10112, 10113. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, April 4th, 1868, Camp McPherson, March 25th, 1868.

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory April 4th, 1868 Camp McPherson. March 25th, 1868. Editor Arizona Miner: Urged by business, I left this place last fall on a visit to La Paz; business over, I retraced my way for your pleasant and healthy town. On the way I stopped at McPherson to rest myself and jaded horse. Great was my surprise to see such a change in so short a time. Camp McPherson , called after the dashing and chivalrous General McPherson, is situated on Date Creek, and directly opposite a lofty peak known as Big Rump's Lookout, in honor of the savage and bloodthirsty Apache Chieftain and raider of that name , a name well known to every bold, hardy and enterprising settler in this fair region of country. This Camp, so far famed as the adobe of sickness during the past summer, presents now quite a different appearance to what it did a few months back; comfortable log houses now cover the ground, formerly occupied by little huts, and which appeared to travelers so much like an Indian rancheria. It is laid off in streets, and kept most scrupulously clean, the quarters for the men unlike barrack rooms , in general, each room or house are seperate, capable of accommodating eight men with comfort, each room has got a fire—place; in place of shingles, the houses are covered with canvas. Dividing the men into small squads is an excellent arrangement, agreeable to the soldier, and conducive to health, and should be adopted at every post. It enables the quiet, orderly and senior members of a company to get together and enjoy their dignity, where they will not be annoyed by the noisy , rollicking conduct of their juvenile and light—hearted companions in arms ; it also enables the latter party to enjoy themselves free from molestation and the growls of old soldiers, providing their hilarity does not become so uproarious as to reach the commander's ears or any of his subordinates. A fine Commissary and Quartermaster' s store—house is also erected but not yet roofed, owing to the absence of lumber and shingles, which will shortly arrive from Prescott for that purpose. The building is one hundred feet long, fifty feet wide, and thirteen in height, built entirely of stone, with a stone floor, and capacious enough to accommodate all the property and stores needed for the support of the post. A dispensary is also erected and finished, also of stone. A large Hospital, of same material , is also under way. That it will not be needed the coming summer is the ardent wish and prayer of those who suffered all the pangs of purgatory during the past season. The walls of these buildings are two feet in thickness, and the best and most substantial structures in this Territory, and built by the soldiers, so you see the blue breeched sons of good "King Andy" are not the worthless animals Camp McPherson— Continued . many represent them to be. A good bake—house and ovens are in full blast, manufacturing sweet, light and wholesome bread for the garrison, and water tanks have been erected on the most approved plan to purify the water , which was pronounced unhealthy, by the most scientific authority. A large garden is also laid off on the creek bottom, where vegetables of all kinds will be raised in abundance to supply the wants of the post, and ward off the attack and ravages of that horrible disease, scurvy, so prevalent and destructive to soldiers at our frontier posts. This will be a pecuniary loss to many, particularly our good Wickenburg friends , who carried on a remarkably brisk and lucrative trade last summer and fall, in the vegetable line, with a slight sprinkling of "paddy's eye water , " on the sly. The most rigorous and praiseworthy exertions are made to render the place healthy and habitable for the future. Sickness, of all kinds, has prevailed to such a fearful extent, as to strike terror to the hearts of those , who , on the bloody field of Antietam, the wilderness, and in front of Richmond and Vicksburg, when rebel guns rained showers of lead and iron, quailed not, and knew no fear. The numerous desertions, last summer, are said to have been caused through fear of sickness. Another season like the past and Date Creek Valley might be called the vale of death, as much celebrated and shunned as the valley of the deadly Upas tree . Through the undefatiguable energy of the commander, Capt. Davis , and the officers of the post, every precaution will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the lamentable state of affairs during the last summer, and to make the men happy and comfortable. To purge sickness from this place, would appear to some, a Herculean task, as difficult of accomplishment as the cleansing of the Augean stables. However, for the sake of its inhabitants, and the protection of the road, it is to be sincerely hoped that his efforts will be crowned with success. The men seem very well content and enjoy the privilege of buying from the Commissary , can fruits and other delicacies at government price , an insignificant sum, a mere nothing, when compared to the high prices charged by sutlers and others. Till within the last month the garrison consisted of two companies , and " I, " 14th Infantry. Owing to the removal of Co. to La Paz, for the protection of the Indian Agency on the reservation near that place, the force is now reduced to one company , still sufficiently strong to protect the post, and furnish escorts to the numerous and richly laden trains that ply between La Paz and Prescott, or the solitary horseman, who dares to force his way into this El Dorado over (hitherto) one of the most dangerous and blood stained highways on the Pacific. Thanks to the military , who though few, are ever on the qui vive; this much celebrated and dreaded thoroughfare is now free from the presence of the dusky freebooter and murderer, and Bell's cafion, the Thermopylae of Arizona, is no longer considered the impassable and dangerous place of former days. P. H.F.