The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-04-28
WOODSFIELD, OHIO, SATURDAY, APRIL IS, 1s4ss

we forced the ascent in defiance of the
diving pouderie, crossed the crest, de-
scend little, aud encamped immedi.
ately below in the edge Of the limbered
region. The trail showed as if de.
feated party had passed by--packs,
pack saddles. scattered articles of cloth.
ing, and dead mules strewed along
We were encamped about 1900 feet
above the level Of the sea. Westward
the country was buried in snow. The
storm continued. All movement was
paralyzed. To advance with the ex-
petition, was impossible--to 60 back
impossible. Oar fate stood revealed.
We were overtaken BY sudden and in.
evitable ruin. The poor animals were
to go first. The only places where
grass could be had were the extreme
SUBMITS of'the Sierra, where the sweep.
ing winds kept the rocky ground bare,
and where the men could not live.--
Below, in the timbered region, the poor
animals could not get about, the snow
being deep enough to bury them alive.
1t was instantly apparent that we should
lose every one. took my resolution
Immediately, and determined to recross
the mountain back TO the valley OF the
Rio del Norte, dragging or packing the
baggage by men. With great labor the
baggage was transported across the
crestto hehead spring Of a little stream
leading to the main river. A few days
were sufficient to destroy that fine band
of mules which you saw me purchase
last fall on the frontier of Missouri
They generally kept hudded together,
and, as they froze, one after another
would be seen to tumble down, and
disappear under the driving snow.-
Sometimes they would break of, and
rush down towards the timber till
stopped by the deep snow, where they
were soon hidden by the pouderie.
The courage Of some Of the men began
to fail. .,i sai 70 aaassa7 lt"i @i3 'r
"In this situation determined to send
in party to the Spanish settlements OF
New Mexico for provisions, and for
mules to transport our baggage. With
economy, and after we should leave
the mules, we had not 1.-TWO weeks pro.
visions in the camp; and these consist
ed Of a areserve of maccaroni,, bacon.
sugar, &C., intended for the last extrem-
ity. 1t was indispensable 10 send for
relief. asked for volunteers for the
service. From the many that offered.
chose King, Breckenridge, Creutz-
feldt, and the guide Williams; and
placed the party under the command of
King, with the directions to send me
an express in case Of the least delay at
the settlements. I, was the day after
Christmas that this little party set out
out for relief. Tha! day, like many
Christmas days for years past, was
spent by me on the side of the wlntry
mountain, my heart filled with anxious
thoughts and gloomy lorebodings. You
may be sure we contrasted it with the
Christmas of home, and made warm
wishes for your happiness. Gould you
have looked into Agrippa's glass for a
few moments only! You remember
the volumes of Blackstone's Commen.
taries which took from your fathers
library when we were overlooking il
at our friend Brent's! They made my
Christmas 'amussments.' | read them
to pass the time, and to kill the con.
sciousness aoi my situation. Certainly
you may suppose my first law lessons
will be well remembered.a ,82 ta1y t9
,q"The party for relief being gone,
we of the camp occupied ourselves in
removing the baggage and equipaee
down the side of,the mountain TO the
river.in the valley, which we accom-
plished in few days. Now came on
the tedium Of waiting for the return of
the relief party. Day after day passed,
and no me- from them. Snow felIal.
most necessarily in the mountains.
The spirits Of the camp grew lower.
Life was losing its charm tothose who
had no reasons beyond themselves 10
live. Proue laid down in the trail and
froze 10 death. In a sunshiny day, and
having with him the means to make a
fire, he threw his blanket down on the
trail, laid down upon it, and laid there
untilshe froze to death! We were not
then with him.lsaH al-gs6msh apfe|
q" Sixteen days passed away, and no
tidings from the party sent for relief. !
became oppressed with anxiety, weary
ofdelay, and determined to 60 myself,
both in search Of the absent party, and
in search ofrelief in the Mexican settle
ments.i Iwas aware that our troops
in New Mexico had been engaged in
hostilities with the Spanish Utahs, and
with the Apaches, who, range in the
valley Of the Rio dsl Norts and the
mountains where we we're, and became
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