The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-25

night overtakes us, all is as silent as the
grave yard. Not living thing is to be
seen, except On occasional antelope, wolf, or
fowl, returning to its resting-place under
the bluffs or in the streams below. Both
man and beast seem tired when night comes
in this country. after having ascended and
descended quick sand bluffs all day long.
The nights are clear and cold the days are
hot and dry, as a general thing. The world
cannot ba more silent anywhere than it is
here. On such journey there is much to
interest and amuse one who is fond of pic
turesque scenery. You can trace the beau.
tifal living panorama of the Platte; see its
rugged sand stone and quick.sand bluffs /;
its level and magnificent plains. all day long
and not tire at the scene. Here one can see
the wilduess Of all things 10 its primitive
sense, and enjoy it if ne likes; but it is at
the cost of much hard labor, go as easy as
be will, and much privation.
will cot attempt to say how great the
emigration is over these Plains, but it is
immense. People are rushing alorg like
the tide, all bound west. Some GO to Cali
fornia, some to Colorado, some to Washe
irgton, Oregon, Nevada, Salt Lake. &c +,
&C., everywhere bat to Heaven; and often
tbirk of the saying that Heaven would
furnish no attraction for the American
citizen if place could not be found any
further west" But it cannot be said the
American is alone in this rush. In our
company we have eight naticnalities-
American, italian, French, German, Welsh,
Irish, Scotch, EUglish.
We are travelling but short distance
behind q company from Wisconsin-in fact
camp upon about the came grounds every
night-among whom is Divine, and it
affords us an opportunity for g attending
church" every Sabbath. Last Sabbath we
had very interesting discourse upon g. the
judgments of God upon the land" We
have ieasted surreptitiously on jerked Buffalo
meat for week past, and all seem to enjoy
their living on the Plains.
July 4th.-We reached camp last night
two miles from Fort Laramie. This morn
ing We were aroused by the guns at the
Fort, and some Of the boys in our camp
took out their guns for salute. The In
dians in their tepees are beating their drums
and every man is celebrating on bis own
hook. About IS or 40 wagons are in sight
of our camp today, and most persons are
busy about something. A man can always
find work to do in bis camp, be it the Fourth
or any other day. ut
We are now 522 miles from Omaha,
nine hundred ard sixty eight from
st. Paul, and have been on the road forty
nine days Some OF the men feel as though
it was pretty rough. but as general thing
all are in good spirits. We have variety
of sports by the way. Buffalo and Aute.
lope chasing are 6oe amusements. DAILY
bas Mustang that is just the thing for
such game, as te has often before been
there under the spur Of some Mexican or
Spapiard. Our route for the next few days
will be pretty hard as we have the Black
Hills before Us. We have kept the ncrtb
side Of the Platte all the way up have met
~
wagons going to the Missouri river for con-
verts thers-some eleven thousand we are
told.
In ians are plenty,-the Chief of the
Sioux band took supper with Us last night.
They are inveterate beggars, and never re-
fuse anything. They are good borsec,en
and have some splendid ponies. We leave
here to day. Yours, ID. C.I.