1862.
Left for Washington January 10th and returned February 22d - In April trade a trip to Chicago and back - Early in May left St. Louis on the steamer Spread Eagle for the Rocky Mountains-Arrived at Fort Benton June 10th - Returned by the same boat to Fort Leavenworth - Went thence to St. Mary's Mission and reached St. Louis in August.
Visited Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, returning to St. Louis by the same route - "While in Washington I heard the roar of cannon at the Battle of Antietam."
Distance traveled, 9,518 miles.
1863.
Left St. Louis May 9th on the steamer Alone bound for Fort Benton -June 21st the boat was stopped by low water at the mouth of Milk river- Passengers detained there about four weeks while transportation was being sent for to Benton -Arrived at Fort Benton August 15th.
Father De Smet decided, on account of danger from the Indians, to return to St. Louis via Panama - Set out August 25th - Crossed the Divide on the 20th- Reached St. Ignatius September 5th - Left on the 8th - Reached the Sacred Heart Mission September 18th -Left on the 23d - Reached Vancouver October 8th.
Set sail from Portland October 13th - Went to Vancouver island - Reached San Francisco on the 21st -Left on November 3d - Crossed Panama on November 18th and same day took the steamer North Star for New York, where they arrived on the 26th, Thanksgiving day.
Left New York on December 9th for Washington, where Father De Smet had business to transact relating to the Indians - Left Washington and reached St. Louis December 17th, "safe and sound."
Distance traveled, 11,782 miles.