Transcript

Camp of Pioneers, April 20th, 1847
10 o'clock P.M.

My Dear companion Tamson: There being a prospect of sending letters by Mr. Swope who is 2 miles above where we are encamped tonight trading; I embrace the opportunity gladly. i never in my life had such feelings while away from home as I have on this trip: I cannot say that I feel sorrowful because I am where I delight to be in the society of my Father Heber where I can receive instruction and concil [counsel] from his lips—My health has been very good since I left home and we are all geting along first rate, we are about [illegible] hundred Miles from Winter Quarters to night: We travel at the rate of 20 miles per day[.] the roads are very very good and it is a Beautiful country: Tamson i feel sorrowful when i reflect on your situation for i [k]now your feeling when I am a way from you: but I feel eassey when I realize that you have a kind and generous hearted Mother who will do all that she can for the comfort of those around her

My Dear I wish to impres it uppon your mind to be humble and prayerful and the Lord will bless thee[.] hounier [honor] thy Mother—in Isriel [Israel] and thy Brothers and Sisters and those who stand connected with you and the[y] will honar you. Be pathant [patient] in tribulation[.] Murmur not: speak not evil of thy neighbors[.] put away all lightmindedness and vanity and attend to thy prayers[.] Night and Morning, pray for thy husband and thy father in [-] and thy children and I say in the name [-]. if you those attend to these things and are faithful you shall be blessed[.] you shall enjoy health and peace and prosperity[.] our children live and be healthy and we shall all see each others faces and enjoy each others so[c]iety again[.] what i say to you i say to all[.] be faithful and these words shall be be.... fulfil[l]ed. Give my to Nancy and my mother and William and all the family. May God bless you all, I remain yours[,] Howard Egan

 

May 4, 1847

Dear Tamson not haveing an opportunity to send this letter when I expected to have one[,] I believe there is now a chance to send it and I embrace the opertunity with pleasure[.] There is some travlers on the opesite other side of the plat[te] river going down[.] one of them came over and will take the mail for us[.] My health continues to be pretty good[.] thank the lord we are now in a buffalo country and have killed a number of them and we are now traveling 5 wagons a breast of each other as their is Indians all around us[.] we have not time to write much[.] we have just stopped our teams for a few Moments[.] we are about 250 miles from the camp[.] I want you should write to me the first chance you get[.] you don't [k]now how I feel when I see others read letters and noboddy thinks anoff [enough] of me to write. think of Me seperated from my family in the wilderness and how cheering one would be to Me[.] but never do I mind Tamson[.] then no malice at heart, will live and do better[.] I have forgotten what I have written on the other side and have not time to look[.] Dear Tamson I want you to be humble and prayerful[.] take good care of yourself and your children[.] pray for Me: for I do not forget you night nor morning: tell some of the boys that go down country to inquire for a letter for Me from My brother at Savan[n]ah[.] May the Lord God of Isriel [Israel] b[l]ess you and your children and preserve you until I return that we may enjoy each others [-] a gain give my love to All[.] good by [-] dear[.] think of Me

 

H. Egan

October 25th, 1847
My Dear Tamson. as Bro. Lyman and a few others are going to start for winter Quarters this evening I impuane the opertunity to write a few lines to you for your comfort to inform you of my good health[.] It rejoices My heart to hear that you are well and in good spirits knowing your situation when i left[.] i have been very ancious to hear from you. and i thank the Lord that you have been preserv with our little ones. we have had some hard times since we left Winter Quarters. the Indians Stole a number of our Horses near the South pass which has detained us 9 or 10 Days longer on our journey[.] Most of the brethren have been liveing on game for some time[.] Bro. Kimball and my Self Started from the Valley with 17 lbs. of flour. I have been under the necisety of putting father Kimball on a ¼ of a pound of provision per day. yet he was cheerfull all the time. it is now ffe about sundown and i am writing in the grass, and i have not yet washed the dishes and the children are crying, so you must exku excuse my short letter[.] We shall be home on Monday or Teusday next if nothing happens. give my thanks to Sister Mary [Houston] Kimball for the present she sent for it was a precious morsel and came at a time when its wanting. May the Lord bless her for it[.] This day we have crossed the loop [Loup] fork a very dangerous stream to cross. I have had[,] with some others[,] to work in the cold water up to my waist for 3 or 4 hours[.] we are now about 160 Miles from you and long to see My Dear Tamson and My little children. Remember Me to Nancy and Mother and all the folks. May the Lord God of Isriel [Israel] bless and preserve you that we May enjoy each other's society again.

I remain as ever, and forever your affectionate
companion Howard Egan