Ld 
APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 79 
We anticipate that the lieutenant will join the command in about nine days. The animals 
herded, &c., the same as usual. No observations taken to-day. 
Same Camp—April 5, 6, and T, 1854.—The weather is very changeable, the days being 
exceedingly warm, the mercury rising as high as —, the nights and mornings cold. One day 
the thermometer rose —? in a few hours. There is, however, always a good breeze. For nearly 
the first time since we left Doña Ana, we are free from dust and sand. No one can truly 
appreciate this luxury but those who have encountered the clouds of sand by which the traveller 
is blinded, choked, and literally overwhelmed, on the banks of the Rio Grande, and throughout 
nearly every portion of this country. We appear to be getting rid of this frightful nuisance. 
The same arrangement continued respecting the animals. 
Extensive astronomical observations taken during these days. The party that accompanied 
Lieutenant Garrard to his first camp returned on the 5th, at sundown, 
Same Camp—Saturday, April 8, 1854.—Captain Taplin left the command this morning at 7 
o'clock, with instructions to examine the country in advance of the train for about sixty miles. 
He was accompanied by four men of the escort and six of the topographical party, all mounted, 
with one pack-mule carrying four days' rations. 
The command in camp employed in repairing wagon, herding, &c. 
Same Camp-— April 9 and 10, 1854.—The weather still continues warm in the day, cold 
nights and mornings, with occasionally strong winds, The absence of a large body of water 
prevents the atmosphere from becoming damp and humid; if it were otherwise, it would be 
insupportable. 
All are wishing for the word to start on our way, though the camp is good and supplied with 
every requisite. All are more or less anxious to move forward. The level plain with which 
we are surrounded as far as the eye can reach, without a single brush or tree to break the 
monotony of the scene, is truly wearisome. 
Animals grazed and herded as usual. Extensive astronomical observations taken these 
ays. 
i Camp—April 11, 1854.—Captain Taplin and party returned to camp at 1 p. m. His 
report of the country ahead of us is highly favorable. He found, first day's march, water in 
holes twenty miles from camp; next water fourteen miles farther; from this point until the 
termination of the second day's march, it is about four miles from one watering-place to another. 
The whole distance travelled by this party was sixty-one miles. Mezquite and hackberry 
plenty at, or convenient to, all the watering-places. Grass generally good. Most of the ravines 
on this route lead to the southeast. Lieutenant Garrard and party arrived in camp at 5 p. m. 
He reports the distance from the fall of the Pecos, mouth of Delaware Springs, to this camp, 
to be one hundred and twenty-five and one-tenth miles, and north 70? east. His report of the 
Llano Estacado varies so little from the statement of Captain Taplin, that a reference to the 
latter will answer every purpose as to the character of the country, vegetation, &c. Neither 
the party nor the animals showed much sign of suflering ; the one being in good spirits, the 
other (taking all things into consideration) in very good condition ; the arrangements for their 
comfort and convenience proving successful. | 
The surveying of this dreaded Llano is now accomplished; its reputed horrors, by no means 
exaggerated, have been overcome; it has been crossed safely by two of our parties without loss 
or suffering. "This jornada is no longer a sealed book; we have now a thorough and practical 
knowledge of it in every respect. Everything considered, we have reason to congratulate our- 
selves upon the successful termination of this important portion of our survey. 
Lieutenant Garrard and Captain Taplin having arrived, orders were issued to the command 
to start on the following morning. 
The animals that crossed the Llano fed with corn. The same arrangement regarding the 
mules continued. Observations taken during the day and at night. 
Camp No. 34— Wednesday, April 12, 1854.—Left camp at twenty minutes to 11 a. m., and 
