The daily union., 1846-10-22

fire. The road is well located, and tho general APP
peannee Of the scenery something like the pass al
the summit Of the Boston AID Albany railroad, bui
the scenery bolder, and more oriental IN appear
ance.
Express arrived from the spy guard, reporting all
clear In front, Cook and Liefiendoher have only
reached the Canadian river.
At Capt. Summers camp, about miles above oui
camp OF last night, and IL from the summit, there
s an immense seam Of coal cropping out, 81 feet
deep. Grass and water good at camp 35.
August TN, camp 6.--Commenced the ascent OF the
Ration, which we reach with ease with our wagons
in abou, miles observed the barometer, and de-
termined the elevation To be 1000 feet above the
sea From the summit had beautiful view Of
Pixies peak, the Naiiah-Y Yah, and the chain oi
mountains running south. Saw several large white
masses near the submits, which we OF hfst' took
for snow, but which, on examaminaton with the
telescope, determined was the white limestone oi
which we see SO much in this country.
The near view was no less imposing. 10 the
east rose the Ration, which appeared stl as high al
from the camp 500 feet below. There is slngu-
lar formation the top OF the Ration, giving the ap-
pearanee Of a succession OF castles. As day would
be required 10 visit Il, was Obliged 10 forego that
pleasure, and examine IL with the glass HE
mountnin appears TO be formed chiefly OF sand
stone, disposed in horizontal strata, dipping gently
20 the east, until you reach the summit, when
tho castle like appearance commenees-the sides
become perpendicular, the seams vertical. The
valley is strewed with pebbles ard fragments OF
trap rock and the fasible stone described yester'
day.
There is said to be lake about 10 miles to the
east Of the summit, where immense hordes OF deer
antelope and buffalo congregate bat OF this have
my doubts. would certainly test the matter II
could dispose Of my own time.
The descent is much more rapid than the ascent
r. - a.Nal
burned grass and stagnant water, containing many
beautiful flowers, specimens Of which were collected
But presently you come to place where a stream,
branch Of the Canadian, has worked lis way
through the mountains, and the road has to as
cend and then descend a rugged spur. Here II
where the real difficulties commence, and the road,
for three or four miles is Just passable for wagon.
Many Of the train were broken in the passage. A
few thousand dollars, judiciousy expended here,
would be an immense saving TO the government, II
the Santa Fe country Is 10 be permanently oceu'
pied.
After 10 miles from the summit, we reached a
wide valley, where the mountains open out, and the
rugged and inhospilabe looking hills recede TO a
respectable distance to the right and left. Sixteen
miles, from camp 36, brought TO the main branch
Of the Canadian, slow-runniDg stream, discharging
volume Of water the thickness Of a mans waist
found here Bent's camp Dismounted under the
shade Of a cottonwood, near an ant hill, and saw
something black, which had been thrown out by
these busy lttle insects and, examination, found
il to be biiuminous coal | crossed the riyer, and
proceeded about IA miles, and found the colonel,
from whom | had become separated, eneamped on
the river, with plentiful supply Of grass, wood,
and water After crossing the ryer, found the plain
srewn with Jumps OF btuminous coal.
Growth on TO days march-pihon, in small
quantities, scrub oak scrub pine, few samita
bushes, and, on the Canadian, few cottonwood
trees. Grass, except at the camp, little or none. IL
threatened rain this evening, but the clouds passed
away, and had a good night for observing. No
rain since left creeks twenty seven days ago.
And yet this is a country that some men talk Of one
day being settled-this sun-burnt country, that
produces no vegetation except on the very edges
Of the few and far between streams.
We are now in the Paradise Of that part between
Bent's Fort and San Miguel, and yet he who leaves
the edge OF the Canadian, must make good day 5
march to find wood, water, or grass.
There may be mineral wealth in these mountains,
but that must be len to explorer not tied to the
staf ofan army, marching for We into an enemy .
country. ] say for life, for we are, from to-day, on
half rations Of bread; and although we have meat
enough to prevent anything like immediate starya.
ton, we are sufficiently hard-pressed 10 make II ex
pedient pounee Santa Fe and its stock Of pro-
Visions soon as possible.
august 6ih.-Remained in camp all day to allow
Doniphan's regiment and the artillery to come up.
our chronometers preserving their rates admirably.
Light hurricanes Of wind, and clouds diseharging
rain to the west. Capt. Sumner drilled his three
squadrons Of dragons, and made quite an imposing
show.
august 9H.--At 81 broke up camp, and marched
with the colonel's staff and the lst dragoous i01
miles, and encamped under the mountains, on the
western side Of the Canadian river, on the banks Of
small stream, a tributary Of the Canadian. Grass
short but good; water in small quantities and in pud-
dies. Here found trap dyke, course N. W.,
which shows itself also the Canadian, about
miles distant, in the same course. Six miles from
last nights camp the road forks: one running near
the mountains To the west but nearly parallel with
the old road, and never distant from it more than
four miles, and almost all the time in sight of it.
The army here divided: the artillery, infantry,
and wagon train ordered to take the lower road the
Missouri volunteers and lst Dragons the upper
The valley here opens out into extensive plain,
slightly rolling fanked on each eide by ranges Of
hills covered with stunted cedar and
the pifon In this extensive valley or plains may
be traced, from any Of the neghborng heights, the
valleys Of the Canadian and its tributares-the Yer
milo, the Poniel, the Cimaron the Rajado, and the
Ocate. Saw great quantities Of antelope, deer, &c;
cactus in great abundance, and plant which my
friend, DR.. DeCamp, pointed out as being highly
basamc. He collected quantities Of it in his cam
pagn TO the Rocky mountains, and tested its efica
cy with entire success substitute for basam CO.
payva.
Observed great many insects at the camp to-
night, the first Of any number since leaving the Ar
kansas. Scarcely bird, however, to be seen, the
cow-bird always excepted, which has been in great
numbers on the whole route and very tame, often
lighting on your horse. The horned frog is nlso
numerous, and has been the whole distance from
here to beyond Bents Fort.
August 10ih.---Col. Kearny, dissatisfied with
The upper road, determined to strike for the old,
which we did. After reaching the Vermijo, 81
miles, in diagonal line, and reaching the road at
he Cimaron, where we found the infantry eneamp-
ID; total distance 20i miles; grass good, and wa
er plenty, though not flowing Another trap dyke,
parallel nearly to the last and miles distant from
he last; both strewed with fragments Of feruginous
and crystallized carbonate of lime. A
Mexican came into camp, from Bent's Fort; re-
ported Lieut. Albert much better. Colonel Kcarny
allowed him to pass TO Taos; for which place, go
miles distant by bride path, he set out TO reach
o-nigbt. The colonel sent by him copies of his
letters to the alcaldc padre, &C.. &c.
Five Mexicans were captured by Bents spy
company, who had been sent out to reconnoitre us,
with orders to retain all persons passing out Of
New Mexico. They were mounted on dimnutive
asses, and cut a ridiculous figure, alongside Of the