The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-01
CAPTAIN R. B. MARCY-HIS LAST WINTERS
EXPEDITION

From he UasLjpgton Union Of Nor 2SHl
This able officer is now in this city under orders
for special duty.
The expedition of Captain Marcy from Fort
Bridgcr to New Mexico last winter on which he
was despatchedb by Gen. Johnston, for the procure
ment of horses, mules and cattle for the army at
Camp Scott, WIS one of Le most remarkable on re
cord. The route he pu sued. which lar in a pretty
direct line across the Uhinty and Rocky Mountain
chains, had been tIavcrsed before in the summer
time by hunters and trappers, but had ALWAYS been
set down, even by these hardy men, as impractical
Bile IN the winter season. The old mountaineer
Rridgcr pronounced the expedition impracticable
Captain Marcy set out from Fort Bridger, however,
on the 9th November last with forty soldiers
twenty-five citizens, thirty days ratons and sixty
five mules, and reached Fort Massachusetts, New
Mexico six hundred and thirty miles from Camp
Scott, with the loss Of but single man on the 18th
OF January, performing the journey in the depth of
the winter.
Immediately after entering the mountains, 1--WE
derive our information from official papers, the
snow became so deep that it was impossible for the
animals in their jaded state to make any progress
through it. Forty men were accordingly placed
in advance Of the mules to break track for them
This course, which was pursued from day to day,
enabled the party slOwl ly to force its way up the
western slope of the mountains; but the snow ran
idly increased in depth as they advanced when, as
they approached the summit of the mountains, it
lay about five feet deep upon the level and here the
leading men were obliged to crawl upon their hands
and knees to prevent sinking to their necks.
The progress of the party was necessarily very
slow, and although they labored most faithfully
every day from daylight till dark, yet they ad-
vanced only nineteen miles in five DAYS. The ami
mails, finding no forage, except the pine leaves
became weaker continually. Many of them had
died, and those remaining were reduced to state
bordering on starvation. The majority of the men
had worn out their shoes before one-half of the
journey was performed, and, owing to their ex-
posed condition. several had their feet badly frozen
renderingit exceedingly painful for them to march
sleep.
On the Sd of January the rations were all con-
sumed, and the party was reduced to the necessity
of subsisting upon such of the animals as became
exhausted and could perform no further service
This mcagre and unwholesOme diet with men who
were undergoing the most intensely severe labor
that the human system is capable of sustaining
soon told upon them, and after a few days they
became weak and emaciated, while the amount
of labor they could perform sensbly diminished.
! ct this little band of excellent soldiers all of
whom had volunteered for this severe service
performed the hard task allotted them cheer
fully and with aacrity, and no one of them
during the entire march, uttered a murmur
or manifested the slightest INSTRUMENTATION. The
brave men had undertaken the difficult and danger
Gus service for the laudable purpose of procuring
food and animals for the comrades they had let at
Camp Scott, who, there was good reason to believe
from the amished condition of the small number Of
animals which remained to them after the long
march from Fort Leavenw0rth, and the attacks of
the MOrmOnS on the trains would be in a condition
of want before the party could return.
1t is known that Captain Marcy obtained the de-
sired supplies in New Mexico, except American
horses, and that he returned safely to Camp Scott
with his welcome purchases.
The return route of the expedition was from Fort
Union over the Ration Mountains; thence skirting
the western base of the Rocky Mountains across !
the head waters ot the Arkansas and South Platte !
rivers to Bridgers pass at the Laramie river thence
along Bryan's trail to Sage crec. thanoo north |
across to Bitter creek and down that to Green rv-
er, and to Camp Scott-the whole making a distance
of seven hundred and forty miles.
1t is noticeable fact in regard TO this road ''hat
1t affords passage from the waters of the Atlantic
to those Of the Pacific without going over a noun |
tain. The ascent to the summit level Of the Rocky
most imperceptible, and for sixty miles upon the |
plateau forming the dividing ridge the eve cannot !
which course the water takes''
1t will be remembered that great apprehension
was felt lest the Mormons who, in strong parties
were sent out to waylay Capt. Marcy, should sue
cced in stampeding the animals and cattle he was
bringing in from New Mexico. This officer how
ever, mad eifectually provided against any such dis
lster. He had enlisted in his party, while in New
Mexico, all the experienced hunters, mountain and
frontier men that could be found. and thus prepar-
I'd to act on the offensive by anticipating the enc
ny and stampeding their own horses and mules.
There is no doubt that he would have astonished
he Mormons by completely succeeding in this pro-
ect had they fallen in with him in their scouting
Capt Marcy is the author of the valuable report
III DdII lhdke alleN, Wnlcn mas been published by
he government, in a large volume, and to which
he country is indebted for nearly all its accurate
Information in regard to the Mormon country.
James Murphy was arrested in New Orleans on
Monday the 22d, for having counterfeit money, 255
lines, 50 quarters, Is halves all counterfeit re-
eipt for making counterfeit money! some metal
md cruciblc were found on his person, and sundrv
moulds and bottles of acid for making
counterfeit money at his house. Upon his person
vas found pardon from the President of the United
States, signed by Lewis Cass for the said Murphy.
Who was convicted in the United States District
}ourt of Missouri, in 1885, for counterfeiting The
ardon is dated the 10Th of April. 1858 and states
hat "whereas. the Government has been informed
" numerous citizens and has good reason to believe
hat the said Murphy is insane, he is thereby par
oned and set at liberty"
The ENGLISH INDIAN FuSp.-The aggregate
mount of subscriptions for the relief of the suffer
RS by the mutiny in India, was f433 ,620 or about
wo millions of dollars. OF this sum Gl27 2S6 were
ent to India for distributions the authorities there
icing authorized to draw for 10000 more In
treat Britain about SAC, 900 were expended among
% widows and orphans of ofoficers, 25 orphans of Of
cers, 29S widows and 423 children of soldiers, 6
Widows OF clergymen, and 90 widows and orphans
It civilians. About f265, 600 remain to be disri-
'uted. 1t Is now contemplated to extend relief
which IN many cases is greatly needed, to the
roops generally, stationed in India.
Mr. Gouldy is likely to recover from the wounds
eceived from his son. His physicians informed
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