The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-11
TWO CENTS.
The Overland California Gmignnts.
FoRr LARAMIE, J. we q, 1919.


Oroaand Emigration to the Paci6c- The n"mbe'
of Enigrants-- Scenes on the Route, &c &c.
Since wrote last from Fort Kesrn v, have
obtained further information as to the uobabe
number of emigrants upon this route for Cali forns.
and find, from conversation with Maj X, Wgh,
U. S. A, the Indian agent, the American Eur
Company's agent, and emgrants who have reach ID
this place via. Council Bluffs, that instead of ex.
aggeratng IN my list, that my calculations fall
| short of the true number.
There are now upon the road, between Forts
| kearny and Hail. thirty thousand entrants with
over nifty thousand head of stock mostly oxen
| and fearing that there will not be grass enough 10
| supply them when they approach the mountains,
they are all striving to get in advance. Hundreds
OF wagons have been cut up to max pack saddles.
for five dollars is the most that can be obtained for
the best. Mules and oxen can not be bought AT
any price-only exchanged, mule for yoke OF
oxen. Every man that can exchange his oxen for
mules or ponies, Is abandoning his wagon and
packing few pounds Of provisions and those
who go on with wagons are overhauiing every
thing, making the incest calculations of the amount
OF provision necessary to take him through and
tarOwing the remainder away.
The ground, for two hundred miles, Is strewn
with wagons, trunks, axes, picks shovels, harne So
bacon and lead in cords, -four biscuit beans.
coats, pants, boots, shoes, chairs, &c, &C. &c.
Such "a destruction of property, and that so will
lngly and voluntarily, was probably never before
now gwen out, and they are fast breaking dows
the rest by 'pnshing ahead" one TO get in ad-
vance Of the other.
The question is asked a thousand times a day-
els there suficiency of grass in the mountains
to feed fifty thousand head OF cattle and as often
unsatisfactory answered.
II there Is grazing sufficient Immediately upon
the road, so that em grants will not be under the
necessity of taking their teams far from the nam
route into the ravines, they will probably reach
Caornla as they anticipated when leaving tho
States but II the opposite is the case SO mucn
time will be consumed in finding grazing and 40
ing to and from the road, that they can make but
short distance each day, keeping them in the
mountains until winter comes on, the only thing To
be dreaded, for 10 those who are caught in the
Sierra Nevada wi en- snow falls, starvation is IN
eyitable.
do not wish to look upon tn dark side of the
picture, but the fate of the emgrans Of 10 should
at least be needed, for the causes which produced
so much misery then, are now not only in exist
ence, but must operate hundred fold gseater. |
do not intend TO witness scene of cannabasm
such as was IN the California mountains in 10 for
10 avoid It have thrown away everything but a
few pounds of clothing and provisions and start
tomorrow on pack mules, IN company with MAJOR
IlerIy, ex-M. G.. from Indiana. We intend TO 90
through IN forty days.
There have been nearly or quite four hundred
deaths among the emlgrants, from cholera, since
teen lost nlne Some messes have all died except
one
/ have heard from those who came via. Courcii
Bluffs, that the north side of the Platte there has
been but few cases OF cholera Ii 10 subsldng,
but stI there are great many cases.
The Oregon regiment OF u. =. A. mounted ride
men, arrived few days ago, and are encamped on
the south side OF Laramie river. The MAJOR has
selected site for fort eighty miles up the river
a post was established on the 2lst.