Howdy, You may remember I previously posted a bit of the unpublished diary of Mrs. Mary C. Fish as she passed Council Bluffs and Omaha in May, 1860. Now, I plan to spotlight some of her diary entries as she travels to CA via the Northern Trail - Platte - South Pass -Salt Lake City - Humboldt - Susanville & Red Bluff. Again, your having an old map would help - not essential. It's almost a month later, as we join our diarist Mrs. Mary on the Northern Trail traveling along the Platte River in present day western Nebraska: ASH HOLLOW - the PLATTE RIVER "Wednesday June 20th(1860) We traveled 23 miles today & camped on the Platte. There is plenty of alkali on the road and thousands of Prairie Dog Villages. The alkali here resembles strong lye. We took dinner opposite to ASH HOLLOW, a place on the south bank of the Platte at which a battle was fought between the United States troops commanded by Col. HARNEY & the Indians. The Indians were defeated & a large number of them killed. The entrenchments thrown up by the troops are plainly visible from the north bank of the river & are in a deep hollow or raving between two steep hills.which extend to the water's edge. "There was a band of Indians passed us today. They were Sioux warriors on an expedition against the Pawnee with whom they are at war. They were all well armed & mounted & caused us some little uneasiness until they were well by us. We came by an Indian village this afternoon. There were plenty of papooses & dogs. Many of the papooses were perfectly naked & some of the seniors did not come very far from the same predicament. I saw a white man in one of the lodges in company with a squaw." CHIMNEY ROCK "Saturday June 23rd. We traveled 20 miles today & camped four miles above CHIMNEY ROCK. This singular formation surmounts a conical eminence which rises in the open prairie & reaches a height of 300 feet. It is composed of limestone & marl shaped like the spire of a church six feet by ten at the base & rising to a height of 200 feet, making with the mound an elevation of 500 feet. The Chimney was formerly much higher than it is at present & could be seen on a clear day as far as Ash Creek. The rain & wind are constantly reducing its atitude & it is said to be be full fifty feet less than it was nine years since. Calculating from this date what must have been its height no longer remote than a couple of centuries. "This afternoon it rained & the wind blew very hard.... As soon as we saw the gathering clouds which were of an inky blackness the company all left the road & started with all haste for the hills which appeared about a mile distant... The wind for several moments blew a hurricane but fortunately without overturning or damaging our wagons.... When the storm cleared up it was a grand spectacle to see the clouds hovering on the mountains. It looked as though the mountains were enveloped in dense clouds of smoke which appeared to be issuing from their sides." FORT LARAMIE "We...are now camped opposite to FORT LARAMIE...Laramie Peak is distinctly visible from here although 75 miles distant. This peak has snow on the summit the greater portin of the year. Fort Laramie makes quite imposing appearance although it is built on the South side of the Platte. The buildings are mostly painted white & make rather a neat appearance. Soon after camping we were visited by several Indians, one who wished to see the captain of our company, Mr. CARTER. He gave Mr. C[arter] a very pressing invitation to pass the night at his lodge which he declined doing. The honored guest is not only expected to partake with his host of the bounties of the table or rather ground, but also of his connubial privileges which renders the acceptance of such an invitation a rather delicate business. All kinds of provisions are high here as all trade & business is a government monopoly, the Ferry over the rivier included." THE FOURTH OF JULY "Wednesday July 4th.[1860] Today we gladly left the Black Hills behind & came to a more level road. The grass through those hills is very poor, it being all dried up with the drouth. We camped this afternoon in sight of four different companies having concluded to pay some respect to the glorious FOURTH. They had the Stars & Stripes hosted from two of the encampments & our company not having a banner have camped as near one as possible for they feel as partiotic as any of them. "There was to be an oration delivered at two o'clock p.m. & we all went over to the hall of reception to hear it. (Said) hall consisting of a few stakes planted in the ground & covered with green boughs. The seats being composed of ox yokes. These useful animals being at liberty to feast on the few bunches of dry grass which this favored place afforded. The orator was an old man. He spoke very well mostly on religious subjects & I think he was a minister of the Gospel. The audience were very respectful & well represented by the softer sex(:-) & I saw several very pretty girls who were dressed as tasteful as though in the midst of civilization." TO BE CONTINUTED. You folks stay here and enjoy the Fourth. I'll go on ahead and check out the trail ahead. Ought to be back by tomorrow:-) Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>