The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-19
CAMP LIFE IN NEW MEXICO,
Country and its Scenery Tile Indians.
Correspondence of the Richmond nispateh.]
CAMP BEFORE RED RIVER, New MEXICO, l

CAMP BEFORE RED RIVER, New MEXICO, !
July 18th, 1852
We are now cncamped in lovely valley be-
tween the 35th and Both parallels Of latitude, after
a long and toilsome march of 400 mcs-a great
part of it through barren waste destitute of
vegetation. Often, indeed the way-worn sol
der sick and dcspoudent at heart with the drcary
scene Of rolling country, with no green spot and
object indicating life, present past, save here
and there stuntcd cotton and cedar tree that
had persisted i'll the barren soil Such was the
scarcity of water that we were compelled to re-
sort to forced marches to keep alike soldiers and
horses from dying Of thirst Frequently at the
end of these marches were rewarded with the
water of stagnant creeks, corrupted with organic
impurities, or decaying vegetable matter Much
of the water impregnated with saline ingrc-
dients which occasionally appeared lncrusted on
the surface.
But the whole country is not doomed to this
sterility. There are Intervening vallcs where the
soldier finds sort of eiysian rerose which TEEN
with vegetation Wild flowers, like diamonds,
shed their bright rays around, and lovely vines
gracefully drape and tcstoon the trees The air is
fragrant with the odors of blossom and vine
Herds of antelope and other game Craze on the
silky CANA grass, and focks of turkeys fly at our
approach across the gOrges to make their escape
These vallies generally bear the appearance of an
extensive area of level land, bounded on two sides
by high hills or mountains, whose slopes are more
gradually ascending than those Of most mountains
in other parts of the world.
Here, on the Red River, We srend our leisure
time in hunting, fishing and swimming 1t is
pleasant to rccne beneath the shade of the spread
ing pine, and think Of happcr hours that have fed
on the wings Of time or look the waters Of this
noble stream, its crystal current winds along
between its foliage covered banks, just it had
done for ages before it discovered by the pale
faces.
1t here that I saw the noblcst looking In
dian girl that eye ever beheld Her dress consis-
ted Of piece Of brown cotton cloth, wrapped
around her lons and hanging to the knees, On
her head she wore her native plume. She
was tall, strai sht arrow, and had free wild
Indian look, that quite taking (Some Of her
| tribe was given to another kind Of t0hiog, which
required all our watchfulness to prcvcnt) She APP
pcared to be about Is years of age, and was tn
wife of young chief about twenty years old. 1t
was interesting to see with what respect she
waited on him. Her example would be edit yinS
to the wives of more civilized life. But it Was
amusing to see with what lordly Indifference the
young savage regarded her attentions. [ trust
have too much Of the native gallantry of my
Erin to anything to commend in this example
of GOODNESS towards such a devoted and sweet
spouse, although exhibited by zone Of the rulers
of the earth
Tomorrow we leave for Fort Staunton, after
having been FIVE months in the saddle. The whole
frontier Is in state of