Transcript

Title: Orval Morgan Allen diary, 1846 September-October

Call Number: MS 307

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MS

F
565
NO.1
ORVAL MORGAN ALLEN
DIARY, 1846
BEGIN

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MS                    Orval Morgan Allen
d                       1805-1893
307

                                                      1 Item

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Journal of O. M. Allen - Foreman of a Company of Volunteers to Nauvoo

 

A Council of the Twelve having decided to send some Men and Teams to Nauvoo, to bring away the poor, the sick, and
a few other families, Volunteers were called for, for that purpose. on the 11th. September 1846 the Volunteers met with the
Council, and I was appointed Foreman of the Company. Pliny Fisher, Clement Evans, Evan M. Green, John Lytle,
James McFate, James M. Sprague, Samuel Savary, C.N. Baldwin, Amos Tubs, Samuel Smith, and Newman Blauget
were the Volunteers to go with me. I then commenced gathering teams for our journey. and on the 14th. we took up the
line of march for Nauvoo and continued our journey until we arrived at the Springs where we encamped the 15th was
a very rainy day. we got to the Missouri River between 9 and 10 o clock, and halloed for the ferrymen to come over. 

no one came over to us, and Samuel Smith, fearing that some evil had befallen the ferrymen, attempted to swim
to the opposite shore, but very nearly lost his life in the attempt. he floated back to the same side. between 12 & 1
the ferryman came to the River & we commenced ferrying over the cattle (thirty six yoke) to the opposite side, where there
was plenty of grass on the prairies, we worked very hard until dark, and in the darkness we lost two yoke, and
had to stop on the bank all night. 16th we hitched up the teams and drove on the prairie to feed, & placed
some men over them to watch them, the rest I ordered to hunt the lost Cattle, about 12 oclock we found one yoke. 

the grass being very high and the Cattle troublesome we went to the Bluffs. on the way I thought it best to send
back to hunt the Cattle and I appointed Samuel Smith a very trusty man, for that purpose. on the 17th. I sent
John Lytle and Evan M. Green to assist in hunting. they found them and arrived at the Camp at 1/2 past 3
we hitched up and drove to Keg Creek. on the 18th. we drove to the West Fork of Ishna Boma & made some hay
for our return, and then went to a small Creek 4 miles further on the road. Peter Van Orlen met “his Mother
and returned back to the Bluffs. and I placed James M. Sprague in his place. 19th. while on our journey we met
brother Washburn and Samuel David (who had joined after our organizing) went back with him and took one yoke
of his Cattle back with him. C.N. Baldwin then took his place, we went on and made our hay. on the 20th. we
came to Indian Town. after a good days travel. on the 21st. we travelled six miles, made hay, and then
went on our journey. In the afternoon we met brothers Cutler and Wells, who told us the news of the Battle
in Nauvoo, and the driving of the Saints from the City. their situation on the Slough without shelter, and the
Mob having possession of the City.[cross line through the “.”] 21st. it rained all day. we made hay and travelled on. 22nd. we went
on our journey, being out of provisions and meeting some teams, we told them we were going to bring the Saints,
and we wanted something to eat. Brothers Brooks and Londen supplied our wants, they told of us a bad
place on the road, so we provided timber and built a Bridge. Brother Newman Blauget joined our Company
the weather being still cloudy, we went on till we got thro' the prairie, where we put up hay. James Sprague
being very unruly, and as I could do nothing with him by talking to him, I was under the necessity of giving
him a good dressing. he was very sulky the remainder of the day. we travelled on to the Monon Grove

where we staid all night.  on the 24th when we had hitched up our teams, Sprague still being obstinate.
I asked him why he did not hitch up his team. he would not speak. I then gave him a crack with [crossed out word]
my Whip, when he said he was going to leave me at Pisgah, so I gave him his walking papers, and turned him

 

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out of the Company. he walked on to Pisgah and told the brethren that I had whipt him and turned
him off. he told them he wanted something to eat, so they took the hint and did not give him any. 

when we arrived at Pisgah we found the brethren very sick. we obtained some meat & then travelled
five miles where we put up hay. the boy following very sulkily after us. On the 25th we continued our
journey, the Boy took his place and was good that day. and I believe that he will continue to do well
for all he wanted, was, for some one to make him know his place 26th. we hitched up and pursued our
journey, all well. made hay, and on the 27th. we made a good days travel 28th we hitched up and
drove on, will being very successful in getting provisions, for the brethren were liberal in giving to us. 29th. after hitching up and travelling a small distance, we met Evans's Company, we told them we
wanted something to eat and they were very liberal in giving to us. in the evening we met Sister
Mary Smith with her Company, she met us with a welcome how do you do, and her other hand
was full of Charity of the right kind, for she felt for her brethren and sisters who were driven from
their homes, she placed in my hand fifteen dollars to help the poor, she told me she was scarce of
provisions, so I told her that if the poor did not need it, that I would bring one half of the amount
to her when I returned, she afterwards gave us about sixty pounds weight of flour. we had our suppers
with her, and after supper we drove about three miles. Sister Tompson gave me three dollars
for the same purpose. we asked the Lord to bless them. 30th we went on, nothing occurring worth
note. October 1st. we hitched up and drove on without any difficulty. we were detained some
time this day hunting Cattle 2nd this day we met brother Balletyne and made arrangements
about the teams that were sent by brother John Taylor. he lent me a Wagon and gave me
an order to bring a load of Books for brother Tayler from Nauvoo. we pursued our journey
to the lower end of String Town, where we left brother McFate, he having found his family
3rd we hitched up and drove on to Indian Creek where brother Savary found his family.

then drove on three miles where brother Green found his family, and we staid all night. we also
found out where brother Hodge was. 4th this morning I went to see him, and left a team he concluding
that he could come on with the assistance of one team. drove on to Bonapart. did some business.

found brother Bair going to Nauvoo, so I left the teams in care of brother Fisher, in order to go
and arrange with the brethren on the Mississippi, without losing any time I arrived at the River
about Eleven o clock in the evening. during which time Amos Tubs took a yoke of Cattle from
Father Fisher which he was to have delivered again to Father Fisher, or Joseph Knight Jr.
also Samuel Smith took two Wagons and four yoke of Oxen, and went for his family. the next
day 7th. Father Fisher arrived at the Mississippi with the teams about 9 o clock A.M. he having
left the Oxen at the Black Jack Grove, where they lost One yoke of Oxen. while the boys were grazing
their Cattle 15 men rode up on horseback armed with Guns and Pistols, wanting to get hold of me
and Levi Nickerson. swearing that if they got hold of me they would be the death of me.

 

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October 1846

Wednesday 7 Very early this morning I went with John Bair to hunt up the brethren and Sisters, who I was sent for,
and made arrangments for the whole Camp to meet at 9 o'clock, at which time I called upon Tarleton Lewis
to pray, afterwards I addressed the brethren and told them the purport of my mission. I found their
circumstances very different to what I had expected, and repelled the reports that were circulated about
the Main Camp and shewed their falsity. spoke of the Spirit of gathering and not of scattering and
that there was a sufficiency for their maintenance on the Missouri River. told them that when they
got to Camp, there was a Record kept whether he worked or not, and that the idler was not allowed
to eat the bread of the industrious, that I would rather fare as the Brethren did in the West, than live
among the Gentiles and have their fare. and that I would not be content until I got upon the big
prairie again. I told them that if they would uphold me I would uphold them and get them to
Council Bluffs as quick as I could. all that I wanted was peace, union and friendship on the Road
and for them to spend and be spent to remove the poor. and if there were any who had teams
they might organize with us, but that I would not suffer any man to leave us who might have a
load of provisions with him.              42 persons volunteered to join the Company. I was refused
a passage to Nauvoo, and was told that if I did cross I should be arrested by the Mob and
tried before Judge McAuley and Co. in the temple. a man was in pursuit of me all evening
8th. threatening to kill me if I could be found. 8th. I sent a Messenger over to J.S. Fulmer and J. L. Heywood
who came over to me, I presented the order for books which they refused to send, and told me to take Benjamin
Whitehead and Robert Campbell, two Cripples, in the Wagon. about 10 A.M. I called on the people to drive
their teams out of that Slough and go on to the Prairie in order to organize into Companies, I assisted
the Cripples and the sick to load up, and visited the whole Camp from begining to end & offered
all assistance; some were not prepared to go; some would not carry a Widow with only 250 lb
luggage, altho' I offered them a yoke of oxen to assist their team; some made one excuse and
some another. I had considerable conversation with the brethren until a late hour at night. 

9th. I called the brethren up by day light, told them the rules of former Companies, and directed the Clerk
to write a letter to the Trustees, requesting them at their earliest time to come and deliver to the poor
their portion of the dole of dry goods and groceries, that we might depart on our journey. This morning
we had a direct manifestation of the mercy and goodness of God; several large flocks of Quails flew
into our Camp, some of them fell on the Wagons, some under, and some alighted on the Breakfast
tables. the brethren and Children ran after them and caught them alive with their hands.

the brethren and Sisters praised God and glorified his name, while Strangers who were not in the
Church marvelled at the sight; a Steam Boat passed down the River within five or six rods at
the time they were catching the Quails with their hands. thus was showered down upon the poor
persecuted Saints a sufficiency. about 20 were caught alive, and there were so many killed that
every man, woman and child had them for their dinner. after dinner the flocks increased in

 

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size; as the brethren had eaten and were satisfied, and we had had a manifestation from God,
similar to the [ink blob] Children of Israel in the Wilderness, I ordered that not another Gun should be
fired at them, the Quails continued to fly round, and alight in the Camp.  then all would arise
fly round the Camp again within two or four rods off and again alight in our midst.
this was repeated more than half a dozen times during the afternoon. about 3 in the --

afternoon the Trustees came to deliver out their dole, and at half past four we took our
departure from the Mississippi River and encamped at the foot of the bluffs_______  3 miles 

about half an hour after sunset, we had scarce stopt when a very stiff breeze sprung up
and continued all night. Father Bosley volunteered to superintend the herd boys, the whole
10th. journey. 10th. had a dull morning, but started at 10. got to Charleston about noon, and
encamped on the East side of Sugar Creek at 1/2 past 6.                                                                 13 ___

11th. Crossed Sugar Creek Bridge at 8. halted to feed our Cattle at 1/4 to 12 when we started again having
a beautiful Sky over our head and a delightful breeze in our Face. passed thro' a Wood
by a long descending winding Road. where brother Parker and Sister Jones, each had their
Wagon tongues broke, which caused us considerable delay at 6(h).30 (min) the Wagons commenced
crossing the Des Moines River. all were crossed over in less than an hour & encamped.

a heavy shower of rain descending all the time                                                                                  14 ____

12th. Encamped on the Des Moines all day. I called the brethren together and gave them their orders
for the day. I then crossed the River to buy Tar, Meal &c &c for the Company & get our Wheat
ground which occupied nearly all day.

13th. I ordered all the Wagon Wheels to be greased, fixed Sister Wheeler's Wagon Bows & Cover.

in the
afternoon I took the Clerk across the River with me. we completed our purchases for the Camp

I had ordered all the men and boys to hunt up all the Cattle, but on our return we found that
only 2 or 3 had turned out for that purpose. each person being satisfied if his, were safe.

14th. I called all the men up before daylight, and again ordered them to hunt the Stray Oxen & Cow
in order that we might get to a Prairie 6 miles on our Road. where we can have grazing
after going along a sideling, slippery road, among stumps and logs. and thro' a Wood dur[‘ing’ off page]
a shower of rain. we then travelled until we came to a Well. several families were here (6 miles)
15th. Staid on the Prairie all day. I went back to Bonapart with some Men to hunt for the
lost Oxen and Cows. and was successful in finding same. returned to Camp in the evening
16th. Between [ink smudge obscures text] & 4 this morning Sister Joan Campbell was delivered of a dead child. she was
then seized with the chills, & in less than two hours was a Corpse. when I saw her at the Sloug
she was sick from exposure. having been driven from Nauvoo in health. this is the first victim
to persecution in this Camp. about noon one Dr. Avery and the Constable of Vernon Township
Van Buren County, Iowa, came and attached a yoke of Oxen, for a debt said to have been

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contracted by brother Edward M. Green, amounting to 8.00 this causes another delay to our Camp
and as every moment is now precious to us I charge the County 500.00 as damages. a Coffin
was made for Sister Campbell and her child. they were placed in it, the child being on her
right arm. a grave was dug about 50 rods NNE of Samuel Davis Well in Hazel Brush
17th. I went ten miles on foot to see Dr. Avery, and found him very obstinate, because the Oxen
were not actually mine. if I repleired [?]I should have to bring the actual owner from Camp
which would cause both expence and delay, so I thought it best to pay the debt with such
goods as I had in Camp. & paid his debt, and costs, amounting to 16.00. at 3 P.M. Sister
Campbell was buried Elders Bullock and Bosley officiating. about 5. Father Fisher, my
Counsellor arrived, with Aunt Mary Smith, so that we can now pursue our journey to the West
I called the Camp together, and exhorted them to prayer, union, diligence, obedience, to assist
each other, and be kind to those who are sick. after prayer, and a hymn had been sung.

Aunt Mary gave the cry of "fire" her wagon cover being in flames, it was soon put out, and
without any material damage being done
18th. I ordered all the Cattle hunted up, at 12.(h) 30 (min) Sis: Wheeler's cow was found. hitched up & at 10 min:
to 3 we started on our journey & encamped at Indian Creek at 10 min. to 5                                 4 miles 19. I called the brethren for a early start, but on account of the negligence of my driver, my Oxen
were not to be found. so I ordered all the Cattle to be driven to a Prairie about 1 1/2 Miles off
20. Camp started by 8 o'clock. went thro' Mechanicsburg at 11. and saw a whirlwind directly
afterwards (for fuller particulars of this day, as also the whole journey, see Thomas Bullock's
private & Camp journal) arrived at Richardson's point where I fed the cattle with fodder
and bought some Corn. 10 min: to 4 started again, [word crossed out] we encamped on the banks of
Fox River at Sunset                                                                                                                                   16___ 

21 I called up the Camp by dawn of day. several persons joined our Camp here. started at 9-

& enccamped on another fork of Fox River at sundown.                                                                       14___
22 When we were about starting. it was found out that mine, and John Robinson's Oxen and
Wm. H. Pressley's horse were missing. the oxen were found shortly afterwards. started at 10.
we met 5 teams from Garden Grove going to the Mississippi River at 1/4 to 1. and at 4
encamped on Allen's hill                                                                                                                              8 ___ 
23 Started at 9 oclock with a frosty wind in our face. continued our course up the "Divide"
crossed over Soap Creek and encamped on the West Bank at 1/4 to 4                                             12___  24 (Sunday)I called the brethren together and spoke about half an hour, shewing the necessity of going
to work, repairing Chains and other Iron fixings. making Cow Yokes and Bows in order
to yoke up Cows and strengthen Teams. and as some of the brethren have deceived me in
regard to their means it now became necessary to trade away some of our property for Corn

 

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when brothers Knight and Meeks were chosen Commissaries; Whitehead & Lytle, Blacksmiths;
Bekelow, Hunter; Green, McFate, Berriett [? name Bennett], Wardle, & Corbett to make Cow yokes & Bows; & Cook to take
charge of the rest and hunt Cattle. a list was then made out of those who would yoke up
their Cows. (see TB's Journal)
(Sunday) 25 Encamped on the West side of Soap Creek. I was superintending the brethren in their several
duties all day. about four oclock in the evening a man was purchasing our goods and
would pay in Corn. amongst other articles traded away. Sister Savary let Bishop Knight
have six plates, which he sold to the man for forty eight cents, brother Savary at this time
returning from hunting his Cattle, and find that the plates were gone, commenced abusing
his Wife with his tongue, after considerable talk, she told him to "go and get them again then."
he went to Bishop Knight and demanded them, when the Stranger said "if I cannot have the
plates, I wont have any thing" and went away, Knight went after him, and succeeded in
making a trade with him. and getting the corn. Knight told me of the circumstance, and
I went with him to talk to Savary upon the folly of his conduct. when Savary said "I would
not take six bits for my plates" "I thought more of those plates than any thing I have".

said I "Savary, then you think more of those plates than you do of your Wife" he replied "I did"
I then said "I will give you a dollar for your Wife". he agreed. I then offered him a dollar,
he said, "Give it to my Woman". I did so. she accepted it. I then went for the Clerk to
make out the necessary writings, when we got to Savary's Wagon, he said "I will not sign
any paper, I consider I am an honorable man, and my word is my bond" I asked him
if he repented of his Bargain, he replied "NO". I then went to the Wagon and began conversing
with Sister Savary, when Savary came up and said "you have no business talking with
my Woman" I replied "you have no woman, you have sold her, I have bought her, and
shall claim her in time and Eternity" Savary then ordered me away several times, and
became very abusive in his language to me, and to prove the above call George B. Gardiner,
Solomon Wixom, Thomas Bullock, Stephen Perry, and Jesse T. Harmon.

 

[note written at right angle at bottom right of page]

7 Oct. 1846
TB's Journal from Nauvoo

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September 1846

Part copy of Camp Journal
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