El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-22
Surveys and "Reminiscences in the
Great Southwest by Officers of
the United States Army a
Half Century Ago.

I what it was represented to be by per-
sons who boosted of their knowledge of
this part of TexaS-showing hat not
| the slightest could be placed upon their
statements.
December 81. 1S49. to January "a.
1So0.-As it was difficult TO cross the
Pecos. in order to strike the road to
Ell PaSo. I determined to continue down
The left bank until | reached the Horse
head crossing. and then follow the road
into San Antonio. Our route contin-
ued in the Pecos bottom. following
the general course of the stream. The
bottom was solid and made a good road
and was perfectly . straight. Low
ridges bound the bottom until near the
crossing-the width of the bottom va
rying. on this side of the Pecos. from
Il mile to only a few yards. At any
stage of the weather. a good Dad can
be found along the foot of the ridge.
The distance from where we struck
the Pecos to the Horse-head crossing
was about forty miles. During the
march down the PecoS we had a snow
storm. and we again lost two mules.
In consequence of these losses we had
been compelled to leave behind two of
our wagons. By occasionally replac-
ing the saddle mules by mules
We still managed to get along pretty
WE'LL we tTdNeieu lltO San AltOuiO-
for the greater distance. by the same
route which Lieut.. Bryan pursued in
going to Ell Paso. His report will be
sufficient to give all the necessary in
formation concerning it. From the
PecOs to the head-Springs of the Con-
chO. a distance of siXty-eight miles.
We found no water. Leaving h Con-
h at the point where we first struck
it, we followed the emigrant road by
lie head C the S;n Saba. On leaving
the CoEc!,o. the Dad ran over a high
rolling country; the only D~eculiarities
OF it were the numerous mounds which
weIe scattered on our right and let
generally of a spherical form, varying
in size. and at equal distances from
each other. their sides covered with
loose stone and law brush. The coun-
try was billy and large rocks lay
strown about. The soil has beer a
hard gravel one: its only recommends
ton. that of making.a good road. The
first nineteen miles we found plenty of
but for the next forty-five miles,
until you reach the San Saba. there is
to be relied upon. On reaching
The a Saba, We travelled down the
valley of the stream for thirty-five
miles. 1t is a beautiful meZquite val
ley, perfectly level, and varying in
width from a mile to a few hundred
yards. and by high blunS-
On leaving the San Saba We crossed
the divide separating it from the Llano.
This portion of the country was much
like that ere reaching the San Saba. but
not quite so rugged. Descending from
divide we followed the valley of
Honey creek. one of the branches of the
Llano. until We again came into Lieut..
Bryan's road. about sixteen miles from
the crossing of the Llano. The dis |
O the Horse Head crossing OIL
he Pecos. to San Antonio. by this
was 346 miles. We arrived at
his place on the Goth of January. hav-
ing travelled a distance since leaving
t of nearly thirteen hundred miles.
Very respectfully. your obedient SER
want.
n. Michler. Jr..
Brevet End Lieut.. Ttop. Engr.
TO Brevet Col. j. f. Johnston.