The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-21

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Special Correspondence Of New Orleans orescsntl
FoKT EcKAvETT, Texas, Nov. 9, 1865.
Ny dear COiOnel-We are now about l70 miles
northwest OF san Antonio, almost in the center
OF the Oscillation of Western Texas. Ny last
letter was mailed at Fredericksburg. the capital
OF Gillespie county, and the most considers ole
town OF very large region. 1t was established
by Germans about l842. 1t contains three
churches, one being fine stone editice used
| Dy the Catholics, although In this as In most OF
the German towns of Texas, the Protestants COM
pose the large majority. The oldest looking
building in Fredericksburg is a quaint-lOoking
octsgonal building In the center of the village.
| peep through one of the windows disclosed a
| stone floor, plain deal pulpit and rougn benches
for seats. The town contains two steam mills,
several stores, thinly populated cemetery aud
/ one idle doctor.
about Is miles this side 90 Fredericksburg we
met dashing looking company Of the fourth caval-
ry, from Fort McKavett for Jefferson, via Austin
where large reinfOrcements had recently been or
defed IN consequence Of disturbances at that place.
| The company was under the command of Major
Davis. an experienced frontier officer, and very
excellent gentleman, WHO has risen 20 his present
rank from private in the volunteer service. He
wss accompanied by his two young lieutenants,
Bean and Warrington, whose only objection to
service on the frontier is that they are not sent
out on Indian hunts often enough. We dined
pleasantly together at the quarters of Pawn 3ster
Walker, who aferwsrd diffased a modicum of
I
We all encampeo for the night, M aking long,
cbatty, pleasant evening, with our cigars and
pipes, before good log fire.
The next day we arrived at Fort Mason. situated
upon tall hill near the river Lano, in Mason
county. The post comprises quite cluster of
white stone buildings which were visible to us for
several miles distant. IL seemed like m irbe
city in the midst Of a Wilderness and what with
the dry, half bare, barren. rolling country sur
rounding il, suggested pictures of Palestine.
We found Fort Mason garrisoned by company
of the thirty fifth infantry, commanded by Brevet
Captain Stevens, in the absence of Captain Hol.
brook. The only other officer present was Lieut..
Wtam, an energetic and intelligent gentlemen.
who, If he had control of the garrison, would In
fuse more order and discipline into it than it pos
sesses az present.
We dined rather sumptuousy at Fort Mason at
table presided over by Mrs. Hullz, wife OF Or.
Hui z, post surgeon, formerly of New Orleans.
Between the excellent bill of fare and the intel
ligent conversation of our refined and educated
hostess we were rarely entertained. Dr. Hultz
was absent IN attendance as witness at a court
martial. he came TO Fort Mason with cOnsump.
ton, but the fine air has restored him to health
of many Illustrations OF the restorative powers
of the climate of Western Texas. II the cOun.
try we're less difficult Of access 1t could not fail to
be the resort Of thousands OF vseIndmariaus. la
the genial temperature of its winters 1t possesses
great advantage over Minnesota.
After leaving Fort Mason thirty miles of good
road through dreary country brought Us, on the
Ith, 10 our next encampment. on the right bank of
the river San SABA where we dined and break
tasted on q fat wild turkey which our sportsman
took from drove just before hating for the day.
Yesterday, after proceeding twenty -eight miles
up the rather pretty valley of the San Saba, five
or six miles below this post, We again eRcanped
for the night, reaching Fort McKaVett this morn.
ing before guard mounting.
Fort McKayett is garrsOned by two companies
OF the fourth cavalry, force altogether made
quate for the labor expected TO be performed for
protection frontier pitizpua ha c
that the depredations of the Indians increasing
in frequency. Occasional scouting parties are
sent out from the fort below on mules, but with
out accomplishing anything tangible. McKayett
Is commanded by Breyet Lieut.. Col. Beaumont,
an energetic officer and gentleman Of breeding.
The other officers present are Brevet Major Mid
dleton, post surgeon, Lieut.. Hicks, Lieut.. Shoe.
maker, now sick, and Lieut.. Glenn, the latter of
the thirty ffth infantry. Recent important sddi-
tons TO the buildings OF the post have been made
and are still in progress. Some of the lumber used
therein is transported all the way from the gulf
coast on wagons, distance Of over three hundred
miles. Near the fort is beautiful little lake. the
source OF the San Saba, and plenty of limestone
OF which most of the buildings of the post are
constructed.
To-day We have dined with great mental and
physical satisfaction with Col. Beaumont ami his
accomplished wife. In the evening we were in
vited TO game of billiards, on an elegant table
at the quarters of Mr.. Trainor the energetic cOn-
tractor snd trader who supplies these posts and
gets cheated out of seventy five per cent. by the
scsawag boys in blue" priya es, whom he
trusts with some Of the Injuries and necessaries
Of life.
Yesterday we passed q village of prairie dogs !
who were bobbiDg in and out of, and to and fro
between, each others holes in a very lively man.
Der. The difficulty of securing these rapid little
fellows was freshly shown by the failure of our
spoTimsn. who had better chance than is ordina-
rily afforded. The animal was probably hit, but |
be rolled into his hole out of sight and reach as
quick ss lightning The prairie dog is said TO
sometimes occupy the same hole with rattlesnakes
or rabbits.
We encamped last night close by small pecan |
tree which supplied the whole party with dessert. |
After several hours of patient angling in the San |
Saba, Col. Walker returned with one small ca |
fish, reports Of abundant duck for the gratifca ion
OF the lazy gunner, and q narrowing description |
o. veDemous water snake which he had seen 10 |
give flavor 10 after dreams Of reptiles ana Indians.
We are now 10 a country famous for game &C.
cording to the reports of enthusiastic sports men,
Whether it will come TO as to be shot remains TO
be seen. We haven't time TO go much out Of our
way for 1t. Coveys of quail are reappearing after
a long absence. We have seen four noble droVes
OF turkeys, but have only secured one of these
BIRDS. They have long legs and run with rapidly,
80 that 1t 10 no easy matter TO get within shoot.
ing distance OF them. A little patient waiting about
the rivers and ponds would yield plenty of duck
shooting. In about four months at Camp Verde,
Major Davis shot $40 ducks, and quail improper.
ton. Not long since he shot curious bird called
the water turkey, with back like a turkey feet
and breast like duck, and head like a snpe.
he Is not aware OF the classification of this curious
BY bid, and couldn't make up mouth to eat it.
Day after tomorrow we expect TO arrive stFOrt
h.