MARCHING THROUGH A JORNADA. Page 45.
JOURNAL
OF
WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON,
A PRIVATE SOLDIER
IN THE CAMPAIGN OF
New and Old Mexico,
UNDER THE COMMAND OF
COLONEL DONIPHAN
OF MISSOURI.
SECOND EDITION.
BALTIMORE:
JOHN W. WOODS, PRINTER.
1848.
Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by William H.
Richardson, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Maryland.
JOURNAL.
I left my home on West River, Anne ArundelCounty, Md., the 11th November, 1845, for a southerntour, and after visiting the principal places of the southand west, inspecting the country, and meeting withadventures familiar to all who travel, I found myself,the following spring, located permanently a few milesfrom Carrollton, Carroll County, Missouri, boarding inthe family of Judge Rea, a clever gentlemanly man.Here I formed numerous acquaintances, among them,an old Capt. Markle, who informed me of his intentionto visit California, and depicted in glowing terms thepleasure of travelling in new countries, &c. In themeantime, a company of mounted volunteers was beingformed in the neighborhood, under Capt. Williams, inwhich many young men whom I knew, had enlisted.This, together with the enthusiasm which prevailed ata public meeting on the 4th of July, (when the ladiesof Carrollton presented the company a beautiful flag,and many speeches were made)—caused me to decideand join the company. I immediately set about preparing—boughtmy regimentals, canteen, saddlebags,also some books and a writing apparatus for conveniencein noting down the occurrences of each day,thinking it probable, should I live to return, it might bea source of amusement to my friends in Maryland.
August 4th, 1846.—This morning we started for FortLeavenworth. Many of my friends came to take breakfastwith me at Squire Dorr’s. We met our Captain atCarrollton, where a public dinner was given. The companyformed and marched to the table in order. In theevening we mounted our fine horses and proceeded outof town. We passed the Prairie, 30 miles wide, and rode[4]as far as the residence of Dr. Arnold. There were fifteenof us in company, separated from the rest, and all insearch of quarters.
Having to water our horses, the Doctor directed uswhere to go. The way was plainly pointed out, but toour astonishment, we all got lost in the timber. Werode till very late, and might have been put to great inconvenience,had we not met with a servant who set us right.We returned to the Doctor’s to muse on our mishap andenjoy more hospitality. An ominous beginning for a soldier’slife.
5th.—Started this morning in company with the Doctorand his lady, who went with us eight miles to Lexin