Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-07-14

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the ladies comprising our party, but as
/ am not, I omit it-merely adding
that l cannot deny but what the spin-
ion the geutler sex entertain of them
selves is eminently true and undoubt-
edly Just; they are all handsome
One thing more: the recruits num-
bered 1888; in command of Capt, Suy-
der, 5th U. S. l., and destined for Fort
Union, N. NJ, thence to be distributed
to the 18th Infantry, stationed at the
different forts in the Territory. Our
route of travel was all laid out, and
our camping places carefully selected,
which were closely adhered to.
May 27th.--After an annoying and
vexatious delay of two days we have
at last got under way. We left Car
son at l1:3o A. NJ. (St. Louis time)
and reached Rush creek at $50 P. NJ,
distance of eleven miles, where we
have gone into camp. We have three
Wall tents, and tent for kitchen, with
all the camp equipage necessary to rem
der the trip pleasant-thanks to Col.
R. and Major Nee. The country
passed through to-day is a barren,
sandy waste; no grass fit for stock. We
saw a few antelope at aistance--a
great disappointment to the Nimrods
Of our party, F. and N, who have
promised to keep US in buffalo steaks
and venison. A rash promise we fear.
Rush creek is a station of the Santa Fe
Stage Co.-only one house here, where
one or two men are kept to take care
of the stock. A lonely place, and a
dull, dreary life. The water, for man
and beast, is very poor; is strongly
impregnated with salts, and has the
same effect. No less than half dozen
rattlesnakes have been killed in camp,
this evening, by the boys. The country
is full of them, and the old story of the
hunter, that prairie dogs, rattlesnakes
and owls live as one family in the same
hole, seems verified. Capt. S. sends
word that we must be off by 5 o'clock
in the morning--bad news for the Ia
dies, who love their late morning nap.
May 28th.-Up at four O'Clock, a
proceeding entirely disgusting to the
ladies. Breakfast on ham, hard bread
and coffee. Break up camp and are
> on the road at $50. Reached Kiowa
Springs at 10 A. NJ, and went into
camp, having travelled but eleven
miles. The road was very heavy, the
:. sand for distance of nine miles being
from three to six inches in depth. One
) of our Nimrods, in company with our
cook, went ahead this morning in search
of game. Saw several antelope, and
: had a few shots at distance of from
800 to 1000 yards. None killed,
wounded, or apparently badly fright
ened. Our ambulance driver, Carr, is
genius. He left Tennessee at ID
years of age for California, and Kit
Carson is the fartherest point east he
has been since that time. He looks to
be about SO years of age-is a good
l talker, and being a live western man,
! his stock Of stories, based on what he
: has seen and participated in, are mex
haustible. Combined with this he has
a kind heart, a disposition truly amia-
i BILE, and enjoys a joke hugely. He
: has drove stage in California, in fact
+, all his life nearly, and feels perfectly
at home behind four or six in hand
His information in regard to the coun'
i try through which we are passing, is
: very reliable and valuable-worth
more than all the books, because SC
practical and to the point.
Kiowa Springs is a stage station
= Water here quite good-best we have
. had since leaving Kansas City. At
:, O'Clock P. NJ, the water in the wei
gave out, and Capt. S. was compelled
!. to put guard over it TO insure suffi
cient accumulation, by morning, to ge
e breakfast with.
Two officers of 7th Cavalry came il
from Fort Lyon, and, with their escort
:, camped opposite to us. Thanks t
g them for generous supply of ice. Il
rendered our evening and morning
It "toddy" delicious. In this country
g where the water is so bad, as it gener
i ally proves to be, little good liquo
is absolutely necessary for ladies a.
a well as gentlemen. Capt. S. says w
f. must be off by four O'Clock in tn
l. morning, as we have long marcl
r. ahead of us, especially for raw recruit
d on foot.
d MAY 29th.-The cooks were ava
n kened at 9 o'clock this morning; W
N were called at three and had breakfas
l. before four-a proceeding the ladie
emphatically protest against. We wer
d on the road by four o'clock, and hav
a. had hard days march. No waite
= on the road for man or beast. Passed
N station "well number two" at
ID O'Clock. Watered the mules out of
N mud hole-about three inches of waite
sr in it and very filthy. Between "wel
a. No. 1" and "No. e' (16 miles it wa
8, very hot. The wind blew hard ant
e, and fairly scorched ones face. Th
E. recruits began to fall out by the way
side and were picked up by the wag
IN ons, until every one was full to over
lie flowing. 1t required the utmost exer
in tions of the officers to get them int
r camp. Whitewater, was the cry
ID We came twenty-eight miles befor
rt water was reached-not drop on tn
o. road save what little we were able 7
ID carry in two kegs. Arrived at we
70 No. Q at 2 P. n. Here we left tn
ly troops, and, with our party, pushed, o.
ne to Fort Lyon, distance of IS miles
at arriving at 8 P. NJ. Carr drove tn
OF last seven miles, with nine of US in on
he ambulance, in forty five minutes. Tn
~ roads to-day have been splendid--har'
lg and smooth as a floor. The countr
it looks much better and more favorabl
Y, for cultivation. We have come now t
L: the banks of the Arkansas river, wher
L = ri