Transcript
Transcript for Peirce, Eli Harvey, Diary, 1857-1858, vol. 2
May 2 Sunday Camp remained here all day
May 3 Monday Pleasant[.] Camp organized at <10 A.M.> & started (Elder John W. Berry was re ellected as Capt <& Presd> of Company[.] Elder Bernard Snow Capt. Of Guard, the Company was also Organized into tens with a Capt. Over each ten,) we traveled 25 Miles & Campt for the Night on Elk Horn river
May 4 Tuesday Pleasant[.] Camp started <at 10 a m> & traveled <12 miles> & Campt for the night on Platte river
May 5 Wensday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 7½ O Clock[.] traveled 15 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for dinner on Platte river started again traveld 12 Mils & Campt for the night on Shell Creek[.] all well
May 6 Thursday Pleasant[.] Some Little Cloudy 3 head Some horses Missing this Morning, horses found again[.] Camp started at 8 O Clock and traveled 12 Am Miles[.] stopt 2 hours <on Platte> river for Dinner[.] Started again[.] traveled 9 Miles[.] Campt for the Night in Platte Loupe [Loup] Fork river[.] all Well
May 7 Friday Some blustery & cold[.] Camp started at 8 O.Clock[.] traveled 10 Miles[.] stopt 1½ hours for Dinner on Looking glass Creek[.] Started again[.] traveld 4 Miles & arived at Genoa on Loup Fork[.] here we stopt to make ready to Cross the Loup Fork river as it was not fordable[.] very stormy & wet this. Evening
May 8 Satturday We spent the d Very Stormy & cold[.] we spent the day in Making ready to cross the river
May 9 Sunday Pleasant[.] Camp spent the day in various ways[.] some went to Meeting[.] some went fishing & some spent the day about the Camp, I was somewhat unwell[.] spent prety much all the day about the Camp.
May 10 Monday very stormy & cold this morning[.] 10 O Clock began to moderate[.] 11 O Clock we began to cross over wagons on two Canoes[.] 2 O Clock PM we swom over our animals at Sun Set we succeeded in getting our 8 Wagons & thier loading & all the animals all safe and without any accidents
May 11, Tuesday Pleasant Morning, we succeeded in getting over our other two wagons all safe[.] 2 PM Camp hitched up & started[.] traveled 16 miles[.] Campt for the night on Loup Fork
May 12 Wensday. Pleasant[.] Camp started at 8 A M[.] traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt 1½ hours for Dinner on a Slew[.] Started again[.] <traveled 15 miles &> campt for the night at a Small Lake of water at the Prararie[.] no wood
May 13 Thursday Stormy[.] Camp started at 7 O Clock A.M. traveled 10 Miles[.] Stopt 1½ hours for dinner on the Prararie[.] no wood nor water[.] Started again[.] traveled 11 Miles[.] Camp for the night on Prararie [Prairie] Creek
May 14 Friday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 8 O Clock[.] traveled 10 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Dinner on Prararie[.] Started again[.] traveld 14 Miles[.] Campt fr on Wood river. All Well
May 15 Satturday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 8 o Clock[.] crost over Wood river on a Bridge[.] traveled 6 Miles up Wood river & Camped <on Wood river> till 6 O Clock P M[.] Within 15 miles of Fort Carney [Kearney.] Camp hitched up & started at 5 O Clock P M. in order to travel by Fort Carney at night time to avoid any in order to avoid any difficulty with the <US> troops which was Stationed at Fort Carney as the report too us was that th[e]y calculated on taking us <all> prisoners as we came along. We traveled <till 12 O Clock> 20 Miles & Stopt on the open Prararie at 12 O Clock on account of its being entirely to dark to travel, we was then Compeled to camp on the open Prararie on the Account of its turning so dark which rendered it impossible to keep the road[.] We tied our animals all up to our wagons & put out a strong guard, raining a little & very dark
May 16th Sunday rainy & very foggy[.] Camp hitched up and started at the breaking of day[.] traveled 10 Miles & stopt 6 hours on Elm Creek for breakfast & dinner & to let our animals rest a little[.] 2 O Clock P.M. Camp hitched up & started (the fog began to break away a little but not enough to be observed by the U.S. Troops stationed at Fort Carney[.] we passed without any difficulty whatever) traveld 14 Miles & Camped for the night on Buffalo Creek[.] All Well[.] feed good
May 17 Monday Camp started at 8 P.M. [A.M.], traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for dinner at a small Lake on the Prararie[.] Started again[.] traveld 14 Miles[.] Camped for the Night on Deep Dry Creek[.] plenty of water but no Wood except Buffalo chips[.] grass rather poor for our animals
May 18 Tuesday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 8 O Clock P.M. [A.M.] traveled <10 miles[.]> stopt 2 hours for Dinner on Platte river[.] Started again[.] traveled 5 Miles[.] Camp for the night on Platte river[.] All Well[.] very good grass for our Animals & plenty of wood & water
May 19 Wensday Blustery[.] Camp started at 8 P M [A.M.] traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Dinner at the Cold Springs[.] Started again[.] traveled 10 Miles[.] Campt for the night on the Banks of Platte river, all Well[.] feed good But no Wood except Buffalo Chips
May 20 Thursday[.] Blustery & Cold[.] Some little Pra[i]rie horses stampeeded in the night[.] lost seven head run of[f] on the road back[.] 4 Men started back on horses after them[.] traveled back , 53 Miles & overtook <5 of> them in the Bluffs[.] the other two could not be found[.] they returned back to Camp with the 5 head of horses about in the evening about Sun Set leaving 2 horses behind which could not be found
May 21st Fri day Still blustery & cold[.] Camp Started at 7½ A M[.] traveled 10 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Dinner on a Slew on the Prararie[.] started again[.] traveled 9 Mils Campt for the Night on Platte river[.] all Well[.] plenty of good feed for horses but no wood except Buffalo Chips
May 22 Satturday Cold[.] Camp started at 8 A M[.] traveled 11 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Dinner at a small Creek[.] Started again[.] traveled 10 Miles <over> very bad <Hilly> & sandy roads & campt for the night on the Banks of Platte river near the North Bluffs Fork[.] all well[.] very good feed for the Animals but no fuel[.] came up a Thunder Shower about sun set
May 23 Sunday pleasant[.] Camp started at 7½ AM. Traveled 10¼ Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Dinner on the Banks of Platte river[.] Started again[.] traveled 11 Miles[.] Stopt for the night at a small Lake near the Camp Creek[.] Plenty of good feed & water but no wood[.] about 1 hour after camping there came up a very heavy Thunder shower
May 24 Mon=day Pleasant[.] Camp Started at 7 O Clock A.M. traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt <2 hours> for Dinner on the banks of the Platte[.] started again[.] traveled 6 Miles[.] Campt for the night on the Banks of the Platte River opposite Ash Hollow on the South side of the river[.] plenty of good grass but no wood[.] a large camp of Indians close by but appeard to us very friendly[.] Some little trading done with them by our camp but not much
May 25 Tuesday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 7½ A.M[.] traveled 15 Miles[. ] stopt 2 hours for Dinner at a small Lake in the Prararie[.] Started again[.] traved 13½ Miles & camped for the night on Crab Creek[.] all well[.] plenty of Good grass but no wood, this is the same place where I campt just one year[.] Since May 25 1847) as we were journeying from Salt Lake to the States on our Mission with our Hand Carts where I camp with the rest of my brethern with our Hand Carts just
where I campt with the rest of my brethern just one year privious (May 25th 1857) with our Hand Carts as we were jo as we were journeyings from Salt Lake City on our way to the States on my Mission to England to preach the Gosple, & during that time I have traveled a little over 25500 Miles & am very Happy to be thus far on my way home to Salt Lake
May 26th Wensday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6½ A.M. traveled 12 miles[.] stopt 1½ hours for Dinner on the prararie without wood or water but plenty of grass. Started again[.] traveled 16½ Miles[.] Campt for the night on the Banks of Platte River near the East foot of the low sandy Bluffs[.] grass rather poor[.] fuel very scarce
May 27 Thursday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6¼ O Clock A.M. traveled 12 Miles[.] Campt for noon on <the Banks of> Platte River nearly opposite Chimney rock on the South side of the river[.] Started again[.] traveled 6 Miles[.] Met with Col. [Thomas L.] Cain [Kane] (Goverment officer on his return from Salt Lake City to Washington on Buisness pertaining to the Government) & Escort viz; Bros. Egan, Van Etten, Murdock, Nolton, West & Mr: [blank space] Bearing good & Cheering News from our Mountain home[.] being only 14 days since leaving the Salt Lake City, Elder Murdock States <to me> that he staid <all night> with my family the 2nd Night before he left Salt Lake & they were all well which I was very happy to hear[.] Elder Egan had a letter with him to us from Pres. Young, which was read to the Company[.] goog [good] information & council to us in it[.] we tarried togethered for about an hour[.] we then <bid farewell> & sepparated on our different ways[.] traveld 5 Miles & camp by a small Lake[.] poor water but good grass for our animals[.] sage brush for fuel
May 28th Fri day Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6½ A.M[.] traveled 15 Miles[.] stopt 2 hour for Dinner on Platte river[.] Started again[.] traveled 13 Miles[.] Campt for the night on Platte river[.] all Well[.] good grass for Animals but no wood[.] Buffalo chips very scarce
May 29 Satturday Stormy & cold[.] Camp started at 7 A M[.] Traveled 9 Miles & stopt for noon on Platte river, tarried here 3 hours to let our animals rest, Started again[.] traveled 6 Miles[.] Campt for the night on Platte River, all Well[.] feed & Wood plenty
May 30 Sunday, Still stormy & cold[.] Camp started at 7 AM[.] traveled 6 Miles[.] crosed raw hide Creek[.] traveled on 9 Miles & stopt for noon on Platte river[.] Started again[.] traveled 10 Miles passed by Fort Larima [Laramie], traveled on & arived at the Junction of the roads at Fort Larima the one leading to the Ferry acrost the Platte river at Fort Larima & then continuing up on the South side of the river for the other keeping up on their Side all the way, we took the right <hand> road with the calculation of not crossing the river, traveled 5 miles[.] camped for the night on Platte river[.] all Well[.] feed & fuel plenty after a very hard & tedeous days travel over a very heavy sandy road all the way during our travels to day we was next taken with a very heavy storm consisting of rain & snow with conciderable of large hail storm[.] plenty of good grass & wood at this camp
May 31 Monday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6 O Clock[.] traveled 7 miles over a very hilly road & arived at a small creek where we stopt. 2 hours to let our animals eat & rest & to get somthing to eat ourselves[.] plenty of good water grass, & wood here[.] at this place we remaind here 2 hours then <hitched up &> started[.] traveled 7 Miles over a very large hills & rockey roads & arived at Platte river not good camping which we stopt about 5 minits river[.] very good camping place here[.] we stopt about 5 minutes to water our Animals then started[.] we <was> immediately left Platte river & struck into the hills again[.] we taveled 9 Miles over very hilly roads but not very rough & camped for the Night on Alder Creek[.] all Well
June 1st Tuesday. Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6 AM[.] traveled doun Alder Creek 5 Miles[.] Stopt here to Water our animals[.] road leaving directly to the right[.] traveled on 13 Miles & arived at Platte river[.] here we campt for the Night[.] All Well[.] plenty of Wood grass & water here
June 2 Wensday. Stormy[.] Camp started at 6 A.M. traveled 7 Miles up the Platte river & stopt 2 hours for dinner[.] road this forenoon at Little sandy[.] Started again[.] travelled 11 Miles up Platte river[.] good roads, road then left the Platte & took into the bluffs[.] we traveled 3 Miles over very large & full & very sandy & camped for the Night near Platte river[.] all Well[.] grass & wood plenty
June 3 Thursday Still stormy[.] very windy & cold[.] Camp started at 6½ A.M. traveled [illegible] Miles over a very hillly & rough road but not much sandy & came onto the Platte river again[.] traveled on up the Platte over a very good road for 5 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for Dinner[.] started again[.] traveled 15 Miles up Platte river bottoms <road> a good deal sandy & camped for the Night on Platte river near the Mouth of Decker Creek on the south side of the river[.] All Well[.] grass rather Scarce being eat doun by the traders Stock.
June 4 Friday[.] Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6 A.M[.] traveled 10 Miles over a very heavy sandy sand Bluffs & Stopt 2 hours for Dinner on the Banks of Platte river[.] Started again[.] traveled 8 Miles over prety good ro roads prety good[.] not much Sand & campd for the night on Platte river[.] all well[.] grass & water plenty But not much wood
June 5 Satturday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 6½ A.M. traveled 3 Miles over very heavy sandy Bluffs & passed Platt[e] Bridge[.] traveled on 5 Miles over very heavy sandy Bluffs <all the way> & stopt at the upper Fork of Platte river for Dinner[.] here the road leaves the river for good[.] after Dinner the Capt. Concluded to stay here all night to let our animals rest
June 6 Sunday Pleasant[.] Early this morning Tim Goodale passed here with 7 wagons & a large heard of sheep & 7 wagons for the benefit of the Soldiers <Army> at Fort Bridger, Camp started at 6½ 2 A.M. traveled 12½ Miles over a very good road & stopt 2 hours for Dinner at Mineral springs, Tim Goodale took his Company heard of Sheep &c up the <Platte> river road <in 2 hours,> we started again[.] traveled 16 Miles & campt for the night at Willow Springs[.] all well[.] plenty of good water & grass[.] plenty of Sagebrush for fuel here.
June 7 Monday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 4 A.M[.] traveled 10 miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Breakfast on Greese wood [Greasewood] Creek[.] started again[.] traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for dinner on Sweet water near Independe[nce] rock[.] started again[.] traveled 5 miles[.] passed Devil’s Gate[.] traveled on 8 Miles and campt for the night on Sage Creek[.] all well one one animal gave out but not so much as to have to be left but what we got it into camp
June 8 Tuesday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 4 O Clock AM[.] traveled 8 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Breakfast on Sweet Water[.] started again[.] traveled 14 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for Dinner on Sweet Water at the 3 Crossings[.] started again[.] traveled 8 Miles[.] Camp for the night on Sweet Water[.] All Well, <(about ½ hour after camping it comenced stormy>
June 9. Wensday very stormy[.] raining very hard[.] 12 A M Wind began to abate but still raining[.] Camp hitched up & started[.] traveled 12 Miles. Campt for the night on a small creek on Siminoes [Seminoes] Cut of[f.] Storming & snowing very bad.
June 10 Thursday Snowing prety hard[.] Camp started at ½ past 4 A.M. traveled 7 Miles[.] stopt on Muddy for Breakfast[.] stormy & snowing[.] very bad camp[.] remained here untill after Dinner then started in the snow storm[.] roads very hilly & bad with snow[.] traveled 9 Miles[.] camp for the night at the Mountain Springs still snowing & storming very bad[.] animals a failing very much on the account of the storm & bad roads
June 11 Friday Clear & cold[.] Camp started at 4 A.M. traveled 8 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for Breakfast at a small creek in the Mountains[.] Started again[.] traveled 7 Miles[.] met 22 of the brethern from the Valley (Capt Hatch’s Company) a going to the Platte Bridge after goods that was left there last summers Emigration[.] they brought very favourable report from the valley[.] Saints all well & doing well, which we was very glad to hear, they also reported that the U S Army was making arangements to start into the vally on Monday Next from fort Bridger & advised us to take the Kinny route & get <round> ahead of the Army if possible & be get into the Salt Lake ahead of them, if we possible could[.] we aunharnessed our teams from thier wagons & staid with our Brethen from Salt Lake 2 hours[.] they gave us very good advice concerning our best course in getting into the valley without getting into any difficulty with the U S Army, or falling into their hands & also gave us a very interesting report concerning the course that has been taken by Governor Young & the Saints in general in Salt Lake City which we was all very glad to hear, during our stay here <together> there was one very nice large fat ox & also a very fat cow came into our camp both together[.] where they came from we knew nothing about, but calculated that kind providence had sent them into our camp for us to eat, as the Company from Salt Lake stood in need of them very much, we soon Butchered them & divided the beef among the whole of us, & hitched up & started feeling thankfull to god for our fresh supply of Meat[.] traveled 8 Miles & camp for the Night on Sweet Water, All Well
June 12th Satturday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 4 A.M. traveled 6 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Breakfast on Paciffic Creek[.] started again[.] traveled [blank space] Miles & stop 1½ hours for dinner on the Prararie between Dry & Little sandy’s[.] good grass but no water, started again traveled [blank space] Miles & campt for the night on little Sandy[.] All Well
June 13th Sunday Pleasant[.] Camp Started at 4 A M, traveled 8 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for Breakfast on Big sandy[.] Started again[.] traveled 10 Miles[.] Stopt 1½ hours for Dinner on Big Sandy, Started again[.] traveled 8 Miles[.] Stopt 2 hours for Supper on Big Sandy, Started again after Supper[.] left the Main road & took Kinny’s cutof with the calculations of getting around the Army unobserved by them & beating them into the Valley if possible[.] traveled 10 Miles, it then got so dark which made it impossible for us to keep the road, we unhitched our teams from the wagon’s, & tied them up to the Wagen Wheels & stopt on the Plains all till day light
June 14 Monday Pleasant[.] Day light appead[.] Camp <all> roused up[.] hitched up our teams & started[.] travld 5 Miles[.] arived at Green river, we found the river to be unfordable, but to our great Surprize we found a good ferry Boat tied up in the river & in good order with the ecceptions of being full of water, we eat Breakfast then diped the water out of the Boat, & Maned it & in a few hours we had our wagons all <ferry> Safely acrost, swom our animals over[.] eat Dinner & hitched up our teams & started, traveled 8 Miles & arived at a small stream of good Water[.] followed up the Stream 2 Miles & campt for the night. All Well[.] not very good grass here[.] plenty of good water & Sage brush for fueling
June 15 Tuesday Pleasant Camp started at 4 A M traveled 5 Miles stopt 2 hours for Breakfast on the same creek
June 15 Tuesday Pleasant. Camp started at 4½ A M to road leave this creek here we travel 5 Miles[.] road struck the same creek again[.] here we stopt 2 hours for Breakfast[.] feed poor. good camping place Started again <leaving this creek to our left> traveled 10 Miles over a very large Mountain over a very good road & stopt for Dinner at a large spring of good cold water[.] plenty of grass & wood here[.] Camp remained here 3 hours then started[.] traveld 10 Miles over one very large Mountain & two small ones (& camp for the night at a creek) crossing several spring Branches & creeks[.] also hams Fork & campt for the Night at a small creek[.] all Well[.] Plenty of good grass & wood
June 16 Wensday Looks stormy[.] Camp Started at 4 A M[.] traveled 5 Miles <crossing 3 streams[.]> stopt 2 hours for Breakfast at a small creek[.] Started again[.] traveled 12 Miles over a very rough road one very Large Mountain & stopt 1½ hours for Dinner at a small creek[.] raining very hard[.] camp remained here 1½ hours the[n] started[.] still raining a little[.] traveled 9 Miles over one very heavy Mountain & camp for the Night at a small creek[.] All Well[.] plenty of good water grass & wood here[.] still little showry
June 17 Thursday Stormy[.] Camp eat Breakfast & started at 7 A.M. traveled 5 Miles over a large mountain & arived at Bear River[.] traveled up Bear River 5 Miles & stopt 1½ hours for Dinner. Started again[.] traveled 12 Miles over crosed the point of a large Mountain & campt for the Night on Bear River[.] All Well[.] raining prety hard
June 18 Friday, Pleasant[.] Camp Started <at> 4 A M[.] Traveled 8 Miles[.] Stopt 1½ hours for Breakfast on Bear River[.] Started again[.] traveled 12 8 Miles & arived at Bear River Ford[.] found it to be unfordable[.] we immediately went to work making prepparations to Ferry the stream by taking 2 Wagon Boxes corking them up tight & lashing them close together which then assured very well for taking our goods acrost which was done in short order & launched into the river[.] wagons was then all unloded loading taken acrost in those Wagon Boxes, Wagons traveled acrost with a long rope by men on the opposite side[.] animals swom over & by Sun Set we was safely landed acrost on the opposite Side <of the river> all safe[.] no accidents[.] campt here all night[.] All Well
June 19 Satturday Pleasant[.] Camp eat Breakfast & Started at 7 A.M. traveled 12 Miles[.] stopt 1½ hours for Dinner at a small spring[.] Started[.] traveled 12 Miles & arived at the head of Echo Canion [Canyon.] traveled doun the Canion 1 Mile & camp for the Night in a very heavy Thunder shower. All Well
June 20 Sunday, Clear & Cold[.] Froze very hard in the night[.] Camp started at 4½ A M[.] traveled 3 Miles[.] intersected the old road again[.] traved on 8 Miles doun the Canion[.] Stopt 1½ hours for Breakfast[.] Started again[.] traveled 9 Miles (passing 2 Companies of Soldiers, but they appe behaved very peaceable to us but appeared very hostile in their feelings) & arived at Weber River[.] we traveled 4 Miles doun Weber & arived at the Ford[.] we found it to be fordable[.] we Forded our teams over & stopt 2 hours for Dinner on the opposite side[.] started again[.] traveled 8 Miles[.] Campt for the night near East Kanion [Canyon] Creek[.] All Well
June 21 Monday Pleasant[.] Camp started at 4 A M[.] traveled tr 12 Miles[.] stopt 2 hours for Breakfast half way up the Big Mountain[.] Started again[.] traveled 8 Miles Crossing over the big Mountain 6 stopt 1½ hours for dinner at the foot of the little Mountain, started again[.] traveled 2 Miles over the little Mountain[.] I here met with my Father with his Carriage who came to me[e]t me as I was somewhat unwell[.] I got into his Carriage, & he Carried me into Salt Lake City til 10 Miles where the Company Camp all night <as it was to far to go to my family[.]> Salt L City looked very Dessolate & forsaken as the inhabitants had all moved out up in Utah Valley