Major Rucker, who had come across with Pike.

Graham's Battalion of Dragoons, had exchanged with Major Fitzgerald, of the Quartermaster's Department, and was detailed to conduct this relief.

General Smith ordered him to be supplied with one hundred thousand dollars out of the civil fund, subject to his control, and with this to purchase at Sacramento flour, bacon, etc., and to hire men and mules to send out and meet the immigrants.

Major Rucker fulfilled this duty perfectly, sending out pack-trains loaded with food by the many routes by which the immigrants were known to be approaching, went out himself with one of these trains, and remained in the mountains until the last immigrant had got in.

No doubt this expedition saved many a life which has since been most useful to the country.
I remained at Sacramento a good part of the fall of 1849, recognizing among the immigrants many of my old personal friends--John C.Fall, William King, Sam Stambaugh, Hugh Ewing, Hampton Denman, etc.