Arizona miner., 1864-05-11
THE WOOLsEY EXPEDITION.


The size Of our columns prevents our giving
more than bali OF Mr. Henry Ciifton's account
Of the Woolsey Expedition, ID Cur present
| numbsr.--ED.
party of about an hundred miners left Col.
King =. Woolsey'a Aqua Fria Ranch, at ten
O'Clock on the night OF March 29th, for cam
paign against the Apaches Each mess had one
pack nimsI aud ten days rations. twenty OF
the party remained at the Ranch until the oext
| day 70 bring the balance OF the animals and pro-
visions. and make easy drives 10 conRect with
us on the head.waters Of the Aqua Fria or Rio
Verde. whilst the first party pushed on 10 n
southery direction, 10 the Black Canon, and
attacked some raucheFias 10 that locality. Our
road led due east. across low range OF granite
| hills, denseiy covered with oak brush aud the
uigbt being very dark, il was impossible 10 keep
the dim trail. A. O'Clock 10 the morning we
camped 10 wait for daylight having travelled
only three or four miles. AZ sunrise we packed
up, and went down to Cottonwood Springs, two
miles further where ne cooked breakfast, and
then changed our course TO more southerly one,
and reached the east branch OF the Aqua FRA
early 10 the afternoon, where we stopped until
dark to rest our animals Our road Tor the most
part Of the day, had been through a volcanic
formation Of black lava, which entirely bid all
signs OF mineral. If any existed. At dark we
started on, having scouts IN advance 10 keep a
sharp lookout foi indians Arriving at a
fne stream of water about ii o'clock the Colo
nel gave the orde. TO camp as be wished TO take
look at the surrounding country by daylight
This stream We called Ash Greek on account Of
the abundance Of fine ash timber that grew on
its banks. The creek at this place, is some ten
feet Ia width, and crossed by innumerable beaver
dams. making it quite deep. We caught some
very fine fish, of the same species are found in
the waters flowing into the Colorado and ella.
The soil is Of ashy or very light character, and
thcky covered with fne quality Of grass.
Finding 90 Indian signs We started ct ten
P. NJ, still Keeping south-easierly course ; when
some some five or. six miles from camp. while
waiting on the crest Of a ridge FOR the return Of
the scouts found several rare species Of the
garlic family, which were very paatable also an
abundance Of clover. drew the attention oil
several of the party TO the fact, and they testified
that II was the first clover they had seen IN the
Territory. The scouts returning, reported hay-
ing found some fresh Indian signs aud also
running stream. about mile tn advance. We
descended carefully 30 the creek, ard made d
halt there for a couple OF hours, whist party
secured the surrounding country. We called
this Cane Creek there being an immense amount
Of cane-grass growing along It's banks. This
cane is used by the Indian for making arrows. on
account Of its lightness, and its being so very
straight. Finding no Indians at this place. we
crossed over low ridge to another creek. which
We called Also Creek both Also and Cane
Greeks undoubtedly empty into the Aqua fra.
at point below where we crossed il. At Also
Greek we found some deserted wigwams, the
only signs of Indians having Inhabited that por.
ton OF the country Bearing in more southerly
direction until dark, we arrived within fifteen or
sixteen miles Of where we supposed there we're
some Indians living and finding sufficient water
in canon we halted TO rest and eat
Col. Woolsey wished to make a forced march
that night and surprise the Indians, or at least
find their whereabouts before daybreak. so as TO
attack them with success We prepared some
supper and lay down TO rest At ten O'Clock.
iorty-fve OF us we're called and immediately pre-
pared for the march. We left camp as silently
as possible. travelling in Indian die for half or
three-quarters Of all hour, when halt was made
and the party divided into three companies, and
each company into two platoons or squads The