The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-06
From the ~ Louis Republican, May %
EMIGRANTS TO CALIFORNIA.

By the mail from Independence, we are favored
with the following letter from Captain VIM. III
Russell, the commander of the company Of emf
grants now on their way to California. IL will be
gratifying 10 the numerous friends OF the emlgrants
to learn that they progressing 30 pleasantly and
enjoying such good health, not forgetting to add to
their number at an accelerated ratio;
"FouR MILES WEST or Kansas RIVER,
"l20 miles west of Independence, 18th May, 1876
"CoL. A. B. CHAMBERS: We crossed the Kansas
Yesterday, and the two three last preceding days
being excessively warm, and our animals a good
deal faded, considered it proper to halt to-day,
which affords me another opportunity, and perhaps
the last one for some time, OF giving you an imper-
feet account Of our travels.
"You have been informed, I suppose, that the
company, by a large majority, were indiscree,
enough to select as their commander, to justify
which aattering distinction, as far as ! could,
have imposed on myself incessan labors by day and
by night, and il blessed with health, shall not in
terniil my watchfulness until we reach the point Of
our destination.
"Nothing at all of interest has transpired since
nv last letter. Our iourncyings are regular, but
very slow, riot averaging more than fifteen miles a
day. considered Il proper, on yesterday, to divide
the company in consequences OF the great number OF
wagons and the amount Of stock ! retain with me
ninety efficient men, forty women, ffty-seyen
children, three hundred and twenty oxen, fifty
horses and forty-six wagons, a company quite large
enough of itself, but have my other divisions al
WAYS within convenient reach, MS to enable me
to concentrate, in few hours, at any time though
have no fears that such an emergency will ever
happen. ~. ,Ao,,s,, ,,ovoti,.,v u,o,o,o.
nous, go far as driving and forming carols are
concerned, is yet occasionally mingled with good
deal Of excitement, and racy wit We are attracted
amos. every hour by numbers of the prairie deni-
zens, most gaudiy dressed, mounted on the wild,
outandish ponies, passing and rePasslng our COL
umn, bantering our boys for swaps.
alt is great mistake in surprising that the Indian
is devoid of curiosity. | think we are chiefly in
debted to that quality of mother Eve for their fire.
auent visits. As yet, do not think they have
stolen anything from us; but perhaps we have been
saved by the vigilance of the guard.
"Our party, without single exception, ladies' and
gentlemen, continue to enjoy most robust health, as
is proved by appetes that would do justice to sub
iect of a menagerie. If we come across buffaloes,
tho poor slaughtered animals will have just cause to
regret our invasion of their far-distant pasture
ground.
awe have learned the probability Of our difficult
ties with Mexico, but it has created no alarm among
our ladies'; and shall 60 on and if attacked, the
Anglo-Saxon blood may be spilled but they will not
be captured, that you may rely on positively. ...
81 am SO badly situated for writing that must Of
necessity come to close, but must first tell you
how we increase our numbers, which process, we
hope will continue in our projected new home. A
worthy lady was brought to he'd yesterday on oul
march, by a cause not complained Of by those 'whc
love their lords;' and in short time my adjutan
reported twin boys added to our numbers, one o.
whom was named after the attending physician, and
the other after your humble servant. II we contn-
ue this way, how long will it take TO people Califor'
MAJ ........ .....
81 am, in haste, with high respect,
ttYour obedient servant,
"wM III. RUSSELL"