The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-25
THE OVERLAND NAIL ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA.


Arrival at Fh Belknaf- Description Of the Route-Ami
cGbe DEPOSITION of the Peose-Fmt Belknap- Ramored
India" D1Seda:ions-rhe Contemplated Course Of tie
Eapeditio'-A Road from III PGso to Fort Yun,a-Ar-
rtrdl at Fort Chadbo4yne-7A Colonization Of tho
Ca~sanches- Hoo It Prcgresscs-7he Team Sil-Bn-
usual Fsrtil9y-DesrPion of For. CAadoaw,'e--iroa
Ore-Prohable Success Of the Erpediios-AH the Pary
in Good Health, dc dc.
The expedition left the Red river on the morning Of tho
9th of February and reached this point to-day having
made the distance-one hundred and forty miles
IN eght days from GanesvilIe thirty five miles from the
Red river The train took the old military road running
throueh the upper and lower Cross Tmbers. There
no settlements along the road after striking the upper
Cross nmbers, distance Of eighty five miles, and the
grass not yet being suitable condition grazing pur
poses. gram had 10 be hauled for the animals.
The country through which the expedition has passed.
and which they have thoroughly e1a nised-s unsur
passed for fine scenery, good soil and healthy climate
With the exception of the Cross moers it high rolling
prairie, inerspersed here and there with groves Of tim
Der, which will afford ample material for fuel and build
ing purposes for . great length Of time. There are
streams OF excellent waer at almost any point tho
road, and which remain supplied II all OF the
year. The soil is principally sandy loan, and capable
Of producing excellent crops Of wheat rye oats all
small grans But this portion Of Texas s partic llariy
adapted TO grazing II is for tho most part ele-
waited, dry and healthy, Astounding in rich
grasses and pure water 1t is an extent OF country
which destined TO be occupied by intelligent, indus
tous and energetic Of men, not Inferior any
spect TO those who nbab the old Sas. Nature has de-
signed II for the habitaton Of agricultural people
The people all along the route which the expedition has
travelled from st. Louis to this point taking the deep
est interest in the enterprise Of successfully carrying
the project Of establishing overland mail route CALI
forna AT Sherman, Greyson county, large and enthu
sastic meeting Of the citizens held while the expedi
ton was in town, at which resolutions were adopted
pledgpg the faith Of the ctizans 10 build all necessary
roads, iges &C, running through the county and to
keep them in good repair during the time they would be
occupied by the company. And the people everywhere
have manifested the deepest interest in the succes
consummaton Of the undertaking And is no more than
right that the people Of Texas should So This route
established, and the vast Of lands lying IN
wastes throughout the State will be occupied by set
tiers and all the Improvements characteristic of the Anne
rcan people will be under way Besides, this route will
open thoroughfare which will afford outlet the
Texas travel at all Of the year. Now the various
routes by which the people Of Texas find their way to the
North in the summer months s blocked up by the yellow
fever. This win be obviatcd, from the fact that this
route will form q connecting link with oil the various
stage lines running through Texas and thus afford the
Texan planter an opportunity of travelling at all
poinst. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, tennessee
offer every ,cilty TO the people, both North and South
who desire travelling by land TO California There will be
bountul supply OF ali that essential the comfort OF
the traveller and his animals route and good wood
water and grass abound in abundance along the entire
distance
Fort Beknap is almost deserted This morning
two companies of infantry destined portion Of the
pforcements TO the army in Utah left for jefferson Bar
racks, st. Louis, under command Of Major Paul They
are to march to Shreveport, on the Red river from
main in quarters until about the FIRST Of Nav When thev
viii 60 out with the remainder OF the troops 70 Salt Lake.
There remains al the fort now only part OF company OF
.sSs charge Of us ssySSa M ss S ToUpss ss 70
panics OF cavalry expected here daily however to
take charge OF the garrison The fort tenn porary
under the Of Lieutenant Majors who perins
nently stationed at the garrison at san Antonio.
rumor was received here yesterday 70 the effect tha
the entire forces under the command OF Col Aexander
had been killed by the Indians and Mormons. The nor
came by way Of san Antona There very little reanc,
placed in IT, however, by the officers of the Fort here
Lieutenant Majors, who le San Anona days ater
the messenger that brought the rumor reports having
The country surrounding Belknsp possesses all the ne
ccssary qualicaops for making Of the most pron
the Brazos river, . beautiful site of ground with
scenery Of surpasng beauty presenting itself all
Settlers are rapidly moving 10, and at This time there
some twenty dwellings in the course OF erection.
The main stream OF the Braxos at this point one
hundred feet wide, flows over sand and rock bottom
and heavily charged with red sedmentary matter max
ing the water brackish and unpalaabe The valley of
the river shut in by bluffs about hundred feet high
which may be found springs Of pure cold wate, VI
There are large number Of Indians OF various tribes
about the Fort principally Northern CamAnchcs, tribe
that subsss almost entirely upon the flesh Of
the buffalo, and known among other tribes
as "BunAlo Atcrs" and the main portion OF them
place place upon tose vast and nhospabIo plains Of
the West, ho greater portion Of which incapable Of
cultivation and seem defined in the future in the past
70 be the abode OF the wandering Indian poesessng
they do, 30 few attractions % civilized man.
The expedition will remain here few days for the pur
pcse or making the necessary inquiries 70 the condition
Of the roads, feed, no. II is not decided AZ yet whether
they the road leading by way Of Fort Chadbourne
or the one which leaves II 10 the left.
The officers and are all In excellent health and the
sock in good condition. believed that tho train will
be able TO get through 70 II Paso BY the LIST Of April
Colonel Woods ran sent out by the government for
the purpose Of building road from " PAso TO Fort
Yuma, has been here since the LIT OF November. The
mule train, with Major Leach, e now Ai II PNo. II v
believed that the OF train will 20 farther than here
when they reached hcrc they had hundred and Hy
to herd. AZ the present time only fifteen head can be
found and the probability that they have bcen stolen
and killed by the Indians.
1he expedition left Fort Bclknap the morning OF the
loth inst and reached Fort Chadbourne distance Of
one hundred and thirty three mlee Monday the 22d
The country travelled through that portion OF northern
and Texas dessnaie running from the Rasoe
70 the Colorado river range OF country possessing
diversity Of soil and change Of scenery than any other
agricultural region In the State Of Texas.
About forty miles from Fort Belknap we paescd the
Camp Cooper Indian Reservation where hundred
Southern Camanches being oolouircd (so csed) by
the government This idea Of stall feeding and civzng
Oi lnulhns Ike tne AnChes De good one
for the useless expenditure OF the public moneys but
s certainly the most impoitic movement by
our government The history and antecedene Of the Ca
manche Indians are pregnant with Arguments against
such step ever being carried out with any degree OF
The life Of the CamAnche has always been az
free a the boundless plains which he roams lie
has known what 70 for what seemed 70
him comfort and luxury. He has always been satisfied
with what he could end the deer the buffalo
him. These have always served him with food, clothing
and covering for his lodge and wgwam and the thoughts
Of the titles and distinctions OF civilized life have never
oupied his mind. His only ambition Ia to be able 70
cope successfully with his enemy In and 10 manage his
horse with the most perfect adroincss He the sad
die from infancy 10 the grave and his avorte stecd
his constant idol and companion. Al time does the
CamAnche Indian exhibit himself 10 much advantage
a. when mounted. II n spot where he perfectly at
home, and the skill which he exhibits In the various
nUuvres which he makes perfectly astonishing He |
otenimes throws himself entirely upon side OF his
horse and discharges his with q rspidty that
must be seen TO be believed Every CAmAnchc warrior
has bis horsc-the ncetest that he purchase
steasnd he rrizcs him higher than all the rest OF his
worldly goods, and could not be induced 10 part with him
at any price. He mounts his horse except i