Today in History:

712 Series I Volume L-I Serial 105 - Pacific Part I

Page 712 OPERATIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Chapter LXII.

Owing to the fact that most of the following marches were made at night, little observation of the country was practicable. That it is a desert, however, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, admits of no doubt. From Vallecito to Fort Yuma a command should commence each march at 5 p. m. The road is easily distinguished and traveled; the troops pack up more readily than at any othe rhour; they avoid the heat of daytime, and march briskly to camp and rest.

October 26, 1861. -Left Camp Wright, near Warner's ranch, with Company B at 7. 30 a. m. ; marched five miles over pleasant rolling road and wll-wooded country to a vineyard, called La Puerta, at which found fine mountain stream, but no ground for a cmpa; thence by fair road without water to San Felipe, eight miles. San Felipe is an old overland mail station; forage left by the line exists there and the pasturage is good. Wood has to be hauled four miles; water neither over abundant nor good; camp ground rather inferior. Weather very warm and close. Distance, 13 miles.

October 27. -Left San Felipe at 3. 30 a. m. by heavy hilly road to Vallecito; road sandy through bottom-land, seven miles to first hill; thence by broken road six miles, a great portion of which is acanon with but one wagon track winding between cliffs. A very small force could here impede an enemy of far superior numbers. Latter part of road more level until reaching another hill. On the left-hand side of the road, about half a mile back, is a spring that affords enough water for fifty men; thence a small rugged hill is surmounted and a valley is reached five miles in length by heavy sandy road to Vallecito. There is an old mail station in a narrow pass between two ranges of hills; water in fair supply; no wood but mesquite bushes; pastruage good, and forage left by mail line. Weather warm. Distance previus, 13 miles; distnace to-day, 17 miles; distnace in two days, 30 miles.

October 28. -Left Vallecito at 3. 30 a. m. ; marched nine miles by heavy sandy road to Palm spring; water in limited supply, and requires to be prepared for a command; the locality could be used for a camp. Thence by heavy sandy road to Carriso Creek, where there is anold mail station with some forage, but there is no pastruage in the vicinity. The country has now become a complete desert of most forbidding aspect. The creek is a small stream, affording an abundant supply of water of inferior quality; the bottom-land is filled with a stunted growth of mesquite and arrow-weed. Distance from Palm Spring to Carrios Creek is seven miles and a half. Weather intensely hot. Distnace previous, 30 miles; distance to day, 16 1/2 miles; distance in three days, 46 1/2 miles.

October 29. -Left Carriso Creek at 11. 50 p. m. October 28, following the stream and constantly crossing it; road heavy and sandy, thence over level road, with somewhat improved traveling, four miles to a short, steep hill; thence a level plain with desert brush to Sckett's Well; last part of road makes fair traveling; complete desert Sackett's Well when cleaned out affords a good supply of excellent water; it is mere water-hole, without any marks to distinguish it at the distance of 200 yards; men must be kept away from the brink, as it is liable to cave. Reached the well at daylight. Weather very warm. Distance prevous, 46 1/2 miles; distance to-day, 17 1/2 mil; es; distance in four days, 64 miles. Left Sackett's Well at 5. 45 p. m., traveling through a continuous desert; first five miles of road sandy; thence better traveling to Indian Well. This is an old station entirely deserted. The well is some thirty eet deep, water good, but not very ample supply. Signal Mountain, a prominent landmark, bears southwest, distance about fifteen miles. Reached camp at 11 p. m. Weather


Page 712 OPERATIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Chapter LXII.