TO SAN ANTONIO. 
37 
more rigidly enforced, these desperadoes have found it 
necessary either to adopt more honest modes of living, 
or to take refuge on the very borders of Texas and New 
Mexico, where they can pursue their old courses with 
impunity, by crossing over when necessary into Mexico. 
My servant who was taken ill on the march up, 
here died of fever : several others were attacked, but 
soon recovered. 
As San Antonio was the last place at which sup- 
plies could be procured, and the train fitted out for the 
long march of nearly 700 miles, it was necessary to 
make it as complete as possible. W e yet required a large 
number of mules and many wagons to transport the 
public stores, which had been sent forward in hired 
wagons. The quartermaster therefore found it necessary 
to increase the train to about 56 teams, which included 
sixteen Mexican carts, the latter drawn by three yoke 
of oxen each : some of the wagons, too, were of the 
largest description, and drawn by ten mules or five 
yoke of oxen. These,' with some additional riding ani- 
mals, and their equipments of saddles, bridles, etc. , com- 
pleted the means of transportation for the Commission 
and its stores. 
We also procured here about a hundred head of 
beef cattle, to be driven with the train, and used on 
the march. The draught oxen I also intended to fat- 
ten after our arrival in the field of operations, for a 
future supply of beef ; so that we were pretty well pro- 
vided in this department of our subsistence. A few 
barrels of pork and some small stores were also added 
to our stock here : some additional arms, ammunition, 
tents, and camp equipage, finished our outfit. 
