The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-22


And HAaAHIcMcK.
FORT RILEY, Nay 14th. 1862. J
HEADQUARTERS, 18th r. W.. V.
Aessrs. Editors.-Agrceably to your Ne.
quest, I will attempt to sketch briefly, our
march in the valley of the Kansas river,
with the impressions received, the result Of
observation and inquiry, As We have passed
from point t. point N it, since ve crossed
it about the beginning of last March. On
Saturday the LIST of March, We left Leaven-
worth City, crossing the Delaware Reserve,
beautiful rolling prairie as far as we could
see At times; during our march of sixteen
and half miles, We crossed two small
streams Of fair water, camped in the edge
of the timber at Johnnycake's: and next
day marched fifteen miles to the bridge over
the Kansas, above Wyandott, all the way
through heavy timber, passing many clear
ings With good houses, barns, orchards and
fences, quite home-like in their neatness
and air of substantial comfort From the
bridge to Shawneetown, the county seat Of
Johnston county, We passed through six
miles of timber growing on the gradually
rising bluffs 6oanding the Kansas river
valley. Through these woods, the soil was
very rich black vegetable mould, which
appeared to bring forth abundantly, and
amply repay the labor bestowed on its cul-
tivation, although billy, with many dismal
looking canons, with almost perpendicular
sides of clay, showing depth Of black soil
on their banks from four to six feet upon a
stratum of clay from twenty to forty feet,
such land ought to be inexhaustible in fer
tility.
On the evening of the 1st Of April, We
re-entered the valley of the Kansas river,
crossing the Wakarusa and passing below
the point of the divide between the Wax
arusa and Kansas rivers and camping at
Lawrence; but before reaching it had to
wade over about mile of low marsh, COW
cred with water from four to fourteen inch
es deep, the effect of the rain which fell the
night previous. The soil was dark and
apparently very rich between the two rivers,
but on the immediate banks of the Kansas,
it was sandy. There seemed to be consid-
erable timber across the river, but on the
city side, very little.
Our regiment started out on another
march, destined for Fort Riley; and soon
Joined the summit of the divide between
the Wakarusa and Kansas rivers, and con-
tinued along it until we arrived near Tope-
ka. We camped at the village of Big
Springs, fifteen miles from Lawrence, hav-
ing travelled over beautiful upland prairies
mostly settled, with we'll fenced farms, and
good houses; we saw timber when we
neared either river, while following the
crooked road, and very little in narrow
valley at our camp, where the springs form
a small stream, the 6rst We came near on
our march this day. Our next days march
was up the South SIDE of the river, until We
crossed it at Topeka; our road lay over
beautiful country we'll settled, with good
stone and brick houses, and some of the
best stone fences I ever saw, and we'll sup
piled with good water, with springs and
streams numerous. We learned that good
coal was abundant few miles from Topeka,
and vein had lately been opened within
the city limits; the soil near the river is
quite sandy which however does not extend
very far back; there seems to be timber
enough on these small streams to supply
the present wants of the settlers, and if
pains are taken, no doubt, plenty can be
raised on their beautiful prairies. The peo-
pie ore very generally healthy, aud have
lots of rosy checked Juveniles running
round the door yards. Our next camp was
at the Indian village of Crossville. on Cross
Creek, having marched over q most .beauti-
full level prairie, past Silver Lake, and near
the low bluffs that bounds The river bottom.
There we're but few farms on our route, but
they seemed to be excellent localities Our
boys we're particularly pleased With this
asd it woald Dot surprise ne If
many Of them should return and settle upon
It, as soon as it is opened for settlement,
and the government dispcnses with our SER
vices. There is but little timber on Cross