The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-17

ING OUR wAY-THE INDIANS, ETC. a
Special Correspondence Of the New Orleans crsscsntl
In CAMP, NEAR FREDRIoKsBURs, Texas,
I'D November 4, 1868. I
My Dear Co,onel-At the end of our second
days journey from San Antonio we encamped on
the left bank Of the Gaudaloupe, near the little
German village of Comfort. From Leon Springs
to the latter Pent, distance of thirty miles, we
passed around q succession of arid hills and
through canons fruitless of little vegetation save
coarse grass, email oaks and cldppdrdl, with the
exception Of Boerne and vicinity. The country is
even too poor to encourage the presence of
Texas cattle, and forciby suggested the Apostle
ness of Sheridans comparison Of Texas with
much warmer country. But when we reached
Comfort we found ourselves in the pleasant valley
of the clear Gaudaloupe, surrounded by thrifty
German farmers, and out of sight of the lonesome
sterilty through which we had just passed. These
German settlements scattered through Western
Texas ARE real GASES In the desert, and we are
often made to rejoice that SO many of the sterling
people of "Faderlandn have here taken up their
lS es pS and
Since leaving San Antonio game has been sin.
has rewarded the watchfulness of our sportsman
for nearly week. few deer have been seen in
rapid motion on the edge of q distant wood, and on
the I'd we saw few wild turkeys making active
strides over the summit Of hill.
At Boerne we passed near but not in sight of
the home and farm of the late Geo. Wilkins Ken
dali, and regretted that want of time prevented
visit to the place. At frequent intervals we have
been reminded of his service to Texas, by the ap-
pearance of focks of thrifty looking sheep. A
hotel at Boerne bears his name. The name of one
of the Texas counties also perpetuates his memory.
II is dicultfor your correspondent to conjecture,
after q cursory, and OF course, imperfect survey.
what special attraction this immediate portion Of
Texas had to gentleman Of Mr. kendall's taste
and judgment. on - .tr-1 -
Early yesterday morning Q small portion of our
party and escort left our camp at Comfort for
Camp Verde, distant Is miles. Our Teutonic
driver, who had been over the route only dozen
times more or less, about six miles out, took the
right hand instead of the left hand road, and
before he discovered his mistake had driven
US to the village of Kerrvlle, about IL
miles out of the direct course. Kerrville Is upon
no existing map of Texas, and was not included
in the geographical information of any member of
the party; but the inhabitants intelligently IN
formed US of the route TO Camp Verde, and we
again set out for that post which, after toilsome
journey over hills, fords and barely taceabe
roads we reached at P. n. We were rather
puzzled at the excursion on which we were led
by our honest driver and guide, considering that
be advocates the construction of railroads in
Texas for the purpose OF getting through the
"toggon'd country as fast as possibleW But
such are the Inconsistencies of human nature.
We found the post of Camp Verde in temporary
command of Major Clemens. of the thirty.fi In
fantiy, and garrsoned by one company of that
that the paymaster was the chief member of the
visiting party, we were very Hospitality received
by Major Clemens and DIR. Sharpe, post sur.
geon. The latter gentleman came to Texas
much reduced in health, and with incipient con-
sumption, but two years of its fine climate has re.
stored him very nearly to complete health and
vigor
In Msjor Clemens and DR.. Sharpe we find strik-
at home, of education and refinement. who leave
all the privileges aud pleasures OF cultvats d
life to in the army at these remote posts, al
most eyond the hope of gain, glory or promotion.
Camp Verde is wellappoitted post, havlr 9
stone barracks, stone quarters for oticers hospi'
tai ETC. 1t is picturesquely situated on the Guada.
onne Xhish here , T1ps in q nlAA' s-'''"s' 's'se
Almost every morning Indians are seen skulking
around Camp Verde and vicinity. II is close by
their route from the Indian territory to the Rio
Grande, and in the midst of country where they
are enabled to make effectual depredations upon
the horses and cattle of the farmers They rarely
attack men, unless brought into unforeseen con-
tact with them. They shot boy in the arm few
days since, near the camp. The arrow which in
hicted the wound il in possession OF Major Gle.
mems.
Leaving Camp Verde late 10 the afternoon,
with relay escort for Fort Mason, we returned
to our camp at Comfort, arriving after dark. The
camp fires gave US cheerful greeting, and the
sable chief of our cuisine set before us asteaming
pea SOUP in which the tolls of the day were soon
drowned. i
This morning we breakfasted upon catfish from
the GsudaloLpe. and, while the blacksmith of
Comfort was repairing our carriage tongue we sat
near the yard ola village and drank copiously
OF milk just drawn from the cows udders by
barefooted German girls.
This morning our escort from San Antonio was
relieved by the relay from Camp Verde, and
started on its return. At some point on our way
here to day we lost from the rack Of our ambu'
| lance FIVE gallon cask of rain water carefully
brought all the way from San Antonio, to drink
| in preference to the lime impregnated wells and
| streams Of this region. About eight miles back
| we had the good fortune to meet Lieut.. Conrad
| with a company OF the S5th from Fort McKavette
| for San Antonio, who supplied our loss by an
| other cssk Of water from his train.
To. night we are pleasantly encamped within
three miles of the considerable town of Fredercks
/, burg, upon a lawn sloping from an oak grove tC
l the river Padernales, q fork of the Colorado.
7. z.