Gold Rush Era Letters

[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.