COPPER MINES. 
303 
could trace it to the sutler’s shop ; and finding a bar- 
rel of whiskey there, he took possession of it and had 
it transferred to the Commissary’s depot. 
On the 24th June, Mr. S. P. Sanford, bearer of 
dispatches, arrived from Washington, and brought me 
the pleasing news that Colonel Graham, for whom we 
had so long been waiting, had probably reached El 
Paso on that day, accompanied by several officers.^ 
Great joy was felt by all at this prospective termina- 
tion to our inactive state. Many of the engineers and 
assistants had now been attached to the Commission 
ready for duty seven months, without having yet taken 
the field. 
On the 27th June an incident occurred, which will 
long be remembered by every one connected with the 
Boundary Commission. It was such as to awaken the 
finest sympathies of our nature ; and by its happy 
result afforded a full recompense for the trials and 
hardships attending our sojourn in this inhospitable 
wilderness. 
On the evening of the day alluded to, a party of 
New Mexicans came in for the purpose of procuring 
provisions, &c., having with them a young female and 
a number of horses and mules. By what dropped 
from them in the course of conversation, it was ascer- 
tained that the female and animals had been obtained 
from the Indians ; and that they were taking the girl 
to some part of New Mexico, to sell or make such dis- 
position of her as would realize the most money. As 
^ On the 30th June I received a note from Colonel Graham, an- 
nouncing his arrival at El Paso on the 24th. 
