When I turned my back on the Rio Grande valley, the credit of the line stood well. I felt satisfied that I had done right; I am now more than satisfied.] _El Paso, December 24._--The mail of December 9 came in from San Diego at 10 a. m. _Presidio, San Eleazario, December 25._--Mail from San Antonio came in at 1 a. m. I reached our lower station on the Rio Grande, a new place which we have named Birchville, at 8 p.m.; I was _en route_ for San Antonio. Here I found that the up mail of December 9 had been caught in a snow storm west of Fort Davis. Five mules had been chilled so they were unable to go on with the train. The conductor was compelled to leave the coach and nearly all the mules at Fort Davis, coming on to Birchville with six mules only, bringing the letter mail. He was most fortunate in being able to borrow a buggy for this purpose. The conductor who brought up this mail of December 9 should have returned at once to San Antonio with the down mail; but as he was unable to do so for the reason which I have stated, I carried out an intention which I had formed at El Paso, and determined to take the mail through to San Antonio under my own charge. I had a coach and twenty-two mules, and four passengers. To perform the actual labor of this trip, I had two clerks of mine now out of employ by my discharge. Mr. Giddings accompanied me, with two hired men. _December 26._--Birchville, at 10 a. m., weather very pleasant. _December 27._--In our second drive this morning we ascended the cañon leading from the valley of the Rio Grande to the high table lands of this portion of western Texas. We found a change of climate apparent at once. The whole of our journey, from the summit of this pass till we reached Devil’s river, in the course of which we had descended from this table land, was cold and uncomfortable, though by no means to the extent of any personal suffering; I may except very cold fingers, while driving, before sunrise. _December 29._--To-day we reached Fort Davis. The officers’ quarters, with good oak wood fires, looked more comfortable than our camping on ground; but, for fear of catching cold by the change, I preferred to continue sleeping out of doors.--(See journal of August 12 for my interview with Col. Sewall.) _December 30._--Met an extra of ours going up to Birchville--coach, mules, and complete outfit to take their place in the line. Gave orders for the conductor to take the newspaper mail from Fort Davis, which had been left behind by the last up mail in consequence of the snow at Birchville. He would meet another coach and send it forward to El Paso.