Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-12

CAPTAIN MARcY's ExPEDIrIoS.--The Fort
Smith Herald contains quite an interesting
letter from DIR. Shumard, surveyor and geolo-
gist, attached to Captain Marcy's expedition to
locate certain lands for the Indians The
country between Fort Smith and Fort Belknap,
through which the writer travelled two years
ago when it was almost trackless wilderness,
he now found dotted with farms, houses, and
villages, and a thriving population--the only
difficulties which the farmers have to contend
against being innumerable swarms of grass
hoppers, which sometimes destroy entire crops
in night.
From Fort Belknap, they started in direc-
ton due north to the Big Wichita river, which
they struck about twenty-five miles above its
junction with the Red river, and near one hun
dred miles from Fort Belknap.
DR.. Shumard says:
The water of this stream, as we'll as that of
the Brazos and Red river, owe their bitter
taste to the gypsum, through extensive beds of
which all of them flow. According to analysis,
it yields Glauber and EPSON salts, as well as
other substances.
"Havingreached the head fthe Wichita, we
next struck offin due south direction, towards
the Brazos, which stream we reached after
travelling about twenty miles.
After discussing the matter thoroughly, we
finally concluded to press on, and if possible
ascertain the source OF the Brazos. The river,
where we first struck it, runs like the Wichita
through high bluff banks, composed of red clay
and gypsum. The water, which was about two
feet deep, was clear as crystal, but so intensely
fhof L. \ = r.
1t. After travelling about thirty miles in a
northern direction, we came to a high bill on
the prairie, from which we obtained an exten-
sive view of the surrounding country. In a
due north direction, at the distance of about
thirty miles, appeared two mountains, each
| shaped like trLncated cone, and at least fif.
| teen hundred feet above the level of the sur
rounding plain. These marked the head of
the Brazos. From them the stream could be
seen like cord of silver meanderinp through
the prairie, to the spot on which we stood.
! beyond the mountain, appeared line Of
high bluffs, 1.-THE Hano Estacado,) which, in the
distance, looked like clouds floating upon the
horizon. Having now satisfactorily ascertained
the source Of the river, we decided unanimously
to return to camp, heartily tired of our journey,
and mentally resolving never again to be caught
in a similar scrape. After an absence of nine
days, we finally reached camp, where we were
heartily greeted by our companions, whom we
had the satisfaction Of finding in the enjoyment
of good health. We have thus accomplished
in nine days what it would have taken at least
six weeks to have done had we taken the train
In that time we have travelled over near three
hundred miles of country, and have obtained
not only q correct geographical as well as geo
logical knowledge Of this hitherto UNEMPLOYED
region, but have made several highly import
ant discoveries, which may hereafter be of con.
siderable importance TO the government, as well
as the public generally.
sin this connection il may be well to state
that gum Arabic has been discovered in inex.
haustible quantities, and CT the very best DUAL.
ity, while have been able to trace the gypsum
field several hundred miles further than when
upon our Red River trip. Near the head Of
the Wichita river, it presents the enormous
thickness Of seven hundred feet, and is of the |
purest quality. With regard to the character
Of the country We explored, on the Wichita
River, have only to say, that 1t Is complete
barren waste, totally unfit for agricultural pur.
poses, and can only be valuable on account of
its gypsum beds. During our journey to its |
source, we met with nothing but succession |
Of bluffs, ravines and hills, all of an intense red
color, and almost totally devoid Of vegetation. |
Neither can it ever be employed for railroad |
pprposes-no one in his senses would ever
think Of attempting railroad or any other
kind Of a road through it, after once seeing it."
At the date Of the letter, the party we're then
on the Clear Fork of the Brazos river, where
they would explore . little, and then locate the
Indian lands. They expected to return TO Fort
Smith about the 10Th of September.