. . . here [Iowa City] I was appointed to go with the hand cart company to Florence and my family to go with the wagon company. From Florence, I had the privilege of going with my family to Salt Lake City. Where we arrived Sept. 13th passing Buchanan's army on the plains, they traveling on the south side of the platt[e] and we on the north. We did not see them, but on the plains we met Joseph W. Young on his way to Europe, calling all the missioneries home. Myself, wife and four children arrived all right and well in Zion, according to the prediction of F.D. Richards.