341 Maj Van Dorn had written to Capt Ross asking the aid of Indians from the Brazos Reserve to make an expedition against the Comanchies high up on Red River. It was determined to march to his camp and co-operate in the movement-the distance being between seventy and eighty miles. We advanced by slow marches, and encamped for two or three days on the waters of Cash Creek within twelve miles of Camp Radziminski. In the meantime Maj Van Dorn had made a forward movement, and my intention was to co-operate with him. On the 6th and 7th of March a severe snow storm occurred, and many of the horses of my Command were rendered unserviceable by its depressing ef- fects. Maj Van Dorn had marched three days in the direction of the enemy, but his horses were so weakened by the Cold and the want of forage and grass, that he was compelled to return. There was no alternative, but the abandonment of the expedition. I remained several days on Otter Creek to recruit my ani- mals, and then determined to return by way of the Double Moun- tains situated at or near, the head of Double Mountain Ford of the Brazos. We Crossed Red River at the San Andres Springs and moved up that stream to the mouth of Pease or Prairie Dog River. My object was to get upon the trail travelled by the Co- manchies while going to and returning from the settlements and Mexico, and to overtake parties going down and intercept parties returning with stolen property. The plains were covered by nu- merous herds of buffalo. which were visible in almost countless numbers in every direction. The grass was eaten down to the ground by them, and when this was not the case it had been burnt. The supply of forage was sufficient for only a few days, and when exhausted there was no prospect of subsisting animals. The route by the Double Mountains was given up as impractica- ble. The Caddos had so declared on Otter Creek and had returned from that point to the Reserve. I reluctantly allowed the guide to strike lower down the Country. We crossed Beaver Creek near the head, the Big Witchata nearly north from Camp Cooper, headed the Little Witchata, and proceeded south to the Coman- chies Agency which we reached March 30th. No recent Indian sign was discovered in this extensive region. From the Comanche Agency I marched to the Brazos Reserve- paid off Lt Marlin's men, and returned to Camp Leon by way of Jose Marias old village on the Brazos, Palo Pinto, Armstrong Creek and the Leon. We arrived in Camp on yesterday after an absence of fifty five days, and a travel of some seven hundred miles. I regret very much that the effort was not attended with
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