Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 2, Pt. 4

APPENDIX A.
DIARY OF THE EXPEDITION.
BY J. H. BYRNE, ASSISTANT COMPUTER.
CHAPTER I.-From the Ro Grande, at El Paso, to the Pecos, at the 32dlparallel.
The surveying party arrived at Donia Ana from Albuquerque on the 16th January, 1854.
In consequence of the judicious measures taken, the journey across the "Jornada del Muerto"
was accomplished without any suffering either to men or animals. The latter were in good
condition when they reached Dofia Ana.
It had been anticipated that a delay of not more than ten or twelve days would be necessary
to complete the arrangements requisite for the movement of the expedition. These anticipations, however, proved fallacious. Orders had been issued that the transportation for the
escort should be supplied from El Paso; the wagons and teams to be taken from the train that
had transported the four companies of the 8th infantry from Texas.
- On making application to Brevet Lieut. Col. Alexander, who had the control of these
wagons, &C., an unlooked for difficulty arose, which caused an embarrassing and expensive
delay of four weeks. Col. Alexander declined to supply the transportation, stating that he
had no authority to turn it over on the requisition made upon him. After many fruitless efforts
to change this opinion of the Colonel's, it was determined to send a 8fiecial express to the headquarters of the department, at Albuquerque, for such orders as would set the matter at rest.
The express was accordingly despatched, with directions to make the trip to headquarters and
back in eight days: it returned within the time agreed upon. The orders brought by it were
immediately forwarded to Col. Alexander, who at once furnished the transportation.
During this detention, the valley of the Mesilla was surveyed and sketched; and every
information of a scientific character, tending to illustrate the natural productions of this section
of country, was obtained. It is not necessary in this place to describe Doiia Ana or its neighborhood; it has been so often and so well depicted, that any notice of it is rendered totally
superfluous.
Every obstacle being now happily removed, the transportation for the escort arrived from El
Paso on Friday, the 10th of February, 1854. It comprised eight wagons with six mules each,
and one extra team of six mules, under the direction of wagonmaster W. B. Beylor. This
party brought with them from Fort Fillmore sixteen beeves and seventy head of sheep. The
most energetic exertions were at once made to forward the final preparations. The next day,
the 11th, was devoted to loading the wagons, repairs, &c., &c.
While remaining here, all the animals were turned out to graze from sunrise to sunset. We
hauled our wood from the vicinity with our own wagons.
Starting.-All being in readiness, the expedition left Doia Ana at 9 o'clock a. m. on Sunday, 12th February, 1854. The party consisted of Captain John Pope, topographical engineers