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 TIlE EXPEDITION.
the night. The animals were here fed with corn; but as they had been for sixty hours without
water, they did not eat. All eyes were turned in the supposed direction of the Hueco Tanks,
hoping to discern a light to serve as a guide, but in vain. Neither Lieutenant Marshall nor
Captain Taplin had joined the command up to this hour. Wagonmaster Beylor started on
horseback to find the Tanks. He returned long after midnight unsuccessful. Animals turned
out to graze as usual. No wood; no water; grass plenty. General direction same as yesterday; miles, 17.
Same Camp-Thursday, February 16, 1854.-At sunrise principal wagonmaster Mitchell,
accompanied by a soldier, (who stated he knew where the Tanks were situated,) left camp to
find them. During their absence, Lieutenant Marshall and Captain Taplin came into camp
about 9 o'clock a. m. They had found a trail, and reached the Hueco Tanks on the previous
night, but had no means of communicating with us. We found we had camped upwards of
six miles to the west of them. All the animals were immediately driven to water. As they
had now been seventy-two hours without it, they quickly exhausted the tanks on the west side of
the mountain. That upon the east, however, afforded an ample supply. It was intended
to move the camp this day, but the unavoidable delay in watering the mules and stock
prevented this intention from being carried into effect. An ambulance with six kegs brought
sufficient water back to camp for cooking until the next day. The animals were fed, hobbled,
and turned out to graze during the night.
Camp No. 5 Friday, February 17, 1854.-Left camp about 8 o'clock a. m., and moved to the
Hiueco mountains, which we reached about 11 o'clock a. m. These mountains are composed of
a dark gray sandstone, scattered about in high masses in the most grotesque disorder and confusion. The tanks containing the water are immense reservoirs, hollowed out by the hand of
nature. That upon the west side is capable of holding about five hundred gallons; the other,
upon the east side, would contain, when full, perhaps fifteen hundred gallons. The animals
were watered, hobbled, and turned out to graze. General direction, south 62~ east; miles) 6.
, Same Camp-Saturday, February 18, 1854.-On examination many of the wagon-wheels
were found to require repairs; they were taken off the wagons and sent to E1 Paso to have the
necessary repairs made. The want of a forge, already alluded to, was now sensibly felt.
Lieutenant Garrard left for the same place on business. Wagonmaster Beylor, with seven
wagons, returned for the corn that had been left on the Jornada, (see Wednesday, 15th instant,)
and arrived in camp with all the corn about 8 o'clock p. m. same day, having made twenty-eight
miles. About the same hour the Mexicans, who had been sent after the stray mules, (see
Tuesday, 14th,) came into camp, bringing the animals with them. They say that, with the
exception of a small quantity of bread, they have subsisted for four days upon a hawk which
they shot; they had to follow the mules to Camp No. 2, " Ojo de la Soledad," where they had
to rest the animals, which were in a very weak condition. One mule missing; it has gone
towards the "Pass," as it can be tracked by the lariat. A Mexican herder sent in pursuit.
The animals fed, hobbled, and grazed, as usual. At this camp there is abundance of wood and
grama-grass.
Same Camp-Sumday, February 19, 1854.-The mule which strayed from camp (see Saturday, 18th) returned by itself. Besides the water contained in the Tanks, there are numerous
holes and crevices in the mountains, which contain sufficient for every purpose to last for a considerable time. It is proper to remark that animals cannot drink from the Tanks; the water is
taken out in buckets, and thrown down the rocks until all have been supplied: thus, watering is
a matter of time and labor. The peculiar formation of these mountains, their innumerable
caverns and hiding-places, seem to have been intended for a refuge for the Indians; nor have
they neglected to avail themselves of its advantages. In one instance, however, they'"reckoned
without their host." About fourteen years ago these Arabs of New Mexico, the Apaches, having made a desperate foray upon the Mexicans, retreated with their plunder to these mountains.
The Mexicans surprised and surrounded themn, hemming them up in the rocky ravine forming
53