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.
A stone monument was erected on the summit of a hill on the right bank of the Delaware
creek, for reference on the survey across the Llano Estacado.
The mules and stock grazed during the day and night, under a strong guard, on the south
side of the creek.
No observations taken this day; the heavens cloudy at night.
Same Camp-Satiurday, 2Iarch 18, 1854.-Some surveys made to find the levels of the river:
the result is a fall of three feet one inch in three hundred feet. The mules and stock grazed as
usual; were brought in at sunset, fed with corn, and then turned out to graze during the night.
The principal wagonmaster, (Mitchell,) accompanied by a Mexican, came into camp, with a
letter from Captain Taplin. As this letter gives a mere outline of his expedition, it is not
copied in this place. (The full report of this expedition is given at page 73 of this journal.)
The following is a general statement of the route of the party over the Llano Estacado, as
given by the wagonmaster. He says:' For about eighteen miles after leaving our camp the
road is good. At this point it becomes heavy sand, which continues the whole way across the
Staked Plain until about the same distance from water on the opposite side. The intermediate
plain is entirely destitute of water. The party accomplished the distance, (say one hundred
and forty-two miles) from water to water in five days. In consequence of the exhausted condition of the animals, the wagons were abandoned on the fourth day, about forty miles from water.
After reaching the springs (which Captain Taplin supposed to be one of the sources of the
Colorado) the mules were rested a,day and a half, but were too much broken down to justify
Captain Taplin in attempting to rejoin the command. He therefore sent wagonmaster Mitchell
to report the fact, and his intention of attempting to rejoin us by the emigrant trail. Mitchell
brought a Mexican and three mules, one packed. Two kegs of water were carried along, half
a keg of which was left at the wagons for the use of those persons who would come for them.
He (Mitchell) left Captain Taplin on the 16th instant at 3 o'clock a. m., travelled until 4~
o'clock p. m.; camped; and started on the 17th at 4 o'clock a. m., travelled until 4 p.m., resting during that time for half an hour, then proceeded until 8 o'clock p. m.; camped; and started
on the 18th at 3 o'clock a. m., travelled until 10 o'clock a. m., resting an hour, then proceeded
to camp on Pecos, reaching it at sundown: thus making the whole distance (one hundred and
forty-two miles) in forty hours' travelling. There are game, grass, and wood in abundance on
these plains, but not the slightest trace of water."
The total impracticability of crossing the Llano with our wagons being now obvious, and
the command so much divided, it was decided to move down the east side of the Pecos to intersect the emigrant trail and meet Captain Taplin. Immediate preparations were made for this
movement.
Gamp 19-Sunday, Miarch 19, 1854.-Left camp at daylight and crossed the river. As the
banks had been cut down to facilitate the crossing of the wagons, they passed over without any
accident, with the exception of one, which had its hounds broken, the repairing of which occasioned some delay. The bottom of the river at this point is rocky, and no difficulty whatever
is presented if proper care is taken.
About half of our route to-day was over a rolling prairie, which was easy to travel; the
remainder was level. The road was good, being composed of sand and gravel. For the second
time during the expedition we had a slight fall of rain, which commenced before we left camp
and continued until noon, when it cleared up, the weather becoming excessively hot.
At four miles from camp we came upon a deep-red soil, (sandy,) which continued until we
struck the level plains.
The greater portion of the soil passed over to-day is capable of extensive culture; it can be
irrigated from the river. Along our route there was a considerable quantity of mezquite-root
and brush mezquite; also the grama-grass was good and abundant.
Reached our camp on the "IRio Pecos" at 3 o'clock p. m. The banks of the river are here
steep and precipitous, rendering it impossible to water animals at it without cutting them down.
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