APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 61 
soldiers of the escort. You had better keep the mounted men scouring the country for a mile 
or two on each side of the route you pursue, that np chance of finding water he lost. 
The quartermaster and commissary of the expedition will supply you with two light wagons, 
with eight mules each, and provisions for ten days, for the use of your party. Six water-kegs 
will he filled here and carried with the party, and I cannot too strongly impress upon you the 
necessity of economizing this supply of water. Two kegs will he amply sufficient to supply all 
the absolute necessities of the party for five days, at least; and in case of being three days 
without water, or the failure of your mules for the want of it, the remaining four kegs can he 
distributed among them. The other precautions for preserving the strength and efficiency of 
your animals are as" well known to you as to myself. 
Upon your return to this camp, you will please furnish me with a written report of your 
expedition. 
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
JNO. POPE, 
Brevet Capt. T. E., Commanding Exploring Expedition. 
Capt. C. L. Taplin, 
Assistant on Survey. 
This day we (for the first time since starting) became aware of the vicinity of the Indians. 
About sundown we perceived the prairie on fire about two miles from camp, up the river; the 
wind blowing from the northeast, and directly towards us. As the grass and weeds were dry, 
and the wind strong, the flames rushed onward with great rapidity. Instant and prompt meas¬ 
ures were taken against this appalling danger. The prairie was fired round the camp, from 
the river to the creek. We were thus in a triangle, the Pecos and Delaware being the sides—■ 
the belt of prairie we had burned, the base. There can he no doubt whatever that this was an 
act of the Indians, as we could clearly see the plain fired in many and different directions at the 
same time. The fire swept on round the camp, and crossing the creek some hundred yards 
above us, and seizing the dry grass on the right hank, illuminated the whole plain during the 
night. Happily, our energetic proceedings defeated the designs of the Apaches. On the first 
intimation of danger, the animals and stock were driven into camp—the former tied to the 
wagons, the latter well guarded. It is intended to adopt this precaution every night while we 
remain here, and also to increase the guard over them while they are grazing in the daytime. 
No observations made this night; the sky cloudy and hazy. They were taken for the time 
during the day. 
Same Camp — Friday, March 10, 1854.—Lieutenant Garrard, accompanied by a party of five 
mounted men, .left camp at half-past 7 o’clock a. m., in pursuance of the following instruc¬ 
tions : 
Camp at Falls op Rio Pecos, Mouth op Delaware Creek, 
March 9, 1854. 
Sir : You will please proceed from this place, by the route we have just traversed, to the 
spring in the canon near the high peak of the Guadalupe mountains; and having descended to 
the valley of the Salt lakes, you will examine the western and southern faces of the low range 
of hills which extend to the south and east from the high point of the Guadalupe range. It is 
generally believed that a practicable and nearly level pass can he found to the head of Delaware 
creek, by passing to the south of these hills ; and should you he successful in finding such a 
pass, you will please return by it to this camp. 
Should you prove unsuccessful in finding a pass better than the one at present in use, you 
will please examine the valley of the Salt lakes towards the southeast, to ascertain whether a 
good route cannot thus he found to the Pecos, which shall strike the river at a distance south of 
this point, not to exceed sixty miles. 
