Journals and letters, 1849-1851

The journals and letters to his family and friends describe an 1849 trip from New York to California, by way of the Lakes, Chicago, St. Louis, and Independence. It notes preparations for the overland journey and traveling with the Wolverine Rangers to Fort Kearney, the Platte, Fort Laramie, South Pass, Sublette's Cut-off, the Humboldt, Lassen's Cut-off, and the Feather River Valley. The letters and a statement Swain dictated to his daughter describe life in the mines and his return home