The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-05-18
From one of Col. FrcrMOMts Men.

we're no better delineated."
From one of Col. Frcr,l Men
From the St. Joseph's Gazette.
To Mr.. A. Robidoux, of this place, W
are Indebted for The following letter iron
Mr.. Kern, who was with Col. Fremont Of
his way 10 California. The letter contains
many facts connected with their Suffering
tina, we have not Jet seen published.
Taos, NEW MExlco,l February II, 1919,
My Dear Robidoux: | arrived IN this
place las, evening from Rio Colorado,
from about as lard trip ind as total des.
,ruction Of au expedition IS possible. AS
rumo.s will reach you, though, ii would
b, as well 10 give you some little correct
Information on the subject, though my time
will scarcely allow of any hing like deiail.
As far as Bent's, We met with no obsta.
Giles or loss, and every thing babe fair 10
give US to!eraby pleasant trip, considering
the season. Oar animals were in good con.
dllion, and, procuring corn at Hard Scrab-
bic for the wors, par, Of the road, We cal.
cuated passing The mountains with success.
Old Bill was with US as guide, and that
Of course gave confidence, supposing meme
so capable as he TO carry w lhrough h.
Leaving Hard Scrabble, We continued up
It's creek toto the mountains. As we ad
vanced the snow increased. Crossing the
first range, We fell upon the waters Of the
Wappanah, passing through the noun.
tans 10 the Del Norte by your old wagon
roaI-ihe snow still increasing.
We continued couple OF days on the
Del Norie, and then ;urred up what VII.
llams cal ed your pass en- 10 the Compadue.
In this he was evidently mistaken, for
worse road | never saw. you ever 60.
over it with wagons should like TO have
seen the operation. We wen: on up the
Canon-our animals falling and the snow
deepening every step we took, bidding fair
las it subsequently turned ouO 10 defeat
our crossing. Ga the l5.h of mber,
we attempted 10 cross u ha, We supposed
TO be the dividing ridge between The ST.
Johns and the waters of the Del Norte,
but were driven back BY the storm. The
next day we returned 10 |, again, and were
successful enough to get on The other side
10 small clump of pines. We unpacked
our animals on bare point, and drove
them TO the hilltop in hopes Of their find.
ing efficiency Of food for day, as the
snow had drilled from i, in places. From
this hill they never came agan-lhe storm
continuing, and having 20 shelter, they
persisted. Camp then commenced making
poriases in the hopes Of reaching the river.
This !ou may suppose was severe under.
taking in the cold, and no positive hopes
ahead of reaching any place, even should |
We have been able to get GU. our effects.
By hard labor We worked our way gradu
ally down. On the 26h, King was sen,
ahead with old Bill TO Auaque to bring
Us relief, while We were to continue
down. Ga the Il;h of January, he not
arriving, the Colonel became anxious and
started with his mess and Cody in hopes
Of meeting Inc relief party. Our provis
ions had given out and We were living 90
parefeshes and iug-,opes. Already Ptoux
had persisted from hunger and exposure.
On the l6,h, all having reached the
river, We made our ,i;;:e packs Of bedding,
and with our rifles started ior--God only
knew where. Here commenced our great.
est suffering. The company had for it's
head Vincent Haler: his own lack of cour.
age quickly dlf'used among the men; SO
gu may suppose how things wen, on
Probably up 10 the 9Th We had los, nine
men. Our mess and another had made
our final camp. We were blind from the
snow, and unable to see the sights of our
rifles. A dead wolf YVES all we had 10 sus.
tain life among nine men. ! had closed
all my affairs, and felt that day or Two
more would end my troubles, when. abou,
noon on the ss,h, We heard shout, and
Cooley entered camp. Here ended our
troubles. From him We learned the fate
of Kings party, who had been found by
him on his way down on the l6,h. Poor
King had died from exhaustion somewhere
about the 9th the rest were in a miserable
condllion-frozen and patty crezed. They
had given up all hopes Of returning to US
with relief.
Thus has ended the expedition--com
nenced, so far as outfit was concerned,
under as flattering prospects as ever one
started. The loss in dollars has amounted
TO over 0,000-in life, 10. My brothers
and myself will winter somewhere in this
vicinity, and return home early in the
spring, when we shall pay you visit at
your pleasant town of San Jose.
Adlos, NED KERN.
A precoclous youngsser being asked how