Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-17
nS We havereceived the following letterfron

- ~et1 oSAs Wv W VIC 4uloolo-
sippi and Pacific Railroad Company to make
an examination of the southern route. Our
correspondent, who is gentleman of intelli-
gence and skill, promises to continue his com.
munications more in detail; and it will afford
US much pleasure to receive them and Law them
before our readers:
TO the Editors of the Sentinel.
FoRT CHADBouRNE, TEXAS,
January IA, 1854.
GENTLEMEN The expedition set on foot by
northern capitalists for the exploration of a
southern railroad route to the Pacific has now ad-
vanced to this extreme western Texan military
station. write now to inform you of some of
the details OF our progress, as in all probability
l shall not be able to forward another commu-
nication until we reach Ell Paso You are of
course aware that the exploration is in charge
OF Colonel Gray, whose name has been so long
and favorably associated with governmental sur
veys and scientific Reconnaissance, and whose
difference with Commissioner Bartlett, in the
late boundary survey, has given him peculiar
prominence before the public. Before his de-
parture from New York, the colonel had re.
solved TO make San Antonio his starting.point.
flying visit from San Antonio to Austin en-
abed him to obtain an interview with General
Rusk, senator from Texas, as also to witness
the passage of the very favorable bill by the
Legislature, in furtherance Of the railroad through
this State. A few days after his return, by
most excellent exertions, all things were in
readiness for departure. Colonel Gray has
proved himself a competent Judge Of his race,
from the discretion he has shown in the selec-
tion OF his men. His immediate scientific as
sistant is gentleman of more than ordinary
requirements.
there are but ACCOMPLISHMENTS the past
few years, in the southwest, in which Mr. De
Lacey has not assumed prominent position.
The remainder of the expedition are in all re-
spects well qualified for the arduous duty for
which they have been retained Many of them
are well versed in wood and prairie craft, and
all seem intelligent, temperate, and coura-
geous. The entire corps, embracing Colonel
Grays servant number nineteen men among
whom is German artist, whose drawings be.
tray thoughtful skill. During the route SO far,
few changes and purchases of animals have
been made. At present, embracing mules and
horses, we have tbirty-one. Although the en-
catnpment in the neighborhood of San Anto-
mo was moved mile or two on the evening pre-
ceding the lst of January, the movement OF the
expedition really dates at the commencement
of the year. The mules had never vet known
the burden of pack-saddle, and it was neces
sary to reduce them to some degree of subiec-
ton before launching them forth upon their
long journey. The travel already accomplished
has nothing particular to distinguish it from
ordinary trips made through Texan territory,
save the scientific observations accompanying
it. In striking for the latitude of 800, we have
pursued the usual route to our present locality,
taking fredericksburg and Fort Mason in our
way. The general course adopted has been
north by zoe west. The site of Fort Chad
bourne does not vary materially from the lati
tude sought.
To one, however, who is not familiar with
the peculiarities Of Texan scenery, would in
all sincerity commend pleasure trip to this
wild and distant region. We have traversed
the level prairie stretching around us as far as
the eye can reach, with its cloak of withered
grass unrelieved by single tree and scarcely
shrub. Again we cross the undulating or
rolling prairie, as they are called, with their
growth Of bare post-oak and mosquit trees, and
pecan, and occasional lve-oaks, luxuriant in
their perennial verdure. Sometimes we clam.
Der high hills that may well be termed noun.
tains in Texas. As yet, we have encountered
no, difficulty in securing abundance of writer.
Rivers, and creeks, and springs, and water
holes abound throughout the entire distance.
The severe cold of the season, has, to great ex-
tent, driven the game from the open country
into the glades and bottoms, and vet have we
met sufficient of every description to rejoice the
heart of the hunter. Numerous herds of deer
| and antelope have met us on the route and in
any ofthe mountain gorges that we have strolled
by can be found abundance of bears. In the
| neighborhood OF the water-courses, upon the
trees or beneath them, there is no lack of wild
turkeys; and floating upon the streams are
seen wild ducks and geese 1t is certainly
pleasant trip when the grass is green and the
foliage is shrouding the trees, and the compa.
ny sufficiently large to avoid the eccentricities
of struggling red men.
THERE'S scarce necessity for any description
of San Antonio, with its ancient memories and
its seven thousand inhabitants of most motley
character. San Antonio has long been the
rendezvous of companies starting on a north
ward or western Texan tour, and of course is
well known. Fredericksburg, located some u
miles north, le0 west from San Antonio, is a
pleasant German town, embracing about 700
souls Thesoil around is fthe most excellent
description, and the population orderly and in
dustrious. A few miles to the south of Fred
ericksburg we encountered deserted post.
known as Fort Martin Scott. Under the late
orders of General Smith, the garrison had re-
moved to the west on the Rio Grande. The
elevation of Fredericksburg is in the neigh.
borhood of 900 feet above the level of the sea.
being some 800 feet in altitude above San
Antonio. 1t would be difficult to detect any,
where q lovelier spot than the site of Fort Ma.
son. Imagine plain of several miles in ex.
tent engirted by range of hills of uniform
size. In the heart of this plain, by gentle ac-
clivity, springs up high mound overlooking
the surrounding country. In the distance is
seen the high peak called House mountain,
and by the aid of the telescope the far-famed
Enchanted rock. On this mound from stone
materials, are erected the beautiful post build
ings Colonel May treated our company with
extreme kindness and hospitality. This post,
too, under the late orders, is soon to be de-
serted
Forty miles to the south Of Fort Chadbourne,
at our encampment, on the night of the 18th,
was scene well calculated to arrest the eye Of
the traveller A precipitous bluff suddenly
rises from the river San Saba TO the height Of
some sixty feet, commanding on its summit n
wary avtanO,va cnd baa,,t,f,1 x,,ow IF ba e,,r