direct line from the Tanks to Prescott the mountains are barely passable by a difficult mule trail. The range of hills west of the valley are low. On the east a high range (continuation of the Walker Mountains) stretches from the cañon at the Tanks, gradually receding from the stream as it runs south. December 12, descended the valley ten miles to Walnut Grove (Mr. Weaver's). The valley widens as it descends, and cottonwood and walnut trees abound in this part. The water rises a mile and a half above Mr. Weaver's. It has a volume of about thirty inches. The hills on the eastern side are low, those to the west rise into low mountains. Half a mile below Weaver's the stream enters a shallow cañon. Just below this point McLeod & Co. are working placer diggings, which yield about $1,200 a week. Indian tracks were observed on the way down, and on reaching Mr. Weaver's we were informed that the day before, the Indians having threatened to take Mr. Weaver's corn, the settlers in the neighborhood attacked them, killing 3 and wounding several. Wood, water, and grass abundant. Weather mild and clear.

December 13, the trail leaves the river, passing over the hills to the east and enters the valley again two miles below. We descended the river six miles and camped. The valley is of the same character as above at Weaver's. About a mile below camp the stream enters the Lower or Big Cañon. Rain began to fall in the evening and continued all night. December 14, rained steadily all day. Trail left the creek a mile below camp and crossed a hilly country for nine miles; course southeast. Here we found Indian trails. Here we turned up a ravine draining into the Hassayampa. The ravine is narrow, shallow, and rocky, inclosed by low hills of the same character. We ascended this ravine two miles, and half a mile to the left in a side ravine found water. The rain was very cold, and several of the party were suffering from rheumatism. Spies were sent out in several directions to look for smokes. Two of the parties were successful, and it was determined to attack the two rancherias simultaneously. One village lay about ten miles to the northeast and the other three and a half to the west. Our position was so well hidden by the surrounding hills and our fires were kindled so late that little fear was entertained of their discovering us. We were on the western side of a high ridge of granite hills, running parallel to the Walker Mountains, and about five miles from them. It rained incessantly, and as all the clothing and blankets were saturated, no one slept. December 15, Captain Thompson with twelve enlisted men and two citizens (Mr. Cooler and the Indian, Dick) left camp at 3.30 a. m. I left camp an hour later with eleven men and Messrs. Weaver, Rice, and Smith. A corporal and three men were left in camp. Both parties were on foot. Just at daylight we heard the firing of Captain Thompson's party. About twenty minutes later we attacked the rancheria we had been looking for. There were seven Indians in the rancheria. Three were killed; a woman and 2 children were captured, and one Indian escaped on all fours into the labyrinth of rocks, leaving a bloody trail behind him. These Indians had no animals nor fire-arms. They are Tonto Apaches. Everything in the camp was burned. Shortly after we reached our camp (10 a. m.) Captain Thompson and party returned. There were fifteen Indians in the rancheria he attacked; eleven were killed, and the remaining four left such quantities of blood on their trails as to show conclusively that they were severely wounded. Captain Thompson's report is forwarded herewith. The command remained in camp during the day. Rain fell at intervals during the day and night.

December 16, returned to the main ravine. Course for six miles over a hilly country to the divide between the Hassayampa and Agua Fria. This is near the southwestern point of the Walker range. In front of us was a depression separating the Walker Mountains from a low range five miles to the south. Between the latter range and the Gila there is a low flat country. During a clear interval the Mazatzal and the Pinal Mountains were visible through the gaps as well as the range between the Agua Fria and the Rio Verde. A deep cañon lay to our left which bore a little to the south. We crossed it, traveling over a rough hilly country in an easterly direction. Camped at an old Indian camp. Numerous quartz ledges were seen near the trail. Many of them could be traced all the way up the side of the mountain. This region gives every indication of being rich in minerals. It has never been explored. Several showers fell during the day. Distance from last camp about fourteen miles. December 17, traveled in the same general course for eighteen miles. Two miles from camp entered a large cañon running south of east. The main range from which it issues where we entered it forms for three miles its northern wall, for which distance its course is east. We nooned in the cañon. After traveling down it three miles we then climbed the left-hand side of the cañon, following the easterly course. Our road lay over rough foot hills of the mountains till within four miles of our evening's camp, when the country opened out. We camped in a shallow cañon with running water, plenty of wood and grass. Saw some Indian tracks three or four days old. No fires were allowed to be lit until night, as our route during the day gave us every chance of reaching camp without being discovered by the Indians. Sent out spies to look for smokes and signs but they were not successful. It rained, sleeted, or snowed almost without intermission during the day, and sleeted or snowed all night. Distance traveled, eighteen miles. December 18, descended the cañon east for three miles, then turned north for three miles over a spur of the mountains and descended into the bed of the Agua Fria. There is no water at this point. A mile farther up the valley we nooned. The valley is from 100 to 200 yards wide, bounded by sandstone hills or mesas, some of the cliffs of which present strangely curved and contorted strata that forms one of the strangest landscape features I have seen. It rained all the afternoon. Marched six miles farther up the stream (north) and camped. Total distance twelve miles. Found standing water, plenty of wood and grass. Tried to sleep in wet blankets for the fifth night.

December 19, the sky was clear at sunrise, but rain began to fall at about 8 o'clock and did not cease till 1 p. m. Marched north for about six miles and nooned at an old camp apparently-made by soldiers. A mile above camp left the Agua Fria by a mistake of one of the guides and ascended Black Cañon. This is said to be the shortest route to Woolsey's, but I was anxious to ascend the Agua Fria all the way, in hopes of finding some Indian rancherias there was reason to believe were in that neighborhood. As our animals were too tired and rations too short to allow us to correct the error, it was determined to return to the fort as rapidly as possible. Ten miles from camp we left the cañon, ascending the north bank, and three miles farther on camped in the hills with a little standing water, a scarcity of wood, but an abundance of good grama. The night was clear and cold. December 20, three miles from camp descended into Black Cañon again at the Mexican town. We were in hopes of finding Indians there, but were disappointed. The Mexicans are accused of trading with them. Nooned

at Doctor Willing's camp, two miles above the village and near the east bank of the cañon. Camped without water in an open valley five miles northwest of the doctor's ranch. Fine grass and but little wood. December 21, our course was northwest to-day over a rolling country as far as Dripping Spring, five miles. Here is a steep ascent of some 300 feet. Beyond this to Big Bug the trail is over a hilly but not very rough country. Camped in a ravine about four miles east of the Big Bug. Water in holes; wood and grass plenty. Ground covered with snow. December 22, route northwest. Crossed the Big Bug Cañada four miles from camp. The trail is a tolerably good one from here to Woolsey's. Traveled through three or four inches of snow. Weather severely cold. December 23, returned to the fort by way of the direct trail. The men of our little command bore the hardships to which they were subjected with commendable patience, and showed praiseworthy alacrity in the performance of their duty. Captain Thompson and his men deserve praise for the discipline thus evinced. I desire to call the attention of the department commander to the valuable services of the citizens who accompanied us. Expeditions at this season of the year are destructive to stock and trying to the men, but I am satisfied that a winter campaign is the surest means of reducing Indians to subjection. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

A. L. ANDERSON, Captain, Fifth U. S. Infantry.

Hdqrs. Department of New Mexico, Santa Fé, N. Mex.

No. 2.

Report of Capt. John Thompson, First New Mexico Cavalry.

CAMP TONTO, ARIZ. TER., December 17, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report briefly as follows:

In obedience to your order of the 15th instant I left camp at 1 a. m. with ten enlisted men of my company (K), First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, Mr. Cooler and the Ute Indian (Dick) as Indian guides, and marched over the mountains a distance of about ten miles. At daylight in the morning I came in sight of the Indian camp and marched cautiously with my men and the two guides until I came within 300 yards of their camp. I then ordered the men to take off their boots in order to create but as little noise as possible and make a rush for the camp. Every man responded cheerfully, each trying to excel the other to see which would kill the first Indian. The Indians were not alarmed until the very moment the attack commenced, when they showed fight, but it was of very short duration, whereas they were shot down as fast as powder and lead would admit, and every man went into the engagement with a determination. The camp was composed of fifteen Apache warriors, 11 of whom were killed. The other four got away, but were badly wounded. They were trailed by their blood for some distance, but succeeded in getting off. After the engagement was over I destroyed their camp. Mr. Cooler and the Ute boy Dick (Indian guides), deserve much credit for the faithful manner in which they performed their duty and participated in the fight at the time of the engagement, and I would respectfully recommend them both as being faithful Indian guides and brave men. During the fight Private Brandon, of my company, got

slightly wounded in the knee with an arrow, which was the only easualty sustained on our side. After the work of destruction was com pleted, I returned to camp from whence I started, where I arrived at 11 a. m. Total distance marched, twenty miles.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. THOMPSON,

Capt., First Cav., N. Mex. Vols., Commanding Company K. Capt. A. L. ANDERSON,

Fifth U. S. Infantry, Commanding Expedition.

DECEMBER 13, 1864.-Affair near Devall's Bluff, Ark.

Report of Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Andrews, commanding Second Division, Seventh Army Corps.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,

Devall's Bluff, Ark., December 14, 1864.

CAPTAIN: An independent picket, which I had placed three miles east of here, captured 2 enlisted men of Dobbin's command last evening. They report that Taylor's company, of Dobbin's command, is to rendezvous at Coffee Creek, twenty miles from Clarendon, to-morrow. C. C. ANDREWS, Brigadier General, Commanding.

Capt. S. E. GRAVES,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Little Rock.

DECEMBER 13-14, 1864.-Expedition from Morganza to and beyond Morgan's Ferry, La.

Report of Col. John H. Kelly, One hundred and fourteenth Ohio Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, Morganza, La., December 15, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to very respectfully submit the following report, viz:

In obedience to instructions from headquarters U. S. forces, dated Morganza, La., December 12, 1864, I took command of the expedition composed of the Thirty-fourth Iowa Regiment, One hundred and fourteenth Ohio Regiment, one section of the Second Massachusetts Battery, and a detachment of the Second New York Veteran Cavalry, for the purpose of escorting and supporting Major Conover, Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, and his command in crossing the Atchafalaya River. The expedition moved from Morganza, La., December 13, 1864, at 8 a. m. and advanced to Morgan's Ferry bridge. At Cattlett's, a distance of nine miles, the column was halted for dinner and to await the arrival of Major Conover and his command, which arrived about 12 m., bringing with them four pontoon-boats for the purpose of crossing the river. Major Conover and Major Bell took a party and went forward from this point to the river to reconnoiter and select the point for crossing. I detached Lieutenant-Colonel Dungan, Thirty

fourth Iowa, with them for the purpose of selecting a suitable position for the artillery and the disposition of the troops to cover the crossing after Major Conover had selected the crossing. It was arranged that the expedition would move forward within one mile of the river and halt until the place of crossing was selected and reported to me. Major Conover returned about sunset and reported that a crossing had been selected and that there were no rebel pickets near the point selected. About 7 p. m. I moved the expedition up to the river, stationed the artillery and disposed the forces, launched the boats and commenced crossing the command over at 8 p. m. The command to be crossed over consisted of 212 men, their horses, saddles, carbines, and equipments. The means of crossing were the four boats before mentioned, each of which took four men, their saddles, bridles, equipments, &c., swimming their four horses alongside the boat. The entire command was crossed over and in readiness to move, and moved off at 12 midnight. Major Conover and I agreed upon a signal by which I could recognize him or any of his command in case they were compelled to return to the river. I then had the boats all taken out of the river and put out of view from the opposite side of the river to prevent the enemy from discovering by what means the force had crossed over. I then gave orders to the officers in charge of the artillery to report to me anything that might occur on the opposite side of the river. At 3 a. m. Major Conover and his command returned and reported that he had moved with his command about six miles down the river, encountered an impassable bayou, had a man drowned in attempting to cross over it, and that he desired me to recross his command. At 6 a. m. the boats were again launched and the crossing commenced. By 11 a. m. the command was over, the boats reloaded on the wagons, and the entire expedition in readiness to move. In crossing and recrossing Major Conover's command no accident or misfortune of any kind occurred. We met no force on our way out, neither did we encounter any at the crossing. Major Conover captured one prisoner whom I forwarded to the provost-marshal U. S. forces. The officers in command of the regiments, detachments, and artillery rendered efficient aid and services. The officers and troops of the entire expedition rendered aid promptly when called upon, and conducted themselves in an officer-like and soldierly manner. The expedition arrived at Morganza December 14, 6 p. m. Respectfully submitted.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN H. KELLY, Colonel 114th Ohio Vol. Infty., Commanding Expedition.

Brig. Gen. D. ULLMANN,

Commanding U. S. Forces.

DECEMBER 13-15, 1864.-Expedition up the White River from Devall's Bluff, Ark.

Report of Col. Hans Mattson, Third Minnesota Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, Seventh Army Corps.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Devall's Bluff, December 15, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of order from the brigadier-general commanding division, I proceeded on the 13th instant on board the steamers Sir William Wallace and Kate Hart