Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-03

Massachusetts to procure more We crossed spur of
the mountain in direct line to the fort instead of going
round by their base thereby saving four five miles of
the distance The trail over the mountains is much OBJ
sructed by trees and brush but reached the fort
early hour and also avoided very troublesome marsh
where some Of our mules mired yesterday
n At the fort we engaged Juan Lente John Slow as
arriero (mueteer, and bought him mule. On return
ing to our last nights camping place. 1t Johnson gave
US an escort of two Dragons The weather was cool and
pleasant in the morning, but warm in the afternoon.
Having started from the fort at r. Nj. did not reach
the slough on the Del Norte until $50 p Nj.
The camp had left in the morning and had crossed the
bottom lands of the Del Norte eighteen miles in breadth
This crossing is at times difficult and dangerous
count Of the soughs and marshes, which
be altogether avoided, however by circuit Of few
miles.
Indians hunting wild horses The Indians the first
to discover party and of the foremost Of them
stood upright his horse in order to obtain better
view. He counted number and signazed his disco
very with his gun to his comrades who thereupon ap
preached at full speed They had their squaws with them
and some children all mounted on good horses and
quite friendly In the Of the day they lassoed
mustang but strauged him in their eagerness to
hm.-18 miles; 1856 miles
June 17.--Rogers and started at A. nj. and over
took party at $40 A. NJ as they were preparing to
raise camp We proceeded Immediately journey,
and coasted up the left bark of the Del Nore about ten
miles, and left it where it made bend to the westward
directing north to the Saltwater valley, the
commencement of the Coo0HAToPE PASS Before leaving
the Del Norte we asked the Indians whether there
water in the direction in which going; for the
Of the Saltwater valley about thirty
miles distant They replied that should find water
and grass by going round by the foot of the mountains
but by going direct The circuitous route they
commended would have occupied two days. whilst
hoped accomplish the distance direct before night Our
red friends unwilling with u.s. and bid
farewell. We parted with them friendly terms they
had spent the night in camp, and shared supper
and breakfast and smoked our pipes.
The plain as level as the to the foot of the
uhin,
of hills to the nornward indicated the entrance of the
Sahwatch. In fourteen miles from the point where
left the river crossed fine brook of clear and cold
water, called Rio De La Garta, (SenryBox creek. 1t
rises in the Sawwatch mountains and flowing east dis
charges itself into large lagoon at the foot of the Sierra
Mojada Wet Mountain in the northern part of the val
ley. Where crossed this stream the banks were
swampy though later in the this inconvenience
probably does exist wagons would do well
it nearer to the mountains the left. Our course
directly north in the face Of breeze which raised clouds
of dust wherever the soil loosened by animals
feet those riding in the much annoyed by it,
In ten miles from the Rio Garita abundant
spring. surrounded by good grass where rested
but moment to drink, though we had travelled steadily
since morning without eating and the Delaware had just
killed fat antelope. Bealc anxious however, to
reach the entrance of the Sah watch valley and regain
of the time unavoidaby lost Fort Massachusetts,
At the spring found trail leading to the Sahwatch
valley, and mules struck it they stepped
out with fresh spirit. The valley of San Luis to the
commencement of the Saltwater, is sngularly level
even the ground is smooth. In meeting horseman you
see his head first then his body then his horse like meet
ing ship sea- the smooth ground seeming only have
the natural of the earth The only vegetation
cepng in the vicinity of water artemisia cactus
and occasionally grama grass.
The valley Of the Sab watch has two entrances from
that Of San Luis. The which took being the
nearest is called by the Spaniards Ell Rncon del Sah
watch the Corner Of the Sab watch and 1t forms
off into Sahwach valley proper The main entrance is
few miles further We went up the Rincon three miles,
and encamped at sunset at spring Of excellent water,
where our mules found fine pasturage Rogers and my
self rode 6S miles this day and so the day before in
sequence Of having turned back; which mention to
show the facility Of travelling in this mountain region
90 miles; 786 miles.
June 18M-Mosquitoes allowed us but little rest last
night As animals had had rather hard days march
yesterday we did not raise camp until A. NJ and for
two and half miles was west by north. We
then turned to the norhward steep hills and
from their summit obtained glorious view Of the valley
The valley of the Sahwatch is perfectly level and from
two to FIVE miles in BREADTH gradually narrowing to the
westward. The rise Is mperceptibe il appearing like
continuation of the plain Of San Luis. An abundant
stream, the Sah-watch, broad the Huerfano and
deeper, flows through its centre and emptes into the la
COON in San Luis valley The surface of the valley is
covered with fine grass and the hills and mountains
clothed with tall pines We travelled fourteen miles fur
ther, and encamped at in small valley running
into the main one. All the lateral valleys rich in
grass, and noticed very excellent sandstone The
thcr was clear and pleasant, and the wind west
On resuming our march in the afternoon assembled
the small valley il shortened distance by couple
Of miles, and re-entered that Of the Sahwach After
ride Of eight miles encamped, p. NJ, at the
trance Of the celebrated CoocHAToPE Pass.
The Coochatope Pass is a most wonderful gap and is
in fact natural GATE, its denotes in the Utah
language The Sahwach creek flows past In front Of the
gate the water reaching above saddle grths where
we crossed it. The Sahwach valley maintains its level
character to this point and fact for several miles above
until 1t was shut from our view by q About
mile above the Coochaope is the entrance to the Car
nero Pass, which regretted to have time to
inc. military post placed in Sahwatch valley between
the two would be OF Infinite service holding the Utah
Indians in check They descend into the Luis valley
most frequently through these passes and it is here that
fort would be most useful in preventing their incur
sions or their retreat with their booty The mountains
clothed with timber from their base to their SUBMITS
the valleys with luxurant grass and COOL clear
tain streams tumble into them every side The dis
tance from the nearest New Mexican settlements the
Cuebra is only about hundred and twenty miles, and
the intervening country is perfect level These valleys
would then be settled and cultivated for 1t is only
of ate since the establishment OF the post Fort Massa
chuses that settlements of consequence have been
made on the Costa and Cuebra creeks.
Our Delaware, in commemoraon Of arrival at this
point, killed mountain sheep and a dozen sticks
were around the fire which roasting pieces Of this
farfamed meat; but this bad specimen being old
and tough.
On each side of the Gate the mountains rise in abrupt
and rocky precpices the the right being the high
est We climbed up the left one, which is but confused
mass Of rocks In their crevces found many beauti
fu and sweet-scanted flowers The bottom of Coocha-
tope Pass level and at right angles with the Sab
watch valley. Thus far had reached twenty miles
into the mountains from San Luis valley without any ap-
parent change of level Had il not been for the
of the waters it would have been difficult for us have
guessed whether were ascending or descending and
question arising about il in the party was only decd
ed by going to the stream and noticing its course22
miles; S08 miles.