Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-04
An American Desert.

1bhhlDBE SIfFbhlNb fhUh 1hlhSi'-LA
long letter appears 10 the Dallas (Texss)
Herald concerning the passage Of McCui-
lough's enigrant train across the staked plain
to California, from which We take the follow
ing extract:
From Fort Cbadbourne we travelled South
to the Chonco river, (old Camp Johnsou,)
aud followed up the Chonco to the edge Of
the Great American Desert. The great
American Desert is a barren waste. Soil,
light color and alkaline nature, producing
mostly salt grass aud a few mezquise bushes
and cactus. This kind of country e1ter3-
from the Colorado to the Rio Grande, is $50
miles in width, and extends through our
continent, being narrower 10 some points,
There are but few watering places on the
route from PIcos TO the Rio Grande. The
latter river is a wide, deep, muddy stream,
and destitute Of timber.
From the North head OF the Coucho We
struck out to cross the Desert, aiming to
strike the PacOs river at the Horse Head
crossing; bot missing the road the first nights
travel, we bad no time to spend In reconnoi-
teriDg. We passed on in the direction, guild
ed by the compass, of the river at the point.
The third day out, in she morning, we start
ed with the furnishing herd ahead of the
train. The cattle becoming very excitable,
and travelling on q very fast walk, We press
ed Oh as fast as We could. At midnight the
herd got a fresh breeze, and turned to the
North 90 al Indian trail, and travelled most
furiously, the men fighting them in front to
keep them 10 place.
At daybresk We struck the Belknap road,
fifteen miles from the we'll known sand hills,
where we succeeded in turning the cattle on
the road. Here, one Of our men, j. Ramsay
was pitched on by a large steer, mis- horse
throwing bin. His head was partially scalp
ed, his collar bone broken, aud otherwise
badly bruised. Six shots had to be fired
before the enraged animal fell. As soon as
the herd reached the road, they pitched oil
and ran eight miles, and then left the road
again, turning north into deep dritted sand.
Here we had a desperate struggle to save the
herd, fighting them back for four long hours,
they pressing US hard, and all fighting mad.
At last one file OF the most furious steers
led out again, when we set to and succeeded
10 herding them towards the road, which
they soon struck. and by four O'clock, We ar
rived in the sand hills, where We found many
ponds of weak alkali water, and saved the
lives Of the furnishing men and cattle. The
herd had no water TOR seventy-six hours, and
travelled one hundred and thirty miles. The
herdsmen were without water or n0urisbment
thirty hours. Their exercise was very hard,
riding and halloipg at the cattle, which was
calculated to bring on thirst soon. The men
suffered extremely for the want Of water and
sleep; many shot down the furnishing bul.
locks on the road, stuck them, pulled IF their
boots or shoes, caught the thick, hot blood
and drank it freely, aud by So doing saved
their lives. Tue cattle were all very much
excited, ana any Of them would fight, and
the men were compelled to shoot many.
We went into the Sand hills with ! 600
head Of cattle, or struck the sand with that
number, aud left with about ! $50, many Of
the missing having died for the want Of wa
ter. Ga arriving Z, the men were al! excited
and hardly knew their comrades. Dan Mu'-
ray, WheatIy, keIlon and Collier, would
never have got to water had not some OF the
herdsmen been sent on after water, and re.
turned to them. They bad stopped by the
side Of the road. We had no provisions but
fresh beef for three days, and became very
much reduced, and none Of us were able tor
service. Ours was the first train that had ar
rived in the Sand hills this year"