The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-01-11
fns AxsEtos. CaIIropyr., Dec. LIST. le,-.


Los ASsEtos, CALIFORNIA. Dec. 1st, 1861.
Aessrs knIruRs Weery "Je tyfatmp,c" Atlength
our journeyin9s are over We have reached the
habitsttons OF men, and look back on the rugged
mountains and far stretching mains With a sish of
relief, at the thought that we have seen them for
the last time. and are 10 travel over their weary
miles no more. Day by day as we neared the goal
OF our enterprise our teams drooped and grew
weaker, until at last il was only by incessapt use
OF the whip they could he induced 10 move at ALI
Then II was that the csuaels proved their excel
ience; ior enc by one our wagons were emptiei and
the contents placed on their backs and yet the us
tent. uutiring animals moved steadily onward
seemingly unconscious of the additional LOAD All
tue loose mules we're in advance, in charge of a
party sent in search Of water and grass
At length, on the 5th of November after manv
days OF toiisome travel and when almost ,les pairing
OF seeing that party until reaching the end of our
journey, we overlook them at the Mohsye river
where they were awaiting Us, and there our wea.
ried mules filled their lank forms with ihe tall
grass and cool running water
Twas joyful meeting. not only on account of
the re-unitiDg Of scattered forces but because
ii'ut, Eesle had declared his intention to proceed
to Fort TETON the following day. v
The next morning at o'clock thei&rgle sound.
ed. and taking all the oamels GA in nuinberl our
ccrsmandcr started for the fort to obtain proyis-
ions for the men who wore left behind in charge
OF the wagons and mules. This began to look like
getting through. How full of pleasantly was every
soon be over, now boys" the cheerful word
which passed from one to another, and the yery
thought rendered Va insensibls to tho chill of the
morning; though our feet we're bare, and some of
US were ihinly clad.
Ho~ exutsnt were when we reached the
Mormon road about fifteen miles from our place
OF starting Here, at last, was some sign of the
works Of men, and cur feelings when We turned
into il can only be appreciated by those who have
been in wilderness for months.
The next day, in consequence of the scarcity of
provisions, the intention of proceeding on 10 Te.
jon was abandoned aud continued down the
road towards ssn Bernardino We did not 90
quite to the town: but finding q ranch within five
miles of it, we made the necessary purchases and
detachiDg sufficient number of our men to take
charge OF fhe packed camsls we sent them back
To the relief of our friends on the Mohaye and
turned our faces towards Los Angeles Two more
days brought ia to the town, and here we are
FROM the window at which am writing see
range of tall mountains surrounding the place on
whoss snov-capped submits the bright rays of
morning sun playing. | turn betimes
think how beautiful" l look out upon the lit
tie river, whose sparkling waters wind through
country as fair ever Glaidened the sight Of man
where the rich grape hangs in clusters from the
dropping vine, and think of the ''James" " roll.
ing in placid beauty by the city of my birth; and
though the scene before Inc is passing lovely yet
sigh for the bills upon which sported in ..anld
lang syne." and long for the hour when shall
hEdiH ncdI tue Hiuoit Oi my ndtlfc
Let me narrate enc OF two adventures connected
with expedition, selected from my notes BY
the way:
Were you reused at night by the cry of
murder If so, how the blood seemed to freeze in
your vens,-with what fearful alarm you sprang
from your couch, while your heart sickened within
you with horror One night, while lying stretched
on the ground, slumbering sveetly and dreaming
90 my drowsy ear. Between sleeping and waking
could not distinguish the words, but they thrilled
me to the soul, and, as they grew louder, alarmed
and bewiidered, sprang to nay feet to find my
sleeping horrors a waking reality.
"Help, men, help for Gods sake, the Indians
US" we're the words heard, and uttered
in a voice go plsntive that they seemed the last
impioring accents of an expiring wretch; and they
were followed by pistol shot. In an instant
every man OH his feet and ready for the fray
Turn out. men, turn out!' roarei the little Ser
geant of our escort, some ~ men; aud to give sdd
ditiOnsl force to his appeal he applied his foot with
astonishing energy To the recumbent bodies of his
men " I've lost my shoes, Sergeant" replied one
of them. D---n your shoes responded the LITTLE
man, squirting him on with another Kick. Forward
double. quick time, march and away all hands OF
scampered through the pitcly dark, In the d
rection from which the sound had come, breaking
shins against the smaller rocks, and running
up full tilt against the larger ones And thus we
rushed on until We got tired bat not living
thing could We ace. In the broad light OF day, =
may face danger with a stout heart and ready
that perils environ you. and vet not TO know
where TO look for the death blow.
''Give ME TO see, and Ajax asks no more"
was the impassioned prayer of hero Of antiquity,
and how ] appreciated that prayer as l strained
my eyes through the darkness in search Of the
foe.
| can hut think 1t a pity that so much valour
should have been exhibited without enemy to
appal or a friendly observer to advise; yet 30 il
was. ThoHgh We pressed on in the dsrk with an
ea@erness well calculated to fright the souls Of
fearful adversaries yet, were at length obliged
to battle cur wrath and return to camp, wonder
ing who the deuce bad raised the row. The next
morRing explained it all. Lieutenant Reale, who
had heen absent for several days, had retired that
night and finding everything very quiet, thought
he would give waking up, and not only snc-
ceedei in that, but woke up has h0rst, which ran
away With him so completely, that he did not join
US until ~ o'clock the next day.
The Colorado river is a fine, bold stream. about
800 yards wide where we crossed it. and with from
IL 20 Is feet water in the channel. This, however,
il far UP the stream. ] have been told by gen
tleman, who once lived at Fort Iumas, that fur
ther down it is much broader and deeper. Our
crossing was effected with good deal of trouble
and occupied Us two days. All our baggage was
taken over in an India rubber boat, which the
foresight of the superintendent had provided, and
which answered its purpose most admirably. Our
force at this time was necessarily divided, as IL
was necessary to station guard over our bag
cage ON the western side to keep the meddiesome
Indians off who swarmed around 1t; and portion
on the East (among whom WIS Eeale.1 to watch
T. wagons and to direct the work, and do assure
YOU have been much more pleasantly situated
and have had far moie agreeable neighbors than
those swarms of gigantic savages (for they were
gants,l who were anxious to Inspect everything.
and who often broke Into loud cries and fierce gef
ticulations, seemingly bent on fight.
Having gotten our baggage over, then came the
cam,ls Ii is asserted in natural history that they
cannot swim, and We watched the experiment with
no little interest. First only one OF the males was
led down to the river; rope was then fastened 10
his head, and thrown to man IN the boat, In or
der 10 keep his nose above water, in the event oil
his really being unaLie to swim bnt the precau-
ton WAS needless. At first tie animal refused TO
enter the water but once in, he breasted II maninl
w. and though carried some distance down the
stream bv the rapid cnrrent, he reached the oppo-
site shore in safety amidst the plaudits OF the en-
tire multitude both of indians and white men.
and to our unspeakable qualification; for expert
ence had taught RS they we're inyalnable Inc
rest we're gotten over without any difficulty.
We were not 50 fortunate with our mules worn
ont by incessant labor, and weakened by want OF
food some Of them were unable TO resist tbe RAPID
current and were swept down and drowned: Ihen
a siekening scene. Scarcely had the
breath left their bodies when they were dragged
ont of the water by the Indians and torn limb from
limb, to CRAFTY their savage appetites; throwing
huge pieces of the reeking fiesh on the fires which
they had hastily kindled, they suffered them 10
burn TOT Jew moihentos auu 'ucn ~" i""Sc.
10 refrain from their horrid feast they tore with
their teeth like hungry dogs, while their faces and
ia nds were besmeared with gore. IL was sick
enng sight. Having succeeded in getting over the
river without any serious accident, the next morn
ing a little after sunrise. we bade adien 70 the
place and its Inhabitants, and moved ON towhtos
the setting sun. m
The road is a good one, and will Doubtless be,
come nppular with emgrantr, though We suffered
a times for water, yet be il remembered our ms
sion was that of pioneers. IL was 10 making pain
and easv the way for those who might follow us
that we an fFered We had DO landmarks and guide
but the compass; those who come after us have
,niy to follow In our tracks. Lieut. beaie Is the
most energetic man in the world, and the secre-
tary of War proved his sagacity IN selecting hih
ior the work.
In a preyious letter, which II seems was miscar-
-Ied. gave Won some description OF the sort OF
Ife which men lead who cross those vast tracts OF
.nn,try knoxn AZ thu Western plains. told you