The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-22
Correspondence of the Proridsnee Journal.
Mexican Boundary Commission.
CAMP NEAR FREpKRIcKsBuRo,
TEXAS, October Is, 1850.


March from San drtonio.-Here we are, on the
very confines of civilizaton.-on the dividing line
between the furtbest settlements and the Indian
country. But, in truth, wchaye been in the Indian
country for four days, for generally found but
one house, or rather log hut often once in ff-
teen miles, with no trace of settlement or inhsb
liant between. Beyond this there is no white in
habitant till reach FL Paso.
We left San Antonio four DAYS ago, with a small
party Of thirty men. This party consists Of twenty
Of our engineers, all mounted, selected among the
stoutest and bravest mon OF our company--a black
smith, wheelwright, carpenter, barncssmaker, and
stonocutter, (Mr. Smith, OF X. Id cooks aud la
borers, and spies. We have six wagons laden with
provisions and baggage, including spring
wagon with seats, (KDown in the army
bulance,) to ride in when necessary, and to carry
any one who may be sick. These are each drawn
by five mules. This constitutes our whole party ,
twenty Elk, all mounted, and all armed as we'll
as can be. We hope TO reach FL Paso in twenty
five days, unless detained by rains or accident.
will give you short account now of our journey
from San Antonio.
IN Open Bipouac-The first day we did not
reach our watering place and camping ground till
dark. IL was so pleasant that young men
thought that they would not pitch their tents but
bivouac the ground in the open air Mr. Thur.
ber alone pitched his tent The blankets were
spread, and by nine O'Clock all we're their bac ks
and the camp was still. About midnight we were
aroused by the pattcring of rain, the bowling Of
the wind, peals of heavy thunder, and flashes Of
vivid lightning. Such a squirInng there was in
Camp-nOt place was there TO shelter ones head.
The young men bad no mothers To tuck up
their bed clothes or to close their windows. Their
only alternative was TO wrap their blankets around
them the closer and let il rain. number
crowded into Mr.. Thurbers tent, but they had
scarcely reached il when gust OF wind laid it
PROSTATE. Then came confusion but in a few
minutes a lantern was lighted and the tent again
set up was listening 70 the pattering Of the rain,
with all my sympathics for my suffering comrades
at their height, when out burst hearty laugh
from the ughtcd tent at their sad predicauent aud
the next a song, in which all joined. They con
unued this singing long the storm LASTED,
winch was some two hours, when they quietly sank
down on their wet beds TO slecp.
IL is not necessary to say that all wero up with
the sun, Tor II only required daylight 20 set the
at work To get themselves out OF the pickle they
were in Things were picked up in their wet state,
breakfast was taken, when cup Of coffee revived
us all, and at o'clock our march.
But the rain Of the preceding night had made sad
havoc with The roads. which were Isuddy
that it vas with great difficulty our mules could
draw the heavily loaded wagons. This day we
only made fifteen miles, and did not reach our
place OF cncampment till clock in the afternoon
We then spread out our blankets in the sun and got
somewhat dry before night.
a Professor aud Lbrnry.-This is the only
really interesting rather tng incident in our
march from San Antonio. The road over which
we have come is wrctched most of the way-rocky
beyond description--very hilly, with some hills Of
considerable elevation. On the banks Of the Guada-
lupe river, which is about eighty to one hundred