The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-13
The Expedition to Ell Paso.


CAMP THE LEoNA, June IA, 1919.
The9png contemplated expedition to FL Paso is
at length under way, with fair prospect of sue
cess. Never did an undertaking meet with so
many obstacles. 1t was have sci out two months
ago, but from various causes was delayed, until
the patience of most of the emigrants who design
ed to accompany il became exhausted, and most of
them have set out to try the journey alone.
Two months before General Worth's death, he
had sent two engineer officers, Lieutenants Smith
and Whiting, with a party of fifteen men, under
the guidance of Mr.. Peter r. Brady, formerly of
Washington Ciy-a young gentleman who ranks
among the most adventurous and experienced from.
tlersmen IN Texas-to explore route for the troops
to FL Paso. After innumerable difficulties and
perils, they succeeded in returning to San Antonio,
having discovered a route afIording abundance of
wood and water the whole way. They arrived a
day or two after General Worth's death. The Sd
infantry, who were to accompany the expedition
as an escort, and also with view to the establish
ment of military post at FL Paso, were encamsed
on the banks of the Salado, a stream within about
five miles of San Antonio In night the river
rose thir:y feet, overlooking its banks, and sweep
ing off the tents, military stores, and private pro-
perty of officers and men, who barely escaped with
their lives. This loss it took long time to supply
Another cause OF the delay the prevalence
of the cholera. This dreadful scourge more than
decimaed San Antonio, and committed sad havoc
IN the ranks OF the Bird Infantry. All these things,
combined, tended to delay the expedition; but
there is no doubt that there was among many of
the officers spirit Of opposition to the enterprise
which was, perhaps, after all, the strongest OBJ
stacle to its speedy accomplishment The two
commanding officers, however, General Worth,
and General Harvey, who succeeds hun, were re-
solved TO obey instructions, Notwithstanding the
unpromsing aspect OF affairs and the energy and
perseverance OF the quartermaster, Captain French,
have succeeded In bringing every thing into proper
order. 1t is now, at length, at such point that
there Is ne thing TO do but To proceed.
Here, on the Leona, which is ninety miles from
San Antonio, the whole expedition is encamped-
the Sd Infantry, under command ot Major Henry,
the quarermaster department, under command of
Captain S. B.iFrench, and The engineers, uader
Colonel ohnson The latter leaves day for the
Nueces, having TO go IN advance, as some portion
Of the rou,e requires cutting, in order facilitate
the passage OF the wagons The quartermtser's
train goes next, and the Sd Infantry bring up the
rear. The expedition is commanded by MAJOR
Van Horn.
Perhaps more hazardous enterprise has never
been got up by the government. The immense
train Of men and animals must subsist, after they
leave this place, on the supplies brought along, as
between this point aud FL Piso there no corn or
any other provisions TO be obtained. Hostile Ia
dians, too, swarm 1t is not at all probable they
will attack the train but their iOrbearance will be
compulsory, merely as they could not hope for sue
cess in attack on such force Ii was the
Apaches who surrounded Brady's party, and de-
tanned then. one night The email ldnd of Am-ri-
cans bad TO resort 10 the representation that they
were but portion of force In the rear, who
would assure revenge their death IN case they
were killed. ne sdvages were commanded by a
half-bred mar .d Gomez, who had killed his own
father a Jews days before, IN brawl. Thus gentle
man had the greatest dlssoslton IN the world to
fear Of retaliation. These people, seeing the inu-
tility Of fighting, come TO trade with the train,
and in that case advantageous impression may
be made on them.
.tiful river than the Leona, on the banks OF which
we are encamped. II is deep and rapid stream,
not more than twenty-five yards broad at thus
point, its banks fringed with DARK green foliage,
and It's bed almost lned with the trout and the cat
fish For several hundred yards on either side II is
,skirted with growth OF musqulta and acacia trees
the real acaoia Tree of the East, with ITS delicate leaf
and golden blossoms. Here the red deer browse,
as may be known by the frequent crack OF the
rifle, and the savory steam that ascends from al.
most every camp fire. villa turkeys and wild
hogs are also found, and yesterday our mess was
presented with some wild honey that some crafty
bee-hunter had discovered short distance from
camp.
A Mexican muleteer has lust come in, and re-
ported Indian sicn" about four miles from imp,
down at Il bend III The river. From the number OF
fires, he juo.es there were some thirty Indians,
but Of what tribe he is unable to say. As two
mules were missing last evening, and as the lariat
~
supposed these Indians are the thieves. The cap
tain has, in consequence, ordered the guard TO be
doubled e-night, and has sent out traers to watch
for more "sign."
The weather is excessively oppressive, but at
night cool breeze springs up, rendering blanket
quite comfortable. But at SIX O'Clock IN the morn
ing the sun is already hot, and at three IN the after
noon II il scarcely bearable. The river affords US
a fine ccol bath IN the evening, which almost COM
pensates for the fiery heat OF the weather. There
is one peculiarly IN Texas which mars the effect
Of its otherwise beautiful scenery. One seldom
sees a beautiful sky. have not seen a fine sun
rise or a fine sunset since came To the country.
You have often heard enthusiastic young gentle
men expaiiate on the pleasures of campaigning;
and II certainly has Its pleasures IN good weather.
But it has ils drawbacks, likewise, among which
may be set down lips burned almost TO cnder,
face literally skinned rattesnakes and tarantuas,
red bugs and ticks, and sand ilies, which, espe-
cially the red huge, are vile torment as the
Egyptians ever endured. The little rascals,
scarcely bigger than the point OF pm, pierce into
the flesh. where they burow, raising great
botches, and causing an itching that almost drives
one crazy. They are no. only serious annoy
ance but often highly injurious to the health.