66 APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
A stone monument was erected on the summit of a hill on the right bank of the Delaware 
creek, for reference on the survey across the Llano Estacado. 
The mules and stock grazed during the day and night, under a strong guard, on the south 
side of the creek. 
No observations taken this day ; the heavens cloudy at night. 
Same Camp—Saturday, March 18, 1854.—Some surveys made to find the levels of the river: 
the result is a fall of three feet one inch in three hundred feet. "The mules and stock grazed as 
usual ; were brought in at sunset, fed with corn, and then turned out to graze during the night. 
The principal wagonmaster, (Mitchell,) accompanied by a Mexican, came into camp, with a 
letter from Captain Taplin. As this letter gives a mere outline of his expedition, it is not 
copied in this place. (The full report of this expedition is given at page 73 of this journal.) 
The following is a general statement of the route of the party over the Llano Estacado, as 
given by the wagonmaster. He says: ‘‘For about eighteen miles after leaving our camp the 
road is good. At this point it becomes heavy sand, which continues the whole way across the 
Staked Plain until about the same distance from water on the opposite side. "The intermediate 
plain is entirely destitute of water. The party accomplished the distance, (say one hundred 
and forty-two miles) from water to water in five days. In consequence of tlie exhausted condi- 
tion of the animals, the wagons were abandoned on the fourth day, about forty miles from water. 
After reaching the springs (which Captain Taplin supposed to be one of the sources of the 
Colorado) the mules were rested a day and a half, but were too much broken down to justify 
Captain Taplin in attempting to rejoin the command. He therefore sent wagonmaster Mitchell 
to report the fact, and his intention of attempting to rejoin us by the emigrant trail. Mitchell 
brought a Mexican and three mules, one packed. Two kegs of water were carried along, half 
a keg of which was left at the wagons for the use of those persons who would come for them. 
He (Mitchell) left Captain Taplin on the 16th instant at 3 o'clock a. m., travelled until 44 
o'clock p. m. ; camped ; and started on the 17th at 4 o'clock a. m., travelled until 4 p. m., rest- 
ing during that time for half an hour, then proceeded until 8 o'clock p. m. ; camped; and started 
on the 18th at 3 o'clock a. m., travelled until 10 o'clock a. m., resting an hour, then proceeded 
to camp on Pecos, reaching it at sundown: thus making the whole distance (one hundred and 
forty-two miles) in forty hours’ travelling. There are game, grass, and wood in abundance on 
these plains, but not the slightest trace of water." 
The total impracticability of crossing the Llano with our wagons being now obvious, and 
the command so much divided, it was decided to move down the east side of the Pecos to inter- 
sect the emigrant trail and meet Captain Taplin. Immediate preparations were made for this 
movement. 
Camp 19—Sunday, March 19, 1854.—Left camp at daylight and crossed the river. As the 
banks had been cut down to facilitate the crossing of the wagons, they-passed over without any 
accident, with the exception of one, which had its hounds broken, the repairing of which occa- 
sioned some delay. The bottom of the river at this point is rocky, and no difficulty whatever 
is presented if proper care is taken. 
About half of our route to-day was over a rolling prairie, which was easy to travel; the 
remainder was level. The road was good, being composed of sand and gravel. For the second 
time during the expedition we had a slight fall of rain, which commenced before we left camp 
and continued until noon, when it cleared up, the weather becoming excessively hot. 
At four miles from camp we came upon a deep-red soil, (sandy,) which continued until we 
struck the level plains. 
The greater portion of the soil passed over to-day is capable of extensive culture; ; it can be 
irrigated from the river. Along our route there was a considerable quantity of — M 
and brush mezquite; also the grama-grass was good and abundant. 
aed our camp on the ** Rio Pecos” at 3 o'clock p. m. The banks of the river are here 
steep and precipitous, rendering it impossible to water animals at it without cutting them down. 
