Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-26

picket
rushed through the camp oyerturnng every thing in their
course their ropes and halters ashng and left and
increasing their panic They to elbow OF the
creek which luckily stopped them and they all found
huddled together and quiverng with fear few minutes
after Beale led them all into camp with their ropes
his shoulder
When the wind lulled after the storm it became warm
and the mosquitoes tormentng Beale and moved our
quarters the open prairie Before dawn the wind shift
ed to the westward and blew very cold.
We raised camp before sunrise In twelve miles
crossed fine clear stream abundanty timbered, and in
fourteen miles another ride of twenty-five miles
brought us TO a hollow, where found water and
camped. After short rest We resumed our march, and
in ten miles rich rolling country, arrived at CoUN
CIT GROVE, where we found our men and mules waiting
for as,
Council Grove is situated in rich grassy bottom album
dainty waered and heavily timbercd. 1t is settlement
OF about twenty houses and scattered and down the
stream several Indian villages AT short distance
from the road is large aud substantially built Methodist
Mission House, Constructed OF limestone which is found
here in inexhaustibe quantities. 1t is excellent as
building material the is found in strata OF from
six inches three in thickness. Lntes and arched
repaces made Of this stone it extracted from
the quurre which extend for fifteen miles up the stream
g. miles l22 miles.
BAY 49, We left Council Grove this morning, and after
pleasant ride of seventeen miles, encampod in hollow
near some water The weather was fine, cool breeze
refreshing the air. We killed prairie hens, ducks
and Flowers In the afternoon travelled fifteen miles,
and encamped gully with good spring, but no wood
This camping place is called the g Lost Spring" The
grass along the road good and we passed several
pools which are probably dry in midsummer We here
found a human skull, to which Rogers gave decent
| burial.
We now commenced Keeping watch. The night was
cold and frosiy.-22 miles; La milss
Nay 20We started after sunrise, and, after ira
yelling sixteen miles, encamped on Cottonwood Creek
This is pretty brook, lined with cottonwoods and oak
trees. Harry Young caught some small tsh in IT. and
Wagner says that he present here when two wagon
loads were caught with nets
We resumed our march at noon and travelled
l.% tpla of
grass. We to-day antelope for the first time. Met
Major Bucker and Leutenants Heath and Robinson on
their way from New Mexico to Fort Leavenworth They
informed us that we were but a short distance from
large bands of bGffaoes Just before sunset encamp
ed brook, Turkey creek, where we found an abun
dant supply Of water, but wood We here overlook
Leroux with his wagons and carriage As he is desrous
OF seeing his train safely over one or two bad places
ahead of US, he will remain with them for day or two
and then overtake and join party as guidc.-35
miles; 1S9 miles.
Hdy 2l.-Raised camp at sunrise, and after n long
ride of thirty miles stopped the Little Ar
kansas 1t is at present small stream with very deep
bed and although it has but little water in it at this sea-
is during continuance of heavy rains very difficult
to We passed good grass and water twelve miles
from last camp. | rode seven eight miles to the left
and fell in with vast herds Of buaoes also many ante
lopes followed by bands of wolves The Delaware kill
cd three buffalo and another. We now
had abundance of the choicest cuts from the hump,
and eli eager get taste of this faramed meat
1t owes, inclined think much of its celebrated
the sharp appetite WIN Wnlcn II is seasoneu
The weather warm, wind southwest and sky clear.
In the afternoon travelled ten miles to Owl creek,
where We found good timber and grass but no water
We passed during the afternoon several pools of wafer
all muddied by bufaoes. Leroux joined here but
NAMED behind to see his train across the creek.
Early in the evening we had another rain and thunder
Storm which lasted all night The grass threw off sparks
Of electricity and every thing metallic in camp was cover
ed with sparks Of fire. We passed most uncomfortable
night blankets getting completely saturated with
water.-40 miles; 229 miles.
Nay Owe left camp this morning without water or
breakfast We we're all cold, wet and hungry. Beale
and left the train and went miles up Owl creek
after bufaloes. We aapproached' them in the Indian
fashion by creeping hands and knees Beae hit
but the wound not mortal he secured of with
the rest Of the herd BY approaching them 10 eeward
and stopping and remaining perfectly motonless when
they raise their heads TO look hunters have got
enough TO them to strike them with their ramrods.
We have been passing during the last few days seve
raj large wagon and cattle trains, mostly bound to Cali
forna from Texas and Arkansas We to-day saw for the
first time many prairie dog villages. We encamped 10
noon the Great Bend Of the Arkansas, where we
found abundance Of good grass, wood, and water 4
Although Beae and got into camp late, went few
miles further and encamped for the night on Walnut
creek pretty brook now but which is very bad to
after rains This is the point where emgrsnts to Cali
forna from Arkansas usually strike this road. They
prefer this to the the Gla Cookies route,
where they find little timber water for long dis
tances Leroux rode into camp this evening with the
intention Of remaining with
The Delaware brought in the humps tongues and !
bones Of fat buffalo cows.-42 miles 27 miles
Hay 23.--We the road after sunrise, and
travelled thirty-one miles the Pawnee Fork Of the
Arkansas The excessively hot but towards
had pleasant breeze from the northwest
Ell many gues which only carry water after heavy rains
We passed Pawnes Rock, stony butte or spur of the
hills projecting into the plain the right of the road
broad surface OF smooth rock covered with Names
some Of which Of old date
la twenty miles from last camp we passed well wood
cd ravine after which the country becomes undu
latng. We found the waters Of Pawnee Fork swollen /
and turbd from the late rains and warm but got cool
and clear water from good spring near camp. The
Delaware brought in fne antelope and hare, and dur
ing orr noon camp he killed old buffalo COW, much
bitten by wolves.
In the evening we encamped near pond on the road
side where found good pasturuge Jos rache
us for fuel An enormous wolf trotting into our
camp just before dark, but couple Of balls from the
Deawares rife sent him securing the plains minus
one leg We had many wolves bowling around camp all
night,-40 miles 3ll miles.
Nay 24.-We raised camp an hour after sunrise and
travelled steadily until noon, when encamped o
waterhole the road side The country very fat
and undressing Passed many prairie dog villages
antelopes and wolves, but the buaoes have all
disappeared. At p. VI. again resumed our march,
and traversed level plains totally devoid Of
Ill p NJ, when reached the Arkansas twas quite
dark. and spread our blankets without supper. At
midnight il commenced raining and ii continued TO pour
all night accompanied by high wind.
Antoine Leroux taken very i'll with pleurisy. lie
believed he going die and said that this place would
be his graye.45 miles; Boo miles.
Nay 25we were glad to saddle up at sunrise and in
five miles reached Fort Atkinson, where Major Johnson
the officer in command, gave cordial reception
Several large bands OF Indians Of the Cheyenne aud Ara
pahoe tribes were congregated around the fort waiting
for the arrival Of Major Fitzpatrick, Indian agent who