John Charles Fremont

Explorer, topographer, geologist, and naturalist

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

After some delay in obtaining necessary financial support, I am happy to announce that within the month I will embark upon the most important of my expeditions to find a central railroad route through Colorado to California. I intend to hire my friend, Kit Carson to guide us!

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Now that this journey is mostly complete, I will likely take a break from posting. Hopefully you have enjoyed following me along this trip, and I look forward to a more peaceful and uneventful spring. Yours truly - John Charles Fremont

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Taos, New Mexico Feb 6, 1849: After a long delay, which had wearied me to a point of resolving to set out again myself, tidings have reached me from my ill-fated party. Mr. Vincenthaler came in last night, having the day before reached #RedRiver settlement, with four others.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

I intend to travel quickly and by March I hope for the great pleasure of hearing from my love Jessie! It is getting late now, there are two gods which are very dear to me, Hope and Sleep. So I go now to pay a willing tribute to one with my heart full of the other.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 29: no news yet from the party, a great deal of falling weather; rain and sleet here and snow in the mountains. I am anxiously awaiting to hear from my party, in much uncertainty as to their fate. My presence kept them together and quiet, my absence may have had a bad effect.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 25: At the beginning of February, I shall set out for California, taking the southern route by the Rio Abajo the Paseo del Norte, and the south side of the Gila, entering California at the Agua Caliente, thence to Los Angeles and immediately north with only a few men.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 22: Godey returned north this morning with about 30 animals,provisions, and four locals, with which he set out for the camp along the Rio Grande. I expect Godey will reach the remaining men by the 31st. I will remain here in Taos where I find myself in the midst of friends.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 21: I look upon the anxiety which induced me to set out from the camp as an inspiration. Had I remained there waiting for the party which had been sent in, all of us would probably have perished. Godey and myself rode on to the Rio Hondo and Taos, in search of supplies.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 20: by the aid of the horses, we carried these three men with us to the Red River settlement, which we reached on this tenth evening after leaving our camp in the mountains, having travelled through snow and on foot one hundred and sixty miles.

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

This was the twenty-second day since they had left us, and the sixth since we had left the camp. We found them, well three of them- Creutzfeldt, Breckinridge, and Williams - the most miserable objects I have ever seen. King had starved to death a few days before. 2/2

[John Charles Fremont @JohnCharlesFre2]

Jan 16: With the Indian awe headed south. His horses were wretchedly poor, and could get along only in a very slow walk. On this day we travelled only some seven miles. At sunset we saw a little smoke, in a grove of timber off from the river, could it be our express party? 1/2