As commander of the Texan forces defending the Alamo, William Travis wrote this letter on February 24, 1836:

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World:

I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna–I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man–The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken–I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls–I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all despatch–The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis

A bacterial disease called Cholera was the biggest killer on the Oregon Trail. 

Cholera crept silently along the trail, caused by unsanitary conditions. People camped amid garbage left by previous parties and drank polluted water at common campgrounds.  People in good spirits in the morning could be in agony by noon and dead by evening. Symptoms started with a stomachache that grew to intense pain within minutes. Then came severe diarrhea and vomiting that quickly dehydrated the victim. Within hours the skin was wrinkling and turning blue. Most victims died within the first 12 to 24 hours. If the victim survived for more than 24 hours, he usually recovered.  

Large scale cholera epidemics swept the trail population in 1849, 1850, and 1852. The disease spread due to poor sanitation, and could have been avoided by boiling water, but discovery of the cause and prevention was years away, and emigrants unknowingly spread the disease by using polluted water at common campgrounds.

Martha Freel, came to Oregon in 1852. The following is an excerpt from a letter sent home to an aunt in Iowa:

First of all I would mention the sickness we have had, and I am sorry to say the deaths. First of all, Francis Freel died June 4, 1852. Maria Freel followed the 6^th. Next came Polly Casner who died the 9^th. Lafayette Freel soon followed. He died the 10^th. Elizabeth Freel, wife of Amos died the 11^th, and her baby died the 17^th. You see we have lost 7 persons in a few short days. All died of Cholera.

- Martha Freel, June 23, 1852

Diary of Narcissa Whitman, June 1836.

Dear Sister Harriet and Brother Edward, it is Friday eve, six o’clock. We have just encamped for the night near the bluffs over against the river… No timber nearer than the Platte, and the water tonight is very bad – got from a small ravine. We have usually had good water precious to this. Our fuel for cooking since we left timber (no timber except on rivers) has been dried buffalo dung; we now find plenty of it and it answers a very good purpose, similar to the kind of coal used in Pennsylvania (I suppose now Harriet will make up a face at this, but if she was here she would be glad to have her supper cooked at any rate in this scarce timber country). The present time in our journey is a very important one. The hunter brought us buffalo meat yesterday for the first time. Buffalo were seen today but none have been taken. We have some for supper tonight. Husband is cooking it – no one of the company professes the art but himself. I expect it will be very good…

Saturday, 4th. Good morning, H. and E. I wrote last night till supper; after that it was dark  and I could not see… I wish I could describe to you how we live so that you can realize it. Our manner of living is far preferable to any in the States. I never was so contented and happy before neither have I enjoyed such health for years. In the morning as soon as the day breaks the first that we hear is the words, “Arise! Arise!” – then the mules set up such a noise as you never heard, which puts the whole camp in motion. We encamp in a large ring, baggage and men, tents and wagons on the outside, and all the animals except the cows, which are fastened to pickets, within the circle. This arrangement is to accommodate the guard, who stand regularly every night and day, also when we are in motion, to protect our animals from the approach of Indians, who would steal them. As I said, the mules’ noise brings every man on his feet to loose them and turn them out to feed.

Now, H. and E., you must think it very hard to have to get up so early after sleeping on the soft ground, when you find it hard work to open your eyes at seven o’clock. Just think of me – every morning at the word, “Arise!” we all spring. While the horses are feeding we get breakfast in a hurry and eat it. By this time the words, “Catch up! Catch up,” ring through the camp for moving. We are ready to start usually at six, travel till eleven, encamp, rest and feed, and start again about two; travel until six, or before, if we come to a good tavern, then encamp for the night…

Farewell to all.

Diary of Catherine Sager Pringle, August 1844.

We nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion. When performing this feat that afternoon my dress caught on an axle helve and I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my limb before father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury when the injured limb hung dangling in the air… In a broken voice he exclaimed: “My dear child, your leg is broken all to pieces!” The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set; then we pushed on the same night to Laramie, where we arrived soon after dark. This accident confined me to the wagon the remainder of the long journey.

After Laramie we entered the great American desert, which was hard on the teams. Sickness became common. Father and the boys were all sick, and we were dependent for a driver on the Dutch doctor who set my leg. He offered his services and was employed, but though an excellent surgeon, he knew little about driving oxen. Some of them often had to rise from their sick beds to wade streams and get the oxen safely across. One day four buffalo ran between our wagon and the one behind. Though feeble, father seized his gun and gave chase to them. This imprudent act prostrated him again, and it soon became apparent that his days were numbered. He was fully conscious of the fact, but could not be reconciled to the thought of leaving his large and helpless family in such precarious circumstances. The evening before his death we crossed Green River and camped on the bank. Looking where I lay helpless, he said: “Poor child! What will become of you?” Captain Shaw found him weeping bitterly. He said his last hour had come, and his heart was filled with anguish for his family. His wife was ill, the children small, and one likely to be a cripple. They had no relatives near, and a long journey lay before them. He begged the Captain to take charge of them and see them through. Father was buried the next day on the banks of Green River. His coffin was made of two troughs dug out of the body of a tree…

Diary of Amelia Stewart Knight, May 1853.

Saturday, May 14th — Had a fine rain last night; cool and the sun shines this morning. We see very few Indians. Did not see more than a dozen Pawnees. We are now in the Sioux country. Passed the sand bluffs. Traveled 2 miles and were obliged to stop and camp ont he prairie near a large pond of water, on account of the high winds, and some rain. Winds so high that we dare not make a fire, impossible to pitch the tent, the wagons could hardly stand the wind. All that find room are crowded into the wagons; those that can’t, have to stay out in the storm. Some of the boys have lost their hats.

Sunday, May 15th — Cool and pleasant after such a storm. Travel 18 miles and camp.

Monday, May 16th — It is evening. We have had all kinds of weather today. This morning was dry,dusty and sandy. This afternoon it rained, hailed, and the wind was very high. Have been traveling all the afternoon in mud and water up to our hubs. Broke chains and stuck in the mud several times. The men and boys are all wet and muddy. Hard times, but they say that misery loves company. We are not alone on these bare plains, it is covered with cattle and wagons. Wehave come to another muddy branch, we will cross it and find a camping place. Good grass for the stock, and that is one good luck we have. Travel about 20 miles. The wind is getting higher.

Tuesday, May 17th — We had a dreadful storm of rain and hail last night and very sharplightning. It killed two oxen. We had  just encamped on a large flat prairie, when the storm commenced in all its fury… I never saw such a storm. The wind was so high I thought it would tear the wagons to pieces. Nothing but the stoutest covers could stand it. The rain beat into the wagons so that everything was wet, in less than 2 hours the water was a foot deep all over our campgrounds. As we could have no tents pitched, all had to crowd into the wagons and sleep in wet beds, with their wet clothes on, without supper…

Letter from William Porter, June 1848.

Dear Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters,

I wrote a few lines to you a few days ago, but lest they should not reach you, I will write as though I had not written at all. We are all well, and getting on as well as common. Some of our company are a little discouraged on account of fatigues of the journey. I have felt a little discouraged, sometimes, about the scarcity of grass, though our cattle look well.As a general thing, there is no difficulty in finding good camping places until you get to Laramie, then there is but one or two good camps. Grass is not as good this season as it usually is.

I will make a few suggestions from my experience, which you may profit by should you ever travel this road. Bring wagons made of the best materials and have some blacksmith’s tongs and harness for setting tires. You can get tires cut and set at Laramie but you will frequently have occasion to set them on the road. Well-made, stout cattle should only be brought and about four yoke, or three at least for each wagon. All in our company who have loose cattle regret having started with them, and some sold their loose cattle at Laramie. Be careful to get an industrious, careful hand to drive your team and one that will not leave his post at any time. I would advise to bring no horses. Mules for working or riding do well. Get a good Mexican saddle. A common saddle, whether rode or not, will be of little value. Bring plenty of good strong rope, five or six hundred feet will not be too much. There is a great deal of windy weather and rains are generally accompanied with high winds. You should therefore, have your wagon covers made of very strong material. The wagon bed should be fixed so rain could not drive in on the floor, either at the sides or ends. A good tent is very necessary. A light cook-stove will be found very convenient. A small dog or two will be useful until you cross the Missouri River after which they are useless. Procure Palmers’ book and Fremont’s map which will be very useful. If you have a man in company who has been on the route it will be well; otherwise you ought generally to send some two or three in advance to select camping places. For the first 200 miles you will generally have to camp off the road. Wood is very scarce on Platte River until you get near Laramie. Plenty of buffalo chips for campfires along the Platte.

This is the fourth day we have been here waiting to cross the Platte. A small company of Mormons from Salt Lake are here with a canoe boat to cross the emigrants. They charge $1.50 per wagon. It will be two days yet until we can cross. Yesterday a company of Mormons arrived here with their wagons and teams to assist their friends now on the road to Salt Lake. There is now a company in our camp from Oregon, just arrived. They say grass is very scarce on the route from this on, and it will be very difficult getting there. If thought best, you may have this letter published, and I hope this may suffice for a letter to all whom I promised to write to, and all interested. I promised to write a letter for Samuel Tucker today, but the company is in such hast to leave I shall not have time. He says to tell all his relations and friends that he is well, and all the family have been well and are in good spirits considering the circumstances. Mr. Coffey and wife, together with their family wish to be remembered. Give my regards to all my relations and friends, and tell all who may intend to take this trip to be sure to have a good wagon and team and plenty of provisions.

In hopes of seeing you again, I am, William Porter.

My Children-

I am sorry to hear that you have been listening to bad advice. You know me, and you know that I would not deceive you. Open your ears and listen to what I shall now say to you. They are the words of a friend, and the words of truth. The white people are settling around you. The game has disappeared from your country. Your people are poor and hungry. All this you have known for some time.

I tell you that you must go, and that you will go. Even if you had a right to stay, how could you live where you are now? You have sold all your country. You have not a piece as large as a blanket to sit down upon. What is to support yourselves, your women, and children? The land you have ceded will soon be surveyed and sold, and immediately afterwards will be occupied by a white population. You will soon be in a state of starvation. You will be resisted, punished, perhaps killed.

Is it not better to go peacefully to a fine, fertile country with your people?  The game beyond the great Mississippi River is abundant. The money payable to you, and the other stipulations made in your favor, will make your situation comfortable, and will enable you to increase and improve. If, therefore, you had a right to stay where you now are, still every true friend would advise you to go to the Oklahoma Territory.  You shall be comfortably taken care of, and kindly treated on the road, and when you arrive in your new country, provisions will be issued to you for a year, so that you can have ample time to provide for your future support.

But if some of your rash young men should forcibly oppose your arrangements for removal, I have ordered a large military force to be sent among you. I have directed the commanding officer to be kind and courteous to you. But I have also directed that one third of your people, as provided for in the treaty, be removed during the present season. If you listen to the voice of friendship and truth, you will go quietly and voluntarily. But should you listen to the bad birds that are always flying about you, and refuse to move, I have then directed the commanding officer to remove you by force. This will be done. I pray the Great Spirit, therefore, to convince you to do what is right.

Your Friend,
A. Jackson
Washington DC
February 16, 1835

Discussion Questions

1. How does President Jackson refer to the Seminole in the opening of his letter?  Why do you think he refers to them this way?
2. What are some reasons President Jackson says the Seminole should leave Florida and go to Oklahoma?  Explain more than one of Jackson’s reasons from the letter.
3. President Jackson closes the letter with “Your Friend”.  Do you think he was really trying to be a friend to the Seminole people?  Why or why not?