52 
APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
United States army, commanding; Lieutenant K. Garrard, 1st dragoons, assistant engineer; 
-, quartermaster and commissary of subsistence; Lieutenant L. H. Marshall, 3d 
infantry, commanding escort; Captain C. S. Taplin, acting mineralogist; Dr. W. S. Diffen- 
dorfer, surgeon and acting naturalist; John H. Byrne, computer; Thomas Mitchell, wagon- 
master ; escort (twenty-five rank and file,) teamsters, herders—numbering in all seventy-five 
persons. The party found it impossible to obtain a guide, or to collect any information in 
reference to our route,' not one of the persons spoken to on the subject having ever traversed it. 
Neither could a forge be obtained. The want of this indispensable article was severely felt. 
Camp No. 1— Sunday , February 12, 1854.—The command moved east from Dona Ana over 
a road of about six miles deep sand; the remaining portion of it (seven miles) was good, with 
a gradual ascent for about ten miles before we reached the pass in the mountains. The road at 
this point is rocky, with an abrupt rise. The cold was here intense, although in the valley 
beneath it was comparatively warm. Descended the mountain for about five miles, having the 
Organ peaks on our right hand, and encamped at San Augustin springs at 5 p. m. Water 
plenty; wood scarce; grama-grass good, and in abundance. The mules were here hobbled and 
turned out to graze during the night, having been previously fed with corn. Captain Pope 
accompanied the command four miles from Dona Ana, and then took the road to El Paso, “to 
transact some business and make some necessary surveys.” General direction, north 81° 
east; miles, 18 T V 
Camp No. 2— Monday , February 13, 1854.—Animals driven in to the wagons and fed with 
corn at daylight. Command started at sunrise; road good. Arrived at the Ojo de la Soledad 
about noon. The wagons were here unhitched and the animals watered. The water is one and 
a half mile to the right of the road. In consequence of the uneven and rocky nature of the 
ground, wagons cannot reach it. The water is situated in a rocky ravine. The command 
halted here for the remainder of the day. In anticipation of crossing the Jornada to the Hueco 
mountains, the water-barrels were filled. This consumed much time, and cost a great deal of 
labor, the water being at so great a distance, and so difficult of access. The animals were 
hobbled and turned out to graze until sundown, when they were driven in and fed with corn, 
after which they were herded and grazed during the night. Grama-grass good and plenty. 
General direction, south 53° east; miles 8 5 V 
Camp No. 3— Tuesday , February 14, 1854.—Animals driven in at daybreak and fed. Com¬ 
mand moved about sunrise. The road for upwards of seven miles was rocky and uneven; the 
remainder through pretty deep sand. One wagon broke down during tbe day: it had to be 
brought along on a slide. This accident occasioned a considerable delay. Two white mules 
strayed away—supposed they went after water. Two of the Mexican herders were sent in 
search of them. Encamped at sundown on the Jornada. No water nor wood; grass plenty. 
Cooked with the brush that lay around upon the plain, sufficient for the purpose. As the 
animals evinced signs of fatigue, they received an additional allowance of corn; afterwards they 
were hobbled, turned out to graze, and herded, as usual, during the night; which was very 
cold, with a high wind. General direction, south 49° east; miles, 13 T V 
Camp No. 4— Wednesday, February 15, 1854.—Animals driven in and fed before daybreak. 
Command started a little before sunrise. It was hoped we would be able to reach the Hueco 
Tanks before night. Lieutenant Marshall and Captain Taplin left the party in the early part 
of the forenoon to find the trail. The road was over heavy sand ; several ridges of sand had 
to be crossed. Having followed the road for about eight miles, we turned off to the left in the 
direction of the Tanks. Nooned for two hours; animals turned out to graze. As we had now to 
make our own road through deep sand and brush, our advance was slow. Having made about 
twelve miles, the animals showed such symptoms of exhaustion that it was deemed advisable to 
lighten the wagons. One hundred and twenty-five fanegas of corn were accordingly taken out 
and left on the prairie. This was about 4 o’clock p. m. We travelled until nearly 11 o’clock 
p. m.; but, in the darkness, getting entangled in some sand-hills, we were obliged to halt for 
