The National tribune., 1907-06-13
LONG DISTANCE MARCHES.
Achievements of the California Soldiers
In Crossing the Mountains and Des-

erts.
Editor National Tribune: In a re-
cent number of your excellent paper
vas an article in which was recorded
| the remarkable performance of one OF
the Army Corps in marching, during
the rebellion. In another issue was q
report of a march of 900 miles. per-
formed by a command of one of our
American Generals to reach Gen. Tay-
lor before the battle of Buena Vista, in
Mexico. was in command of a COM
pany, during the rebellion, that could,
and did, some excellent "frogging." Said
20. K, LIST Cal. was the 10th company
! 1f the regiment. and was organized at
Camp Latham, some l6 miles west
from Los Angeles, near where Santa
Monica is now located, in February,
1862. The company left Camp Latham,
Wright, Cal, arriving March II, 1862,
distance 1877 miles; left Camp Wright
April 8, en- route to Fort Yuma, arriv-
ing April II, distance 1SS miles; left
Fort Yuma April 10, Ell route to Tue
son, arriving May 20. distance $40
miles; left Tucson July 90, en- route to
Messilla, arriving Aug. 13. distance 335
iCit ANoS 20, eli IOutc 10
San EliZario, Texas. arriving Dec I,
distance IS miles: making a total dis
lance Of 1850 miles for the year 1852
During the year 1863 they marched sol
miles; and during the year of 1864 they
marched 1875 miles: making a total OF
$50 miles during their three years of
service. This total does not include the
numerous dctachmcnts of the company
that were sent out as escort to the
movements of numerous wagon trains
TO be sure we were not troubled much
with rain and mud, but we had a red
hot sun most of the time. l will give
two days experience: The company
left Camp Wright April 8. 1852, and
went into camp to the westward of a
range of mountains that we were to
cross over the next day 1t rained dur
ing the entire night. and in the morn
ing everything except what was in the
wagons received a complete seeking.
we could look upon the side of the
mountains and see the snow line. We
made an early start, and reached the
snow line at about o'clock where we
had guarG-mount, after which we kept
on and reached the summit at about
noon, in about 10 inches of snow. cold
as Greenland, and the wind blowing a
hurricane, in the midst of a primevaI
pine forest. The 400 men of the COM
mand were set to work gathering the
dead limbs of the pine trees, and soon
mad pitchy pine limbs in two piles, at
least 20 feet high, and we were a long
time before we could ignite it, as everp-
thing and everybody were well soaked
After about half an hour a fire was
started, and then we could not get near
1t on account of the great heat How
ever in about an hours time we started
Gown the eastern side of the mountain,
and at o'clock we passed the snow
line. and passing through Cornwall
Canyon. we went into camp, with birds
singing all around us. the flowers all in
bloom, and the grass up to our animals
knees.
Our. other experience was after We
left Tucson for the Rio Grande. on or
about July 81, 1862, the command of
four companies left San Simon Cienaga.
at p. m. and arrived at Leitzendor-
fer's Wells at about o'clock and
found the wells without a drop of water
Iii them. and the bottom as dry as a
powder mouse. Consequently the
wagon train was sent on, with a proner
guard, and the command moved out ut
ABOUT IL o'clock. We marched the
rest of the night. and all the next dav.
when we arrived at the Soldiers
i areWell, one of the overland mail
where there was not a drOp
Of water to be had. We continued on
and arrived at "Burro Canyon" at about
. O'Clock. having made 81 miles march.
l ne command was strung out at least
10 miles, and / arrived in the camp.
with my First Sergeant Edmunson, one
DUTY Sergeant and seven privates. ana
tie entire command did not get into