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Show 115 From Ehrenberg to Fori Yuma, Camp 19.- There being no wagon- road near the western bank of the river, I was obliged to cross my wagon and team, and send it down the river on the eastern side via Tyson's Wells and Gila City. The party with the pack-train proceeded down the river, keeping as close to the bank as the conformation of the eonntry would permit. We left Ehrenberg on the 8th day of March, and reached Fort Yuma March 12. Camp 15 was on the river, near an Indian rancheria; Camp 16, at Panchos Ranch, a deserted Mexican hut; Camp 17, at Round Hill, ( Ives,) just below Light- bouse Rock ; Camp 18, at Picacho Mill, in the Cane- brake Canon, ( Ives.) The route from Camp 14 to Camp 15 is mostly a wood road ; from Camp 15 to Camp 16 a trail impracticable for wagons, but not difficult for pack- animals. Several detours have to be made to avoid deep lagunas, and the trail leads over a long sand- flat in the river- bottom. From Camp 16 to Camp 17 the trail is mostly in river- bottom, but at times on mesa, where it crosses several deep, dry washes. At time of high water the trail in the river- bottom oanuot be used at all; travelers then have to take the trail along the mesa and over projecting spurs of the mountains, which is very steep and difficult in several places. Near Camp 17 was found the only patch of grass along the river. From Camp 17 to Camjt 18.- Trail near the river principally on the mesa, crossing frequently deep washes with high, steep sides. Camped at the Mill. This mill, which has five stamps, was standing idle, and had a sheriff's writ of attachment nailed to the door. The ore found at the mill is said to yield $ 17 per ton. It is friable and easy to crush. The mines are located up a wash near the Chimney Peak. A good wagon- road leads from the mines to the mill. No wood, except mesquite, in the vicinity. Camp 18 to Fort Yuma, Cal.- At the Mill the trail leaves the river, and follows the road to the mines until the vicinity of Chimney Peak is reached, when it leaves the wash and ascends the mesa. This has a gentle slope up to an altitude of over 700 feet. Near the snmmit a number of Mexicans were working placer- diggings. Water being scarce, they Urted the dry process for separating the gold. The yield is small, but is enough to pay industrious men well. The descent to the river- bottom on the south side of the divide is through a narrow wash orca& on, whose walls are almost perpendicular, and sometimes overhanging, and in some places not more than 6 or 8 feet apart, and over 50 feet high. The side washes are deep, narrow fissures, too narrow for the passage of a pack- mule. The river- bottom is several miles wide, and the soil of the same character as that observed above Ehrenberg. It is covered with mesquite trees and arrow- weeds; nearer the river, however, are found a number of large cotton wood trees and willows. At Fort Yuma, the commanding officer, Major Mizner, Twelfth Infantry, kindly allowed me to use a vacant building near the ferry for the shelter of my party, and during my stay at the post he and the other officers willingly gave me all the assistance I required, as also did Captain Bradley, assistant quartermaster, in charge of Yuma quartermaster depot. During our stay here, current- observations were made and soundings taken, to determine the discharge of the river. At this time the river had reached its lowest stage; no rise from melting snow in the upper portions of the Colorado or Gila Rivers had yet taken place, hence the discharge shows the minimum amount which the two rivers combined will furnish. Experiments on evaporation were also made here. April 2 the party left Fort Yuma, following the road along the west bank of the river to Algodon Station, just below the boundary- line. At this place the party was divided. A portion, with the pack- train, went in a southerly direction to visit the hot springs and mad volcanoes in the vicinity of Mount Purdy, while the remainder, with the wagon, followed the stage- road. The parties were to meet at New River or Indian Well Station. Algodon, via Mount Purdy, to Mud Volcanoes.- The road taken by the side party leaves the main road a short distance below Algodon, when it leaves the river- bottom. The direction thence is southwesterly toward Mount Purdy. It crosses several of the channels of New River, which at this time were entirely dry. Water was found in three places along route, contained in natural reservoirs, these being depressions in the dry channels. The last water occnrs about ten miles from Mount Purdy. Here the kegs were filled, and a dry camp made near the base of this peak. Thence the distance to the volcanoes is about 5 miles. The country from Algodon to Mount Pnrdy is nearly level; the portion near the river is thickly covered with mesquite trees and willows. As the distance from the river increases the vegetation becomes more sparse, until, within 5 or 6 miles of Mount Purdy, the plain is entirely destitute of it. The ground here is covered with a crust of salt for many miles in extent. At the base of Mount Purdy there is a stream of running water, which is intensely salt. This flows toward the northwest, or in the direction of New River Station. Mount Purdy is the crater of an extinct volcano. The crest is about 600 feet above the level of the plain at its base, and the interior of the crater is filled up to within about 100 feet below the crest. From the summit a good view is obtained of the surrounding countryaexceptatoward the west, whore theCocopah range |