16th Oct (1858). Leave camp very early, keep the main road until we reach the Boyd's Ferry road, we take it, but were piloted by a red headed, bear headed bare footed Irish girl riding bare backed on a small pony, to a good ford, where we forded the Holston river, the largest river I ever forded, but we surely needed a pilot. Although it proved a fine ford with a good pilot which our barefoot proved to be. I asked her why she took so much interest in piloting emigrants. She remarked that the owner of the ferry had robbed her mother out of a good home. I must say something of this ford. We followed our pilot into and up the channel of the river about one quarter of a mile where we came to a long island which we traveled some distance further up the island, when took to the other part of the river and passed down in the stream to almost opposite to where we first entered it, and we were then across Holston river, which is a large and navigable stream only in dry season s as this was. We asked our girl what was her charge and she said: "No charge." But most of the company gave her something and she well earned it and saved the company quite a sum of cash. The Holston empties into the French Broad not far below our place of crossing. We camped two miles from Knoxville after a days drive of 18 miles. 17th Oct (1858). A heavy white frost this morning our first for the season. Leaving camp, although it is the Sabbath as we would have to buy wood if we remained there. We passed through Knoxville, a large and thrifty town. Take the Clinton road, cross the first railroad seen on our trip, and after driving ten miles we camp as it is the Sabbath. 18th Oct (1858). Remained in camp until 12 o'clock noon. Take the old Emery road, took up camp after a drive of only 7 miles. 19th Oct (1858). Resumed our journey crossed Clinch river at Lee Ford, dodged another ferry trap, passed Oliver and Robertsville at the Salt works, broke down a wagon, camped near the coal fields, days drive 13 ½ miles. 20th Oct (1858). Visited the coal fields, secured a pilot who piloted a lot of us through the mines. We could walk straight up in the leads, but you ought to have seen some of those girls when the pilot talked danger talk. Drove 5 ½ miles a very rainy day, the first on our trip. 21st Oct (1858). Resume our journey, passed through Wartburg, a Dutch town, where are located several big vineyards. One mile from Wartburg we passed through Montgomery the seat of Justice of the county of the same name, this was also no place, court being in session; a great many people were there talking about hard looking cases but these took the premium, but wait the end of our journey. About a half a dozen of us boys walked into a saloon, a crowded one at that, and we inquired how far it was to Montgomery, this set up a sizzling like unto pouring cold water on a hot iron, they said they would whip the whole gang quicker than a hot climate would scorch a feather. We were glad to get back across the Emery river, dry show. Though we had been advised that we would have to ferry it where it empties into the French Broad river. But by this time we had learned when advised to go to a ferry to just take the other road. Moved 18 miles today and camped. 22nd Oct (1858). At an early hour we commenced our journey, passed nothing of importance, keep the road leading to Carthage, passing on the summits of the Cumberland mountains, a very poor country, but we found plenty of sweet chestnuts. Take up camp after reduceing our journey 19 miles.