Arizona citizen., 1875-07-03
LETTER FROM COL. H1 $ sE.
San Carlos and on the Way to Camp Apache.


 c. A. Franklin, through whose assistance
 l hope to be able to obtain much interest. ing information concerning the Moquis and Zunis of whom many conflicting re- ports have been made. The route here from San Carlos is nearly north, leading } for twenty miles up the San Carlos river which unites with the Gila one mile above
 the agency of San Carlos. The San Car
 los bottom land is very rich and capable of producing large amount of grain, vegetables, etc., when brought under cul- tivation. The only improvement made along the river is a tract of land some seven miles up from San Carlos by DOT tion of EskiminZin's band who have put in fine crop of corn. The rich bottom is from half to one mile in width and most of it susceptible of irrigation. A low mesa extends on either side from the bottom lands for several miles, which affords ex- cellent pasturage. Some three miles up the | river, is the cattle range of MT. Ewing who has furnished the beef at San Carlos and other reservations the past year. Back of the low mesa and extending to the top Of the high mesa, or more properly table lands, there is very heavy and luxuriant growth of the gramma and other grasses affording excellent pasturage. Some eight miles from san Carlos, is the old camp ing ground of Col. Riggs and his con- mand, where on the west of the river is beautiful stretch of as fine agricultural land as eye ever saw, and where at some future time few beautiful farms will be made either by whites or Indians. The 1 formation up the San Carlos is mostly l limestone which crops out in the bluffs on either side. There are few breaks in the limestone where granite appears and at one point in one of these breaks, I noticed indications of auriferous deposits. Scattered all along the whole valley Of the San Carlos, are large quantities of caine iron stone, which the MeXicans call '' malpais." On leaving the San Carlos, the trail rises some thousand feet or more to wide table land extending for many miles either way Away off to the eastward rises the San Carlos, which foI l twenty miles or more has worn out Ia deep and impossible canyon with abrupt, perpendicular walls on either side of from 400 to 600 feet,fThe north branch Of the San Carlos rises to the north where we again struck it about thirty miles from San Carlos and where we camped for the night The water in the North fork is now found only in deep pools. The next morning at o'clock, we resumed our journey finding at eight miles distance, excellent water at Rock Springs which is permanent at all seasons. At this point we commenced the ascent to the high mesa to the south and west of Black river, slow and Ioilsome climb ping of hills upon hills. When once upon the top, the grand and extensive view obtained, well repaid us for our trouble. Of in all directions rises hill upon hill, and mountain upon mountain, at far as the eye can reach. We have now reached the region of pine tim Der interSpersed with groves of juniper, and from both of which q delightful fra grance arises which we find very grateful to our olfactory nerves. Far off to the distant northeast rises the Mogollon mountains, the SierraS Of Arizona, the high peak of the White mountain being tipped in places with snow. Looking down into the dark recesses of the Black can yon, we see the rushing waters of Black river, which in the distance looks like bold mountain streamlet, but which we find on coming to it, to be large river from 50 to 100 feet wide, and carrying much more water than the Gila at San Carlos. We were nearly an hour in going down from the summit to the river and much over an hour rising to the top of the divide between Black and White rivers. After leaving the San Carlos river, our rise was slow and toilsome, yet every lover of the grand in nature, is we'll repaid for his toll by coming over this route. The divide between the Black and White rivers is a high mesa or table land covered all over with splendid growth of grass and wherever water can be found or trail made down 10 either of the rivers, thou sands of cattle would have fine Summer range. The altitude of this high mesa, I have not been able to learn, but hope to do so before my next. The descent into the canyon or rather valley of White river is not nearly as abrupt as into the Black canyon.
 Of the White Mountain Indian Agency, it's farming operations, character, etc., will write fully after more thorough ex- animation. Four Companies of U. $. troops are stationed here; two Of Infan-