The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-30
THE REPUB LIC.

WIN view 10 different meeting with our friend
Gomez, should we fall in with him.
1 had secured the services of the brave Captain
Skillman, the same gallant adventurer who, with
III men, dashed into the square Of FL Paso and
LOOK General Armijo in his own town. He had
volunteered the hazardous duty of going to Pre-
sdio, and there obtaining the baggage and papers
had ieft with such animals were fit to return.
lie was TO cross the mountains and attempt to join
me on the Pecos. could spare him but three men,
ana he left on his perlous adventure two days be-
fore US.
Our route now lay for l06 miles down the Rio
Grande, and following in the trail by which Gomez
had gone out with his last plumber, we were led
through hne pass of the Rio Grande hills, cut by
the action of water through an extensive formation
OF argillaceous and cacareous sandstone.
deserted camp of numberless lodges covered
the valley INTO which the pass emerged, showing
that here, too, the Apache had his home.
lrosslng an extensive prairie, or broad valley
lying between the Rio Grande mountains and the
Sierra Dlabolo, we entered the northwestern hills
OF that extensive range at point about 90 miles
| to the north and west of where we were met by
Gomez and his band
Here features of country entirely new presented
themselves. The mountains of granite and porphyry
further to the south of basatc rock, are the most
striking we have yet seen. Following an old Indian
path 1t led us to deep ravne, in which tricked
clear and cold mountain spring; from this it climbed
~ q otCCp pcTuOuS dSCcHt VI l,CUO IeoL, what
we at first thought was high hill in our course
1t proved to be elevated table valley from which,
surrounded by groves Of oak of every kind, and
large pines, the loftier peaks their heads. The
ascent was very severe, but amply repaid by the
magnifcence of the scene. Stopping to breathe, we
could see stretching far the porthward the yellow
prairie with the blue mountains of the Rio Grande
IN the distance, while beneath fearful depth Law
the ravine, relieved in its rugged grandeur by the
dark hues of clusters Of Spunsh oaks, and the oc-
casonal glitter of the rivulet in It's bottom. Our
march, refreshed by frequent springs, continued
over pleasant slopes and through superb scenery.
The aspect Of the whole Of this elevated table the
| pines and large oaks altogether so different from
any country yet explored by US, almost forced us
to the belief that were too far to the north for
our course. We attempted to extricate ourselves
from the mountains, now becoming rugged and
difficult, by following the course of creek; but after
hours of slow and toilsome progress between huge
walls and large masses of granite and basalt
| we were forced to retrace steps.
Despairing fthe road, we were suddenly relieved
by the discovery Of pass when most wished for,
and shortly had the satisfaction of resting on the
| head waters Of the Limpia
Marching by the Wild Rose pass, the scene of
our gloomy night escape, we continued with little
trouble and by rapid stages to the Pecos, taking in
our route and at convenient distance the springs of
| the Basin" the Awache, and the Escondido
Continuing down this river by its right bank, 20
miles below where we crossed before, we were
making preparations to ford when we were relieved
by the sudden appearance of Skilman and his men,
We had been very anxious about them. Indian
signs upon our march had been fresh and frequent
He, too, had met with Gomez, but we now learned
that that willy chief, finding that we had escaped
him and reached FL Paso, had in the mean time
moved nearer TO Preside, and fearing lest might
| come back with stronger party, had made treaty
with Mr. Leaton, and permitted Skillman to pass
unmolested through his whole tribe.
] march of two days, distance of about 35 miles
from the Pecos, brought us to the head springs of
the San Pedro, clear river which, after tortuous
course of some so or 60 miles, finds its way to the
Rio Grande. This stream, laid down on the maps
as the old boundary between the States Of Coahuia
and Chihuahua, is but little known. Disturnell's
map, an exceedingly incorrect representation, by
the way, of the geography Of this whole region,
puts down upon it an old Spanish fortress, called
Fort del Altar. We found no traces of it in a march
| from its head to its mouth The neighboring coun-
try is remarkable. The great limestone table ele-
Walton, so unbroken further TO the north, is here
| cut up by lnnumerabe ravines or canons Of great
| depth, and frequently showing the whole side but
| one perpendicular wall. The road here in several
places would require preparation, but tolerable
route is easily obtained by keeping the {" Divdedn
| for one half of the way, and the canons of the
Pecos for the other. We crossed the San Pedro at
| the "Panted Pass ~ an old ford of the Camanches-
| | gave II Its name from the Indian signs in it-de-
sccnding from the Divide by a picturesque canon
which showed in Its high walls numerous limestone
caves In one of the largest we stopped to noon
Here upon the walls the Camanches had painted
their rude sketches Of successful forays into Mexico
IL seemed that wherever the Indian had his choicest
| retreats and his most favorable routes, we were
bound TO 60
Here again we fell short Of provisions, but more
fortunate than before in the of our game the
spols Of five bears, and the successful prowess of
our hunter with the venison and the bees, kept us
abundantly supplied uuti we reached the settle
ments.
Crossing the San Pedro we emerged in the fine
Las Moras valley, extensive succession of roll
ing plains, waiered by numerous streams, timbered
with the llve-oak and pecan, and the mezquiie and
presenting the finest stock range and the richest soil
| had seen IN Texas The travelling was now ex-
celent, and this unbroken country extended to San
Antonio, towards which from the i" Painted Pass
our course had been nearly east
| After an absence of l04 days, long since given up
as lost by all but few of the most sanguine we
made our appearance in Bexar on the Oath of May
our long and tedious march having, by It's delay,
saved an encounter with the cholera which | con-
slider as another instance Of fortunate escape.
| brief summary Of the discovered route will not
be out of place IN this letter. IL is extracted main
ly from the report rendered in accordance with or
ders, Immediately upon arrival TO headquarters
| Of the 9Th and 9Th departments.
| Leaving point the Gulf near Lavaca il
passes through San Antonio, and thence westward,
| by the well-known VOL road, as far as Leona
Mound. Continuing general westerly course, il
crosses the Neuces some ~ miles from the Leona;
and ascending from the bed of that river to the pa-
teau beyond, passes the country already described
| to the painted Pass" Of the San Pedro; between
these two points 1t crosses, convenient distances,
the running water of the Plasano the Elm, the Las
Moros, the Loquete, the Pedro and the San Felipe.
| Thus in distance Of 100 miles, crossing six quite
large creeks, with their numerous tributaries. The
grazing, so far, is very good; beyond is not so
| fair.
Between the San Pedro and the Pecos, the labors
| Of the pioneers commence The road crossing the
| former at the "Palnted Pass" ascends on the
level Divide by the Gallon Of the Caves; this ca6on
is abundantly supplied with water few miles fur
Their; and on this Lepel table is found the Arroyo de
los Palos Blancos, a singular creek, the water Of
which appears TO be slightly suphureued; IT is,
however, drinkable. Two days march from the
Painted Pass reaches the head Of running wnter in
the San Pedro, and pother finds the so-called head
spring, clear lagoon Of living water, surrounded
| by n heavy growth OF ocean.