The Cow Camp

Each night, a trail crew sought a camp near water for the cattle, and the cook often pointed the wagon tongue toward the north star to guide the crew the next day. After the cattle were bedded down in an open area, the men took turns as night herders watching them through the night. In the mid-1800s, most men on the trail carried only a blanket and a wallet, a folded piece of cloth containing some dried food tied behind the saddle. In later years they used a bedroll of blankets rolled in canvas waterproofed with linseed oil. The canvas was twice as long as it was wide and folded over lengthwise at the feet. It also served as a pack for extra clothing, equipment, and a few personal items. Other names for the bedroll were dream sack, hot roll, and Sougan. Each morning, the bedrolls were loaded into the wagon bed.

Frisco, Texas · United States