Fort Croghan, Inspected Sept. 16, 1853

This post is situated geographically nearly in the centre of Texas, in latitude 30-48'-15" North, longitude 98-20' west, and some 1,500 feet above the level of the sea. It is on the head waters of Hamilton Creek, a branch of the Colorado, and about twelve miles east of that river. The distance to Austin, its depot, is 50 miles N.W., and to the Gulf coast about 200 miles. On the opposite side of Hamilton Creek is the town of Hamilton, with a population of about 200, the county town of Burnet county. A post office has recently been established in this place, and there is now a weekly mail communication with Austin.

One league of land is occupied for public purposes. It was leased for ten years, or less, at the discretion of the government from Peter Kerr, at a rent of $50 per month, with a right to the use of fuel and building material. The stone in the vicinity is excellent for building. It is a soft limestone, easily quarried and worked, and unlimited in quanity.

No Indians now visit the post.

Fort Croghan for some time had been garrisoned by Company I, 2nd Dragoons, under Capt. and Bvt. Maj. H. H. Sibley, of that regiment, but recent orders directed the abandonment of the post, and the day before my arrival Maj. Sibley marched for Phantom Hill, with a large train of wagons carrying off most of the property and leaving a small detatchment under 1st Lt. N.C. Givens, 2nd Dragoons, as a guard until the few stores remaining could be removed.

I inspected these men and found them in tolerable order, and the post generally in as good condition as could have been expected under the circumstances. The buildings (Figure S) except the hospital are very indifferent. The company quarters are wretched hovels not fit for occupancy.

Quartermaster's Department. The only civilian heretofore employed has been a guide and interpreter at $40 per month and a ration, and the ordinary monthly expenses of the Quartermaster's Department were about $1,200. There were 200 tons of hay on hand, for which $12 per ton were paid. Corn was supplied at 75 cents per bushel. Fuel was cut by the troops. Lt. Givens' accounts for August had not been completed owing to interruptions incident to the breaking up of the post. His July accounts appeared correct.

Subsistence Department. There was only a small quantity of provisions on hand and a portion of them was damaged. The storehouse is very inferior. The ration costs delivered here 16 cents, the expense of transportation being about 2-1/2 cents per pound. Flour is the only article that might possibly be purchased to advantage in the neighborhood. Lt. Givens thinks it could be bought 25 per cent cheaper than the cost of delivery here when shipped from the North.

Medical Department. Surgeon G.F. Turner, Purveyor of the 8th Department was active as the Medical Officer of the station. In the recent order breaking up the post he was transferred to Fort Mason, but had been detained for the want of transportation to convey his stores, of which there was a very heavy supply on hand--probably 100 boxes. There were also some sick men in the hospital requiring the constant attention of a physician.

The hospital is a comfortable building of two rooms, constructed of hewn logs. It was well supplied, and in the neatest possible order. The post is considered decidedly healthy. The local causes of disease are the stagnant water pools which occur on all the water courses during the summer months, giving rise to intermittent fevers of mild character and easily manageable.

The highest range of the thermometer during the present year was 100 degrees, Aug. 24th, and the lowest, 26 degrees in February. The minimum and maximum mean temperatures were in the same months, viz . 49 degrees 41, and 82 degrees 62. The quantity of rain which fell in the eight months was 25-3/4 inches.

Leaving Fort Croghan, Sept 16th, I reached Austin, 50 miles distant, the next day. The route is pretty well watered though the San Gabriel is the only stream of any consequence between the two points. The road is extremely rough and rocky. The country is rapidly settling, particularly in the vicinity of Austin.