Sunday, March 1, 1846

Sugar Creek to Sugar Creek Camp Number 2, Iowa:

It was another chilly, but pleasant, sunny morning. It was nineteen degrees at sunrise. At 8 a.m., Brigham Young notified the camp to prepare to leave the Sugar Creek Camp by noon. A meeting of the brethren in the camp opened at 10 a.m. Brigham Young was not feeling well, so he sent Heber C. Kimball to speak to them. Elder Kimball expressed President Young's desire to move to a new location. They were too close to Nauvoo and many brethren continued to return to the city. They were neglecting their families and teams, worrying about their property back in the city, and going to see their grandmother or grandfather.

Elder Kimball continued by prophesying that the Kingdom of God would be established. He encouraged the brethren to go forward, that the grass would start growing soon. “If Nauvoo has been the most holy place it will be the most wicked place.” He called for all to do what President Young asked. He warned them about the plagues that fell on Zion's Camp.

At about 1 p.m., the camp began to move and by 4 p.m., nearly 500 wagons were rolling forward, traveling to the northwest for about five miles. It was a beautiful, warm day, and the wagons rolled through the slush and mud. Many people came from Nauvoo to say good-bye again to their family and friends. Some camp members stayed behind at the Sugar Creek Camp because they were not ready or they were sick. For instance, Allen Stout stayed because he had “sore eyes” and could not see. The Camp of Israel traveled on the ridge in between Sugar Creek and the Des Moines River.

Brigham Young's carriage did not arrive from Nauvoo until about 4 p.m., which caused him to delay his start. He arrived into the new camp at sunset. The main camp was situated on low ground among the trees. As he was coming down a hill into the camp, President Young's carriage almost tipped over. When Parley P. Pratt was coming down another part of this hill, his “neck yoke” broke, causing horses and wagons to plunge down the hill among the tents, women and children. Thankfully, no one was injured.

The men went to work, set up camp, scraped away the three or four inches of snow on the ground, and put up the tents. They built large fires in front of the tents to keep their families warm.

The pioneers who had preceded them to this camp a day earlier, had spent the day splitting 3,000 rails and husking 150 shocks of corn for local Iowan settlers in exchange for corn and hay for the animals. Eliza R. Snow, who came with this group the day before, watched the hundreds of wagons come into the camp. As they rolled into camp, she composed another poem:

Lo! a mighty num'rous host of people

Tented on the western shore

Of noble Mississippi

They for weeks were crossing o'er.

At the last day's dawn of winter,

Bound with frost & wrapt in snow,

Hark! the sound is onward, onward!

Camp of Israel! rise & go.

All at once is life in motion‑‑

Trunks and beds & baggage fly;

Oxen yok'd & horses harness'd‑‑

Tents roll'd up, are passing by.

Soon the carriage wheels are rolling‑‑

Onward to a woodland dell,

Where at sunset all are quarter'd‑‑

Camp of Israel! all is well.

Thickly round, the tents are cluster'd

Neighb'ring smokes together blend‑‑

Supper serv'd‑‑the hymns are chanted‑‑

And the evening pray'rs ascend.

Last of all the guards are station'd‑‑

Heav'ns! must guards be serving here?

Who would harm the houseless exiles?

Camp of Israel! never fear.

Where is freedom? where is justice?

Both have from this nation fled;

And the blood of martyr'd prophets

Must be answer'd on its head!

Therefore to your tents, O Jacob!

Like our father Abra'm dwell‑‑

God will execute his purpose‑‑

Camp of Israel! All is well.

After the tents were pitched, Brigham Young invited the Saints to dance to the tunes of Captain Pitt's brass band. About fifty couples joined in the festive event. Some curious, local Iowan settlers gathered around to watch and listen. The members of the band were most likely: William Pitt, William Clayton, Stephen Hales, William Cahoon, Robert Burton, James Smithies, Daniel Cahoon, Andrew Cahoon, Charles Hales, Martin Peck, J.T. Hutchinson, James Standing, William Huntington, Charles Smith, Charles Robbins and John Kay.

At 8 p.m., Parley P. Pratt, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards met with Brigham Young in his tent to make plans for the week. They decided to move the camp again in the morning toward Farmington, where Bishop Miller's group was working. Orson Pratt met with two men from Iowa who were interested in buying his property in Nauvoo for the low sum of about three hundred dollars. The sky was clear in the evening. At midnight the temperature was twenty‑eight degrees.

Reed’s Creek, near Farmington, Iowa:

Several miles ahead, a Brother Smith's child died. Brother Smith was in George Miller's company of pioneers. Charles C. Rich helped bury the child and he, along with Bishop Miller, preached the funeral sermon. A number of settlers in the area attended and were attentive to the speakers.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

John Taylor's wife, Elizabeth, gave birth to a daughter, Josephine Taylor.

Sources:

“Henry Bigler Autobiography”, typescript, 17-18; “Sarah Rich Autobiography,” typescript, 47; “Eliza Lyman Autobiography,” 8-9; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 115‑16; Leona Holbrook, BYU Studies, 16:1:125; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Nibley, Exodus to Greatness, 127‑29; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 56‑8; Kimball, Heber C. Kimball ‑ Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer, 130; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848

Monday, March 2, 1846

Sugar Creek Camp Number 2 to Lick Creek Camp, Iowa:

At 7 a.m., the temperature was twenty-three degrees. At 9 a.m. the teams started moving out of the camp. There was some confusion because some of the companies had camped down in the valley while the other part was up on the prairie. The groups left their camp on different roads. Brigham Young took the lower group across Sugar Creek and Hosea Stout took a group of 200 wagons on the ridges.

The camp traveled about ten miles over “several tedious hills” through mud and water. Hosea Stout recorded:

We had a very bad road all day and often at hills and difficult places to cross branches [of streams]. I saw teams standing waiting for those forward to pass over which were a mile long and often at hills teams would stall and have to be rolled up by hand thus making it both laborious for men who were on foot, and also slow for the teams to be thus detained for each other. It was beautiful country.

At some point during the day, the companies reached a summit of a hill where they were able to catch a glimpse of the Nauvoo temple, far to east. Lewis Barney wrote:

On reaching the summit between the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers the company made a halt for the purpose of taking a last and peering look at the Nauvoo Temple, the spire of which was then glittering in the bright shining sun. The last view of the temple was witnessed in the midst of sighs and lamentations, all faces in gloom and sorrow bathed in tears, at being forced from our homes and Temple that had cost so much toil and suffering to complete its erection.

At 2 p.m., Hosea Stout went ahead on horseback to try to find the “forward team.” He was concerned that he may have had the whole wagon train heading down the wrong road, which would have been a disaster and a great loss of time. He found a house, asked directions, and found out they were heading the right way. He soon located the “forward team” of Stephen Markham, Brothers Darby and Allen who were trying to purchase corn and hay for the camp that night. A field was located nearby which was a beautiful piece of ground in timbered land. There was timber already cut and scattered in piles almost as if they were prepared for the camp. The owner let the camp use the wood for fires. The wagons arrived and formed the camp which was on the west side of Lick Creek1 about a half mile from its junction with the Des Moines. The waters of the rivers were very clear. “The country was timber land and quite broken, with high bluffs rising loftily over low valleys, and but little cultivated.” The people who lived nearby were friendly and gave members of the camp straw for their cattle.

At some point during the day, there was a problem with teams using two converging roads. This caused some separation of teams and collisions, resulting in damage to some wagons. The artillery company broke several of the William Clayton company wagon boxes.

Heber C. Kimball and Newel K. Whitney had to stay behind in the morning to mend a wagon. This delay caused them to end up camping three miles behind the main camp. Samuel Bent and a few others stayed behind to finish up the work that they were hired to do.

Orson Pratt traveled on horseback to Farmington, where he looked at the items which were being offered in exchange for his Nauvoo property. He did not reach a firm agreement with the men. He headed back to meet the camp, but they did not take the route across the prairie which he had expected them to take. After some time searching, he finally found the camp. Each night Elder Pratt would calculate the latitude of the camp by using the stars. The band played in the evening.

Near Nauvoo, Illinois:

Warren Foote was mourning the continued sickness of his mother who had been recently baptized. He wrote:

I felt very much cast down in my mind. I felt that I had done all I could for her in my circumstances, and still I had a desire to know if there was anything more that I could do. I was impressed to go and pour forth my soul to my Father in Heaven in secret. I did so, and through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit it was made known to me, that I had done all that was required of me for her; and that she would be taken from me, and that she should rest with Father, and should come forth with him in the morning of the first resurrection, and receive an exaltation with him in the Celestial Kingdom of our God. Therefore though I mourn my bereavement of her for a season, yet I rejoice in the promises of the Lord.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Thomas Bullock was out of employment. He had been working for Willard Richards in the Historian's Office, but Elder Richards was no longer in Nauvoo. Brother Bullock went to the temple office and showed them orders from Elder Richards to take Thomas Bullock into their temple office. Almon W. Babbitt refused to hire him, saying that he only took orders from Brigham Young. Brother Bullock went away feeling hurt and disappointed.

A daughter, Isabella Jane Forsyth, was born to Thomas and Isabella Forsyth.2

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 59‑60; Stanley Kimball, “The Iowa Trek of 1846"; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; The Orson Pratt Journals; William Clayton’s Journal; “Warren Foote Autobiography,” typescript, 76; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 116; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 55; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848; “William Huntington autobiography,” typescript, 48; “Lewis Barney Autobiography,” typescript, 28

Tuesday, March 3, 1846

Lick Creek Camp to Reed’s Creek Camp, Iowa:

At 7 a.m., the temperature was twenty‑three degrees. The weather was very pleasant and warm all day. At about 9 a.m., the bugle was sounded calling the camp together. Brigham Young gave them some instructions. He told the “pioneers” to go ahead and prepare the roads by cutting and trimming trees and filling up the bad places in the roads. He instructed the guard to carry axes instead of guns, and to help the teams. They should not order the teamsters. Everyone should help each other. He asked any man to quit the camp who could not quit swearing. President Young wanted to correct the traffic problems that were encountered the previous day. He instructed the men that the teams must not crowd each other. The ox teams must let the faster horse teams pass. No teams should come within two or more rods of each others. President Young directed those designated as “pioneers” to leave first, followed by the band, then the ox teams, and the remainder of the camp.

Hosea Stout arrived at 2 p.m. and chose a nice spot for the guard to camp. But he soon found out that the place he chose would be occupied by President Young and others. Brother Stout believed that he should step aside for his priesthood leader, so he selected a nice new spot in a wooded area with sugar maple trees. He was then informed that the owner of the land did not want anyone camping in the woods. Brother Stout decided that they would go ahead and work things out with the owner if needed, because all the best ground within the field was already taken. After they had set up camp, the owner came and was satisfied with what he saw. He just asked them not to use any green wood or wood that could be made into saw logs.

The evening sky was clear and beautiful. The band played in camp. As Eliza R. Snow was eating her supper while seated in her buggy, she was surprised to see Sister Elizabeth Ann Whitney who came to visit. Sister Snow was delighted to hear that the Whitneys had arrived into camp and were tented nearby.

George Miller brought Dr. Jewett to meet Brigham Young. Dr. Jewett related a long history of experimentation with “animal magnetism” (hypnotism), claiming that it had nearly cured him of infidelity. Dr. Jewett asked what the Mormons thought of the principle. Brigham Young made it clear that they believed in the “Lord's magnetism.” The Lord had “magnetized” Daniel so that he could interpret the hand writing on the wall.3

Corn was brought into the camp, including one hundred and seventy-two bushels of tithing corn, and corn received for payment for the work completed by George Miller and the other pioneers.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Former apostle, now Strangite, John E. Page preached in the temple on the west stand at 1 p.m. He spoke against the Twelve and claimed that James J. Strang was the true successor of Joseph Smith. Jehiel Savage also spoke in support of Strang. Elder Orson Hyde then spoke, and according to Thomas Bullock, “knocked every one of their arguments in the head and ordered Savage to go to Voree [Wisconsin] and tell them [followers of Strang] they would be damned. . . .” Elder Pratt also spoke words of reprovement toward Page. Page was then said to have stated “I will go to hell sooner than take abuse, and the Devil shall have it to say 'here is a man that is damned like a man.'” The meeting closed at 4:30 p.m.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 61‑63; Stanley Kimball, “The Iowa Trek of 1846";Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; William Clayton’s Journal; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 116‑17; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 56

Wednesday, March 4, 1846

Reed's Creek Camp, Iowa:

The morning was warm and the day was beautiful. The camp was awakened to the music of the Band which was “delightfully sublime.” At 8:00 a.m., the temperature was forty‑three degrees.

At 9 a.m., Brigham Young called the brethren in the camp together and announced that they would remain in the camp until the following day, when part of the camp would move out. He wanted everyone to be busy during the day repairing and greasing their wagons, shoeing their horses, mending harnesses, getting ready for an early start the following day. Each team would be provided with two days of corn.

At 10:30 a.m., Brigham Young met with members of the Twelve, the bishops, and a few of the captains. It was agreed that a few of the pioneers and George Miller would go on twelve miles, right away, to form another camp. The remainder of the camp would be numbered again and be divided into hundreds and fifties under the direction of the Twelve. The first hundred would start in the morning.

Two tons of hay was purchased and brought into camp. George Miller rolled on ahead with some pioneers, heading in a westerly direction, crossing the Des Moines River at Bonaparte Mills.

At 12 p.m., Hosea Stout called a meeting to discuss the need to have the guard work together and spoke to them at length about the guard working their way to relieve the Church from the expense of supporting them. They should work when the camp was not traveling. After the meeting, Charles Allen, a captain in the guard, held a meeting with his men and declared that he would not work, would not take orders from Hosea Stout, but that he would go by himself to President Young to receive orders. Some joined in with him in these feelings.

Brother Scott found some work for the camp involving removing dirt from a coal bed, and splitting two thousand rails. The payment for the work would be in flour, pork and cash. Fifty men started to work on the contract.

Many citizens of the surrounding area walked into the camp, strolling down the makeshift streets of the temporary city. Orson Pratt finished the negotiations with men in Farmington who wanted to buy his Nauvoo property.

Some of the citizens from Farmington came into camp and invited the band to go to their village for a concert. The band left at about 3 p.m. on horseback, arriving in Farmington at about 4:30 p.m. They played at the hotel, then went to the schoolhouse and played until dark. The house was filled with men and women, including the town leaders. The band was fed supper in the hotel and given five dollars. At 8 p.m., they left the town and were given three cheers. On the way, they were met by thirty of the guard, who had just started out to find them. President Young had felt uneasy about them returning without men to protect them. They returned to camp at 9 p.m.

In the evening, Eliza R. Snow took a walk with Hannah Markham and they lost their way in the large tent city. They stopped at Elder Amasa Lyman's tent and after chatting with Eliza Partridge Lyman, Elder Lyman escorted the ladies toward their camp. The buggy which Sister Snow had been using as her sitting room and dormitory was exchanged this day for a lumber wagon by Brother Markham.

Also in the evening, Brother Stout reorganized the guard. Because there were no longer enough men for four groups of fifty, he wanted to reorganize with three groups of fifty. The reorganization was performed and supported by the guard. Right after this, Brother Stout was called to go camp headquarters, instructed to divide the guard into four groups, and to have one group ready to leave in the morning. Brother Stout went back to the guard and let them know that the reorganization performed earlier was void.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

John D. Lee left Nauvoo, and started his return trip to the Camp of Israel. He had returned to the city to help free some relatives who had been arrested. With everything settled, he started his return journey. George Laub crossed the Mississippi River on a flat boat with Brother Lee's teams and goods. The river was no longer frozen and crossings were again made by boat. The Lee family camped for the night about one mile from the Mississippi River.

Atlantic Ocean:

The ship Brooklyn crossed the equator about this time, heading south for Cape Horn. Samuel Brannan organized the ship into a form of the United Order. They would be in one body and share together the debts of the voyage. They were asked to agree to give three years’ labor into a common fund. If they left the covenant, the common property would remain with the elders. It was an imperfect agreement, and there was some grumbling, but they all signed their names to the agreement.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 63‑64; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Watson The Orson Pratt Journals; William Clayton’s Journal; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 117; “George Laub Autobiography,” typescript, 38-39; Bailey, Sam Brannan and the California Mormons

Thursday, March 5, 1846

Reed's Creek Camp to Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

At 8:30 a.m., Brigham Young held a meeting with the brethren in the camp. He asked for three teams to pull the cannon and called for volunteers to husk corn at the next camp. He announced that only the first company was leaving on this day to prepare the next camp. If there was a family without the means to continue, they must be provided for. No one was to be left behind who wished to continue. He recommended that they should lighten their loads by eating certain food that could be replaced. When they reached the Missouri river, they would go to work and buy more flour and other foods. After the meeting, several men came forward and offered to pull the cannon.

A Colonel Swazy and his family visited the camp and mentioned that the band's performance last evening had created many good feelings among the citizens of Farmington.

At 10 a.m., Brigham Young rolled out of the camp with the first company. They traveled along the banks of the Des Moines River for two miles and crossed just below Bonaparte Mills. The water was about two feet deep with a nice rocky bottom. Sister Eliza Snow wrote about their day’s journey:

Sis[ter] M[arkham] and I are nicely seated in an ox wagon, on a chest with a brass kettle and a soap box for our foot stools, thankful that we are as well off. The day fine, we travelled 2 miles on the bank of the river & cross’d at a little place called Bonaparte. I slung a tin cup on a string and drew some water which was a very refreshing draught.

The company proceeded up the west bank of the river for a short distance and passed through the little town of Bonaparte. There was a “splendid” mill on the river in this town. A dam at the mill extended across the entire river and a lock was used to pass boats up or down the river.

After Hosea Stout passed through the town, he found the road full of wagons and teams standing still. He knew that something was wrong and went on ahead to check things out. Not far up the river, the road took a branch and then went up a hill. The teams at the bottom of the hill were waiting because the hill was full of stalled wagons stuck in the mud. On the sides of the road there were thick woods which prevented the teams from going around bad spots. The wagons would frequently sink all the way down to their axles. This two-mile stretch was by far the worst road that the camp had experienced so far.4 Eliza Lyman called it “the most muddy road I ever saw.” As Father John Smith’s wagon was traveling up this steep road, it tipped over injuring Sister Smith slightly.

Brigham Young arrived at the top, on the prairie at about 1 p.m. A load of corn was supposed to be there, as planned the day before. He was disappointed to find nothing left there by the advance group. The horses had not been fed in the morning, so they were turned loose on the prairie to eat the scarce dry grass. Men were sent back one mile to purchase a load of corn. Hosea Stout found corn at the home of an uncle of Charles C. Rich.

By 4 p.m., most of the teams in the first company had come up to the prairie and the horses had been fed. The camp traveled west on a very good road for seven miles and started to make camp at about sunset on a low piece of flat prairie land on the north bank of Indian Creek.5 The camp had traveled twelve miles on this day.

Brigham Young had expected to see George Miller and his pioneers to help provide feed for their exhausted teams. But there was no sign of this company. Corn had to be purchased with cash, enough to give each beast eight ears.

Hosea Stout had to deal with more dissension among the guard. Samuel Gully, one of the captains of the guard, had brought his wagon to the Reed's Creek camp. There, he met up with his wife, and declared that he would have nothing more to do with the guard and advised his men to join other companies. He complained that he was not used well, but had never mentioned anything to Brother Stout. He took his yoke of oxen, and took his things out of the wagon that he left by the roadside.7 When Brother Stout heard about the problem, he sent two members of the guard with three yoke of oxen to bring up the wagon. They started heading back at 4 p.m. and returned with the wagon before daybreak, traveling all night.

In the evening, Charles Allen continued to disregard Hosea Stout's orders. Brother Allen's group of guards was called to take their regular turn guarding the camp, but he refused to let anyone go, saying that they were too tired.

In the evening, Dr. John D. Elbert, a nearby resident, came into camp and met with Brigham Young and Willard Richards in Elder Richards’ tent. Dr. Elbert stated that when news first arrived that the Mormons were coming, there was much excitement and worry because of the false reports that had been circulating. They feared that “they should be swallowed up alive” by the Mormons. But the more recent reports of honest dealings with the camp had helped to calm the fears. Dr. Elbert said that he had treated several Mormon families who lived in the vicinity and that all had paid him honestly. He couldn't say the same for all the non‑Mormon families. Dr. Elbert set aside a section of land seven miles ahead for a camp and contracted with the brethren to split rails and clear land. Payment would be in corn. While the Doctor was there, the band came up to the front of the tent and played for him.

Brigham Young wrote a letter (penned by Willard Richards) to Orson Hyde in Nauvoo, reporting that all was well and that the camp was in good spirits.

Reed's Creek Camp, Iowa:

Christina, wife of John Lytle, delivered a son, Charles Lytle, at 2 p.m.8

Nauvoo, Illinois:

The ice was finally broken up and was running on the river. Brother Charles W. Wandell wrote a bogus revelation to see what effects it would have on the Strangites. He sent it to Jehiel Savage, a Strangite, telling him it was a revelation from the Lord given through James J. Strang. Savage took the revelation and from the temple stand read it to the people, bearing testimony that he knew it was from the Lord. Brother Wandell came forward and acknowledged that he was the author of the article, that the Lord had nothing to do with it, and that Strang never saw it. Brother Wandell later found out it was unprofitable and dangerous to use the name of the Lord falsely, that it produced evil among men. While it did show the brethren that the followers of Strang were more ready to receive fables than truth, the brethren understood that no man should use this deceptive method.

A daughter, Louisa Cox, was born to Amos and Philena Cox. A son, Henry Jefferson Keele was born to Richard and Nancy Keele.9 Lydia Faunce was also born in Nauvoo on this day.

There was confusion at the Dr. Elbert camp because Brigham Young did not stop as planned. Some of the guard took down their tents and followed after him. Hosea Stout did likewise and arrived at Richardson's Point at dark. Hosea Stout sold a bedstead for eight bushels of corn that he used to feed the guard's animals. His wife had been afflicted with much pain in her right side and was unable to sit up in the wagon all day. They had made a bed for her to lie in, but even with extra care, the traveling during the day was painful for her.

Newel K. Whitney camped about two miles back. Amasa Lyman, the band, and a portion of the guard camped at Dr. Elbert's camp, four miles back. The band worked on splitting 130 rails for Dr. Elbert. In the evening Dr. Elbert and some others came to hear the band play. John Kay also sang some songs which pleased the visitors.11

Fox River, Iowa:

Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt continued on four more miles to George Miller's camp on the Fox River. In this region was located a small branch of the Church. They camped near Brother Stewart's home. Some corn was donated to the camp, which was gathered by George Miller and his men.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

The ice was running on the river and three steam boats were spotted across from Nauvoo, puffing upstream. Pigeons were seen flying north in large numbers. There were some false rumors circulating through Nauvoo. The first rumor was that John Taylor was on his way to Nauvoo to preach his last Mormon sermon. The second rumor was that Hosea Stout had shot President Brigham Young, and Brother Stout had been hung by the neck on a tree. It was said many of the guard had left the camp. These rumors were of course false.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 66‑68; Stanley Kimball, “The Iowa Trek of 1846"; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; William Clayton’s Journal; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 118; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 57; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848; Holzapfel, Women of Nauvoo, 142; Woman’s Exponent 12:9-12

Sunday, March 8, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

The weather was dry, warm, and pleasant. At 6:52 a.m. a son, David Kimball Smith, was born to Heber C. and Sarah Kimball. This birth occurred where Bishop Whitney was camping, two miles east of Richardson Point. He was given the last name of Smith, no doubt in honor to Joseph Smith whom Sarah was sealed to. Sarah was the daughter of Bishop Newel K. Whitney.12 Using Book of Mormon tradition, Elder Kimball named the valley his son was born, the Valley of David.

At 11 a.m., a Sabbath meeting was held, attended by many in the camp and about forty or fifty nonmembers from the surrounding area. Elder Jedediah M. Grant spoke on the first principles of the gospel. He was followed by Elder George A. Smith. Eliza R. Snow went to the meeting, but when she discovered that the talks were addressed mainly to the nonmembers present, she decided to go visit Sister Leonora Taylor, wife of Elder John Taylor. Sister Taylor was feeling down because she was experiencing great pain caused by rheumatism. Sister Snow spent three hours encouraging her, and letting her know that God would heal her.

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball rode three to four miles west to inspect the campground that was previously selected by George Miller on the west bank of the Fox River. It was located near Brother Stewart's home but they found the ground was too wet there. They decided to keep the camp where it was, at Richardson's Point, until Tuesday. Brigham Young had heard that George Miller had obtained and stored one hundred and seventy-five bushels of corn for the camp. When President Young came to the camp at Fox River, he was disappointed to learn that George Miller, Parley P. Pratt and others had gone on ahead that morning and taken the corn with them. Several companies, not understanding the new plans, had started to head for the Fox River camp. These groups turned around and went back when they learned about the new plans.

The William Pitt band, at Dr. Elbert's Camp, four or five miles behind the main camp, spent the morning playing for many of the residents who lived nearby. They greatly enjoyed hearing the band and gave them an invitation to play in the town of Keosauqua. The invitation could not be accepted right away because instructions had been given for the band to join the camp at Richardson Point. The band immediately took down their tents and arrived at the main camp at about 5 p.m. Some of the citizens of Keosauqua followed the band to the camp, hoping that permission would be granted to accept their invitation. President Young advised the band to accept the invitation and arrangements were made for a concert on the following day.

Other groups rolled into the Richardson Point Camp. Brigham Young's brother Lorenzo was among those who arrived this day.

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball rode two miles back, to the Valley of David, probably to be with Sarah Ann Kimball and the new baby. They returned to the main camp at Richardson Point at 9:30 p.m., at which time a council meeting was held for the first time in Brigham Young's new large tent. The discussions centered on a travel schedule needed for an advance party to reach the Great Basin region soon enough in the season to plant a crop. The proposed plan was to have a body of about three hundred men leave their families and travel with speed over the mountains.

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 71‑72; Kimball Heber C. Kimball ‑ Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer, 133; Hartley, My Best for the Kingdom, 187; “Hosea Stout Diary”; Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 4:709 JOHNSON, Luke S.; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; William Clayton’s Journal; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 118; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 57; Bruce Van Orden, Church News, March 8, 1996; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848;

Monday, March 9, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

The weather was very pleasant, thirty‑two degrees at sunrise. The morning sky was clear and bright. At 10 a.m., the Twelve met in council in Brigham Young's large field tent. They wrote a letter to the Nauvoo Trustees. Instructions were given to gather up cows, sheep, oxen, mules, pigs and other animals to be taken with the next group of Saints who would leave Nauvoo. Elder Orson Hyde was instructed to remain in Nauvoo to dedicate the temple if the Twelve were not able to return to for this event.

The Council instructed Captain John Scott, in charge of the artillery, to bury between twenty-three and twenty-four hundred pounds of cannon balls, near Richardson's Point Camp, to lighten the loads. The cannon balls would be retrieved at a later time. The Council again attempted to better organize the camp. They decided to form new companies of “fifties.” These groups of fifty wagons would be led by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Amasa Lyman, and George A. Smith. These independent companies would leave the camp at different times.

Hosea Stout was asked to determine how many of the guard could continue on over the mountains, without returning to Nauvoo to bring their family and other belongings. Brigham Young was being constantly approached by many men who desired to be allowed to return to Nauvoo.

Brother Stout continued to try to provide for the men under his charge. On this day he sold his table for a hog which was divided among the guard, making up about one meal.

Many companies arrived at Richardson's Point. Eliza R. Snow wrote: “Our town of yesterday morning has grown to a City.” Newel K. Whitney arrived at about 3 p.m., moving his company from their camp two miles away. Alexander Merrill came into the camp bringing news from Nauvoo that William Smith (the Prophet Joseph's brother) had returned to Nauvoo. Samuel Bent, Charles C. Rich, Peter Haws, Shadrach Roundy and others joined the camp, coming in from the Reed’s Creek Camp, below Bonaparte.

The camp was very busy during the day. A blacksmith's shop was observed in full operation. The sisters were busy cooking. Hannah Markham baked eleven loaves of bread. Washing clothes was not as convenient as in former camps because the water was not located as close. Tubs and washboards were taken about a half mile to the side of a stream. Meals consisted of pot‑pies of rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, quails, prairie chicken, and other items that the hunters would catch.

Warm rain continued to fall in the morning. At 7 a.m., the temperature was fifty degrees. Many more teams rolled into camp during the day including the families of Thomas Grover, John Gheen and Theodore Turley. The brethren husked over one hundred bushels of corn in order to pay for corn and fodder.

At 1 p.m., the band started toward Keosauqua in carriages for their concert. After a ten-mile journey to the east, they arrived in town at about 3 p.m. and were requested to go through the town to play at different stopping points. A grocery store keeper asked them to play, and he then graciously invited them in to choose a treat of anything in the store. Other store keepers did the same. The procession then marched up to the Des Moines hotel and courthouse, where supper had been prepared for them. At 7 p.m., they gave a concert in the courthouse which lasted until 9:30. The audience was extremely pleased and gave loud applause. They were paid $25.70 and invited to play again the following evening. After an exhausting, but rewarding visit to Keosauqua, the band started back to camp after 10 p.m., arriving at about 1 a.m.

During the day, the Camp of Israel at Richardson Point was very uncomfortable because of the rain. Hosea Stout's tent leaked badly, making it very difficult to keep dry. During the day a quail landed on top of the Stouts’ tent and fluttered down in the tent door. Brother Stout picked the bird up and thought about the account in the Bible (Numbers 11:31‑33) when the Lord sent thousands of quail into the Camp of Israel. After the children of Israel ate the quail, the Lord smote them with sickness. Brother Stout felt that this quail had not been sent in wrath, so he cooked it. It proved to be a wonderful blessing, and a nice meal.

Eliza Lyman wrote: “We tried to dry our clothes, but one side got wet while the other was getting dry. It rained all day and it was almost impossible for us to get anything to eat.”

Sickness in the various camps continued to be of great concern. Isaac Chase was sick at Richardson's Point. Brigham Young's nephew, Edwin Little, was feeling somewhat better. Daniel and Orson Spencer were camping about ten miles back at Indian Creek with Orson Spencer's wife, Catherine, who was critically sick. Her little children would ask at the door of the wagon, “How is mamma? Is she better?” Catherine would turn to her husband and say, “Oh you dear little children, how I do hope you may fall into kind hands when I am gone.” She told her husband on this night that a heavenly messenger appeared to her and told her that she had suffered enough, that he had come to convey her to a mansion of gold. The continual rain made it impossible to keep her bedding dry and comfortable, but her husband sat by her side, doing his best to keep the rain and cold away from her. Friends held milk pans over her bed to keep her dry.

Albert P. Rockwood's wife, Nancy, presented him with a hat made of straw gathered from the horse feed.

Elder Willard Richards wrote to Sheriff Jacob B. Backenstos. Elder Richards, who was the church historian, asked him to send a list of the Carthage Greys and other names of members of the mob in Hancock County. He wished to add these names to the history of the Church.

Brigham Young's nephew, Edwin Little continued to be very sick and was taken to a nearby house in Brigham Young's carriage. There were also four cases of measles and one case of mumps reported in the camp.

Eliza R. Snow was not feeling well because of the dampness. For dinner, her good friend Hannah Markham brought her “a slice of beautiful, white light bread and butter, that would have done honor to a more convenient bakery, than an out‑of‑door fire in the wilderness.”

At 2 p.m., a heavy rain shower started which continued for two hours. The skies then cleared and the moon shined bright in the evening. Brigham Young and Willard Richards spent the evening with George A. Smith in his tent.

Hosea Stout rode around the camp and found Henry G. Sherwood surveying and taking compass readings of the spot where the cannon balls had been buried. They had been buried in a hole near the roots, on the west side of a white oak tree. Brother Sherwood calculated that the distance from Nauvoo to that spot was fifty-five and one quarter miles.

There was a problem in the portion of the camp that had gone on ahead. James M. Hemmick of the pioneers challenged Wilbur J. Earl to fight a duel. This was reported back to Brigham Young.

Most of the camp retired to wet bedding at night.

Near Bloomfield, Iowa:

To the west of Richardson's Point, about seventeen miles ahead, George Miller and Parley P. Pratt moved their camp about twenty‑eight miles further to the west of Chariton River.

Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

Catherine Spencer continued to be critically sick at the Spencer camp, ten miles to the east of Richardson’s Point at Indian Creek. She called her husband and children to her bedside to give them a parting kiss. She then said, “I love you more than ever, but you must let me go. I only want to live for your sake and that of our children.” She was asked if she had any message for her father's family, to which she replied, “Charge them to obey the gospel.” The rain provided much discomfort and she finally expressed a desire to be in a house. A man by the name of Barnes, living nearby, consented to have her be brought to his house.

Near Bonaparte, Iowa:

Further back, at the Des Moines River, many Saints were struggling to catch up with the main camp. The river was swollen and a ferry was being used to transfer the wagons and teams across. Long waits were experienced for their turns to cross.

Another council meeting was held at 5 p.m., attended also by the captains of the pioneers and guard. They were asked to obtain the names of the men in their charge, who wanted to return to Nauvoo for their families. Those going back were to leave their teams in the camp and to find other teams in Nauvoo. They would be credited the value of their teams in camp and be given an order for the Trustees in Nauvoo for assistance. Later in the evening, Brigham Young met with several brethren who were about to return to Nauvoo.

There were many people from nearby farms who came into camp, interested in exchanging oxen for horses. It had been decided to exchange many of the horses for oxen because the oxen would endure the journey better. Most of the citizens wanted to trade one yoke of oxen for a good horse which was really worth two yokes of oxen. Because of the high price, few trades were made. Three or four cases of distemper were discovered among the horses in camp.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

George Edmunds, a lawyer, invited William Smith to study law under him if William would drop all of his beliefs in the gospel.

The editor of the Illinois State Register wrote: “The universal desire [of the Mormons] seems to be to get away to a land of peace.”

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 81‑83; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; “Ezra Benson Autobiography,” Instructor 80 (1945), 216; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 199, 276; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 60; Nibley, Exodus to Greatness 139; Memoirs of John R. Young, Utah Pioneer 1847, 18; Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, 800; Holzapfel, Women of Nauvoo, 177

Saturday, March 14, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

The morning was clear, windy and colder, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. At 8 a.m. the temperature was thirty‑six degrees. There were a few cases of dysentery reported in the camp. Willard Richards was sick in bed again. Reynolds Cahoon had been thrown from his wagon and dislocated his shoulder.

At 8 a.m., members of the Twelve and Bishop Whitney met at Willard Richards' tent. It was reported that Shadrach Roundy and his company were fourteen miles ahead on some property occupied by a Widow Evans. Orson Pratt and others were seventeen miles ahead. Bishop Miller and Parley P. Pratt were believed to be forty‑five miles ahead on the Chariton River. The Council closed with music and songs by Brothers Kay and Hutchinson at 10 a.m.

There was a lot of activity in the guard and pioneer companies to determine who needed to return to Nauvoo for their families. In all, about fifty‑five men decided to return, including thirty of the guard. These men were given “honorable releases.” They were told to leave their teams in camp. Lorenzo Young and Stephen Markham were kept busy appraising value of each team so the brethren could be reimbursed back in Nauvoo. There was some murmuring regarding this policy. One brother swore that he would not give up his father's team, but would sooner poison the horses. His team was put under a special guard.

In the late afternoon, Hosea Stout traveled to William Clayton's camp24 to have Brother Clayton write the reimbursement orders to the Nauvoo Trustees. It took longer than expected, well into the night. Hosea Stout had to return on a dark road to the main camp. Brother Clayton sent a man with a lantern to help light the way until Brother Stout reached the edge of the prairie. Then, without a light, and in pouring rain, he had to wade a considerable distance in deep mud and water. He finally waded his way to Brigham Young's tent with the orders which he left for signature. He was then met by a man who claimed that President Young had given him permission to take a team back to Nauvoo. Brother Stout could see through this dishonest statement and took the team into his charge.

Eliza R. Snow had spent the day washing clothes at the creek. In the evening, Brigham Young came in a buggy to take Sister Snow and others to a dinner prepared by Sister Young. It was a glorious feast of pot‑pie made from wild game: rabbits, pheasants, quail, and other animals.

The rain finally stopped. That night, Eliza R. Snow was very glad to see the moon shining on the wagon cover a few inches above her head.

On the Road to the Des Moines River:

During the day, William Hall left camp with his team, and headed for the Des Moines River to bring forward one of Allen Stout's loads. Brother Stout had been sick with sore eyes and was trying to catch up with the camp. While Brother Hall was at Indian Creek, one of his horses became very sick with bloating and colic. Elders Hall and Lluellen Mantle decided to lay hands on the horse and bless it. The horse recovered immediately and went on for about two more miles and then was again attacked with pain. They tried unsuccessfully to give it medicine. The horse lay on its side. Reuben Strong believed it was still alive and proposed to lay hands upon it again. A discussion ensued. Some felt that it was not proper to use the priesthood to bless a horse. Elder Hall justified the action with the prophecy of Joel, “that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2: 28). This satisfied the brethren and they laid hands on the horse, commanding the unclean and fouls spirits to depart and go to Warsaw, Illinois (home of the mob). The horse rolled over twice, sprang to its feet, vomited, and by the next morning was performing work as usual.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

In the morning, Elder Orson Hyde, while troubled by seeing many follow after false prophets, received an important revelation from the Lord that was published in Nauvoo. The Lord told him that evil men would try to divide the flock. These men were not following after the Lord,

Yet they are instruments in my hands and are permitted to try my people, and to collect from among them those who are not the elect, and such as are unworthy of eternal life. . . . My people know my voice and also the voice of my spirit, and a stranger they will not follow. . . . Behold, James J. Strang hath cursed my people by his own spirit and not by mine. Never, at any time, have I appointed that wicked man to lead my people. . . . But his spirit and ambition shall soon fail him and then shall he be called to judgment and receive that portion which is his mete. . . . Let my Saints gather up with all consistent speed and remove westward. Let there be no more disputes or contentions among you about doctrine or principles, neither who shall be greatest. . . .

The thoughts of many of the Saints were focused on the anticipated journey west. While lying in his bed, Thomas Bullock saw a vision:

Last night while lying in my bed, comfortable, I saw a vast range of mountains. A river had been crossed and I saw the waggons pass up round a mountain into the hollow of a hill, and again come round the other side of the defile and ascend the road up the other side of the mountain. The waggons appeared to me to be about 8 or 10 rods in advance of each other and the cavalcade must have been several miles in length. The tops of the mountains appeared to reach the clouds, almost perpendicularly, while beneath the road was an immense precipice. The road appeared scarce wide enough for the waggons to pass, being very narrow. The waggon covers appeared a deal darker, as if they were dirty with use. I involuntarily rose up in my bed and discovered it was a vision and not real.

Warren Foote wrote a letter to his nonmember brothers showing that the Saints had a better understanding where they would be heading: “We expect to start west the latter part of April. We are not going to Vancouver Island [Canada] (it had been reported that we were going to Vancouver Island), nor to California. We shall probably settle in the Rocky Mountains. . . . One company has gone and another will start in April.”

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 83, 84; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 120; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 60, 61; “Warren Foote Autobiography,” typescript, 79-80; “Isaac Haight Autobiography,” typescript, 28; “John D. Lee Journal”; Millennial Star, 7:10, May 15, 1846, 157‑58

Many of the Saints, back in Nauvoo, experienced a spiritual “Day of Pentecost.” Elder Orson Hyde spoke to a large congregation assembled in the temple and read the revelation that he had received the previous day. He mentioned that he had passed John E. Page in the morning. Page told him that he had received a revelation and said it “makes me ashamed of myself and ashamed of my God.” Those in the congregation received testimony that when a man falls from great light, he falls into great darkness. After the meeting, Rufus Beach25 confessed his error in believing Strangism.

In the afternoon, at the Seventies Hall, Joseph Young and Benjamin L. Clapp spoke. At sundown, fourteen people gathered in the temple to partake of the sacrament. Some of the brethren spoke in tongues, others prophesied. While a brother related a vision, a light was seen over his head. The face of another brother shone with great brightness. Two heavenly beings were seen in the northeast corner of the room and the Holy Ghost rested on all present. This spiritual meeting continued until midnight. Thomas Bullock said it “was the most profitable, happy, and glorious meeting I had ever attended in my life.”

While this meeting was taking place in the temple, Chester Loveland was called out of bed by his mother‑in‑law, stating that the Temple was again on fire. (See February 9, 1846.) He dressed “as quick as lightning” and ran outside, seeing the temple all in a blaze. He studied it for a few seconds and realized that the flames were not consuming the temple. He also did not see anyone else running to the rescue and concluded that it was the glory of God. He returned to bed. Another brother saw the belfry on fire at 9:45 p.m. He ran as fast as he could, but when he reached the temple he found it dark and secure.26

At about this time, Sister Almira Lamb, with others in her room, saw a vision of her dead child. It appeared to her in great glory and filled the room with light. She said her child told her to remove her bones where they were buried among the Gentiles and to bury them among the Saints. Others dreamed inspired dreams that night. It was truly a day of spiritual feast.

Twins, Sariah and Henry Pulsipher were born to Elias and Polly Pulsipher.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 85‑86, 90; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 120; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 61, 62; “Sarah Rich Autobiography,” typescript, 49;

Monday, March 16, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

The day started off chilly with a temperature of twenty-nine degrees, but the weather turned out to be more pleasant than any other day since the camp left Nauvoo. It was still too wet to break camp, but preparations could be made.

The Council met and signed the epistle written to the church in Nauvoo. The brethren let the Saints know that they were constantly in their prayers. The brethren discounted the rumors that had been circulating Nauvoo by the Strangites regarding contention in the camp. “We do not believe that so large a company ever camped together so long upon the face of the earth, as this has, with so many good feelings, contentedness, kindness, benevolence, charity and brother love, as has been, and is still manifested among this camp.”

They exhorted the Saints in Nauvoo to “be patient, be humble, be prayerful, be diligent in business, let Strangism alone, it is not worth the skin of a flea; remember the Mormon creed 'Mind your own business.'”27 They were encouraged to travel light when they would leave Nauvoo. The experience so far had shown that the wagons should not be heavily loaded and that old wagons should not be taken because they would break down at every creek. They should bring all their cows, sheep, and farming tools.

The Saints were encouraged to deal honestly with each other. The wagon companies should continue their work in constructing wagons. They should remember to not turn away those who were serving positions for the public good and not directly constructing wagons. These fine servants should be provided with wagons. The letter was closed with a blessing on the Saints.

The Trustees in Nauvoo were instructed to immediately give Thomas Bullock an outfit. Brother Bullock was one of those public servants who deserved assistance.

Many in the camp were busy preparing their wagons to move on. This involved changing loads in certain wagons. William Huntington and Nathan Tanner traveled north, crossing the Des Moines River in Jefferson County in an attempt to try to trade five horses for oxen. They couldn’t find any takers there, but on their way back to Chequest Creek, they made a successful trade.

Eliza R. Snow went to Elder Amasa M. Lyman's tent and found the nineteen-month-old little boy, James Monroe Tanner, at the point of death. He was the son of Sidney and Louisa Tanner.

The band passed through the camp, playing a few tunes. Some of the citizens of Keosauqua came into camp requesting another concert from the band. They agreed to play in the town, on the following evening.

At 10 a.m., the band started their journey to Keosauqua to hold another concert. William Clayton took his music box and china to try and sell them in the town. When the band arrived into the town, they learned that the priests had been working to prevent the citizens from attending the concert. The concert was poorly attended but it was by far the best concert given there. It lasted until 9 p.m. The band then went to the hotel, had supper, and played for a party until 3 a.m. Only $7.00 was received, but they were treated very well.

Brigham Young spent much of the day in the post office writing and signing orders. He related a dream (nightmare) that he had the previous night. He was pursued by a beast trying to take his life. He fled into a house and then the beast turned into a human. In defense, he tried to shoot the being with a seven‑shooter, but the gun would not work. He then drew a six‑shooter to try to scare the man away, but the gun accidentally went off, shooting the man in his dreams. The man came to his senses and was sorry for what he had been doing. Brigham Young then woke up and was very thankful that it was just a bad dream because he had felt very bad about shooting the man in his dreams.

In the afternoon, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball rode three miles to check out the next encampment and the roads leading to it. Also in the afternoon, Elder John Taylor moved his company three miles to the south, where Samuel Bent and Charles C. Rich were located. This move was made to organize the companies into John Taylor's “fifty.” There were several evening rain showers.

Near Bloomfield, Iowa:

At Orson Pratt's camp, seventeen miles to the west, about two miles north of Bloomfield, he ran into a problem. William Higginbotham had been carrying a load for Orson Pratt in his wagon. Brother Higginbotham became sick and wanted to return to Nauvoo. Elder Pratt tried to reason with him but it did not help. Brother Higginbotham unloaded Elder Pratt's goods and started for Nauvoo with his empty wagon.31 Elder Pratt needed to significantly lighten his load by distributing many pounds of flour to other brethren so that room could be made for other items. He sold a load of flour in Bloomfield for some farming utensils and gave some to the other pioneers. Even after this distribution, his wagons very all very heavily loaded.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Thomas Bullock dreamed that some people were trying to build a tower to exceed the height of the temple. He prophesied to the people that their efforts would fail and that the building would fall. On this day he celebrated St. Patrick's day, remembering days in Ireland. Rain started to fall at about 7 p.m. Later, Brother Bullock was returning home for the evening, he heard the singing of frogs.

A son, John Brice Hill, was born to John and Margaret Hill.32

The weather was clear, cold and windy. The camp pulled up stakes, packed up, and moved on toward the west, after spending twelve days at Richardson's Point. As the camp was pulling out, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball visited Isaac Chase and found him feeling much better, which allowed him to make the trip. Alphonzo Young's family was ill and stayed behind with others. Dr. Brailey also remained behind to treat a man in exchange for a yoke of oxen. Amasa Lyman's company and Theodore Turley did not leave because they were not ready and needed more teams. A company of the guard was also left behind to provide protection for these Saints.

The camp traveled about thirteen miles over a bad road, but the prairie was beautiful, with occasional strips of timber. The farms were becoming more scattered and very new, surrounded by much uncultivated land. A few fine new peach orchards were observed. There were many fences near the roads which forced the wagons through unavoidable mud holes. At times they were able to open up the fences, permitting the wagons to bypass these troubling spots. The first group arrived at the next campground at about 1 p.m. On the way, the tongue on David Sessions's wagon broke. Eliza R. Snow's group had a late start and had to ford some mud holes by starlight. They camped about two miles behind the main camp.

The camp was located on the South side of Chequest Creek on some land occupied by a Widow Evans. Shadrach Roundy's company had been camping there for several days. Widow Evans, with much reluctance, permitted the camp to use some of the fallen timber. She had been insisting on payment for this timber on public lands. There was very little corn or hay of any kind found in the area.

John Taylor's company, who was camping three miles south of Richardson's Point, joined the main camp in the morning but continued on three or four miles to the west of the main encampment. They camped in the spot where Orson Pratt had been camping for nine days, two miles north of Bloomfield, on the north side of the Fox River.

In the evening, Brigham Young visited several tents in the camp. He went with Willard Richards to try to find a yoke of oxen for one of Elder Richards’ heavy wagons, but they did not succeed in finding any. He then went to visit William Pitt, the band leader, who was sick with “the ague.” There, he listened to several tunes from the band and then returned to his “home” at 8:30 p.m.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Some thin ice was observed on the water in the morning. The weather during this late winter continued to make this the coldest and wettest winter for many years. To Thomas Bullock's relief, a letter was received at the Trustee's office from the Twelve at Richardson's Point. (See March 16, 1846.) The Trustees were instructed to provide an outfit immediately to Thomas Bullock so that he could come to the camp.35

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 94‑5; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 121; Nibley, Exodus to Greatness, 137; “Thomas Bullock Journal,” 63;

It was painful to see the poor creatures straining every joint and ligature‑‑doing their best, and looking the very pictures of discouragement. . . . From the effects of chills and fever, I had not strength to walk, or I would not have been guilty of riding after those half‑famished animals. . . . In some instances, a cow and ox‑‑and frequently two cows were yoked together and these poor animals, after helping draw wagons through the day, at night furnished all the milk with which the family was supplied; but the yield was a small pittance, especially when divided among a number of tired, hungry, houseless, little ones.

Near the end of the day's journey, Hosea Stout found one of Willard Richards’ teams, stuck in a ravine. Soon some teams came along and helped to free the wagon. As they worked, an unfortunate accident occurred. Sixteen-year-old William Clyde broke his arm.

They camped on a bluff within four or five miles of the Chariton River, at a place called Coffman's settlement. They were truly in the wilderness, not a house, barn or hut was in sight. Corn and oats were purchased in the area, but for a more expensive price than at previous camps. They could only see hills, grass, bushes and trees. All of the wagons came in before dark.

Orson Pratt and those in charge of the artillery passed on to the Chariton River, traveling a total of twenty miles. They camped on the west bank of the river.

Brigham Young was frustrated that George Miller continued to seek to always be ahead of the rest of the camp, away from the brethren. President Young predicted that if he continued to do so, that he would soon run into a problem and call upon the camp for help.

In the evening, the band went and played for Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. Afterwards, they went to a farm house about three quarters mile away. The owner had requested the band to come and play for him. He promised in return to give them some honey. They played for about an hour, left, and did not see any honey. Later, William Clayton learned that Joseph Hutchinson had put the pail of honey under his cloak after the rest had left the house, and selfishly did not share it with the rest of the band.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 97; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; William Clayton’s Journal; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 121

Sunday, March 22, 1846

Coffman's Settlement Camp to Chariton River Camp, Iowa:

The camp started to move early in the morning. The morning was dark, rainy, and unpleasant. The wagon train passed through three miles of hills, timber and prairie. They then descended onto two miles of lowlands, reaching the Chariton River at about noon. They were then faced with the difficult task of fording the river, which was two feet deep and about sixty feet across. It had a stony bottom, but worst of all, steep, sandy banks on each side. Because of the steep banks, it was necessary to lower the wagons down into the river with ropes and to help the teams up with ropes on the opposite side.

Other groups were permitted to proceed on seven miles further to Shoal Creek, camping on the west bank. Orson Pratt was among those who moved on.

At 5 p.m., John Young and Evan M. Greene arrived from Nauvoo bringing a large package of letters and newspapers.

In the afternoon, Brigham Young was disappointed to see that many of the brethren were forgetting that it was the Sabbath Day and had been participating in hunting excursions. It wasn't surprising that they had very little success on their hunt. In a council meeting that evening, President Young stated that he “wanted a new leaf turned over.” He warned that if the camp did not change its ways and start honoring the Sabbath, that a scourge would come upon the camp. There should be no more hunting and trading on this holy day. It should not be treated as just any other day. They decided that the camp would rest at this location for one day. On the following morning, a few hunters would be organized and sent out to bring in some game. Only those assigned should go out to hunt. The rest of the camp should be engaged in obtaining grain, feeding the cattle and horses, burning coal, chopping wood, and fishing. When the camp reached Shoal Creek, they would organize themselves more perfectly.

Brigham Young was still frustrated with George Miller's constant movement ahead of the forward groups. He stated if Bishop Miller moved again without approval, he would be disfellowshipped from the camp, unless he repented.

Shoal Creek Camp, Iowa:

In the evening, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, John Smith, and George Miller met together in council. Because of the scarcity of corn in this area, they decided that it was wise for a portion of the camp to move on about fifty miles to the Grand River, where there was supposed to be much grain. They also felt it was wise for the main camp to cross back over the Chariton “in order to get on a road which goes through the settlements” where there would be more feed for the animals. A messenger was immediately sent back to the main camp to inform Brigham Young and receive information.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Elders Orson Hyde and Almon W. Babbitt spoke at a Sunday meeting. Elder Hyde told the congregation that “it was the will of God that every man who had money, after fitting himself out, should leave the balance of his means to assist others.” There were so many poor in the city who wished to leave for the west, but did not have the materials or money. Elder Hyde read the epistle to the Church which was written by Brigham Young and the other brethren in the Camp of Israel. (See March 15, 1846.) It brought great satisfaction to the congregation.

A daughter, Mary Ann Fielding, was born to Joseph and Mary Ann Fielding. Also a daughter, Nancy Adelia Smith, was born to George A. and Nancy Smith.40

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 98‑9, 110‑11; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Hosea Stout; Stanley B. Kimball, “The Iowa Trek of 1846"; William Clayton’s Journal; “Record of the Organisation of the Camp of Israel” LDS Archives; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 121‑2; “Allen Stout Journal,” typescript, 24; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848; Wallace Stegner, The Gathering of Zion, 59; Woman’s Exponent, December 15, 1883; Nibley Exodus to Greatness, 142; “Sarah Rich Autobiography,” typescript, 50; Newel K. Whitney Diary, March 23, 1846

Monday, March 23, 1846

Chariton River Camp, Iowa:

Heavy rain fell throughout the night on the weary travelers camped on the ridge. The morning was warm and cloudy with a few light showers. The temperature was forty‑five degrees at sunrise. As planned, the hunters met in the morning and went to their hunting grounds. They were not very successful, but did find a little game. Burrier Griffin brought in a twenty-nine-pound turkey which he presented to Brigham Young. John D. Lee came in with thirteen squirrels.

A messenger from the Shoal Creek Camp arrived, sharing the plans to move George Miller’s camp to Grand River. Brigham Young felt that it was more important to gather the camp, to get organized. He continued to be frustrated that George Miller kept pushing on ahead. Brigham Young had not seen Bishop Miller in person since February 25 at Sugar Creek. He sent the messenger back with word that Parley P. Pratt, George Miller, and the rest of the company should stay where they were. The letter was very direct. “If they did not wait or return, the camp would organize without [them] and they would be disfellowshipped.”

In the afternoon, steady rain fell, and continued on into the evening. At 4 p.m., the ground became covered with a white blanket of pea‑sized hail. Brigham Young spent much of the day in the post office, which doubled as camp headquarters, attending to camp business and writing letters. He wrote to Brother M. Johnson, acknowledging that he had received a delicious plate of honey which had come from a tree discovered by Brother Johnson.

In the evening, at 8 p.m., Brigham Young heard several days of the official camp journal read to him, which he approved. He retired to his wagon at 9 p.m.

Shoal Creek Camp, Iowa:

The George Miller company made an unfortunate decision to move on ahead before they received a reply from the messenger sent to Brigham Young. The roads were very bad in the harsh weather, causing the teams to be separated and scattered. George Miller camped on a small stream after traveling five miles. Orson Pratt camped a little further away on the west branch of Shoal Creek. Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith advanced only one half mile from the Shoal Creek Camp. There were no houses or settlements within several miles. There was no corn to be found for the animals. This group experienced great hardship and should have stayed at Shoal Creek Camp.

At about 9 p.m, the wind began to roar from the west. Lorenzo Dow Young wrote: “I stepped to the door of my tent and took hold to hold it, but in a moment there came a gust of wind that blew the tent flat to the ground.” The rain started to fall so fast that it put out campfires. Lorenzo Young continues, “The rain wet me through and through, and I never felt in my life as though I must perish with the cold more than I did then.”

Tiffin, Ohio:

Oliver Cowdery wrote a letter to his brother‑in‑law, Phineas Young. Oliver was still concerned about his reputation among Church members. He had written to Phineas Young on this subject before (see December 18, 1845).

I have only sought, and only asked, that my character might stand exonerated from those charges which imputed to me the crimes of theft, forgery, etc. Those which all my former associates knew to be false . . . I have cherished a hope, and that one of my fondest, that I might leave such a character as those who might believe in my testimony, after I should be called hence . . . I have been sensitive on this subject, I admit, but I ought to so be, you would be under the circumstances, had you stood in the presence of John with our departed Brother Joseph, to receive the lesser priesthood, and in the presence of Peter, to receive the greater, and looked down through time, and witness the effects these two must produce.

He also wrote about a meeting planned in Nauvoo on April 6, 1846. “Brother Phineas, I could be with you, and tell you about the 6th of April 1830, when but six men then only belonged to the Church, and how we looked forward to a future. I should gladly, but I cannot, only in spirit‑‑but in spirit I shall be with you.” Oliver closed his letter with, “I am yours in the new and everlasting covenant.”41

Nauvoo, Illinois:

A son, Orson Omer Heath, was born to Luman and Lovisa Heath.42

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 100‑01; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; The Gathering of Zion, 58‑9; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals, March 23, 1846; William Clayton’s Journal; Oliver Cowdery to Phineas Young, 23 Mar 1846 in Gunn, 251; Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.1, COWDERY, OLIVER; Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things, 113; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848

Tuesday, March 24, 1846

Chariton River Camp, Iowa:

There were a few rain showers in the morning that turned into snow later on. The weather was very chilly, damp, and uncomfortable. The waters of the Chariton River had risen so high, that teams could no longer cross. Grain was needed for the teams, but because the brethren could not cross the river, the camp had to use the little corn that had been brought with them. But even this was not enough, so many of the animals were taken to a flat to feed on the dry grass. They were then taken to the woods to browse on the bushes and trees. To make matters worse, many in the camp were very low on provisions.

The mud in the camp was very deep and becoming trampled up by all the animals. Eliza R. Snow called it “indescribable.” To help relieve some of the great discomfort of camping in the mud, they would gather brush and bark to place in their tents, and around the doors and fireplaces. Floors were also made from split timbers. Erastus Snow recorded: “When we wished to go to our neighbors or see our teams, we forded the seas of mud and congratulated each other on the prospects before us.”

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball spent much of the day in the post office writing letters. John Lowe Butler returned from George Miller's camp. He was sent back with instructions that the leaders of that camp should return, bring their history and numbers, so that the Camp of Israel could be better organized.

The hunters were more successful, bringing in five deer. This catch was very welcome, because many companies were out of meat. A job was found making rails for the payment of ten bushels of corn and some bacon.

While at this camp, Eliza R. Snow composed a poem in honor of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball:

Let us go, let us go to the ends of the earth--

Let us go far away from the land of our birth;

For the Banner of Freedom no longer will wave

O’er the patriots tomb--o’er the dust of the brave.

Let us go, let us go from a country of strife,

From a land where the wicked are seeking our life,

From a country where justice no longer remains,

From which virtue is fled--where iniquity reigns.

Let us go, let us go from a government where

Our just rights of protection we never can share--

Where the soil we have purchas’d we cannot enjoy

Till the time when “the waster goes forth to destroy.”

Let us go, let us go to the wilds for a home,

Where the wolf and the deer and the buffalo roam,

Where the life-inspir’d “Eagle” in liberty flies,

Where the mountains of Israel in majesty rise.

Let us go, let us go to a country whose soil

Can be made to produce wine, milk, honey, and oil;

Where beneath our own vines we may sit and enjoy

The rich fruit of our labors, and naught will destroy.

Let us go, let us go where our rights are secure‑‑

Where the waters are clear & the atmosphere pure‑‑

Where the hand of oppression has never been felt‑‑

Where the blood of the prophets has never been spilt.

Let us go, let us go where the kingdom of God

Will be seen in its order extending abroad‑‑

Where the Priesthood again will exhibit its worth

In the regeneration of man and of earth.

Let us go, let us go to the far western shore

Where the blood‑thirsty “Christians” will hunt us no more,

Where the waves of the ocean will echo the sound

And the shout of salvation be heard the world round.

In the evening, a council meeting was held in the post office tent. Elder Richards was again sick in bed with a bad cough. They discussed rearranging some of the loads to enable a few brethren to return to Nauvoo. Hosea Stout made a wagon available and the load which it contained was reassigned to other wagons. Plans were made to obtain corn for the camp and assignments were made for a fishing detail. It was reported that a Mr. Devlin had come into camp, claiming that he wanted to join the Church. He was suspected to be a spy and to have stolen a horse in Missouri. William Hall was assigned by the guard to watch him.

A marriage was performed. John Scott, in charge of the artillery, married Sarah Ann Willis, his third wife.

West of Shoal Creek Camp, Iowa:

Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt and George Miller finally received the firm message from Brigham Young that they were to return to Shoal Creek to organize the camp. George Miller and Orson Pratt immediately headed back in a snowstorm on horses. They stopped at the location where Parley P. Pratt had camped overnight, one-half mile west of Shoal Creek. Shoal Creek was so high that the only way to cross it would be to make the horses swim. Also, because Parley P. Pratt was ill, they decided to return to the main camp another day. They all returned back to their camps.

Bishop George Miller just did not understand the reason for delaying the movement west, even in this very harsh weather. He wrote: “One day orders would be issued to go ahead, and the next day orders would be issued to stop.” He was becoming critical of Brigham Young's leadership and did not take this most recent warning from him very well.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

A son, Joseph Loftus Jolly, was born to Reuben and Sarah Jolly.43

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 101‑02; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Dr. H.W. Mills, A Mormon Bishop and His Son, 23; Watson, The Orson Pratt Journals; Larson, Erastus Snow, 107; Nibley Exodus to Greatness, 141; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 121‑23; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848

Wednesday, March 25, 1846

Chariton River Camp, Iowa:

The weather was still quite unpleasant. The camp woke up to a nice blanket of snow covering all the unsightly mud. At 9:30 a.m., the temperature was thirty‑two degrees.

George Miller moved further west, joining Orson Pratt's camp. Orson Pratt went hunting. He saw both deer and turkeys, but only killed a turkey.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 102‑03; Larson, Erastus Snow, 107; Watson, The Journals of Orson Pratt; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; “Sarah Rich Autobiography,” typescript, 49; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 123; Dean C. Jesse, BYU Studies, 19:4:484; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848; LDS Biographical Encyclopedia

Thursday, March 26, 1846

Chariton River Camp, Iowa:

The skies cleared up, but it was still quite cloudy and cold. At sunrise the temperature was thirty‑one degrees. Eliza R. Snow, who still had not left her wagon for four days because of the mud and illness wrote: “The sun, which had not appear'd since last Sat[urday] except a few minutes before setting last night, arose this mor[ning] clear and beautiful, which was hail'd with much pleasure by our wayward‑deep‑in‑the‑mud sojourners.”

At about 8 a.m., a meeting of the captains was held in front of Brigham Young's tent. He lectured to the group regarding the practice of overbidding one another in purchasing corn. He also asked the brethren to make sure they were all attending to their family prayers and stressed the importance of forgiving one another. Regarding camp business, Howard Egan was again sent to purchase corn and it was proposed to send a group of pioneers to find work at Grand River.

There was still no word at all from George Miller's camp. They had been asked to return immediately and still had not come into camp. Brigham Young sent a messenger with an even sterner letter. The letter included,

You must know that this large body of people cannot be transplanted in a distant county without order in our travels. . . . It will not do for the camp to divide off in parties and each take their own course. . . . We have labored diligently to overtake your division of the camp so as to organize, but just so sure as we come within a few miles of you we find you off again seemingly determined to keep out of our reach. . . . Now this confused state of things cannot be borne any longer.

Parley P. Pratt wrote: “On account of exposure in the storms, we did not immediately attend the council, as requested. However, we found means to cross after a little delay, and were proceeding to [Brigham Young's] camp when an express met us with another letter from the President, censuring us still more severely.”

They finally arrived into camp at about 2 p.m. and met with Brigham Young at the post office. Parley P. Pratt wrote: “The President then reproved and chastened us severely for several things, among which was our drawing off from the council and main body of the camp and going ahead. He said there was manifestly a spirit of dissension and of insubordination manifested in our movements.” Elder Pratt protested that he had no such motive in his heart but was truly trying to do what was best for the teams and the camp. But he learned a very important lesson, “Although my motives were pure, so far as I could know my own heart, yet I thank God for this timely chastisement; I profited by it, and it caused me to be more watchful and careful ever after.”

George Miller, while outwardly appearing to accept this correction, later wrote: “We got on our horses and rode back. I remonstrated at their high‑handed measure. They said that [they] had sent for us to have us in their council. And in like manner our time was consumed, without our making much progress on our journey.”

James W. Cummings46 was appointed to travel with John L. Butler to the Emmett company located far to the northwest at Camp Vermillion, in present-day South Dakota. (See October 29, 1845.) They were instructed to have the group move west to merge in with the main camp when they reached Fort Laramie. They were given a letter from the Twelve which told the Emmett camp that “the time had fully come for this church to be transplanted into a far distant country in order to carry out the designs of our heavenly father.” They recognized that the Emmett company had been reproved in the past for leaving Nauvoo too soon, and explained that those who stayed were able to be given the blessings of the temple. But it now was time to come together, “that we may soon strike hands with you in a healthy country where we can worship God according to his law.”

Also in this important council meeting, Brigham Young proposed that the camp be reorganized into companies of fifty families. Each company would have brethren assigned to certain roles in their company. These roles included men to purchase corn, others to do trading, some to scout on ahead, and some to contract for work. The council was closed, to meet again the following day at Shoal Creek.

Many of the brethren were sent out to look for work. Brother Allen found a job to make 2,000 nails. George Miller, Parley P. Pratt and the others who came in from Shoal Creek returned to their camp in the evening.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

A son, James Erastus Snow, was born to James and Eliza Ann Snow.47

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 103‑05; Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 341‑42; Hartley, My Best for the Kingdom, 189; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; Dr. H.W. Mills, A Mormon Bishop and His Son, 23; Journal History, March 26, 1846; Bruce Van Orden, Church News, March 22, 1996; Beecher, The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, 123; Black, Membership of the Church 1830‑1848

Friday, March 27, 1846

Chariton River and Shoal Camps, Iowa:

In the morning, the ground was frozen and there was a cold wind blowing. Brigham Young spent the morning writing and approving letters. John Young and Evan Greene started out for Nauvoo carrying forty letters.

Brigham Young was frustrated with the performance of the guard and reported his complaints to Hosea Stout. He had seen the guards sitting by fires, fast asleep, while cattle were eating pickles out of a wagon and crackers out of sacks. Hosea Stout also had to deal with another problem among his guards. Word came to him that one of his men was planning to leave his post and return to Nauvoo. Brother Stout found the man's things packed up and realized that the man planned to leave while Brother Stout was away at a council meeting. He had to take the drastic measure of putting the man's horse under guard until he could deal with the situation later in the day.

At 10 a.m., the leaders of the camp traveled about six miles in carriages and on horseback to George Miller's camp, west of Shoal Creek. They only had to pass through one mud hole, “which was about six miles in length.” They met George Miller at about the halfway point and he escorted them to the Parley P. Pratt's encampment, near the east fork of Shoal Creek. They held their morning meeting in George A. Smith's tent.

In the afternoon, after a good dinner of baked beans and ham, the Council met again in the afternoon to formally reorganize the camp. In Nauvoo, the camp was organized into groups of one hundred families. The captains over these groups had selected sub‑captains over fifty families and ten families. But these entire groups were not yet in the camp and many men also had to return to get their families. Thus, a reorganization was needed.

President Brigham Young was unanimously sustained President over the whole Camp of Israel. The various captains of hundreds and fifties were selected. The camps would from that time forward be identified by numbers, not by the name of their captain. William Clayton was appointed as the camp clerk and Willard Richards was reappointed as the historian. Men were appointed commissaries, to counsel and work together in purchasing corn and other provisions for the camp.

The captains were given a charge from President Young. Rules must be followed in their companies. The companies needed to be very careful about their camp fires. As the season would become dryer, there would be more danger in setting the prairie or the woods on fire. No guns should be discharged in the camp and they must be kept out of sight. All swords must also be kept out of sight. No one should go out hunting unless he was assigned to go.

The route for the camp to take was discussed. It was decided to travel through Missouri on a southwest route among the more settled areas, toward Banks Ferry on the Missouri River.

After the Council concluded, the men who were camping at the Chariton River returned to their encampment, traveling along the “Old Mormon Road,” arriving just before sunset. As they traveled, some of them recalled the time many years ago when they also traveled this road when fleeing from Missouri.

Benjamin F. Johnson came into camp and reported that his company had come down with the measles. They were located three or four miles to the east and needed some assistance.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Orson Hyde wrote a letter to the brethren. He asked for advice as to what should be done with the mortgages on several buildings. Should they keep paying out money for buildings that couldn't be sold? He reported that the Trustees offered to help support Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph Smith. They wanted to pay her two hundred dollars per year, to furnish her a rent‑free house. However, William Smith (her son) convinced her to refuse the offer. Elder Hyde wrote that William wanted property to be deeded to her which he could claim at her death. The Trustees wanted to place a condition on the deal. They would deed Mother Smith a home if either William gave his support to the Twelve, or she refused to let him live with her.

Elder Hyde mentioned that he disliked staying in Nauvoo, but would do as he was told. The temple was still not finished, and would not be ready to be dedicated on April 6. Even during this time of confusion in Nauvoo, there were still many people joining the church. Some of the people desired to travel by water, down the Mississippi and then up the Missouri. This could be done if they knew where to gather. Elder Hyde was counseling people to cross over into Iowa and do their best to travel west, find jobs, and put in a crop.

Sister Mary Brower, wife of Ari Brower, died and was buried on William Huntington’s lot, near the grave of Brother Huntington’s first wife.

Sources:

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 105‑11; Rich, Ensign to the Nations, 14; Brooks, The Diary of Hosea Stout; William Clayton’s Journal; Bennett, Mormons at the Missouri, 37; Newell, Mormon Enigma‑‑Emma Hale Smith, 233; “William Huntington autobiography,” typescript, 57

The wind finally died down in the evening, making it a calm, clear, and cold night. Brigham Young went to visit Eliza R. Snow, who was sick in her wagon. President Young blessed her and “said in the name of the Lord [that she] should get [her] health.” Elder Willard Richards was also still sick in bed. He dictated the camp's history to John D. Lee until after midnight.

Shoal Creek, Iowa:

Orson Pratt learned that William Rice, at Evan's camp (see March 20, 1846) who had been carrying a load for Elder Pratt, decided to return to Nauvoo. He sent word to Elder Pratt that he left the goods in the camp and would not be carrying them anymore.

Nauvoo, Illinois:

A son, Allen Norton, was born to Charles and Fanny Norton.50 Also born was a daughter, Exile Liberty Parker, to Thomas and Martha Parker.

Somewhere in the east:

John C. Bennett wrote a letter to James Strang in Wisconsin.51 At this time, Bennett was attracted to the Strang's new movement. He had opened this correspondence with Strang, hoping to persuade Strang to appoint him as a member of the Strangite First Presidency. In the letter written on this day, he asks again, “Can I depend upon my old place?” A few days later he would write, “While you will be the Moses of the last days, I hope to be your Joshua, my old positions, while you stand as the crowned Imperial Primate, I will be . . . your General‑in‑Chief.” Bennett advised Strang to invite William Smith (Joseph's brother) to be the church's patriarch and to “take with him his mother, with the mummies and papyrus‑‑the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum‑‑etc. as all these things would have an astonishing effect in congregating the people at Voree [Wisconsin].”

Leamington, England

A conference of the Church was held in Leamington. Elder Thomas Smith reported that he had been in this area for six months. During that time he had seen fifty‑two people baptized. On the following day, he wrote a letter which was later published in the Church periodical, Millennial Star. Elder Smith reported that when he had first started preaching the gospel in the streets of the Leamington area, men would try to pull them off their platform, interrupt their meetings, and break their windows. However, he reported that the police in the area had responded to their requests for help, and should be thanked “for their kindness in protecting us in the right of Englishmen, as we can now hold our meetings in quietness, which are well attended, and many appear to be believing.”

1This is just above today's town of Croton, Iowa.

2Thomas Forsyth was born in Scotland. He joined the Church in 1844. He later went to Utah in 1850 and served in the Nauvoo Legion. He built a sawmill and a shingle mill at Ash Creek.

3Daniel chapter 5.

4On the frontier there was a sarcastic saying about road conditions, “It was a middling good road when the mud did not quite reach one's boot tops‑‑while astride a horse.”

5This camp was located just west of Lacey‑Keosauqua State Park, in Des Moines Township.

6Little Melissa would die on October 4, 1846. Her mother wrote: “When my baby died I took sick and never sat up only to have my bed made for nine months.” Albert joined the Church in 1832. He had helped to build the Kirtland Temple. He did not make it to Utah. He died in Iowa in 1848. Tamma later married John Curtis. She had joined the Church in 1831. Tamma was a daughter of Edmond Durfee, who was murdered by the mob on November 15, 1845. Tamma later wrote:

I have passed through all the hardships and drivings and burnings and mobbings and threatenings and have been with the Saints in all their persecutions. . . . I write this that my children may have a little idea of what their parents passed through. I hope my children will appreciate these lives for I do feel highly honored to be numbered with the Latter‑day Saints.

7Samuel Gully would later join the Mormon Battalion, serving as quartermaster. When the battalion was taken over by Colonel Cooke, Gully was forced out of his office. At the advice of John D. Lee, he resigned from the battalion and returned to Council Bluffs. He died before reaching Utah.

8Charles Lytle would later raise a large family in Ursine, Nevada.

9The Keele family later settled in Payson, Utah.

10This camp is believed to have been located at a place later called Oak Point, about three miles west of the town of Lebanon on county road J 40.

11Helen Mar Whitney recalled hearing John Kay sing at a gathering in her home, in Nauvoo, the previous fall: “. . . the singing by John Kay it would be useless for us to try to describe, but suffice it to say, his voice (a baritone) was most magnificent.”

12Sadly, little David would die August 18, 1847 in Winter Quarters.

13A group of about 150 Saints, who were located far to the northwest at Camp Vermillion on the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota). This group of Saints left Nauvoo in September, 1844. (See October 29, 1845.)

14Luke S. Johnson, one of the original Twelve Apostles. He fell away from the Church in 1838.

15Luke Johnson was later one of the 143 pioneers who arrived in Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847. He remained faithful and later served as the bishop of the St. John, Tooele Ward. He died in the home of Orson Hyde in 1861.

16Brother Little had become sick at Sugar Creek, suffering from a fever and an infection in his lungs.

17Francis M. Higbee had been cut off from the church in May, 1844 for apostacy. He was one of the editors of the Nauvoo Expositor. Many Saints in Nauvoo felt that he had taken an active role in the murders of Joseph and Hyrum. They viewed him to be one of the most evil apostates. Stories have been left behind about evil doings attributed to Higbee. For example, Mosiah Hancock wrote that one day while walking down Water Street in Nauvoo, near the Mansion House, Francis M. Higbee took aim from a window and deliberately shot his father in the left breast. The bullet bounced off his chest and fell to the ground. Brother Hancock picked up the bullet and thanked the Lord that he had been protected.

18Nathaniel Jones would later serve in the Mormon Battalion. Later in Utah, he would serve as the bishop of the Fifteen Ward in Salt Lake City.

19The Rollins family would later settle in Paradise, in Cache Valley, Utah.

20Daniel Carn joined the Church in 1830. He later served as a bishop of the first German-speaking branch in Nauvoo. In 1851, he was called as the mission president in Germany.

21Catherine Spencer would be buried next to her youngest child, who had died six months earlier. She left behind six children. Among them, Aurelia Spencer (Rogers) who in 1878 would be the founder of the Primary organization of the Church.

22Little Jeremiah would go west with his family and raise his own family in Midway, Utah.

23When Sister Spencer had become ill, her husband Orson Spencer had written to Catherine's parents, asking them to receive her into their home until the Saints found their home. The answer was, “Let her renounce her degrading faith and she can come back, but never until she does.” When Catherine Spencer read that letter, she asked her husband to read Ruth 1:16‑17, “. . .for whither though goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God.” This was the dedicated, faithful sister for which the camp mourned on this day.

24The band was camped less than a mile to the south.

25Rufus Beach joined the Church in 1835. In 1845 he was appointed as the president of the 27th Quorum of the Seventies. He would later arrive in Utah, in 1847. He died in California, in 1850.

26Uriel C. Nickerson (a Strangite) tried to discount this miracle by claiming that he saw men (Mormons) passing back and forwards on the roof with candles in their hands wanting to make the people believe there was a visitation by angels.

27The earliest reference I found to the Mormon Creed of "Mind your own business" is in 1844 in the Times and Seasons. Brigham Young is credited for this creed. In Journal of Discourses 11:107‑8, he explains the meaning of the creed somewhat. The creed has to do with stewardship. "Take care of your stewardship" would be a good translation. The Church periodical Mormon, published in the 1850's in New York, included the creed in the banner of the broadside.

28Wilbur Joseph Earl joined the Church in 1838. He was a chairturner and school teacher. He later settled in Springville and Leeds, Utah.

29This southerly route was not taken. Instead the camp would cross the Missouri at Council Bluffs, in Iowa.

30Louisa Tanner would give birth to a baby three months later in Council Bluffs, then die of a fever the following September in Winter Quarters. Her baby would die two months later.

31William Higginbotham joined the Church in 1844. He returned to Nauvoo and started to spread lies about Orson Pratt that required the brethren to write a letter of denial. He did not go with the Saints to Utah, but instead returned to his native home in Virginia where he died in 1862.

32The Hills would later settle in Cache Valley. John Hill (Sr) would die in a hunting accident in 1863 between Wellsville and Hyrum, Utah. John Brice Hill would raise a large family in Wellsville, Utah.

33Harriet would later remarry to Ephraim Hanks. George Edwin Little would become a rider for the pony express.

34John Tippets (Sr.) would later serve in the Mormon Battalion. The family would settle in Salt Lake City.

35Plans would change and Brother Bullock would not immediately join the camp. He would remain in Nauvoo for many months.

36This was the trail that Hosea Stout and a company of twenty‑seven used while fleeing from Far West, Missouri back in 1838 when Governor Boggs issued the Extermination Order. Many old memories came flooding back when Hosea Stout saw this trail again.

37The baptismal font was located in a depression at the center of the basement.

38Zina Huntington later married Brigham Young in Winter Quarters. She later served as the Church's Relief Society President for several years and was well respected throughout the Church. Henry Chariton Jacobs was raised in Brigham Young's home and would serve as a Patriarch in the Church. Zina's daughter would marry Hugh B. Brown.

39The camp was located a little southeast of present‑day Sedan, in Wells Township, one hundred miles from Nauvoo. The Camp of Israel was only averaging three to four miles per day since leaving Sugar Creek.

40George A. Smith was with the camp in Iowa. Little Nancy would die, April 17, 1847. Another daughter, Zilpha Adelaide Smith was born the day before in Nauvoo to another wife. Zilpha lived less than two months.

41Oliver Cowdery would later be rebaptized into the church in 1848 and he hoped to move west. He would die in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

42Orson would grow up and raise a large family in Smithfield, Cache, Utah.

43Reuben Jolly joined the Church in 1842. He would not make it to Utah. In 1849, he died in Keosauqua, Iowa.

44In 1842, Howard and Tamson Egan were converted to the gospel by Erastus Snow in Canada. Howard became a member of the Nauvoo Legion and served in the police. Later in 1846, he would go with John D. Lee to obtain pay from the Mormon Battalion. He would be a member of the original pioneer company of 1847. The Egans would make their home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

45Milk was a scarce treat. To make it go further, they would water it down. “Squash pies” were also a treat. Before leaving Nauvoo, they cooked and dried squash, making them into small, thin cakes. With the camp stopped, they would soak the pies in milk, creating what they called “squash pies.”

46James Willard Cummings joined the Church in 1841. He served a mission to Illinois in 1842-43 and later would serve a mission to the Oneida Indians. He settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked as a foreman in a woolmill.

47Little James would raise a family in Provo, Utah. His father would serve as the president of the Provo Stake.

48Brother Turley was constantly being harassed by the mob. He had spent about a month in prison four months earlier. (See November 16 and December 13).

49The Richeys would make their home in Manti and later in the St. George area.

50The Norton family would settle in Provo and Coalsville, Utah.

51John C. Bennett had once been a councilor to Joseph Smith but later became a bitter apostate, publishing attacks on the Church.

52Asahel Albert Lathrop joined the Church in 1836. He later was in charge of herding the Church’s cattle during the winter of 1846-47, north of Winter Quarters.

53Ezra James Clark would later serve a mission to England from 1865‑1867. Sadly, while he was returning, he died in Albany, New York on the way home. The Clark family settled in Farmington, Utah.

54Amasa Lyman Mecham later settled in Provo, Utah, and served in a bishopric for seventeen years.

55By 1846, deer, elk, buffalo, and bear in Iowa were becoming scarce because of Indian hunters and the westward movement. Raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels existed in large numbers, and were used in meals. Little use was made of possums, groundhogs, skunks, hedgehogs, or porcupines, which were also found along the trail. While on the prairie, they would eat wild turkeys, prairie hens, quails, and pheasants. When they were near lakes, swans and ducks were the birds most often used.

56At this time in March, 1846, Elder Addison Pratt was working on the island of Temarie where he had been for a week, preaching the gospel. His daughter's birthday would be celebrated soon and he wrote on that day, “As ever, it brings home fresh to mind.” The work on the island of Tahiti was not going well. The political state was unstable making it impossible to preach to the natives. Addison Pratt would not rejoin his family until September 28, 1848.

57Diantha Clayton delivered her baby, a son, on the day before Brother Clayton received this letter. She “was very sick with ague and mumps.” William Clayton would return and collect Diantha on the trail on June 28.

58George Pugmire would settle in St. Charles, Bear Lake, Idaho.

Sunday, March 1, 1846

Sugar Creek to Sugar Creek Camp Number 2, Iowa:

Reed’s Creek, near Farmington, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Monday, March 2, 1846

Sugar Creek Camp Number 2 to Lick Creek Camp, Iowa:

Near Nauvoo, Illinois:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Tuesday, March 3, 1846

Lick Creek Camp to Reed’s Creek Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Wednesday, March 4, 1846

Reed's Creek Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Atlantic Ocean:

Sources:

Thursday, March 5, 1846

Reed's Creek Camp to Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Otepipi, in the South Pacific:

Sources:

Friday, March 6, 1846

Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

Reed's Creek Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

New York City, New York:

Sources:

Saturday, March 7, 1846

Indian Creek Camp to Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Fox River, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Sunday, March 8, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Monday, March 9, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Tuesday, March 10, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Wednesday, March 11, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Near Bloomfield, Iowa:

Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

Near Bonaparte, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Thursday, March 12, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Indian Creek Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Friday, March 13, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Saturday, March 14, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

On the Road to the Des Moines River:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Sunday, March 15, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Fox River Camp, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois:

Sources:

Monday, March 16, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Sources:

Tuesday, March 17, 1846

Richardson's Point Camp, Iowa:

Near Bloomfield, Iowa:

Nauvoo, Illinois: