The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-25

back Then again they descspsed The Nercua snd Tru.
Ando with u.s. passing over the naces dos and danger
portions Of the Here the greAtest skill
dezerity in the management the dspayet
without the slightest accident or noonveBserce.
On the 18Th, ~ the aestsuce Of Jose Maria Choco
Indian, who had previously moved up the falls, all
OF she same day passed Camp Toucey two miles and
q Ihall below II. email section under Mr. De u Camp
ON the 10Th the remainder Of the party reached the
village the Atrao short distance below the mouths
OF the Iruhndo and Lncio, Here would have been
bark kque,ina La Concba had not been for the
oppor tune arrival Of the bupgo Puerto Franco, from
Qubdo by which abled to despatch them on tho
23d down the AatO TO the guilt retaining only two my
assistants. Nessrs Schmidt and Campbell rbe party
der Mr.. De Ia Camp finished the survey Of the lover
Truand0 on the 23d. In the meantime Mr.. Schmidt hsd
mapped the Atrsto for t miles mouth OF the
uando and also the Luc0 and Saaqui rves for short
distance above their junction with the Atrato. line OF
level has therefore been run complete
survey made between the Pacific aud the village BocO del
Lncio on the Auaio Lieutenant Craven, We learned had
let On his way down the 7th On the m0rong OF the
24th, With section Of my party remaining behind the
survey OF the Atrao was commenced from the mouth OF
the Tfusndo; this Cntinued from DAY 10 day TIL ts
completion the Sd Of March, Upon reaching tha, por-
ton Of the where divides into
oyutes the survey left the RIO Madre mother river,
the Cano Barbacoes far the entrance Of the CAno
coquo down the stser TO s mouth, where discharges
itself into toe Gulf Of DRren Uraoa This latter
the one usually taken by the bungos river boats
ierpg and leaving the AIato
6oroogcsl observations have been made by assistant w.
II. U. Campbell and also astronomical determinations by
myself at the principal points OF the route such rurbo
junction Of the Atpato Honde, Boca del Lucio Camp
Ioucey Tocome Falls Of the uando mouth Of the Ner
cua ramoo Playa on the Pacific, besides intermediate
points Valuable botanical collections by Mr.
Schmid also many hundreds Of specimens of the natural
history OF the country procured By him. assisted by
On the evening Of the Cd of March we reached the
schooner the 9Th ler again to make astrouom
cal and baron nrcal observations at this poin and also
Atrato (the Coquito MOUTH now have ths honor TO
report that he duty assigned was completed 10 day.
Of the party engaged in survey ing this gull.
affords unb ,unded sasfacton TO state that during
the entire time of the absence Of both the officers and
OF my party in the performance OF their duty
with this survey al have enjoyed exceen, health and
return good spirit but few have suffered from the
iGipg ,mplain,s TO which all persons less
bjec even in more favored and more healthy climates
Notwithstanding the much dreaded country described TO
US aud the many evil oreoodngs OF fren1s As to our
safe return all Of us necessarily becoming victims To those
slow levers generated by the pesterous s~amps through
which the Atrato flows, the prey fierce animals and
haven safety after three months Of aborous and try
ing duty delivered from every accident and danger ant
experiencing ev the fear Of them.
large section Of the country 10 which labsr
fined celebrated for s constant humidity and iDcIe
mency and is constantly inundated by freshet, caused
pass by without the latter We have been particularly
FORUM this respect for according TO the best nfor
nation received between the present
and past seasons is strikngy great During the
two weeks at Camp Toucey we suffered from
some Of the heaviest rsirs / have ever expe.
rienced. Since leaving that point up 70 the present
time have been exposed 70 brief and heavy thun
der storm and some very lew slight sprnkes or ran in
capable OF any appreciabe measurement The weather
has been del ghtfu and charming In the extreme; the
days almost universally clear and not upcomfortAby
warm, and the nights always cool and refreshing The
stars generally shone forth beautifully bright during the
early part Of the evening" favorable for surveys but late
in the night obscured by passing clouds The very
falling rivers proved of great benefit TO Us instead
the banks being low and wet almost entirely
dated, in ordinary seasons, found the reoedng
ters hal eit them exposed and dry ior several feet
place instruments or stand rod, and relieved the
party from the necessity Of making cearngs st each
ton OF the survey The combining circumstances enabled
the work proceed without any dete nton after leaving
Camp Toucey The whole route {, the Pacific the
has been effected Without single DAY res, tor The sur
veyng party; Notwithstanding the very limited
transportation furnished, with party numbering great
sona effects and provisions together with heavy nstru
meats, and the large and valuable collections OF natural
history and botany all requiring transportation besides
the pcccsssy Of keeping party constantly in the neld
still enabled to move along without any cessa
on Of the work assigned u.s. TAs want Of the moans Of
transportation kept staring me In the face. Forn
nately, however the Choco Indians entered upon the
scene when their services were most prayed for.
They never failed US: when most wanted they
would appear, by Providential direction. Al
times when every OF advancing seemed exhausted
they would 10 relief and by their Aborous
efforts the skul management Of their slight canoes
would carry the moet dangerous portions OF the
route. One LIE boat was the only real source OF help
could call own, and when compelled 10 leave behind
at the Falls Of the Truando, way 70 the Pacific
whole reliance placed upon the good win Of the In
dians On the return trip this particularly the
With provisions nearly exhausted, aud little money,
personal ELECTS had 70 be applied TO the purchase OF
and 10 gain their ard in order 10 expedite matters and
reach point TO repcpsh the deficiency Of supplies
An overrulng Providence truly favored and wacbed
every step Particularly blessed with
regard I, weather,
To give idea OF the very desirable Of the wea
her the consequent health OF the party and the
ful completion az the Geld labors assured by we'll
informed gentleman, resident for the last years OF
Boca del Lucio that rood fortune unprecedented
for had experienced the usual climate, and been
posed 10 the almost daily rains OF the country he would
have expected 10 have heard OF the deatbs Of many OF the
party and 10 have all who returned at all back
sick.
Before closing would beg leave 10 state tha, have
taken the privilege 10 enclose 10 the Hon Secretary OF
War copy OF thsetter in order 10 mako 70 him, accord
ing 10 army regu atoms report OF the progress OF the
duties assigned me.
Submitting the above your inspection have the bo.
TO be, very respectfully your obcdient servant,
". klCHIER,
Corps Top Engineers o. A., In charge of Iopographi-
ca Party Of the Atraio Expedition.
Army Intelligence.