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.
The country along these tributaries of the Brazos is in all respects superior to that of the Colorado, and the whole of it as fine farming and stock-raising country as can be found in the world.
CHAPTER IV. —From Clear Fork of the Brazos to the Valley of the Red River.
Same Camp-Sunday, Ail 23, 1854.-Lieutenant Marshall'joined the command this morning at 9 o'clock with his party; all well. The animals were in tolerable condition, considering
the journey they had made. He found Fort Chadbourne to be about seventy-five miles distant
from the point where he left us; (see journal of the 16th instant.) This post was commanded
by Assistant Surgeon Swift, U. S. A., all the other officers being absent on duty, and was garrisoned by two companies (F and C) second dragoons, both of which were out scouting. The
lieutenant brought us some newspapers and books, from which we gleaned some items concerning the sayings and doings of the busy world. The command passed the day washing,
swimming, fishing, &c., for which the stream afforded all facilities. All necessary repairs to
wagons, &c., were made, and our specimens packed in a more commodious manner. For the
last few days we have added considerably to our collection of birds and fishes. To-day we succeeded in catching a pole-cat, or skunk. It is a fine specimen, and required the use of only one
of the senses (smelling) perfectly to inform us of his vicinity. We also caught a garr-fish; this
fish we had not seen until we struck the Clear fork. It is of a bright yellow color, and enveloped in a hard, scaly covering, more like shell than cuticle. It has a long pointed head, armed
with a numerous and formidable set of teeth, well adapted for seizing and holding its prey. As
before remarked, this stream is very heavily timbered with mezquite, hackberry, elm, oak,
pecan, cotton-wood, &c.
The appearance of the country about our camp is of the most picturesque and varied character. The animals grazed in the bottoms, where the grass is excellent and abundant. The day
was warm; the earlier part of it being cloudy. The night set in with a violent thunder-storm;
the rain poured down heavily till about 2 a. m. In consequence of the unfavorable state of the
weather, no observations could be made during our stay at this camp.
Cdamp No. 45-Monday, April 24, 1854.-Started at half-past 7 a. m., and ascended a high
table-land, traversing a very rolling and broken country. The summits of the ridges we passed
over were very rocky, with some abrupt descents. We crossed many of the heads of ravines
which run into the Clear fork, but they did not present any serious obstacle. Having proceeded
about eight and a half miles, we struck the military road which connects Preston, Forts Belknap, Chadbourne, Phantom Hill, and San Antonio. We nooned at a short distance from this
point for about two hours; we commenced descending somewhat abruptly until we reached a
most beautiful valley.
Before reaching camp we perceived a log-house and farm. It requires an absence as long as
ours from all human habitations to realize the sensation this sight created. On arriving at it
we ascertained that it, with about twenty-two hundred acres of the surrounding valley, had
belonged to Col. Jefferson Stem, Indian agent, who was murdered by two Wichitas on the 12th
of February last. The perpetrators of this outrage were seized by some friendly Camanches
and killed. The Colonel was from Tippin, Seneca county, Ohio, and was a lawyer by profession. This farm, though not long under cultivation, produced last year five thousand bushels
of corn.
We also encountered here a party of California emigrants, with a considerable amount of
stock and animals. They received such information from us as will, no doubt, be useful to them
on their journey.
Camped in the valley at 4 p. m. on a rivulet which flows into the Clear fork of the Brazos.
We are now thirty-five miles from Fort Belkuap, and intend following the road if it does not
deviate much from our exact route. The country passed over to-day is well timbered, but not
so fertile on the high-lands as that we have been traversing. At camp we had excellent grass,
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