The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-08

and Beadle determined leave usfapin, kohrU Step
IA Kern and r. H. Rsrn-to get along could, or
perish We weak made four miles hohrer and An
dress did not come up. .
February s.-Reaehsd Rio Colorado Reached Taos on
the 10th Colonel left on the 18th.
Raphael ProulI died January ls49i Henry Wise jan
uary II Henry King, January Vincent Sore probably
January al Joseph Moran, between January 70 and 20
--C Carver probably January 20; E. I. Andrews, q.
s. NJ probably January % Benjamin Beadle January rs
| George Hubbard, January az
The above dates copied from my journal and be-
leyed 10 be Under the circumstances of course
in some instances definite information could be OBJ
tanned.
Upon COL FtsmOnfs arrival at Taos Ma5or Bsau COM
aHd al that post ordered The eomissary 10 issue 10 The
Colonel thirty days FIJI rations for e t0enty then
ia the moutdns and expected in These ratOns
S oo g n men and yer; RgsSas y sass e California s
visions from The people q tie country aho came % tsr
| reliJ. RICHARD K KERN.
Rio HONDA, March 49, ls4s. ..
Asew necessary remarks about the whole affair and
will conclude "~#Ha#.. $4,000
Whilst the Arkansas and before Old Bill we
Major Fitzpatrick the Indian agent and we'll known
mountain man He told Fremont that If he could pass
through the first range OF mountains he would have
further difficulty He alluded to the mountains east of the
Del Norte but expected at the time that he would
turn to the south and strike the Spanish trail The idea
of his attempting the passage of the San Juan mountains
do not think entered his head. What Mr. Hatcher
told him you have in your Journal and it confirms the
|
above Bents Fort When at Hard Scrabble asked Bill
how many camps would take California; he named them
and King counted them; the number fftyodd When
he done he made the remark that these would the
camps if Fremont would follow his guidance and also said
that he thought probable the Colonel would be likely
follow his own route remember well his s., ING that be
would take Robdoax pass 1.-THE pass spoken Of on the
7th December through the Sawwatch mountains Ia chain
north OF the San Juan mounains and described very
particularly some Of the camps in those mountains.
have spoken Carson LerouY and ether men acquainted
with that part Of the country and they said Old Bills
description was correct Hs intended to have taken
was falling thicky that he took Robidouxs instead
but have stated before he with Colonel Fremont
on the 9th of December to examine this northern pass
In confederation of what have said about Bills inten-
ton OF taking the upper pass the Uesern side of the
valley OF the Del Norte have the statement of of
Biggs also Old Bills written statement which you have
seem, and which is now in my possession That Old Bill
did not turn to the river of his accord firmly be-
leve; and that it through any fault of his that
the consequent dreadful loss of life and ensued
also believe; for Bill has told frequently that had
Fremont done as he wished him. this would never have
happened After we left the river, he said he did not
believe that either white or Indian knew the coun-
try he wanted to follow up the river until about
twenty miles from where 1t energies from the gap and
turns south Here there old trail that be was
acquainted WITH and by pursuing it for three four days
we would strike the of Grand river where we
would find less snow and plenty of grass LerouI has
sured me mat this was the proper to have followed
and that be has travelled this track with Old Bill several
tunes and 1t is absurdity to say Old Bill ignorant
NouHuy tne river he dd not act
pilot Whoever saw the best road the guide and
think the first false step made by following the advice
OF those who had been in that country before and
rejecting the opinion of him who the only proper
y qualified to give one.
The second and greater fault in leaving some fifty
mules unoutehered, and ordering the to be packing
Inc baggage must say that according my convic-
tons Col Fremont showed anxiety for the safety of
his baggage than he did for the lives of his men.
mule lasted camp three days. Some Of the party could
have been buchering and drying the meat whilst the
rest might have been poragng the baggage the river
where each man supplying himself with much Of
this meat he could carry in conne1ion with his rife
ana blankets we could have moved down the river with
out the loss of single Fresh animals could then
have been sent up for the things and have said before
tne only loss would have been the mules. II Col Fremont
did not know how small amount of provisions There was)
In camp he deserves for in the peious
situation in which the whole party placed ii was his
duty TO have made himself acquainted with the
ation OF affairs In camp And he aware of this pau
city OF provisions do not know how be can explain his
conduct When King left be allowed but eight days
Tor his whole trip going and coming and passed his
camp on his progress the river These showed he had
been two days at least In eecting the first Is 80 miles
and II what have mentioned about his campfire being
yet burning the I'd of January the river when Pre-
mont arrived there true he must have been al least FIVE
days Yet Col Fremont did leave his party start
for the settlements until the thus making period of
le days from the date Of Kings departure and double the
time allowed him to go for and with relief To say
the least this shows great want OF Judgment hard TO be
imagined in one that had much experience in mountain
life IN the mean fine The men pdstng srgh time and
prorisions IN ne ort he baggage ProuI for long
time In a partially crazed state frostbiten and the
most misunderstanding object ever saw, died the 9th
This Of course, added TO the general gloom and none
knew who might be the list for there seemed but
little prospect Of any escaping My brother Edward bad
written to Cooley asking him If would not be
cache the things and hasten to the river In reply he
ceved letter from the Colonel saying be intended 10
start on the 18th, and that no left Vncenthaler In COM
mand, and expected he would be obeyeds himself He
also desired that would camp day TO
mile lower down, and the day following to come
with the rest OF camp to the river where would proba
! bly, meet him with the mues
Vincenthser the most unsuitable man In the whole
party to be placed in command he possessed neither moral
nor physical courage, and also sadly deficient in
mountain experience Had Tapn been Ia command things
would have gone better for In addition resoute and
determined will he brought fund Of experience that
would have been Of great value When arrived the
river found the left In command the lodge and
be showed letter Of instructions left with him by the
Colonel In this letter be spoke about buryng the body
Of Proux and offered reward Of twenty dollars to any
who would do IL This certainly very useless
piece ofmock sentiment and such IL regarded The
idea that men who the verge Of starvation would
think or care to take the time necessary soften the
ground and dig the grave OF who but pointed their
own fate And this must have been known when the let
ter written and II any effect expected TO be
produced 1t utter failure The rest of the nsruc-
and telling US TO quickly would find him (Co
FL gone 70 California. The language harsh and
unieeng that the idea conveyed many OF was-saUe
my baggage, and do not phdt become, Of vou
You have Mr. Caseys Of the amount of provs-
ions issued by order Of Major Bes and
that do not apply to the matter Mt present As far
know, that provision applied TO relief We
up with Cooley. This with two colts that killed. land
for which belipye