The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-13
scenes beyond the Rso Grandc.
BocA DEL Rio GRANpE, TEXAS,


10 extent, the omissions and deficiencies OF my pre-
vious memoir; but, whether shall accomplish or not
Will depend on circumstances over which can exercise
control.
1t to clearly the policy of the government to
establish line OF military posts on "WoFs road from
San Antonio de BeXar to the ford on the RIO Gande
Presdio for the purpose of extending protection to
the settlers and traders against robbers and the predatory
Indian tribes To carry out this plan efectually would
require regiment Of mounted men, with Its headquarters
at San Antonio de Bexar, post on the Quhe, another
the Leona, and the third the Rio Grande at the
ford These posts, with the exception OF the one on the
Rio Grande might be withdrawn in few years. there
be question that the protection which they would
afford would be the means of rapidly settling the country
with population that would soon be able to
Besides this consideration, must be obvious TO even the
most superficial observer that hostes with the Cuman-
ches and Lpansthe most warke OF the native tribes
are neither remote nor contingent regard as inevitable
and believe that we shall never establish cordial rea-
tons with Them until they have been severely punished;
an affair." bytheb by, not easy OF accomplishment de-
feat in a contest with the United States would result in
their precipitation upon the northern provinces OF Mexi
CO. which they would assuredly des6laea consequence
which we may deplore, but cannot avert.
A reference to memoir, and accompanying maps IN
relation to the march of General Woos army, from San
Antonio to Santa Rosa will show how well western Tex
as is waered; and may convey some FAINT idea OF the
richness and beauty OF the country embraced between the
Rio San Antonio and the Nueces, beyond which latter
river, until we approach the Rio Grande, it would be no
great exaggeraton to say that "Is all barren 1t is
that there occasional narrow stripes OF rich land
but for the whole of that distance 64 mes) we crossed
but one stream of running water
may be characterized beautiful and noble streams of
clear and excellent water; and many OF them would al
ford an almost unlimited amount OF water-power
particularly refer the San Antonio, the Medina, the
Quihe, erhaps below the settlement) and the Leona
NEARLY equal to the Santa Anonio the Others are OBJ
jeconable account of their periodical floods know
of country better adapted 10 manufactures than west
Texas, and there 49, perhaps region OF the world
where wool be grown at SO low rate, or where the
Of life may be eneaPGy the heat
the quality OF the fleece, but which, am told is not the
The soil is calcareous with small irregular fragments
of nty pebbles scattered it, the drift from the
mountains deposited by current flowing from south to
NORTH the traces of which saw at almost every step,
they may be found beyond it, leading to their mountain
sources The country may be described as rolling pral-
rie pretty well wooded, and, after leaving the Medina,
eminenty beautiful and picturesque, covered at most sea
of the year with uxuriant growth OF grass and
Astounding with game: AT almost every rod we started
up herds Of deer and ocks of cartridges and wild turkes
The reverse of the picture is that abounds with veno
nous reptilessnakes scorpions, cenpedes and taran-
tuas The latter much dreaded, and regarded with
horror than any of the tribe They are provided
with fangs nearly large those OF the attlesnake,
while they possess of its magnanmlty or rather m
dolence OF habits The principal annoyance to travellers
of nnumerabe crowds OF ticks and redbugs, who
tester and prey upon them with instructive avidy.
is melancholy in traversing this rich and beautiful
country eminenty fitted for the support OF human life
to find it but vast solitude, undlsurbed save by some
wary traveller trader who pursues his seahy course
at night, with the hope loen van) of eluding the crafty
eagle from his eyre, watching for his victim But re-
qures only slight effort of the imagination to fancy it
peoped with industrious and teeming popuahon-its
heights crowned with human habltationsts fertile val
leys cultivationand its plains covered with bleatng
ocks and lowing herds Ii remains but for the govern
ment to acW it. and this picture will be realized 1t IN
wolves simply the establishment OF the line OF posts which
have indicated to produce these benehcent results; or
natural advantages of the country coud fail to at
tract the attention of foreign immigrants and OF our own
rowing and adventurous countrymen.
The formation of the country is cacareous the rocks
often rising near the rivers in high bluffs and isolated
noticed on the Rio Trio Near the Leona Il can scarce
ly allow myself speak of this beautiful river and its
rich and lovely valley; for the language OF truth, when
fction observed numerous small holes in the rocks
about foot in diameter and perfectly smooth and cir
cular in shape they probably formed by the action
The country beyond the Rio Gande between it and the
Sabinos similar to that already described but is nei
Their so well wooded watered it Is, nevertheless
well calculated for the rearing of stock for when the
natural flow of water is deficient it may be supplied by
wels and there are large quantities OF arabic land aban
doned for the want OF labor and in consequence OF the
insecurity of life and property AS we approach Santa
Rosa, some ten miles beyond the Sabinos, change is
observed in the geological formations and are obyi
ously entering upon country OF gneous origin. The
rocks first congomerates composed of angular
ragmentary limestone, united with cacareous cement
the whole being probably due to watery discharges from
the (now) extinct volcanic craters.
have the honor to be, colonel, your obeden servant
GEO w HUGHES
Japan IOpOgrapnlcal Engineers.
To Col j. J. ALERT, Chief of Typographical Engineers,
&C., &c.
Memoir by Capt Hughes, descriptive of the march Of
General Wools army, from Moncouu to Parras, Mer-
/ leo.
Monclova, city of abouts 900 inhabitants land under
the Spanish dominion the capital of the province of Goa
huila) is pleasantly situated on the Rio Monclova,
small and beautiful stream of pure water rising about
10 miles to the south Of the town, the hamlet of
Casana. The city Of Monclova is fine and rather
cleany town. the houses well built, Ghe better class
OF sone and the principal church is very large and
imposing structures there is here ALSO extensive, and
comfortable hospital NOW abandoned to the bats0
erected by the Spanish government, and large quarters
for troops The introduction OF running water through
all the streets, and its aamedas (sked with
long of trees,) and its well irrigated gardens i'm
part to MOnclova, particularly to persons who have
Gently traversed the dry and uncuvaed plains of Goa
hula most agreeable and charming aspect 1t wears,
nevertheless that melancholy appearance of decadence,
and OF premature old common TO Mexican towns
The Rio Moncova is tributary to the Saado, (uide
memoir of reconnaissance from Monclova to Parras,)
and its valley is extremely well cultivated for nearly its
whole extent: especially in the vicinity of the town,
where il expands to width of five six miles. Imme-
datey above the city large reservoirs of water and
extensive water power an Inconslderable portion Of
which is expended three gristmills. The principal
productions OF this district cotton beans,
and figs; the first greatly predomnang, and constituting
the main staple Very little wheat grown, and the
larger portion OF flour consumed is brought from Cenegas
Although this region well adapted to manufactures,
from its mild climate its great water power the cheap
ness of subsistence common labor and wool, and the
peculiar capabity of the surrounding country Tor the
production of cotton furnishes nothing but lew do
mechanics of any description, the most skiul OF whom
| are foreigners