APPENDIX A. —DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
89 
vine, and grass, all excellent and in profusion. We will remain here for three days, as it is 
concluded to make this place one of our principal astronomical points. 
Mules grazed and herded, &c., as usual. Observations made at night for time and latitude ; 
day cloudy. General direction, north 70° east; miles, 13 T V 
Same Camp — Sunday, April 30, 1854.—All hands in the command busily engaged in such 
work as may he requisite—repairing wagons, re-arranging the loading, shoeing and cropping 
the mules, &c. As usual at halting-places, the men gladly avail themselves of the opportunity 
for washing their clothing, &c. Our collections in mineralogy, geology, botany, and natural 
history, are being repacked, and placed in as small a compass as possible. Great care is taken 
to avoid injury to them. The collection in birds and plants is large. We have many new 
specimens in both, which will no doubt he interesting to men of science. Our specimens of the 
soils, very numerous indeed, will he found important. No opportunity has been lost, no labor 
spared, in collecting and increasing our contributions to these departments of science. We 
only regret that the limited transportation placed at our disposal prevented us from enlarging 
our collection to the extent we wished; the country affording inexhaustible materials. To-day 
we commenced an epitome of the expedition from its departure from Dona Ana to this place. 
Although this report was much condensed, yet it was somewhat voluminous ; the great variety 
and importance of the matter contained in it required a considerable amount of labor to abridge, 
without in any material manner interfering with the facts. A profile of the country was pre¬ 
pared; also a summary, with a table, of the grading that may he required throughout the 
whole route. When finished, these documents will he sent by express to Fort Washita for 
transmission to Washington. 
Mules herded and grazed, &c., as usual. In consequence of the unfavorable state of the 
weather, no observations could he made. 
Same Camp — Monday, May 1, 1854.—The greater part of the night was consumed in hasten¬ 
ing the preparation of the papers referred to in yesterday’s journal. At an early hour this 
morning we resumed our work on these documents, and finished them about 10 a. m. The 
express, consisting of an American and a Mexican, started immediately for Fort Washita. 
This express will bring our mail to us : it is presumed we will meet it near Preston. No ob¬ 
servations made; the weather still continues cloudy. Mules herded, grazed, &c., &c., as usual. 
Same Camp — Tuesday, May 2, 1854.—One of the escort having gone to hunt last evening, 
had not returned during the night. The fact being reported, five men were sent in different 
directions to find him. During their absence the man arrived in camp ; he had lost himself in 
the thick timber, and could not extricate himself during the darkness. In the morning, after 
much fatigue, he reached the camp. This will he a caution to others. During the last two 
days we have added some beautiful specimens of birds to our collection. Rained last night, and 
still continues cloudy, with occasional showers; no observations can, therefore, be made. Mules 
herded, grazed, &c., as usual. 
Same Camp — Wednesday, May 3, 1854.—It rained heavily last night; we have had some 
smart showers to-day, and there is every indication of another wet night. This inauspicious 
weather precludes the possibility of astronomical observations. The heat is very oppressive. 
It is intended to remain here until the weather clears up, if it does so in any reasonable time. 
We, however, do not remain idle ; we are getting up the business of the expedition as far as iff* 
can possibly be done. Our animals look remarkably well; rest and good grass have com¬ 
pletely recruited them. Some of the command go out hunting; an antelope and some wild 
turkeys have been killed. Game of all kinds is very plenty in this locality. 
It is to he observed that the streams we have passed from Fort -Belknap to within five miles 
of this place are tributaries of the Brazos, and run in a southwesterly direction. 
Same Camp — Thursday, May 4, 1854.■—The weather still continues cloudy and rainy, pre¬ 
venting any observations from being made. We had a severe thunder-storm, with heavy rain, 
during the night. 
