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150

2nd., The timber on Sweetwater is all Cottonwood and very sparce and stunted. The timber on North Fork and McClellan Creek consists of Cottonwood and stunted Hackberry and Elm, and in larger quantities than on Sweetwater; about equal amounts on the two former. 3rd., I consider that there is comparatively no difference in the quality or quantity of grass on these three streams. 4th., I discovered no stone suitable for building, in the vicinity of either of these streams and as the soil is generally loose and sandy I should not consider it suitable for adobes. 5th., The country in the vicinity of each of these streams is generally high, rolling & sandy praire, covered with "shin oak", but occasionally there are stretches of Mesquit, Buffalo and Grammor grasses. 6th., I discovered no evidence of coal near of either of them. 7th., There is considerable timber, which could be used in hutting troops and for fuel on Gageby Creek about 8 miles from Sweetwater at a point 10 miles East of the longitude of McClellan Creek, but I do not consider that there is timber in any considerable quantities for building or fuel nearer to either of these streams than the Washita before the mouth of Gageby Creek. 8th., Hay cannot be obtained in the vicinity of either the Sweetwater, North Fork or McClellan Creek. 9th., The Sweetwater and McClellan Creek have bottoms varying from 1/4 to 1/2 mile in width. They partially overflow and are sparsely timbered. The banks of North Fork consist generally of a succession of sandhills, with here and there little clumps of cottonwood and hackberry.

                                                               Very respectfully
                                                                Your obdt. servant
                                                      (sgd)   S. L. Woodward
                                                                  1st Lieut. 10" Cavy. Adjutant

__________________________________________ Fort Sill, I. T. Dec. _ 1874.

A. Adjt. General Dep't. of Texas, Sir:

                    In reply to your communication of the ___ inst., I have the honor to state that I personally visited the streams mentioned therein in August and September 1871, also during the summer and fall of this year, and respectfully submit the following answers to the interrogatories, as enumerated; during the expeditions which I accompanied as Engineer Officer, on the dates above stated, especial attention was given by me to the matter in question.

1. McClellan Creek: quality: good, from two miles above the mouth all the year. Quantity and permanence: sufficient to supply any Camp or garrison in occupation during the year, as far West as the forks.