The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-12
Notes Of an Overland Journey to California.
n IL u z

discount made those who advertise By The
| Notes OF an Overland Journey to California.
| NUMBER SEVEN.
| May 22.-Wild cattle are getting plentiful: we |
have had three in the last day two. AT the |
usual hour, we left camp, and came twelve miles,
and stopped to noon then took the road, and about
| five O'Clock camPed making twenty-five miles this
| day.
May 23.-After travelling ten or twelve miles,
| we came a beautiful stream of pure water the
bed of the stream was formed Of solid fakes of
| rock. We stopped coupe of hours, and then
| travelled until dark. Some time during march,
| got the wrong trail, and had to retrace our
steps for some eight miles. We made about twenty
five miles on our course this day. The valley we
have been travelling through this day, is lovely
one left, the rocks up in every variety
Of shapes; sometimes assuming the form of an old
castle, with its tuTrets and others, the form Of
large church, with its tall spire ascending up to
heaven and various other shapes, according the
position fancy OF the gazer. | two rocks,
about twenty feet in diameter, rising up sixty
feet: they were on the edge OF ledge Of rocks,
and looked if the slightest thing would upset
them: they were joined together by piece that
, did not look larger than my body. 1t put in
mind of the Siamese Twins, on enlarged scale
: On right, rolling hills and the valley
through which travelled being low and marshy
and covered with rich green grass, it looked like
e velvet
II MAY 2l.-When we camped last night we did
not know exactly where were; but, this
0 ing, after going about mile we found we
the right track. About sunset, camped, Tin
sight OF place called Snnta Cruz land about four
I miles distant) on the banks of San Pedro River
!, My 25.-We came up to Santa Cruz, and
camped for the day, so that m ght get some
provisions. All we could get was some flour, fresh
: bread and beans got a cup OF milk, and
II | bread, which tasted delightful.
: Nay 26.-We have come about eight miles,
y | and have stopped to noon. There is great guam
. titles Of substance resembling gold in this valley
Is | believe it is mica. If it gold think ii
would not be necessary for to go any farther,
but stop here; for there is rancho on the river
which is deserted, and is plenty large for party
/ After resting spell we came on about eight miles
) further and camped. For the last ten twelve
days, it has been exceedingly warm in the day
and cold at night; cold, that the water IN oq
eanteens freezes. In the day, you want all you
clothes of; and at night all the coats and blanket
you eau get will not keep you warm.
up Nay 27.-We came long days travel making
oi thirty miles passed by several deserted rancho
and Indian villages.
- May 2S.-Went about fourteen miles, and stop
,g' ped to noon, a rancho that deserted la:
eli February. They were occupied in gold-diggng
1or but the Indians and drove them away, and
10 such hurry, that they had not time take the
a things with them. They have the finest inishe
ng church that have seen except the one in Chihua
we hua- There two three skulls lying nea
the church: we supposed them to be some OF tn
= poor Mexicans who were left behind. My horse
ok back has not got well yet; but my shoes hav
as given out, | am compelled to ride him fixed thu
saddle him this morning that it would no
= hurt the sore, and rode him. After | had got with
rs in about mile of the rancho, found that had
Tor left my canteen for carrying water: had to &c
back for it: | had to go some eight miles; but
could see nothing of it. | suppose the Indian,
= found it, and little fearful that they woulC
find me, too | had rather have lost ten dollars
than my canteen. In the afternoon we passed an
he other rancho, deserted in the same manner ths
T. one this morning. We camped for the night OF
~ fhsla
days. Distance this day, twenty-five miles.
a. May 29-Thinking that would tn,
stream few miles below where we camped W,
20 did not fl our kegs but we did not cross it so
q when we stopped to noon, there was scarcely any
e water in camp, and it was thought would no
come to water this night; and, OF course we wer'
all very dry, and wanted water very much, wher
ys heard it but after travelling until nine o'clock
p. M, over barren sand hills, to a stream
ar of water and camped, making about thirty five
y, miles this day.
rs May 3O-We found, this morning, that we hat
e. camped about mile from Indian village, an,
e, two miles from large rancho OF Mexicans an,
- friendly Indians. They have a beautiful httl
II church, but the houses all very poor, and bull
hn of mud. Some of the boys bought cheese, milk
IL beef and tortas, at this rancho. We went oil
Nv about eight miles, and now camped near
" place called Tucson. They say we will not com
to water, after leave here, until we strike III
= Gila River about ninety miles.
M May 3l.-We remained here all day, to recrui
I'd, the animals, before starting this desert Of nine
miles. Our camp has been crowded all day wit
= the Indians, and women There has bee
;ns quite brisk trade carried on between them an
en- party. Beads, Shirts ewelry, and such things
ITO readily exchanged for bread, penola beans
= meat, etc. Tucson is military post, and is IN
en last town the frontiers of the State OF Sonora
no The people of this place seem to be more intei
gent and less dishonest, than in many other part
! | of Mexico, went to town this morning, and go
oOa for picayune much mlik as | could drins
(some quart and-a-haf) 1t was very good, an
'qi June I've left our camp ground on the sout
auv side of Tucson in the morning, and came to WI
YES ter-hole about three miles this side We RENAME
i. there until half past four o'clock; and then too
the road and travelled until near three clock IN th
ical morning. making about thiry-ive miles this day
er a and no water.
wing June and 3.--Sarted at sunrise, and travele
but until twelve o'clock, NJ. After stopping a couple
/, as hours some Of us rode all night and came
Na NJ the Gia River about daylight Of the morning
ave- the Sd. The wagons came up about seven ocloc
ady and now camped for the day. The sun
lion ntoleraby hot, and there is no air Iii us
sra less for me to describe the scene when the maj
ioni body of party arrived the river. Mules at
he men rushed in indiscrminately, and drank as
the they had not seen water before for weeks. III
sn1d ground came is nothing but barren san
ighl hill; tits the toughest ninety miles have yet see
lual The Gla River is narrow, muddy, but very sw
5"s stream. Just before we left Tueson eight of
all original party, (that left when the party iii
the broke up, and divided into messes,) up: tn
ium looked as If they had seen hard times most all
ate, them were on foot This has been the most
h1 ,ne trip we have had since left chihuahua thu
lies, four OF the animals gave out, and some Of
che, boys who were foot suffered very much.
ton and few others, arrived at the river about d;
light but it was after dark before all the party
!, oi up and some OF them would not have arrived
for all il there had not have been water taken the
iden Jane Camp has not been moved to-day,
od there is grass here and we learn that Their
the none at the flgnlo village. We have all taken
me. vantage OF the rest to take bath in the III
MI which was very much needed.
June 5-We have moved camp about five m
or.- further down the river, that may be ne;
Al the village and the river. Here we intend remi
- ing until we have something definite about
H., Colorado River Ii is reported that it has o.
ehSs flowed its banks, and that it will not be possb
st. cross it for two three months. If that is 9
and in a nice fix, for none OF us have more
St months supply OF provisions and, from app
f, and anees much to be had at the Pgnio Villag
81 JltH,e 6-The Indians have been in camp
for day yesterday and to-day trading corn, beans,
-. s--l-a