296 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



DIARY 



Of an excursion to the ruins of Abo, Quurra, and Gran Qiihira. in New 

 Mexico, under the command of 



MAJOR JAMES HENRY CARLETON, U. S. A. 



Wednesday, December 14, 1853. 



A squadron of cavalry, tbrraed of company "H," first dragoons, 

 commanded b}^ First Lieutenant Samuel D. Slurgis, and company 

 "K," first dragoons, commanded by Brevet Major James Henry Carle- 

 ton, in all one hundred strong, with one 12-pounder mountain howitzer, 

 left Albuquerque, at eleven o'clock this morning, as an expedition to 

 explore the country around the ruins of Gran Quivira, New Mexico, 

 and for other objects connected with the bands of Apache Indians who 

 often infest that portion of the territory. 



Our route, for the first forty miles, lies down the left bank of the Rio 

 Grande. This part of the country has often been described. Its prin- 

 cipal features are easily named. The Rio Grande, at this point, 

 averages about one hundred j^ards in width, and not more than eighteen 

 inches in depth. Its waters are turbid, like those of the Kanzas. Its 

 bottom and banks are composed of sand. The valley along the river 

 is very level, and usually not over two feet higher than the surface of 

 the water. In some places it is more than two miles bi'oad. It has a 

 great deal of sand mixed with the soil; but it is remarkably fertile. 

 From this valley a second bottom, or table-land, extends, by a gradual 

 ascent, back to the mountains on either hand. This table-land is desti- 

 tute of water and uncommonly sterile. The lower level, which skirts 

 the river, and which is irrigated from it, is the source of nearly all the 

 agricultural wealth of New Mexico. 



A storm of rain which came on yesterday continued, almost with- 

 out intermission, for the whole of last night and until late this forenoon ; 

 the roads are, therefore, ver}^ mudd}'. In consequence of the heavi- 

 ness of the travelling, the squadron was encamped near the residence 

 of an American gentleman, named Baird, seven miles 694 yards below" 

 Albuquerque. Here we are able to obtain wood and hay ; but we are 

 obliged to send across the Rio Grande to purchase corn. 



Thursday, December 15, 1853. 

 About four o'clock this morning it commenced snowing, Nvith a 

 piercing wind from the north. Our poor horses, exposed to the in- 

 clemency of the storm, were soon chilled and trembling with the cold. 

 By eight o'clock the weather began to moderate ; but we had snow- 



