The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-29
COMMUNICATIONs.



For the Union
FREMONT'S EXPEDITIONS.
Having collected his party and made all his ar
engagements al the mouth Of the Kansas river, Capt.
Fremont commenced his second exposition on the
18th Of May, lS<3. His hrst expedition was by
the valley Of the Platte, (Nebraska) the second by
the valley Of the Kansas river. This change from
the former route was made to acquire better know
ledge Of the country, and Of an important river
(hs Ramsay but little known, and, also, 10 DETER
mine il there were not better and more southern
route than that generally pursued to the Rocky
mountains. His route was not immediately on the
border of the Kansas but for some distancS upon
range Of hills south Of it. We nave here, In the
very outset, an instance Of the danger Of having
voluntee.s in such expeditions, Who will act for
.aelnselves and VINO Will not readily submit to the
police and diAripllne Of the camp We give the ac-
Count OF tin Capt Fremont's own words:
"On the afternoon of the 9th, while busily en-
gagged in crossing wooded stream, we were thrown
into little confusion by the sudden arrival Of Max.
WE'LL who entered The camp a full speed e the head
blapksis, and heads shaved 70 the scalp They
had run him distance Or about hns miles, from a
creek, on which We Ind enaainped the day previ-
BUS, and to which he had returned in search Of a
Runaway horse belonging to MIR. Dwight, which
had taken the homeward road, carrying with him
saddle bride, and holsier-pistols,, The, Osnges
were probably ignorant of Our strength, and when
they charged into thu camp, drove off number Of
Our beet hbfses but were fortunately wcll-mount-
3D. and after hard chase Of seven or eight miles,
succeeded in recovering them all. This accident,
which occasioned delay and trouble and threatened
danger and loss, and broke down some good horses
1t the start, and actually endangered the expedi-
ton, was first fruit of having gentlemen in COM
pany-very estmable, TO be sure, but who are hot
trained TO the care and vigilance which such an ex-
pedtion required, and who 6fe not subject to the
orders which enforce attention and exerion."
Hs pursued the valley OF the Republican fork"
Of the Kansas and, the 2lst of june; killed the
first buffalo, and saw some herds q the antelope.
1909 90 west Of Greenwich. He continued his
route, gaining to the north, until he encountered the
"South fork" of the Platte which he kept until he
arrived at "St. vrain's FORT" on the 4th Of July.
Spending two days to reit and recruit nv started on
the Gth towards the SOUTH for the Arkansas river,
which he reached on The l4th, near the small village
Of "Pueblo.a In his route he encountered grizzly
bear, which, being the most formidable animal Of
that region, will give the account of his attack
and capture
"As we were riding quietly along, eagerly search
ing every hollow in search OF game, we discovered,
at little distance in the prarie large grizzly bear
SO busily engaged in digging roots that he did not
perceive us until we were galloping down little
Hill fny yards from him, when he charged upon US
with such sudden energy, that several Of us came
neal losing our saddles. Being wounded, he COM
menced retreating to rocky piny ridge near by,
from which we were not Able 70 cut him of, and we
entered the timber with him. The way was very
much blocked up with fallen timber and we kept
up running fight for some time, animated by the
bear charging among the horses. He did not fall
until after he had received six riIae balls He was
miseraby poor, and added nothing to our stock Of
provisioRs."
He speaks Of the soil Of part of this route as cx-
cellent, and as adapted to support large agricul-
tural and pastoral population. Having engaged
some additional men, and made arrangements for
fresh horses, he returned to ST. Vrains fort, which
he reached on the 23d.
On his return, he stopped day at the famous
springs of "Boing Spring" river, and gives the fol-
lowing account of them:
'The morning Of the 18th was beautiful and clear
and, all the people being anxious to drink Of these
famous waters, we encamped Immediately at the
springs, and spent there a very pleasant day. On
the opposite side Of the river Is another locality of
springs, which are entirely Of the same nature
The water has very agreeable taste, which Mr.
Preuss found very much to resemble that Of the
famous Setter springs in the grand duchy Of Nassau
a country famous for wine and mineral waters; and
1t is almost entirely of the character, though
still more agreeable than that Of the famous Beer
springs near Bear river of the Great Salt lake. The
following il an analysis Of an incrustaton with
which the water had covered piece Of wood lying
on the rock