Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1856-11-13
From the Lock Haven Democrat.
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
FoRT CLARK, Texas, Sept. 10, 1856.

give you description of our last Scout.
We left here about the 18th of August
think there were thirty of our company,
and twelve Artillery men with US Capt.
Oakes was in command. We had with
u.s. i,ieul. Clawson, OF the Artillery. and
Lieut. j. B. WnherelI Of our own conra-
ny.
We took the Ell Paso road here, and
followed it 10 the second crossing of Dew
rs River, now known as camp Gilbert
When we arrived at the first crossing OF
the river we halted--as we supposed, for
the night-but as there was no grass for
our animals, the Capt concluded to re-
main only until the moon would rise 10
give us light to travel. We had forty
miles TO go without wafer, and we thought
IT best TO travel as far as possible that night,
aud rest In thermorning short time and
start on. We struck ourcamp and started,
after some trouble, for our mules were
very wild and gave US some trouble
we could bride and saddle them. :, i
we had made every arrangement to stare
we discovered that one OF our men was
missing, his horse was there bat no saddle
or rider We hunted round, thinking he
had laid down some place and fell asleep,
but could not find him. We then thought
that he had saddled a mule and started, so
off we Started and went 10 a place called
California Springs, and remained there 10
take couple Of hours rest and TO let the
horses and mules Craze, as the grass was
excellent We had with us, at this time,
portion of d company of the rifles, on
their way to New Mexico, as an escort to
Capt. Jones.
When twilight appeared we reused up
to pursue our journey twenty miles, with
out any water, OR anything to eat. for when
you have no water, you will not eat much
of Uncle Sans salty victuals When we
were ready to start, to our surprise,
fhompson-the missing man-made his
appearance. He had walked every step
OF the twenty miles, after night, carrying
heavy rifle, ammunition aad canleen,
which was pretty good load. He had to
leave his saddle kit behind. We were
rejoiced to see him coming. The first
words he uttered was, to give him water,
for he was nearly dead.
We continued our journey, for twenty
miles to the river, under a scorching hot
sun, (for there are no shade trees here
and were almost dead for The want of wa
ter, and something to eat. My friend,
Johnson, had a canIeen of molasses which
sufiiced us for drink until we arrived at
the river. We all hailed the sinhl Of il.
Devils River Is very beautiful aud ro-
mantle looking stream. | thought it The
miIdest looking stream in the world, but
was afterwards undeceived.
We stopped at camp Gilbert five days.
On the fourth day after our arrival. Capt.
Oakes took twelve men, mounted on muies,
and struck across the country to see if he
could get the horses along, aud to see if he
could discover any signs Of Indians Capt.
Gilbert was with him. They went to the
Pecas River and then turned back TO bring
on the remainder of US.
We started from camp Gilbert on the
sixth day after our arrival, and would have
suffered for the want of water had not 4
few showers OF RAIN followed US up, which
satisfied, for the time, us and our animals.
The water would collect in the crevices Of
rocks, from which we made out to quench
our thirst.
We arrived al the Pecas without any
thing Granspiring worthy of mention, climb
ing hills that you would think, to look at
them, were impossible for man TO ascend
them, without horses or mules. Hremmd-
ed me of the pictures have seen of Ma
poIeon crossing the Alps, When we were
at the bottom the tops were almost invisi-
ble
When we came TO the river we received
orders to cross. 1t is so swift that there
is danger attending the crossing of it, and
is very narrow. In some places ii is very
deep with rough bottom. The bottom is
not TO be seen as the water is as red as
Red River. Our guides, who were Mex
leans, pitched into the stream and seemed
to cross it with ease. The Captain tried
1t and got out a short distance but the cur
rent was too strong for him. He had TO
have Iarriette thrown to him in order to
draw him back. We tied several larriettes
together and stretched them across, and at
last we were safely landed on the other
side. But we had all our provisions wet
by the pack mules falling and going under
water. Our hard bread got very soft by
the soaking.
After crossing we struck across towards
the RIO Grande, climbing over some OF the
Ioftesl hills in Texas, and not as much
shade as would shelter a cat, for as far as
we could see, there was not tree or
large bush to be seen. When we would
get into camp we weuld take the stalks Of
some wild weeds that grow very strong,
and sprea4 our blankets over them to make
shade Which was nearly as warm as The
sun.
On our route we charged on several vii
lagos, but discovered no Indians They