APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF 1 HE EXPEDITION. 87 
■wood, and water; mules grazed and herded as usual. Observations at night for time and 
latitude. 
Camp No. 46— Tuesday , April 25, 1854.—Left last camp at ten minutes after 6 a. m., and 
continued our route along the military road through a rolling country. The road is excellent, 
and, in consequence of the dryness of the season, is firm and hard. The animals being in good 
condition, travelled well. We were obliged to deviate slightly from our direct course, to avoid 
some difficult places. During this day’s march we descended considerably, hut gradually. 
The soil all through is excellent; the mezquite, oak, and other trees abundant, and of a large 
growth ; the grass young and nutritious. Having proceeded about eleven miles, we nooned at 
a spring near the road for about two hours; animals turned loose to graze. We then resumed 
our route over a country similar to the above, and encamped at half-past 4 p. m. near a ravine 
containing rain-water, of which there was an abundance for the animals, cooking, and other 
purposes. The whole section of country is covered over with grasshoppers, in countless my¬ 
riads. They were very troublesome, and at night they completely filled our tents. They ap¬ 
pear to be going south; and if they do so increasing in strength and numbers, an incalculable 
amount of injury will be inflicted on the farmer. The day was remarkably warm. Our near 
approach to the States, and the beauty of country through which we are passing, have the effect 
of increasing the good humor and high spirits of the command. Good health and temper are 
the order of the day. No observations made; mules hobbled, grazed, and herded as usual. 
General direction, north 65° east; miles, 18 T V 
Camp No. 47— Wednesday , April 26, 1854.—Left last camp at five minutes to 6 a. m., and 
continued our course travelling the military road. The country is still rolling, with a good 
soil, and heavily timbered—mezquite, oak, hackberry, &c., of a large growth ; grass excellent, 
and abundant. We continue to descend gently. There is rain-water along- the road, at short 
distances, in holes and ravines. For the last two days we have added to our collection of birds 
and reptiles. Having travelled eleven miles, we nooned for about two hours in a delightful 
shade formed by large trees, near some water. We resumed our route over a country same as 
yesterday. 
Lieutenant Marshall, with two men of the party, left the command early in the morning for 
Fort Belknap, to procure some necessary articles. He joined us a little after sundown, accom¬ 
panied by Lieutenant Mclntire, seventh infantry, and Assistant Surgeon Vollum, U. S. A. The 
fort is garrisoned by two companies of the second dragoons, and two companies of the seventh 
infantry, and commanded by Major Steen, second dragoons. Reached camp at twenty minutes 
after 3 p. m. It is a beautiful camping-place. The rain-water is in ravines near our camp. 
We are one mile from the crossing of the Brazos, and about two from Fort Belknap. The 
day has been excessively warm and sultry. Observations for the time and latitude made. 
Mules grazed, &c., as usual. 
Along our line of March to-day there were perfect groves of post-oak, which is a very valua¬ 
ble timber for many purposes. Scrub and live oak are also in abundance. General direction, 
north 34° east; miles, 16 T V 
Camp No. 48— Thursday, April 27, 1854.—Left last camp at fifteen minutes to 6 a. m., and 
moved to the crossing of the Brazos. We passed over without the slightest difficulty, the water 
not reaching higher, in its deepest place, than the mule’s knees. The river at this point is 
seven hundred feet from bank to bank, which are gently sloping. Its bed is gravelly and firm, 
and the water is very salty. From the swiftness of the current (even with the small body of 
water we crossed) there must be a rapid and violent current when the river is swollen. 
At a short distance from the river we came to Fort Belknap. This post is beautifully located 
in a finely wooded country, but is in a very unfinished and scattered state. There is here a 
steam saw-mill; but being out of order it is useless, the machinist not being competent to make 
the necessary repairs. The gardens for vegetables, &c., were in a flourishing condition. 
Captain Pope and Lieutenant Garrard remained a short time at the post, sending forward 
