#virtualoregontrail May 30-June 5, 1845 Buffalo

Continued from the diary of James Field:

Frid. 30. – Again we lay in camp, awaiting the return of Clark and his company, who returned in the afternoon, all but three, bringing near 30 head of cattle with them from near Blue river. The three returned during the night, and our brave ex-captain, T’Vault, was so courageous as to jump out of his tent, on hearing the noise of their approach, and fire at them, raising a pretty row for a while. 

Sat. 31. – Went about 20 miles, camping near a place just deserted by a hunting party of Indians, whose camp, from the abundance of greasy bones, and scraps of buffalo meat and skins, gave evidence of a successful hunt here lately, although we have not yet seen the first buffalo. The creek we left this morning was not Plum creek, as we passed it about noon. 

Sun. June 1. – We camped last evening in two companies, with every evidence of a general split, which accordingly took place this morning, McNary telling us he is no longer captain. It has been very evident throughout our journey that we could get along much easier in smaller companies. This day was taken up with dividing out the cattle, and towards evening near one third of the company left, under McNary, and went on some five or six miles, followed by some 12 or 13 wagons under J. Waymire, the late lieutenant. The company which last evening broke off, remained still upon the ground, and to this company I was attached. I will here say that it was from no ill feeling toward the captain or any of the company we broke off in the manner we did, but merely to get along easier than we could in the large crowd we were in, as for the last week we had been compelled to either make short drives or lay by every other day on account of the straying of our cattle.  

Mon. 2. – Went 22 miles this day. Saw plenty signs of buffalo, but we discovered none until evening, when two men went out and fired at one of two that had come down into the bottom, but did not get him. 

Photo from Flickr CC Public Domain

Tues. 3. – Went about 18 miles, the road broken with dry water-courses and the land dryer than any yet traveled in this bottom. About noon, five companies of U. S. dragoons, under Col. Kearney, 250 strong, overtook us, and camped soon after. They were hardy looking fellows, and as they passed along in two double lines, leading their horses, they looked nearly as dark as natives, and some of them, with their mustachios, a good deal savager. Two buffalo were killed by our party to-day, and opposite this evening’s camp scores may be seen across the river. 

Wed. 4. – D. Lafield, the only Yankee in the crowd, and he from old Connecticut too, had to take to the bush yesterday on the dragoons’ approach, he having been one, and quit Fort Leavenworth without saying By your leave, Mr. Officer. Every man in camp was his friend, and he had been a good fellow, for, if a man had a cow or anything strayed, Davy was always ready to follow the trail, and he went back two or three times, nearly always with success, though afoot and alone, and several times he laid out in the prairie at night. He was accounted the best cattle-driver in camp, though a footman, and was as good as half a dozen such horsemen as some were. He came into camp this morning, having lain in the prairie all night without gun, blanket, or provisions, and came near running into the dragoons’ camp in the night, but, hearing the relief guard called, he scattered off in another direction. We went about 16 miles this day, camping on a clear-water slough, with only buffalo chips for fuel, which would also have been the case last night had we not taken wood in the wagons the day previous. This was the shortest day I have seen on the road, as there was something to vary the monotony of our journey. Just as we were fairly on our road, the dragoons passed us and overtook a large herd of buffalo feeding in the bottom. They had five horses with them kept during their whole march for running buffalo, and when these were put after them, the buffalo took to the sandhills, among which they were running them all day, we enjoying the sport. I had supposed, from the slowness of their motions, they would make a poor race, but in this I was mistaken, and it is no common nag that outruns them. One of our company gave one of them a shot, which passed through the body and lungs above the heart, and he then outran a dragoon for half a mile, after which he laid down and died. 

Thur. 5. – To-day we went 17 miles, camping on the river near a company which passed us some 10 or 12 days ago. 

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

 25 Apr 1879 (May 28-June 17) 

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