The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-15
Colorado and Nevada.

Colorado and Nevada.
The territory of Colorado, organized by
recent act of Congress, includes parts of
Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern Utah. Its
boundaries run as follows: Beginning at
point where the lO2d degree of west longi-
tude from Greenwich crosses the 9th parel-
lei Of north latitude, thence west along said
line to the l09th degree of west longitude,
thence south along said line to the 9th de-
gree of north latitude to the place of begin.
ing. The territory contains about 100000
square miles, and at this time population
of some 25, 900 people. The Rocky Noun,
tains divide the territory into two parts,
westward from them flowing large num-
Der of rivers, tributary to the Colorado,
and eastward others equally numerous and
large, tributary to the Askansas and South
Fork Platte Rivers. 1t includes the famous
mining region, Pixies Peak, rich in gold
and other metals.
Nevada is taken from western Utah and
California. Its boundaries are as follows /:
Beginning at the point of intersection of
the 42d degree of north latitude with the
seth degree of longitude west from Wash
ington thence running south on the lire of
this 10th degree west longitude, until it
intersects the northern boundary of the
territory of New Mexico; thence due west
to the dividing ridge separating the waters
of Carson Valley from those that flow into
the Pacific; thence on this dividing ridge
northwardly to the 4lst degree north lati-
tude; thence due north to the southern
boundary line of the state of Oregon thence
due east to the place of beginning. That
portion of the territory within the present
limits of the state of California is not to be
included within Nevada, until the state of
California shall assent to the same by an
act irrevocable without the consent of the
United States. The territory includes the
lovely and fertile Carson Valley. Great
mineral wealth, especially of silver, in which
it is richer than any other part of the world.
is found in Nevada, and its agricultural re.
sources are also very great.
Where the First Blow Will be Struck.
1t is highly probable that the first at
tempt, on the part of the Confederated
States, to capture occupied United States
forts at the South, will be in Texas, at Fort
Brown; they seem little scary" about
touching either Pickens or Sumpter. Fort
Brown is besieged by Texan troops, and at
last advices, collision was daily looked
for. 1t is garrisoned by two companies,
one of the LIST and one of the I'd Artillery.
1t is situated at Brownsville, on the left
bank of the Rio Grande, fifty miles up from
the Gulf of Mexico, and nearly opposite
Matamoras, and is under the command of
Capt. BENNETT H. HILL, of the First Ar
tillery. 1t is an interesting fact that Capt.
HILL belongs to regiment whose officers
are just now filling most important posi-
tions-ths LIST Artillery. To this regiment
are attached
Maj. Robert Anderson, Fort Sumpter, S. C.
Capt. Abner Doubleday, do do
Lieut.. Theodore Talbot, do do
Capt. John M. Brennan, Fort Taylor, Fla.
Lieut.. Adam J. Slemmer. Fort Pickens, Fla.
Capt. Bennett H. Hill, Fort Brown. Texas.
Capt. HILL is native of the District of
Columbia, and graduated at West Point in
1887. He has consequently been in the
service twenty-three years.
The opposing force is 600 strong, and
consists of picked men from the old Texan
Ranger corps, under command of the vete.
ran BEN. McCULLoUGH.