#virtualoregontrail May 23-29, 1845, Slowed by heavy rains

Continued from the Diary of James Field:

Frid. 23. – Still raining this morning. We lay in camp until near noon, then went 4 miles and camped, the pilot telling us that it was the last camp we could make on Blue. 

Sat. 24. – Owing to the straying of some oxen, it was 9 o’clock before we got in motion, striking off in a northwest direction for Platte river, on which we expected this evening to camp. About noon the pilot ran us off the track, and we doubled back, losing some two or three miles travel, and when we struck off on the right trail, we hurried with all speed, but night overtook us in the prairie, and we were obliged to camp in the prairie, without fire or water, and most of us without any supper, after traveling 25 miles. Saw more game, deer and antelope, this day than during the whole previous journey. Their abundance is no doubt owing to their vicinity to the buffalo, which are better worth hunting. We also crossed three trails leading to the Pawnee villages. These trails looked as though they were made by six or seven parallel files of horsemen. 

Sun. 25. – Gathered up the oxen as soon after daylight as possible, and went five miles, to Platte river, where we camped for the day. This stream bears a close resemblance to the Missouri river, only its bottom has much less timber in it, has few snags, and never overflows its banks, although they are always full. During the afternoon, the small company in our rear from Independence passes, in two divisions, they having split through. 

Mon. 26. – It was raining heavily this morning, and we did not start until it ceased, toward 11 o’clock. However, we made about 15 miles, camping upon the river, with nothing but willow bushes for firewood, and most of them green ones at that. Went the most direct course along the level bottom of any day’s travel yet, our direction being near w.s.w. 

Photo from Flickr CC Public Domain

Tues. 27. – Last night had one of the hardest thundershowers since starting, and the way the tents flew was some; a half dozen are lying around camp, deserted by their occupants. Kindling a fire with willows soaked in rain is an operation that tests the patience and perseverance of any man. The cattle were also very much scatter, so that, after hunting all day, many are still missing, and, after moving on 4 miles, we camped, to lay by another day and hunt them, as their trail was found, and had been followed some 15 or 20 miles up into the high prairie beyond the bluffs. Some 50 or 60 head were driven in form 6 to 12 miles distance. An accident occurred whilst moving our camp in the afternoon which nearly proved fatal. A child fell from one of the wagons, and it ran over his breast and one arm, but, the ground being soft underneath the wheels, he was not killed, although taken up senseless, and is this evening in a fair way to recover. 

Wed. 28. – To-day we lay in camp, as the pilot, with 8 men, went back early this morning to hunt the strays, a part of which returned of their own accord about noon; indeed, all the missing working cattle have returned, but the men are not in this evening. 

Thur. 29. – This morning our camp was visited by 4 Pawnees, with their ponies laden with buffalo meat, which they must have killed with their bows and arrows, as they had no guns with them. Went 15 miles, camping on Plum creek. The Platte is the most singular river in our country, and differs from all I ever saw. Its banks are low, with a broad alluvial bottom, yet it never overflows it. The stream varies one to two and three miles in width, with a rapid current, yet a man can ford it most anywhere, and we have followed it 35 miles now, and this is the first branch to cross, and even though the land along the bottom is quite moist with showers nearly every night, this little branch looks more like a pool of water than a running stream. 

From “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/ 

 25 Apr 1879 (May 28-June 17) 

https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn85042522/1879-04-25/ed-1/seq-3/