The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1858-08-11
:xploration of the Colorado River.

we nave been much interested from time
to time in reading lengthy accounts sent
back by the explorers of the Rio Colorado,
| sent BY the Government some time during
spring of last year, under the command of
Lieutenant Ives, of the Typographical EDgi-
neers. The Rio Colorado, as our readers
know, flows through New Mexico and Utah,
and empties itself into the Gulf of California,
near its head. The river is very long and
branches out into several tributaries, and the
head waters of these streams are in portion
of country almost unknown. Lieut. Ives
account Of his exploration will be looked for
with interest. The survey is now nearly COM
pleted. The Santa Fe Gazette of the 12th
of June has a short account of the move
ments 0: tie party:
Lieut.. J. C. Ives arrived in Santa Fe on
the I'd June. Lieut.. Ives has been for some
time in command ola corps of typographical
engineers, exploring the Colorado of the
West, and the country about its head waters
The nayigable part ofthe river WAS ascended
from the mouth in a stern-wl,esI iron steamer,
for over five hundred miles. The water was
at its lowest stage, and much difficulty oc-
CURED from shoals and rapids. We extract
from the Gszette the following particulars OF
the further exploration:
"The photographic Survey was carried
through the Big Canon to the mouth Of the
Rio Virgen, a few miles above its head. Be-
vond this point the river becomes almost a
continuous rapid. Some OF the canons
passed through are represented as exceeding
grand and beautiful. The Big Canon is
about 25 miles in length. The river is very
narrow, and the walls of the canon rise in
majestic grandeur petpendicularly from the
water to height Of over a thousand feet on
either side, presenting series Of rugged and
novel attractions rarel y Witnessed
after the completion of the photographic
Survey, the steamboat with the photographic
party returned to Fort Yuma Lieut.. Ives,
with party of seven persons and few
Mexican packers, and part of the escort.
then proceeded, with a pack train, to explore
the unknown territory to the North and East
through which the Upper Colorado flows.
"The party followed the river to near .he
mouth of the Little Colorado over a vast
mesa, intersected by immense canons. The
Little Colorado was traversed until an elci-
bic point for crossing was found and the ex-
petition proceeded north, passing the Moqui
Pueblos, and exploring the country north
until Stopped by an impossible desert south
of the San Juan. Great difficulty was ex-
perlenced in the land explorations in pro-
curing water, the country being extremely
arid, and the few streams and rivers flowing |
at the bottom OF inaccessible canons. One !
or two severe snow storms were experienced
upon the high table lands
"The original intention of the party had
been to return to Fort Yuma; but the length. !
OF the route, the severity Of the weather the
scarcity Of water, and the several difficulties.
presented by the country, had 50 weakened
the mules and occasioned such delays, that |
their provisions We're exhausted, and thew
were obliged to come into New Mexico
Lieut.. Ives returns to California byt the South
ern mail route. The remainder Of the party,
with the escort, will cross the plains to Fort