STARTLING INTELLIGENCE FROM FORT WEBSTER. 
13 
quainted with its locality is completely deceived, finding himself, when apparently ascending 
the slope from the Picacho de los Mimhres, very unexpectedly on the summit of a low divide, 
at the bottom of which lies a meandering line of cotton-woods and willows, indicating the 
river’s course. Although these trees are now destitute of foliage and have a very wintry 
aspect, the trunks and hare branches nevertheless afford a very pleasing relief. Camped a 
short distance above the crossing, the grass having been burned in that vicinity. The stream 
is now about six feet wide, and one foot deep. The water is clear and cold, and flows over a 
pebbly bottom, with a rapid current; and, like most of the streams throughout this country, 
although dignified by the title of rio, (river,) its waters disappear soon after leaving the mount¬ 
ains, sinking into the sands a short distance below the road. 
Shortly after Lieutenant Stoneman and I had turned in, the men sent to Fort Webster 
returned, bringing strange and somewhat startling intelligence. Instead of finding a flour¬ 
ishing post, garrisoned by three companies, as was expected, they found not a soul, and the post 
in ruins, most of the buildings burned to the ground, and the remaining ones sacked—all a 
perfect wreck; and from the facts of the embers still smoking, and the great number and fresh¬ 
ness of the Indian tracks, the depredation has been committed within the last few days. Hot 
an Indian was to he seen, although frequent fires were seen while coming down the river. We 
must he more cautious and circumspect in our movements hereafter. To be in such close prox¬ 
imity to Indians and not see any of them, indicates clearly that all is not right. Soon after the 
establishment of this post, these Indians located themselves in its immediate vicinity and com¬ 
menced cultivating. This whole affair is wrapped in uncertainty, which will not he cleared up 
until we arrive at Fort Fillmore. 
March 9.—Remained in camp to-day, being a fine opportunity for our animals to graze and 
rest, both of which they stand much in need of, having performed trying and severe duties. 
March 10.—Passed a cold night, the thermometer being at sunrise 20°. The Apaches did 
not disturb us. Left camp at half-past 6 o’clock, and, crossing the stream, we followed the 
road, which is equal to a turnpike, on a course tangent to the southern end of the Picacho de 
los Mimbres. On nearing this mountain, we found that, instead of turning it, the road, after 
passing over two or three ravines, crosses a low spur by a steep ascent, hut gradual descent, to 
Cook’s spring, at its base, where we camped, having made nineteen miles. This spring is a 
hole, or rather a pond, of sulphureous water, which disappears a short distance from its source. 
There are no trees, not even hushes, to indicate the existence of this spring. Wood is very 
scarce, “bois de vache” being called into requisition. 
Around the terminus of this ridge extends a plain, the continuation of that which absorbs the 
waters of the Mimhres. How this plain is connected or disconnected with the Rio Bravo bot¬ 
tom, remains to he seen. 
March 11.—Having now before us a long stretch, by report sixty miles to the river, without 
water, we did not leave camp until noon, thus affording our animals an opportunity to graze 
and take a long draught prior to entering upon this jornada. 
From the spring our road lay across a plain, sloping southward, in which direction the view 
was unbroken by mountain ridges or peaks. So smooth was it, that we had frequent examples 
of the delusive mirage. ' Crossing this plain, we ascended a divide, from the crest of which we 
had spread before us another plain of similar character, but sloping, singularly enough, to the 
north. Beyond this is a system of mesas, encrusted with a black, volcanic rock, the surface of 
which is nearly horizontal. In many places this whole crust has been removed, leaving rounded 
and gently swelling hills. By easy descent we reached the divide beyond, and camped at eight 
in the evening, having fine grass, but no water nor wood. Distance twenty-three miles. 
From Cook’s spring there appears to be a break in the ridge of hills to the east, south of the 
wagon road, and directly opposite the opening between the southern end of the spurs from 
Picacho de los Mimbres and the Sierra Florida. Should this plain extend to the river, a great 
advantage will be gained over the route at present travelled. 
