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


much as possible from the weight As il was near dark
we camped, having made march OF eighteen miles |
then caused the To search the banks OF the but
they found nothing but CEDAR and that OF snted growth
On removing the wheel, found that the spindle had
broken about four inches from the shoulder there
fore took of the iron skeins, Strengthened Them and re-
placed Them, so as to strengthen the broken part We
were delayed several hours In making these repairs. AT
length we started off, all watching the wheel with
anxious hearts for the cloudy sky presaged storm, and
we feared that we might be caught without shelter AT
ter marching four miles came to very rough hill
and here, as had hoped, We found piece of oak which
had belonged TO passing wagon. II exactly the
right size, although not sufficiently long TO make
axle therefore determined 10 splice the broken one
We did not go far from this place before the spindle
broke oil, and we were thus compelled TO camp in little
valley completely exposed 10 the wind. The wagon was
then unoaded, and we quickly set TO work, hoping we
might be able TO finish the repairs before night and then
seek the shelter of the timber. But the work was not
easy Tor our tools were very dull and the weather
cold that the hands of the got too stiff to work with
facility We, however, made the splice to our saisac
ton, but were obliged to wait until daylight TO put on the
| iron work.
| January 6M-We were aroused very early this morn
! ing by severe snewstorm. We built large fires near
the spot where we were working, but they did not pre-
vent the Increased cold from offering great impeachment
The mules were then looscd and driven 10 The timber,
der charge of the guard OF last night The men built
watchhres IN the cedar forests which covered the hill
sides, and made themselves very comfortable. AT 10
O'Clock il ceased showing Although our labors seemed
to proceed rapidly than during the storm, yet
hands would get stiff that they seemed to be freezing
/
obliged frequently 10 return To the fires before the
Joints would bend The exercise, however, and the ex
element OF remedying our mishap KEPT cut bodies
warm. about two O'Clock ready to march, and
| had proceeded about three miles, when we met some
teanisiets On foot trudging towards Santa Fe. They
told US the snow was 50 deep that nearly all their cattle
had broken down, and they Obliged to stop at the
.Rayado," where the main body would have 10 ieinan
until spring They told that would not be able to
proceed beyond where they were eneamPed and SAID 1t
! the five feet deep These men had started IN
for the purpose of reporting the condition CT the tram to
| the quartenmaster.
As the snow rendered our progress extremely difficult,
we obliged to stop before we had proceeded more
than four miles Lad hoped 10 reach the "Rayado" this
night we, however, found good canning pttce on the
side OF hill covered with cedar trees. The All was
STILL but intensely cold the faces OF my men were cover
ed with frost from their CONCEALED breath even the BAR
on theft oteheads end unshayen faces was one mass OF
frost-work We all crowded atoLrtd the first fire that
was made, which, although it burnt cheerfuy, seemed
to throw out heat whatever The night was too cold
to sleep, and when, at midwaich, the guard came to m
qulre the time ] got up and sat by my campfire The
stars shdne most Brilliantly as Il they had come forth IN
their warnest glow to BID defence {" the cold night
We up By daylight the next morning, ana soon on
the march the air still piercing cold and so full OF frost
that wagon wheels made loud screechlnG as they
passed through, similar TO the noise made by large Hook
of black birds After march OF four milee we reached
the ''Rayado !" feared lest we should have trouble ID
crossing but the ice was covered with snow, and, iortu
natey, sufficiently strong to bear Tie weight OF the
wagon Here we found the wagons and Party that
the men we met yesterday had told us OF; Their
cattle were wandering about with their yokes yet
9asome extremely FEEBLE scarce able ,hn move we
plunged into two feet in depth. Through this we
labored for one mile and half, stopping every few
minutes to let cur mules take breath. AT length we
reached TIC bp Of the slope, and found the highest
ground that the snow not more than four inches
deep; therefore marched with much more ease at
late hour we reached the 'Rio Poni, and found diff
cult crossing The banks were steep and frozen that
the wagons slid rapidly down in spite OF and
all the efforts of the The leading mules no sooner
-, Al a. fxx
such slippery footing The wagon stW flushing on threw
all the animals together in pile upon the ice we were
then obliged to unhtch them, and work the wagon along
by hand cutting the ice clear in front Of the wheels with
our axes; fortunately OF the mules were hurt, and
crossed the second wagon without difficulty as the
road was now prepared Ms encamIea a, ihs paIhe
impedimens offered by the excellent progress.
January sh-As we could not march further than
we did not start until after sunrise, short dis.
lance from camp tributary entered the "Pohi,
which was more difficult TO pass than the river
itself /, however, cntised the men 10 hack the ice
with their axes and sprinkle il over with eah and had
both hind wheels Of the wagon locked besides causing
the portion Of the ieloes in contact with the ground to
be wrapped with chaIns IN order to create some
friction against the steep and smooth SIDES Of the frozen
bank whilst ropes also attached to the hinder axle,
so that the men could assist III holding back We then
commenced the descent but the bark Hag so slippery
with snow and hardened with frost, that all our precau-
tons were of little use down the wagon rushed so rap,
idly that the mules could not keep out OF the way and
gether in the middle OF the river. We soon unfasened
traces and beaschans and got the mules on their teet
and finding none Of them hurt, hitched up again ana
pulled up the opposite bank. We reached the Vermjo
about midday and although the banks were pretty steep
I'VE crossed without great difficulty, if except the ascent
of the further sde where the difficulties were due rather
to the iagued of the mules than the steepness OF
the ascent This evening | had all my men drawn out
for tatget- firing measured Oft, with tape lne one
hundred Yards and at that distance they shot well did
everything to encourage them in the of Their rifles
and from this time caused daily detail OF TOUR TO be
made for hunting under promise OF considerable reward
TO the one who should succeed in procuring the most
game The next morning we were up at 4 o'clock, and
on the march before 3. The snow made II sunciehtiy
inh for us to see the road For some time the clouds
looked dark and stormy; bat at last the day settled INTO
drzzing fall of minute particles OF snow, winch an
moved us by obsc,,rng the view OF the mountains we
thus lost sight of many features OF the country which
would have been pleasant TO recognise they were
old friends indicating our progress The ground was al
most entirely free from snow but the day was exceed
ingly cold so that frequently Obliged to dismouni
ana walk in order to keep warm Several times found
nv moccasins frozen fast TO the srrups AT O'Clock
the wagons reached the "Canadan" which at this point
stream about half mile, and found plenty OF dry
wood and some grass for our mules at night we ued
them up and gave them corn. n
The next morning (January l0th) we entered the IA
ton. The first hill stopped us, as we were Obliged 70
double teams and with all efforts, II was impossible
method Of using the leverage given by the length OF the
spokes in the hinder wheels We had to cross the Ration
creek several tines and at last reached place where the
road follows its bed Here the constant overlooking ana
freezing of the water had filled up the bed OF the stream
with smooth we therefore, were forced TO ascend
the banks and the stream took turn, passing close
under precip,ous bluff, necessary to recross IT.
Ia, nrIo to, do ia NVerp