The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-27

Letters have been recently received from Gen. Keamy
Among the documents which he encloses is literal copy
of the rough notes of his late anented aide de-camp,
Capt A. r. Johnston, of the LIST Dragons, who was I'M
fortunately killed at daybreak the 9th December 1916
IN an action with the Calfornians at San Pascua Being
but rough notes. and consequently not intended FOR the
public eye, least in their present unfinished shape, 1t
would be doing great injustice TO the author TO hold him
accountable for any apparent careessness of style which
may be found they 10 be consldered indeed but
hasiy sketch of daily incidents and observations made
during protracted and atigung march, committed to
paper opportunity would allow, for future reference
and dlatation. But even as they are, these Z" rough
notes present variety OF curious facts which will prove
interesting TO our readers Such travels are, indeed al
ways instructive well amusing; and when they ex-
'end INTO distant region upon our own continent and
with which the United States most likely 10 form
very important relations, we have 10 doubt they will
prove acceptable Captain Johnston has ntespersed his
descriptions with sketches of Aztec ruins OF Indian pot
terry, &C.; but unwilling to delay the appearance
ofhe Journal for the purpose OF accompanying il with the
engravings We shall continue the publication until we
arrive at the conclusion 1t extends from the 25,h of
September to the 4th OF December as-from the day
when Gen. Keay left Santa Fe for California TO the ap-
poach towards San Diego only few hours before the
action which resulted in the amened death of the gallant
Johnston
Friday September 25M, 1s46.-Left Santa Fe 10 go
10 miles, to Major Summers camp, preparatory to start
to-monowsn route to California Camp overrun with
horses to be sent to the United Staes-dragoon horses
command all mounted on mules Country desolae
The creek of Santa Fe Oft in the sand a few miles
below town, and cultivation ceases; Trees cedar
shrubs; dry ravines Atcamp volcanic signs, and many
springs producing eneycelent springs of water sinking
almost as soon as it rises No grass camp fit for
pasture.
September 26M.--S!arted with Dragons at THE OK
Teams starting at daylight The night was unpleasant
from loose animals running through camp after the corn
blades purchased by the officers for their horses and
and the country around Santa Fe; and to-day is thny
covered with CANA grass, and occasional cedar shrubs
betokenlng the greatest sterty. The newness of the
country is apparent Passed to-day succession of strata
dipping to east, sand stone, blue and red ma and white
clay, interseced with basac dykes South of camp, a
high knob formed by abrupt escarpmen of secluded
shrub dipping from the bluff to east in several places
To-day pseudo volcanoes The country is covered with
the east plants of the aremsia sort abundant Several
mules missing this morning. Two wagons broke TO- day
-one king bolt, and tongue. Camp in toerable
September a7M-Marched at 5. Many of the mules
which broke loose during the night much trouble
the morning to catch them Some complaints OF their dep
relations on cornslds were settled by paying damages
Passed Algodones Bernabello and Sanda In Agodones
there were signs OF poverty very little being required APP
Iaenty to feed the people upon. Fitzpatrick remarked
many places there good better than the valley of
the Del Norte, which he had not thought ever would
tvate the grape and make delicious wine The grape
grows upon small bushes the flats and is irrigated like
the other products We found peaches there mot inferior
toany in the United States, also any grape cultivated in
the open air Fences are made of clay, by putting the
mould on the wall, and filling it, and leaving the large
osT to mus s 20 a nem They to be rather
many places, the top of the wall was covered with
prckly cactus The village of Sandia is Indian pue-
the genuine Indian yes which proceeded from one of their
Dances is plain they have retained many of their Gus
toms SINCE as they have their COLOR in becoming Caho-
lie in their faith Some mules bought at $40 and
some fine horses exchanged for mules our camp one
mile below Sandia. Grass good. Water from Sica
fine copper-mne few miles east of this camp in the
hills. Heard that the Navajoes had committed some
more mischief on the frontiers Volcanic signs dykes
strata of lava, &c.
September 2SM Remained in camp until noon await
ing Inc arrival of the oxteams which have fallen behind
Many waterfowl were fired at about camp, and few
killed. Soldiers are generally bad shots The game was
tame, and showed that the Yankees had often been
among them. Beaver Slides and their work on the cot
wood, on the banks OF the Del Nere, seen in
several places They too will not rejoice the change
OF government The Spanish or Indian population have
never turned their urs to advantages else they would
not have lived tor hundreds of years in such close
nelghborhood The volcanic appearance less at camp
Broke camp at o'clock and marched three miles to the
vicinity of the rancho of Albuquerque Through the
deep sand on the banks of the Del Norte one OK team
dld moi get up until In the night One of them broke the
hounds and was left
September 29M.-Nlarched at s. Passed the rancho of
Albuquerque when the people were just coming out OF
church. The women were carrying some saint in pro
cesson to her home. Some OF them held canopy over
the santa, and four carried the image The procession
moved to The sound OF drum. The Generals staff mar
took OF some refreshments at two OF the houses Ii was
remarked how delightfully."- cool the houses were ae
being IN the hot sun. The process OF building houses
make brick, dry them in the SUM- build with mId-
lay the roofs beams which come from the distant
hills, then boards poles then earth and spouts white
wash with gypsum smear the walls outside with mud
also the floors The houses being hung with LOOKING, |
glasses and images; floors carpetel no pan in wall
ing about. Mode of building peculiarly ADAPTED |
10 the country and climate. Passed Albuonernnc |
and the General was pressed to stops but declined ali
further hospitality Crossed the Del Norte at AL |
buquerque, the ford being about two and half feet deep
sandy, but not quicksand. Marched eight miles below
Albuquerque and encamped on open plain, where the
Navaoes crossed the Del Noe the time of their dep
relations few days since After three companies of vol
uneers crossed the river TO go Cebolela a party of
Navaoes crossed at this point and killed eight Meyicans
the east Of the Del Noe AT this point there ;s moi
tree growing within reach of us The troons had IN
purchase fuel The sand-drfts in various places had
accumulated in hills. Drifting sand seems to adhere
TO its kindred material, instead of covering he
surface OF the land 1t is fortunate ii so this co,ntrv
would otherwise be impossible, well as uninhabita.
BILE. The inhabtabe portion of New Mexico is CON
fined to the immediate borders of the streams The bot
toms on the Del Norte about one and half mile
wide on the average far down, and elevated but
lew feet above the level of the running water The Del
Noe Is RAPID and regular and its waters can be tanned
at any point without DAM that irrigation is carried
on successfully remains for greater improvements in
ms respeci 10 develop the of the country
large canal along the base OF the hills might carry all the
water OF the Del Norte and be means of TRANSFORMATION
while its surplus water could be employed in Ike winter
water directly upon the fields In this wav the comnr
could be made feed ten times he nrosan,