88 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



On the 11th we reached Fort Bridger. This had been a 

 trading post, and during the marauding excursions of the 

 Saints, to harass and destroy our supply trains, it was used 

 as a starting point. On the approach of our troops, the 

 Mormons deserted the place after burning it down. General 

 Johnston arrived here at the close of November, and making 

 the place his winter quarters, built a fort and remained here 

 until spring, suffering many hardships from cold and lack 

 of the provisions the Mormons burned. As soon as the 

 snows had sufficiently melted, supplies were sent to the 

 beleagured troops, who were found eating their last rations. 

 They marched on to Salt Lake after recuperating, and 

 accomplished their mission. The commissary here lightened 

 our wagons to the extent of four hundred pounds apiece, 

 which was quite a help to us. 



We had now joined with us another train — the same one 

 which had passed us on the Platte. The men had rebelled 

 against their wagon-master, and Russel & Go's, agents had 

 ordered the two trains to run together under our own. There 

 were now in the train fifty wagons, sixty men, and over six 

 hundred oxen. Among the new men were several Mexican 

 Indians. This many men consumed much provision, and our 

 bacon running low, application was made at a cattle station 

 belonging to our employers for some beef cattle, which was 

 refused. That night two expert thieves of our party were 

 sent to the agency and brought home three fine bullocks, 

 which were divided among our men. 



Bearing in mind the vast amount of game roaming over 

 the plains and among the mountains, it would naturally be 

 supposed that much of our diet would be from that source. 

 What fresh meat we had outside of the domain of the buff'alo, 

 whose flesh, particularly in the summer, is unfit to eat, was 

 mainly from our oxen when accidentally killed. This, of 

 course, was poor eating. We saw deer and antelope frequently, 



