The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-01
From the Bureau of Typographical Engineers--No. g.
Sam Antonio and Santa Rosa.

SIR In compliance with the directions OF the COM
handing general of this date, have the honor 'to fur
nsh him with report of the reconnaissance of the route
from San Antonio, ode Bexar,) Texas to Santa Rosa.
left San Antonio de Bexar on the 23d September,
1916, at O'clock p having previously sent the wag
ons in advance We found the party encamped the
Little Leona miles from San Antonio, tributary to the
river Of the same 9ne o. Our Two
Our ride over an open PRAIRIE with occasional patches
of musquett-chapparal.
The Leona is small and lovely stream of pure water,
and high banks showing that it sometimes discharges
large volume of water. 1t was, when we crossed it,
about 80 feet wide and foot deep Our course during
the day was nearly due west There several settle
ments on the creek, and good deal of grown
The party consisted OF the following persons, viz Geo.
w. Hughes, captain Typographical engineers; L. Sit
greaves, first lieutenant typographical engineers; w B.
Franklin, second lieutenant Typographical engineers f.
T. Bryan, second Lieutenant typographical engineers ITEM
porariy detached Dan Drake Henre, interpreter James
Dunn hunter and guide Qeft third day i'll y James Doyle,
wagner, employ of quartennaster; Mathew Brown,
wagner employ of quartemaster Geo Lott, topography
Johnson, Typographical laborer Campbell Topographic
cal aborer; William Jones, private servant TO Capt.
Hughes; James Smith, private servant to Lieut. Sit
greaves Franklin.
Six rifles, with key of ammunition, were furnished
to the command by the Ordnance Department, spe
cia requsiton, approved by the commanding general.
September 2iM.-Left camp at 10 o'clock, hay
ing waited for the missing wagon TO come up The
country, Immediately after leaving the Leona, is high,
and the road quite precptous Our course still contin-
ued nearly due west The country is beautiful, open,
and rolling prairie. Stopped till noon little stream
of good wafer opposite and about mile distant from
a remarkable land mark, called Padre Mount We
crossed during the day. three small streams OF excellent
water The grazing was generally good. AT o'clock,
p M, our wagons reached the Medina, and we en-
camped about mile below Castrovle Our march to-
day was about IS miles.
September 25M.-At . o'clock in the morning, Sc
we're norther struck us, accompanied with ram 1t
cleared Oft at /, m, when Lieut. Sitgreaves went to
examine the ford below our camp, and to measure the
width and depth of the ford at Casroville. In the
time Lieut. Franklin and myself made reconnaissance
OF the country for several miles around both sides
of the river.
| The Medina is a truly beautiful stream, with high
banks and the ground the west side rising into abrupt
hills of 800 feet in altitude Opposite to the ford is
the and fourishing town of Castrovle, situate
an extensive plain formed by the receding OF the hills
The opening is very picturesque The German settlement
at this place has been made under the auspices of Mr.
Castro, French gentleman; and consists OF about TOO
| inhabitants
There are two fords above the town-ene called the
Canon is pretty good, rocky bottom, somewhat worn
into holes, and rather dangerous for horses the banks
preciptous, and somewhat boggy 1t was at this place
that the Mexican General Wo in 1872 in his descent s
| subsequent rapid retreat he passed over it his whole
army VOLS ford is almost miles further up where
to the deposiie Of mud in the bed Of the river There
said to be no ford for 80 miles above.
| September 26h. Temperature of water at o'clock,
90 degrees Fahrenheit September, at o'clock, M,
and crossed the Casrovile ford mile beyond is bad
HILL down which it will be necessary to lock the wheels
of the wagons &c The country is open and level till
left more TO the west'it gradually ascends TO consd
cradle height, covered with beautiful growth OF live
oak.
There is no water between the Medina and Qubi,
distance of ten miles
Being informed by our guide that there was no water
for several miles ahead we here encamped on the east
side of the creek The water good and the grazing
excellent. The timber is willow, ve-oak, and pecan.
There is small German settlement at this place-a
branch OF the Castrovlle immigration. This stream Is
tributary to the Hondo, flowing into the Fro which fl
nally discharges into the Nueces. Temperature of water
at o'clock, p. m II deg.
September 27M-At 81 a. m, temperature Of water 65
deg Left camp at o'clock, a m. Our route, for
ealmiles was through beautiful and fertile bottom
The road to Luckys creek is good We found this creek
full OF good water-2 feet decpand flowing clearly and
rapidly On the west bank is lovely grove of large
lye-oak, and rich valley, almost boundess to the eye
of excellent grazing An army OF 10000 cavalry might
encamp here for week, and not exhaust its uxuriance
The Lucky usually dry, but like most OF the streams OF
western Texas does not apparently depend for its sup
ply Of water on the rains for the geological formation,
consisting mostly OF cavernous limestone, affords many
suberraneous discharges which, at times leave large
rivers nearly dry, and swell small brooks, (oten dy0
into respectable rivers, without any obviously adequate
cause Hence to extent, the uncertainty of finding
water at particular localities except after very recent
aminatlons
| The distance from the Quhi is four miles, to the
Hondo four miles; the road is rough, and the descent
bad bottom not good and ascent the west bank pebby
Seven miles brought us to small stream OF good water,
rocky, water IS inches deep, presumed to be generally
dry. Grazing good ! miles over level PLAIN to the
SacO ms creek resembles the HOndO, Tor SyCamOe)
for is known by both names; but the crossing is not
bad and contains rather more WATER which, In the
latter river stands in pools but it is represented to be-
few miles above the crossing, flowing stream large
as the Medina. 1t has probably, suberranean dis
charge. We encamped the west bank of the Saco;
the grazing notv very good. Night very cold
| September 2sth.-Le at o'clock % minutes For
about four miles the road is rough, and country much
broken with abrupt ridges and two very steep ascents
in that distance The timber, mainly live oak, in extern
sive groves. We then entered upon level PRAIRIE of
great extent, and covered with sedge Grazing
bad At nine miles, reached the Ranchero creek. No
| running water but that which is standing in pools is
good The descent and ascent bad and the bottom COW
cred with large and loose stones. To the Canon,
Sabna the country is rather barren and but few live
oaks to be The timber principally musquet.
This stream is also called the Cyprus and many fine
trees of that species, grow its banks Best camp
the west side Distance miles. To Little Indian
creek, miles, water except in pools, but that good
Timber musque Grazing but tolerabe. Best camp
on the west side where we stopped for the night Very
cold after midnight.
September 29M--Left at o'clock, 10 minutes Day
hot. Saw no game. Passed over barren and unnter-
esting country Very few live oaks and but little wood
of any description Arrived on the Fro AT 12 o'clock
distance 10 miles, and encamped on the west bank
deep and beautiful stream, water pure and cold Several
large live oaks the banks Bad grazing the east
bank, good on the west Encamped on the west bank.
September 3Oh.-Temperature OF air SO degrees---of
water 81 degrees, miles to the Leona. For dis
good grazing; for miles further the road is rough
and rocky For mile before reaching the Leona, the
ground is covered with thick growth of musquet, live
oak pecan, &C., mostly young The Leona is a beaut-
times full of water, and possesses uniform level Its
banks are low, and the passing bad; the bottom good,
but the banks muddy Water good and about 3 feet
inches deep We encamped on the west side. Grazing