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June 4, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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Nevada History:
The Emigrant Relief Expedition of 1849
[From Senate Executive Document No. 52, 31st Congress, 1st Session, Serial 561, pp. 96-152 (spelling as in original)]
[52] 96
Sacramento City, Sept. 14th, 1849.
SIR : From information received last evening from Mr. Craig, an emigrant, who had just arrived by the northern or Lassen route, I have decided to send a portion of the supplies in that direction, and have selected you to proceed to Lassen's rancho to procure about 25 head of fat beef cattle, and a few pack mules ; you will also hire six or seven good men to drive the mules, cattle, &c. The cattle, as well as any other provisions you may get, will be issued to any of the emigrants who may be actually in want, and any animals you may have, will be loaned to assist them ; special care must be observed in ascertaining that those to whom assistance is rendered are actually in want. It is necessary that receipts should be taken from the heads of families for provisions or animals furnished them, the animals to be turned in to Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., at this place.
It is necessary that the party should proceed to the extreme point on the road where emigrants are to be met, as those in rear will probably need the assistance, and you must not issue anything until you are satisfied of the extent of the emigration, and where the rear wagons are. If I find that there arc more persons on that road than are now reported, I will send out a farther supply, and thus be enabled to furnish those who may be nearer in.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj. 1st Dragoons.
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
A true copy.
D. H. Rucker.
Brvt. Maj. U. S. A.
_____
Sacramento City, Cal., September 10, 1849.
DEAR SIR : I wish you to leave here to-morrow, and keep a day or two ahead of the pack-train, in charge of Mr. Chandler, going out to meet the emigrants on your arrival at Nye and Foster's rancho, which is at the mouth of the Guba river, on or near your direct route. Please inform them that Mr. Chandler's party is approaching, that they may have 40 head of the cattle I purchased, of them in readiness. Try and learn as near as possible, the day that Mr. Chandler will be two days march (about 70 or 80 miles) in advance of Nye rancho, which is the point at which they were to deliver the cattle. I wish you to go, if possible, to the rear of the emigration on the Truckey route, and ascertain at which point, and how the greatest assistance can be rendered to the emigrants. Send back to Mr. Chandler, and direct him accordingly.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj. 1st Dragoons.
Capt: KILBURN, Present.
A true copy.
D. H. Rucker,
Brvt. Maj., U. S. A.
97 [ 52 ]
Sacramento City, Cal., September 18, 1849.
DEAR SIR: I wish you to proceed with your party of pack-mules on the Bear River, or Truckey route, until you have passed the emigrants on their way to this country. On the road you will issue provisions and loan mules to all whom you think are in need of assistance, taking care to take receipts from the heads of families for the same, the receipt for the animals to state that they are to be turned over to Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., of this city, immediately upon the arrival of the person or persons borrowing them, to that place or its vicinity.
You will please keep a journal of all the trains of emigrants you may assist, mentioning the conductor's name, &c. In a few days journey from this place, you will have turned over to you by Messrs. Nye and Foster, forty head of beef cattle, which you will have driven with your party, and issued to the emigrants as their necessities may require, taking receipts for the same, which should state their weight as near as possible.
The object of the expedition being to relieve all emigrants who may be in want, you must use a sound discretion in the distribution of your animals and provisions, so that all may be assisted as equally as possible to the utmost of your power.
In returning, should it become necessary to assist families or sick persons, you will dismount your men, and give their animals for that purpose, directing the men to move with such wagons of destitute families, or sick persons, and assist them on their way in.
Great care should be taken of the cattle and mules at night, so that they do not escape, else the object of the expedition might be defeated. I have sent Capt. Kilburn a few days in advance of you—please obey any directions he may send back to you.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj. 1st Dragoons.
MR. JOHN CHANDLER,
A true copy.
D. H. Rucker,
Brvt. Maj., U. S. A.
_____
Sacramento City, September 20th, 1849.
SIR : Owing to the bad success of your pack train in its start from this place, I have added to it four wagons, which you can take with it to the mountains, where you may leave them, if they cannot be got over, and pack your provisions to the end of your route.
You now have in your train four wagons and teams, 109 pack mules, 12 horses, 93 sacks hard bread (3470 lbs.,) 20 sacks pork (2,000 lbs.,) four sacks flour (392 lbs.,) two sacks rice (100 lbs.,) 92 sacks barley (about 175 bushels).
All this independent of 40 days, rations for your party, forty head of cattle will join you at Nye and Foster's rancho. I trust that the number of mules that have already strayed from your party will show you the necessity of keeping a safe guard at night, and during your halts in the
[52] 98
day. In my letter of a day or two since, you will find your detailed instructions.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER.
MR. JOHN CHANDLER,
In charge of teams and pack mules,
Camp, South Fork, Sacramento.
A true copy.
D. H. RUCKER, Bvt. Maj., U. S. A.
_____
Sacramento City, September 20th, 1849.
SIR : I have determined to send on your route, within the next two or three days, about 30 pair of work oxen, and some loose mules.
They will be under your direction, and you can send back any instructions and dispose of them as you may think best for the benefit of the emigrants.
I will direct the person in charge of them accordingly. They will leave here day after to-morrow. Please show this to Capt. Kilburn immediately on your meeting with him.
I am, sir, your obedient servant.
D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj., U. S. Army
JOHN CHANDLER, ESQ.,
In charge of mule train on route over the mountains.
A true copy.
FRED. STEELE,
Brvt. Capt., 2d Inf.
_____
Sacramento City, Cal., Sept. 25th, 1849.
SIR : Your letter from Nye and Foster's rancho reached me to-day. I cannot conceive why the beef cattle were not taken. I furnished Mr. Chandler with six men mounted on fine horses, expressly to drive them. They were of importance to the party, and the object for which they were got up, and if any accident occurred which prevented their delivery at once, the party should have waited a day in order to get them. Mr. Chandler cannot say that he had not enough of men, for on his arrival at the mountains, when he will leave his four wagons, he would then have the four teamsters to assist in packing. I regret that you did not direct him to halt and wait for these animals, and not to have calculated on the oxen I was sending in your rear. I simply intended them to assist the emigrants in crossing their wagons over the mountains, and not as beef. I trust that nothing may occur on the balance of your route that will prevent the rest of my arrangements towards fulfilling the object of the expedition, and the wishes of General Smith from being carried into effect. Col. Foreman will follow you with the work oxen
99 [ 52 ]
and some pack mules, and is instructed to obey any orders you may send back to him relative to the distribution of his animals.
Please show this to Mr. Chandler.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Bvt. Maj., 1st Dragoons.
Captain KILBURN,
Charge of parties, Truckey route.
A true copy.
FRED STEELE,
Bvt. Capt., 2d Inf.
_____
Sacramento City, September 26th, 1849.
SIR : I wish you to proceed with your party of mules and work oxen, for the relief of the emigrants, on the Bear Creek or Truckey route.
Mr. John Chandler has preceded you on this road by some days, and I have informed him that the party of which you have charge would follow. You will therefore please fill any orders he may give to emigrants on you, for oxen or mules. I have received a letter from Captain Kilburn, whom I sent ahead of Mr. Chandler, stating that he did not take with him the beef cattle I purchased of Messrs. Nye and Foster. Should he not have sent back for them, and it becomes necessary for the subsistence of the emigrants, you can kill for beef some of your oxen, which have been purchased with that view. I had intended these oxen to assist through the mountains any emigrants, particularly the families who might have lost their teams by death or otherwise ; but as I have before stated, should it become necessary you can kill and issue them as beef. I wish you to proceed on the route, until you ascertain that there are no more emigrants on the route, being always careful to husband your means, so as to be able to assist to your utmost any that may be in the extreme rear. When you find families or sick persons, you must assist them if you are obliged to dismount your men for that purpose, and if necessary leave a man or two with them to assist any sick persons or distressed families. Please mention to all emigrants you may meet the object of your expedition and its charitable character.
You will please take receipts for all animals you may leave, the receipt stating that they are to be turned over to Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co. of this place, immediately on their arrival at or near this town.
Keep a record of the names of all persons you may assist, stating to what trains or party they belong, and the conductor's name. You have full rations for 40 days for your men, and have in your charge one horse, 30 1-2 yoke of oxen; and twenty-two pack mules.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER.
Brvt. Maj., 1st Dragoons.
Colonel FOREMAN;
In charge of ox train, for the relief of emigrants.
P. S.—Should you not use the whole of the barley you have this side of the mountains, make a depot and leave it with your wagon. You
[52] 100
can use it on your return, or inform the emigrants where it is, that it may be issued to them.
Yours, &c.,
(Signed) D. H. R.
A true copy.
FRED. STEELE, Brvt. Capt., 2d Infantry.
_____
Camp near Lassen, October 4th, 1849.
GENTLEMEN : I received your letter of the 1st inst. by Dr. Strallon. I think Col. March or yourselves had better purchase about forty mules, if good ones can be had, and send them on the Carson river route. It may be that you can get oxen that may answer, but they should be fat and fit to travel fast and long. I would like you to get the party off as soon as possible ; it must go in two days after the receipt of this, or it may be too late. Send, if you can, about ten pair of oxen and thirty mules, with some grain, but not more than can be used, as I think it will be difficult to get much on the mountains.
The expedition must be gotten up with care as to expense, or I will overrun my means, and get into difficulty.
Send Mr. Harris in charge of it, by all means. I think he will not require many men.
Be careful, by all means, and get fat animals, or else they will he useless. Since I have received Capt. Kilburn's letter, I regret that I did not send Col. Foreman's party, with the oxen, on the Carson river route.
Please get a party of a few men and some good animals off to the assistance of the people as soon as possible.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. H. RUCKER,
Brev. Major U. S. Dragoons.
SMITH, BENSLEY & CO.,
Sacramento City, Cal.
(A true copy.)
FRED. STEELE, Brev. Capt. 2d Infantry.
_____
Sacramento City, October 10th, 1849.
R. W. HUNT, ESQ. : Having entire confidence in your ability and fidelity, we give into your charge a train of pack-mules and wagons, to relieve the suffering emigrants to California, now coming in by the Carson river route.
You will proceed with the wagons as far as practicable, and thence hasten with your packs to the scene of distress. As accounts are so fluctuating, it is impossible to obtain at this point information sufficiently reliable to justify minute and positive instructions. Much, therefore, is left to your discretion ; you will be governed in everything you do by the motive of making the most of the means in your hands, to reach the object of your expedition. When you meet the emigrants, as your means are limited, you should be careful not to exhaust them by giving relief to those not in absolute want of it.
You will be held responsible for the disposition of the property confided to you, You should therefore take receipts from those you aid for everything you turn over to them, so that you will be able on your return to account for your expenditures.
101 [ 52 ]
You will cooperate with the three trains that have preceded you under the respective directions of Messrs. Kilburn, Chandler, and Foreman, who started from here with the same object by different routes ; but, as it is understood, have changed their course to the route by Carson river.
Brevet Major D. H. Rucker is commander-in-chief, and all instructions received from other sources will be subject to those you may chance to receive from him.
It is hoped that no time will be lost on the march ; one day gained may be the salvation of many lives.
We hope to hear from you by every opportunity that offers ; and if of anything sufficient importance occurs, you may despatch an express to us.
Respectfully, &c.,
SMITH, BENSLEY & CO.
Capt. HUNT,
In charge of party on Carson river route.
_____
Camp on the Feather river, October 26th, 1849.
DEAR SIR : I received your note of the 22d inst. to-day. I was not surprised at hearing that the rear train of emigrants had lost their cattle. They are generally so careless, and their guard so inactive, that I think it strange the Indians do not steal all they have.
I think your plans of putting the families in your wagons, and packing the provisions, a good one. Hasten them on as fast as possible, but be sure, by all means, to bring up the rear, for it would not do to leave any behind. I have been obliged to loan almost all my animals to enable the families to leave this place, their cattle being so far gone that they could not get over the hills without my assistance.
I start to-morrow morning for Sacramento city, and have left behind me at this place two wagons, eight mules, and two horses in charge of Mr. Rogers, with five men. I had determined to leave one of the wagons. You can have the other if necessary, or use it with the mules to take the families or sick persons to the settlements. Mr. Rogers will inform you what disposition I directed the emigrants to make of the animals loaned them. Do not loan any animals to go farther than Lawson's, but see that all the women and children have the means of riding that far, if you are obliged to make your men walk. There the emigrants are safe, and I must have all the animals at Sacramento city as soon as possible, in order to settle my accounts.
When you arrive at Lawson's, see Mr. Davis yourself, about the animals left in his charge, and pay him what you think right.
You had better start your party on at once, leaving behind Mr. Seaton, who is now here, with five or six of your best oxen, to collect and bring all the animals together with the wagons at Davis.
My health is somewhat improved, though I have as yet by no means recovered my former strength. I shall expect to see you at Sacramento by the 20th of November, at farthest. Respectfully,
D. H. RUCKER,
Brev. Major 1st Dragoons.
Mr. PEOPLES,
In Charge of advance party, Northern route.
[52] 102
For the information of all emigrants on the Lawson's or Northern route.
Camp on the left branch of Feather river, Oct. 13, 1849.
The undersigned is on this road with provisions for the relief of all emigrants who may be in a starving condition. These supplies have been forwarded by order of General Persifer Smith, the military commandant of this country, to be furnished only to those who are in a destitute state. I have a few beef-cattle, (some thirty head,) some hard bread, flour, pork, and a little rice.
The bearer of this, Mr. Hicks, has passed over the whole of the route to Lassen's, in the valley of the Sacramento, and will give any information to the emigrants that is necessary for the preservation of their stock or their speedy progress. I would advise all families who may be in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada, or whose teams are not in fine condition to throw away all heavy articles that they can possibly do without, and push on to Feather river valley, where there is plenty of grass, and to remain there one or two days to recruit their animals, also to cut grass sufficient to last their stock from Deer Creek valley to Lassen's, which is about fifty-three miles, over a very hilly and rocky country, without a blade of grass for the whole distance.
I believe that it is important that all the families should move on to the utmost of their abilities, as the season is far advanced, and the danger of being caught in the snow in these hills by no means slight. For that reason I have advised that those who are far in the rear, and have light teams, to throw away all heavy and useless property ; to keep only their provisions and actual necessities.
The distance from Feather river valley to the valley of Deer Creek, is about fifteen to twenty miles. In Deer Creek valley there was grass sufficient for the stock to eat during the night, but not of sufficient length to cut for hay : hence, the necessity of cutting on Feather River.
Respectfully, D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj. 1st Dragoons.
_____
Camp near Pitt River Valley, Oct. 20th, 1849.
SIR : From information elicited from various packers yesterday, corroborating previously received intelligence from the rear, whose whereabouts is now settled beyond question, I shall return to Feather river valley this morning, taking with me a small portion of the supplies now on hand. My health is such that it is doubtful whether I would be able to continue on horseback ; and as it is necessary for one of us to return With the supplies, I have directed you to take command of the party, and proceed on with all dispatch till you reach the rear, when you will use every exertion to bring the emigrants into the settlements.
Admonish them of the lateness of the season, and the great probability of a snow storm, and urge them to throw away every thing of any weight that may not be absolutely necessary on the road.
And if I find it necessary to leave the valley of Feather river before you return there with the party, I will leave at the depot a sufficiency of provisions to last your party in.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj., U.S. Army
JOHN H. PEOPLES
103 [52]
Davis, Rancho, Cal., November 12, 1849.
SIR : You will take the best of the mules from the carrel this morning, pack upon them about 400 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of pork, and about 20 bushels of wheat, to feed the mules ; you will also take as many yoke of work-cattle as Mr. Davis can furnish up to the hour of your starting. If the number of cattle will suffice, you will bring in the three wagons left at our camp near Deer Creek valley, and such weak and infirm persons as you can get into them. But if you have only enough cattle to bring in the wagons, you will discriminate, and put in those wagons such persons only, as in your judgment cannot proceed on foot or on mule-back.
To persons: this side of our, wagons, you will not furnish any provisions, but reserve all till you get up to the families in the wagons. To Mr. Moody and family you will furnish three mules ; to McCourtney family 2, and to Mrs. Wilt one mule.
On arriving at our back wagons, you will be particular to notice that no woman or child who can walk will get into the wagons. Issue out the provisions sparingly to all, and remember that persons can live on half-rations for fifteen or twenty days. Urge the emigration by all means in your power to hurry in, and admonish them that our means are exhausted, and that unless another appropriation is made, there can be no further relief from us. If you find the road bad, as we found it , coming in; advise all to abandon their wagons, unless they have a. sufficiency of provisions to remain in the oaks for a long time.
If, on arrival at our wagons, you find that Mrs. Fink is near there, and in the rear, you will, after dispatching the wagons, take two or three of your mules, and tender that lady what assistance may be in your power. This is a matter in which I will leave particulars optional with yourself, believing that you will render that lady all assistance in your power.
Issue and charge the rations you take out to those who receive them. I will join you in two or three days on the road, and render you such assistance as is in my power.
Respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN H. PEOPLES.
MR. E. H. TODD.
_____
Sacramento City, November l3th, 1849.
SIR : You will proceed in company with Mr. Rogers, to join Mr. John H. Peoples, at Lawson's Rancho, without delay, and deliver to him the package herewith entrusted to you. You will endeavor to purchase at the Rancho, on Bute Creek, some six or eight yoke of fat work oxen, which are in that neighborhood. They were offered to me, on my return to this place; at $225 per yoke ; and, it is presumed, can still be had at that price. Do not let this, under any circumstances, detain you more than one day, as it is important that you join Mr. Peoples with the least possible delay.
When you arrive at " Lawson's Rancho," I wish you to assist Mr. Peoples to the utmost of your power, to carry out the object of relieving the destitute emigrants in that direction.
[ 52] 104
The strictest economy must be used in the expenditures of public money.
If Mr. Peoples should at any time be too sick to discharge his duty, he is instructed to turn over to you the charge of the expedition. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Bt. Maj. 1st Drags.
E. C. CHADWICK, Esq., Present.
_____
Sacramento City, Cal., November 13th, 1849.
SIR : I received your letter of 9th instant, by hands of Mr. Rogers, and was sorry to learn you had such bad success with the rear of the emigration. I had just engaged an express to send you when Mr. Rodgers arrived.
I am somewhat surprised that you did not buy animals, and act at once without waiting to hear from me ; I think I should have done so in such an emergency.
I have Mr. Rogers back with the Chadwick to assist you. I wish you to buy fat oxen, if you can get them ; if not, get mules sufficient to bring the families and sick to such a point as you think safe from snow, and within reach, without difficulty, of Lawson's Rancho. You must, at all events, get some gentle cattle for beef. Buy some flour, if it can be had, to leave with the emigrants : if it cannot be procured, buy beef and issue that. Those families must, at all events, be brought into the valley to a point, at which they will be perfectly safe before you leave them. I saw some fine oxen at Bute Creek when I came by. I have instructed Mr. Chadwick to buy some of them and take them with him. Enclosed is authority for you to draw on Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., for nine thousand dollars, ($9,000,) which I hope you will use with the utmost economy. When you have completed your expedition, if, the weather should continue bad, and it be found difficult to get the animals and other public property to this place, sell at auction, and join me without delay. If you should get sick, give charge of the expedition to Mr. Chadwick, and turn over these instructions to him. Do not relinquish your charge, however, until you are not able to get out of your bed. I will give Mr. Chadwick $1,000 in coin with this, and with what remains of your old expedition, I think you can bring in all the families and give them considerable subsistence. What you do, must be done as soon as possible, for there is no telling how deep the snow will be before the end of the month. You must tell all the emigrants that they must be more active and get to the valley at once, or they may perish. I cannot conceive what they are thinking of. Their own lives and the lives of their families arc certainly worth more than their wagons and effects. Get all the work oxen and mules you can and send them out loose to haul the women and children. I suppose that yokes, &c., can be found in abundance all along the road ; you are there on the ground and know what is best to be done. Bring in the rear families and keep the rest to the utmost of your means. Be careful and get official accounts duplicates for all you purchase. Keep all the provisions, such as flour, etc., on a separate account from the mules, etc. ; Mr. Chadwick has a form.
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I regret that I am unable to join you in person, but my health is not well enough established to warrant the undertaking.
Independent of taking official vouchers for all purchases and expenditures made, you should be careful to keep an accurate record of all drafts drawn, showing the name of the person in whose favor they are drawn, and for what purpose, the amount, etc. ; especially, leave no unsettled business behind you.
Very respectfully, yours, etc.,
(Signed) D. H. RUCKER,
Bt. Maj., 1st. Drags.
JOHN H. PEOPLES,
Lawson's Rancho.
_____
To GENERAL P. SMITH, Commander in Chief in California, or any of his officers.
We, the undersigned emigrants, respectfully beg leave to represent, that on the night of the 19th October, the Indians drove off nearly all of our stock, oxen and horses, which places us in almost a helpless condition, as we were obliged to throw away a great deal of our provisions and clothing, to enable us to make some progress towards our destination ; the season being so far advanced and danger of being caught in a snow storm. The able bodied men of the company feel themselves compelled to remain with the train to render all their assistance to the helpless women and children, of which there are twenty-five in number. The above robbery was committed upon us at Goose Lake, near the head of Pitt's River, on Lauson route.
We would, therefore, earnestly solicit that the earliest help should be sent us from the settlements in teams and provisions, as otherwise we consider it impossible to reach the settlements.
M. M. BUSSARD,
Capt. of St. Louis Company.
Archibald Henly, and family. W. W. Prescott.
J. Chandon, and family, Wm. Roberts, and family
John F. Stibbs, and family. Alfred Sarnkics, and family.
W. G. Clough. A. Shepard,
Geo. W. Maclie, and family. J. C. Moorehouse, and family.
Abijah Hunt. A. and J. C. Ledlie.
John T. Taylor. John Keyes.
James A. Martin. John Rowland, and son.
H. B. Dunham. R. D. Smyth.
Jacob Holmes. Jessie Lee.
Robt. R. Roberts, and family. H. L. Ingalls, and son.
Bernadotte Little. L. W. Pollard.
A. J. Galbraith. John Roberts.
Wm. Brown.
_____
Sacramento City, November 4th.
MAJOR RUCKER, SIR : I received at the hands of Capts. Kilburn and Chandler two mules and, two horses, which they desired to return to the
[52] 106
city, as unable to perform the trips over the mountains ; I consented to do so and delivered them as verbally instructed, to Smith, Bensley & Co.
I also met Col. Foreman, near Grass Hollow, and being about to leave a wagon, from the loss of six or eight mules. Col. F. Kindly offered me two yoke of oxen for which I receipted, one of which I returned to the firm of Smith, Bensley & Co.
The other yoke strayed off, and we were only enabled to find one of them, which was dead. Every exertion on my part has been made to recover the remaining ox, but the diligent have been totally unsuccessful.
This yoke of oxen escaped from me before I reached town, or I should have turned it over to the proper authorities at once.
However, if it is your pleasure, make a bill for the last ox. I will send it to Priest, Lee & Co., my office or my house, and I will at once meet the demand ; on the other hand, if you please. I will extend the research.
With all due respect,
I am your most obedient and humble servant, F. J. WHITE.
At one time we thought we had the ox, but were mistaken.
_____
Weaversville, October 31st, 1849.
CAPT. CHANDLER, SIR: I send by the bearer, one of the two mules that I received from your relief company with many thanks.
The other mule with one that I had of mine own, and the only one that I did own, I am sorry to say, has got away from me after I arrived at this place. Your mule, I believe, has taken the road for the S. city. I have a man who started yesterday for the city and if he finds it, will deliver it to you, in the meantime I shall continue to hunt the woods for miles in this section, hoping that I may yet find the animal, as well as my own. My family as well as myself cannot feel sufficiently grateful to the government, as well as to its officers, for the aid received ; at the same time I am grieved to think that you should sustain any loss on our account. However, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I had taken all the pains to watch the animal, that was possible. Please let me know if you should find or receive the mule that is lost ; the mule is black, has been around the nose with the halter, and is a mare, and has fifteen feet of rope on its neck.
Yours, most respectfully,
J. RYCE.
_____
Lake, East of Feather River, October 26, 1849.
To Major Rucker, or others, in command of Government Relief of Emigration.
DEAR SIR OR GENTLEMEN : A situation, the most critical and distressing, of a numerous and helpless family, compels me to trouble you with a recital of circumstances that have befallen us on our journey from Missouri to this point. I left the state provided with eight yoke of cattle and two wagons, one of which was loaded with provisions sufficient for
107 [52]
the trip, the other for the conveyance of the family ; but misfortune overtook us at an early period, in the loss of some of our cattle, thereby compelling me to leave one wagon and the chief part of our provisions, in order to enable me to proceed with the other ; but the worst and most painful part of my task is to be told, by informing you that my wife, who has been confined on the route, lies very ill in the wagon, and my father, a man 76 years of age, is in as bad a situation, occasioned by the loss of the use of one of his legs, by the bite or sting of some insect on Bear River, thus rendering our situation deplorable in the extreme, being reduced to five head of miserable cattle, three having given out through want of food. And to add to our troubles, last night, through the negligence of a part of the guard, 18 or 20 head of our best cattle have been driven off by the Indians. I am travelling in company with four other wagons, one of which contains a family who arc reduced to one yoke of cattle ; beside, we are out of provisions, and unless your goodness of heart induces you to send us relief, we know not what will become of us.
With great respect, I remain your ob'dt servant,
WILLIAM MARA,
From St. Louis, Mo.
F. L. T.
P. S. Major Rucker will remember having seen me between here and Pitt's River, and affording us some relief.
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SMITH, BENSLEY, GENTS : Yesterday my family reached town, and I send you, as per request, a yoke of oxen, which Col. Foreman was kind enough to have us take, with one other, which my boy turned out to graze last evening, and will be sent you as soon as we get them up. I receipted to the Colonel for these two yoke. Capts. Kilbury and Chandler delivered to me two horses and two mules for our use, which I return to you. My nephew delivered two mules. I now send the horses.
The three men who returned with some six or seven mules entirely unable to cross the mountains, have reported to you their condition, I dare say one mule was delivered to Mr. Brown, of Gordon's train, one to Gen. Moore's train. The latter has strayed, as he told me yesterday, being entirely broken down ; he was sent for a day or two afterwards, and was found. The former, I presume, has been delivered also to you by Brown. I know that several of the mules in Robertson's party failed entirely, and they were obliged to leave them.
I will see you as soon as well enough, and give you particulars.
Respectfully,
T. J. WHITE.
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October 28th, 1849.
MAJ. RUCKER, DEAR SIR : The situation of our mess is such as compels us to ask for some aid from government in the way of provisions, as we have but two or three days, ration of bread and meat. Two of the mess are sick with the scurvy.
Yours, with respect,
COOK & CO.
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Sacramento City, September 17, 1849.
Maj. RUCKER, SIR : I have been informed that you were, on the part of our government, sending out provisions to relieve the emigrants now on their journey to this country. I have just come in from the northern route, and can assure you from my own knowledge, that many are now entirely destitute of provisions, while others will not have a sufficiency to bring them within many days travel of the Sacramento valley.
Since I have pilotted the foremost wagons on the northern route, many, in fact nearly all of those in the rear have followed ; and I would most respectfully suggest the propriety of your sending them such relief as their present situation requires.
Very respectfully, your ob't servant,
MILTON McGHEE.
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Sacramento City, Nov. 7, 1849.
DEAR SIR: Permit me to offer you, and through you, the constituted authorities who authorized it, my most grateful thanks for the timely and efficient aid which you so freely and generously afforded me in overcoming the passage of the mountains ; without this aid, our sufferings must have been severe in the extreme. My gratitude is proportional.
It will not be deemed impertinent in me to say that the manner in which you conducted your operations while under our observation, commanded the approbation of our whole train. Mrs. S. wishes me to express her thanks for the kindness and care manifested for her while under your especial charge.
I remain, yours, respectfully,
CHARLES SACKETT.
Capt. R. W. HUNT,
Sacramento City.
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Seek Springs, October, 1849.
This is to certify that on the night of the October, a horse and mule belonging to the U. S. was stolen from my guard, and, also, two belonging to myself, from my camp near the said springs, the thieves are supposed to be the Indians. Every effort was made to recover the property of the U. S., the pursuit was kept up three days and nights without success. I receipted to Mr. Clarke for the mule, and now report him lost, as above stated. B. B. BROWN,
Commander, St. Louis Camp.
We, the undersigned, certify as travelling in Dr. Brown's train, the above, as stated, to be true.
M. GIBERGA,
GEO. CONGDON,
G. H. FOGG.
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To the Government Relief Company.
MESSRS : As we understood the relief train in advance of you had addressed you a line on the propriety of your returning, stating that they
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would bring up the rear. We beg pardon for troubling you with a knowledge of our circumstances. We, as a company, arc out of provisions.
Your advance relief company were under a special promise to Mr. M'Courtny (who had left us and his family a packing,) to supply this company, and more especially his family, which they failed to do by taking one road and we another on Pitt's River, and they are now some one hundred miles back of us, and can do us no good.
We are now some thirty-five miles from you, and will be up as quick as possible.
You will do us a great favor in waiting.
Yours, with respect,
October 28th, 1849. JOHN K. ROOT.
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Sacramento City, November 14th, 1849.
Major D. H. RUCKER,
U. S. Dragoons.
SIR : Herewith I have the honor to transmit you a report of proceedings under my command, whilst in charge of the first relief party, which left the city of Sacramento in aid of the suffering emigrants on their route to California.
In obedience to orders, I proceeded on the 14th day of September, A.D. 1849, to make the necessary arrangements preparatory to departure on the expedition to which I was assigned, and to that end, moved over with my command consisting of thirty men, one hundred and nineteen pack mules, thirty horses, and four wagons, loaded with provisions to the west side of the American fork, of the Sacramento river, where I encamped and remained until the 20th of the same month. On the morning of the 20th, all things having been put in readiness for departure, our tents were struck and we proceeded from our encampment, taking the Carson River route to a place known as Nicholas rancho, some twenty-five miles distant from Sacramento City ; here we encamped during the night of the 20th ; from thence, the command advanced to Bear River, where we encamped and remained during the night of the 21st. Proceeding onward we reached Johnson's Ranch on Bear River on the night of the 22d. At this point I received a letter from Captain Kilburn, stating that he was going over to Age and Fortis Ranch, for forty head of cattle, and that he would meet my command at Steep Hollow on the 20th following. I then advanced toward the point designated by Captain Kilburn, but was compelled to abandon three of my wagons, which were loaded with provisions ; in consequence of the failure of my animals and the difficulties of the route—before reaching the point he had named, to wit, on the 23d day of September ; leaving two men in charge of the wagons and provisions I had been forced to abandon, I proceeded onward to a place known as Mule Spring, about 8 miles beyond Steep Hollow, where I encamped on the night of the 26th following.
On the morning of the 27th, I started the train under my command toward Bear River Valley, some 12 or 14 miles distant, placing the same under the charge of Mr. John Gates. I then returned to Steep Hollow
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with six men, for, the purpose of joining Captain Kilburn as previously advised. At this point I abandoned the fourth wagon under my charge, having placed the provisions which it contained on pack mules, and sent the same forward upon my route. Here I met with Captain Kilburn, and was informed by him that he was unable to procure the cattle he had gone in quest of, and that as he could not possibly get them for some days, he had abandoned the idea of getting them entirely. Upon consultation with Captain Kilburn, we determined to dispatch intelligence of the facts above named to yourself, which, was accordingly done, after which, in company with Captain K., my command proceeded toward Bear River valley, whither the train had been previously sent, as already stated, which point we reached about midnight of the 27th. At this point I remained until the pack mules with the provisions came up, when I made a cache and deposited therein the provisions, barley, &c., with which the mules were loaded, proceeding thence to Grass Valley. I there met with Dr. White, to whom I delivered nine mules and two horses for his relief, placing under his charge at the same time three of my men who were sick and unable to proceed further. Sending back from this point for the provisions which I had cached as before stated, it was deemed advisable by Captain Kilburn and myself, under the impression that all the emigrants on this route with wagons had already reached the western side of the mountains, to change our course, and pass over to the Carson river route, which we accordingly did. Nothing of importance transpired in the course of our journey, until we reached the last crossing of the Truckey river, save that I distributed some 240 pounds of bread to pack trains which we met upon the road; this point we reached on the 6th October, and crossed over on the next day through the " Desert" to Barren river, encamping for the two following nights on the bank of this stream. I could discover no signs of any portion of the emigration having passed for several days. On the 10th following, I met with the family of A. Lamdell, Esq., consisting of himself, his wife and two children, who were in company with three emigrant wagons ; they had unfortunately lost all their animals upon the desert, and were on foot. I gave them two mules and a horse, and received information from them that there were families behind upon the "Desert," destitute of animals of any kind, or the means of progressing upon their journey. I then despatched these men with five mules to their relief ; this was upon the 8th day of October. On the 11th, following, a Mr. Edwards, whom I had dispatched as above stated, returned, and gave me information that Mr. Barnes, of St. Louis, with his family, were behind, and required immediate relief, as they had lost nearly all their animals, and were packing their remaining oxen, whilst his wife and daughter were compelled to walk. I then sent back to their relief ten mules, seven of which were for them, and three for Captain Dart, who, I had also been advised, was in a distressed condition, and required relief.
I then proceeded with my train to the Canon, on Carson River, which I reached on the 12th October. There I found some twenty wagons, the emigrants owning them having been previously passed by my train, and directed to advance to that point where relief would be given them. On the next day I distributed amongst the persons accompanying said wagons, about forty-four mules ; finding them persons in a very destitute condition, and wholly unable to proceed without immediate and ex-
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tensive aid. I was thus compelled to distribute amongst them a greater number of animals than would have otherwise been necessary. In consequence of having parted here with so many of my mules, I was forced to abandon one thousand pounds of bread, which I was fortunately not forced to regret, as the train relieved was abundantly supplied with provisions. Leaving this point on the morning of the 14th, I confirmed my return to Sacramento City. On the 16th following I met Colonel Foreman in charge of the second relief party sent out, whom I advised to cross the mountains, as he was well supplied with oxen, in order to afford additional relief, if necessary, to those whom I had already supplied with mules. On the night of the following day I encamped in company with Captain Hunt, also in command of a relief party, whom I met at Camp Creek, a point about 120 miles distant from Sacramento City. I here advised Captain Hunt to take about ten of his best animals and cross the mountains, and reach the rear of the emigrants I had relieved, as soon as possible, as I was fearful there were other emigrants still further back who might be in a suffering condition. Owing to the fact that my animals were failing rapidly, I deemed it advisable to return as fast as possible to Sacramento City, which I accordingly did, reaching there on the 21st of October, with a part of my train, the balance arriving on the 25th following. Nothing important transpired from the time of parting with Captain Hunt until my arrival at Sacramento City, all of which is most respectfully submitted.
With high consideration and respect,
I remain your obedient servant,
JOHN J. CHANDLER.
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Sacramento City, November 8th, 1849.
Major RUCKER,
DEAR SIR : In obedience to my instructions I left the City of Sacramento for the mountains, on the evening of the 10th of October, with the relief party placed under my command, and moved out five miles on what is called the Carson River road, or the new Mormon route.— We proceeded on towards the mountains the next, and the two following days, without meeting with any incident or accident, save the falling off of several packs, caused by the stretching of the ropes from having been wet by the rain of the 10th and 11th. Or the 14th we met Captain Kilburn, of the U. S. A., returning, who informed us that the emigration was not so large as we had been led to expect, as much the greater portion of those who were behind, had been induced by Lieutenant Hawkins and several others to take the extreme northern or old Oregon route, which, owing to the lateness of the season, was considered the safest ; he also informed me that Dr. P. B. Brown, of St. Louis, was entirely out of provisions, and was in a perfectly destitute condition, as he had all his mules and cattle frozen to death in the snow-storm of the 11th, and had been compelled to abandon everything, with his wagons, near the second or last summit. I immediately despatched two men with provisions to his relief, with orders to hasten on as fast as their mules could travel. That evening we encamped in Pleasant Valley. On the following day we met the Pioneer train in quite a crippled condition, having lost thirty of their best mules the night before, by the Indian;
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and having been on short allowance for several weeks past. We met several trains also very much crippled and out of provisions, before reaching the point where we had determined to make a depot of our wagons ; we furnished them such articles as they required, and rode on to the place we had fixed upon, some fifteen miles from the head of Pleasant Valley. Here we overhauled our wagons and put in sacks such provisions as we thought would be most necessary and desirable to the emigrants. On the following morning, having made all our arrangements for packing, we marched off and reached that night a point called Camp Creek. During the day we furnished several families with flour, meat, sugar and coffee ; also gave them orders on the wagon for pickles and sourkrout, as some of them had the scurvy. At Camp Creek we found Captain Chandler, and learned from him that our aid would be required, perhaps, as far back as the sink of Mary's River. I here determined to pick out ten of the best mules, and with Dr. Duke and three men to push on with increased speed to the extent of the emigration, leaving the others to follow on slowly. The next day we reached Lick Springs, and then found the family and train of Dr. B. B. Brown, waiting for the return of the Doctor who had gone back after his wagons with the government cattle furnished him by Colonel Foreman. We then learned the particulars of the storm of the 11th. His wagons had just commenced the ascent of the last summit when they were overtaken by the storm ; the wind blew so strong, the snow and hail fell so thick and fast that they found it utterly impossible to proceed any further, and were compelled to wait till the following day for it to abate ; several of his train were frosted, and all of his stock, but two mules that were tied close to a large lire, were frozen to death. After travelling a few miles from Lick spring, we met with Captain Dent's train, packing their blankets, clothes, &c., on oxen, having deserted their wagons several days before, on account of the crippled condition of the latter. We gave him an order on our train behind for four mules, and rode on ; a few miles further we met Wm. Barns and family, from St. Louis. We gave them an order for such provisions as they required, and proceeded on to Tragedy Spring, where we encamped for the night. We here saw Colonel Foreman, who had just returned from Lake Valley between the two summits, having left there all the cattle he had to dispose of under the charge of two of Captain Chandler's men. We made an early start the next morning, and in the course of the day saw much distress. One old man with his wife and daughter, who had nothing in the world but a few blankets, which they were packing on their backs. We let them have two mules and some provisions and continued our march. A mile or two further on we met Mr. F. J. Clayton, of St. Louis, who had packed from several days journey beyond the sink of Mary's River, and learned from him the extent, number and names of the emigrants on the Carson route. He informed us that Captain Sackett's team was the last on the road and that we would probably not meet them for a hundred miles beyond the mountains, that there were several families with him, and it would be impossible for them to get over without assistance. We camped at Lake Valley that night, and there found the two men left by Colonel Foreman. They had disposed of all their cattle before our arrival, much to our regret, as we had intended to take some of them on with us to Carson Valley, beyond the moun-
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tains for the use of Captain Sackett's train. The next day we crossed over the summit and camped in Carson Valley ; shortly after we camped, two Germans came to us on foot and begged for something to eat ; they told us that they had been out of provisions for seven or eight days, and had been compelled to subsist on the flesh they cut from dead mules for more than two hundred miles back ; when they first came up they had strung around their neck about ten pounds of mule meat, which smelt so offensive that we sent them off to the river to wash themselves. When they returned they set down to supper and eat as though they never expected to enjoy another meal. The next morning we furnished them with provisions, gave them an order for a mule to pack their clothes and blankets on, and started them off. We left our camp about 8 o'clock; and after riding four or five miles into the Cañon, came across two more Germans even in a worse condition than those who had come to our camp the night before. They were so completely worn out by walking, and starving, and sickness, that they were scarcely able to stand ; we gave them some provisions and two mules, and proceeded on our way ; after leaving the Cañon about eight miles, we met the train of Captain Morris, of the U. S. Army, who had come out as the escort of General Wilson, his company were all in fine health, but considerably way-worn by their long journey. He had left most of his wagons on the desert, as many of his mules were broken down and unable to travel any further. We advised him to leave his remaining wagon; as we considered it impracticable for him to take it through without more delay than the lateness of the season would justify. We camped that night at the Hot Springs, in Carson Valley. The next morning, leaving my men encamped, to rest and herd the mules, I rode on in company with Dr. Duke, and met Captain S.'s train at the end of Carson Valley ; we brought them back that night as far as our camp, and prepared to commence our return in the morning. The next day, after considerable delay, lost in re-arranging and selecting such articles as we deemed indispensable, we got the women and children with their luggage mounted, and started back. We advised the men to throw away everything but their clothes and provisions, to make carts of their wagons, and hurry on as fast as the nature of the roads would admit. We left them, not without feeling considerable anxiety as to the probability of their being able to get through the mountains before the snow, as the thick mists, heavy clouds, cold nights and other signs plainly indicated a coming storm. We camped that night at the spot we left three days before. I ordered next morning the mules to be fed with the only sack of barley we had left, as I determined to make a long march, and if possible, to get beyond the last summit before I stopped. We reached the top of the last summit a little after dark, and rode on to a spring seven miles beyond, where we camped for the night, making that day thirty-six or eight miles ; this night was very cold. After arranging the best quarters we could for the women and children, they soon retired much fatigued. The following day we reached Lick Spring, where we overtook three of the Germans we had relieved in the Cañon: I determined to rest until the husbands and fathers came up, as the wives felt considerable uneasiness in regard to their safety. The next day I despatched Dr. Duke and one man with an express to Sacramento, for eight or ten sacks of barley or corn, as I deemed it almost impossible
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to bring in my mules without feed, there being no grass whatever on the road between the camp I then occupied and Sacramento city, a distance of some hundred miles.
The next day Capt. Sackett, Mr. Westernhusen, Mr. Heart, Mr. Snyder, and men came up, much to the joy of the ladies and children. The next morning we looked back and saw the mountains covered with snow, and as we had had a small sprinkling the night before, we concluded to move down as far as the government wagon. I here determined to wait for the return of Dr. Duke with the barley, and drove my mules down to a valley some three miles off the road, where there was just sufficient grass to keep them alive ; it rained incessantly the two days that we remained at the wagon: I left the wagon and seven mules with Capt. Sackett, as he had left his wagon on the desert, and had been packing up to this point ; the government wagon afforded him a better facility of getting his family into the settlements, and having a cover, sheltered them from the rain. I met Dr. Duke returning with a wagon load of corn, some five or six mules, below the head of Pleasant Valley ; we here encamped for the night. In the morning I took back the wagon as far as the head of the valley, where I found Capt. Sackett encamped. I furnished him with corn sufficient to bring in his mules, and relieved him of the charge of a poor old negro, who had been ill for more than a week with the scurvey at our wagon. We carried the negro to a hospital in Weaverville, and came on that night to the shingle machine ; in the morning, after getting our breakfast at the Miner's Hotel, (our provisions being out,) we started for the city, and arrived about ten o'clock at night, tired, wet, and glad once more to enjoy the luxury of a dry, comfortable shelter.
Respectfully, I remain your obedient servant,
ROBT. W. HUNT.
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MAJOR : In obedience to your instructions of the 26th September, " to proceed with your party of mules and oxen for the relief of the emigrants on the Bear Creek or Truckey River route," I proceeded with my party on the evening of the same day as indicated, in the fulfilment of your further instructions to me "to mention to all emigrants you may meet, the object of your expedition, and its charitable character." I ascertained, before proceeding very far upon my route, that the succor united for it was needless, as all or nearly all the emigration had taken the northern and southern roads, and that all needful relief (if any) would be furnished by those who had preceded me thereon. My inquiries satisfied me that there was then upon the southern or Carson River route, an amount of emigration which, if not relieved, would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to push their way into the Sacramento Valley, without the assistance so munificiently offered by General Smith. After proceeding some ninety miles on the route indicated in your instructions, and finding from day to day my former information confirmed, that said route was abandoned, I came to the conclusion to change my course, and take the Carson River route. I here stripped my oxen of their yokes and chains, that they might travel the more expeditiously, leaving them in a government wagon upon which was pasted a notice stating the object for which they were intended, and requesting that they
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might be respected. I immediately retraced my steps some forty-five miles to Johnson's Rancho, where I took the most direct route to Carson River road, some part of the way, as I afterward ascertained, having never before been passed over by oxen or pack mules. After overcoming many obstacles, having reached the Carson road, I met Captain Kilburn, and had the gratification to learn that my course but coincided with his written instructions transmitted to, but never received by me.
Soon after reaching this road, I was strongly solicited by the emigrants to furnish them with cattle, hut believing that those who were yet far in the rear, chiefly needed assistance, I declined furnishing any, except in some cases breadstuffs from my own rations, and in cases deemed by me of necessity.
I proceeded in this way until within one day's march of the summit, where I met Capt. Chandler, who then directed me to issue from that time liberally, as most of the emigrants needing work and beef cattle were in and about the carrivan and summit, with their teams mostly broken down, lost, or stolen by the Indians. I have divided my oxen into two parties, sending the strongest over the summit, and established the balance at a depot some fifteen miles this side, going ahead with the others, giving orders upon those in the rear to emigrants whom I found in advance most in need. Capt. Chandler, who preceded me on my return, made some drafts upon me which were honored, and his drafts are herewith transmitted as part of my vouchers, together with my own receipts.
I herewith transmit in detail as part of my report the statement of relief furnished to each train, family and individual, marked A.
In all my doings in this expedition, I have felt that a great responsibility rested upon me, and knowing that the great object of Gen. Smith was to render the greatest amount of relief with the means appropriated, I used my best efforts to carry out those views. That the relief afforded saved much suffering, and probably loss of life, I am satisfied.
With sentiments of regard and esteem,
I remain your obedient and humble servant,
FERRIS FOREMAN.
Sacramento City, Nov. 7th, 1847. [sic]
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Sacramento City, October 22d, 1849,
SIR : As it may become important to know for future reference, the condition and manner of relief of the emigrants on the Truckey and Carson river levels, I have the honor to make the following report :
I left Sacramento City the 19th day of September, 1849, with three mule and four pack animals, the main party intended for the Truckey line under Capt. Chandler, who was also placed under my orders, consisting of thirty men. One hundred and thirty pack-mules and four wagons were to leave the following day ; 30 of these pack-mules and the four wagons were loaded with flour, pork, and rice, for the relief of the suffering ; in addition to the foregoing supplies, 40 head of beef cattle was to be taken up by my party on the road, and Capt. Foreman was to follow at the end of two days, with sixty head of American cattle, intended for beef, on draught, as the case should most require. My in-
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structions from you required me to keep one or two days in advance of the main party, so as to enable me to judge of proper positions for depots of provisions, the condition of the emigrants, &c. &c., and finally to decide upon the point at which the whole party should stop or turn back. On arriving at Johnston's, I found that the 40 head of cattle intended for beef, were fifteen miles off the road. As I at that time thought it necessary and important to take on those cattle, I departed at once for that rancho ; on arriving there, I found Nelson, Rye and Foster had sold out to Mr. Carnand, who was unable to give me the cattle under two days from that time ; if, therefore, I should receive the cattle, and have them driven the two days as per contract, I would be thrown at least two days behind the drivers hired for the cattle, who were in Capt. Chandler's party, as the cattle were wild, and I alone, with my small party, could not drive them, guarding them at night, &c. I was under the unavoidable necessity of leaving them.
I was the more satisfied on this decision, as from all I could learn, the emigrants were now in need of transportation. Their provisions I accordingly turned back to Johnston's rancho. I found that Captain Chandler had passed with his party the day before ; the work-cattle had not come up. I continued my route on the Truckey line ; the second day I found three of the wagons left by Captain Chandler on account of bad roads. I overtook him in "Steep Hollow." His party was at the time some fifteen miles in advance. Passing him, I camped in a valley about thirty miles from the summit. As we were now approaching the rear of the emigration on this road, I endeavored to obtain accurate information of our road, the actual condition of the emigrants on it. On consultation with Dr. White, he informed me there was but one other train behind. This proved to be true ; and as I found I was at the time but about fifty miles from the Carson line, where we could dispose of our relief to better advantage, I concluded to change over to that route. We accordingly struck the Carson river line in about sixty miles.
I was the more confident of your approval of this change, as we had discussed the propriety of it before my departure from Sacramento city, and your authority to do in the matter as I thought best was, as you recollect, given me. On this line we found many in great need. Our mules and horses were all given out before we reached the summits, and many were supplied with provisions ; a list of a small portion of them is attached to this report. On the summits we found a fall of snow; and in many places it had drifted to four or five feet in depth. In a short report of this kind it is impossible to detail the amount of suffering relieved by my party on the two lines. The energy and generosity of the government in thus relieving the needy was openly expressed and commented on by the whole of the emigrants. After passing the two summits on our return, we found many in the utmost need. They were not only relieved by my own party, but meeting Captain Hunt, I directed him to supply all again, if they were in want. At Camp Creek I met the sixty head of cattle originally sent upon the Truckey line.
I directed Captain Foreman, who was in charge of them, to keep on the route, and not to issue until he had passed the summits, except six cattle to Dr. Brown, who was on the last summit, and who had lost nearly all his cattle in a storm. Captain Hunt I directed to continue on the line until he had gained the rear (if possible), of the, emigrants on
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the line, unless he found his supplies of mules and rations fail by giving them out to the needy before. My trip continued in all thirty-three days. Some days I travelled forty-five miles. The whole distance passed over by my party was, as estimated by me, 450 miles.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, etc.,
CHARLES L. KILBURN,
Brev. Captain U. S. A.
To Major D. H. RUCKER,
1st Dragoons, U. S. A.
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Sacramento City, Dec. 12th, 1849.
SIR In accordance With instructions received from you on the l4th of September last, I started with three men and two pack mules, the following morning for Lassen's Rancho, the extreme northern frontier settlement, where I was ordered to fit out an expedition to relieve the emigrants on the northern or Lassen route. On reaching the Rancho of Nye, Foster & Co., I deemed it advisable to purchase beef cattle at that place, as I could procure them on moderate terms, and have them delivered ready branded at the depot of Lassen's. Before reaching the last named place I succeeded in purchasing a number of pack mules, and in hiring several men for the trip, which enabled me to start for the mountains on the 22d. On that day the party met with a large number of emigrants on foot, and it was with the utmost difficulty we could keep the cattle in the road, unaccustomed, as all California stock is, to seeing man, except on horseback. Eighteen miles on the road the herd broke into several parties, and, into as many directions, and night coming on, and the jaded state of my animals rendering it impossible to get them all together in the rocky and broken hills over which the road passes, I was forced to gather as many as I could before dark, and drive them into a deep cañon, hard by, for security. The next day I started with 19 head, but killed three which could not be driven along and turned them over to families encamped there. On the 25th reached Deer Creek Valley, from which point I sent back three men. The next morning started for and entered the valley of Feather river, where I issued supplies to a number of destitute families and packers. Up to the 30th made good marches, and without aught happening worthy of record. On that day myself and three men contracted the mountain fever, and I sent two" of the men back to the settlements, as they were unable to mount their horses. The next day, at noon, descended into the valley of Pitt River, and travelled seven miles on the banks of that stream to good grass. The Indian fires blazed up in all directions, and being advised of the depredations committed upon the stock of the emigrants, the guard was doubled. The following day the fever raged with such violence that I was forced to halt. The next morning, at 9 o'clock, the guard fired upon some Indians, who were amongst our stock, and before we could get to them, although the distance did not exceed 200 yards, and every one, sick and well, jumped to their arms at once, the Indians succeeded in driving off six of our best animals. The next morning, the party on the trail, consisting of four persons, encountered between 400 and 500 Indians, and returned to me with news to that effect. I was advised to move to an emigrant train for the security of my stock, but I was too weak to do so. The next morning, however, I
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made a forward movement, but before night was convinced that I would only delay my party by remaining with them ; and having been kindly offered a place in Doctor Austin's wagon, and all the medical attention he could bestow, I started back on the morning of the 7th October, with the Washington City train, first having turned over the command of the party to E. H. Todd, one of the most experienced of men, and instructed him as follows :
" October 7th, 1849.
" This morning E. H. Todd will take the command of the relief party, and will proceed on without delay to the rear of the emigration on the northern route. He will at least go as far as Mud Lake, beyond the Sierra Nevada, unless he is well advised that all the emigration is over this side of it. He will issue provisions only to such as are in want, and will refer to the orders of Major Rucker to myself, for guidance in other matters."
" JNO. PEOPLES."
In his report to me, Mr. Todd uses the following language: " I reached the summit of the Nevada the day after I left you, and learning from a reliable source that the rear wagons were near me, I kept the beeves on this side, and took a man over with me to tell the emigrants where we were, and to bring them over. On the 16th, after seeing the last wagon pass over, and having issued all my supplies out, I started down, first having cautioned the emigrants to guard their cattle well, and urged them to hurry on down to Feather River, where I expected you would have supplies."
On the morning of the lath of October, the mountain fever having been broken on me by the skill of Dr. Austin, I started back towards the mountains with the party under your immediate command, and continued with you until the 20th, on which day you deemed it advisable to return to Feather river valley, with a small portion of the provisions, as you had satisfactorily learned where the rear of the emigration was. I left you with thirty-five wagon, pack and riding animals, two wagons loaded with provisions, and fifteen beef-cattle. The next day I met Todd's party returning from the mountains with eleven riding and pack animals, and ordered him to join my party. We entered Pitt river valley that evening, and being perfectly advised as to the whereabouts of the rear wagons, issued my supplies less sparingly to the few trains I met. The night of the 21st, the Indians made several attempts to drive off our stock, but we were too strong and too vigilant for them. The next morning, however, when we got ready to start, the valley and hillside were covered with them, and I was forced to send ahead a small party to drive them from the brush which lines the stream, to keep them from shooting arrows into my cattle. At 12 A. M. (22d) reached a point on the river which I knew afforded excellent grass, and from which it would be difficult for Indians to drive off our stock. In one day I expected the rear would be down to this point, and I could start back, but before dark a company of packers came in from the "St. Louis Train," and brought me a note stating that all their cattle had been stolen by the Indians, and that they were in great distress, although progressing slowly towards the settlement. If you recollect, I expressed to you my fears that the rear would lose their stock, but I never ex-
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pected that in a company of thirty-two able-bodied men, a guard would be neglected. Early the next morning, I dispatched five men to hurry them into my camp, advising them by letter that I had a sufficiency of provisions, and enough of wagon-room, to take in the twenty-five women and children. The 24th and 25th passed off in waiting for their arrival. Early on the morning of the 26th, so soon as it was light enough to distinguish objects, a band of Indians charged our camp, and although fired upon by the sentinels, succeeded in getting off my whole stock of beef-cattle. Fortunately, the ground I had selected was favorable to us, and by mounting our animals without saddles or bridles, we recaptured them in less than half an hour. About 10 o'clock the same morning, the St. Louis family train came in, and knowing that they were fickle-minded, I ordered the women, children, and sick men to get into my wagons, with a sufficiency of bed clothing, and that the heads of families should make three teams out of the ten they brought in, and start with me at 1 P. M. All agreed to it, but the men quarrelled, and having the women and children with me, I did not care how the rest got along, well convinced they would not stay far in the rear of their families ; and at 2 P. M. I started my trains, and made seven miles before night, when I encamped. The emigrant wagons all came in before ten o'clock, and at 12 o'clock at night, the Indian fires blazed up simultaneously from every elevated point. Believing that they intended to make a grand and last effort to drive off our stock and that of the emigrants, and seeing them plainly around the nearest fire to us, I sent out a party to attack and drive them off. The party I placed under the command of an Oregon man, named Young, with instructions to proceed to the rear of their camp and charge it. The instructions were carried out to the letter, and about one hour after this departure, the report of fire-arms at the enemies, camp convinced me that he had surprised those who were awaiting the setting of the moon to surprise us. Six were killed dead at the first fire of the rifles and carbines, and a considerable number wounded by the discharge of holster and revolving pistols. Those who escaped fled to the other fires with the news of their disaster, and soon all the hills were wrapt in a mantle of darkness. The result was that our camp and stock remained in uninterrupted quiet during the night, and when we left the next morning, the eye sought in vain for the forms of Indians, who had never failed before to show themselves to emigrants as they ascended out of Pitt river valley. On the 27th, I made a march of only 15 miles, disliking to leave even the men behind me, whilst there was a possibility of the Indians concentrating. The morning of the 29th, however, after urging the men to abandon their teams, without success, I told them that I should move on with the women and children; as fast as my mules could travel. A few took my advice, and two or three wagons were left behind, but a majority seemed determined to get in, with mining tools, cooking utensils, beds &c., or die with their wagons. On the 30th it clouded up and snowed, ahead, and in rear of us; that night it rained, and at 4, A. M., on the 31st, the wind shifted to the north, and suddenly back again to the south, which latter point it had no sooner regained, than the snow began to fall in heavy flakes. At daylight on the 31st, all the grass in the valley was covered with snow, and the animals being unable to feed, 1 had them all hitched up, and started as soon as possible. For the first time,
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some of the inactive emigrants began to fear and to feel that there was danger, and the change in their conduct was palpable enough ; two or three abandoned their teams, and others hitched up, with an alacrity unprecedented. During the day of the 31st, the snow continued to fall, and at times with such fury, as almost to blind us, and for fear of a heavy storm I kept the men and provisions in rear of the family wagons. The road getting heavy towards noon, I was forced to stop earlier than I contemplated when setting out, though fortunately in good grass. The snow continued to fall during the night, and on the morning of the first of November, it was impossible to see a spear of grass. I hurried off as quick as we could see to hitch the mules in, and on reaching the East Spring Feather River, the snow having melted somewhat, I unhitched and unpacked the mules, and drove them off to where I knew the grass was too high to be covered. It cleared up in the afternoon and I had hoped that the storm had passed over, but the next morning at 4 o'clock it was coming down heavier than ever.
So soon as we could see, we gathered up our animals and reached the wagons, where I found all the rear of the emigration with General Wilson, family, and escort up there. As soon as I could have the harness cleared of the snow, the mules were harnessed up, and the families started, the drivers having directions not to stop till they reached Feather river valley. After starting the wagons, I urged the emigrants to move on, and also Gen. Wilson. To the General I gave two mules to haul on his family carriage, and argued the propriety of his abandoning his wagons, and packing his mules lightly, He did not agree with me, and that night he lost all his mules in the storm, whilst mine were safely sheltered in the valley.
On the 3d I laid by in the valley to make arrangements to get away every body with me, and on the morning of the 4th, having dismounted all of my party, I had the mules hitched on to four wagons, and all the healthy women mounted on mules, and started. During that day, I made arrangements to take on three other families which I found at the crossing of the river, and thus left Feather river valley, with every woman, child, and sick man. There, unfortunately, our wagons were too heavily laden, and at noon, the snow having melted considerably, and the wagon wheels sinking deeply into the earth, the mules showed evident signs of weakness, and before night one team gave out, and with the utmost difficulty was driven into camp. At dark the wind shifted to the north, and had not a large fire been kindled around the animals, few would have survived the night. The snow fell during the whole night, and the next morning (25th) I was compelled to abandon a wagon, put more of the women on mules, and by increasing the other teams, moved off quite lively, though in crossing Deer Creek valley it. became so boggy, that had not the men of our party worked with the mules in pushing and pulling the wagons, not one could have ascended the hills ; as it was, we only got four miles this side of the valley where I encamped, determined that on to-morrow I would drive the wagons as near the settlements as possible ; but when daylight carne the next morning, I found that eight or ten of the best wagon mules were dead, and that others, as they were brought out from the centre of the herd, would occasionally drop down with numbness. Under the circumstances, I could not think of moving a wagon, so I ordered the men to put all the saddles in the
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camp on the animals, and called on all who were able to ride, to mount and start for the settlements. I left all of my provisions at the camp with the sick, (and set men to attend on them,) with the exceptions of one beef, a sack of bread, and a few pounds of bacon. After making eight or ten miles towards the settlements, the storm increased, and the snow became so deep that I was convinced of the impossibility of the women and children standing the trip in ; so, finding a few abandoned tents and empty wagons, I ordered a halt, deposited them and their bed-clothing, took off all the provisions from the mules, killed the last beef, built them large fires, and leaving one of the men to attend on them, bid them be of good cheer till I sent back from the settlements. We started then to get in as soon as possible ; six young women accompanying us on mule-back, and in three hours we were out of all traces of snow, but as night set in, it was accompanied by a heavy rain storm, which rendered it impossible to keep our mules in the road, and we were forced to stop, without shelter for the females until daylight, when we again started, and continued our march until late at night, when we reached the settlements. Cold and worn out as the party was, I gave them no rest, but went to work at once to procure provisions and animals to send back.
In getting provisions and forage I was very fortunate, but not so with beef. Cattle with oxen and mules for the sleigh were so high, that the stock could not be driven from the range, and it was not until the evening of the 12th that I succeeded in getting any oxen, and then only by going after them myself. On the morning of the 13th I started Mr. Todd, with five men and a wagon-master to bring in those whom I had left in the snow. I gave him 14 head of oxen, 24 riding and pack mules, and what I thought enough provisions to last his party and the emigrants ten days. I accompanied the party over the most difficult part of the road, and deeming it impracticable for wagons, ordered him, when he had brought the families out of the region of snow, and within striking distance of the settlements, to kill his oxen for beef, leave it with the emigrants, and come in himself with the mules. I also addressed by him a circular to those emigrants on the valley slope of the mountains, who were out of all danger of snow, telling them that I had only sent back enough supplies to bring in those from the snow, and that if they were awaiting relief, they had better move in at once, as my construction of General Smith's instructions did not warrant me in assisting them.
From the 13th to the 18th, the time was spent in hunting up our mules on Deer Creek, and Sacramento. On the evening of the last- named day, I received further instructions from you by the hands of Mr. Chadwick. Their principal purport was to bring the people out of the region of snow. Notwithstanding I was satisfied that what I had sent out by Mr. Todd would accomplish the object, I immediately set to work, purchased a lot of flour, pork, and wheat, and a few head of gentle beef cattle, with a view of starting out on the 20th, but the streams were so swollen I could not cross them. On the morning of the 21st, having spent the greater part of the previous night in rafting the supplies over, I again left the settlements, with about 400 lbs of flour, 150 lbs of pork, 5000 lbs of beef on the hoof,, 24 bushels of wheat, and a pack train of 17 mules and horses. The road was so boggy, that it took me until the
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night of the 23d, to make the 18 miles camp. At that place finding that I was within 5 or 6 miles of Todd's party who had with them all the families, and sick men I left the next morning all of my provisions at the camp and with the mules loose drove to the Steep Hollow where I found the oxen already hitched up for a start. In a few moments we started and before night reached the point where I left the provisions in the morning.
I was surprised to find what a beneficial effect the circular I had sent to the emigrants had upon them. There was scarce a tent or wagon to be found on the road which ten days before was literally lined with them. The few persons in the hills had determined to stay until they could get their wagons in; as they were satisfied no shelter could be obtained at Lassen's. Game was abundant all around them and they were probably better off there until the roads dry up.
On the evening of the 25th being within 7 miles of the valley with two wagons and it being a matter of doubt whether they could be taken in the next day, a man from St. Louis, by the name of Mara who had been on our hands with a large family for more than a month desired me to leave him in the game region and as he occupied a whole wagon with his family and effects I left him the wagon for shelter and all the provisions on hand. The next day I got into Davis, Rancho, with the rest of the families, where I was agreeably disappointed in meeting you—and from which time my report proper will close.
Such are the incidents I deemed necessary to furnish you of the operations of my party from the 15th of September to 27th November, but I must take occasion to remark that had the men of the rear emigration thought less of their property and more of the lives of their families, I could have brought them all to the valley before the storm; even the " St. Louis train," the rear of all, could have been out of the region of snow, had not the disposition to hold on to everything taking such absolute possession of them. I am now well convinced that had there been no relief party and some one out of their train to assume command of men, women, and children that most of them would have perished in the snow.
On arriving with the first emigrants into the settlements, I purchased provisions and subsisted those who were entirely destitute until I brought the last ones in. Other destitute persons I also subsisted until your arrival.
In conclusion I cannot, in justice to the men of my party, omit to mention to you their good conduct in our most trying scenes. They did everything that men could do to facilitate the progress of the family train ; and although not one of the party had a dry blanket or dry clothes for half a month, there was no complaint, but the harder the service, the greater the exertion. At every river or slough they stood ready to wade over with the women and children in their arms; and even after reaching the settlements, many of them took the money out of their own purses, and gave to the destitute.
In an accompanying paper you will find a list the provisions issued, and the persons who received them and also a list of the animals loaned.
Respectfully
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
Brevt. Major D. H. RUCKER
U. S. A.
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Camp at Daries, Nov. 20th.
Major D. H. RUCKER,
SIR : I arrived at this place on the evening of the seventeenth. We were detained one day at Potter's by high water. The cattle you instructed me to purchase at Bute Creek had been sold. Neal had four yoke, but his price was so high, $350, I thought we could not worst ourselves at Lawson's: As soon as I arrived, Mr. Peoples went to work to gather our animals, Davis and Lawson agreeing to furnish fat cattle ; they have been very slow, but we have procured two yoke. Mr. Carter has just arrived expressly from Todd, who was, when Carter left him (this morning,) thirty-two miles from this place with the rear of the emigration, with the exception of one woman. Captain Todd sent one man with two mules to bring her in, and she is now, no doubt, with Todd. We start to-morrow morning to meet Todd with the cattle and some flour ; the articles, Carter says, the people are in want of. We should have been off the eve after my arrival, could we have procured the cattle, but we shall be in ample time. Mr. Peoples thinks it best to send Mr. Rogers with three men, to the city. I will stay with Mr. Peoples until he has closed the whole business. We shall have about four hundred pounds of flour, that we shall divide among the destitute, of which there are many: I have advised Peoples to this course, of which I hope you will approve. I do not think that the whole expenditure will amount to more than five thousand dollars. Mr. Peoples had sent word to the emigration that they must try and work in, and it had a most excellent effect, as they have tried to help themselves, and will be in the valley in four days.
Truly yours,
E. C. M. CHADWICK.
Major D. H. RUCKER.
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Steep Hollow.
DEAR MAJOR : I have this morning come up to Mr. Chandler at this point ; his pack train is 20 miles ahead, four packs of bread and barley, and none here to go on and catch the train again this evening: Three of the wagons, with all the supplies for the emigrants, except some six sacks of bread, were obliged to be abandoned about 12 miles this side of Johnston's. The other wagon is now on the hill near this place—provisions on this route are at this time in abundance; and there is a large train now ahead, where they offer flour for ten dollars the hundred. A man asked one of Mr. Chandler's men this morning, if he knew where he could sell six hundred pounds of bacon. A man of the emigration told Mr. Chandler this morning; that he had seen a man yesterday in Bear Valley, who had gone over the mountains on this route, to relieve some friends whom he found had taken the other route ; that on learning this fact, he had offered his provisions, (flour, bacon, &c.,) at 20 and 25 cents per pound, and could not dispose of it, that the emigrants all said they had plenty, to whom he applied. The wants of the emigrants on this route seems to be principally, if not entirely, in transportation. Mr. Chandler and myself concur in opinion on this last and important fact. In case it be advisable, I think I can exchange the provisions in the wagons for provisions now ahead and cacheing, or using the same profit, both parties.
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There is no grass on the road. If you think best, you of course can take up the three wagons, and if I do exchange them, I will make an arrangement to pay a reasonable market value for the provisions on ahead from Johnston's. I have only passed about 25 wagons, but there are, I believe, many near the road, but out of sight from it. Mr. Chandler requests me to say, that in leaving his wagons, he intended to return for the provisions, but finds his mules so weak that he is unable to do so, and have them worth anything on the return-route. Several mules of his party gave out yesterday ;—both of my men had to stop yesterday, sick and unable to go on ; I have procured two others in their place. I write under a broiling sun, and a stone for a table, so excuse, &c.
Very respectfully, &c.,
KILBURN.
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Near Johnston's Rancho, Oct. 7th, 1849.
E. C. MARCH, Esq.,
DEAR SIR : Kilburn and Chandler have forsaken the Truckey river route, and as I was ordered to co-operate with them, I have taken the responsibility of bringing the stock back to this point, and shall in one hour strike across for the Carson river route ; by so doing, I save some 50 miles. I can meet Kilburn and Chandler who have gone on that route, but could never have come near them on the other, in fact I could never have got my stock over the mountains twice, had I attempted to follow them. The best information obtained by me from all quarters, and the fact that the parties in advance of me have gone to the Carson river route, has induced me to strike for that route, being satisfied that this road is nearly deserted, those who are upon it being as far as Bear Valley, and entirely out of danger.
Had there been any one to report to at the city, I should have returned and turned in the stock, or awaited further orders—as it is, knowing the stock was brought for the relief of the emigrants, I can, under the circumstances, do more service by pursuing the course above indicated, than in any other way.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. FOREMAN.
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Four miles beyond Bear Valley, Sept. 28, 1849.
DEAR MAJOR : Mr. Chandler's packs are just arriving in this camp. Mine are now ahead some twelve miles. Dr. White, who is the hearer of this, will convey to you all the remaining facts in regard to emigration on this route. On a consultation with him and Mr. Chandler, and knowing our utter uselessness on this route, I have determined to keep in this route until I pass the mountains, and then, turning to the right strike the Carson river route, where all tell me our transportation and cattle are very much needed. Your instructions to me and Mr. Chandler require us to proceed on this route, to the rear of the emigrants on this route, and assisting them all that is possible, return back. As we can gain the Carson route, they tell me, in six days from this camp, and to reach this same point by returning via Johnston's would require about seventeen days, I am the more confirmed in my decision. The responsibility,
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I am aware, is great ; but as this matter was discussed before my departure from Sacramento, and you gave me partial authority to change, I hope the now intended destination of the trains will be approved by you. The rations in the wagons, mentioned in a former letter, are not needed on this route. I would endeavor still to get them, and carry them on, but the mules are unable to do so and be fit for use where wanted. There is but one train now ahead of us on this route, that I can hear of. Mr. Chandler is of the same opinion as myself as regards the change of our route. Many mules were abandoned by him this morning, as unable to go and return over the mountains.
Very respectfully, etc.,
C. L. KILBURN.
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Nyer Rancho, September 23d, 1849.
DEAR MAJOR : I arrived here this morning. On arriving at Johnston's ranch yesterday, I found that this ranch was off the road fifteen miles, and that the cattle would have to return to the main road again from here. As this would be the case, I left a note for Mr. Chandler, saying that I would come over here and get the cattle, and bring them fifteen miles on the road beyond Johnston's, at which point I calculated we should meet, and he was to take them up after my arrival here. Your corporal came in, and said Mr. Chandler had passed Johnston's ranch this morning, and expected me to have the cattle brought to him at Steep Hollow, which is four days march from here, and the contract was for their delivery two days ahead only, and Mr. Cooley, who is to fulfil the contract for Nye & Foster, says he can take them no farther than the two days. This being the case, it becomes impossible for me to take the cattle, (I would hire, but there is no one to hire, particularly with horses,) as I could not take them alone, besides I do not think it necessary, as there will, I think, be enough of provisions on this route, particularly with the sixty work cattle which you are now sending. The remainder of the cattle contracted for can and had better all go together on the other trail, as there are many more wagons on that route than on this (they say, some two thousand). Mr. Chandler sent me word that if I took men from him to drive the cattle, it would leave him short-handed, and desired me to hire if possible. Under all these circumstances, and the fact staring me in the face that I should probably lose them in the mountains when turned over to me at the end of two days, if I could not get a sufficiency of hands, I hope you will approve my course. I now will push on and overtake Mr. Chandler, and help him through the mountains.
Very respectfully, etc.,.
C. L. KILBURN
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Sacramento City, October 1st, 1849. ,
MY DEAR SIR : Dr. Worthley, captain of one of the trains on Carson River route, arrived yesterday by express from the suffering emigrants there to beg relief from the citizens in this place, not having been apprized of the expedition in your charge.
He passed 140 wagons on Carson River, many of which had returned
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from the Truckey route, and says that many will not be able to cross the mountains without assistance from this side.
He found many families on foot, the mules and oxen having failed, or been stolen and killed by the Indians.
Dr. W. brings his express, from Dr. B. B. Brown, a distinguished citizen of St. Louis, and, probably not unknown to you. His family were with him on foot, having lost all his cattle. He says, that the emigrants are all abundantly supplied with provisions, and that they need nothing but transportation and forage, principally the latter, as the supply of grass has entirely given out.
Col. March considers it his duty to inform you of these circumstances by express, and says that if you concur with him in opinion, he will endeavor to co-operate with you to the extent of his ability in giving relief to the sufferers. He is satisfied that nothing but animals and forage is necessary to afford that relief, and in that view proposes to send out at once 50 pack mules, or less, accompanied by one or two wagons loaded with barley exclusively ; and that if it meets with your approbation our Mr. Harris shall take charge of the train. Since your departure, good mules, suitable for this purpose, have become abundant, and Col. M. says he can buy, load and despatch the train for Carson river, inside of forty-eight hours.
The bearer of this, Dr. Henry D. Stratton, will inform you more fully in regard to the objects of this letter ; he is a gentleman worthy of all confidence.
If you approve the views of Col. M., relative to the importance of extending another branch to your charitable mission, you can communicate with Col. March or us by the hands of Dr. S., who will return immediately, as the friends of Dr. Brown and others are awaiting your reply with anxiety, intending to appeal to the citizens for relief, in case they fail to obtain it from the government. An express has this moment come in from Capt. Kilburn, which Col. March took the liberty to open. Please find it herein.
We remain, very truly, your obedient servants,
SMITH, BENSLEY & CO.
Brvt. Major. D. H. RUCKER,
In charge of Relief Party on the road.
P. S. Dr. Brown estimates the whole number of wagons on the Carson river route at 300. The gentleman that comes from him passed us above 140.
S., B. & CO.
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On Pitt River, Oct. 21st, A. M.
MAJOR : At this point I met Todd's party and Mr. Hicks. I was surprised at the appearance of Todd, but he stated that he had given away all his provisions, and seen the last of the emigration over the mountains, and he thought he would be of no further service to them. He left the mountains on the evening of the 16th, and passed not more than 40 wagons on the road.
Fearing only that the rear will be annoyed much by Indians, and that the families may lose all their cattle, I thought it best to proceed up this
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river two or three days, with the wagons and beef cattle, establish a camp in a secure place, and take five or six men, and go myself some distance up the road, to be assured that no one is left.
In taking back the party of, Todd with me, I believe that they will be necessary, as the Indians are fast forming combinations on the river. It will, however, make but a day or two difference in their pay.
Respectfully,
JNO. H. PEOPLES.
By coming with Mr. Hicks, you will be able to obtain more information, as he has been longer with Todd. I will be off in half an hour.
J. H. P.
Mr. Lord came down with the men, and helped to stand guard, and furnished them more provisions.
As he was riding one of Todd's own horses, I told him to take it down to you at Feather river.
PEOPLES.
P. S. I think you can safely issue all your rations, and take your party in, for if there are not more than 40 or 50 wagons, I can have enough to do us in.
To packers and families, whom we have refused .on the road, you could give them something out of your lot.
PEOPLES.
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Lawson's Rancho, September 22d, 1849.
SIR : Up to this morning I was unable to obtain the services of a single Indian or Mexican Vacquers, and in consequence, have employed nine Americans to accompany me. One hour ago, (near 10 A.M.,) I sent off my cattle, and half an hour later the pack-mules.
Craig has been unwell, and I have not been able to find out anything about the provisions he spoke of, for there is no officer or soldier of the army here. Unable as I was then to obtain any rations for the men I employed, I was forced to purchase, and as the drafts I gave will testify the amount I paid for them is exceedingly high, although following in the wake of Warner's party, I have not paid more than $150 per month for men, although the price for animals is high. The surveying party ahead of me have paid $300 per month for men, and at a proportional rate for animals. Still, I have got along better than could have, been expected. I have given drafts for about $4500, and if I can get a few more horses, it will increase it several hundreds more, though I am; fearful I cannot procure the animals.
Major, I have not time to, write you a long letter, or in a humor to pen you a descriptive one, for I have been working for two hours at and with a wild mule, and all the skin is torn off my hands.
The gentlemen who will hand you this, will furnish you with information relative to the route, whom I have induced to proceed over and, hand you this.
I am well satisfied that the number of families on this road far exceeds anything we thought of whilst below, and I am almost induced to
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believe that the only suffering will be on this route, as it is 400 miles farther than the other roads. I think, then, from all I can learn, Major, that you had better send more supplies on this road.
I have, as I said, nine men engaged, but am in too much of a hurry to give you their names, Major, for I have been so bothered in this morning of starting.
I can only add, that I will go according to your directions, and to the farthest wagon on the road, and will do all that I can to carry out your orders.
Respectfully,
JNO. H. PEOPLES.
Mr. J. H. Saxton, the bearer of this, I have directed to give you all the information he possessed, and I have promised him twenty dollars for handing you this in three days, including to-day.
JNO. H. PEOPLES.
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Davis, Rancho, November 12th, 1849.
DEAR SIR: Since I addressed you by Mr. Rogers, I have made every exertion to get in the fresh mules, but without success. I have sent out Indians, and my own men on foot and on horseback. Under the circumstances I thought it best to purchase a few work cattle and five or six pack mules, and send Captain Todd with them to the rear, where I left my wagons. I thought it best to remain here myself until I hear from you. If, on the receipt of a communication from you, I am not authorized to make further exertions, I will immediately mount, and start back to bring in Captain Todd myself. I think, major, seriously and privately, that to bring in all those who have stayed behind, will be out of the question with the means at your disposal. I think, that with the extra expenditures I have made for cattle and provisions, that I can bring those who are in distress near enough to the settlements, for the heads of families to come in and purchase what is necessary. That is probably as far, major, as you can go, for as I remarked before, to bring in all who have kept in the rear, will cost you more than your original amount. This will be handed you by Corporal Gessner, who will bring down the following men, whom you can discharge :—Isaac Johnson, Jas. Brown, Ignatius M'Callahan, S. Mendenhall, J. A. White, T. Mularkey, William Kaldoo. You have all their names, and will be able, by reference to the list I gave you on the evening before we separated, to distinguish the prices to be paid them. ,As they were all in need here, major, I allowed them to open an account with Mr. Davis, which I have drawn for, and which you will find on the account of each discharge presented you. All of those whom I engaged, I hired for one hundred and fifty dollars per month, and you must discriminate between them. I have sent back two of those whom I engaged at that price, whose wages I have taken the responsibility of raising, because I believed them to be of more value, than any three of those to whom you pay $200 per month. Two I have also kept here with me, two of my old men whose wages I have raised to the amount of $200 per month, rather than retain two of your men, as I wished them to hunt up animals, and they are well qualified for that purpose.
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I have purchased, major, seven yoke of cattle, and about $500 worth of provisions, which I have drawn on you for.
The whole amount will be less than three thousand dollars.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
P. S.—To Corporal Gessner and Mr. Todd I am deeply indebted, for they have rendered me infinite service, the whole of which I am willing to refer to Corporal Gessner.
I have bought seven yoke of cattle, at $200 per yoke, and about six pack mules, at $150 each, and about $600 worth of provisions.
J.H. PEOPLES.
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October 22d, 2 P. M.
MAJOR: Mr. Camp, the bearer of this, crossed the mountains on the 15th. He says that there were but four wagons beyond the summit on that day. On the 16th, Todd's party was to start back with the rear. He had killed all but one cow, and had exchanged some beef for flour, bacon, rice, &e., which he was issuing to the needy. For fear of accident he had sent a man ahead to look out for wagons. I will not, I think, go more than two days on Pitt river, but I will be assured where the rear is before returning.
Mr. Camp will give you all the information in his power.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
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October 24th, 5 P. M.
MAJOR : I sent a party yesterday to the St. Louis train. It was within 25 miles of me last night, and will be in to-morrow, so that the day after I will start back. There is a man by the name of White, who refused to leave with them. He was picking up everything that was thrown away, and having with him two years, provisions, will probably stay at the foot of the mountains, and establish a ranch. Of course I shall pay no attention to him. There are with me now 10 family wagons, which with those that will come up to-morrow, will be able to make headway against all the combined Indians.
The government party from fort Leavenworth to Oregon were trying to get volunteers to help to recapture their lost animals ; but the emigrants preferred moving down.
Make yourself easy, major, on our account, and act as though you had the last of the emigration with you.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
P. S.---I keep all the men on guard, day and night, and I think the red-skins will make nothing off of me.
P.
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Fourteen miles up Pitt River, Oct. 22d.
MAJOR : As I expected, the Indians swept the cattle off the rear, and the emigrants are in a devil of a fix. On the night of the 19th, notwithstanding the repeated injunctions of Todd, the Indians came into a sleepy camp, and drove off all the cattle. I have a letter addressed to Gen. Smith from them, and signed by 29 persons, requesting aid in provisions and teams ; I would send you the letter, but I deem it of much importance to you, and fear it may be lost. I am now satisfied of being near the rear, and will go, or send a party to-morrow morning, to bring them to my camp, where I am recruiting, which I think they will reach the next night.
There are, the letter says, 25 women and children. Those I have determined to put in the two wagons, pack the mules with provisions, and hurry in after sending all their men-folks ahead on foot.
I still think what provisions I have will suffice to bring all into the valley, and would advise you to issue all you have in Feather River Valley.
Gentlemen who left the mountains on foot on the 20th, advise me of a party of U. S. soldiers, or hired men, who came in the valley this side the mountains on the 19th, who also lost most of their animals.
They were from Fort Leavenworth, bound for Oregon by this route. They stated that they met no emigrant wagons the other side of the Sierra Nevada.
The person who will hand you this can give you more particulars.
Respectfully,
JNO. PEOPLES,
Major D. H. RUCKER.
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Near Head of Feather River, Sep. 25th, 1849.
Major RUCKER,
DEAR SIR : Thus far have I progressed, and with considerable difficulty, The road is rough in the extreme, leading for a considerable portion of the way, over a ridge with two deep Cañon, one on either side. It would have been difficult to have driven beef cattle along in an ordinary time, but where one hundred wagons, with numerous loose cattle are, it is almost an impossibility ; and the result, up to this time is, the complete knocking up of our best riding animals, and the loss of several cattle. Notwithstanding, I have kept the best and greater portion of the men with me to drive the cattle ; seven or eight have been lost by breaking to the right and left when meeting trains, and the impossibility of getting them back to the road in consequence of three or four all breaking off in different directions. I run one myself for more than two miles before I could overtake it, in consequence of the roughness of the ground, and then was forced to shoot it, because I could not drive it back ; such was the case with several others, but the beef was not lost to emigrants, though it was to us, as it was generally given to footmen and packers, from whom the amount taken was so small, that I did not deem a receipt from such necessary to you. Three or four other cows have given out from their being too fat, and their tallow melting by the road. These I had carefully dressed, and hung up for the emigrants,
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telling all I met to cut off what would do them for a day or two. I have here, now, but thirteen head, and I started with thirty, having purchased four gentle oxen, and having a calf thrown in with the twenty-five head first purchased. If I continue to meet as many trains, and have as much difficulty to-morrow as I have had, I will stop, kill, and jerk every one of them, and pack them on the mules and riding horses. In that event I will leave the major part of those with me on the head of Pitt River, and pack the others to the rear of the emigration.
The stories are still so conflicting, that it is impossible for me to judge of the number of wagons on the road ; some will say 4,000 wagons, and others 1,500 ; some say there will be much suffering, and others that there will be none. With the exception of a few footmen, I have met none in absolute want.. Many have abandoned their wagons back, and are flocking in.
I left Craig sick at Lawson's, to follow me, but I do not think he will be able to come. He has a horse, and I requested him to get two others which stampeded and went down to the Rancho from which I brought them. He will bring them down to you in a few days, I think, if he has not already arrived.
The bearer of this, Robert Martin, I hired on the 18th instant, but have too many men for the number of cattle now on hand ; you can either retain him in your service, or pay him off up to the day of his arrival in Sacramento City. He is a good and willing boy, I think ; his salary is $150 per month.
I was so fatigued, worried and excited on the morning I wrote to you from Lawson's, that I do not know whether I wrote everything I should have done. I had been chasing cattle over the prairies, hunting up mules and horses, and otherwise perplexed so much that I fear an apology is necessary for the hurried and unconnected manner in which it was prepared ; however, I think Craig will give you everything in detail.
Colonel Casey has no provisions he will spare until he hears from Captain Warner. At his (Casey's) camp, all the officers and soldiers are down with the fever.
Major—I will push on, and do all I can ; and in conclusion, let me advise you to send no more live cattle on this route, should you decide that more provisions are necessary.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
Martin has a mule he will turn over to you.
I have to write on my knees.
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Davis' Rancho, November 9th, 1849.
SIR : On the 25th ult., I left Pitt River with all the families of the St. Louis train in my wagons, with an abundance of provisions, to bring them into the settlements in an ordinary time, and the bed-clothing of the families on all the extra mules which had no provisions on them. In this way, I succeeded in fairly driving the rear of the emigration to the valley of the Sunken river, (where we halted for a day in going up); at that place we encamped on the night of the 30th, which set in with a drizzling rain. Although I had all the families with me, and feeding
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them from my supply of provisions, the heads of them persisted in driving along their broken down teams, the wagons loaded from the bed to the top of the bows ; no argument of mine could induce them to abandon a thing, and they would drive their poor oxen till 12 o'clock at night to catch up with my train. On the night of the 20th three or four failed to make camp, and on the morning of the 31st, the ground being covered with snow, I started off without regard to them. On that day the snow fell in heavy flakes, and the storm continued with such fury, that I was only enabled to make the first camp where I met you ; all night, too, the storm continued, and when morning broke forth every spire of grass was covered. I saw at once, that if my animals were not quickly hitched up they would freeze, and without waiting for breakfast, I started off the wagons, pack mules and beef cattle, and urged upon the owners of the ox teams to do the same, but some of them were foolish enough to remain there. At noon I reached the Lake or east branch of Feather river, and the snow having melted considerably, I unhitched the mules and had them driven at once to good grass, some distance left of the road. The next morning the storm was raging and the snow deeper on the ground than ever, I of course hurried the mules up to the wagons and had them started at once, telling the drivers not to stop till they got into Feather river valley. I found that all the wagons which had not been abandoned had come up, and also Gen. Wilson, the Indian agent, his family and an escort. The general had lost nearly all his mules in the valley of the Nevada, and those he had could hardly stand up ; I turned over to him two mules to haul the carriage containing his family, and urged him to leave his wagons and pack his mules so as to get them into the valley. At three P. M., my wagons reached the valley and remained the next day. On the morning of the 4th I started with all the women, children and helpless men in the valley, and intended to reach Deer Creek that night, but before getting into the first bill, my animals in the wagons began to fag, and before ascending the first raise, one team was completely knocked up, and I was forced to encamp a mile this side of Bute Creek for them to come up, here it snowed all night, and the next day it was with the utmost difficulty we could get over Deer Creek valley. Every man was on foot, including myself, and have been since our departure from Feather river, and not only the animals in use, but every man pushing against the hinder parts of the wagons. In that way, a few hours before night set in on the 5th, we ascended the big hill this side of the valley. I had 30 bundles of hay given to the mules, and all tied close together and near the fire, but when I aroused the camp at four A. M., preparatory to a start at daylight, the guard told me that several of the mules were frozen, and when it was light enough to see, I found seven or eight of the best ones dead, and several others going fast. In this state of things, after a few moments reflection, I thought to attempt to move a single wagon was folly ; so I ordered every mule that could stand up to be saddled, and then, called upon such women as could ride to mount and start ahead at once, thinking that by this means I might get half of the mules and half of the emigration into the valley by the next day. Several healthy ladies refused to go in consequence of the storm, and others because they had no side-saddles to ride on. To such I gave to understand that on my return I should pay little at-
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tention to them. Eleven women and some half a dozen children started with me, but the storm became so furious, and the snow so deep " at the Springs in the road," that, finding some abandoned tents and wagons, I caused all but six young ladies to dismount, as I saw it was impossible that the young ones could stand the ride. I left with them every particle of provision I had brought from the other camp, and killed a large beef, so that they could remain comfortable for ten days. Eight or ten miles from that camp, the snow suddenly disappeared, and gave place to a violent rain, which came down so fast, with an east wind, that we could neither see the road, nor drive the mule, and we were forced to encamp in the rain; without food for ourselves or animals. As soon as it was light, we started on the living mules, now reduced to one-half, pushed them on till we got into the oaks. Over those hills the road was so terribly cut up, that we could proceed only at a snail's pace, and did not get into the valley until near daylight on the 8th. Major, you can form no conception of the road, for 20 miles back, wagons are buried in the mud, up to the bed, and cattle lying all around them. It is impossible to ride the strongest horse along it, and if they deviate one foot from the road, they are irretrievably lost. Before I left Feather River, I sent Mr. Rogers with three men to come to this point and gather up our mules, but on my arrival they had but six or eight, and they poorer than those I brought in. The weather has been so bad, that it is impossible almost to ride along the valley in search of animals. Under these circumstances I was sorely perplexed, but at last made up my mind to buy some fat and gentle oxen, and with them haul in the families to the oaks, and out of the region of snow. If I can get the cattle to the wagons, I can subsist them on oak leaves for a few days, or until I can haul the wagons some 25 miles. I shall be forced to buy some flour, (about 400 pounds,) and take out the two barrels of pork now here. I shall do nothing further until I hear from you.
I have, as I stated elsewhere, all the families this side of Deer Creek valley, and from that point they arc encamped all along the road to this place.
A large camp has been established 30 miles from here, where a valley of grass has been recently found, and where an abundance of game abounds. The families there seem contented, and in no hurry to come in. I feel myself bound to do all I can to get in those I left, but can do nothing for those on this side of them. To get all into the valley would cost (in the present condition of the roads) more than the original amount you set out with, and whether your instructions would warrant you in attempting, is a matter which rests with you.
The calomel I took on Pitt river has settled in my legs, since I have been wading in snow and water, and I am hardly able to move, still I will not abandon the expedition ; but I think it best that I start a trusty man with the cattle and pack-mules, and remain here until I can hear from you, in order that I may go out more amply prepared, if you decide on sending a more extended relief. If you do not advise me, I will start at once, and do all I can with the limited means I will send ahead. I have been enabled to get a quantity of wheat, and can subsist my mules for a short time in any weather. I left eight men, teamsters, with the families, with instructions to help them with fires, and anything they may need. I would have left more, but I did not wish them to consume the provisions.
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Advise me of your intentions, Major, as quick as possible, in order that I may start back myself. The families can be brought out of the region of snow, and near enough to the settlements to procure provisions for about $1,500 I think; but to bring all the sick and helpless into the valley, would swell that amount manifold.
I have written this in a great hurry, and it is disconnected. Mr. Rogers and Dr. Austin will state to you many particulars which I have not time to put down. I shall start down eight or nine men to be discharged to morrow. Please to defer payment to any one who has not a certificate from me.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. PEOPLES.
P. S. There is some doubt about my getting cattle, but I will try hard. One man has just returned, who was unable to reach the range.
J. H. P.
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Benicia, Cal., December 23, 1849.
SIR : Enclosed I have the honor to forward my report, journal, &c., of my operations for the relief of overland emigrants.
Circumstances compelled me in my expenditures to overrun the amount mentioned in my instructions, as available for that purpose.
But the proceeds of the sales of animals, &c., returned, more than covered the entire expenditure, and I had a small balance to turn over to Major Allen on the settlement of my accounts.
I sold these animals on my own responsibility, believing that it was for the interest of the government to do so. I found it impossible to keep them herded safely, and numbers were being lost every night ; and to get grain and hay for them was impossible.
I hope Gen. Smith will approve of my course—if so, I will be thankful for a letter stating it, as it may be of assistance to me in the settlement of my accounts.
I have the honor to be, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
D. H. RUCKER,
Brvt. Maj., U. S. Army.
Col. HOOKER,
Asst. Adj. Gen., U. S. A.
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Post near Benicia, Cal., Dec. 20th, 1849.
SIR: I have the honor to report, that in obedience to instructions from head-quarters, Pacific Division, dated "Benicia, August 27th, 1849," and received by me at camp Stanislaus, on the evening of the 1st September. I left that place on the morning of the 2d and reached Benicia on the 4th, where I found detailed instructions in relation to the duty on which I was ordered—that of organizing parties, and proceeding with animals and provisions to the relief of emigrants, en route, by land to California.
On the 9th September, having made the necessary arrangements at this post, and placed 13,000 rations on board the transport schooner
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"Invincible," I left on that vessel for "Sacramento City," which place I reached on the morning of the 11th. On landing I found that but few mules had been purchased for the expedition by the agents authorized so to do by Major Allen ; as those in the neighborhood that were suitable for the purpose were scarce and very dear. Accordingly I dispatched a number of persons to the ranchos in the vicinity and to the mines, to purchase the necessary number, while I was engaged in hiring a few men and establishing a camp below the town. The next day, 13th, was mostly occupied in the endeavor to find out on which route the major part of the emigrants were coming. This was a difficult matter ; but the generally received opinion was, that the greatest number were on the Truckio or Bear river route, and that there the most assistance would be necessary. That there was no scarcity of provisions on either route was concluded by all ; but the lack of animals to transport them, would force many to abandon all they had. I therefore determined to start a pack mule train at once, and to send my first and largest party on the Truckio route. A short time after I had come to this determination, Captain Craig, an emigrant, called on me and stated that he had just arrived by the northern or Tassow route, and that he was of opinion that a large number of emigrants had taken that route, expecting to find it better and grass more abundant. He expected much suffering among them, from the fact, that the route was reported much shorter than it really was, and that already the emigrants had thrown away provisions to lighten their loads, retaining only a sufficient quantity to bring them to the valley of the Sacramento, a distance he had found much greater than was reported at the fork of the roads, and thence the danger of suffering for food. Upon further enquiry I found Captain Craig's statement to be substantially correct, and at once determined to send a party the next day with beef, cattle and mules. Accordingly, on the 14th I dispatched Mr. Peoples to " Tassen's Rancho," 110 miles north of Sacramento City, and where this road first strikes the valley of the Sacramento, with instructions to buy 25 head of beef cattle and a few pack mules, to proceed to the rear of the emigration on that route, and to inform me by express of the extent of their wants and miseries. During that day I heard various accounts of the wants and whereabouts of the emigrants, but they were contradictory, and it was impossible to decide on which route the most of them were coming, for each informant asserted to be the route he had just travelled. Even at the ranchos and at the mines it was impossible to obtain serviceable mules, although numbers of poor ones were offered, and consequently it was not until the 17th that I could dispatch a party on the Truckey route, which I then did under the command of Mr. Chandler, who was preceded the day before by Captain Kilbourne, whom I have employed to take the general superintendence of all parties in that direction, and to have the cattle I had purchased gotten up and ready for the party of Mr. Chandler as it came along. I also gave him verbal instructions, that if the whole of his supplies were not needed on the Truckio route, to take or send them over to the Carson route, if he heard that they were needed in that direction. This party started out in the afternoon, with a view of crossing the American river that night ; but the men, notwithstanding they assured me that they were good packers when I hired them, know nothing of the business. This I feared, but it was impos-
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siblc to obtain the services of a sufficient number of Mexicans, while those I did employ mostly deserted, (in some instances taking a horse or a mule with them,) and the result was, the turning of packs, and the running away of mules prevented their progress. The next day, however, they again started, but made so little progress that I determined to send a few wagons for the heavier freight, to be taken so far as the roads would permit. With their aid the party again started on.
Having received a letter from Mr. McGee on the 10th, relative to the emigrants on the northern and Tassen routes, I determined to go in that direction myself with a party, and as my inquiries satisfied me that the road from Tassen's to the mountains was feasible for wagons, I determined to use them to transport my provisions. From the 20th to the 26th, I was occupied in buying mules, oxen and wagons, and in hiring men. The latter service was very difficult, notwithstanding I was forced to raise the pay to $200 per month. In the meantime, I had received some government mules from Monterey, but many of them were too poor for service, and feeling confident that if I left them behind they would be nearly all lost; after a board of survey was held ; I determined to sell them. Good mules and oxen continued to raise in price : the former could not be bought for less than $180 to $100, and the latter readily commanded from $175 to $200 a pair. Having thirty odd yoke of oxen on the 26th, fat enough for beef, I despatched them to Mr. Chandler, with twenty pack mules, by Colonel Foreman, having previously advised Mr. C. by letter that they would be sent, and subject to his order, and that he might give an order to any emigrants in need for them. By the same person I also sent two wagon loads of barley to subsist my mules and oxen and those of the emigrants. Everything being in readiness for the departure of my own party on the northern route, I started Mr. Rogers, on the morning of the 27th, for Tassen's rancho, with seven wagons loaded with provisions, with orders to await my arrival at that point. After his departure, I closed my business to a certain extent, appointed Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co. my agents to receive and take charge of such animals as might be brought in during my absence, and also to pay off and discharge any of the parties that might return before me. This being accomplished, I left Sacramento city the next morning with a wagon load of provisions and about fifty mules, and on the 1st of October reached Tassen's rancho on Deer Creek. I was there told that I could not take my wagons over the mountains, although assured to the contrary before I left Sacramento city. Failing to obtain pack saddles for the mules, and not wishing to delay, I determined to start with four of the lightest wagons, after putting the provisions up in bags, which considerably lightened the load. Accordingly, on the 4th, having, the day previous, sent off forty-four head of beef cattle under charge of Captain Gessner, 1st dragoons, and five men with orders to await me at Deer Creek valley, I started the four wagons and a few mules packed, and was about to start myself, when received an express from my agents in Sacramento city, stating that an express had arrived from some families on the Carson river route, and asking aid from the citizens of that place. They had provisions enough, but had lost their cattle by death and otherwise, and were unable to get in. I wrote to Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., directing them to forward without delay forty mules and ten pair of oxen to assist them in.
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As soon as I had despatched a return express, I started and soon overtook the wagons; the rocky road very much impeding their progress. On, the 6th, we reached the Big Hill, the supposed barrier to wagons going east, but after unloading them and packing the provisions over on mules by doubling teams, and with the assistance of the men with ropes, I succeeded in getting them over. With the exception of the broken and rocky country over which the road passed, and the meeting of many wagons and many destitute persons, to whom I issued provisions, nothing worthy of notice occurred. On the 8th, I reached Deer Creek valley, where I found my beef-cattle and the party mentioned awaiting my arrival with the wagons. At this point I found the first grass since my leaving the Sacramento valley, which seemed to refresh my half-famished animals. Here I had determined to remain a day, but on my arrival, hearing that the grass was better at Feather river valley, I started for that place on the morning of the 9th, and arrived on the afternoon of the next day, where I remained until the morning of the 12th. Before leaving the valley, I established there a small depot of provisions, leaving a few, of the poorest animals, all in charge of Mr. Rogers and a few men. Early on the morning of the 13th, I sent Mr. Hicks forward well mounted to proceed to the rear of the emigration, and to return to me with the utmost despatch, with a true statement of their number and probable wants. By him I also sent a circular to the emigrants, admonishing them of the lateness of the season and of the necessity of their hurrying on, urging them who had weak teams to throw away all heavy articles, and in fact everything that would be useless on the road.
The next day I was so violently attacked with the mountain fever, that I could not sit on my horse, and was forced to be hauled in a wagon. On the 16th I was too unwell to move, and remained encamped during the day, but the next day I started and continued my marches until the 19th, when being perfectly satisfied of the number and whereabouts of the rear of the emigrants, I deemed it advisable to return to Feather river valley, with a small portion of the provisions and cattle, believing that I had besides a sufficiency for those ahead, and enough to spare to those whom I was forced to issue on the road, until I could be well advised of the wants of those ahead. Accordingly on the morning of the 20th, I instructed Mr. Peoples, (who had been stricken down with the fever, but who had somewhat recovered, and had again reported for duty,) to take charge of the party and advance to the rear of the emigration ; and, uniting with his original party, facilitate the progress of the emigration as much as possible. I turned over to him everything but one wagon, a little bread, eleven head of cattle, and a few of the poorest mules, with which I returned to Feather river valley, and at which place I arrived on the 24th.
From the moment of my arrival at Lasson's, on my way out, the applications began to pour in for relief, and although my instructions did not warrant me in relieving those who had reached the settlement, I could not refuse a biscuit and a slice of pork to those whom I thought were hungry, and stated that they had not the means of procuring food. From that point to where I turned back to Feather river valley, the applications for food were hourly. And in the sixteen days travel not less than one hundred and fifty families, and double that number of footmen, were relieved by me.
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In the meantime, I had also loaned to several helpless men, and to men to transport such women, several mules.
I remained in Feather river valley on the 25th and 20th, and finding a number of families there destitute of teams, I loaned them mules enough to haul their wagons in. On the afternoon of the 26th, I received a letter from Mr. Peoples, informing me that the Indians had stollen most of the animals belonging to the rear teams of the emigrants, and that he was near them with his party. Also advising me that he had animals enough to bring in the women, children, and sick men of that train, and a sufficiency of provisions to subsist them to the settlements. I determined, therefore, to start the next day for Sacramento city, as I was anxious to hear from the parties on the other routes, and accordingly left for Tasson's rancho, on the 27th, leaving behind me Mr. Rogers with five men, a few animals, and some provisions to await, assist, and come in with Mr. Peoples. I also instructed Mr. Rogers, before leaving, to cut and dry hay for the party of Mr. Peoples, by the time he came up.
When I left Feather river, I contemplated reaching Tasson's in two days, but a few hours, ride convinced me that my illness incapacitated me for the task, and consequently, I did not get in until the afternoon of the 29th. Before starting to Sacramento city, which I did the next day, I despatched an express to Mr. Peoples, urging him to hasten in with the emigrants, and informing him that all of the old settlers here predicted an early winter, and consequently, there was great danger of his being caught in a snow storm.
On the 2d November I reached Sacramento city, and found that Capt. Kilbourn and the parties of Mr. Chandler and of Col. Foreman had been in for some days. The former person having left one or two of his wagons at the base of the mountain. I dispatched him immediately to bring them in. On examination the next day, I ascertained that a considerable amount of the property brought in by the parties had been lost, many of the mules had strayed, and some had been drowned in the endeavor to get them to an island for security and for grass. Finding that those which remained were much reduced in flesh, and were unfit for service, I determined to sell them at auction, believing that it would be greatly to the interest of the government to do so, inasmuch as they could not be pastured with security in the high stage of the waters, and the high price and scarcity of hay and grain rendered the foraging of them difficult, if not impossible. Another reason for disposing of them was, uncertain how far the amount appropriated for the expedition would go in settling up its liabilities, and that the proceeds of these sales might save me from embarrassment on that head. Accordingly, on the 7th, having previously given public notice to that effect, I had sold at public auction a number of the animals, which, considering their condition, brought good prices. Mr. Hunt's party, the last of those who were absent on my return, who went out with relief on the Carson river and, the Truckio, now having returned, was paid off and discharged. Having reported to me the operations of his command, I was pleased to find that all emigrants on these routes had reached the valley in safety and that the supplies with the several parties had prevented very great suffering and loss of property among them. The reports of the chiefs
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of the several parties on these routes accompanying this, furnish a detailed account of the necessities of the emigrants, and the relief offered them. On the 13th, the storm still continuing in the valley, I determined to send an express to Mr. Peoples, as for several days I had felt a good deal of anxiety concerning his party and the emigrants with him, as an express which I had directed him to send me from Feather river, and which should have been in several days before, had not arrived. I began to entertain serious fears that the train had been detained by the snows. Just as the express man was about to mount, Mr. Rodgers arrived with, a letter from Mr. Peoples, stating that he had, after working through a snow-storm for six days and nights, got within forty miles of the ;settlements, with the rear of the emigrants on that route ; that his wagons were crowded with women, children, and sick men ; and that on the 5th November, most of his best mules had been killed by the storm, rendering it impossible to move a wagon the next morning. He accordingly saddled up the remaining mules, and placing as many women as would bear the brunt of the storm, on their backs, started for the valley, having left provisions and men to take care of the others until he could return with fresh animals. He also stated to me that he had purchased animals and provisions to the amount of $3,000, and sent them out by a portion of his party under Mr. Todd, which he thought sufficient to bring them out of the snow, and that he waited a return express for further instructions.
Fearing that he had not sent enough for effectual succor, I dispatched Mr. Chadwick on the 14th to take him funds, and authority to draw for more on Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., and with instructions to purchase more oxen and mules for the further assistance of the emigrants in the hills, and to bring them out of the snow region. I also authorized him, after the object of the expedition had been carried out, to sell his mules and other public property at auction, if the roads continued in their bad state, as I believed it impossible to get thorn down with safety.
On the 20th, my health being considerably improved, and having heard in the streets some dreadful reports of the sufferings of Mr. Peoples and his party in the snows, I determined again to proceed to Tassen's, to satisfy myself. Accordingly, I procured a strong horse, and started on the 24th. After passing over a road which bogged my horse many times, I reached that place. Many of the rear emigrants had got in, and Mr. Peoples was again in the hills for the others. I found at his camp at Deer Creek, many destitute women and children whom he had brought in, and with whom he had left supplies, they not having the means to procure them.
On the afternoon of the 26th, Mr. Peoples came in, bringing the last of those whom he bad left in the snow, where his mules died, and who were the last of the emigration. A more pitiable sight I had never before beheld. There were cripples from scurvy, and other diseases ; women, prostrated by weakness, and children, who could not move a limb. In advance of the wagons were men mounted on mules, who had to be lifted on or off their animals, so entirely disabled had they become from the effect of scurvy.
No one could view this scene of helplessness without commending the foresight which dictated that relief, without which, some of the recipients would inevitably have perished in the snows, It would have
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been difficult to the most healthy to have worked their way in through the storm without assistance, much less those who had been deprived of their limbs.
Mr. Peoples having satisfied me that all were in the valley, save a few who preferred remaining in the game region, hard by. I at once commenced selling the property by auction, which being done, and all business settled in that quarter, I started for Sacramento City on the 28th, and arrived there on the 1st December. On the 3d of that month the remaining animals were sold at auction, the last of the men paid off and discharged, and the business of the expedition concluded.
In your instructions to me you directed that receipts should be taken from the heads of families for provisions and animals furnished them. This was attempted in the outset, but was necessarily abandoned by myself and agents, as the issues to those whom we first met were so numerous and in such small quantities, that it was impossible to do so, and make the necessary progress.
A number of animals were unavoidably lost and for several causes. Some were killed by the snow-storm on the northern route, others gave out and were left by the roadside in the mountains, and not a few were loaned to emigrants to assist them in, and not afterwards accounted for, though it is believed that most of them were lost by death or otherwise.
The number of emigrants who came by the northern route, is estimated by the party on that route to be between seven and nine thousand, and the wagons from one thousand to twelve hundred. These people were induced to turn off at about the sink of Mary's River, from whence the road runs off north to the post near the head of Pitt River ; thence nearly south again for upwards of 250 miles, before reaching the Sacramento valley. Although the distance is much greater than by the old routes, and some of the emigrants were much longer in getting in, I cannot but think it a fortunate circumstance they did so, for the loss of property would have been greater on the old trail, as the grass would all have been eaten off long before they could have arrived.
I cannot, with justice, conclude without alluding in commending terms to the conduct of the party that brought in the rear on the northern route.
To Mr. Peoples, who had command of that party, too much praise cannot be awarded, for the perseverance and energy he displayed in bringing in the rear emigrants under such trying circumstances, and for the faithful manner in which he performed all duties devolving upon him.
I am, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
D. H. RUCKER,
Brev. Major U. S. A.
Maj. Gen. P. F. SMITH,
Commanding Pacific Division,
U. S. Army.
_____
September 2d. Left Camp, Stanislaus, this morning at 8 o'clock, for Benicia in obedience to orders from head-quarters. Pacific division dated Benicia, August 27th, 1849, which reached me last evening.
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September 4th. Arrived at Benicia, where I found detailed instructions in relation to the duty on which I was ordered.
September 9th. Left Benicia in the Transport schooner Invincible, for Sacramento city with 13,000 rations of pork and hard bread, some rice and flour, for the relief of emigrants on their way to California.
September 11th. Arrived at Sacramento city this morning at 10 o'clock, and found that but very few mules had been purchased for the expedition by Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., who had been authorized by Major Allen to furnish them. Those that were at all suitable to my purposes, were very scarce and dear.. Nearly all that were in the neighborhood, were so poor as to be useless to carry out my designs.
September 12th. Sent several persons to-day to the ranchos in the vicinity, and to the mines for mules. Employed a few men to take care of those already purchased. Established a camp about two miles below town, and built a carral to put the animals in at night.
September 13th. Endeavored this morning to find out on which route the most of the emigrants were coming. It was very difficult to get any information on the subject. The general impression seemed to be, however, that the greatest number were on the Truckey or Bear river route, and that there the most assistance would be required. All agreed that there was no scarcity of provisions either on it or the Carson route, but that many of the emigrants had lost almost all their animals by death, in consequence of the scarcity of grass, and that they would require fresh ones to enable them to haul, or pack their provisions and other necessaries. Employed Mr. Harris to fit up a train of pack mules, and sent him to my camp for that purpose. Found it difficult to get men accustomed to packing. Determined to send my first and largest party on the Truckey route.
Captain Craig came to see me this afternoon, and stated that he had just reached this place, that lie was en emigrant, and had come in by the Oregon or Lassen route. And that he was of opinion that a large number of the emigrants had taken that route, expecting to find it better and the grass more abundant, and that lie was certain that many would suffer from the fact that when they took the road, they believed the distance to the settlement mush less than the old one. He said a notice had been put up at the forks of the road, stating this, and that, in order to lighten their teams, they had thrown away all their provisions, except what they thought to be sufficient to last them to the valley of the Sacramento. Captain Craig also stated, that he found the distance much greater than had been represented, and consequently, that there would be a want of provisions among the emigrants. I made some inquiry on the subject, and found Captain Gregg's statement to be substantially correct. Determined to send Mr. Peoples at once with some beef cattle and mules.
September 14th. Sent Mr. Peoples to day to Lassen's with instructions to buy twenty-five head of cattle and a few mules, and to go to the rear of the emigration and to inform me by express, of the extent of their wants and necessities. Heard various accounts of the wants of the emigrants and their whereabouts, and found it impossible to learn on which route the greater number were coming. Each one told a different tale, and every one thought that the greater part were on the road they had travelled.
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September 15th. Found it very difficult to get good mules, none were to be had at the neighboring Ranchos or at the mines, that would answer, plenty were offered but they were too poor in flesh. Employed a number of men to-day, and am in hopes I will get one party off to-morrow.
September 16th. Employed Captain Kilburn to-day, with a view of sending him ahead of Employed parties on the Truckey route, to learn the extent and necessities of the people, and to take the general superintendence of all the parties, I might send in that direction, was disappointed in getting my party off to-day.
September 17th. Captain Kilburn left this morning with instructions to keep a day or so in advance of the supplies, and on the way out notify Messrs. Nye and Foster, to have forty head of cattle, I purchased of them, in readiness for Mr. Chandler's party, which would follow him. I also gave him verbal instructions that if the whole of the supplies should not be required on the Truckey route, to take or send them over to the Carson route, if he heard that they would be wanted in that direction. Mr. Chandler started his party this afternoon with the intention of encamping on the north side of American river, but he did not get over two miles, when he was obliged to encamp from the want of knowledge of the men employed in packing. The packs were continually turning, and the mules getting away and could be seen running in every direction over the plains. All these men assured me that they understood packing, said they had packed over the plains to this country and were quite accustomed to it. I was fearful of this in the first instance, and made every exertion to get Mexicans, but could not procure enough, and most of those I did employ ran away the second or third day, generally stealing a horse or mule to get off with.
September 18th. Mr. Chandler made another start this morning, and succeeded in reaching his camp on the north side of the American fork, about dark, having travelled about three miles, and at that distance loaded his mules some two or three times. The whole party made such bad work packing, that I determined to send some wagons with them to carry, as far as they could go, the heaviest portions of the freight.
September 19th. Mr. Chandler made another start this morning, having had added to his party four wagons and teams, which carried the greater portion of his heaviest freight, and in consequence enabled him to get off in pretty good style. Received a letter from Mr. M'Gee last evening, relative to the amount of emigration on the Oregon or Lassen route. Determined to go on that route with a party myself.
September 20th. Enquired about the road and country from Lassen east, and was told that it was a good road for wagons. Determined accordingly to transport all the provisions in that way. Wrote to Mr. Chandler that I would start in a day or two a lot of work cattle on the Truckey route, and that they would be subject to his order, and that he might give orders for them to any emigrants who might need thorn, and that they could get them when they came up, and that I would instruct the person in charge of them accordingly:
September 21st. Purchased some oxen, mules and wagons, and also hired some men ; was compelled to pay $200 per month, and found some difficulty in getting enough men even at that price. Heard account of the state of the emigration, some said they would all get through without suf-
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fering, others thought that many would perish if assistance was not sent to them.
September 22d. Employed Col. Foreman to take charge of the oxen and continued to prepare the wagon train for the northern road. Found great difficulty in getting good mules and oxen, those for sale were getting too thin. Had a board of survey on some mules that were sent to me from Monterey, which were too thin for immediate service. Determined to sell them, feeling certain that if I left them to recruit, that many, if not all, would be lost or stolen.
September 23d. Rode out to-day to endeavor to buy suitable oxen and mules for the service. Found a few only that would answer, and was compelled to pay high for them ; for oxen was paid $175 and $200 a pair ; mules that would suit me could not be bought for less than $180 and $100 each.
September 24th. Continued to purchase oxen and mules, and to prepare my wagons.
September 25th. Completed to-day the purchase of oxen, having bought 30 odd yoke all very fat and fit for beef..
September 26th. Col. Foreman left this morning with 30 1-2 pair of oxen, 20 odd pack mules, and two wagon loads of barley to subsist his oxen and the emigrant animals. Sold the mules that had been condemned, they brought a fair price, considering their low condition.
September 27th. Started Mr. Rogers to-day with seven wagons loaded with provisions for Lassen's, to await my arrival at that point. Closed up my business to a certain extent, making Messrs. Smith, Bensley Co. my agents to receive and take charge of such animals as might be brought in in my absence, also to discharge and pay off any of the parties that might return before me.
September 28th. Left Sacramento city this morning with one wagon load of provisions and about 50 mules and, horses, and marched to Nichol's the same day—distance, 27 miles.
September 20th. Left Nichol's and marched to Nye's Rancho on the Yuba river—distance, 18 miles.
September 30th. Left Nye's, and marched to Bute Creek—distance thirty-five miles.
October 1st. Left Bute Creek, and marched to Lassen's and Deer Creek — distance twenty-eight miles. Here learned that I could not be able to take my wagons over the mountains, although I had been assured to the contrary before I left Sacramento city. Tried then to obtain enough pack-saddles to take my provisions, but could not succeed.
October 2d. Determined to start with my four lightest wagons, eight mules in each, and with ten packs. Put up all the provisions in bags, throwing away the barrels, and this lessened my loads by nearly one-half. Loaned Mr. John Scroggins a mule to bring his wife to Lassen's. He said that she was sick, and nearly out of provisions, that his teams were broken down, and that he had come ahead to get assistance. I issued to him some coffee, hard bread, rice, etc.
October 3d. Started forty-four head of beef-cattle early this morning with Corporal Cassenger, 1st dragoons, and five men, with order to cross the mountains to Deer Creek valley, and there to await my arrival. Completed my arrangements for packing and changing my provisions, issued a small quantity of pork and bread, at different times, to men
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who came in on foot, and said that they had had nothing to eat for upwards of a day, and were without money.
October 4th. Left with Mr. Davis a few mules that were poor, and which I thought would not be able to travel or to be of service. Left also a sick horse, also four wagons and harness, and four barrels of pork, etc. Sent off my four wagons about nine o'clock in the morning, with my pack mules. I Was about to start myself, when I received an express from Messrs. Smith, Bensley & Co., stating that an express had arrived from some families and other emigrants on the Carson route, and asking for aid from the citizens of Sacramento city ; that they had plenty of provisions, but that their teams were broken down, and many had lost them entirely by death or otherwise, and were unable to get in. Wrote a letter to Smith, Bensley & Co., directing them to forward forty mules and about ten pair of fat oxen to assist the families, etc., and requesting them to start their party without delay. Also received letter from Captain Kilburn, stating the bad success of his and Mr. Chandler's party. Overtook my wagons in a few miles, met two families, Mr. A. N. Morgan and Mr. John A. Hennings. These men told me that they were entirely destitute of provisions and money. I issued them for their families some pork and bread, passed about twenty wagons and met several footmen on the road who were entirely destitute, and issued to them small quantities of provisions (pork and bread). Arrived at the foot of the mountains about three o'clock, P. M. Road very rocky and country barren. Distance, eight miles.
October 5th. Started at sunrise and travelled over a very hilly and rough country, met a great number of emigrants on foot, who said they had lost their animals, also some thirty wagons, many containing families, some few of whom were entirely destitute of provisions ; issued pork and bread to Mr. Stephen Pirne and George R. Bell for their families, also to Mr. William Shamg with a family of nine children ; had a great many applications for provisions from footmen but refused them, believing they could reach the settlements with what they had.
Encamped on the top of a high ridge a mile from water, and difficult to reach. The country I passed over was entirely destitute of grass or food of any kind for animals—distance twelve miles.
October 6th. Started this morning at daylight, and in about six miles reached a high hill which was thought impassable for wagons going cast ; but after unloading, and packing the loads to the top of the mountains on the mules, and doubling the teams, with the assistance of the men with ropes, succeeded in getting them over. About eight miles further on came to a small spring, on the north side of the road, and encamped in a beautiful pine forest. The spring did not furnish us with a sufficiency of water for all the animals. Passed about thirty emigrant wagons, some with families and a great many footmen, packing their clothes on their backs ; a great many of them were destitute of provisions, and were quite sick, generally with diarrhoea, and some with scurvy. I issued a sufficiency of pork and bread to take them to the settlement. These men said their animals had given out, and that they had been obliged to abandon them between one and two hundred miles back ; that they had started on foot, expecting to be able to pack enough provisions, but had found the distance much greater than they had been told it was ; consequently, they were now destitute. I met them in par-
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ties from two to six. All the emigrants I met seemed greatly pleased that they had been thought of by the Commanding General, and assistance sent them. The country through which I travelled was very hilly and rocky, and entirely destitute of grass of any kind ; and, in consequence, a large number of dead oxen were seen on the roadside. Distance 14 miles.
October 7th. Started at daylight, and travelled eleven miles to water the mules, being much exhausted from scarcity of grass and water, and from being worked so hard in ascending the, steep hills during the last two or three days' march. Remained at the water two hours ; then, came three miles to a small creek running across the road, and encamped for the night ; passed seventy wagons, a few with families, and all very unwell ; left a number of footmen and pack mules, some of the men sick with the scurvy, and some of them destitute of provisions, to the latter end of whom I issued a little pork and bread ; all the wagons I have yet passed are travelling separately, the organized trains and companies that started from home having split up and divided for some time. The country I passed over to-day was very hilly and rocky, and covered with a magnificent growth of spruce and pitch pine, many of the trees eight and ten feet in diameter. Distance 14 miles.
October 8th. Started at daylight and travelled to Deer Creek valley, over a hilly and rocky road. Found Colonel Casey, 2d Infantry, encamped here with three officers and a few men, all sick, who started to-day to return to the settlements; met 27 wagons on the road and found 200 encamped in the valley, with a great many families ; a great many of the emigrants were sick with the scurvy and diarrhoea. Found here Corporal Gessenger with my beef-cattle, which he had brought safely over the mountains without loss; also found the man to whom I loaned, the mule, and gave provisions a few days back to bring his family in, he had his wife who was sick with the scurvy riding the mule, with a child in his arms, and leading the animal by the bridle, with a little boy, by his side ; they seemed in a fair way to reach the settlement. I had innumerable applications for provisions, from persons who said they were destitute, issued rice to some sick persons, also some hard bread and beef. I had intended to remain here a few days to recruit the, mules, but subsequently determined to move on to Feather River, where there is better grass, and there rest a day. The country we passed to-day was covered with pine like that of the two preceding days. Distance nine miles.
October 9. Had a great many applications for provisions from emigrants, who were travelling on foot, and who said, they were entirely destitute. Killed a small beef and issued a portion to the emigrants with a little bread ; discharged four of my men and sent them back with two of the poorest mules to pack their provisions; did this because they were a little sick and of not much use, and left less mouths to feed. Left Deer Creek Valley at 11 o'clock, A. M., and encamped at 4 P. M., at a spring at the head of Bute Creek. The mules appeared so weak, that, I did not like to drive them farther to-day; passed about 20 emigrant, wagons with three or four families; heard that Captain Warner had been killed, and some of his party wounded by the Indians, who had attacked him while in the mountains. Distance eight miles.
October 16. Left camp this morning, at nine o'clock ; before leaving
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called on a sick man by the name of Avery, gave him a horse and provisions enough to take him to the settlement, for which he seemed very thankful. On the road met Lieutenant R. S. Williamson and party, who confirmed the report of Captain Warner's death ; also learned that the Indians were very troublesome ahead, committing nightly depredations on the emigrants, cattle. I consequently determined to arm the whole of my party, and bought rifles, ammunition. &c., for that purpose ; passed one hundred and six wagons, many with families, and a Boston pack company, numbering 70 men and 125 pack mules, and a few beef cattle ; also met 75 footmen, some destitute of provisions ; issued bread and beef to a few. Almost all the wagons I met to-day were getting on well, having supplied themselves with a sufficiency of hay, to subsist their cattle over the mountain desert, as they term it, and will probably reach the valley without much difficulty ; had a good deal of rain last night, which ended in a snow-storm, and all the hills were white this morning, and considerable snow in the valleys. The country over which we passed to-day, was hilly and covered with pine : found plenty of grass all about the Feather River valley. Distance eight miles.
October 11th. Remained in camp all day to allow the animals to feed on the good grass ; received 12 poor mules from Lieutenant Williamson : had a great many applications from emigrants for provisions, and issued hard bread and beef to seven families, viz. : Mr. S. Jesse, C. E. Rand, S. H. Roundtone, John Heatch, Mr. Lathloup, Mr. Philips and James Candill, also to fifteen men who were on foot ; all these persons were destitute, and had not and could not get anything to subsist on ; had a great many applications for bread and meat, but refused all parties of men when they had enough of either to last them to the settlement. I have determined to make a depot here, and to leave some provisions and a few animals ; heard dreadful accounts of the destitute situation of the emigrants in the rear, and was told by a man who left Salt Lake on the 1st of September, that many of the emigrants had determined to winter at that place. Heard from Mr. Peoples to-day ; the Indians had run off with a few of his animals, but he was still moving on to reach the rear of the emigration.
Forty wagons, 35 pack mules, and some footmen, passed my camp today, all the emigrants were considerably alarmed in consequence of the snow last night.
October 12th. Left camp this morning at 9 o'clock, crossed the right branch of Feather river, and after travelling one half mile came to a large emigrant camp of 56 wagons with many families, they were recruiting their stock, and cutting and drying hay. Halted to establish a depot and left one wagon, 14 of the thinnest mules, two poor horses, some bacon, bread, and flour in charge of Mr. Rogers and three other men ; whilst here, I exchanged two barrels of pork and two of bread, which I had left in the valley, for bacon and bread, which I found with the train here. Immediately after I halted at this place, I was surrounded by a great number of persons, all asking for provisions, saying that they were destitute, out of money, and had borrowed from their friends, until they could loan them no longer. I told them all that they were near the settlements, to consider the situations of those, many days in the rear, and to be moderate in their demands, killed a beef, and issued a portion to them, with some bread. The recipients were the families of Messrs.
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Goddard, Cox, Browen, Bell, Hanson, Mane and Burgess, after we started we were stopped six or seven times in the road, and asked for provisions; gave some to Mr. L. G. Coldwell and family, (six children,) he told me had lost all his teams, and had to abandon his wagon, and had been dependant on a friend who was in consequence nearly out; gave him 30 barrels of bread, and a small beef; also issued to Robert Bryant and family and a few footmen, a small quantity of bread. Met soon after a number of families, who had projection-bed (or sort of two-story) wagons, whom I advised to razee, or throw away, but declined studying comfort more than expedition; passed 83 wagons from the depot to our encampment., which was about nine and a half miles, and on the east branch of Feather river country similar to that of the last days march; distance 11 miles.
October 13th. Did not start very early this morning, in consequence of a large pack train from Arkansas, coming up and demanding provisions; they were all well mounted, and being well satisfied that they could soon reach the settlements, being healthy young men, I issued to them very sparingly before leaving camp. I sent Mr. Hicks, well mounted, to go ahead to the rear of the emigration, to ascertain their number and probable wants, and to return to me with all dispatch. By him I addressed a circular to the emigration, admonishing them of the lateness of the season, and urging them to throw away all useless articles, and move in as fast as possible. Passed to-day 41 wagons, about one-half with families, and reached a large spring on the right of the road ; distance seven miles.
October 14th. Left camp this morning at nine o'clock, and so very sick with fever that I was unable to ride, and took to a wagon for the first time in my life. A short distance from camp met the Nodoway train , the men, women, and children were clamorous for provisions, but as I had ascertained from an undoubted source that they were well supplied, and had been selling to the poor all along the road at high prices, I was constrained to refuse acceding to the demands after considerable delay with others, and furnishing to the families of Thomas Cameron, John Cameron, Mr. Leavin, Mr. Barnum, one quarter of beef and 25 pounds of bread. I reached some springs to the left of the road, where I encamped, and where I found a number of families who called on me for supplies, but whom a burning fever compelled me to put off until to-morrow morning. Whilst lying in my tent at night, Mr. Peoples, who had command of the advance party on this route, came in very unexpectedly. He had proceeded with his party to near the summit of Sierra Nevada, but being stricken down with the mountain fever, was forced to send his party on, and return in a wagon of a physician, who had succeeded in breaking the fever. He was very thin and weak, but being satisfied that the fever was broken, expressed his desire to return to the mountain, which I gladly consented to. For the last few days, the accounts from the rear of the emigration have been of such at nature that I have concluded to issue my rations more sparingly, at least until I can obtain more definite information, which I expect soon, through Mr. Hicks, whom I have sent ahead. If I then find that the rear will not need all my supplies, I will dispatch a portion back to assist more liberally those to whom I had issued slightly. The country passed over to day very much like that of a few previous days, with the
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exception that the pine growing more diminutive; passed 41 wagons ; distance seven miles.
October 15th. Before leaving camp this morning, supplied the families of Messrs. H. Robinson, S. Burroughs, W. W. Ferguson, with a yearling beef, some bread and rice ; also, Capt. Bruff, of the Washington city company, with some pork and bread. I had not proceeded more than a mile before I met a family train, and supplied the widow Ely and six children, with bread and pork, and one or two others with a few articles. Five miles further on, came up to a large train of family wagons, and issued to the widow Pope and children, and a few others, a lot of pork and bread. Seven miles further brought us to a small mountain stream, where there was good, grass and where we encamped. The country to-day was comparatively level, though a portion of the road was very rocky—passed 40 wagons, mostly family ones, and travelled 13 miles.
October 16th. This morning I was very unwell, and several of the men prostrated with fever ; I thought it advisable to lay by and try and recruit them and myself, the grass being very good for the animals. Not a single wagon passed us to-day, or did any come up till late in the day. Some families whom we met yesterday afternoon sent back to us for supplies, to whom I issued nearly a whole beef ; they were Mr. Nash and family, Mr. Evans and family, and several other families and packers.
October 17th. Started this morning at a late hour in consequence of having to issue to the trains that came in last night, every wagon of which contained a family. To the families of Messrs. Hight, Irland, Kidwell, Dodson, and others, with a number of packers, I issued fifty pounds of bread and two hundred pounds of beef and some rice. After starting, we did not get more than three hundred yards before we met eleven packers entirely destitute of provisions, to whom I gave some pork ; they had hardly left the wagon, before there came up a German family by the name of Scharrnann, to whom I gave twenty-five pounds of pork and some bread ; a few minutes after, I met Colonel Pickering and family, and having heard, that he was entirely out of provisions, supplied him with some. Next, met the western train of eight wagons, some of which were entirely loaded with flour. I advised the captain to dispose of a portion of his provisions to the emigrants, as he could not haul them over the hills, and could procure them at a reasonable rate in the settlement. One mile in his rear met the train of Captain McIlvain, (twelve wagons,) and as he represented some of the families entirely destitute, I told him to send to my camp, and I would give him what I could spare ; he sent back, and I gave to him, and to the family of Mr. Fairchild, and to several others, two quarters of beef and twenty pounds of bread. Also furnished Dr. Robinson, a gentleman lame with the scurvy, with a mule. The packers I met this morning were the latest I had seen on the rear of the emigration, and from the information elicited from them, I was led to believe that there were fewer emigrants in the rear than I had expected. The country to-day a perfect sameness of that of the 15th. Passed forty-three wagons. Distance, ten miles, to springs in valley on right of road.
October 18th. This morning, before leaving camp, issued to William Neal and family, Messrs. Lawrence, Vestry, Courtney, Fisher, and oth-
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ers, 120 pounds of beef and twenty pounds of bread. Four miles on the road, met Thomas Jenkins and family entirely destitute of provisions ; gave them a hundred pounds of beef, some bread and rice. A few miles further on, met a family train, but they were not in need of assistance. In rear of them was Lieut. Williamson's carriage, which he had left behind with a wounded Man, who had died the day before. In consequence of a late start and much detention on the road, I did not reach camp until near night. I was forced to send and guard the cattle and animals, one mile west of the road, to obtain grass. The country over which we passed today was more broken than that of the few preceding days, and the timber much larger, with an occasional small valley. Passed thirty-nine wagons. Distance, thirteen miles.
October 10th. From information elicited from various packers who came into camp last night, in connection with previous advices, none of which represent the emigration in the rear as exceeding one hundred wagons, and some as low as fifty, I have concluded to go to-day but two or three miles, to good grass and water, and from thence return to the valley of Feather river, taking back with me one wagon, a small quantity of breadstuffs, eleven head, of beef-cattle, and a few animals; in order that I may render more effectual assistance to those whom I have passed, and issued lightly to, behoving that I have a larger supply on hand than will be absolutely necessary for those now in the rear. My object in returning myself with these supplies is, to try and recover my health, which is becoming worse every day's journey north. I have instructed Mr. Peoples to take charge of the party I leave, to unite it with his party now in advance with, the bulk of the provisions, proceed on until he reaches the rear of emigration, which it is believed will be near the head of Pitt river, and with his men, animals and provisions, to facilitate the progress of the emigration, and to get out of the regions of snow as quick as possible. From the same packers I learned that the advance party did not cross their cattle over the Sierra Nevada, and from that fact I am convinced that they knew themselves to be in the vicinity of the last of the emigration, they having had positive orders from Mr. Peoples, when he left them, not to stop short of Mud Lake, unless well advised that the last of emigration was near the summit of the mountain. Before getting to our camp to-day, met several destitute families, whom I supplied with beef and bread, amongst them those of the widow Taylor, Mr. Gage, Mr. Henly, Mr. Mara and others. Passed twenty-one wagons. Distance, four miles.
October 24th. Left Mr. Peoples near Pitt river on the 20th, and arrived in the valley of Feather river early this afternoon. Found here a large number of emigrants recruiting their stock ; had many applications for provisions and mules.
October 25th. Killed several beeves to-day, and issued to families who were in want, and to persons sick with the scurvy, of whom there are a great many. Also issued a number of mules to individuals, to enable them to get their families into the settlement they having lost their teams by death, and. other causes, Amongst them were Dr. O'Brien, Mr. Hall, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Goodrich, and Mr. Fairchild.
October 26th. To-day received a letter from Mr. Peoples, informing me that the Indians had stolen the oxen belonging to the rear train of the emigrants, and that he was near them, with his party. In the same
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letter he having informed me that he had a sufficiency of animals, to bring in the women, children, and sick men, and enough provisions to subsist them, I determined to start to-morrow for Sacramento city, leaving Mr. Rogers, with five men and a few animals and some provisions, to assist and come in with Mr. Peoples.
October 27th. Started this morning for Sacramento city, with a view of reaching Lassen's in two days, but my health is so bad that I cannot do so.
October 29th. Reached Lassen's to-day, having passed a great number of wagons during the three days I have been on the road, the majority of them getting on well.
October 30th. Sent Dr. Austin back with instructions to Mr. Peoples to hasten in with the emigrants, telling him that Mr. Davis and others in the valley predicted an early snow-storm, and consequently there was great danger of his being caught in it. At 11 o'clock I started for Sacramento City.
November 2d. Reached Sacramento City this morning, and found that Mr. Chandler and Colonel Foreman's parties had been in for some days. I immediately started Mr. Chandler back to the base of the mountains, to see about some property and provisions he had left in depot there.
November 3d. On examination, this morning, found that a great deal of the property belonging to the two parties that had returned, had been lost since their arrival ; many of the mules had strayed, and some drowned in the endeavor to get them on an island for security and grass. The mules were much reduced in flesh, and unfit for present service ; I determined, therefore, to sell them at auction, believing it would be greatly to the interest of government to do so, inasmuch as it was impossible to get persons to herd them, who would be responsible for their loss, and by my utmost exertions I found it impossible to prevent numbers from straying every night. To get grain and hay sufficient to forage them was impossible.
November 4th. Worked all day to-day in getting my property together, prepared a carrel for the mules, to keep them in provisions to the sale, and had printed and posted up about the town notices to the effect, that the animals, &c. would be sold at public auction. On the 7th inst. sent out the party to call and bring in all the public animals that could be found. Mr. Hunt returned to-day with his party, stating that he had brought in all the emigrants on the Carson river route.
November 7th. Sold a number of animals to-day; they brought good prices considering their condition, principally owing, I believe, to the fact, that there were a great number of persons in town destined for the mines, who wanted animals to transport their effects. Paid off and discharged Mr. Hunt's party.
November 12th. I have felt a good deal of anxiety for some days past for Mr. People's party and the emigrants with him, on account of the storm. I am fearful they have been caught in the snow. The express which I directed Mr. Peoples to send me, on his reaching Feather river, should have been here several days since. I fear the bearer has been detained by the storm.
November 13th. Employed a person to go on express to Mr. Peoples; he was just in the act of starting when Mr. Rogers arrived, with a let-
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ter from that gentleman, stating, that on the evening of the 5th he had reached to within 40 miles of the settlements with all the emigrants, but that during that night the snow-storm, which had raged for seven days, had killed nearly all of his animals. That he was consequently forced to leave his wagons and push on to the settlements with what women his remaining mules could carry, leaving with the remainder of the emigrants rations enough for some days, or until he could return with fresh animals to bring them to the settlements.
November 14th. Started Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Rogers early this morning to join Mr. Peoples, sending him $1,000 in coin, and authority to draw on Smith, Bensley, and Co. for $9,000 more, with instructions to purchase oxen and mules, for the further assistance of the emigrants in the hills, also, stating to him to bring the families to a point beyond the snow region, without fail ; and further, that should he be again taken sick, to turn over the charge of the party to Mr. Chadwick, whom I had sent to him with this view ; but he was not to do so if he could possibly leave his bed. The instructions also authorized Mr. Peoples to sell at public auction all the animals he might have remaining, after the object of his expedition was completed, provided the rains continued, and the roads kept in their present condition, as in that event it would prevent him from bringing safely the animals and other property to this place.
November 20th. My health being somewhat improved, and hearing some dreadful reports about the sufferings of Mr. Peoples and his party. I determined to go back to Lassen's, and bought for that purpose a strong horse, in order that I might get up there as soon as possible, and satisfy myself. On the evening of the 24th, after passing over a very bad road, and bogging my horse several times, I reached my destination. On my arrival I found that many of the emigrants had got in, and that Mr. Peoples was again in the hills for the others. At his camp on the Deer Creek, where were two or three of his party, I found a number of women and children, and helpless men, subsisting upon their supplies, they not having the means to procure the necessaries of life. Around the ranchos of Lassen and Davis were the emigrants apparently destitute of means, and the road so bad they could not get away.
November 26th. This afternoon Mr. Peoples came in with his party, hauling in the last of those whom he had left in the snow where his mules died, and who were the rear of the emigration. A more pitiable sight I never beheld as they were brought into the camp ; there were cripples from scurvy and other diseases, women prostrated by weakness, and children who could not move a limb, all helpless as infants; in advance of them were men mounted on mules who had to be lifted on and off the animals, so entirely disabled had they become from the effects of the scurvy. Mr. Peoples having satisfied me that they were all in the valley save a few who preferred stopping in the game region hard by, I made arrangements at once to dispose of the animals and other public property at auction, deeming it impossible to get the animals to Sacramento city without losing a number of them, so difficult is the road to that place now.
November 27th. This afternoon sold off every thing but enough animals to take us to the city, and settled up all the accounts at the two ranchos.
December 1st. Arrived at Sacramento city this afternoon, having left
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Lassen's on the 28th ult. The roads were very bad, and we had to dismount several times to pull the animals out of the bogs with ropes.
December 3d. To-day sold all the animals and other public property at auction, had the men all discharged and paid off, and, with the exception of arranging my papers, the whole business of the expedition is concluded.
Respectfully,
D. H. RUCKER,
Bvt. Maj. U. S. A.