The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-06-29


According to a correspondent Of the ST..
Louis Republican, there had passed Fort
Kearney, on the 30th May, 4,403 wagons
on the way to California, and about 10000
persons. And this il is conceded is no, half
the emigration. There is no earthly doubt
but that 10000 persons will at least attempt
to cross the plains this season. VIII they
succeed' The Republicans correspondent
says:
Those who passed along am ongst the first
were in fine spirits, but quite change is
observable in the centre aud rear. DeuLts
beginto assal many as TO the practic ability
OF crossing the mountains, owing to the scar
city of grass and other causes. The grass,
even on the Platte, already begins to feel
and show the heavy demands made upon it;
what then must be expected in the noun
tain-such suffering as but few have ever
dreamt of will be experienced this year
Would they but preserve their provisions,
much Of this might be prevented, but in the
anxiety to reach rhe end Of their Journey,
everything except just sufficient to carry
them through is abandoned. Thousands of
pounds Of the gnest -four and bacon are off.
cred for sale at one dollar pr hundred, and
if no purchasers be found, are left by the
''Ar SSrfTtd IN my roe an Elk ana ,,,..
grey fox, the only game which we ba,.
seen, and once to day | got GLIMPSE Of
Tour Indians, the only ones which have ben
discovered sinCe we left the river.
/ We are carefultO keep guard every nict
. q 4
me camp ground is selected the wagons ae
driven into circle, the cattle are unyok.l
and turned out Craze. The tents are ,hm
put up, stoves taken down aud cookie,
commences, and mats, buffalo SKINS. All
blankets, are then spread in The tents. A.
Ter Supper aud about sunset when the cath
nave iilled themselves, they are driven IN
at -freu1 q the wagons. At the sound of
the bugIe the men Ill muster on parade,
the roll IS called, o sight guard j, detailed
when the men either retire 10 their tents or
ampSe themselves in any way they CAN
Our lavorte way is milItary drilling, aud as
we have some Of the volunteers with us
who were in the Mexican war, and who
have been well drilled themselves, our men
are improving fast in military exercise. IN
the morning before sunrise, the bu.le calls
all hands up, the cattle are turned ont to
graceful after breakfast, when at the bugle's
blast they are driven in and yoked mp, the
tents are struck, and each wagon takes its
place in line, every day gaining one in ad.
vance, TIL each leads one day, falling in the
rear the succeeding day, aud so on from
day to day. We get wood only when we
cncamp on the banks of streams. and " hen
1t il exhausted we use the Resin weed
which burns very freely and answers quite
we'll
May 8.-UPon ascending hin tais NOR
ming, we found ourselves between two
creeks Oh 4 point where it was difficult to
tell where the dividing ridge was. My own
opinion was, that our course lay about
as we had been travelling. Our captain
thought il different ON looking st the man.
and ordered the march accordingly. Our
general course had been a little north Of
west, hut it was now changed TO a southerly
direction. took the spy glass, and walk
ed ahead about eight miles, when, on a'ceu-
ding high point, saw we were between
the forks ofthe gtent Nimchah. Ate. rival.
ting an hour and = half Tor The train, turn.
cd III! glass iuthe direction Of it, whenI saw
they had discovered the error, and were
making retrcSraGe movement. gather.
ed mp my traps and commenced my Journey
back, and reached the train about supper
time tired and hungry, encamped ON the
same ground they occupied last evening
During one mornings march we saw some
large animal at n distance, when some Of
our hunters made tow ards him: they found
1t to be tina Sorrcl horse, well shod, which
had probably Straycd from some encamp.
ment. All attempts TO catch him proved
aboriye although he kep,in our vicinity for
two days.
May 9N.-Thc country during the fore.
noon was high aud broken. II was evident
that we were heading the Big Nimchah,
which we are all anxious 20 do as il brings
us IN close proximity with the main road.
In the afternoon the country was less bro
ken and we had many beautiful views. We
were on high ridge witha broad valley on
either side, with many little creeks max.
ing into each OF the Nimehahs, their
courses being well defined by timber sparse.
ly Skrins the banks Of each rivule,. An
around, the grass was green and luxuriGnt
aud il seemed, as we assembled one rise af
ter,another, that each view was still more
utdN'lIlI l no NOT Wonucr tUdt tne INDIANS
are attached to this charming country. We
had managed heretofore 10 keep a little
wood in our wagons, but tonight all was
exhausted and VIC had 10 Sather'the roSn
weed TO boil our coffee.
Nay l0.--Last night, for the first time,
| was detailed as oue of the night guard.
The night was cloudy aud dark, but there
was not even bush to magnify iuto an In
dian, and as the fear of red skins went not
before me, found my two hours watch a
glorious time 10 think.
The "reminiscences Of somewhat event
iul life, n cheqrer board, a compound OF
good AID lliorlrnepas,ed hastily IN review
from hNyhood, when with my old and stead.
fast friend FL. Nj, (aud still the fren!
OF rirer ycarS,) got into glorious scrape
by throwing GreballS to tighten the girl, OF
n boarding school, with the parental lecture
which followed; then ofmy love scrapeS in
which lrnolcd one good lo0king young miss
while another pulled the wool over my own
eyes, and another thinking me a desirable
young scamp joined her fate to mine
for better or worSc-bad enough FOR her any
how. Aud then other friends came up lik e
|"Chrance's Dream tnoughuot TO Fighter
but re. epkindlc old feelings Of cndearmen
TIL almost iancied could take them bS
the hand anl--"Relel, tiru out !" shout
ed the corporal of the guard, when in ter