Transcript

Monday 27 [September] morning clear and frosty. The feed being very poor, and the land wet and swampy, it was decided to start early. Accordingly at day break the animals were got up and fed, and at a quarter after 7 we assembled for prayers, Br John van Cott being called upon by the Chaplain to lead. We then proceeded onward. I started ahead of the wagons on foot. At the Pacific Springs we passed a large company of the saints encamped and preparing to travel onward[.] At this place also is a portion of the company who are taking the machinery for the manufacture of sugar. The cattle belonging to this company are poor indeed; many of them can scarce stand on their feet and it appears to be with the greatest difficulty they can move along. Their loads generally are very heavy, but as brother Joseph Horne is gone into the City to procure more team, they will no doubt meet help in a few days. Brother Alonzo LeBaron says that this company generally are living on 4 ounces of flour each per day; and if they are not met soon with both team and provisions they will undoubtedly suffer. The gloome, downcast countenances of both men and women, shows that they feel this a very severe hardship, and they are evidently nearly discouraged. The worn out condition of the teams proves that the teamsters do not understand the nature of cattle. If this company had been under the charge of an old Yankee farmer, the cattle would doubtless have been in a much better condition. Inexperienced Englishmen or Frenchmen are not the men to drive teams across the plains as heavily loaded as these are.

A part of the company, say 6 or 8 men with 12 of the most heavily laden wagons, are back on the Sweet Water, about 20 miles from the Pacific Springs, upwards of sixty head of their cattle having been scattered in a snow storm, and they cannot move untill their cattle are found. This appears to be the last ccompany of saints on the route, and it is evident that unless a strong re-inforcement of team soon comes to their assistance, they must suffer with the cold, and will have difficulty to get to the valley before the snows of winter meets them. The machinery which they are taking along, is far beyond the expectations of anyone who has heard of it, and if the brethren will raise the Beets, we are independ[ent] of Gentile Merchants for sugar, molasses or spirits, inasmuch as a large distillery is included with the sugar manufactory, by which can be made the best article of spirituous Liquors, equal to the best made in France or elsewhere. The hearts of the saints will be made to rejoice when this company arrives in the Valley; and may God speed them on their way.

At half past 1 P.M. we formed our encampment on the banks of the Sweet Water, about 3 miles below the upper crossing, having travelled 20 miles by the road, and 2 miles out of the way to find grass for the teams, which is very plentiful and good. The day has been warm and pleasant. I walked most of the way, and on the South Pass picked up a number of pebbles as a matter of curiosity. The afternoon was spent by most of the brethren in reading and conversation; some went hunting ducks and geese, and others were cleaning, and putting their Rifles in order, as we expect to see Buffalo in a few days, and some of the brethren have got no meat of any kind. I went out in the afternoon with my gun to try to get a duck, but was not fortunate enough to get any. In fact I only saw one or two during the time I was out. I noticed quantities of wagon tire, and iron and parts of wagons scattered in every direction in this place. It is evidently been a place much frequented as a camping ground. At 7 o’clock the camp was called together, and prayer offered up by E[lde]r Osmyn M. Deuel, after which the evening was very pleasantly spent in conversation on times that are past. Er Orson Pratt read me a portion of an article he is preparing for the press on Celestial marriage. It is truly an able work, and invaluable to the Elders

Tuesday 28 Morning fine and frosty. Soon after day break, a large herd of cattle was discovered about a mile down the river from our camp. They are doubtless the missing cattle belonging to the sugar company[.] at a quarter to 8 the brethren assembled as usual and Er Williams Camp offered up prayers. We then proceeded on our journey, and on arriving at the “Branch of Sweet Water,” found the men and wagons belonging to the sugar company camped there. They had found a few of their cattle, and were glad to learn that we had discovered the remainder. The place where they are camped is perfectly filthy, Many dead bodies of horses and cattle laying around, and the whole ground is litterally covered with filth.