Arizona citizen., 1872-05-18
AN INTERESTING JOURNAL.
Camp Life in ArizOna--By Captain
 M. Wilkinson, A. ID. C.

A. T.-Dear Governor It was with a mental reservation that I expressed an opinion to General Howard, in re- gard to my accepting your kind in- vltat1on to accompany you on your re- cent scout and exploration in Southern Arizona. I will tell yon frankly why. I felt that 1 did not wish to string out my experiences-those we had in entering this Territory through the Gila deserts. And here let me say that it is most unfortunate that so many come through, and go out of this most uninviting introduction to this Territory seeing little beside, and passing opinion upon the whole by this sample. So as was saying, 1t was with a mental reservation that I packed my saddle bags and prepar- ed to carry out the wish of yourself Land the General.
 Taking Notes.
 One day, you remember, you caught me taking notes-not to print, but at the request of General Howard-notes of each days march, etc. I hardly realized the promise I then made that Iwould embody them in part to you for your disposal, as you might think best. But promise Is 8 promise-and l respectfully submit my little story of this pleasant and never to be for gotten trip of my life.
 May ?, you remember, came to us 6 little breezy, but pleasant for our start. How much better is fun than physic-and when the two hundred pounds of fun, and healthful frolic came up to us in the person of Doctor Durrant you will remember we agreed upon just that sentiment; and during the nearly two weeks we rode and tramped and joked and laughed to- gether he proved it to us. But this is not the way my diary reads and l turn back to it.
 Twenty-one miles from Tucson) and we come up with our escort of thirty men, with pack train to match, under command of Lieutenant R. T. Stew art, Fifth Cavalry. To-day find the mature of the country and character of mountain scenery very similar to that about Tucson, and after pleasant evening call from Colonels Jones and Sprague, in camp near us, we turn our toes and eyes up to the ever glorious stars and, if we do right, thank the Maker and go to sleep.
 May 3-Seven A. M. find us riding out of our camp at Little Springs. At Eleven We have made fifteen miles. Santa Rita ever present-so near and yet so far-with its over coat of pine and other timber, its under clothing of gold and silver and copper. This mountain is on our right and as they tell us there is saw mill. near its peak 1 am wondering by what process they have managed to get it there. To-day the Gila deserts are forgotten as we journey through a country rich in its varieties of grasses, and water in considerable abundance. Mustang mountains also in sight--not so well timbered as Santa Rita. From these mountains, in the "overland mail days" the Apaches had most excellent opportunity to jump the stages and returning divide and enjoy, meas urably secure, their spells. Passing over the divide into the Babocomari valley we find rolling hills gradually sloping into the Babocomari creek. Good grazing country. Huachuca in our front.
 One P. M. and we unsinch at Crittenden, about eight miles east from Santa Rita, at the head of the Sonoita valley, and on the table land just above old Fort Buchanan Quilt, as understood it, by General EwelD. Graveyard on hill just above the old fort, with not 8 few head boards to tell the story of killed or died from wounds by Indians. A rude yet strong inclosure is about the Penning- ton family-father and two sons-the stories of whose lives are full of thrill ling adventure, whose deaths tell of the nature of frontier life even in these days.
 A GOOd-by.
 May 4-Out of Crittenden at eight A. NJ. Party in good health, and good spirits as natural consequence. Three of us nearly two months since,