The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-15
THE AWFUL GATHERING RAM

Col Benton has commenced operations His
first article appeared in yesterdays Globe. |,
begins thus:
news FROM oRfGoN-We have been shown two
letters by Col Benton-onc from his daughter Mrs
| fHmont) the other from Robert Campbell mer
chant OF 81 Louis, bringing the latest news from The
| expedition OF Lieut.. Fremont, and from The Orypun
ierr'ory-with leave TO take extracts from them for
publication.
Now II the Col. himself be not the "wen-if
any one is not able to track him throuphou I
every line Of the ar,clc-why should we care 2
We evil give the letter of the Colonel's daurh.
terror 1t is an excellent one, and gives the
latest news from Orcgon-and then have our
say with the Colonel:
ST. Louis, December 3, 1913
MY DEAR FATHER: Last nipit one of The me N
whom Mr. Fremont took from here called To give
US the last news Of the party as he bad len Them nt
Fort Hall on the 2Ist Of September Their proy-
s'ons bad given out and wishing to diminish his
Party, ne gave ten OF the least useful among them
permission TO return. He gave two OF them letters
Lee, the man TO whom mine and bis mothers. with
one for Mrs Talbot, AMI ono,ler for Preuss's wife
were entrusted, says he either lost them in sr i'm.
ming nver, or they were :identally left in his
penta'onns which he traded away for food al Coun-
cal Bluffs. The other man brought hi, safely ia M,
Campbell; who told me he would send YOU a copv Of
IT, Lee told Us that on the ffih of August they were
attacked (or rather preparation for an attack was
made) by large band Of Sioux. MIR. Fremont caused
The famous howtzer to be drawn TO the front and
rs little p,riy arranged in battle order; when
The SiouN, seeing the brass piece CHANGED their
plans and made peaceful sslutaton, leaving them
unharmed week AFTER they met trading parry
and robbed thcm-taking every horse they had -
Tell that, with my compliments TO Colonel $3.50.
II will give me more pleasure however, for Won 10
tell Be'sey Servant in Col. BIS familyj that Jacob
Cher brother) was very we'll and that, when the p,r
~ reunited at the foot Of the mountains on the west
ern side, Mr. Fremont gave them a feast at which
lhe ice-croam and cake were made and handed nv
Jacob. Lee said MIR. Fremont was for two dav. on
the salt lake, was well satisfied with his cxamina
ton', and that all things prospecting AT Fort
halI, the Capt Grant who was in command therc
made Them pay very high for provisions lie bought
nom 'he Oregon emigrants yoke Of oxen for lean
morse Ind Just 10 ae,n said Lee ho,e The Briii,L
ntaf s ~ mat country They sold MS one of those ,ov,, |
zen Jor hundred and sertniy.fre dollars" lie said
VT fremont Told The men to eat the OK but that he
should not pay thai price for it, will write TO sister
o-norrow tonight have too many letters TO write
-(writng TO all whose letters were LOST / hone /
have not done wrong in sending them all 10 Won w.
ire all well and all join in sending their love
Your a1ectonate daughter,
JESSIE ANN BENTON FREnoSr.
Now for the Colonel's editorial comments.
Two little drafts, ono of Sijl %, the other nj
o., are part OF the mesgrc means of thirty men
teouccd 10 twenty for opening the military way 10
'regon and Tins, while millions are employed upon
&c African squadron Even these two little drans
'ere not met at ST Louis by public money. but by
le private money OF an kuk gentleman Ii - due a. | ,