TO RINGGOLD BARRACKS. 509 
In October, 1846, a successful attempt was made to 
ascend the Rio Grande in the United States steamer Ma- 
jor Brown, by order of General Patterson, with a view 
to ascertain whether or not it were possible to open a 
communication between Camargo and the Presidio del 
. Norte. This vessel drew but two feet of water. She 
experienced few obstacles in reaching the river Salado, 
nearly a hundred miles by water above Mier. Above 
this, there was a series of continued shoals, rocks, and 
rapids, among which the boat. repeatedly grounded. 
She at length reached Laredo, a town about six hun- 
dred miles by water from the mouth of the river. Up 
to this point it was believed that, with the expendi- 
ture of one hundred thousand dollars, in removing ob- 
structions, the river might be made navigable for boats 
drawing four feet of water.* 
December 20th. The bad road of yesterday gave 
us considerable patching up to do, and caused several 
hours detention. The good people of the town availed. 
themselves of this delay, and soon thronged the camp, 
would doubtless have gained the Texan frontier. They, however, scat- 
tered and sought the mountains, where they suffered extremely for the 
want of water and food. The whole population was roused in pursuit 
of them ; the small parties were picked up, and the main body reduced 
by starvation, finally surrendered. They were again marched back to 
Salado, where, by order of General Santa Afia, they were decimated. 
Out of 176 prisoners, 17 were shot, the remainder. were sent to the 
city of Mexico. Of these, 35 died from suffering and starvation. Seven 
were released through the intercession of the American Minister, and 
four through the intercession of the British minister, &e.—Geen’s His- 
tory of the Texan Mier Hxpedition. . 
* « Tilden’s Notes on the Upper Rio Grande,” of an exploration 
made by order of Major General Patterson. 
