We also had many exciting times fording streams, for many of the streams in our way were noted for quicksands and boggy places, where, unless we were very careful, we would have lost horses and all. Then we had many dangers to encounter in the way of streams swelling on account of heavy rains. On occasions of that kind the men would usually select the best places to cross the streams, myself on more than one occasion having mounted my pony and swam across the stream several times merely to amuse myself, and having had many narrow escapes from having both myself and pony washed away to certain death, but as the pioneers of those days had plenty of courage we overcame all obstacles and reached Virginia City in safety.
Mother died at Black Foot, Montana, 1866, where we buried her. I left Montana in Spring of 1866, for @Utah, arriving at Salt Lake City during the summer. Remained in Utah until 1867, where my father died, then went to Fort @Bridger, @Wyoming Territory, where we arrived May 1, 1868; then went to @Piedmont, Wyoming, with U.P. @Railway. Joined @General @Custer as a scout at Fort @Russell, Wyoming, in 1870, and started for @Arizona for the @Indian Campaign. Up to this time I had always worn the costume of my sex. When I joined Custer, I donned the uniform of a soldier. It was a bit awkward at first, but I soon got to be perfectly at home in men's clothes.
