Scope and Contents Handwritten diary of Cone's overland journey by ox team from Waukesha, Wisconsin to California in 1849. Cone is a descriptive writer and proud to record "only facts." Diary describes traveling conditions, encounters with Indians, cholera outbreaks, fellow travelers, and government assistance at the end of the trail. Cone also spent time in Salt Lake City and wrote about his unfavorable impressions. After arriving at California, Cone made several trips to Sacramento. Life in California was...

Abstract Fort Bridger began serving as a trading post for emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail in 1843. However, when alternate routes were discovered, the fort was largely abandoned. In 1862, the U.S. Army occupied Fort Bridger, using it as a headquarters from which to combat Indian raids. During the Civil War, soldiers stationed in the West were charged with the important role of protecting the overland mail routes, which often supplied silver to finance the Union efforts. Fort Bridger continued as...