Individual

death-date-qualifier-death

Samuel Gilman Clark, Sr.

birth-date-qualifier-birth

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849

Silas Richards company

"Silas Richards company", Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849, September 1849.

Camp of Israel schedules and reports, 1845-1849.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008. Supplement after 31 December 1849: Page 5F.

Historical Department journal history of the Church, 1830-2008.

Samuel W. Richards papers, 1839-1909

Samuel W. Richards papers, 1839-1909, April 1839.

<center xmlns:its="http://www.w3.org/2005/11/its" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Journal 
of travels from Pottawatomie Co. Iowa U.S.A. 
to Great Salt Lake City Great Basin North America</center>



While a great nation were celebrating the anniversary of their Independence, on the 4th day of July 1849 with my family and substance, including one waggon &amp; ten head of Cattle, I left Carters Vill [sic] two miles from Kanesville, Iowa, to seek a resting place in the Rocky Mountains whither my kindred and the Saints of God were gone, haveing been persecuted and driven into the wilderness because of their faith in the Holy One of Israel.



I crossed the Missouri River near Winter Quarters on the morn of the 10th of July in time to join the 1st fifty of the 2nd hundred as they were ready to move, This Company was organized under the direction of Prest.'s G[eorge]. A. Smith and E[zra]. T[aft]. Benson with the following officers. Bro. Silas Richards Capt. of Fifty, Samuel Clauson [Clawson] Prest. with Bros. Hyrum Clark &amp; Simon [Simeon] Carter his council. The Capt. of Tens in their order as follows. I. [Moses] Clauson [Clawson], Wm. D. Huntington, Augustus Farnham, Samuel [C.] Clark &amp; [blank space] [Elam] Sudington [Luddington].



Capt. of the Guard Lyman Stevens and A[lbert]. P[erry]. Rockwood Grand Marshal of the Camp.



This Company haveing been organized previous to my arrival and my name enrolled in Capt. Huntington's Ten I immediately took my place in said Company, who were then ready to move, and truly felt glad that I was leaveing the home of my childhood and the abodes of false civilization to share with my brethren in the perils of a wilderness journey &amp; life.



We arrived at the Elk Horn River on the eve of the 12th inst &amp; crossed on the 12th &amp; 13th. The waggons were crossed on a raft, and the cattle were swum across, all done without any accident to either man or Beast or loss of &lt;property&gt;.



Friday, 13th



In the P.M. the camp moved from the River to the Creek between 2 &amp; 3 miles distant there to wait the arrival of Prest.s G[eorge]. A[lbert]. Smith &amp; E[zra].T. Benson's Companies, who were expected daily &amp; constituted the 2nd Fifty of the 2nd one hundred though their Companies numbered fifty or more each.



Sunday 15th They arrived at the River and a few waggons crossed the same evening. Meetings were held at our camp, Prest. Clawson, his council. Capt. Richards A.P. Rockwood &amp; others addressed the meeting. The camp rules were read, and much good advice given in relation to our traveling. Sick in the p.m. with Chills &amp; fever.



Saturday 14th Camp duties were attended to such as washing, baking, cleaning &amp;c preparatory to the journey, at 9 o clock P.M. a military inspection took place, under the direction of the Marshal A[lbert]. P[erry]. Rockwood by which the military strength of the Camp was found to be as follows.



Capt Clauson's Ten 11 men. 9 at hand all well armed with the exception of 1 gun in bad order



Capt Huntington's Ten. 14 men, 12 at hand, 1 man without arms



Capt. Farnham's Ten. 14 men, 12 at hand. 1 without arms &amp; 2 in bad order.



Capt Clarks Ten. 7 men all armed in good order.



Capt. Ludingtons Ten. 15 men, 14 at hand, 1 without arms &amp; 1 in bad order.



Camp well supplied with ammunition &amp; lead generally Pistols, Percussion Caps &amp;c. S.W. Richards, Marshal's Clerk.



Monday 16th Capt. Richards returned to the River to get instructions from the Presidency when and how to proceed. letters were sent by him, to be taken to Kanesville by those who should return from the other Company. I forwarded one to Brother John McLaws St. Louis. On Capt Rs return the Camp were called together and informed that we had permission to move on slowly &amp; keep within hailing distance in case there should be occasion to communicate with each other as we were not cut loose from their companies. accordingly about 1 o'clock at the sound of the Horn the Camp was under motion with the exception of one company of Ten which remained behind to be joined by some waggons not yet crossed the Horn and were to follow next morning. We moved on 11 miles to the Platte River &amp; camped.



Tuesday 17th &lt;a very warm day&gt; Waited till near noon for the other Co. behind to overtake us, and as they came up we were ready to move &amp; traveled together about 5 miles &amp; camped near a small pond for the night.



This day I was very sick with chills &amp; fever, was under the necessity of geting a man to drive my team for me, standing guard, and over exertion proved more than my strength could endure



Wednesday 18th Traveled 9 miles before stoping. was very warm and cattle were traveling with their tongues out. while at rest the propriety of going further was called up, and by some was deemed imprudent and injurious to our teams as there was no Camping place nearer than eight miles, which would make 17 miles drive in a warm day and for the Company which came from the Horn the day before, was considered quite too much.



The subject being laid before Capt. Richards by the Marshal was approved, and a council was called to learn the mind of the Camp generally[.] after considerable discussion upon the matter some being of the mind to go on, and others opposed it was decided that the officers of the Camp were the legal Voters to decide the Question. Prest. Clawson being anxious to go on, sent for his council to be present, who, he expected would vote with him. Bro. [Lyman] Stevens, Capt. of the guard was also sent for. the vote was taken &amp; proved a tie, Bro. Stevens upon hearing the reasons for stoping, withdrew his vote, when Capt. Richards gave the casting vote and decided that we should stop considering that it was not only in keeping with his instructions from George A. [Smith] which was not to get out of hailing distance, but that it would be too much for the cattle of those who drove so far the day before to go eight miles further.



The cattle were gathered and we moved into Currell [corral] near bye. Capt. Clawson appeared to think that his wishes were not sufficiently regarded in the matter, considering the responsibility upon him which was no less than to be a father to the Camp, according to George A [Smith's] own words. however, I heard no more said, but that all was satisfactory untill [sentence Unfinished]



Thursday 19th early in the morning before breakfast I heard Capt Clawson converseing with Brother Rockwood as his waggon was next to mine &amp; he appeared to be calling him in Question for useing an influence in Camp to stop the same contrary to his wishes &amp;c.--but not haveing much of a disposition to meddle with other mens matters, I did not acquaint myself particularly with the nature of the conversation although it was considerable lengthy



Thursday Camp moved about 11 miles crossed shell creek &amp; camped near by. learned here that Capt. Rives, [illegible] Al[l]red, &amp; Companies crossed the same 6 days before all well.

Transcript for Samuel W. Richards papers, 1839-1909, 1839 April-1840 May

Samuel W. Richards papers, 1839-1909.

Silas Richards diaries

Silas Richards diaries, May 1846.

Transcript for Silas Richards diaries, 1846 May-1855 July, Diary, 1849-1853, 1-36

Silas Richards diaries.

Silas Richards letter to Brigham Young

Silas Richards letter to Brigham Young, August 24, 1849.

Camp of Israel. North bank of Platte 
near Crab Creek Aug 24th 1849



 



President B Young &amp; Council



Dear Brethren. Bro. Babbitt informs me that he was instructed to say to the camps as he met them, that if they would send you an account of their circumstances and the probable amount of assistance that they would need to get through to the Valley, that it would be sent them. It is not probable that I can make the estimation as correct as you can, after you are informed relative to our camp.



I was appointed by Bros. G.A. Smith &amp; E.T. Benson, Captain of the 3rd fifty to lead a camp of 70 wagons from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley, the appointment was confirmed by the camp, we left Winter Quarters 10th July[.] 68 of our wagons being drawn by from one to four yoke of oxen &amp; cows, the other two by a span of horses each, (Bro. Hiram Clark's and my own)[.] our teams are generally rather heavily loaded for the state of the weather &amp; the roads, it having been very warm and rainy most of the way, though we have had no rain for a few days, but the heat continues very opp[r]essive, consequently we have traveled very slow, being determined to take good care of our teams, many days we have only traveled from six to ten miles, we are aware that we are late, yet it will not do to kill up our teams if we can avoid it, we have been very fortunate, even &lt;more&gt; so than our brethren that are before us &amp; behind us. we have had no death in our camp, and very little sickness. have lost no cattle except 3 cows that died, and one old worn out ox that we left-by the way, not broke a wagon materially, and in fact we have not had any serious misfortune, we are getting along very well, and are thankful to our heavenly father for it. peace and union prevails in our camp, though our cattle are generally in good condition yet, it is probable we shall need considerable assistance. as our loads are heavy. in consequence of the council we received from the Valley just before starting in relation to provisions, and the lateness of the season will not admit of much delay. Esqr. Babbitt informs us that feed will be very scarce and the weather very cold before we get through and that we are sure to need assistance, I think our horses will not be able to draw the wagons, though if we can get them along at all. and in fact I do not know many wagons that can spare a single Yoke of oxen, and travel a long comfortably with their present loads, we have many good faithful brethren in our camp, quite a number on [sic] the Battalion boys, and many of the citizens of Kanesville &amp; vicinity but not much wealth except our wagons, teams &amp; other stock[.] we have 70 head of loose cattle mostly to[o] young to work, 100 head of sheep, only nine horses, no spare or loose hands when the teams are going. I need not say any thing farther relative help, as you will, no doubt send what you can, wagons will not be necessary, only send oxen and men enough to bring them, our journey will be very lengthy &amp; much more provisions consumed than was anticipated. we have got but little Buffaloe meat, although we have been in the Buffaloe range for two weeks, it is said they are scarcer &amp; more difficult to kill than usual, that is good ones. Capt. Allen Taylor's camp being about a week ahead of us, have nearly cleared the track, we have not seen any for several days except a few scattering old bulls, it is probable we will save but little, by way of provisions from them.



August 26th 1849 Bros. Campbell, Patten and Elliott are with us on their way to the Valley with the express mail, they will leave us tomorrow morning



I think Proper to inform you that, nine wagons left our company yesterday on their own responcibility, and without our council, and traveled ahead. Yesterday being Sunday, we rested and had meeting as usual[.] the names of those that went on are, as follows, three brothers by the name of Thompson, Mr Poor, (these are not members of the Church I believe) [Joel] Harvy &amp; Hutchens, claim to be members, they have not been disposed to observe, and comply with our camp rules. are profane (except Bro [S.] Hutchins) and incline to be disorderly, the only excuse they offer for leaving is that they do not wish to tie their cattle at night.-they intend being in the valley 3 week[s] ahead of us, my opinion is that the Gold is their principal inducement west, also Allen Green.



Altho we are traveling slow in consequence of the heat &amp; heavy loads yet we are getting along well. the weather is beautiful and pleasant-it being cooler the two last days. having to write in haste and on my knee I will close, being over burthened [burdened] with camp duties



In full faith and expectation of meeting you in joy &amp; peace I remain your Brother in the Gospel of Christ



 



Silas Richards



 



[enclosure]



To President Young &amp; council



A list of names, of heads of families &amp; &lt;men&gt; emigrating in camp at this time



Silas Richards &amp; family 
Hiram Clark - 
Lyman Stevens - 
Jacob Strong - 
Henry Mower - 
Wm. McClary 
John McLean 
Lemuel Leavett [Leavitt] 
Hiel K Gay 
Wm. D Huntington &amp; family 
Simon Dalton - 
A[lbert]. P[erry]. Rockwood - 
Saml. Richards - 
James Guymon - 
Thos. Gaunt [Grant] 
George Dalton 
Henry E Parish 
Edmond Fox 
John W McDonald 
Edward Sayers &amp; family 
Luke Beardsell - 
Elam Ludington &amp; family 
Peter Robinson - 
Nathaniel Green - 
Theodore Turley - 
Arnold Potter - 
T[hadeus] Alverd - 
Ann Smith - 
Augustus Farnham &amp; family 
John Eaby 
James Lewis 
Orlando H Carter &amp; family 
Simeon Carter - 
Francello [Francillo] Durphy [Durfey] 
Osias Kilbourn 
Jared Starr &amp; family 
Alfred B Benson - 
Louisa Gibbons 
Samuel G. Clark &amp; family 
Philip Garner - 
Moses Daley - 
Edward Daley - 
Moses Daley jr - 
John Thompson - 
Justin Merrill - 
Philemen C Merrill - 
D[aniel]. B[erry]. Rawson 
V[alentine] Wyrick - 
Philander Cotten [Colton]- 
[blank space] [James] Goff - 
George Clauson

Transcript for Silas Richards letter to Brigham Young, 24 August 1849

Silas Richards letter to Brigham Young.

Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12

Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12.

Transcript for Silas Richards reminiscences and journal, circa 1849-1871, transcribed by Ailcy C. Morrell, 4-12

Samuel Gilman Clark, Sr.

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