Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10


[Coninusd from the National Insgencer Of December g..
RETURN TO TAOS, NEW MEx1co. es~
No time was lost in collecting and saddhng the ami
mails and our packs being reduced from eleven three
they soon loaded Those whose saddles went dowr
with the canoe used their blankets instead and at fou
p. NJ we started to return to New Mexico The defea
which had sustained at the river and the consequen
delay caused of the party to be in low spirits
regrets We're determined to return again
and 80 well provided as to prevent second failure VIZ
measure back Days travel eight miles. Distance
from Grand River eight miles.
June 3O-We were in saddles at SUNRISE for the
hghtness of our baggage occasoned waste of time
packing Those of the party who had lost their blankets
in the passed cold night under their saddle
Our breakfast consisted of few spoonsful of ato corn
meal mush, washed down with coffee without sugar
and although our repast far from paatable found
it wholesome and filing which latter property was to us
OF much Importance. The mules had been much haras
sed by the various attempts made to drive them
the river and by the mosquitoes and gades yet they
had picked up both flesh and spirit and appeared happy
to be treadng once dry land where they were
not exposed to the momentary danger of sinking into
mudhole We therefore travelled rapidly and at $50
NJ reached the NA-wA-QUA-sITcH, (Sheep-Tail Creek
Utah tongue fortythree miles from last encamp-
ment 1t was here that had previously experienced
some difficulty in crossing and where pair of saddle
bags, containing many articles of yauesto lost
The road during the day the same which had be-
fore travelled In going to Grand Rver the face of the
country was generally perfectly level offering to view
but little OF interest until reached the foothills of the
SAH-WATcH RANGE, which entered by a val
ley, watered by small riyulet This we followed up
about twenty miles, the country rapidly improving
advanced into the mountains We crossed the NA-wA-
oUAsITcH below the forks and followed up its right bank
about two miles. All around US the hills and mountains
covered with rich verdure; beautiful copses and
groups OF trees diversified the scenery giving it the
Pearance OF settled country only wanting dwellings to
render the illusion perfect.
As the grass at this place rich and nutritious
timber abundant and fine streams rrigatng every val
ley it was selected by Beale for encampment where
he would await my return from New Mexico with fresh
supplies Wagner, Young Dick Brown 1.-THE Delaware J
and Filipe Archete, r would remain with him, and
to take Filipe Archiete, (Peg-leg) guide; and
was also accompanied by those Of the party who pre-
ferred going the longer route California via Fort Lara
me and Great Salt Lake. rng another with
Grand River and the unknown hardships beyond Days
travel AZ miles; distance from Grand River 81 miles,
July LIT not until o'clock that started from
Beale's camp the Na-wa- qua-sitch He and the
who remained with him had many letters to WRITE which
caused detention. We left Beale with regret for
who could foresee what might happen to him and his
small party in this lonely region particularly the
approaching when the Indians would be return
ing here from buffalo hunting In addition to other
for anxiety, had but small store of provi-
sions, consisting OF cornmeal and coffee which,
when divided between the parties gave each barely
enough for three days subsistence The Delaware had
gone out hunting at early hour, and, we lost sight
Of the camp, him descending mountain at some
distance with deer behind his saddle which he
ryng into Beale's camp.
The Rio de la Laguna, where had lost nearly day
in crossing packs had fallen slightly and had
but little that could be injured by water, rode
mules without stopping At p. Nj. we reached
RioJdroo (Willow Creek where the trail leading TO the
Puerto del Carnero Aountatnsep Pass branches off on
the south side from that to the Coo-chatope Pass We
took it, and here commenced ascending long and mar
gorge which led by easy ascent to the summit
Of hill, where we encamped at p. NJ near an abun-
dant spring Ii would be needless repetition to mention
again the u1urance of the grass which covered the val
leys, hisdes, and mountains for al through the Sah-
watch range the country maintains the rich and
fertile character Our last meal in the morning, and
consisted of ball Of dough, which to Of bore
fanced resemblance to the old Virginia hoe-cake. The
soothing effects Of this delicious morse stomachs
had for many hours passed away and been forgotten 50
that when gathered around the campfire to parake
Of a soup of grouse shot by Pegeg nine hun
cry would have been difficult find We during
the day many deer and anteopes, but the only rife in
the company Peg-leg's, and it had been much
damaged to render it almost useless for longshot
40 miles; 81 miles.
July 2.-I passed a miserable night; it was cold and
frosty, with piercing north wind. My saddle-blsnke
the only cover had, and it thin and thread
bare that il impaired scarcely any warmth We sadded
up and started at sunrise, directing nearly
due east The trail led mountain covered with
thick pine forests interspersed with rich meadows,
waered by clear rlls until reached por
ton Of the range where hurricane whrlwind had
years ago, uprooed and strewed in every direction
forest Of tall pine trees These occasioned us some
trouble in crossing but finally got through tbem and
commenced gradual descent the eastern side OF the
range. Peg Leg and riding at distance be
fore the Of the party when upon crossing the summit
OF hill suddenly found ourselves in the midst OF
large flock of tame goats, behind which band Of
fifty mounted Utahs, to whom they belonged. They i'm
edately gathered around and overwhelmed us with
questions but civil, and seemed ghthearted and
merry Most Of the had good rifles and their horses
all in fine condition My first thought upon meeting
these Indians the possibility of replenishug our
arder with dried meat and Peg Leg sooner informed
them that had been short for several days
than they dismounted unpacked their animals and from
their store presented me with plentiful supply Of dried
buffalo, deer, and antelope flesh. Men, women, and chill
dren crowded around my mule each handing me parce
oil meat and although apparent that they expect
ed nothing in return, gave them as good supply o.
tobacco powder lead, and percussion caps i coulC
spare; but nothing delighted them as much ms box
ucfer matches for having showed them that by simple
friction they might produce blaze their oy was great
and soon each member Of the band had performed thu
feat Of kindling fire.
Our party by this time had overtaken US but fearnt
that the amicabe relations happily existing nigh
be disturbed desired them not TO stop retaining only
pack animal TO load with the which had obtained
With these Indians many squaws and children
The former rode asde of the packs but the boys SOM
Of whom were not more than five years Of age, wer
mounted spirited horses, which they managed will
much dexterity and grace and were armed with smal
bows and arrows OF which they held with the bow
their left hand ready for service The chiefs urged us
encamp with them that they might treat with goats
milk and have talk but considered IL prudent
separate from them before any Of disagreement
should arise the good understanding that exise
between besides, ii early in the day for
stop ] told them, however, that in the direction