California. A trip across the plains, in the spring of 1850

James Abbey was a member of a party that left New Albany, Indiana, for California in the spring of 1850. California. A trip across the plains (1850) is reprinted here from a version published in the Magazine of history, 1933. It is based on the diary kept by Abbey during that journey and letters he sent to friends at home as his party made their way from Indiana to St. Louis, where they joined a larger wagon train, and on to California via Fort Laramie, South Pass, Salt Lake, and Carson Pass. The story continues with accounts of his first days as a prospector near Weaverville after the party reached California in August.