The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1853-09-24

miles, ana says that II emptes into fhe Colorado
or miles below camp, and that there is below
us valley Of good SOIL and grass in abundance
Where we struck this stream there s neither tim
Der nor grass.
In the evening we travelled miles south, to
avoid mountains, and Ms many east
The country was level, but wlhout grass or
timber.
The mountains, or perhaps more properly hills,
that we have thus far met with, are nothing more
than elevations Of various forms and dimensions,
dispersed in detached and irregular manner over
ayast and otherwise uninterrupted plateau Hence
| have constantly termed the country level, and
very properly, as il may be traversed in all diec-
lions among the solitary and detached elevations
or mountains, without the necessity of crossing
them.
August lst. Travelled 20 miles east, and found
spring of good water the grass was abundant,
and cedar trees were seen on the highlands. The
country is level and the soil inferior.
Aug. ID. Made 10 miles east, crossing noun
tain or ridge where we found fine pass, grass and
timber, (cedar and phon) abundant
Aug. 3d. Travelled 20 miles south Of east over
a country somewhat broken; timber and grass
abundant. Indians were around us. in numbers,
all day shooting arrows every moment, They
wounded some Of our mules, and my famous mare
Dolly, who has so often rescued me from danger
by her speed and capacity Of endurance.
Aug. 4th. We moved 10 miles south to avoid
mountains, and struck valley which we left
few days since, and which extends to the Colorado.
The mountains which we left are covered with
timber Grass and water were found in plenty.
The indians commenced firing on us at sun rise
and continued until we reached camp Arrows
passed through the clothes Of several of the men.
and three passed through my own clothes, and
was slightly wounded by two others in different
places. An arrow passed through the collar of
Dick Williams We killed several Of the indians
and wounded more. Peter Prudom accidentally
shot himself in the right knee.
Aug. 9TH. Travelled 10 miles southeast In
valley no water grass and timber in abundance
on all the mountains.
| Aug. 9th. Continued 10 miles southeast in the
same valley in which we travelled yesterday /;
found no water, but good grass, and plenty of
timber on and below the mounain' As our sick
men are unable to travel, we are suffering for
water, having been nearly three days without any !;
and indications are not now favorable. Indians
still around u.s.
Aug. 7th. Travelled 10 miles southeast. half
the distance IN the same valley, and then went 10
mountain and found good water, grass and tim
ber All the mounains in this country are cover
ed with cedar, pine and phon. Tie grass Is good
in all the prairies, but none of them have any
water. The soil is sandy and full of particles Of
mica Indians are numerous, and continue to fire
upon us.
Aug Sth. Made Is miles east-south. east, cross
ing little chain of mountains, where we found
level pass, and timber, grass and water in abun-
dance. Crossed stream running from northeast
to southwest, which think goes to the Colorado.
After crossing the mountains, we passed through
fne valley, with an abundance of good spring
water, and timber near it. The indians attacked
the camp several times last night, but without
success, and continued fighting us during the day,
but with less boldness and resolution.
Aug. 9th. After proceeding 8 miles east, we
found ourselves surrounded by cObons, apparently
from one to four thousand feet deep; al least we
sometimes could not see the bottom. We were
compelled to return to the same camp. The
country is high and level, and well supplied with
timber, grass and water.
Aug 10. Moved 10 miles southeast over a
somewhat broken country Crossed stream OF
good water, (wth timber along its course,) whirh
evidently tributary Of the GilS The country
indicates gold in abundance We crossed little
chain Of mountains where we found great guam
tity Of silver ore in flint rocks
Aug 18th. Travelled south east over country
little broken, but well supplied with water, grass
and timber. Indications Of gold still exist.
Aug. 18th. Made Is miles southeast, crossing
the bed Of large stream now dry, with plenty of
timber alongit. Struck the valley which we left
some FIVE or six days ago, having crossed few
days ago the head waters Of stream which passes
through it. This valley will be Of the utmost i'm
portance in the making Of wagon or rail road,
To-day, for the first time on this trip, we ate
dinner Of mule meat II was new dish TO most
Of our men, and made some Of them sick. To me
it was an old acquaintance, and feel well. II
only served to remind me Of hard times on other
journeys. The quality Of the meat depends on the
appetite Of the man. Several Of us are now on
foot
Aug. 18th. Marched 20 miles east, leaving to
our right the great valley so often mentioned, and
which extends to the Colorado. Passed through
a little valley between two mountains, where we
found timber, grass and water in abundance. The
soil was excellent
We here met indians, who professed to be very
friendly, with papers Of recommendation from the
rommanding oficer of Fort Yuma on the Ga