Year: 1865

CAMP DRUx, March 30th, 1865.


EDrToR UNION REcoRD As you msy be
interested in giving your readers some idea Of
this section of our State, viii endeavor to de-
lineate the immediate surrounding as well as l
can from hasty glance. l have not been
more than a mile IRON camp since nv arrival,
nor have l had an opportunity of viewing the
country from any elevated position. But the
eye naturally catches gieam of distant objects
turn which way you will On the south of
Los Angeles creek, and between it and the
San Gabriel river, large plain, having 8
coast front of some thirty miles, extends back
eastward toward low range of mountains,
through which the road TO Fort Yuma passes
This plain extends some twenty miles eastward.
gradually narrowing as itapproacbes the high
lands. The whole section composing this plain,
appears to have been formerly a shallow bay,
except. perhaps, a high point about midway
on the coast line, which extends some FIVE miles
southwark into the sea- The coast line is near
ly east and west The soil is of al alluvial
character, sand predominating, 10 its compost
tion-is very productive in grass, and would,
10 doubt, produce good crops of grain in a
favorable season. A large city has been laid
out here, but the want of good harbor will
(eveD if other things we're equaD prevent it
ever becoming rival to the great commercial
emporium inside the Golden Gate. Westward.
the high point heretofore mentioned, some sew
en- miles away. shuts out the ocean from our
view. The San Bernardino Mountains, lying
on the north and extending eastward as fer as
the eye can reach, are very rough chain with
high snow covered peaks, apparently very pre-
cipitous, barren and rocky; Nearly due north
from here, and twenty FIVE miles distant over a
level country, lie, the towa of Los Angeles.
Away to the east beyond the frs, range of low
mountains, very high snow covered peaks raise
their great heads against the rising sun. To
the south, from one to seven miles distant, you
look out upon the ever restless waters that cover
the dark, unfathomed caves of the ocean.





ably on our part, left on the wharf at San
Francisco, but they will probably be here on
the next steamer which is expected In a day
or two. / understand the contract for our
horses has been made, and we shall probably
soon have an opportunity to display our horse
manship. People are already making hay
here, grass being very fine. Cattle are very
fat, and beef is selling at 2is cents per pound.
We are having good time generally, and al
though some of the boys are on the sick list,
none are dangerously indisposed. My health
never was better, except that l have been af-
fiicted with the severest cold | ever had in my
life. My throat is still sore, but improving.
Nearly all Of US have been afflicted in the same
way. The weather is becoming more pleasant
it has been very cold and unpleasant-bu
we shall have it hot enough by and by-"you
bet." 1t seems little odd to wait week
after the REcoRD is published. before we can
get sight of it, but better late than never.
After We leave here, we will have to wait much
longer. Patience is said to be better than
Physic, so you may expect to hear continued
accounts of our health and believe me, our
best wishes are concentrated for the friends in
Butte, in the communications of your friend


w. Y Bliss