Tuesday, May 18, 2010

May 18th

Brisebois came up from Fort Kipp today. He is to remain here until further orders. The cattle which came along with the train arrived here about 3 o’clock and the train itself about 4.30 P.M. It was quite an exciting scene to see the crossing of the coulee. The large heavy wagons are tied two together and 8 yoke of oxen generally draw them – but now they put on 16 yoke, 32 oxen all pulling and straining, all the drivers on horseback [s…?ing] along the sides of the long line of cattle – cracking their whips like pistols, swearing and shouting like demons. Then all is quiet as the wagons draw up on the opposite bank.