The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-15


to the Arkansas river We had begun descend, when
the leading wagon commenced sliding dewise in spite Of
all our precautions Suddenly the forewheel caught II
rut and the whole weight being thrown upon It, The
wheel snapped of, breaking the spindle in the hub Wa
had yet mile to go before getting water therefore .
pole was rugged so that one side slid like Sleigh an
as the road was now all down hill, we reached CAM
without further accident The felt much dispirite'
at this second break down. and tired from the long
search after the Mules in the morning So to prevent
any recurrence OF the latter kind, the mules tied W
this night with trace chains in order to make sure o.
them Our march to-day did not exceed ten miles.
As we obliged to lay BY all day, repairing the
broken axetree, had the mules driven into the noun
tain ra'nes, under the charge OF the guard who were
fortunate TO find good grass Many OF the mel
were getting sick, and nearly all had dreadful coughs.
made quiea large detail for hunting to-day, but they all
returned unsuccessful as fit OF coughing would attack
them and rghten of the game. About dark Brown re-
| turned with two black tailed deer.
On the 18th January we started, much refreshed by a
day of rest We had difficult crossings to make, and
steep hills TO climb, but the did their duty bravely
The sun came out warm, the snow began TO melt, and
the road became muddy and slppey three times we had
to travel some dsalice in the bed OF the stream. was
necessary TO cut the ice with otr for so or GO feet
and the pieces choking up the stream, the mules refused
TO go forward, Notwithstanding the season., my men
caught them by the heads and rushed into the water
thus forcing them to keep in the middle OF the stream
and eectiay preventing all their attempts to leap up the
banks either side. AT length reached one of the
secpes hills vs had yet encountered; the wagons were
carried up singy, all the mules put TO one and many
OF the party could find room, nj the wheels. 1t
really shocking to the poor animals cruelty beaten
but all seinng every nerve, and the pine forests
of the Ration resnuDded with shouts and cheerngs
at length reached the summit of the cliff To look at
this hit one would think it an Impossible ascent with
axetrees tongues, ad running gear of several wagons
we took such parts thUpght might be useful and,
after resting short time, proceeded couple OF miles
further when camped having made about eight miles
| in OUT dey's march WIZ
The foIowrc day we reached Purgatory creek, about
o'clock, having made march OF II miles; many OF
Inc, r,fc, ,lan pf rplls
sick that obliged to carry thein IN the wagons:
We were now clear OF the muchdreaded pass, and hoped
| that there would be more break downs.
We made early start mast morning, January 9th, ana
after march of II miles, reached "Hole in the Prairie
where encanped AS knew there vas no wood
here we had brought good supply for the night AZ this
place mel Capt Murphy, who was on his way to SaJta
lie with four wagons loaded with specie for the troops
told him of the state of feeling iii New Mexico towards
our people, and learned that he had already been put
upon his guard by express he had met near DENTS.
He told NE THAT my mules could never GO through the
trip and cautioned ageinst the Arapahoes who were
then encamped upon the Arkansas ryer, near Choteau
island lie said they had great Numbered nines mark
ed with the United States brand and that they refused to
give them up and advised me that the prares were en-
tirey burnt off from Pawnee Fork to Council Grove In
the evening Tire wind suddenly changed to the north,
very cold and before night we had slight snow Storm
lei the mules ruin loose all night az they were losing
flesh very fast although they had been fed ON corn every
night since leaving Vegas" Another Of my fhsn was
taken very sick and his eyes much swollen from ex-
posufe to the cold
vet they were all caught M good time, and at o'clock
we had marched IS miles, when we encamped at Hole
in the Rock Here we found l. an abundance s, q d
one had fire OF his own to sit by The thick foliage
of the grove completely sheltered from the wind.
Could we always have had such places as ms 2 camp
memory otter recn-red to the shelter and glowing fires at
| ''Hole in the Rock.
the mules travelled slowly, and after march Of SIX
miles we reached spot the Timpa called "The VII
lows" HAD intended camping there but the wind blew
M the canon al such rate that tents could not have
stood moment We therefore canped two miles north
of this place. in fine cedar grove, which afforded good
| shelter, but dry wood was rcasce
January 1sM-We left camp Just rs the sun rose Inc
road was excellent though the air still bs,g cold
our breath condensed around the nostrs and mouth 20
that the face covered with frost-work march
ed 20 miles, and camped on the Iimpa Here we were
obliged to burn tie prairie sage which consumes SO rap
idly that it is difficult 10 supply the fire sufficiently last
with fuel Here experienced one OF the eeIdcst nights
January 2oM.-Afer march of 5 miles we reached
| Benfs Fort. We obliged to strew the Arkansas
river with sand to prevent the mules IRON slipping; we
crossed, however without accident and Immediately set
about loading wagons with provisions Tor iorty day
| exchanged the wagon which had given US so much
difficulty, and tiled to get some new mules, but there
were none in better condition than our own. IN two
hours all the march again with the exception
Of who so sick that was under the ne
cessv Of leaving them at the fort The gentlemen here
all cautioned ME 10 save my corn until we reached
Pawnee Fork, saying that all tire grass was burnt OIL the
prairie found that we had already used OF the Ia
anegas so determined not to feed any more unless
il should be absolutely necessary, and concluded to run
the risk of losing the mules at night rather than tie them
up and stave them Had there been at Bents Fort
could have got on without difficulty but all they could
collect had been sent on to meet Capt Murphy at the
crossing of the Arkansas II the government had kept
supply Of here it would have been OF great service
to the many parties and expresses which so frequently
crossed the prares and had been able to get clear
OF my sick, the encmbance might have been Of serious
yenencc to the healthy portion Of the party and OF
fatal consequences to the sick. They were attacked
with the measles disease which will not admit OF ex-
posure: have since learned that some of them died
The next day we reached the 'Bg Timber" as it is
called about 80 miles east Of Bents. This would be
good place to establish United States depot, for here
there is an nexhaustbe supply of timber which scarce
in the neghborhooi of Bents On the south slde OF the
Arkansas there fine prairie grounds and the aiyan-
ages of the .Big Timber are such that the Indians
! always winter there AS we passed along we found
their lodges on the banks and islands of the river, and
Their horses in large droves grazing in the bottoms
! TO DE Continued
I MARRIED.
/ On the I3,l instant, by the Rev Mr. FRENcn, GREEN
A