, 1854-08-05
From San Diego.

ARRIVAL cg Co.. Cars SURVEYING
PARTY-Colonel Gray's Pacific Railroad
Surveying party, which reached San Diego
on the 18th Of June, left San Antonio on
the lst of January, examined and explo-
red the country in the vicinity of the par
alel Of thirty-two, from Fort Chatbourne
in Texas, to Ell Paso, crossing the Lano
Estacado, (Staked Plain) and the Pecos,
river, about As miles above Captain Ma
cey's trail. They encountered several Sc
we're northers, the thermometer falling to-
four degrees above zero. No accident oc-
Cured to the party, and the route to Ell
Paso was found 10 be a short and practical
BILE one. This was the first time the staked
plain was attempted to be crossed in the
winter season, and near the same spot
where Capt. Macy lost some twenty of
his animals, as well as Lieut. Michler, in
their expedition through that region, from
the severity and suddenness of the north
ers
The trip from San Antonio to FL Paso
by way of Fort ChatbOurne was made in
twenty and half travelling days.
At the Rio Grande, found it necessary
to go mp to Albuquerque and see Gen.
Garland, commanding that military de-
partment, in order to get authority to
make reconnaissance and survey through
the State of Chihuawa and Sonora, with
instruments, in accordance with the per-
mission granted by the Mexican Govern
ment, and orders to the Commentaries on
the frontier to respect all such parties ma
king explorations for railroad purposes, on
the part of the United States.
Examined the Rio Grande from thirty
miles below Ell Paso, to the town of Al
buquerque, making sketches and surveys Of
all the important points, such as the lstella
Crossing, the Canyon from the Placer
Mountain back of Albuquerque and the
Molino del Norte, or Hart's Mill, at Frank
lin, in Texas. The latter place is repre-
sented by Col. Gray, to be the best for
railroad crossing, being advantageously
situated in regard to the construction of
bridge, and approaches from the east
around the Guadaloupe mountains, and as
cent to the table lands on west Of the Rio
Grande. After returning to his encamp-
ment at FL Paso, from his ride to Albu-
querque Col Gray received an express
from Maj. Bacchus, Fort Fillmore, with
dispatches from Lieuts. Parks and Stone
man, who it will be recolected left here in
January last, to go across the country
Col. Gray did not change his contempla-
ted route from any representations made
by Lieuts. Parke aud Stoneman, as they
had only gone over q country which Col.
Gray was the first to carry party through
some three years ago. Information was
obtained from them relative TO water and
grass upon the route but no abandon
ment Of the original line of Col. Gray's ex-
ploration was made whatever, as stated by
some Of the eastern papers. From Ell Pa
so the party proceeded west, without trail
or guides, and fixed the position Of Lake
Guzman and the river emptying into it.
Thence on line west, crossed Cooks road
near the parallel Of 81 deg. so minutes,
aud struck the Mexican frontier town Of
Tubec, in 81 deg. As min. n. l.. The head
Of the Gulf Of California was reached at q
bay called "Pirnecate,' by the Passigo In-
diaus, in about 81 deg. A min. The whole
route was deemed practicable for Rail-
road, and some fine country met with, al
though deserts and regions without water
and grass were encountered. The party
consisted Of Messrs. w. w. De Lacy, p.
Brady and Shuchart, Assistants, and all
told, numbering some twenty-six persons.
Gov. OF NEBRAsKA.-Wc learn (saN
the Harrisburg Pa, Herald, that o. Bar
rett, Esq, of the Harrisburg KeystOne, has