76 
APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
The above received at camp, mouth of Delaware creek, March 18, 1854. For particulars of 
Mitchell’s return across the Llanco Estacado, see page 66. The following is the concluding 
portion of this report: 
Sulphur Springs of the Colorado, 
April 2, 1854. 
Sir : I have the honor to submit the continuation of my report from the 16th to the 29th ult: 
Thursday, March 16.—This morning Mitchell and the Mexican started. My party now 
consists of ten men, with seventeen mules. At 11 a. m. went hack to the springs and watered 
our mules; encamped thereuntil 4 p. m., the mules again watered; filled our canteens and 
started for the wagons. We followed our own trail for six miles and camped for the night. 
This is a trail evidently used by the Indians, which we followed out, in hunting, ten miles; it 
no doubt leads to water. 
Friday, March 17.—Started at 5 a m., keeping our old trail. At 10 a. m. we discovered our 
two lost mules, about one mile south of the trail; they were soon caught. We reached the 
wagons at half-past 5 p. m., and found everything safe. Mitchell left a note stating that he 
arrived here last night at 5 p. m.,. and started on this morning; he left us half a keg of v*ater. 
We have over four sacks of corn, which will be issued to the men as rations. Game wild; 
nothing killed but a prairie-chicken. 
Saturday, March 18.—Started with the wagons at half-past 5 a. m. for the springs. The 
distance I estimate at forty-five miles. Game scarce; antelope and rabbit killed. Camped at 
6 p. m. on prairie ; saw a large band of mustangs. 
Sunday, March 19.—Dark and cloudy, with thunder and lightning ; every appearance of a 
storm. Could not see the trail until 6 a. m., when we started for the springs; which we 
reached at 10 am., and camped half a mile below several ponds, with water running between 
them. The day misty and rainy; an antelope killed. 
Monday, March 20.—Cloudy, with misty rain all night. As yet we have no recent signs of 
Indians. We, however, keep a vigilant look-out; our mules well guarded. Started at 11 a. 
m., and followed the ravine down two miles and camped; grass good; scattering mezquite. 
Here the bed of the ravine widens, and forms a saline bottom of salty grass; the water, which 
is brackish, stands in holes. 
Tuesday, March 21.—This morning it cleared off, the wind changing to the westward. At 
11 a. m. moved up to the vicinity of the springs, as the water is brackish here. In expectation 
of a party from the Pecos, we do not wish to move to any distance from this place for three or 
four days. Nothing killed; game wild and hard to get at. 
Wednesday, March 22.—Watered the mules; filled our kegs and moved out to where there 
was good grass. One pint of corn issued to the men: this they boil or parch; it is ground in a 
coffee-mill. No game killed to-day. 
Thursday, March 23.—At 11 a. m. moved to the springs. Since the 19th we have lived upon 
a pint of corn per day, with the game we have killed. The men behave well; no grumbling. 
Eain and thunder at 10 p. m. 
Friday, March 24.—It being the tenth day since Mitchell left for the Pecos, all idea of a 
party coming across has been given up. We will start to-day for the road, keeping an east 
course from this place. The mules are well rested and in good condition. 
Travelled ten miles due west, and camped in a mezquite bottom; plenty of large, dry mezquite 
for fuel; no water. We passed two salt lakes to the south of our course; rolling prairie. The 
oak and mezquite are becoming larger ; plenty of grass. Crossed the ravine about five miles 
below the springs; no water in the bed of it. 
Saturday, March 25.—Morning cloudy; misty rain; wind north; not very cold. A high 
range of hills in sight, a little south of east, about fifteen miles distant. I altered my course 
towards Marcy’s trail, and struck it about six miles from last camp. This trail runs nearly 
