54 APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
the eastern Tank. Here an engagement took place, in which the Indians were totally defeated 
and nearly exterminated, only two or three escaping. It is said that upwards of one hundred 
of them were killed. The water in the Tank is rapidly diminishing. At the present- rate of 
consumption, it cannot be calculated on longer than three or four days more; but there is a 
sufficient quantity of it in the numerous holes in the mountains to supply the command for cook- 
ing purposes for a considerable-time longer. The animals fed, hobbled, and grazed, as usual. 
Although the command has traversed through the very centre of the Indian country, we have 
not up to this time seen an Indian. It is a matter worthy of remark that not one animal has 
been lost. This happy result proceeds, no doubt, from the unceasing vigilance and care with 
which the animals have been watched. A strong guard is posted every night from sundown to 
sunrise. To prevent any loss by a “‘stampede,’’ the precaution has been taken to hobble the 
animals whilst out grazing. 
Same Camp— Monday, February 20, 1854.—The Mexican sent in pursuit of the stray mule 
(see Saturday, 18th) arrived in camp. The men in camp were this day occupied in repairing 
harness, wagons, &c., &c. "The animals since our arrival at this camp have not been turned out 
to graze at night. They are herded all day until sundown; then driven in, fed with corn, and 
tied to the wagons. "This arrangement is considered a matter of necessity, and is adopted to 
prevent any loss. The weather continues warm and pleasant in the day-time; the nights area 
little frosty ; indeed, the only inconvenience felt in this respect is from the wind, which fre- 
quently sweepg through the cañon with great violence. Water nearly exhausted. 
Same Camp—Tuesday, February 21, 1854.—The teamsters still occupied in making repairs, . 
&c. On examination it was found that the water will not hold out longer than to-morrow. 
The wagons, which carried the wheels requiring repairs to El Paso, returned. Captain Pope, 
Lieutenant Garrard, and the party which accompanied them, joined the command about 9 
o'clock p.m. A man named Cutting, who had been sick for some time at Fort Fillmore, 
returned with them. He had been attacked at Doña Ana with pleurisy, and sent to the above 
post for medical treatment. All the water-kegs filled, and carried to the next camp. 
Camp No. 6— Wednesday, February 22, 1854.— Left camp at 2 o'clock p. m., and moved in 
the direction of the Cerro Alto. The road winds through a deep ravine; it is a good gravelly 
road. Reached the Cerro Alto at 5 o'clock p. m., where we camped. No water; grama-grass 
good and abundant. No wood; a sufficient quantity of brush was found for cooking purposes. 
Observations made at night for the latitude. On our arrival in camp the animals were turned 
out to graze for a short time; then brought in, fed with corn, hobbled, and grazed during the 
night. A strong guard was posted. It froze pretty hard during the night, with a strong wind. 
General direction, north 30? east; miles, 4-25- 
Camp No. T—T'hursday, February 23, 1854.—Left camp about sunrise, and moved in the 
direction of the Sierra de los Alamos. From this camp there are two roads leading to them. 
One runs south of the Cerro Alto, and is much shorter than the road we took. It is formed by 
the dry bed of a creek, and is tolerably good; but at one point it has a descent so steep and 
abrupt, that it was deemed more safe and prudent to take the longer and more beaten track. 
The latter (surveyed by Colonel Johnston) runs, for about two miles from our last camp, through 
a deep and tortuous canon; the road here is rocky. By doubling teams on some of the wagons 
we surmounted three very steep hills, at the first of which one of our wagons broke down. It 
was broken up, and such portions as were thought useful, in view of future accident, were put 
into the other wagons and carried along; the remainder was abandoned, as we had no means at 
our disposal for repairing it. On leaving the cañon we came upon a good gravel road, nearly 
level, with the exception of some gentle undulations of the ground. Our camp for the approach- 
ing night (Los Alamos) could be seen during the whole day. We reached it, and encamped at 
94 p.m. The Sierra de los Alamos consists of three mountains, directly to the east of the Cerro 
Alto. The water is situated on the north face of the mountain, about half a mile from the road. 
There is a trail leading to it. Indeed, it cannot be mistaken, as there are a few cotton-wood 
