The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-31
From the Bureau Of Typographical Engineers
Texas and chihuahua.


Several interesting reports with maps, have been late
y received at the Bureau Of Typographical Engineers,
from Capt Hughes chief typographical engineer OF Gene
raj Woods command These reports embrace descrip-
ton OF the march, roads, and country from San Antonio
de Bexar in Texas TO Monclova, in Mexico. The reports
are addressed TO Assistant Adjutant General Prenss OF
General Woods command. Wecannot publish the maps,
but we take pleasure in laying the reports before
readers as fast otherwise occupied columns will
admit. We commence to-day with the descriptive
of San Antonio and its environs
SAN ANTONIO DE BExAR, Sept 30, 1916. IS
SIR have the honor TO submit to the commanding
general in compliance with his direction, the accompa
nyng typographical map OF the country in the vicinity Of
San Antonio de BeXar.
The map embraces about ten miles of the San Antonio
river, and is about two miles in breadth. The general
course OF the stream ditches &C. have been taken from
manuscript map OF the county Of BeNar, obtained from
the county surveyor. The roads were run with prs-
time. The work has been rather roughly executed, par
cuarly the drawings, owing to the want OF time, and
the sickness of our principal dIaughtsman Lieut. Sit.
greayes) but II is believed II will answer the purpose Of
the commanding general.
The town OF San Antonio is supposed contain about
200 inhabitants mostly MeXcans; the greater part Of
the males agrculturists and herismen, far they
have any occupation II has no manufactures, and but
few mechanics, such carpenters masons ailors, and
black smiths.
The town is built on both sides of the river OF the
Pedro is about miles from the OF the river,
in latitude 20 deg 20 min and longitude 9S deg 50 min
west of Greenwich The longitude has not yet been pre-
cisey determined and we are waiting for this purpose to
make further observations the satellites of Jupiter,
which we hope to accomplish tonight
The buildings belonging TO the government in the
town might be conveniently CONCERTED into hospitals and
barracks for considerable force The Alamo on the
left bank OF the river, if placed suitable state of re-
pair, would accommodate regiment and might, at the
same time, be rendered strong defensive work, well
supplied with water As a frontier post It may be re-
garded OF some Importance About mile east
OF the Alamo is strong tower, II feet square at base,
~ feet high 10 feet square az top and stories high
eet bsR with on Uu each se io j. moi
arched. The entrance is from the east Within short
distance OF stands another building, IS feet square at
base u feet high, and arched; the walls are feet
thick; the entrance from the west it obviousy a
magazine The two buildings defended on the
southeast angle by baston, with two long curtains
closing the buildings on two sides The advance works
of EARTH and consist OF deep ditch and para pet
Between these works and the building well, now
partially closed with rubbish. .....-..
Most of the land in the vicinity OF San Antonio was
formerly and much of still is irrigated from the river
and the San Pedro. may, however, well be questioned
whether this operation is not injurious rather than bene-
fetal to the lands for the soil being highly calcarious,
and the water being saturated with the same substance,
too much carbonate of lime must in the of years,
be deposited in the fields The remedy for this
may be found in deep ploughing following in the rota
ton OF crops.
i IL
period in high state of cultivation and fertility support
ing large and concentrated populations who in time of
danger sought refuge in the town. and in the missions Of
the Alamo, Conception, San Juan, Espado and San Jose
Monastc Fortesses whose stately and melancholy ruins
attest their former magnifcence and grandeur
1t is stated the authority OF the surveyor Of Bexar
county, that within the limits of our map, nearly 1000
of land are in corn, yielding on average,
about 30 bushels per acre-60,0Oo bushels but this is
probably over estimate. Corn usually sells at 50
cents per bushe; it is now bringing 81 IS, rather
more. . ~.
For great distance around San Antonio the grazing
is excellent, and herds of cattle abundant In ordinary
times good @Ksll broken OK is worth $25-for beef,
about $50, COW and calf about 49, At present the
prices much higher. The cattle of the old Span
sh breed the oxen large, with immense horns, rapid
walkers and strong; They are fed exclusively on her
base and fodder They keep easily and make good beef
The are bad mixers but might be easily improved
by the Durham or Devon.
The county of Bexar contains about 900 inhabitants,
including Castrove Its territorial limits tend to the
Rio Grande
According to the authority before mentioned there Are
this year nearly of growing on the creek
averaging about 35 bushels per acre-2S, 900 bushels
While the lands are rich in this region the demand here
ofore for agricultural productions has been limited that
there has been but little inducement to cultivate more
ground than would suffice for the wants of the permanent
population.
The San Antonio river has its source in large spring.
extends flows nearly due south II becomes almost at
once, in gushing from the rocks, noble river, clear
IN us course. fOf the nrSt ten miles
rarely exceeds 100 feet in width and from to feet in
depth The principal fors below the infantry camp are
at the town OF San Anono and at short distance be-
low the mission of Conception The former is good and
practicable for artery the latter is not so good the
water being not less than four feet Deep with very
rapid current. There are however many points where
fords might be made accessible by cutting down the
banks, The river in its upper waters, varies but little
in its level and is not greatly affected by the heaviest
rains AT San Antonio there is rese- bridge over the
river the Alamo, recently repaired rather rebuilt
by the department for military purposes.
One source Of the San Pedro is on the Nacogdoches
road, about two miles above the town Il is small but
beautiful stream, flowing to the OF the town. and
into the river about two and half miles be-
low | am inclined to regard the San Pedro as an off
shot from the San Anonio presents ION the Nacog-
loches road where it is first ysibe) the appear
lnce of a subteranean stream than spring
The rainy season usually commences abouthe autumn
nal equinox and generally terminates with the vernal do
not however understand that the rain is often excessive
as to break up the roads, but that there is generally
slight showers daily during the period and that scarcely
any water falls during the dry seasonsummer As soon
the rainy sets in, the temperature falls and the
atmosphere, which is remarkably pure, becomes very
agreeable
The vicinity of San Antonio said to be very healthy
md there is apparently for disease The sick
amongst the troops and teamsers is probably owing