Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/51



REMINISCENCES 43

the Kaw river in open flat boats, with the ice breaking up and running in large chunks, rendering the work difficult and dan- gerous. I do not remember one house from Kaw river to Fort Leavenworth. Independence was to the north and last settle- ment on our road.

"As soon as Colonel Loring had all his companies at Fort Leavenworth, he proceeded to form a camp, which he called 'Camp Summer.' This camp was about five miles from the fort on the west side of what we called Salt creek. We moved to this camp late in March, or early in April, 1849. I remember well that we were in the fort on St. Patrick's day, the 17th of March, 1849. It was the occasion of a grand mili- tary ball, and many officers and men who attended that ball have since become famous.

"At Camp Summer the companies were recruited to their full strength. Horses, rifles, sabres and revolvers were issued and we were drilled mounted and on foot. The quarter- master, Lieutenant D. M. Frost, and Major Cross of the com- missary department, were getting supply trains. My recollec- tion is that there was 200 or more six-mule teams, and supplies on hand for the trip across the plains. On the 10th of May, 1849, a bright, sunshiny morning, Colonel W. W. Loring broke camp and the panorama then viewed was one never to be forgotten. The companies, mounted, filed out in columns of twos, their arms shining in the sun ; horses gay and prancing ; sabres dangling by their sides; officers riding here and there giving commands. As soon as the regiment was well under way the quartermaster and commissary trains began to string out, and in a short time between 9 and 10 o'clock the rifle regiment was on the long journey for Oregon, and Camp Summer was no more.

"Now, as to why I was not in that long train : The presi- dent had appointed General Wilson Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Pacific coast, and directed that he be furnished an escort. An order was given to Captain Newton of *B' com- pany to give Captain Robert M. Morris of the Rifles 25 men of his company for the escort for General Wilson.