The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-23


parts Of whole which required third. made in
lS47, under Gen. Kearney. Col. Fremont in his rs-
port Of these travels, says: "The first Of these e.
petitions terminated at the Rocky Mountains, aaA
at the two greatest points of interest in that rdre
namely, tho South pass and Fremont's peak: the
former being the lowest depression of the
mountains through which the road tn OreOo.
now passes, and the latter the highest ala
vation, from the base of which four great rivers
take their RISE and flow in opposite directions TO-
wards the rising and setting sum-" The third exps-
dition, made under General Kearney, (Which will b
noticed more particularly in another place,) and
known As the Great Salt Lake Expedition. was d.
rected to the exploration Of that portion OF the Rocky
Mountains which gives rise TO the Arkansas river.
the Rio Grande Del Norte, and the Rio Colorado of
California. The trials through which these explorers
passed were severe and numerous. They not only
had to combat with the severity of the climate and
the attacks of the savages but often they were with
out provisions ignorant Of their course, and naught
over their heads but the cold and freezing sky.
naught beneath their feet but bed of eternal snow
Upon one OCCASION in particular these adventursrs
were obliged to themselves from starvation by
cooking their horses and dogs, and by this means
barely escaped q lingering death. These expeditions
extending over 0000 miles, had the effect to supply
the blank that had heretofore existed in the geography
and history Of the western portion of this continent
and to bring within our knowledge the character of
our territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific shore.
Great acquisitions have been made to SCIENCE
through the astronomical meteorological, and bo-
tanical observations made in the progress Of this
extraordinary journey. The greatest advantages
arising from these expeditions of Col. Fremont, viii
probably be reaped hereafter; and when destiny
shall have fulfilled her mission, and joined with iron
bands the eastern and western limits of our nation
then, while the laundering ear speeds through he
passes Of the Rocky Mountains, Fremont will be 10
membered as having been the pioneer to point oat
the sourse for accomplishing this grand result.
GEN. KEARNEYs EXPEDITION.
In lS47, Gen. Kearney, by order of the govern
ment, made an expedition from Fort Leavenworth.
in Missouri, to San Diego, in California. The topo-
graphical engineers of this expedition, to whom the
world is indebted for its history and discoveries
were Lieuts. Amory, Warner, Albert and Peck.
The main object of this expedition was an attack
upon the northern provinces of Mexico and consisted
at the time Of its departure from Fort Lcavenworth
Of two batteries Of artillery (six pounde) under the
command of Major Clark three squadrons of the first
dragons, under Major Sumner, the first regiment of
Missouri cavalry, under Colonel Doniphan, and TIVE
companies of infantry under Captain Agney. A
portion Of the route of this expedition lay
along the Del Norte, Arkansas and Gila
rivers. Being well provided with implements
necessary for discovery, it was as profitable
to science as the one preceding it, under
the special command Of Fremont. In the notes
Of this expedition, taken by Lieutenant Amo-
ry, are found some instructive and interesting
illusions to the ancient ruins found upon the route
Among many others, in speaking Of the ruins Of
Pecos, he says -" Pecos, once fortified town. ia
built on apromontory rock somewhat in the shane
of o fort. Here burned, until within seven years.
the eternal fires Of Montezuma; and the remains Of
the architecture exhibit, in prominent manner, the
engraftment of the Catholic Church upon the ancient
religion Of the country. At one end of the short
spur forming the terminus of the promontory are the
remains Of the Estufa with all its parts distinct
at the other are the remains Of the Catholic Church.
both showing the distinctive marks aud emblems of
the two religions. The fires from the Estua burned
and sent their incense through the same altsrs.
from which was preached the Gospel of Christ
Two religions, utterly different in theory were
here, as in all Mexico, blended in harmonious prac-
tice, until about a century since, when the town
was sacked by band Of Indians" There were
very many valuable discoveries during this ex-
pedition, and one interesting fact connected with
it is that it combined the two great objects Of con.
quest and the promotion Of science.
JOURNEY OF LIEUT.. BEALE TO CALIFORNIA.
Lieut.. Beale left for his superintendency on the
LIST ins and will proceed the route indicated BY
Fremont and Leroux Leaving the frontier of the
State at the mouth of the Kansas, he will proceed
rapidly over the broad plain between the Arkansas
and the Kansas to the mouth of the Huerfano Just
above Bents Fort, thence up that river to its head
in the Pass Ell Sangre de Christie into the valley Of
San Luis, at the head Of the Del Norte. He win
then be about half way, and will go out by the Pass
FL Puerto, described by Leroux, and thence across
the valley of the Upper Colorado, lthe unexplored
part) to Las Vegas de Santa Clara, when he viii
feel at home. 1t is this part (rom the head of the
Del Norte to the Las vsgas) which will give interest
to his movement, the two ends of the route being
well known. He goes unencumbered with proyi-
siens or baggage, and has no useless company
The superintendent will look at the ground as be
goes over it, and take note Of what he secs and
sketches also.
Mr.. Beale is not now in the navy, having resigned
his commission for active life than that which
the navy affords. He does not command surveying
party, and is in no way employed under the late act
of Congress authorizing surveys He is simply
returning to his superntendency, and chooses to 70
through the woods and show the best route to Cali
fornia, thus killing two birds with one stone"
CAPT. RENo's EXPEDITION.
The war department dispatches on expedition to
survey military road from the mouth Of the Big
Sioux on the upper Missouri to point at the mouth
of the St. Peters, opposite Fort Smelling. The par.
ty consists of Capt Reno of the United States Army.
Chief Capt. Tilton, late Chief Engineer Of Railroads
in Indiana, Chief Engineer; Mr.. Cross, formerly Of
the army, Assistant Engineer; and twenty men,
principally of the fur companies of st. Louis to be
furnished with Colts pistols and the patent rife.
Capt. Tilton Chief Engineer, is entrusted with the
duty of making a report upon the practicability Of
this country for railway purposes The result OF the
labors Of the party will be placed before the depart
ment. in accordance with resolution Of Congress,
last winter making appropriation of $3.50 900 for
surveys and explorations connected with the Pacific
railroad and branches.