50 
SAN ANTONIO 
and animals. When there is a good number of wagons 
in a train, a very large inclosure may be formed, suffi- 
cient to contain the tents and all the animals ; but my 
small train of seven vehicles was too limited for that : 
the wagons were therefore arranged in a semicircle, and 
the tents pitched along the base. After the animals had 
been “ corralled^'' a stout rope was drawn across in 
rear of the tents, to prevent their escaping should any 
get loose. When the ground would admit of a large 
corral^ the animals were staked inside, but they were 
generally made fast by halters, or lariats^ to the pole 
of the wagons for the night ; and in this position, corn 
was fed to them when we had it. The following order 
was issued on leaving San Antonio : 
“ General Order for the government of the Advance Party 
of the U, S. Mexican Boundary Commission^ on its 
march from San Antonio to El Paso del Norte. 
“As this portion of the Commission is entering a 
country inhabited by warlike tribes of Indians, where 
no resources can be had beyond what the prairies sup- 
ply, it is absolutely necessary that a rigid observance 
be kept of the following order : 
“ The same organization of the cavalry company 
formed at Indianola, will be continued to El Paso. 
“ Mr. Geo. S. Peirce, commanding the cavalry, will 
act as master of the camp, detailing for the guard what- 
ever force may be deemed necessary for the safety of 
the train. 
“ Every member of the Commission, the teamsters 
and cooks excepted, is expected to do guard duty. 
“ The train and escort will keep as close together 
