#virtualoregontrail May 16-22, 1845 ...the shadows of departed joys

Continuing with the diary of James Field:

Frid. 16. – Went about 18 miles, and camped upon a small creek running into Kanzas river. Saw 3 elk, the first of those animals we have seen. The country for the past few days is considerable broken and rocky. 

Sat. 17. – To-day, we went about 17 miles, and camped on another branch of the Kanzas. About 10 miles from our last camp met a company of mountain men, 35 days from Fort Larimie, with 6 ox wagons loaded with peltries. They inform us that buffalo are plenty this season, and that we are within 10 days’ travel of them. They traded some of their dried meat for bacon, and it really was well flavored, though cured without salt, and quite put us in a rage to reach the ranges. This evening Capt. T’Vault, with whom many of the company were dissatisfied, resigned, and Jas. McNary was appointed to succeed him. 

Sund. 18. – Went about 15 miles, the prairie appearing to have been very wet last season, as the deep wheel-ruts the emigrants made are still visible alongside the regular trail. The country is broken by numerous watercourses, but they are at present nearly all dry. Camped upon Walnut Creek. 

Photo from Flickr CC Public Domain

Mon. 19. – Came 20 miles, the longest drive we have yet made, and the latest camping, it being nearly dark when all got in, and some of the loose stock was left 2 miles behind. About 8 mls from the last camp crossed Sandy cr’k, which might more properly be called Muddy, being the worst ferd we have yet had. This evening camped upon Little Blue, of which Sandy is a fork. Those streams are all waters of the Kanzas. 

Tues. 20. – Went 12 miles to-day, camping again on Little Blue, which appears at present to be a larger stream than Big Blue, having a deeper channel and more rapid current. An antelope was killed, it being the only game, excepting a turkey killed by the same person, taken since leaving the rendezvous, but fish have been quite plenty since crossing the Nimeha. 

Wed. 21. – Were detained in the morning to hunt stray oxen, which was also the cause of our short drive yesterday; we however made 15 miles, camping still on Blue. 

Thurs. 22. – Went about fifteen miles again up the Blue, whose bottom we have kept in most of the time since striking the stream, and we again camped on it, in the first thundershower of consequence we have yet had on the prairies. Camping in a thunderstorm is one of the pleasures of an emigrant which makes him think of the home he leaves behind, and, to unyoke a team in the rain and then crawl draining into a wagon, will make the shadows of departed joys flit through a fellow’s mind as he sits brooding over the comforts of life in an emigrant’s camp. 

“The Diary of James Field” Willamette Farmer (Portland, OR, Fridays: April 18 – August 1, 1879). 

 18 Apr 1879 (April 16, 1845-May 27) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-04-18/ed-1/seq-3/