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party, will proceed to the examination of the route from the upper valley of the south branch of Red river to the Rio Pecos. Should there be evidences of a serious hostility on the part of the Indians, likely to endanger the lives of the party, Lieutenant Michler will retrace his steps, and return to this place for further instructions.

By order of Brevet Major General Brooke:

GEO. DEAS,

Assistant Adjutant General.

Having proceeded to execute the above instructions, I have now the honor to report their completion, and respectfully furnish the following report of my reconnaissance, together with the accompanying map:

Upon leaving San Antonio, my escort consisted of fourteen men-all civilians. I decided upon taking wagons along, as far as possible, as they would afford the best test of the practicability of a road. The nearest post to the point at which my examination was to commence is Fort Washita in the Indian territory. Apart from the fact of its being a good startiing-point from which to commence the survey, it possessed the adiar Cages of enabling me to renew my supplies of provisions, and of refitting out my expedition with animals, or whatever might be needed, before finally getting beyond the reach of the settlements. In consideration of these circumstances, I proceeded first to Fort Washita the distance being about three hundred and eighty miles. The road travelled was upon the extreme line of settlements, although within the present line of military posts. For the first hundred miles, the country has become pretty well settled; for the rest of the way, farms were only met with at intervals of ten and fifteen miles. With but few exceptions, the road was an excellent one throughout; the country was generally a fine grazing one, and well watered, fine bold streams being crossed at short distances. With the exception of post oak and one or two other varieties of oak, no timber was to be met with, except immediately upon the banks of streams. The principal, and I might say the only, produce of the farms is corn; the demand being limited, there is but a Wall supply-each farmer raising merely sufficient for his own use and for the few passing travellers. Upon approaching Red river, some few fields of cotton were seen. The villages along the road are mostly small, containing perhaps some half' dozen dwellings, the latter but poor and indifferent. Even the most trivial comforts are unknown to a greater portion of them. Within a few miles of Red river, more signs of industry and ease are visible, and you seem transported in a new land. Beyond this last river, among the Chickasaws, you meet with some fine farms, and in all a degree of comfort which does credit to them.

In consequence of some heavy rains, a few slight detentions occurred; but we at length reached Fort Washita in safety. I was here detained for several days, after renewing my outfit, by a rise in the False Washita. Constant rumors of Indian hostilities reaching me, I here increased flay party, which now numbered twenty one men. With this escort, and with four wagons, loaded with provisions for two months and a half, I was in readiness for a start.

To Captain Marcy, fifth infantry, who had arrived at Washita but two days previous to my setting out, I am indebted for information concerning