Independence Day in the mountains.
July fourth usually prompted some sort of celebration in the mountains. Ranging from a feast with fine food, to a simple salute with rifles,
the holiday was always observed in some fashion.
From John Luttig, 1812:
Saturday the 4th of July., we had ourselves prepared to salute the Day, which gave Birth to the
Independence of the United States, but a Salute from Heaven prevented us, a thunder storm arose
at 2 in the Morning and the Bank of the River where we camped fell in upon us momentarily. Mr
Manuel was nearly drowned in his Bed, and we had run off., rowing and poling all Day, about
Sunset a favorable wind sprung up and carried us several Miles, were obliged to leave a large
Buck and an Elk which our Hunters had Killed behind, camped at Black Birds Hill 50, distance 15
Miles.
From Osborne Russel:
Here we again attempted to cross Lewis’ fork with a Bull skin boat July 4th Our boat being completed
we loaded it with baggage and crossed to the other side but on returning we ran it into
some brush when it instantly filled and sunk but without further accident than the loss of the boat
we had already forded half the distance accross the river upon horse back and were now upon
a other shore We now commenced making a raft of logs that had drifted on the Island on this
when completed we put the remainder of our equipments about 2 oclk PM and 10 of us started
with it for the other side but we no sooner reached the rapid current than our raft (which was
constructed of large timber) became unmanageable and all efforts to reach either side were vaine
and fearing lest We should run on to the dreadful rapids to which we were fast approaching we
abandoned the raft and committed ourselves to the mercy of the current. We being all tolerable
good swimmers excepting myself, I would fain have called for help but at this critical period every
one had to Shift for himself fortunately I scrambled to the shore among the last swimmers. We
were now on the side from whence we started without a single article of bedding except an old
cloth tent whilst the rain poured incessantly. Fortunately we had built a large fire previous to our
departure on the raft which was still burning
I now began to reflect on the miserable condition of myself and those around me, without clothing
provisions or fire arms and drenched to the skin with the rain
I thought of those who were perhaps at this moment Celebrating the anniversary of our Independence
in my Native Land or seated around tables loaded with the richest dainties that a rich
independent and enlightened country could afford or perhaps collected in the gay Saloon relating
the heroic deeds of our ancestors or joining in the nimble dance forgetful of cares and toils whilst
here presented a group of human beings crouched round a fire which the rain was fast diminishing
meditating on their deplorable condition not knowing at what moment we might be aroused
by the shrill war cry of the hostile Savages with which the country was infested whilst not an
article for defense excepting our butcher Knives remained in our possession
From Rufus Sage:
July 4th. Accompanied by two others, in an equally forlorn condition, the “glorious fourth” finds
me plodding along, over an open prairie, beneath the scorching rays of a summer’s sun, unarmed,
halt-naked, with a shouldered pack, and not having had a morsel to eat for the past two days.
It is now I think of the festal boards and scenes of good cheer so omni-present upon Freedom’s
birth-day in the land of my nativity! Mine is a mode of celebrating Independence, that I care not
ever again to observe.
