340 JANOS TO CORRELITOS, 
posts until the period of the subversion of the Spanish 
rule. They have since been retained and occupied for 
the same purpose as before, but have dwindled from 
respectable garrisons of well disciplined soldiers, to a 
mere handful of raw militia, as undisciplined as they 
are wanting in bravery. 
In the year 1826, the force in Janos consisted of 
six commissioned, and ninety non-commissioned officers 
and privates, and was supported at an annual cost of 
$26,894. It now numbers twenty soldiers; but this 
force is augmented from time to time by larger bodies 
of troops, when sent on campaigns against the Indians.* 
Like every other frontier town which we had visited, 
whether in this State or in Sonora, its population is 
diminishing, and its houses falling to decay, in conse- 
quence of the inroads of the universal enemy, the 
Apaches. The present population is but three hun- 
dred, and even these dare not venture far beyond the 
town, but lounge out a miserable existence beneath 
the shade of the adobe walls, changing their position 
as the shadows change. The streets have a desolate 
and forsaken appearance. No one seemed to be at 
work; and such as were not squatting under the walls 
were engaged in gambling. The presidio buildings 
occupied by the military, are in a state of ruin. 
Before going to camp, I rode to the quarters of the 
commanding officer, Colonel Medina, who had extend- 
ed many civilities to Colonel Craig and a surveying 
party of the Commission under Mr. John Bull, the 
preceding year, while reconnoitering the country be 
* Escudero, Noticias Estadisticas,de Chihuahua.—p. 56- 
