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MILITARY ROADS

southwest of De Soto, Jackson County.[1] It is possible that camp, on the night of July 1, was pitched at Greathouse Crossing; if so the day's march was not a long one. From the Big Muddy the trail struck to the watershed between the Beaucoup and its tributaries on the north and the tributaries of the Big Muddy on the south, running near the present Lenan in Jackson County. The course now was a watershed route from the Big Muddy to the St. Mary River, and is marked today by the significant names of such high altitude towns as Shiloh Hill, Teacup Knob, and Wine Hill. Through these places an ancient highway has coursed from times to which the memory of white men runneth not to the contrary. Water was scarce on the highest grounds, but springs, here and there, were well known, and at one of these, probably near Lenan (section 15, township 8, range 3), the adventurers paused, on the night of September 2, and built their evening fires.[2]

  1. Id., xxi, fols. 16, 27, 29, 51, 52; and xxii, fols. 30. 35.
  2. Id., xxii, fols. 30, 37. Cox's Creek was crossed twice, the east fork in section 7, township 7, range 4, and the west fork in section 12, township 7, range 5.