cams_rjboylan_b012_f003_001_1

[top right corner: 1850]

Fort Laramie June 4th

Dr [Dear] Wife and children. I write from old Fort Kerny
May 12. I am well and getting on well I have
no time to write. I enjoy good health and
stand the journey well my mules are
doing well I do not know the time we shall
get through. We shall go by the Sublett
cut off and shall not see Salt Lake or
fort Hall Mr Oglesby has been through that
rout it is one hundred miles nearer
he came through in 56 days. We have
averaged from Mo [Missouri] river 27 1/4 miles per day
including all stop. We have not traveled hard
we expect to make 33 1/3 miles per day the
next two weeks and then from 35 to 40.
I do not expect to have an other [another] chance to
write and the mail passed east yesterday
it goes once in 15 days. I stand guard only
once 3 hours in five nights we number 21
men. James I hope will secure hay and see
to getting it in time. We have had much rain
the last 2 week, it is raining now my paper
is wet I am writing on my saddle while
breakfast is cooking and then start no wait
-ing so you will excuse this hasty letter. My
oil cloths Keep me dry day and night.