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We crossed many Indian trails leading into Mexico only two, however, which seem to be very much used. One, crossing the Pecos at the Horse head crossing, and the southern road at the Comanche spring, leads to the Rio Grande, about eighty miles below Presidio del Norte. The other, touching the heads of the western branches of the Nueces, crosses the southern road at the head of the Las Moras.

As you have done me the honor to ask what, in my opinion, are the best arms for mounted troops on this frontier, I strongly recommend those, modified, with which the men who accompanied me were equipped-the rifle for use on foot and at a distance, and the revolver for close fight. A steel rifle, of the length and weight of the cavalry carbine, and made with the skill to which American gunsmiths have attained, will have a range of four or five hundred yards. With the picket bullet, Colt's five chambered revolver, made for the round bullet, shoots with more force and accuracy than any other pistol, and, worn at the belt, is less cumbrous than the sabre; while the repeating principle makes it more effective in Indian warfare than the cavalry pistol and sabre. The pistols furnished to the government by Mr. Colt are inferior, in every respect, to what the Texans call fine shooters." To admit the picket bullet, the cylinders are necessarily so long as to give inconvenient weight and destroy the balance of the weapon; and the round ball is thrown by the same pistol with mach the most force and accuracy. I therefore suggest a return to the old pattern.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,

Capt. Top. Eng., Lt. Col. U. S. A.

Major GENERAL BROOKE,

Commanding 8th Department.

A creek about midway.