The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12
From the California Icn,lgrants.
fEropa the Pittsburgh Post, July 81
The following letter from the Plains will be


PI.rrE RvEH, fSDis, TrHR'v. $50 miles
from the Missouri River May 70, 13s2.
DEAn BnL-Thinking you might be anxious to hear
how the gold hunters are getting along ] have con-
cluded TO devote the short time have to spare from
duty In giving you brief history Of doings since
We left St Joseph. when left st Joseph did
not dream Of the difficulties would have to en-.
counter the chief causes Of which account
wagons being entirely too heavy the mules being
only about half broke the very weather which
made IL smsst impossible for us to get any distance
in the course Of the day We soon found that IL We
wanted to reach Cafornia before winter different
arrangements would have to be made Every fellow
had plan Of his own, and IL he could not have bis
way, would he would leave the pany. aud the
consequence was that by the time we reached Fort
kearpy the company was com pletcy broken up, aud
wagons are scattered along the road from Fort
kesrpy To 81. Joseph and good part OF their loads
also such ss could do traded for lighter ones Many
Of the would join together and double team 10,
thriving away Of the and such provisions
snd other articles they could spare. Our got
behind all the rest-apd got out Of all patience, and
told them was going TO try IL on my own hook. and
after some difficulty succeeded In getting tso mules
and my1portion Of the provisions then packed It,
and my clothes. and my portion Of Tie provisions on
NY two mules. and started to overtsko the company,
which did after going about twenty nVs milss. The
next day. Capt. Ankrims team gave out lie then
traded on his wagon for sjacSasssnd traded horse
which he had for sma wagon aud said he wa going
through by express-but he cannot travel ss fast
do he has resigned his Office and intends to let tho
rsst get TO Californis the best way they Whus
ty of Sioux Idians. They just returning from
an Sp.diti,n against the Tswnees. with whom they
they killed at of the Pawure villages
seventy warriors and took Eve prisoners which they
he'd with Thorn. They very friendly With us We
traded with them for q number OF things; ! got
largo buffalo robe, worked with beads. for Fix
biscuit-I IL my saddle also gos
two pair Of noccasin- for four biscuits and
whip aud lendid pair Of spanish spurs for smali
looking glass, that cvet me cents Ia Pittsburgh
tried To trade for ponies but they had moro than
they wanted-a fee days after, ho~evcr. ~ saw al
other party and this time inpre successful get
q fine mustang for nd blanket aud bowie knife A
number Of who had packed started 20 oversake
Brysnts ttmpany riding my Mustang, and driving
my mues; we got slsng very well for two days-but
the third ~ my mules got sick, and hal eithcr
tottay behind thro~ away the Lad Of my sick mule
I chose the latter, which contained = part OF my
not be helped then urged my muies for Yard, bat
found my sick getting worse, aud prevailed
the rest Of the compvny to stop about o'clock but
IL vas no use he died hat night
The following day overlook company from
Louisville. and found in " an old acquaintance from
Tbiadelphs; he told VI wanted to join them, he
wcud ,pcak to the captain about II; but our party
preferred going their way, but advised me, if
could to get into IT, my other mule began to show
signs 81 giving out did So AMI bid them good bye.
II isl hrxtrste company, under command 81 Captain
Henry. We have also with ma Lieut.. Thompson, Of
the " Navy, who crossed the Plains With Commo-
IN o. days Their wagons very light and eight
mules TO each and negro 70 drive every team they
also have four horses 60 each mess We have seven
ladies in this company four Of them are married TIVE
Of the single the Captains daughters aud the
other IL sister fnls~ Of the Lieutepants They sing
and play the guitar, every pretty evening after
encsnpi two OF them are As good singers as ever