The military history is best depicted by the Fort Kearny Home Page listed in the links section. The following is a brief supplemental description. Ft. Kearny was the first military post built to protect the Oregon Trail emigrants. The fort remained an important wayside throughout the emigration period. Many pioneers purchased food at the fort, and nearly everyone took advantage of the fort's reliable mail service. In late May as many as 2,000 emigrants and 10,000 oxen might pass through in a single day.

Source:Michael Trinklein 1995(www.isu.edu/~trinmich/FtKearny.html)

JOURNAL ENTRIES:

Tuesday, May 30, 1853
Jordan Wagon

Today we reached Ft. Kearny. We have come 319 miles from Missouri. We may trade some stuff. John broke his leg. The weather is nice and sunny, so we will be able to have a dance in the evening. We bought lots of supplies. We got two more yoke of oxen and lots of food. We rested, ate, and the children played. Everyone is planning to go to the square dance this evening. We will also have a big feast, courtesy of Ft. Kearny. We wrote letters to our relatives back home.

Dear Journal, We have traveled 319 miles and we are at Ft. Kearny, which is in Nebraska. Civilization at last! We bought a lot of supplies, including bacon, coffee, cornmeal, flour, beans, bullets, and lots of other things. Tonight there will be a square dance and there will be a lot of good food to eat. We might not go to the dance.

Today we arrived at Ft. Kearny. WE have traveled 319 miles. We are still in Nebraska. When we went inside the fort, we bought some items and talked to the people there. We also thought of trading, but didn't. After dinner, we went to a square dance party. We had lots of fun. We all made friends. We are resting here for a few days and then we will be going back on the trail.

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