1840 to 1860 ?

[montanadan]

My question is no-one seems to talk about this era? To me it was the start of westward migration of this great nation. I am not trying to start anything, I have learned a lot from all of you. Respectfully Montanadan.

 

[musketman]

The Oregon trail and the California gold rush, great eras to be sure...

Both will fall into this time frame...

 

[Stumpkiller]

We were busy shipping our undersireables west at that time. :haha: Like Australia for the British.

Mexican War. Seminole Wars. Potato Famine in Ireland brings in a huge influx. Railroads start going great guns. Horace Greeley doesn't write: "Go West, young man" (it was John Soule - who worked for Greeley).

 

[Al Bateman 1]

Very busy time period...ya might be insterested in a book on the travels of the travels of the time. The Prairie Traveler )A hand-book for overland expeditions). I was written by Cpt Randolph B. Marcy (US Army), and first published in 1859. Lots of information on equipment, clothing, food etc needed to make the trek from the Mississippi out to the Pacific area. Don't know how easy it would be to find..bur it is an interesting read. :imo:





Rough headin' West..Always has been!

 

[musketman]

ya might be insterested in a book on the travels of the travels of the time. The Prairie Traveler )A hand-book for overland expeditions). I was written by Cpt Randolph B. Marcy (US Army), and first published in 1859.

[url] Amazon.com[/url] has two left in stock...

click here

 

How do -
This is one of my favorite time periods!

Anyway some resources on-line including The Prairie Traveler (two links):
The Prairie Traveller

The Prairie Traveler
Also on this site are:
The Oregon Trail, By Francis Parkman
The Life of Col. John Charles Fremont - His Narrative of Explorations and Adventures
Far-West Sketches, By Jesse Benton Fremont
An Overland Journey, By Horace Greeley (nope didn't say Go West but went himself in 1859)

Images only:
Rudolph Kurz Sketchbook - 1846-1852

Another online - mainly regarding the Mtn Men circa 1846: WILD LIFE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS by GF Ruxton

Scouts out

 

[montanadan]

Thanks to all of you for responding. I guess I would like to see a forum for this period ? Sometimes it seems like this era was or is just passed by. a lot of the mountain men/trappers went on to be guides and scouts. Thanks again..Montanadan.

 

[crockett]

We have talked about this before and Ohio Joe was trying to get something started. All I can figure is that more is not done during this time period because there was TOO MUCH going on. If you take matters up to 1860 then all the percussion revolvers are included, early Smith and Wesson revolvers, as well as a lot of the early cartridge type guns and suddenly you are out of the strictly muzzleloading world. Bridger owned a Hawken and I think that's what he had later on when he was at Fort Phil Kearney( I think that was where he was and it was post 1860). In any event it's a time worth pursuing and outfilts like SASS are too Hollywood and not what a lot of dedicated muzzleloaders are after. I think a Plainsman and Scout group using muzzleloading plains rifles and percussion revolvers would be very popular.

 

[montanadan]

CROCKETT-Well said, I was not interested in the cartridge weapons. Cap-n-ball revolvers and muzzeloaders in this time period(single shot pistols) would have been the norm. I think cartridge weapons of any kind would have been almost impossible for the average person obtain. Thanks to all that responded..Respectfully Montanadan...P.S...Muzzeloaders are what made the west safe for Winchesters and Colts!

 

[Brokenlaig]

Yep, an interesting time period for sure. The Oregon and Sante Fe trails were both going full steam, the '49er Gold Rush, and lets not forget the Mormon Pioneer trail too from 1846 as well.
Pretty much the standard armament was a heavy half stock percussion plains rifle and one or two Colt revolvers. Also important to remember that Bent's fort and a couple of others were still doing good business for animal hide trading and such as well during this time. Lots of old Mountain Men made livings as hunters and guides for wagon trains and hunters and translators/emissaries for the forts during this period.
I'd say there's a big plenty of personas and events that could be done here. :m2c:

 

[brian]

indeed an exelent mex war website. http://www.cottonbalers.lynchburg.net/
us mex war guys seem for and few between
and I havent been on the site for a while.
BB

 

[Ohio Joe]

Lets not give up on the Early Plains Era just yet. Yes, there was much that took place in that 20 year span, and I feel that a Black Powder Camp depicting this era would be a good idea. I feel we need to keep it strictly muzzleloaders and I wouldn't see a problem with that.

A "Black Powder Camp" 1840 - 1860, would be much the same as an 1820 - 1840 Rendezvous Camp, but with muzzleloaders of newer design. Folks could depict themselves as pioneers, settlers, miners, buffalo runners, scouts, military,,, the list can continue on I'm sure.

If anyone wants to continue talks about this, feel free to PM me anytime. I'm still working on it, and some day, who knows? :thumbsup:

I feel the idea is worth looking into further...

 

[oldmaster]

You can count me in for this group and time period. All of my muzzleloaders are percussion and this would be my time period. Nothing against flinters, just never have owned one.

 

[RussB]

indeed an exelent mex war website. http://www.cottonbalers.lynchburg.net/
us mex war guys seem for and few between
and I havent been on the site for a while.
BB

Thanks for the link....Ya gotta love those old tunes. :master:

The thing that caught my eye was "Cottonbalers"...I mistakenly took that for "Cottonbailers", a unit I was once assigned to in Aschaffenberg, Germany. Ist.of the 7th. Infantry, 3rd, Div....I was thinking it was possibly a historical link...... anyway I did spend a good hour reading, Thanks again.

Russ

 

[montanadan]

Sorry about posting in the wrong place, I am still new at all of this..Respectfully Montanadan

 

Maybe Claude will start a forum on this era and you as the Moderator for it Ohio Joe......... ALL those in favor raise your hands....... :agree:

Woody

 

[montanadan]

WOODHICK- Gee- I can hardly moderate myself , I was just curios why no-one hardly ever talked about this period. When you look at the time period(columns) it goes 1840`s then to the civil war. I read all the posts to try and learn, I am by no-means an expert at anything! Kind of, Jack of all trades...Master of none..Respectfully Montandan

 

montanadan I was refering to Ohio Joe as the morerator for such a forum

Woody

 

[Ohio Joe]

I thank you for your confidence in me, Woody...

I wouldn't mind helping out in this era, though I'm sure there are many more out there with more knowledge then I when it comes to 1840 - 1860...

Still, I would certainly help where I can to further the discussions of this time period if called on to do so.. :thumbsup:

 

Well ohiojoe i for one think you would do a great job as a moderator with the tradition of the forum. I also believe from how you are more than willing to give a helping hand when someone has a question/s that Claude would have the trust in you too. :thumbsup:

Woody