["Voltigeur," The Lander Expedition, Alta California, July 27, 1860]

 

THE LANDER EXPEDITION.

__________

NEAL'S RANCH, HONEY LAKE VALLEY, )

July 15, 1860. )

            Eds. Alta: This letter I write, merely to inform you of our whereabouts ; but want of time prevents me from writing a legitimate news letter.

            Colonel Lander, with the main train, is now camped on the edge of the desert, engaged in repairs on the Wagon Road. We will reach Rabbit Hole Springs, our extreme point, in about two weeks, and after completing the tanks in that vicinity, will set out upon our return.

            I date this from Neal's Ranch having accompanied our regular expressman, Fred Masier, from Smoke Creek Caņon, fifty miles from here, accomplishing the distance in five hours and a half, at night, through the heart of an Indian country.

            Party all well, and progressing finely.

            Three days ago an emigrant train, of one hundred and ten horses, met us at Rush Creek, and reported themselves as from St. Joseph, in the unparalleled time of two months and a half. They were unusually fortunate with their stock, and experienced but little difficulty with the Indians.

            At Rush Ford they were attacked by ten or fifteen Bannocks, who succeeded in running off all the stock, of which they recovered all but four. They also report a large emigration this year for California.

            I omitted to mention that they came by Lander's Wagon Road, which they state to be in excellent condition.

            You will hear from us next, probably, on our return.

VOLTIGEUR.