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57 18th. Crossed the Cibolo; where was an opportunity of observing the geological formation of these prairies, seen to be about two feet mould, then rounded pebbles of limestone. Deer are beginning to be [crossed out: very abun] in great numbers and not shy. Three or four miles from the Cibolo saw in the road large specimens of fossil shells apparently of the oyster genus, in calcereous stuff x

One & a half miles E of the Salado river [crossed out: we visited] is the "Mott" small clump of trees, where Capt. Dawson unfortunately got surrounded by an overwhelming force of Mexicans with Artillery under General Woll last September. I am informed that when Dawson saw his unprotected position & that he could not effect a junction with Caldwell, who was on the Salado his advice was to fall back upon Billingsly's company which was safely posted in a hollow. but Mr S __ & others cried out somewhat vauntingly, "We came here to fight". "Then let us fight" answered Dawson calmly.  They commenced with their rifles; the enemy began to play upon them grape &

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