for Oregon with ox-wagons, but the spring had been backward. Now, however the weather was fine, and the road good. All went well except regulation affairs, which became so complicated and trying that Burnett resigned the command after eight days of service, William Martin being elected in his place. The resignation of a captain on account of insubordination or inattention to rules probably effected a partial reform, for Martin seems to have remained in office. It was, however, found so difficult to direct or control so large a body of people united by no further interest than a common destination, that a division into two columns was effected, on the Big Blue River; one wing consisting of that division which was unencumbered with herds, being called the 'light column,' and the other, of which Jesse Applegate took command, being denominated the 'cow column.'[1] These two divisions travelled within supporting distance only, in order not to interfere with each other's comfort or convenience, as far as Independence Rock.
Dragging themselves along in the hot summer sunshine, few incidents enlivened the way, until toward the last of June the buffalo country was reached, where it was expected to obtain abundance of game; but a hunting expedition from New Orleans having preceded them, the buffaloes were driven from the line of travel.[2] During the first five days of July the south branch of the Blatte was crossed, in ferry-boats made of wagon-boxes over which the green hides of buffaloes had been stretched and dried. At Fort Laramie, where the light column arrived on the 14th, a few days were taken to repair wagons, and purchase, at extortionate prices, some additional supplies. Ten days later the
- ↑ See 'A Day with the Cow Column,' in Overland Monthly, i. 127.
- ↑ Waldo's Critiques, MS., 18; Kaiser's Nar., MS., 3. The hunting party was headed by Captain Stuart, often mentioned. He was accompanied by the editor of the N. O. Picayune, M. C. Field. The Jesuits, De Vos and Hoecken, on their way to the Flathead country, were also with the hunters as far as the Rocky Mountains.Niles' Reg., lxv. 71, 214. Burnett erroneously states that one of these priests was De Smet; but De Smet was then on his way to Europe. Recollections, 102.
