Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 25.djvu/41

THE CALIFORNIA AND OREGON TRAIL 31 By June, 1860, there were over 2,350 troops in the field in Utah, 275 at Fort Bridger and about 3,700 en- route. Of the latter some were subsequently recalled be- fore they had reached Utah and others were ordered to Washington Territory; one company of artillery and nine of infantry continued to Utah, and two companies of dragoons with ten batteries of artillery were stationed along the Platte. 42 By the summer of 1860, the number of troops had been reduced until but one or two hundred remained at Camp Floyd. 43 Although the freighting business over the trail had commenced some years previously, it was greatly in- creased by the Mormon trouble. Though there were smaller companies in the field from time to time, the great freighting company was Russell, Majors and Wad- dell. Alexander Majors began in the freighting business in 1848. He was occupied for the most part in carrying supplies to the different army posts in New Mexico, Col- orado and Utah Territories. Another firm also appeared in the field, Russell and Waddell. In 1855 the two firms combined under the name of Majors and Russell, but after three years, the firm name became Russell, Majors and Waddell. In 1860, Majors bought out his two part- ners. 44 Prior to 1858 the firm owned from three to five hund- red wagons and teams. In 1858, because of the necessity of supplying the Utah expedition, this was increased to some 3,500 wagons, 40,000 oxen and about 1,000 mules. Over 4,000 men were employed. During that year over 8,000 tons of supplies were sent to Utah. The wagons in which the supplies were carried cost from $150 to $175 each. After being unloaded at Camp Floyd they were taken to the suburbs of Salt Lake City, where they cov- ered acres of ground. A year or so afterward they were 42 Adjutant General's report, House Executive Documents, 35 Cong. , 2 sess., Vol. II, pt. Ill, Doc. 2, Ser. No. 999, pp. 780-783. 43 Burton, op. cit., p. 335. 44 Majors, op. cit., pp. 74 -77 .