific Ocean; but this can
hardly be poossible-we want to take
New Mexico first. -
We have no news from Capt. Moore,
and do not know whether ne overlook that
Mexican ammunition or not. Col. Dom
iphan S volunteer regiment is now all a.
head, and will report to Capt. Moore, U.
s. Dragons, or wait for Col. Kearney
five do not overtake him. Some the
companies whichsstarted first must be
nearly at the Arkansas by this time.
Night before last, Capt. McKissach,
assistant Quartermaster, brought us some
packages and two or three letters, one of
the packages contained newspapers from
st. Louis and other places. .whic5, Ineed
not say, were welcome. Those who sent
them had our heartiest thanks
( This road-the Santa Fe trace--hasi
been SO often described, than remarks up.
on it would be superfluous. II is eviden'
to me, thus far that man who knows
the road well. can easily travel to this
point without suffering for water. though
he win not always 6nd it of the choicest
quality. It's difficult, sometimes. to find
wood at some ofthe. camping places; but
the proper way when going to such pla-s
ces, is to cook your bread and meat be-,
forehand, and carry little wood along.
/ (whens you cannot get bois de pache) TO
lgmake yeur coffee. We shall have tocar-
] ~ wood to make, our coffee tomorrow
/ night. We are cooking and baking to-.
] day enough to dotili lilaffer breakfast day
! dafierto-merrow.s Sd laass a4s5.4 So.
So far we have heard nothing. Of the,
state of affairs ia New Mexico, but expect
to hear from Captain Moore very soons
We give ourselves very little concern a..
j bout what Is ahead Of US. as we think zwe.