The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-20
THRILLING STORY OF '48
END OF FREM0NT's ATTEMPT TO
PENETRATE THE RIO GRANDE.
Narrative by the Survivor-Hopes
Dashed to the Ground-A Succession
of Terrific snowstOrms.

| with the story of the Fremont expedition
| and its disastrous retreat from the San
| Luis valley, described by J. w. Freeman
and Charles Watson in this months Cos
mopolitan from the narrative of Thomas
l.. breckenridge, the sole survivor. The ex-
petition left Westport (now Kansas City,
in October 1S4S, intending to explore the
headwaters of the Rio Grande. The party
consisted of thirty-two men, under the
command of Colonel Fremont, who took
with him as guide "O1d Bill Williams, one
of the oldest and ablest mountaineers in
the West. Snow fell almost continuously
from the start, and for the time of the
year the weather was unusually cold.
Breckenridge, speaking of the advance,
said:
After crossing the Sangre de Crsto
range our stock was put on short rations,
only one quart of corn a day being allowed
to each animal. The men Jared no better,
as our flour was exhausted, but we thought
we would find abundance of game when We
reached the valley of the Rio Grande, since
called San Luis valley. as well as plenty of
grass for the stock. We were continually
looking for something better, and the con-
ditions were daily growing worse.
ION reaching the valley of the Rio
Grande we found the snow about three feet
deep.
Il have spent many winters in the noun
talns, but have never experienced storms
similar to these. On the 18th day of De-
eember, after many ineffectual attempts to
force or way up the mountains, We found
remained in camp several days hoping the
storm would cease, living on the careesSeS
OF the faithful mules that had died from rom
and day. 1t was impossible to in any
direction for the high wind filed the air
with drifting snow at all times. We could
hear the roar of snowslides they rushed
from the steep sides of mountain peaks to
the valleys below carrying everything be-
at other times close that the sound
like the crash of artillery. It is impossible
fer one who has never been placed in a SIM
liar position to imagine the state of terror
were in during our stay in that camp.
Rightly has it been named Camp Desola-
LIVING IN SNOW HOLES.
I'VE lived in holes dug in the snow, with
a camp fire in the center. There were sew
eral such fires, and each camp was so
deep that the men could not look into the
next pit. We had provisions for thirty
two men probably fifty pounds of sugar and
about as much coffee and small quantity
of macaroni and candles. L mention the
candles as provisions for they were found
afterwards to be a luxury, indeed. Our
staff of life consisted of frozen mule meat.
1t soon evident that to remain in camp
meant to us starvation and DEATH and it
became our main topic of conversation how
TO get relief. The snow was growing deeper
day by day, our hope of relief ever grow
ing less, our poor pack animals we're
dying fast: They had absolutely. nothing
ard tails until there was not hair left.
At night their cries of hunger but added
to the horror of our situation.
FINALLY came Christmas eve We had
been in camp eight days, when Col. Ere
mont. sent, for me to come to his tent.
breckenridge he said we have been in
many tight places together, and know
you one of the hardest and toughest
men have, and YOU are able to endure
more than the average man: but what
shall ask of you will try both your nerve
and endurance to the utmost. Relief We
small party can get along faster than
large one; therefore, I have concluded to
liams, under King, down the river for re-
lief. King, Kreutzfeldt and Williams have
volunteered-now, will you go?' l said, L
will go. If any one can make the trip,
CAM. He then said he thought Taos was
probably the nearest point where could
get aid and the distance was as nearly
as he could estimate, about $50 miles.
I'm the morning we were ready to start
On account of the depth of the snow we
sible with us. We took one blanket apiece
a few pounds of frozen mule meat, about
few candles. We had three Hawkins rifles
for defense against the Indians, about fifty
bullets and one pound of powder. We also
had one shotgun. With this equipment our
little band of four was to start on des-
perate trip of $50 miles on foot in the dead
of winter through the toughest country of
America.
1.-The first day out we advanced about
five miles and at night camped under a
dry limbs as We were able to break from
the trunk. We slept but little on account
eating .scant rations, we rolled our blankets
around the little store of provisions and
were ready for another days journey. ~
accident the sugar was tipped over in the
snow and lost-to us a great misfortune
The second days travel was about the
same as on the first. We camped at night
under a pinon tree, where we suffered
greatly from cold The next morning the
storm showed signs of abating. When
numb; but we had not gone far before they
began peg to warm up. and | discovered from
that they were frost bitten.
I'VE reached the river about o'clock in |
as wolves. Two tallow candles, the last of |
our supplies, had served breakfast hours |
before: The situation was growing desper-
ate. We had travelled in three days but a |
short part of our journey and there was |
not an ounce of food in sight. Before night |
had the good fortune to kill small hawk |
which was cooked and divided among the |
four of us. The meal was rather limited |
and a trifle tough but in our condition we |
could not afford to be over particular
I'VE found some drift wood and kindled a |
good fire but that the only comfort |
as. In the morning we awoke early, stirred |
the fire. took a drink of water for break |
account of frost-bitten feet. At noon in |
the absence of dinner, we buckled up our |
belts a couple of holes. In the afternoon |
the carcass of an otter was noticed on the |
Ice. 1t did not take long to start a fire and |
cook a delicious morSel though it was by |
long odds, the gamiest / ever attempted to |
swallow.
TERRIBLE MARCH
"As we struggled down the river our feet |
became so sore and inf1amed from freezing |
that we were obliged to discard boots and |
shoes and sacrifice portion of our blankets |
to wrap around them. We did not throw |
the boots away, but carried them along
that they might come into use |
for roasts when we got so hungry that we
could endure no longer. That very night |
one of them was nicely Drowned over the |
ire.
For days we had nothing to eat but !
parched leather. My memory is clouGed |
portion of the time, SO near |
was / to death. but to the best of my recoI-
lection we lived eight days on our boots,
belts and knife scabbards. 1t is an utter |
to describe the agony of those |
lays.
ION the afternoon of the last day before |
leaving the river had noticed Williams |
looking out toward the east with his hand |
over his eyes. We asked no eXpIana ton
knowing well that if he had any informa- |
ton to impart we would receive it in due |
Tine.
That night while we were sitting de-
;pondently around the camp fire Bill said: |
Bows. saw me looking down the river