On June 22, 1847, while traveling back east overland following the end of hostilities in California during the Mexican American War, General Stephen Watts Kearny and his detachment of U.S. Army soldiers reached what they called “Cannibal Camp.” This was the site of the Donner Party encampment made by the group of American immigrants the previous winter near Truckee Lake (now known as Donner Lake). Most of the perished members of the Donner Party were initially buried under snow during the previous winter. Since Kearny and the other men arrived in June, the snow had all thawed exposing all the remains of not only the perished members but also the remains of their livestock. Kearny and his soldiers were horrified at what they saw. Kearny ordered the men to bury the dead that were lying around the former camp site. The remains were buried under the Breen family cabin, along with animal remains and any belongings left at the camp. The soldiers then set the cabin on fire. Edwin Bryant sai...