El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-30
REPORT OF RECONNAISSANCE
FROM FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS,
TO THE RIO GRANDE, TO FIND A
ROUTE. TO ESCORT EMIGRANTS.
AND TO CONCILIATE THE IN
DAMS
lContinned from YesterdayD

Continued from Yesterday
On the first of May we left our camp,
opposite Edwards. taking a course al
most south gradually turning to the
west TO pass around mountains which
border the Canadian. until we reached
the Delaware mountains. 146 miles
from Fort Smith.
The country here is very beautiful.
being a rolling prairie. with numerous
small islands or groves OF timber. and
many streams of pure spring water,
skirted with trees of different kinds.
The soil is of good quality, resting
upon Il basis of limestone. and in every
respect well adapted to cultivation
From the Delaware mountain. our
road passed by a gradual and easy as
cent 10 the ridge dividing the Bog
gy," "a tributary of Red river) from
the waters of the Canadian. Directly
where we passed there is a high. round
mound. and upon the top a pile of
rocks. which can be seen for long dis
atnce around. and is good landmark
for the traveller. One mile from this
mound we reached a beautiful, clear
rapid stream, Astounding with fish, and
here we found Captain Dent encamped.
After he had furnished me with copy
of his field-notes. he turned back for
Fort Smith. and / proceeded on, tax
ing Lieut. Updegraff and the detach-
nent under his command. Seven miles
from where We overlook Captain Dent.
We crossed another and much larger
stream. thirty yards wide. and one foot
deep. with a very rapid current; this
is called by the Indians "TO-paf-keeS"
creek. There is walnut, oak, ash, and
other kinds of hard timber, growing
upon the creek, but no grass; about
mile from here. however, at the border
of the prairie. we found good grass.
and encamped on the night of the Bird
Of May.
May I've did not move today. as it
has rained most violently all day; the
earth has become very soft. and the
creeks are full
May 5.-We made an early start this
morning and Travelled over a beautiful
prairie. crossing two small streams
faffluents OF the Washita) which are
called. after they unite. Mustang creek
from the fact that wild horses are Of
ten found upon 1t.
As Beaver assured me that VS. would
find no more hickory timber after pass
ing this stream, I procured an extra
supply OF poles. axles. and hounds for
our wagons. to serve us across the
plains" and would advise all persons
passing over the road to do the same.
rs. after passing. here. there is no suit
able timber for such purposes.
| saw today, for the first time, the
"mezquite" grass. and 1t is probably
this which attracts the wild horses. as
they are very fond of it and soon fat
ten on it.
The hills we passed today are of red
sandstone formation, highly ferrugin-
Gus. and in a state of decomposition.
Limestone is also found in places The
country. as we advance. is becoming
more destitute Of timber
May Sit rained during the whole Of
last night. and has made our road so
heavy that have concluded to Tie by"
until tomorrow. This evening we had
another thunder storm, accompanied
by the most intensely vivid lightning
I have ever seen. The whole artillery
of heaven appears to be playing; and.
as the sound reverberates in the dis
lance over the vast expanse of prairie.
the effect is most awfully sublime in
deed. Upon such an occasion one rea-
Lies truly the wonderful power and
majesty of the Deity, and the total in
significance of man. While | am
writing. the rain pours down in tor
rents. and the wind comes whiStling
over the distant plain with terrific rio
lence- The flies of our tents, soaked
with the driving storm, and drawn to
their utmost tension by the shrinkage
force as to produce reports like pistols.
The whole surface OF the earth is de-
luged with water
May I've were so fortunate as to
keep our tents in an upright position
last night. and the storm ceased after
about two hours duration. Making a
start this morning. by hard work on
our men and animals we made five
miles The country has been a rolling
prairie with several small patches of
,ak and elm timber. The soil contin-
les highly charged with iron and of a
ieep red color; it is, however, becom-
ng thin and poor as We advance. At
bur camp of this evening we can see
he Valleys of both the Washita and the.
canadian, as We are now upon the
idge dividing the waters of these two
lvers. As we are now coming into
he vicinity of the Comanche range"
have given orders for cartridges to be
ssued to the command, and shall take
- our line of march from this time in
he following order: The dragons in
dvance about one mile from the train,
he main body of the escort directly in I
ront of the train, the cannon in the
enter. and the guard in the rear.
May S.-We marched eleven miles to- t
ay. and struck the dividing ridge after c
rossing stream some five miles from f
ur camp of last night. We found
laDy small branches rising near the
ummit of the ridge, running off into
he Washita and Canadian: they are S
kirted with trees sufficient for fuel I
nd in many of them there is water "
ear the road; they thus afford good q
amping places. Our road approached \
ear and i'll view of the Canadian; a 2
hort distance from our camp of to- I
light We could discover much more i
imber upon the opposite bank. The 8
.rass continues good, but the soil is of !