TO FREDERICKSBURG. 
49 
on horses or mules, and I occasionally resorted to a 
mule by way of variety ; for it is a dull mode of tra- 
velling to be dragged slowly along for eight or ten 
hours a day cramped up in a carriage. I also made it 
a point to walk a few miles every day on starting, which 
practice was followed by others. 
Every man in my party was well armed, the officers 
with Colt’s revolvers and a rifle ; the mechanics, la- 
borers, cooks, and servants, with rifles, and the team- 
sters with pistols or rifles. 
W e seldom moved at a faster gait than a walk ; as 1 
did not wish to run the risk of fatiguing the mules or 
breaking them down, while the feed was scanty, and 
there were no means of making good any losses of ani- 
mals. By setting out at 7 o’clock, which was as early 
as we could get off on an average, we could make about 
twenty miles by two o’clock, which gave the animals time 
to graze before night, when it was necessary to bring 
them all in. An earlier start might have been made, 
but the animals had to be fed first ; and when there was 
good grazing, they were turned out at daylight for the 
purpose. 
On leaving camp, one half the horsemen took the 
lead as an escort ; for the timid mules are always reluc- 
tant to lead off, and do much better when a horse is in.^. 
advance. I followed with my carriage, when not 
mounted on my mule ; the train of wagons came next, 
with a few horsemen alongside ; and the cooks, servants, 
etc., brought up the rear. 
On reaching a camping ground, we formed what is 
called on the prairies, and by all overland travellers, 
a corral^ or inclosure, to serve as a protection for men.. 
VOL. I. 4 
