George Douglas Brewerton went to California during the Mexican war by sailing vessel as a second lieutenant of the New York Volunteers. He returned overland from Los Angeles to Independence, Missouri, by the Old Spanish Trail and the Santa Fe Trail and made the journey as far as Taos in company with the famous Kit Carson. His entire journey lasted from May 1848 to August 1848 with his arrival at Independence. This is his personal account of his experiences on the trails.
