New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-10
UTAH.
CAPTAIN MARCYs EXPLORATIONS.

CAMP Scorr, Utah, June 10, 1853.
MAJOR: In conformity with The directions Of The
General commanding l have the honor to submit the
following memorandum of that portion Of the route
Travelled on my return from New Mexico, lying betwseQ
the crossing Of the North Fork Of the Platte and Grea
Rivers.
This route strikes the Platte upon the Cherokesta
about two miles above Bryans Crossing, and Is d.
cic edly preferable for the reason that the bluffs upoa
the eat side are much lower and the approach much
more shallow at the Cherokee Crossing. twas, whea
passed. about seventy yards wide and four feet deep
was rsirg, and dare say it is now above fordiV
stage. We left fiat boat upon the high bank oa the
west side, which has sufficient capacity to carry the
largest wagon with its load.
Good grass and wood are abundant here. From Ia
Platte the road passes rolling country, withoss
ersss. until strikes branch of Sage Creek i2 mss
where there is limited supply. Ssge is found everr
where along the road and constitutes the only fuel b.
tween the Platte and Green Rivers. Ca npiDg places
may be found upon all the three branches Of Ssss
Creek but the grass is rather scarce for large nuo
Der of animals. Bryans road passes up the most we<-
erly branch, and leaves our route.
The first camping place after passing Sage Crock q
upon small branch running to the east thirteen miles
from Sage Creek. There is sparse growth Of bunch
grass the stream, but two miles further, upon "
old road there ia spring branch along the borders c
which is good supply of excellent grass. Following
down the brarch about mile below the crossing. into
a canon, there is large spring. Our train lesvesAs
emgrsnt road at this place. and bears TO the left around
the mountains, passing very barren section fof
ten miles, when it enters valley through which ruas
a small creek, upon which we found very good grass
The water here is sweet and palatsble.
L. e. H.
without water until arrived near camp Here W
found some brscksh ponds Of muddy water, which,
was Informed by our guides, can always be depended
upon in the dryest seasons. The grass is abundant
and good in the hills to the north of these ponds We
again interseoted Evanss trail at this point. 1. makes
very great bend to the north around the mouutans
and guides, who have travelled both, are Of
opinion that our road is some fifty miles shorter
From thence we followed Evans's road, passing twe
ponds at about three and eight miles from our Last
camp. and ercsmped on the eastern border of an ey-
tensive fat where there several ponds Of brackh
water with good grass the adjoining hs-indeeda d
all the bills upon this part Of the road there il abun.
dance Of grass.
The fiat is destitute of grass, with red clay sol,
which was firm and smooth when passed it, b2
would probably become soft and boggy in a wet sss
there are several ponds Of water near the Western ba
der with good grass From thence to the nsh
water the distance is fifteen miles. This is small
spIrg brench that into Bitter Creek and at the
be al has sufficient water for the largest Governmest
trains. The water is slightly brackish but quite whole
some.
Our route strikes Bitter Creek at the mouth OF this
creek, eight miles from its aources, thence down The
IL ko.l of
Bitter Creek is a narrow and deep stream, with high
abrupt clay banks, making it very difficult to orosm
approach with snimals The water s brsckish but
mals drink it esgerly. There are but few places
the creek bottom where any grsss ssen AID Is ONLY
here and there that il can be found n the ada ed
hills. Our camp near the rocky bluffs that come nsw
the creek is the last accessible grass until reschass
low range Of grassy hills which slope down TO thecssss
upon the opposite side. Here there good crossing
for animals and by camping at this place the best grss
would be secured. From thence to our camp sevon'
teen miles, along the bank Of the creek. Here W
found Only tolersbls grass in the hills on the south
eide Of the creek. There is foe sulphur spring ns1
the road, at the point where we leave the creek
Thence our rosd passes round the hills, and At -four
mies crosses two small spring branches which issos
from very elevated hills upon the right. The water
from tnese tprngs excellent ana the grass mere or
rot be surpassed. The road from thence turns sgsa
into the valley Of Bitter Creek, which il follows TO II
cor flut nee with the Green River.
Bitter Creek 10 incosed upon both sides BY very ~
vsted bluff, tnst cut up into cahons ed
auoyss, rendering it almost mprIctcsbe to PISS VIII
wssor,, except directly upon the north bank, WISE
the road already rune.
tSisnedI R.B MARcf.
Major y J. Polrrl Asst. Adjt Genl Army. Utah.
Comp Scott