The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-03
From Tho Nanonsi inbciisenccs.
Pacific Railway.
Interesting Litter from DIR. Harris Hsp 70 Colsnsl
Bsaioa oa Tie Cenirai R0afs. 50.
FoRr MASSACHUSETTS. IN. M. , June 5, is,

Interesting Lea.r from DIR. Harris Iksp 10 Colonel
Bs"tea oa t4s Cenira, Roas. -
FoRT MASSACHUSETTS. IN. M, June s, 1883.
DEAKsIR addressed you short letter from Fort AT
knsoa on the 25Ih May. The weather was so bad
lrany that did not leave the fort until the next day
We started on The 26th though il was still raining
hard. On the 3st passed Bents Fort. now in ruins
and on the is June reached The point on the Ark
where according to our maps, we shouid have found
The mouth OF the Hueriano informed you in my last
that we had left Leoux at Fort Atkinson quite i'll with
peunsy. We were therefore compelled to rely mainly
on our maps, not man in our party having been over
This route before, We did not find the Huerano until
we had assembled The Arkansas twenty i've miles
further. Our first view OF il was from long line of
bluffs which parallel with it the east. We first
saw Il about four miles from lis mouth. and found il
heavily umbered. with fine grass both in the bottom and
on The adjoining praires. II is bold, rapid stream,
from fifteen twenty yards wide, and about five deep
the channel, near where We made our first camp on IT,
As II was desirable TO cross II that afternoon, we could
not 90 10 It's mouth. aYtl
OF the four maps we had with we found the one
compiled by order OF Colonel Monroe in 1851 and drawn
BY Kerr, 10 be the most correct yet the bearings OF The
mouth OF The Huerano are very enormously laid down
on it. According 10 our observations Pixies peak bore
WI SouihsrS se.ns9 peak H. ey o WI and az Northern
fano.
After crossing the Huerano our route lay on its
ern Tor leiD bank We found the grasses everywhere
abundant and rich, much more so than on the
We camped on.h nighIaf the I'd mile below the canon
On the 81 we went 10 the foot OF the mountains On the
scrabble and Greenhorn. leading through The pass
the Sangre de Christie, and cainped that night the
head waters Of the Cuchadas FORK OF the Huerano We
here found the finest and uxurian grasses of any
point our route. There would not be the least Diff
Guilty for small party OF men 10 make excellen,
wagon road through this pass Unto the valley of San
Louls) IN very few days As tis, wagons can come
through. 4
About three-quarters Of mile from camp, on the
morning OF the 3h we came to the head-wa OF the
Sangre de Christie creek Complying into the Del Nore
improperly called Indian creek the map; and follow
ing lis course, reached at 230 the spot indicated
the map al the War Department as the locality OF Fort
Massachusetts, about three miles above the junction OF
Indian and Utah creeks Not finding the fort here,
we assembled Utah creek about eight miles, and dis
covered al the entrance OF gorge OF the mountains
Major Blake, The commanding officer, received us very
Hospitality W.H8 9H c
The foit webuilt stockade OF pine log., ten fee,
in height pointed at the end. and enclosing very COM
Portable quarters tor one hundred and fifty men.
There Mexcans settled here. the nearest being
on the CuebTe about thirty miles below The valley OF
San LUIS well watered by several fine streams, and at
lords very excellent pastuage. The CANA grass grows
in uxuIiantly, and wild oats and wheat attain great
height The land the streams is very rich and pro-
ductiye.
Not finding possible to procure mules here, OF even
guide mueteer, Beale started the 9th instant for
Taos, with MAJOR Blake to procure them there if posi-
MA with sheep and CATTLE and have taken with them all
the best mules and men, Kit Carson started Snc time
ago with large flock of sheep.
Our delay here will give 10 the mules and they
fast picking up strength and fees. the rich pasturages
OF the Utah creek. having biscuit baked and beef
jerked for the remainder OF our journey.
We have had an ample supply OF game every day since
leaving Wespor, the Missouri frontier We found the
plains, particularly between the Arkansas and the noun
tans, teeming with deer, antelope, &c.
have kept copous notes of every hng that thought
might be interesting which hope will be acceptable to
you. have also taken numerous sketches.
Our trip has thus far been most satisfactory. The
weather has generally been good batting the rains Of
some days The health OF the party is excellent. Mr.
Riggs left his gou. at Council Grove and his rheumatism
at Fort Atkinson. We have not been molesled by In
dams We passed daily large trains OF wagons and cat
lie going California The mail reaches here in thirty
days. We came in twenty. on, days, having lost one
day al Fort Atkinson. The distance from Independence
nine hundred miles. By the route we came it is seven
hundred and twelve. We did not make single camp
without an abundance OF good grass and water, nor
saw anywhere the slightest impeachment 10 good wag-
road.
BeaIe will probably be back in two or three days, and
will write to you before we leave the fort.
The hest pass through The Sierra Blanche or Sangre
de Christie mountain is through Robdoux's pass, which
is broad valley offering impeachment whatever to
wagons. A few could clear away the bushes and
dead timber faster than wagon could travel. You will
receive letter from citizens OF New Mexico, CIV
log description OF the country between the Hueriano
and Grand river, he east fork OF the Grea, Colorado OF
the Wes an confirming Lerouxs statements in all es-
sen,al particulars.
II wagon road is made through this portion of New
Mexico TO California it " ouid not only shorten the dis
travelled by several hundred miles, but settle
mems would spring in all the rich valleys which
are embosomed in these mountains. The fertile valley
OF San Luis the best part Of New Mexico bu, for want
OF enterprise il is very sparsely settled.
No obstacle 10 railroad has thus far been seen by
great found on the line from Washington
to Baltimore and told that the remainder of the
route is still level. Snow seldom falls in Robidouxs
pass, and then very lightly We would have gone
through it, only for want OF guide We took The In
dian trail instead OF the wagon road. We could see the
pass very plainly from route, and il evidently
bat little elevated above the general level a, the foot Of
the mountains Ii is broad, smooth valley, with Just
sufficient elevation the centre to divide the waters
flowing into the Arkansas from those dscharging into
the Del Norle.
P.S--l4ih. Beale has just returned with some mules
and guide We start early tomorrow. He says that
be wrote to you from Santa Fe.
Hon. THOMAS H. BENTON.