The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-23
PrMBINA, Sept, 24th, 1851. !
Wednesday, IL O'Clock A. nj. !
D. A. ROBERTSON, ESQ


Dear Sir:--I have Just arrived here from For
Garry, after of the heaviest marches have
ever before experienced; it happened in this wise
| was detained at The Fort ON Monday, till fou
O'Clock p. NJ, as was obliged TO stay and once
more dine with the very clever folks there station
ed. then left, and after crossing Red River OF
the ferry boat, at the mouth OF The AssiniboIn,
proceeded on up, through the ilaf-breed settle
ments, on the East side of the river for about II
miles, over good road. and when night fell, Sc
cured guide, who pioted me for several miles
TO the camp Of my two yoyageurs, whom hat
already sen; up 10 the head of the settlement tha
morning with the canoe, and orders to await my
arrival there. / also camped Immediately, hearti.
ly tired of the tramp, and Yesterday morning was
off again at daylight, assisting the men to paddle
and going up against the current at about three
miles per hour; at O'Clock stopped for break.
fast, being just out of sight Of the houses, which
extend some Is miles by water aboye the Fort
As our canoe leaked badly, the men Informed me
that il would take five days to reach this place
and proposed deserving her and taking to the prai-
rle road on foot, stating too, tha, We could easily
come up in abont two days.
was strongly inclined to let them come, and
go back else in the canoe, to Selkirk; eth
er proceed on up by water until met the Gov
crnor's party, or await his arrival where was
: Uut not ilhliS tie dueuulHg TIE tnc
of his arrival, and being loath to beat retreat
backwards, it IT even WAS within the hosptable
walls Of friendly fort; decided very unwiseIy
to go on.
therefore, employed two Chippewas, whom
found camped upon the bank, and the party of 4
then tied the baggage, bedding and provision into
four large bun Hes, and each taking upon his
back, secured by strap, passing in front over the
forehead, and sometimes across the breast, we
fegan our march; the men going ahead, with their
bodies inclined at an angle of about As degrees,
moving with long, lOping trot, which | at first
found rather difficult to keep pace wi,h at times
passing through swamp or across a prairie
stream, when one Of the party would drop his
pack, and returning, take me upon his back and
carry me safely over.
| AT noon stopped to prepare dinner Of
tea, cold ham, dried buffalo meat and hard bread
with few condiments and extra fxings for a rel
isb; and here we met a Half-breed going down
with cart and two spare horses; he was also
dining upon the road, where it'passed large bend
IN the river, and Informed me that the Governor
had just gone down in two canoes, eight men pad
ding in each, and went very quick. was by
this time very sore and tired, as we had made a
forced march Of some Is miles since O'clOck,
A. NJ, and therefore negotiated with the man,
(who said in answer to my first question, that he
spoke English little piece,) for the of one of
his horses to carry me back to the settlements.
Feeling refreshed however, after dinner, deter
mined 10 go on; we made The same distance in
the afternoon, passing through swamp at sun
down, which was about half mile in length,
knee deep at that, mass OF tenacious mud and
water. We campcd afterwards upon the
open prairie, with no wood to make fire except
il few rushes to boil our tea, and retired wet and
too fatigued 20 sleep. or keep one moment in the
| -aT 4 al had haI stin nu
of buffalo robe, three blankets and canvass
covered mosquito bar, which served TO keep of
the heavy dew, already falling If you were ever
too tired to be still, you can appreciate my s'ua-
ton. Well worried through tho night, and on
rising at daylight this morning, found my Panta-
looms and things all frozen as stiff rs horn, and
having fire, was obliged to put them on to thaw.
Walked on through the tall wet grass miles to
breakfast on the Prairie Gratiaro, 40 miles from
here. | there overlook my men and MIR. Adam
klyn, and his companion, with spare horse,
loaded with their baggage and provisions, mail,
&c. all en- route for the good city of ST. Paul.
They had previously passed me two miles beyond,
having left the fort yesterday at A. NJ, and
camped miles behind me; but as they could not
help me any, it was at least some satisfaction to
know they bore one letter from me to you, if no
more.
| also met there Mr. James Mccoy, going down
with three horses, one Of which he very kindly
offered me, saying II was better 10 ride back 40
or fifty miles, than to 60 ahead TO the Prairie au
Maurais, about 25, on foot; proposed going that
far at least, and wrote to Mr.. N. w. Kittson by
the express to send my horse Immediately.
therefore thanked him very kindly and pushed
ahead with staff, and firm determination TO
get through; forded streams and swamps with
perfect contempt for all obstacle, and at noon,
came to the lodges of two Half-breed families,
situated on each side of deep stream, any guam
tity of dogs and children, cows and calves, and
afterwards, when too late saw some horses in the
distance. pretty looking Half-breed woman
came paddiug up stream in large canoe, and
soon put US all, bag and baggage, safely over,
when not accepting pay from as, she threw her
arms around the neck of one of my voyageurs,
named Laundry, and kissed him thrice, very
touching and pathetic truly! walked on solus,
much refreshed, thinking of love and romance IN
the wilderness and prairie, and Of Jacob and Ra-
chael at the well.
At p. NJ, we stopped to dine on the banks Of
the only lake along the road; after which dis
tanced the men out Of sight, and at p. NJ.
reached the River Maurais, the hour and place
had fixed by letter my resting point. The men
soon came up, and at sun down started on,
when soon fell lame, and was Obliged to take
off moccasins and stockings. The men were now
closing in. At length, at dark, after proceeding
about three miles, l was overjoyed at meeting a
Half-breed mounted on my good old horse coming
at full galiop. quickly mounted into his place,
and leaving him to camp upon the prairie with
the others, | returned in haste, at least 10 miles
Of the weary road through her Majesty's domin-
ions, and crossed the ne 2 miles to the north OF
this, as quickly as would have done il one Of
her best regiments had been upon my heels. !
reached here eventually, at 8 p. NJ, rs near a
used up well can be, without becoming
entirely defunct.
When you consider that was entirely unac-
customed to such hamps, and was but about 20
marching hours upon the road, and much imPeded
by the long prairie grass at that. you will con-
clude made considerable Of march.
l was especially desirous Of reaching here to
night in order to write number Of letters home
by this Express, and those who receive any OF
this date, will value them accordingly, for they
have cost me dear, ] assure you. have writ
ten detail Of my journey. for the reason. tina,
my lower extremities are aching as though COM
pressed within a two horse power vice, and serve
TO remind me Of the one thing contiruallv, having