February 29, 1860 Here begins the journal of Greg Tuttle, formerly a farmer. Tomorrow we leave Independence behind to begin our journey west to Sacramento. We must still purchase the supplies that our small farmwagon will hold to sustain us during our long trek. I hope that the following skills will prove of some use along the trail: medical, carpentry, farming/animals, botany, cooking.

I, at 11 years old, am the eldest of three children. My parents headed out to Sacramento last year and my ma died before they made it. Internal injuries...what she must have suffered! I am also the only boy in the family, besides pa. Pa taught me everything I know about medical and carpentry skills, but my sisters are the experts in botany and cooking. We all took care of our animals back in New York. I miss our old home, and I can't believe I'll never hear ma's voice again. It makes my heart ache.

March 1, 1860 Took advantage of the package deal offered to me. What a relief not to have to shop for all that individually! Purchased 12 oxen. Purchased 15 blankets, 7 canteens, 1 fishing net, 3 fishing poles, 1 fishing spear, 5 water kegs. We will press on until we are exhausted each day. Went gathering. We found edible Raspberries, edible Black Raspberries and edible Burdock roots. Mr. Tillman claims it's the Oregon Territory up ahead, but the guidebook says it's Blue River Bridge. Reached Westport about noon--about time!

March 2, 1860 The good people of the wagon train hired me as their trail guide. Reached New Santa Fe. Today we drove our wagons and teams past Lone Elm.

March 3, 1860 Made an early start this morning; passed Blue Mound. Mr. Lumare figured we would reach Lawrence today, and he was right.

March 5, 1860 Nooned at Topeka. Mr. Tillman claims it's the Oregon Territory up ahead, but the guidebook says it's Kansas River. The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go.

March 6, 1860 Passed the hundred mile mark today. We laid by today near Saint MaryÕs Mission.

March 7, 1860 Saw a grave dug up by wolves near Red Vermillion River--bones scattered about. A most distressing sight! Heard some gunfire in the distance near Scott Spring. Much concern all around.

March 9, 1860 Passed Alcove Spring. Today we saw Big Blue River. What a sight! The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go. Our wagon fell through the ice. We lost 7 pounds of bacon; 1 pound of coffee beans; 1 10-lb. sack of cornmeal; 1 5-lb. tin of crackers; and various other items.

March 10, 1860 Today our eyes were greeted with the sight of St. Joseph Road Junction. Today I saw Hollenberg Ranch.

March 11, 1860 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual. The trail continues to provide wonders and surprises! Today we made it to Rock Creek Station.

March 14, 1860 The animals are so exhausted they can't continue. We plan to stop and rest awhile. There was a wedding in camp today not far from The Narrows. A joyous occasion in the wilderness!

March 15, 1860 Saw a grave dug up by wolves near Thirty-two Mile Station--bones scattered about. A most distressing sight!

March 16, 1860 Nooned near ÒThe Coast of NebraskaÓ. Reached Fort Kearny.

March 18, 1860 Sang and told stories around the noon campfire near Plum Creek.

March 19, 1860 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Arrived at Midway Station.

March 20, 1860 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual.

March 21, 1860 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Rested for a time near OÕFallonÕs Bluffs.

March 22, 1860 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual.

March 23, 1860 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

March 24, 1860 The animals are so exhausted they can't continue. We plan to stop and rest awhile.

March 25, 1860 We saw a small party of coyotes today, just a mile or so west of South Platte River. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds.

March 26, 1860 Passed the five hundred mile mark today. It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Commenced early today; saw Ash Hollow.

March 29, 1860 Today we drove our wagons and teams past Courthouse and Jail Rocks. Saw some Indians in the distance not far from Chimney Rock. No incident, but some concern.

March 30, 1860 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual. Nooned at Scotts Bluff. Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near Mitchell Pass.

March 31, 1860

April 14, 1860 I believe Erin Tuttle has the grippe. I've decided to rest here awhile. It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

April 15, 1860 Stopped at noon near Laramie River and rested from our morningÕs labors. Decided to caulk the wagon and float it across. Felt somewhat weary today. Passed Fort Laramie.

April 16, 1860 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Today we drove our wagons and teams past Register Cliff.

April 18, 1860 Today we drove our wagons and teams past Ayers Natural Bridge.

April 20, 1860 Our wagon tongue broke, and we decided to try to repair it. We were successful.

April 21, 1860 Passed North Platte River Bridge. Road fair to middling. Saw some Indians in the distance not far from Mormon Ferry Trading Post. No incident, but some concern. Saw a grave dug up by wolves near Emigrant Gap--bones scattered about. A most distressing sight! Enjoyed a cup of coffee with Mr. Lumare today at noon near Willow Springs.

April 22, 1860 Enjoyed a cup of coffee with Mr. Lumare today at noon near Independence Rock.

April 23, 1860 Had a lengthy chat with Mr. Lumare today near DevilÕs Gate. There was a wedding in camp today not far from Split Rock. A joyous occasion in the wilderness!

April 24, 1860 From our guidebook, estimated we would reach Three Crossings Trading Post today, and sure enough, there it was! Sore feet today, but I'll manage. Saw First Sweetwater River Crossing. Decided to ford the river. Sang and told stories around the noon campfire near Second Sweetwater River Crossing. Decided to ford the river. Saw buzzards circling today not too far from Third Sweetwater River Crossing. If I were superstitious, IÕd call it a bad omen. Fording the river looks to be our best option. Our train lost 1 wagon and 1 person crossing the river today.

April 25, 1860 The wagon got stuck in the mud. Had to double-team the animals.

April 26, 1860 There was a wedding in camp today not far from Ice Spring Slough. A joyous occasion in the wilderness!

April 28, 1860 Arrived at Lander Cutoff today.

We took the cutoff, hoping that none of us die on it as ma did. Pa sent a letter to beware of the North Fork river, as that was the river ma died from.

April 29, 1860 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual. Had a bit of a run-in with another wagon party today near Big Sandy Creek, but we patched up our differences before nightfall. Decided to ford the river.

April 30, 1860 Stopped at noon near New Fork River and rested from our morningÕs labors. Fording the river looks to be our best option.

May 1, 1860 The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

May 2, 1860 Today we have traveled 1,000 miles! The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

May 3, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual. Found ourselves at Thompson Pass this day. Got a nasty splinter in my thumb, but extracted it without too much difficulty. We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

May 4, 1860 Moira Tuttle came down with a bad cold, and I decided to continue as usual.

May 6, 1860 Our path was blocked by fallen rocks on the trail. We decided to continue over the obstruction.

May 7, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual.

May 8, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual. We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

May 9, 1860 Erin Tuttle is suffering from water poisoning, and I decided to administer peppermint.

May 17, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

May 18, 1860 A sudden thunderstorm caught us on the trail. I decided it is best to continue as usual.

May 22, 1860 We came upon some fallen rocks on the trail and decided to wait for conditions to improve.

May 23, 1860 Our path was blocked by fallen rocks on the trail. We decided to wait for conditions to improve.

May 24, 1860 We came upon some fallen rocks on the trail and decided to wait for conditions to improve. Erin Tuttle had an accident and broke a bone. We'll set the bone and apply splint.

May 27, 1860 Saw a small, foul-looking pool of water near West End of the Lander Cutoff. Could be poison; I prevented our animals from drinking it.

May 30, 1860 Approached Hudspeth Cutoff at Sheep Rock today. Some people in our wagon train are very tired of the journey.

May 31, 1860 Today we drove our wagons and teams past Buckskin Mountain.

June 1, 1860 Every day our journey comes closer to its end. Today we made it to Marsh Creek.

June 3, 1860 Made our way past Little Malad Spring late today. Trail could be better.

June 5, 1860 Erin Tuttle broke a bone. WeÕre going to set the bone and apply splint.

My poor sister. The bone is quite nearly poking out of the skin. She is in a great deal of pain. Our troubles never seem to let up. My sisters are a great help. If one of them were to die, I don't know what I'd do.

June 7, 1860 Had a lengthy chat with Mr. Lumare today near Raft River.

June 9, 1860 We have been traveling for 100 days, today.

June 21, 1860 Decided to ford the river.

June 22, 1860 Got as far as West End of the Hudspeth Cutoff today.

June 23, 1860 As expected, we made it to City of Rocks today. Played cards with Mr. Tillman today while nooning near Salt Lake Cutoff Junction. I suspect he cheats.

June 25, 1860 It's mighty hot today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

June 28, 1860 We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

June 29, 1860 We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

June 30, 1860 Broke an ox yoke today. We will try to repair it. We were successful. Traveled past Hot Spring Valley this afternoon.

July 1, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual. Terrible fog during the early part of the day. We chose to continue as usual.

July 2, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual.

July 3, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual.

July 4, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual. It is Independence Day and we're going to continue.

July 5, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

July 6, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

July 7, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual. It was extremely foggy early today. We figured it was best to continue as usual.

July 8, 1860 Encamped a while near North Fork of the Humboldt River. Fording the river looks to be our best option.

July 10, 1860 The animals are exhausted and can't continue. I've decided to stop and rest awhile.

July 11, 1860 Arrived at Emigrant Pass today.

July 13, 1860 Rested for a time near Gravelly Ford of the Humboldt River. Fording the river looks to be our best option.

July 17, 1860 Spotted a group of strangers. We decided to wait to see what they do. They moved on.

July 18, 1860 Broke an ox yoke today. We will try to repair it. We were unable to make the repair. We were able to replace it from supplies.

July 20, 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Billings came by for a visit today near French Ford Trading Post; had a very nice chat.

July 21, 1860 The fog is as thick as pea soup. I reckon we'll continue as usual.

July 23, 1860 The trail brought us to LassenÕs Meadows today.

July 24, 1860 My sisters look so tired. I think that the journey is wearin' all of us out. I just pray that we all survive the desert that's comin' up in a while. It's supposed to be 40 miles long! Moira's dear friend was bit by a rattlesnake a couple days back. It looks real bad for the girl, whose name is Holly Parsons. We all pray that she don't die, but I'm not quite sure God is listenin'.

July 25, 1860 Rested for a time near Big Meadows. Heard some gunfire in the distance near Humboldt Sink. Much concern all around.

July 28, 1860 We endured a most unpleasant sandstorm today. We decided to continue as usual.

July 30, 1860 Moira Tuttle has not been feeling well. I decided it is best if we increase fluid intake. A sudden duststorm came up today. It seemed best to continue as usual. The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

July 31, 1860 The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

August 1, 1860 The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual. Sore feet today, but I'll manage. Saw Ragtown.

August 9, 1860 In good spirits today; got as far as Fort Churchill. Went gathering. We found edible Raspberries, edible Blue-bead Clintonia berries, edible Serviceberries and edible Sego Lily bulbs. Went gathering. We found edible Wild Onion bulbs, edible Wavy-Leafed Thistle stems and flowers and edible Huckleberries. Went gathering. We found edible Raspberries, edible Black Mustard greens, edible Sunflower seeds and edible Serviceberries.

August 10, 1860 Today we saw Virginia City. How sublime it appears by moonlight. Today came to Carson City.

August 11, 1860 Saw Genoa, sight is most reassuring.

August 12, 1860 Stopped near Sierra Nevadas for a while.

August 13, 1860 We spotted a group of strangers and decided it would be best to wait to see what they do. They approached us and we talked.

August 14, 1860 The ox yoke broke, and I decided to try to repair it. We were successful.

August 15, 1860 Today we saw Carson Pass. What a sight!

August 18, 1860 The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

August 19, 1860 We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual.

August 20, 1860 We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

August 21, 1860 The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual. In good spirits today; got as far as Placerville.

August 22, 1860 The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

August 23, 1860 We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

August 24, 1860 We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual. It's mighty hot today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Made it to SutterÕs Fort Site.

We have at last made it! I made $2,200 in gold and I plan to settle in the Sacramento Valley, probably near the McLaird's home. The land dealer says that, due to my excellent judgement and ability to lead a group of people through the wilderness, I get 1,108 acres of land! He also said that wagon trains get what they call "points," and mine got 21,974! They told me that pa only got 'bout 10,000, so I feel well off. My sisters are goin' to live with pa until their 15 and 13, another 6 years.