Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-11
Correspondence Of the Missouri Republican.
Perils Of a Winter on the Plains.
FoRr LrAvENwoRrn, Dec. 90, 1916


| send you below the substance of narrative Of
sergeant Of dragons, who arrived here on the
22d inst, from Santa Fe, with party Of citizen
teamsiers. II will show some Of the difficulties Of
communicating with that place in an Indictment
season. Long mentioned bclow,) understand is
dead.
On the I'd of November lef Santa Fe, accom-
panied by 20 men, in the Quartermastcr's employ,
having one wsgon and seven mules, and proceeded
TO Fort Leavenworth.
We continued our march without interruption
until the 9th Of December. On the morning Of
that day, about two hours after our starting, we
were overtaken by very heavy snow storm, which
compelled us 10 return 10 camp Of the previous
day, on Cow Creek. In the wagon had two men
sick-BartIelt and Tomlinson and another named
Long, Sho continued to walk and ride. They
were all suffering from dyseniery, and had been
unwel eight or ten days previous to the change Of
weather.
We continued encamped here until the morning
Of the llth, 1.-THE weather not permitting trav.
el, when we again started, being obliged TO aban-
don our wagon the mules being too poor TO work
il, and packed them with provisions aud corn.--
The weather continued growing much colder
through the day, and the sick men suffered severe
ly from its intensity. They rode and walked so
long as they were able but about 3 in the AFTER
noon the strength Of Bartlett aud Tomlinson failed
them aud they were completely exhausted. The
men whom had placed 10 charge Of them left them
to come into camp for assistance, and on their re-
turn they met Bartlett, who was in dying state,
and expired before reaching camp.
Tomlinson we were unable 10 find till the fol-
lowing morning, when we discovered him about
one hundred yards from the road, frozen to death.
had the bodies brought into camp, and on the
evening of the lih inst, we buried them, on the
Little Arkansas Long appeared better today, and
continued 10 walk and ride. On the evening Of
the 18th we encamped on Turkey Creek. without
any fuel. except few sticks we had packed on our
mules, saved from our camp OF the day previous
The weather was extremely cold. During the day
two Of our mules gave out, and were left behind
On the 18th encamped on Cottonwood Forks
Long getting much worse. On the 18th encamp.
ed between Lost and Diamond Springs, without
wood or water. Long was much worse, and un-
able to reach our camp remaining about four
miles behind in care Of his brother and four men,
! During the night one mule died, and another
gave out and was left behind On the 10th Long
continued 10 get worse, remaining where we left
him on the previous day-his brother still contn-
uing with him. On the morning of the 18th des.
patched six men with Blankets 10 have him carried
TO camp; but on the way they met his brother, who
said he had left him in dying state. and that be.
| fore they could reach him he would be dead. The
party still proceeded 10 where Long was lying but
had M communication with them aiterward
proceeded with the rest Of the party TO Council
Gro.e. Several Of the men had their feet frost bit
ten, and our provisions were now reduced TO only
one hundred pounds OF flour one mule gave ou
today, and was LEFT on the road. On the 18th
started with three men for Fort Leavenworth, tc
procure assistance and on the 2lst fell in with |
party who had been despatched with provisions
&c, to meet US. On the 23d reached Fort Leaven
worth