After 8 miles cross vile bridge over Snow Creek . Thence up the river valley along the S . bank of the Platte to the lower ferry. To Lower Bridge, old station of troops. To Upper Bridge, where the ferry has now been done away with ............ 18 miles 1:15 pm to 4:15 pm Aug. 16, 1860
Along the Platte River, now shrunk to 100 yards. After 10 miles, M . Bissonette ; at Deer Creek , a post-office,blacksmith 's shop, and store near Indian Agency. Thence a waste of wild sage to Little Muddy, a creek with water. No accommodation nor provisions at station ................... 20 miles 8:30 am to 12 noon Aug. 16, 1860
Road runs 6 miles (wheels often locked ) on rugged red land, crosses several dry beds of creeks, and springs with water after melting of snow and frosts in dry season, thence into the Valley of the Platte. After 17 miles it crosses the La Prêle (Rush River), a stream 16 feetwide, where water and wood abound. At Box -Elder Creek Station good ranch and comfortable camping- ground .... 25 miles 4 pm to 9 pm August 15, 1860
Road forks; one line follows the Platte, the other turns to the left, over “ cut-off ;" highly undulating ridges, crooked and deeply dented with dry beds of rivers; land desolate and desert. No wood nor water till end of stage. La Bonié River and Station ; unfinished ranch in valley ; water and grass 25 miles 10:45 am to 2:45 am (?) Aug.15, 1860
Rough and bad road . After 14 miles cross Bitter Cottonwood Creek ; water rarely flows; after rain 10 feet wide and 6 inches deep ; grass and fucl abundant. Pass Indian shop and store. At Bitter Creek branch of Cottonwood the road to Salt Lake City forks. Emigrants follow the Upper or South road over spurs of the Black Hills, some way south of the river, to avoid kanyons and to find grass. The station is called Horseshoe Creek . Residence of road-agent, Mr. Slade, and one of the worst places on the line. ................. 25 miles 5 pm to 9:30 pm Aug. 14, 1860
After 9 miles of rough road cross Laramie Fork and enter Fort Laramie, N .lat. 42° 12' 38" ,and W . long. 104°31' 26 ". Altitude 4519 feet. Military post, with postoffice, sutler's stores, and other conveniences. Thence To Ward 's Station on the Central Star, small ranch and store. 18 miles 12:15 pm to 4 pm Aug. 14, 1860
Route over sandy and heavy river bottom and rolling ground, leaving the Platte on the right : cottonwood and willows on the banks. Ranch at Laramie City kept by M . Badeau, a Canadian , who sells spirits, Indian goods, and outfit ......... 26 miles 6 am to 10:20 pm Aug . 14, 1860
Road along the river; crosses Little Kiowa Creek, a tributary to Horse Creek , which flows into the Platte. Ford Horse Creek, a clear shallow stream with a sandy bottom . No wood below the hills... 16 miles 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Aug. 13, 1860
Road along the south bank of North Ford of Platte River. Wild sage the only fuel in the valley : small spring on top of first hill. Rugged labyrinth of paths abreast of Scott's Bluffs, which lie 5 miles S. of river, in N . lat.41°48' 26" , and W . long. 103° 45' 02" . Water found in first ravine of Scott's Bluffs 200 yards below the road, cedars on heights. To station ................................ 24 miles 1:30 pm 5:30 pm Aug. 13, 1860
Route lies over a rolling divide between the Forks, crossing Omaha, Lawrence, and other creeks, where water and grass are procurable. Cedar is still found in hill-gullies. About half a mile north of Chimney Rock is a ranch where the cattle are changed .......... 25 miles, 8 am to 12:30 pm August 13, 1860
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