92 
APPENDIX A.—DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION. 
ague. Many (to us) great luxuries were purchased here, such as chickens, eggs, hutter, and 
milk. We were not able to obtain more than five bushels of corn, at $1 50 per bushel; the 
owner, as he stated, had bought his corn, not having time to raise any since he settled. 
Our animals were grazed until sundown; then driven in and fed with corn, herded, &c., &c. 
No observations made; night cloudy. General direction, south 80° east; miles, 11. 
Gamp No. 56— Friday, May 12, 1854.—Left last camp at ten minutes after 6 a. m., and 
resumed our course. Our route was similar to that of yesterday. In respect to soil and vegeta¬ 
tion, it was somewhat more timbered ; the road was heavy, hut our animals travelled capitally. 
It was truly pleasant to see the farms, of which there were several along our course; one par¬ 
ticularly was on a grand scale, having a large amount of land well fenced in and thickly planted 
with fruit trees. All these farms appear well stocked. 
About six miles from camp we reached Gainsville, which is beautifully located, and is no 
doubt the nucleus of a flourishing and important city. It consists of about fifteen houses; has 
two groceries, with their inseparable companion, a court-house, and a couple of dry-goods 
stores. We purchased ten bushels of corn, at $1 50 per bushel; this price is as exorbitant as 
that charged for the same article in New Mexico. Everything else is dear in proportion. To¬ 
bacco, (very poor,) $1 ; sugar, 19 cents ; coffee, 24 cents; tea, $2 per pound. This scale of 
prices will, after a short time, find its level. 
We did not see Gainsville under the most favorable circumstances, as it rained sharply 
while we waited for the corn to he loaded. We noticed, however, some of the celebrities of the 
place, among whom the “Doctor” was the most conspicuous. He sported white inexpressibles, 
which contrasted strangely and strongly with the surrounding black and wet soil. It would 
not be charitable or humane to wish him success, at least, in his legitimate profession. There 
would appear to be some ague in this locality. Building-lots can be purchased in the town for $50. 
Bidding adieu to Gainsville, we pursued our course, and encamped at 11 a. m. near a stream 
of excellent water, a tributary of the Trinity. During our day’s march we passed a number 
of small streams and rivulets, all the sources of this river. Our encampment is situated in a 
dense grove of post-oak, which completely shelters us from the wind and rain. Along the 
margin of the stream there is plenty of fine elm and red and white oak, of a large size. The 
day was cloudy and rainy until near sundown, when it cleared off. 
We were informed by a person who passed through our camp, that some Waco Indians had 
stolen some horses from the neighboring settlements, and two of them killed the day previous; 
the Bed river being very high at the time, prevented the rascals from crossing. 
The mules were not fed with corn; they were grazed, herded, &c., as usual. No observa¬ 
tions made; night cloudy. General direction, north 50° east; miles, 12j £ 0 . » 
Camp No. 57 — Saturday , May 13, 1854.—Left last camp at ten minutes past 6 a. m., and 
pursued our course over a rich, well-timbered, and gently-rolling country. In our day’s march 
we passed a number of small creeks, with running water, tributaries of the Red river. About 
seven miles from last camp we struck the Lower Cross Timbers, which consist of a dense growth 
of red, white, and post-oak, elm, and some hickory. The timber is somewhat larger than that 
in the Upper Cross Timbers. This place is about fifteen miles through. We encamped at 
half-past 11 a. m., on the banks of a heavily-timbered ravine, which contained rain-water. It 
is bordered with post-oak and elm of a tolerably large size. The grass is excellent, and in the 
utmost abundance. 
Our encampment is situated at a little distance from several very fine farms. One of the 
most extensive belongs to a person named McCarthy. These farms, though but recently set¬ 
tled, present every indication of prosperity. They are well stocked, and the horses are partic¬ 
ularly fine. We purchased twenty bushels of corn, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per 
bushel. The corn had not been raised here, but was bought at Preston and hauled to this 
place. There is in this neighborhood an extensive coal-mine ; but it was too distant from camp 
to obtain a specimen. 
