Chapter 38The Mormon Battalion1846–1847Captain Allen’s CircularWhen Captain James Allen arrived in the Camps of the Saints, he issued a “Circular to the ‘Mormons,’” which read as follows:“I have come among you, instructed by Colonel S. W. Kearny, of the U. S. Army, now commanding the Army of the West, to visit the ‘Mormon’ Camp, and accept the services for twelve months of four or five companies of ‘Mormon’ men who may be willing to serve their country for that period in our present war with Mexico; this force to unite with the Army of the West at Santa Fe, and be marched thence to California, where they will be discharged.“They will receive pay and rations, and other allowances, such as other volunteers or regular soldiers receive, from the day they shall be mustered into the service, and will be entitled to all comforts and benefits of regular soldiers of the Army, and when discharged, as contemplated, at California, they will be given gratis their arms and accoutrements, with which they will be fully equipped at Fort Leavenworth. Thus is offered to the ‘Mormon’ people now—this year—an opportunity of sending a portion of their young and intelligent men to the ultimate destination of their whole people, and entirely at the expense of the United States, and this advance party can thus pave the way and look out the land for their brethren to come after them.“The pay of a private volunteer is seven dollars per month, and the allowance for clothing is the cost price of clothing of a regular soldier.“Those of the ‘Mormons’ who are desirous of serving their country on the conditions here enumerated, are requested to meet me without delay at their principal camp at the Council Bluffs, whither I am now going to consult with their principal men, and to receive and organize the force contemplated to be raised.“I will receive all healthy, able men of from eighteen to forty-five years of age.“J. Allen, Captain 1st Dragoons.”“Camp of the ‘Mormons,’ at Mount Pisgah, one hundred and thirty miles east of Council Bluffs, June 26th, 1846.”Scarcity of Able-Bodied MenWhen this call came a great part of the young men of the ages required were scattered over the plains. Many had gone to St. Louis and other points for employment to obtain means to help them carry their families to the west. All of the Saints were poor, and some in dire want. Those who were able to travel were under the necessity of helping along the weak, the aged and infirm, who could not be left behind. Among the teamsters were found mere children, who had been forced into such service because of the limited number of men.The Equipment of the BattalionAt Fort Leavenworth the battalion was equipped.1They received one tent for every six privates and were provided with flint-lock muskets, a few cap-lock yauger rifles for sharp-shooting and hunting, and other camp accoutrements. July 5, they drew their check for clothing, forty-two dollars each, paid one year in advance. A goodly portion of this money was sent back for the support of their families and the gathering of the poor from Nauvoo. They also contributed to help Elders Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor on their way to Great Britain and Elder Jesse C. Little to return to his field in the Eastern States. The paymaster was much surprised to see every man of the battalion able to sign his name to the roll, whereas only about one out of every three of the Missouri volunteers, who previously had received their pay, could put his signature to the document.Death of Colonel AllenCaptain James Allen, the recruiting officer for the battalion, was selected by General Stephen W. Kearny, to take command of the “Mormon” troops, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of volunteers. At Fort Leavenworth Colonel Allen was taken ill, and on the 12th of August, ordered the battalion to take up its march while he remained for a few days to recuperate, but on the 23rd, he died. He was much lamented by the battalion members, for they had learned to love him for his kindness.Lieutenant Smith in CommandAfter the death of Colonel Allen, the command devolved upon Captain Jefferson Hunt, of Company “A.” The promise had been made to President Young, by Colonel Allen, that no officers would be chosen for the battalion, except himself, outside of their ranks. On what authority the promise was made, does not appear. However, shortly afterwards Lieutenant A. J. Smith, of the regular army, was given command, contrary to the wishes of the men. With Lieutenant Smith there came Dr. George B. Sanderson, whom Colonel Allen had appointed to serve with the battalion as surgeon. According to the journals of the men, they were caused to suffer considerably because of the “arrogance, inefficiency and petty oppressions” of these two officers. Sanderson was from Missouri, and perhaps was none too friendly towards the troops; however, the enforcement of discipline, to which they were not accustomed, may have magnified the ill-treatment in their eyes to some extent. The heat of the summer was excessive, their rations were reduced, and through the drinking of brackish water, many were taken with malaria. They had already become weakened from their long marches across the plains of Iowa, in inclement weather, without proper food and shelter, so that they were more susceptible to disease. Dr. Sanderson prescribed calomel and arsenic, refusing to permit the men to resort to their own simple remedies, and evincing skepticism in the laying on of hands and their exercise of faith.The Line of MarchTheir line of march from Fort Leavenworth had taken them across the Kansas River and then westward to the Arkansas, which they followed upstream for about one hundred miles. From that point they journeyed southwest to the Cimarron River and passed near what is now the junction of the states of Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma, on a southwesterly course to the old Spanish town of Santa Fe. From Santa Fe their route was by way of the Rio Grande, southward near the present city of El Paso, and thence to the west, through the city of Tucson—which was deserted by its garrison as the battalion approached—across the Gila and Colorado to San Diego.The Families Ordered to PuebloAs the battalion was leaving the Arkansas River, the commanding officer gave orders that a number of families which had accompanied the troops to that point, should be detached and sent to Pueblo, a Mexican town situated at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. There was some protest because it was contrary to a promise given at the beginning of the march; but it was really a necessary action. For the families of members of the battalion to travel with the companies was a hindrance to the rapid progress they were called upon to make. Captain Nelson Higgins and a guard of ten men were detailed to make the journey to Pueblo. They departed September 16, 1846, and on the way one of their number, Norman Sharp, was accidentally killed.Colonel Cooke Takes CommandLeaving the Arkansas the battalion resumed its journey to Santa Fe. On the 2nd of October they crossed Red River where they were divided into two divisions the following day. The strongest and most able-bodied men pushed on with all speed and arrived at Santa Fe on the 9th of that month. Here they were received with a salute of one hundred guns by Colonel Alexander Doniphan, the post commander. On October 12, the second division arrived, and immediately afterward Captain Phillip St. George Cooke, an officer of dragoons, succeeded to the command with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, by appointment of General Kearny. The appointment of Col. Cooke was another disappointment to the men, who still hoped for the appointment of Captain Hunt; but they learned to respect and honor this rugged officer who was a thorough soldier and just and honorable. Lieutenant A. J. Smith remained with the battalion as acting commissary, and Dr. Sanderson continued to administer his calomel and arsenic to the men.The Sick Sent to PuebloAt Santa Fe a council of officers was held with Colonels Doniphan and Cooke, and it was decided to send all the sick together with the remaining women and children in the camp, to Pueblo for the winter, with the privilege of journeying towards the main body of pioneers in the spring, at government expense. Colonel Cooke detailed Captain James Brown and Lieutenant Elam Luddington to take charge of this company on the march to Pueblo. October 18, 1846, Captain Brown left Santa Fe with nearly ninety men reported as incapable of undertaking the journey to California because of physical ailments. Accompanying them were a number of women and children. Sanderson, the physician, discharged some of these men without pay or means to procure conveyance to the states, whereupon Colonel Doniphan, in charge of the post, went to Col. Cooke and countermanded the order with the statement that General Kearny would never discharge a man under circumstances of that kind, and ordered the men with the laundresses and others, to be sent to Pueblo and to draw their pay. Their journey took them over a rough country a distance of some two hundred miles. Several died on the way and others succumbed after Pueblo was reached. They arrived November 17 and selected a place for winter quarters near the encampment of Captain Higgins and a company of Saints who had previously arrived in Pueblo from Mississippi, on their way to the Rocky Mountains. November 10, 1846, Lieutenant William W. Willis was also ordered back to Pueblo with another company of sick—fifty-six men—from a point about one hundred miles out from Santa Fe. They commenced their journey with one wagon, four yoke of oxen, and rations barely sufficient to last them five days, on a march of three hundred miles. After a most severe and toilsome journey, in which they all suffered many privations and some laid down their lives, the company arrived in Pueblo, in an emaciated condition, December 24, 1846.The March From Santa FeThe march of the battalion from Santa Fe was taken up October 19, 1846. They had not traveled very far before they were reduced to the extremity of using their poor oxen, which were barely skin and bones, for food. Even their raw hides were cut in small pieces and made into soup. At times they crossed deserts where water could not be found to quench their thirst, and their tongues became swollen and their lips parched until their strength failed them.Colonel Cooke’s CommentWriting of the condition of the battalion when he took command, Colonel Cooke made a report in the following words:“Everything conspired to discourage the extraordinary undertaking of marching this battalion eleven hundred miles, for the much greater part through an unknown wilderness, without road or trail, and with a wagon train.“It was enlisted too much by families; some were too old—some feeble, and some too young; it was embarrassed by many women; it was undisciplined; it was much worn by traveling on foot, and marching from Nauvoo, Illinois; their clothing was very scant; there was no money to pay them, or clothing to issue; their mules were utterly broken down; the quartermaster department was without funds, and its credit bad; mules were scarce. Those procured were very inferior, and were deteriorating every hour for lack of forage or grazing. . . .“With every effort, the quartermaster could only undertake to furnish rations for sixty days; and, in fact, full rations, of only flour, sugar, coffee and salt; salt pork only for thirty days, and soap for twenty. To venture without pack-saddles would be grossly imprudent, and so that burden was added.”2A Battle with Wild BullsA short distance northwest of the site of the present city of El Paso the course of the march was towards the west. On the San Pedro River they encountered herds of wild cattle, and were viciously attacked by ferocious bulls. The troops had been ordered to travel with unloaded guns, but now they were hastily forced to load without waiting the command. These vicious animals, as if resenting the encroachment on their domain, made a charge upon the camp. This constituted the only fighting the troops were called upon to do on their long and toilsome march. When the battle was over the casualties revealed a number of gored mules and overturned wagons, and among the “enemy” perhaps some sixty of the charging animals were killed. Resuming their journey they camped on the 16th of December, near the Mexican pueblo of Tucson. On their way they met three Mexican soldiers bringing a message from the governor of Tucson to Colonel Cooke, informing him that he must pass around the town, or else he would have to fight. Colonel Cooke was not to be frightened by such an order. His route would take him through the village, and hither he resumed his march. The following day he passed through Tucson without meeting opposition, as the soldiers and a great many of the citizens had fled on his approach. Before arriving at that place he instructed his men that they came not to make war on Sonora, and less still to destroy an important outpost of defense against Indians. “But,” said he, “we will take the straight road before us and overcome all resistance, but shall I remind you that the American soldier ever shows justice and kindness to the unarmed and unresisting? The property of individuals you will hold sacred: the people of Sonora are not our enemies.”The Journey From TucsonLeaving Tucson, the battalion crossed an extensive desert, where, for seventy-five miles, they were without water for their mules. By hard marching they reached the Gila River and intersected General Kearny’s trail, which they had left 474 miles behind in the valley of the Rio Grande. They were now in the land of the Pima and Maricopa Indians who inhabited a fertile territory. These were a superior race of Indians with peaceful tendencies, who spent their time tilling the soil, and in weaving rather than bearing arms. While passing through these villages Colonel Cooke remarked to Captain Jefferson Hunt that this might be a good place for the settlement of the “Mormon” people. Hunt proposed such a thing to the natives who received it favorably, and this may have lent its weight to the colonizing of these valleys by the Latter-day Saints in later years.At this point they were met by pilots sent back by General Kearny to conduct them to the Pacific coast. Most of the distance on the remaining journey was over deserts with alternating stretches of deep sand and miry clay. January 9, 1847, they crossed the Colorado, near the junction of the Gila, and continued their march under great difficulties over the coast range down the Pacific slope. January 27, 1847, they passed San Luis Rey, and two days later arrived at the San Diego Mission where they located one mile below the Catholic mission, and about five miles from the seaport town of San Diego, where General Kearny had his quarters.“Orders No. 1”On the day after their arrival at San Diego, Colonel Cooke issued the following orders, which were read to the men:“Headquarters ‘Mormon’ Battalion,“Mission of San Diego,“January 30, 1847.”“(Orders No. 1.)“The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, congratulates the battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and the conclusion of their march of over two thousand miles.“History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them we have ventured into trackless table-lands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and axe in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts, which you have laboriously guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora concentrated within the walls of Tucson, gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our intercourse with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. Thus, marching half naked and half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country.“Arrived at the first settlement of California, after a single day’s rest, you cheerfully turned off from the route to this point of promised repose, to enter upon a campaign, and meet, as we supposed, the approach of the enemy; and this, too, without even salt to season your sole subsistence of fresh meat.“Lieutenants A. J. Smith and George Stoneman, of the First Dragoons, have shared and given invaluable aid in all these labors.“Thus, volunteers, you have exhibited some high and essential qualities of veterans. But much remains undone. Soon you will turn your attention to the drill, to system and order, to forms also, which are all necessary to the soldier.“By order,“Lieut. Col. P. St. George Cooke,“P. C. Merrill, Adjutant.”Duties on the CoastFor some time the battalion performed garrison duty at San Diego, San Luis Rey and Los Angeles. While stationed at the latter place they were called upon to guard the Cajon Pass, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, against hostile Indians. At San Diego they were employed digging wells, making brick and building houses. Their frugality and industry won the admiration of the other troops, except the Missourians of General Fremont’s command, who endeavored to create prejudice against them.The Discharge of the Battalion—Stevenson’s InsultJuly 16, 1847, all of the battalion at Los Angeles were mustered out of service by Captain Smith. The time of their enlistment had expired and the prophecy of President Brigham Young that they would not be called upon to fight, had been fulfilled. Some of the men, at the request of Colonel Stevenson, of the New York Volunteers, re-enlisted for six months. Others might have done so, but he insulted them by saying: “Your patriotism and obedience to your officers have done much towards removing the prejudice of the government and the community at large, and I am satisfied that another year’s service would place you on a level with other communities.”The Journey to Salt Lake ValleyOn the 20th of July most of the members of the battalion, who did not enlist, organized preparatory to going to the Rocky Mountains to the gathering place of the Saints. They went by way of Sutter’s Fort and the Sacramento River, intending to follow Fremont’s trail across the Sierras. Near Lake Tahoe, they met Samuel Brannan and Captain Brown of the Pueblo detachment who were on the way to California, and learned that the pioneers had entered the Salt Lake Valley. Captain Brown carried with him an epistle from the apostles advising all members of the battalion who had no means, to remain in California for the winter, and journey to the Salt Lake Valley in the spring. Acting on this advice about one half of the members obtained employment at Sutter’s Fort, where they were employed at the time of the discovery of gold. The others pushed on to the Salt Lake Valley where they arrived October 16, 1847.Notes1.The five companies of the battalion were commanded respectively as follows: Company A, Jefferson Hunt; Company B, Jesse D. Hunter; Company C, James Brown; Company D, Nelson Higgins; Company E, Daniel C. Davis. Before they left Winter Quarters, a farewell ball was given them in “Father Taylor’s Bowery,” where the afternoon was spent in dancing and such merriment as the sadness of the approaching parting would admit.2.Conquest of New Mexico and California, by P. St. George Cooke, p. 91–2.
The Mormon Battalion
1846–1847
When Captain James Allen arrived in the Camps of the Saints, he issued a “Circular to the ‘Mormons,’” which read as follows:
“I have come among you, instructed by Colonel S. W. Kearny, of the U. S. Army, now commanding the Army of the West, to visit the ‘Mormon’ Camp, and accept the services for twelve months of four or five companies of ‘Mormon’ men who may be willing to serve their country for that period in our present war with Mexico; this force to unite with the Army of the West at Santa Fe, and be marched thence to California, where they will be discharged.“They will receive pay and rations, and other allowances, such as other volunteers or regular soldiers receive, from the day they shall be mustered into the service, and will be entitled to all comforts and benefits of regular soldiers of the Army, and when discharged, as contemplated, at California, they will be given gratis their arms and accoutrements, with which they will be fully equipped at Fort Leavenworth. Thus is offered to the ‘Mormon’ people now—this year—an opportunity of sending a portion of their young and intelligent men to the ultimate destination of their whole people, and entirely at the expense of the United States, and this advance party can thus pave the way and look out the land for their brethren to come after them.“The pay of a private volunteer is seven dollars per month, and the allowance for clothing is the cost price of clothing of a regular soldier.“Those of the ‘Mormons’ who are desirous of serving their country on the conditions here enumerated, are requested to meet me without delay at their principal camp at the Council Bluffs, whither I am now going to consult with their principal men, and to receive and organize the force contemplated to be raised.“I will receive all healthy, able men of from eighteen to forty-five years of age.“J. Allen, Captain 1st Dragoons.”“Camp of the ‘Mormons,’ at Mount Pisgah, one hundred and thirty miles east of Council Bluffs, June 26th, 1846.”
“I have come among you, instructed by Colonel S. W. Kearny, of the U. S. Army, now commanding the Army of the West, to visit the ‘Mormon’ Camp, and accept the services for twelve months of four or five companies of ‘Mormon’ men who may be willing to serve their country for that period in our present war with Mexico; this force to unite with the Army of the West at Santa Fe, and be marched thence to California, where they will be discharged.
“They will receive pay and rations, and other allowances, such as other volunteers or regular soldiers receive, from the day they shall be mustered into the service, and will be entitled to all comforts and benefits of regular soldiers of the Army, and when discharged, as contemplated, at California, they will be given gratis their arms and accoutrements, with which they will be fully equipped at Fort Leavenworth. Thus is offered to the ‘Mormon’ people now—this year—an opportunity of sending a portion of their young and intelligent men to the ultimate destination of their whole people, and entirely at the expense of the United States, and this advance party can thus pave the way and look out the land for their brethren to come after them.
“The pay of a private volunteer is seven dollars per month, and the allowance for clothing is the cost price of clothing of a regular soldier.
“Those of the ‘Mormons’ who are desirous of serving their country on the conditions here enumerated, are requested to meet me without delay at their principal camp at the Council Bluffs, whither I am now going to consult with their principal men, and to receive and organize the force contemplated to be raised.
“I will receive all healthy, able men of from eighteen to forty-five years of age.
“J. Allen, Captain 1st Dragoons.”
“Camp of the ‘Mormons,’ at Mount Pisgah, one hundred and thirty miles east of Council Bluffs, June 26th, 1846.”
When this call came a great part of the young men of the ages required were scattered over the plains. Many had gone to St. Louis and other points for employment to obtain means to help them carry their families to the west. All of the Saints were poor, and some in dire want. Those who were able to travel were under the necessity of helping along the weak, the aged and infirm, who could not be left behind. Among the teamsters were found mere children, who had been forced into such service because of the limited number of men.
At Fort Leavenworth the battalion was equipped.1They received one tent for every six privates and were provided with flint-lock muskets, a few cap-lock yauger rifles for sharp-shooting and hunting, and other camp accoutrements. July 5, they drew their check for clothing, forty-two dollars each, paid one year in advance. A goodly portion of this money was sent back for the support of their families and the gathering of the poor from Nauvoo. They also contributed to help Elders Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor on their way to Great Britain and Elder Jesse C. Little to return to his field in the Eastern States. The paymaster was much surprised to see every man of the battalion able to sign his name to the roll, whereas only about one out of every three of the Missouri volunteers, who previously had received their pay, could put his signature to the document.
Captain James Allen, the recruiting officer for the battalion, was selected by General Stephen W. Kearny, to take command of the “Mormon” troops, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of volunteers. At Fort Leavenworth Colonel Allen was taken ill, and on the 12th of August, ordered the battalion to take up its march while he remained for a few days to recuperate, but on the 23rd, he died. He was much lamented by the battalion members, for they had learned to love him for his kindness.
After the death of Colonel Allen, the command devolved upon Captain Jefferson Hunt, of Company “A.” The promise had been made to President Young, by Colonel Allen, that no officers would be chosen for the battalion, except himself, outside of their ranks. On what authority the promise was made, does not appear. However, shortly afterwards Lieutenant A. J. Smith, of the regular army, was given command, contrary to the wishes of the men. With Lieutenant Smith there came Dr. George B. Sanderson, whom Colonel Allen had appointed to serve with the battalion as surgeon. According to the journals of the men, they were caused to suffer considerably because of the “arrogance, inefficiency and petty oppressions” of these two officers. Sanderson was from Missouri, and perhaps was none too friendly towards the troops; however, the enforcement of discipline, to which they were not accustomed, may have magnified the ill-treatment in their eyes to some extent. The heat of the summer was excessive, their rations were reduced, and through the drinking of brackish water, many were taken with malaria. They had already become weakened from their long marches across the plains of Iowa, in inclement weather, without proper food and shelter, so that they were more susceptible to disease. Dr. Sanderson prescribed calomel and arsenic, refusing to permit the men to resort to their own simple remedies, and evincing skepticism in the laying on of hands and their exercise of faith.
Their line of march from Fort Leavenworth had taken them across the Kansas River and then westward to the Arkansas, which they followed upstream for about one hundred miles. From that point they journeyed southwest to the Cimarron River and passed near what is now the junction of the states of Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma, on a southwesterly course to the old Spanish town of Santa Fe. From Santa Fe their route was by way of the Rio Grande, southward near the present city of El Paso, and thence to the west, through the city of Tucson—which was deserted by its garrison as the battalion approached—across the Gila and Colorado to San Diego.
As the battalion was leaving the Arkansas River, the commanding officer gave orders that a number of families which had accompanied the troops to that point, should be detached and sent to Pueblo, a Mexican town situated at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. There was some protest because it was contrary to a promise given at the beginning of the march; but it was really a necessary action. For the families of members of the battalion to travel with the companies was a hindrance to the rapid progress they were called upon to make. Captain Nelson Higgins and a guard of ten men were detailed to make the journey to Pueblo. They departed September 16, 1846, and on the way one of their number, Norman Sharp, was accidentally killed.
Leaving the Arkansas the battalion resumed its journey to Santa Fe. On the 2nd of October they crossed Red River where they were divided into two divisions the following day. The strongest and most able-bodied men pushed on with all speed and arrived at Santa Fe on the 9th of that month. Here they were received with a salute of one hundred guns by Colonel Alexander Doniphan, the post commander. On October 12, the second division arrived, and immediately afterward Captain Phillip St. George Cooke, an officer of dragoons, succeeded to the command with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, by appointment of General Kearny. The appointment of Col. Cooke was another disappointment to the men, who still hoped for the appointment of Captain Hunt; but they learned to respect and honor this rugged officer who was a thorough soldier and just and honorable. Lieutenant A. J. Smith remained with the battalion as acting commissary, and Dr. Sanderson continued to administer his calomel and arsenic to the men.
At Santa Fe a council of officers was held with Colonels Doniphan and Cooke, and it was decided to send all the sick together with the remaining women and children in the camp, to Pueblo for the winter, with the privilege of journeying towards the main body of pioneers in the spring, at government expense. Colonel Cooke detailed Captain James Brown and Lieutenant Elam Luddington to take charge of this company on the march to Pueblo. October 18, 1846, Captain Brown left Santa Fe with nearly ninety men reported as incapable of undertaking the journey to California because of physical ailments. Accompanying them were a number of women and children. Sanderson, the physician, discharged some of these men without pay or means to procure conveyance to the states, whereupon Colonel Doniphan, in charge of the post, went to Col. Cooke and countermanded the order with the statement that General Kearny would never discharge a man under circumstances of that kind, and ordered the men with the laundresses and others, to be sent to Pueblo and to draw their pay. Their journey took them over a rough country a distance of some two hundred miles. Several died on the way and others succumbed after Pueblo was reached. They arrived November 17 and selected a place for winter quarters near the encampment of Captain Higgins and a company of Saints who had previously arrived in Pueblo from Mississippi, on their way to the Rocky Mountains. November 10, 1846, Lieutenant William W. Willis was also ordered back to Pueblo with another company of sick—fifty-six men—from a point about one hundred miles out from Santa Fe. They commenced their journey with one wagon, four yoke of oxen, and rations barely sufficient to last them five days, on a march of three hundred miles. After a most severe and toilsome journey, in which they all suffered many privations and some laid down their lives, the company arrived in Pueblo, in an emaciated condition, December 24, 1846.
The march of the battalion from Santa Fe was taken up October 19, 1846. They had not traveled very far before they were reduced to the extremity of using their poor oxen, which were barely skin and bones, for food. Even their raw hides were cut in small pieces and made into soup. At times they crossed deserts where water could not be found to quench their thirst, and their tongues became swollen and their lips parched until their strength failed them.
Writing of the condition of the battalion when he took command, Colonel Cooke made a report in the following words:
“Everything conspired to discourage the extraordinary undertaking of marching this battalion eleven hundred miles, for the much greater part through an unknown wilderness, without road or trail, and with a wagon train.“It was enlisted too much by families; some were too old—some feeble, and some too young; it was embarrassed by many women; it was undisciplined; it was much worn by traveling on foot, and marching from Nauvoo, Illinois; their clothing was very scant; there was no money to pay them, or clothing to issue; their mules were utterly broken down; the quartermaster department was without funds, and its credit bad; mules were scarce. Those procured were very inferior, and were deteriorating every hour for lack of forage or grazing. . . .“With every effort, the quartermaster could only undertake to furnish rations for sixty days; and, in fact, full rations, of only flour, sugar, coffee and salt; salt pork only for thirty days, and soap for twenty. To venture without pack-saddles would be grossly imprudent, and so that burden was added.”2
“Everything conspired to discourage the extraordinary undertaking of marching this battalion eleven hundred miles, for the much greater part through an unknown wilderness, without road or trail, and with a wagon train.
“It was enlisted too much by families; some were too old—some feeble, and some too young; it was embarrassed by many women; it was undisciplined; it was much worn by traveling on foot, and marching from Nauvoo, Illinois; their clothing was very scant; there was no money to pay them, or clothing to issue; their mules were utterly broken down; the quartermaster department was without funds, and its credit bad; mules were scarce. Those procured were very inferior, and were deteriorating every hour for lack of forage or grazing. . . .
“With every effort, the quartermaster could only undertake to furnish rations for sixty days; and, in fact, full rations, of only flour, sugar, coffee and salt; salt pork only for thirty days, and soap for twenty. To venture without pack-saddles would be grossly imprudent, and so that burden was added.”2
A short distance northwest of the site of the present city of El Paso the course of the march was towards the west. On the San Pedro River they encountered herds of wild cattle, and were viciously attacked by ferocious bulls. The troops had been ordered to travel with unloaded guns, but now they were hastily forced to load without waiting the command. These vicious animals, as if resenting the encroachment on their domain, made a charge upon the camp. This constituted the only fighting the troops were called upon to do on their long and toilsome march. When the battle was over the casualties revealed a number of gored mules and overturned wagons, and among the “enemy” perhaps some sixty of the charging animals were killed. Resuming their journey they camped on the 16th of December, near the Mexican pueblo of Tucson. On their way they met three Mexican soldiers bringing a message from the governor of Tucson to Colonel Cooke, informing him that he must pass around the town, or else he would have to fight. Colonel Cooke was not to be frightened by such an order. His route would take him through the village, and hither he resumed his march. The following day he passed through Tucson without meeting opposition, as the soldiers and a great many of the citizens had fled on his approach. Before arriving at that place he instructed his men that they came not to make war on Sonora, and less still to destroy an important outpost of defense against Indians. “But,” said he, “we will take the straight road before us and overcome all resistance, but shall I remind you that the American soldier ever shows justice and kindness to the unarmed and unresisting? The property of individuals you will hold sacred: the people of Sonora are not our enemies.”
Leaving Tucson, the battalion crossed an extensive desert, where, for seventy-five miles, they were without water for their mules. By hard marching they reached the Gila River and intersected General Kearny’s trail, which they had left 474 miles behind in the valley of the Rio Grande. They were now in the land of the Pima and Maricopa Indians who inhabited a fertile territory. These were a superior race of Indians with peaceful tendencies, who spent their time tilling the soil, and in weaving rather than bearing arms. While passing through these villages Colonel Cooke remarked to Captain Jefferson Hunt that this might be a good place for the settlement of the “Mormon” people. Hunt proposed such a thing to the natives who received it favorably, and this may have lent its weight to the colonizing of these valleys by the Latter-day Saints in later years.
At this point they were met by pilots sent back by General Kearny to conduct them to the Pacific coast. Most of the distance on the remaining journey was over deserts with alternating stretches of deep sand and miry clay. January 9, 1847, they crossed the Colorado, near the junction of the Gila, and continued their march under great difficulties over the coast range down the Pacific slope. January 27, 1847, they passed San Luis Rey, and two days later arrived at the San Diego Mission where they located one mile below the Catholic mission, and about five miles from the seaport town of San Diego, where General Kearny had his quarters.
On the day after their arrival at San Diego, Colonel Cooke issued the following orders, which were read to the men:
“Headquarters ‘Mormon’ Battalion,“Mission of San Diego,“January 30, 1847.”“(Orders No. 1.)“The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, congratulates the battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and the conclusion of their march of over two thousand miles.“History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them we have ventured into trackless table-lands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and axe in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts, which you have laboriously guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora concentrated within the walls of Tucson, gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our intercourse with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. Thus, marching half naked and half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country.“Arrived at the first settlement of California, after a single day’s rest, you cheerfully turned off from the route to this point of promised repose, to enter upon a campaign, and meet, as we supposed, the approach of the enemy; and this, too, without even salt to season your sole subsistence of fresh meat.“Lieutenants A. J. Smith and George Stoneman, of the First Dragoons, have shared and given invaluable aid in all these labors.“Thus, volunteers, you have exhibited some high and essential qualities of veterans. But much remains undone. Soon you will turn your attention to the drill, to system and order, to forms also, which are all necessary to the soldier.“By order,“Lieut. Col. P. St. George Cooke,“P. C. Merrill, Adjutant.”
“Headquarters ‘Mormon’ Battalion,“Mission of San Diego,“January 30, 1847.”
“(Orders No. 1.)
“The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, congratulates the battalion on their safe arrival on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and the conclusion of their march of over two thousand miles.
“History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them we have ventured into trackless table-lands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and axe in hand, we have worked our way over mountains, which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts, which you have laboriously guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora concentrated within the walls of Tucson, gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our intercourse with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. Thus, marching half naked and half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country.
“Arrived at the first settlement of California, after a single day’s rest, you cheerfully turned off from the route to this point of promised repose, to enter upon a campaign, and meet, as we supposed, the approach of the enemy; and this, too, without even salt to season your sole subsistence of fresh meat.
“Lieutenants A. J. Smith and George Stoneman, of the First Dragoons, have shared and given invaluable aid in all these labors.
“Thus, volunteers, you have exhibited some high and essential qualities of veterans. But much remains undone. Soon you will turn your attention to the drill, to system and order, to forms also, which are all necessary to the soldier.
“By order,
“Lieut. Col. P. St. George Cooke,
“P. C. Merrill, Adjutant.”
For some time the battalion performed garrison duty at San Diego, San Luis Rey and Los Angeles. While stationed at the latter place they were called upon to guard the Cajon Pass, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, against hostile Indians. At San Diego they were employed digging wells, making brick and building houses. Their frugality and industry won the admiration of the other troops, except the Missourians of General Fremont’s command, who endeavored to create prejudice against them.
July 16, 1847, all of the battalion at Los Angeles were mustered out of service by Captain Smith. The time of their enlistment had expired and the prophecy of President Brigham Young that they would not be called upon to fight, had been fulfilled. Some of the men, at the request of Colonel Stevenson, of the New York Volunteers, re-enlisted for six months. Others might have done so, but he insulted them by saying: “Your patriotism and obedience to your officers have done much towards removing the prejudice of the government and the community at large, and I am satisfied that another year’s service would place you on a level with other communities.”
On the 20th of July most of the members of the battalion, who did not enlist, organized preparatory to going to the Rocky Mountains to the gathering place of the Saints. They went by way of Sutter’s Fort and the Sacramento River, intending to follow Fremont’s trail across the Sierras. Near Lake Tahoe, they met Samuel Brannan and Captain Brown of the Pueblo detachment who were on the way to California, and learned that the pioneers had entered the Salt Lake Valley. Captain Brown carried with him an epistle from the apostles advising all members of the battalion who had no means, to remain in California for the winter, and journey to the Salt Lake Valley in the spring. Acting on this advice about one half of the members obtained employment at Sutter’s Fort, where they were employed at the time of the discovery of gold. The others pushed on to the Salt Lake Valley where they arrived October 16, 1847.
1.The five companies of the battalion were commanded respectively as follows: Company A, Jefferson Hunt; Company B, Jesse D. Hunter; Company C, James Brown; Company D, Nelson Higgins; Company E, Daniel C. Davis. Before they left Winter Quarters, a farewell ball was given them in “Father Taylor’s Bowery,” where the afternoon was spent in dancing and such merriment as the sadness of the approaching parting would admit.
2.Conquest of New Mexico and California, by P. St. George Cooke, p. 91–2.
Chapter 39The Pioneers1847Revelation to President Brigham YoungJanuary 14, 1847, the word of the Lord came to President Brigham Young, at Winter Quarters, giving instructions for the guidance of the camps of Israel on their journeyings to the west. The Saints were to be organized into companies, with captains over hundreds, fifties and tens, as the case had been while journeying across Iowa. These companies were to be presided over by a president and two counselors, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles, who were at the head of all the camps of Israel. The Saints were to enter into a covenant “to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord,” and each company was to bear an equal proportion of the responsibility in the care of the widows, the fatherless, and the families of those who had gone into the army. Every man was commanded to use his influence and property to remove the body of the people to the place the Lord had designated as a stake of Zion; and if they would do this they were to be blessed abundantly in their substance and in their families. Moreover, they were to prepare houses and fields for those who were to remain behind that season, that they might prepare also for the journey.Cheerfulness Commanded“If thou art merry,” the revelation read (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 136), “praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.” During their travels in the wilderness the exiled Saints had many hardships to endure. The lack of necessary food, of clothing and other substance, was lamentable. Yet, in the midst of poverty and distress, they were happy for they were free from enemies and the persecutions of mobs. They were going to a land of promise where they could dwell in peace, and worship the Lord without fear of men. The Lord desired that they should be cheerful and promised to bless them with his Spirit, in the hour of their sorrow, if they would call upon him. That they might be light of heart and filled with joy, the Lord commended music, singing and dancing, if done in the spirit of reverence and prayer. It was the custom, at the close of the day’s journey, for the Saints to assemble in the dance, or to have an informal concert; to relate reminiscences and otherwise employ their time, that the cares and hardships of their travel might be forgotten, and their burdens lessened which they were forced to bear.1At the sound of the bugle, night and morning, all assembled for prayer. The Sabbath day was strictly kept, and undue levity was discountenanced in all the camps. They were commanded to be honest, sober, unselfish and to “contend not one with another,” but always speak with edifying words.The PioneersIt was commanded in the revelation that a company be organized to depart early in the spring, composed of a sufficient number of able-bodied and experienced men, with teams, seeds and farming utensils, to prepare for the planting of spring crops. As spring approached preparations were under way for the departure of this pioneer band, and for other companies, as the Saints were able, to follow after. February 26, 1847, President Brigham Young met in council with the members of the twelve who were at Winter Quarters and Bishop Newel K. Whitney, William Clayton and Jedediah M. Grant. The object of this meeting was to consider the appointment of a pioneer company and their requirements for the journey. The matter of constructing boats, the carrying of seeds, scientific investigations, the location of a site for a city, the irrigation, cultivation and seeding of the land, were all fully discussed. This is the first reference, so far as the records show, of the discussion of irrigation, which President Young and the brethren felt would be necessary for their sustenance in their new home.The Departure for the WestElder Heber C. Kimball, under instructions from President Brigham Young, moved out of Winter Quarters, April 5, 1847, with six wagons, which he had equipped as a part of the pioneer company. They traveled about six miles and camped, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the company. On the 6th of April, the general conference was held in Winter Quarters, and the following day President Young, with about twenty-five wagons, traveled some ten miles and camped. From this point the company which had assembled, continued their journey to the Elkhorn River, where the information reached them that Elder Parley P. Pratt had arrived at Winter Quarters from his mission to England, and that Elder John Taylor was on the way. President Young decided to return, with other members of the twelve, to receive Elder Pratt’s report of conditions in that foreign field.2A few days later Elder John Taylor also arrived, bringing with him two thousand dollars in gold, contributed by the Saints in Great Britain, to help the exiles on their westward journey. He also had with him a number of scientific instruments of great value, including two sextants, one circle of reflection, two artificial horizons, and a number of barometers, thermometers and telescopes.Organization of the Pioneer CampLeaving Elders Pratt and Taylor—and later Orson Hyde who joined them from England—in charge of the Saints at Winter Quarters, President Young, with the other apostles, returned to the pioneer camp, which had journeyed to a position twelve miles west of the Elkhorn, and some forty-seven miles west of Winter Quarters. President Young’s departure from Winter Quarters was on the morning of April 14, 1847, and on the 16th, the pioneer camp was organized with captains of hundreds, fifties and tens, as follows:Captains of Hundreds: Stephen Markham and Albert P. Rockwood.Captains of Fifties: Addison Everett, Tarlton Lewis, James Case, John Pack, Shadrack Roundy.Captains of Tens: Wilford Woodruff, Ezra T. Benson, Phineas H. Young, Luke S. Johnson,3Stephen G. Goddard, Charles Shumway, James Case, Seth Taft, Howard Egan, Appleton M. Harmon, John S. Higbee, Norton Jacobs, John Brown, and Joseph Matthews.The total number of souls in the camp was one hundred and forty-eight, of whom three were women and two were children. The women were: Harriet Page Wheeler Young, wife of Lorenzo D. Young; Clarissa Decker Young, wife of Brigham Young; and Ellen Saunders Kimball, wife of Heber C. Kimball. Three of the company were colored: Hark Lay, Oscar Crosby and Green Flake, who had come west with the emigrants from Mississippi, under command of John Brown in the summer of 1846. Originally the pioneer company was composed of one hundred and forty-four men, but one, Ellis Ames, was taken sick and returned to Winter Quarters soon after the start. Two of the pioneers were not members of the Church.Military OrganizationIn addition to the organization mentioned, on April 17, they were also organized into a military camp with President Brigham Young as lieutenant-general; Stephen Markham, colonel; John Pack and Shadrack Roundy, majors; and the captains of tens, as formerly organized, to hold similar rank in the military organization. Thomas Bullock was appointed clerk of the camp, with some assistants, and Thomas Tanner, captain of the cannon, with the privilege of choosing eight men to assist him.Division of the WatchThe captains of tens selected forty-eight men for a constant night guard. They were divided into four watches to serve half a night at a time. President Young and others of the twelve were among the members of this guard. As there was danger of Indian raids, orders were given that every man should keep by the side of his wagon and not leave it except by permission, and he should carry a loaded gun always ready for instant use.Regulations of the CampSunday, April 18, 1847, in the afternoon, President Young met with the captains of the camp and decided on the details for the government of the camp as follows:“At 5 o’clock in the morning the bugle is to be sounded as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he leaves his wagon. Then the people will engage in cooking, eating, feeding teams, etc., until 7 o’clock, at which time the train is to move at the sound of the bugle. Each teamster is to keep beside his team with loaded gun in hand or within easy reach, while the extra men, observing the same rule regarding their weapons, are to walk by the side of their particular wagons to which they belong; and no man may leave his post without permission of his officer. In case of an attack or any hostile demonstration by Indians, the wagons will travel in double file— the order of encampment to be in a circle, with the mouth of each wagon to the outside and the horses and cattle tied inside the circle. At 8:30 p.m., the bugles are to be sounded again, upon which signal all will hold prayers in their wagons, and be retired to rest by 9 o’clock.”The Route of TravelThe line of travel taken by the pioneers was along the north bank of the Platte River to Fort Laramie, and from there they crossed the river, and continued over the Oregon trail up the Sweetwater and over the Continental divide through the South Pass across Green River to Fort Bridger. They then traveled to the southwest through Echo Canyon, and East Canyon over Big and Little Mountain into Emigration Canyon, and then to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.On the south side of the Platte was the Oregon trail, but the pioneers remained on the north bank where there was no trail, for reasons expressed by Elder Wilford Woodruff as follows:“We were convinced that it would be better for us as a company to cross the river and take the old traveled road to Laramie as there was good grass all the way on that side, while the Indians were burning it all off on the north of the river where we were traveling. But when we took into consideration the situation of the next company, and the thousands that would follow, and as we were the Pioneers and had not our wives and children with us—we thought it best to keep on the north side of the river and brave the difficulties of burning prairies to make a road that should stand as a permanent route for the Saints, independent of the then immigrant road, and let the river separate the emigrating companies that they need not quarrel for wood, grass, or water; and when our next company came along, the grass would be much better for them than it would be on the south side, as it would grow up by the time they would get along; and the vote was called and it was unanimous to go on the north side of the river; so the camp again moved on.”Measuring the DistanceThe pioneers were anxious to know the distance of each day’s travel and the length of the entire journey. In order to obtain this information they first resorted to guesswork, but this proved unsatisfactory. They then tied a piece of cloth to a wheel of one of the wagons and a man was placed on duty to count the revolutions. However, this was tedious though accurate if the count was correctly kept. April 19 William Clayton suggested to Orson Pratt that a set of wooden cog wheels might be attached to the wheel of a wagon to record the distance automatically. The result was that an odometer was constructed on “the principle of the endless screw” and was installed during the month of May, after they were well along on the journey.Dangers on the WayThe pioneers were under the necessity of keeping constantly on the alert to protect themselves from attacks by Indians. They had considerable anxiety while passing through the Pawnee tribes. At times the brethren were fired upon. The Indians made several attempts at night to creep into the camp, evidently to plunder and steal animals. At one time before the camp was organized for the night they were successful in stealing two of the best horses belonging to Dr. Willard Richards and Jesse C. Little. The following day, April 27, a party was sent out to search for the missing animals. They encountered a number of Indians who endeavored to decoy them to a point where the brethren would be in their power, but they were on the alert and well armed, so the Indians dared not make an attack. As the brethren prepared to return to camp the Indians fired upon them, whereupon the searching party turned upon their foe, and the Indians hastily fled.Not all of the Indians, however, were hostile. Generally they showed a friendly spirit, but were ever ready to commit theft. The brethren at times gave them a few articles such as powder, lead, flour and salt.Correspondence on the PlainsOn the 4th of May, after the camp had proceeded about two miles on their way, they were met by a Frenchman, Charles Beaumont, a trapper and fur trader, who was traveling eastward over the Oregon road with a camp consisting of three wagons and nine men. He crossed the river to find out who the pioneers were. During his interview he cheerfully consented to carry letters back to the Saints, so the brethren wrote some fifty or sixty letters and left them in his care. Other means of communication with the later companies on the plains were adopted. Posts were placed at prominent points along the road with writing on them and letters were placed in improvised boxes with a notice on the box. At other times they used whitened skulls of the buffalo. Over a portion of the journey, especially from Fort Laramie, the pioneers planted mile posts every ten miles as the distance was measured by their odometer.Scientific ObservationsAstronomical observations were constantly taken. The temperature was recorded daily, also the altitude as shown by barometrical pressure. This was done under the able direction of Elder Orson Pratt, one of the great scientists of his time.Crossing of the PlatteAt Fort Laramie the pioneers were forced to cross the Platte owing to the fact that the north side of the river was impassable. They hired a flatboat from a Frenchman, Mr. James Bordeaux, who was in charge of the post. They paid him fifteen dollars for the accommodation. Mr. Bordeaux treated the brethren very kindly, and informed them that Lilburn W. Boggs, with a company of Missourians en route to Oregon, left the fort but a short time before. These emigrants had endeavored to embitter him against the “Mormons.” The Missourians, he said, were constantly quarreling and were great thieves. Bordeaux gave the pioneers information regarding the route before them and said the Crow Indians were troublesome and had lately run off all the horses and mules from the fort.The Mississippi EmigrantsSoon after the pioneers arrived at Fort Laramie they were joined by a company of seventeen emigrants of the Mississippi Saints who had wintered at Pueblo, where the sick detachments of the Mormon Battalion, under command of Captains Brown and Higgins, were also stationed. They had been at the fort two weeks awaiting the arrival of the pioneers. These emigrants consisted of the members of the Crow and Therlkill families, others being Archibald Little, James Chesney and Lewis B. Myers. They had five wagons, one cart, eleven horses, twenty-four oxen, twenty-two cows, three bulls and seven calves. From these Mississippi Saints the pioneers obtained their first knowledge in many months, of the battalion. Four of the pioneers, Amasa M. Lyman, Thomas Woolsey, John H. Tippits, and Roswell Stevens, were sent to Pueblo on horse-back and with mules, to take charge of the remaining body of the Mississippians and conduct them to the Salt Lake Valley.The Ferry at the Black HillsFrom Winter Quarters to Fort Laramie the Pioneers had broken a new road over the plains, which was destined to be traveled by the emigrating Saints for many years. Subsequently the Union Pacific Railroad was built along a great portion of the trail. Continuing their journey, the pioneers arrived, Saturday, June 12, 1847, at the Black Hills, where the Oregon road crossed the Platte, some one hundred and forty-two miles from Fort Laramie. Here they overtook the Oregon emigrants, including the Missourians. The pioneers had sent an advance company three days before to prepare for the crossing of the river, with a sole-leather skiff capable of carrying eighteen hundred pounds. These brethren were employed in ferrying the emigrants over the river at the rate of $1.50 for each wagon load, receiving their pay in flour, meal and bacon, at Missouri prices. Their stock of provisions at this time was in need of replenishing, and to have the privilege of ferrying their old enemies from Missouri over the river at this price, gave them some satisfaction. “It looked as much of a miracle to me,” said Elder Wilford Woodruff, “to see our flour and meal bags replenished in the Black Hills, as it did to have the children of Israel fed with manna in the wilderness. But the Lord has been truly with us on our journey, and has wonderfully blessed and preserved us.” The Missourians kept on their way, quarreling, cursing and fighting among themselves, while the brethren camped, as was their custom, on the Sabbath day. Monday, June 14, they commenced crossing the river, taking their wagons on light rafts made of poles. It was concluded to leave several brethren at this ferry, to help the oncoming emigrant trains for Oregon, in the hope of earning enough to supply the pioneer company with provisions. For this purpose Thomas Grover, John S. Higbee, Luke S. Johnson, Appleton M. Harmon, Edmund Ellsworth, Francis M. Pomeroy, William Empey, James Davenport and Benjamin F. Stewart, were detailed to remain.Discouraging ReportsIn this region of the country the pioneers were constantly meeting with trappers and traders who were familiar with the Salt Lake Valley. They all gave discouraging reports of that region and advised the Saints to locate elsewhere. They spoke more favorably of the Cache, the Bear and other valleys to the north. Among those giving this adverse advice were Major Moses Harris, Thomas L. Smith and Colonel James Bridger. The latter informed President Young that he deemed it unwise to bring a large colony into the Great Basin until it was demonstrated that it would be possible to raise grain there. He stated that he would give a thousand dollars if he knew an ear of corn could ripen in Salt Lake Valley. Undaunted by these unfavorable reports President Young with his band of pioneers pushed on with great vigor.The Meeting with Samuel BrannanWednesday, June 30, 1847, the pioneers arrived at the Green River. The water was very high, with a swift current. After dinner the brethren commenced making two rafts with which to cross the stream. While they were at work Samuel Brannan came into the camp, having come from San Francisco. He had traveled around Cape Horn, from New York to California, with a company of emigrating Saints in the year 1846. Brannan and two others had braved the dangers of the mountains through deep snows to reach the camp of the pioneers, having left on the 4th of April. He brought with him several numbers of his paper,The California Star, and the latest news of the Mormon Battalion. He labored diligently to get President Young to continue on to California and not remain in the barren wastes of the Rocky Mountains. President Young, however, was following the inspiration of the Lord, and not the wisdom of man. The Lord had pointed out to him—as he had to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842—that the place of settlement for the Latter-day Saints was in the “midst of the Rocky Mountains.”An Uninviting CountryIt should be remembered that in 1847, the Salt Lake Valley was desolate and uninviting. There was little vegetation save the stubby growth of salt-grass, grease-wood and sage that covered the valley, and the few willows and cottonwood trees that stood on the banks of the canyon streams. At that time the Rocky Mountain region and a large part of the plains to the east were little known. The few emigrants who had passed through the Great Basin had made haste to get beyond and into the more inviting parts on the Pacific coast. This vast inter-mountain country was the haunt of the trapper and the hunter, to whom the possibilities and resources of the arid west were not even a dream. The valleys of the mountains had been occupied for upwards of twenty years by these nomads of the desert, who wandered from place to place hunting and trapping, content in the belief that the wild and primitive condition which then prevailed must so remain forever.As late as 1843, two years before the exodus, the opinion held by the majority in the United States was that the whole territory of the Rocky Mountains was not worth a “pinch of snuff.” Such was the expression made by Senator George H. McDuffie, of South Carolina, in the senate that year. Discussing the settlement of Oregon, he said: “Who are to go there, along the line of military posts, and take possession of the only part of the territory fit to occupy—that part upon the sea coast, a strip less than one hundred miles in width. Why, sir, of what use will this be for agricultural purposes? I would not for that purpose give a pinch of snuff for the whole territory. I wish to God we did not own it.”4The inspiration which came to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842—and even earlier and which was converted into reality by Brigham Young—shines forth with increased lustre when placed in contrast with the united opinions of all those who were familiar with the land in the year 1847.Arrival of the Battalion Members from PuebloJuly 1, 1847, the men commenced ferrying over Green River which was continued until Saturday the 3rd. In the evening of Saturday, the camp was called together and the men who desired to journey back to meet their families who were on the plains and supposed to be several hundred miles in the rear, were given that privilege. Five volunteered to return. President Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards accompanied the five brethren back to the ferry on Green River. Here they saw a group of thirteen men, with horses and baggage on the opposite side of the river ready to be ferried across. They were members of the Mormon Battalion journeying from Pueblo. They were given three cheers and President Young “led out in exclaiming Hosannah! Hosannah! Give glory to God and the Lamb, Amen!” These men were in pursuit of horse thieves who had stolen several of the battalion horses, of which they had recovered all but one or two. They reported to President Young that the Pueblo detachment of the battalion was within seven days’ march of the Green River. It was decided that as the members of the battalion had not been discharged nor had they received their pay, Samuel Brannan and Thomas S. Williams should return with them to California to pilot them on the way. Brannan was greatly disappointed at the decision of President Young to locate in the Salt Lake Valley.President Young and companions returned to the pioneer camp with twelve of the members of the battalion, Sunday afternoon, July 4. One of the soldiers, William Walker, had decided to accompany the five brethren back to the camps of the Saints. Sunday was spent by the pioneers in religious service under the direction of the bishops.Orson Pratt’s VanguardMonday, July 5, 1847, the company took up their march and arrived at Fort Bridger on the 7th, where they camped. Here they repaired the wagons and shod their horses, preparatory for the rough mountain travel which would lead them to the end of their journey. July 9, they continued on to the head of Echo Canyon, which was reached on the 12th. At this place President Young was taken ill with mountain fever. He ordered Elder Orson Pratt to take a company and precede the main body of pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. This advance company, consisting of twenty-five wagons and forty-two men, traveled down Echo Canyon, with instructions to look for the trail of the Reed-Donner party.5This they found after some difficulty, for it was almost obliterated. It was necessary for a detachment with proper tools to go on ahead and construct a road for the wagons. From this point on to their destination, they encountered the most difficult portion of the road over which they traveled. They passed down into East Canyon and over Big and Little Mountains into Emigration Canyon, which they named “Last Creek.” July 21, President Brigham Young sent Erastus Snow to meet Orson Pratt with a message for him to bear northward after entering the valley, and select the first convenient place for plowing and planting seed. The reason for this apparent haste was that the season was well advanced and every moment counted in the growing of their seed. Elder Snow overtook Orson Pratt on the afternoon of the 21st and together they entered the valley, with one horse between them. Seeing what looked like a field of waving grain to the south, they first journeyed in that direction only to find that they saw canes growing near the banks of what is known today as Mill Creek. Remembering the words of President Young, they retraced their steps and passed on to the north. When near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Erastus Snow discovered he had lost his coat which was thrown over the saddle and he went back to find it, while Orson Pratt continued on to the north to the present site of Salt Lake City. The following day others of the advance company entered the valley.The Land DedicatedJuly 23, they moved north and camped on what was subsequently known as the Eighth ward square, now occupied by the Salt Lake City and County Building. Orson Pratt called the camp together, dedicated the land and invoked a blessing on the seed they were about to plant. The ground was found so hard that the first attempt to plow was unsuccessful, and several plow-points were broken. By placing a dam in the stream (City Creek) they soaked the ground and in the course of a few days several acres were plowed and planted. The season being so late nothing came of their planting, save the garnering of potatoes about the size of a pea or a walnut, which served for seed the following year and produced a good crop.“This is the Place”On the 24th of July, 1847, President Brigham Young with the main body of the pioneers, entered the valley. He was resting in a carriage driven by Elder Wilford Woodruff and as they emerged from the canyon and pulled up onto a ridge President Young, who was ill, requested Elder Woodruff to turn his carriage around so that he could look upon the valley. This was done, and President Young gazed in silence for a few moments. Then with an expression of satisfaction, he said, “This is the place, drive on.” They entered into the valley and camped with the members who had preceded them. They had found the promised land and a resting place for their weary feet, where they could fulfil the predictions of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.Notes1.Outcasts from “civilization,” with little to eat and little to wear; with few expressions of sympathy, and less help extended in their direction, it was only natural that the Saints on the plains at times would be despondent. President Young constantly labored to cheer and strengthen them. Shortly before the departure of the Pioneer band, he requested Elder William Clayton to write something that would encourage the people. Within two hours Elder Clayton had written the following remarkable hymn, and set it to the music of “All is Well,” an old English tune:Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;But with joy wend your way.Though hard to you this journey may appear,Grace shall be as your day.’Tis better far for us to striveOur useless cares from us to drive;Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—All is well! All is well!. . .And should we die before our journey’s through,Happy day! All is well!We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;With the just we shall dwell!But if our lives are spared againTo see the Saints their rest obtain,Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—All is well! All is well!2.Elders Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor had been sent to England, after the exodus from Nauvoo, to set the British Mission in order. Elders Reuben Hedlock and Thomas Ward, who were in charge, had misappropriated the funds of “The Joint Stock Company,” an organization which had been formed for the purpose of assisting the Saints of the British Isles to emigrate. The three apostles took charge of affairs and soon had the mission again in a flourishing condition. Early in 1847, they again returned to the United States, Elders Pratt and Taylor preceding Elder Hyde, who remained to install Elder Orson Spencer as president of that mission. Elder Orson Spencer, a man of culture and superior education, performed an excellent work and under his ministry the mission flourished.3.Luke S. Johnson, formerly of the council of the apostles, came to Nauvoo in 1846 in a repentant spirit, and asked to be reinstated in the Church. He was baptized and was forced to leave that place with the body of the Saints. He was chosen as one of the pioneer band to come in advance to the Salt Lake Valley. In the year 1858, he settled at St. Johns, Tooele County, where he was ordained a bishop. He died in Salt Lake City, December 9, 1861.4.Congressional Globe, 27th Congress, 3rd Session, pp. 198–201.5.The Reed-Donner party, comprised seventy-eight men, women and children, under the direction of James F. Reed and George Donner, who left Independence in May, 1846, for California. They came via Fort Bridger, Echo and East Canyons through Emigration and westward through the Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys, around the south end of Salt Lake. Delayed by many misfortunes, they were caught in the snows in the Sierras in the winter of 1846, where many of them perished. Near the close of that year several of the ill-fated party put on snowshoes and crossed to the Sacramento Valley for relief. A relief expedition was sent back and found that the survivors had been living for weeks on the flesh of their dead, like cannibals. Thirty-nine of the original company had perished.
The Pioneers
1847
January 14, 1847, the word of the Lord came to President Brigham Young, at Winter Quarters, giving instructions for the guidance of the camps of Israel on their journeyings to the west. The Saints were to be organized into companies, with captains over hundreds, fifties and tens, as the case had been while journeying across Iowa. These companies were to be presided over by a president and two counselors, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles, who were at the head of all the camps of Israel. The Saints were to enter into a covenant “to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord,” and each company was to bear an equal proportion of the responsibility in the care of the widows, the fatherless, and the families of those who had gone into the army. Every man was commanded to use his influence and property to remove the body of the people to the place the Lord had designated as a stake of Zion; and if they would do this they were to be blessed abundantly in their substance and in their families. Moreover, they were to prepare houses and fields for those who were to remain behind that season, that they might prepare also for the journey.
“If thou art merry,” the revelation read (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 136), “praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.” During their travels in the wilderness the exiled Saints had many hardships to endure. The lack of necessary food, of clothing and other substance, was lamentable. Yet, in the midst of poverty and distress, they were happy for they were free from enemies and the persecutions of mobs. They were going to a land of promise where they could dwell in peace, and worship the Lord without fear of men. The Lord desired that they should be cheerful and promised to bless them with his Spirit, in the hour of their sorrow, if they would call upon him. That they might be light of heart and filled with joy, the Lord commended music, singing and dancing, if done in the spirit of reverence and prayer. It was the custom, at the close of the day’s journey, for the Saints to assemble in the dance, or to have an informal concert; to relate reminiscences and otherwise employ their time, that the cares and hardships of their travel might be forgotten, and their burdens lessened which they were forced to bear.1At the sound of the bugle, night and morning, all assembled for prayer. The Sabbath day was strictly kept, and undue levity was discountenanced in all the camps. They were commanded to be honest, sober, unselfish and to “contend not one with another,” but always speak with edifying words.
It was commanded in the revelation that a company be organized to depart early in the spring, composed of a sufficient number of able-bodied and experienced men, with teams, seeds and farming utensils, to prepare for the planting of spring crops. As spring approached preparations were under way for the departure of this pioneer band, and for other companies, as the Saints were able, to follow after. February 26, 1847, President Brigham Young met in council with the members of the twelve who were at Winter Quarters and Bishop Newel K. Whitney, William Clayton and Jedediah M. Grant. The object of this meeting was to consider the appointment of a pioneer company and their requirements for the journey. The matter of constructing boats, the carrying of seeds, scientific investigations, the location of a site for a city, the irrigation, cultivation and seeding of the land, were all fully discussed. This is the first reference, so far as the records show, of the discussion of irrigation, which President Young and the brethren felt would be necessary for their sustenance in their new home.
Elder Heber C. Kimball, under instructions from President Brigham Young, moved out of Winter Quarters, April 5, 1847, with six wagons, which he had equipped as a part of the pioneer company. They traveled about six miles and camped, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the company. On the 6th of April, the general conference was held in Winter Quarters, and the following day President Young, with about twenty-five wagons, traveled some ten miles and camped. From this point the company which had assembled, continued their journey to the Elkhorn River, where the information reached them that Elder Parley P. Pratt had arrived at Winter Quarters from his mission to England, and that Elder John Taylor was on the way. President Young decided to return, with other members of the twelve, to receive Elder Pratt’s report of conditions in that foreign field.2A few days later Elder John Taylor also arrived, bringing with him two thousand dollars in gold, contributed by the Saints in Great Britain, to help the exiles on their westward journey. He also had with him a number of scientific instruments of great value, including two sextants, one circle of reflection, two artificial horizons, and a number of barometers, thermometers and telescopes.
Leaving Elders Pratt and Taylor—and later Orson Hyde who joined them from England—in charge of the Saints at Winter Quarters, President Young, with the other apostles, returned to the pioneer camp, which had journeyed to a position twelve miles west of the Elkhorn, and some forty-seven miles west of Winter Quarters. President Young’s departure from Winter Quarters was on the morning of April 14, 1847, and on the 16th, the pioneer camp was organized with captains of hundreds, fifties and tens, as follows:
Captains of Hundreds: Stephen Markham and Albert P. Rockwood.
Captains of Fifties: Addison Everett, Tarlton Lewis, James Case, John Pack, Shadrack Roundy.
Captains of Tens: Wilford Woodruff, Ezra T. Benson, Phineas H. Young, Luke S. Johnson,3Stephen G. Goddard, Charles Shumway, James Case, Seth Taft, Howard Egan, Appleton M. Harmon, John S. Higbee, Norton Jacobs, John Brown, and Joseph Matthews.
The total number of souls in the camp was one hundred and forty-eight, of whom three were women and two were children. The women were: Harriet Page Wheeler Young, wife of Lorenzo D. Young; Clarissa Decker Young, wife of Brigham Young; and Ellen Saunders Kimball, wife of Heber C. Kimball. Three of the company were colored: Hark Lay, Oscar Crosby and Green Flake, who had come west with the emigrants from Mississippi, under command of John Brown in the summer of 1846. Originally the pioneer company was composed of one hundred and forty-four men, but one, Ellis Ames, was taken sick and returned to Winter Quarters soon after the start. Two of the pioneers were not members of the Church.
In addition to the organization mentioned, on April 17, they were also organized into a military camp with President Brigham Young as lieutenant-general; Stephen Markham, colonel; John Pack and Shadrack Roundy, majors; and the captains of tens, as formerly organized, to hold similar rank in the military organization. Thomas Bullock was appointed clerk of the camp, with some assistants, and Thomas Tanner, captain of the cannon, with the privilege of choosing eight men to assist him.
The captains of tens selected forty-eight men for a constant night guard. They were divided into four watches to serve half a night at a time. President Young and others of the twelve were among the members of this guard. As there was danger of Indian raids, orders were given that every man should keep by the side of his wagon and not leave it except by permission, and he should carry a loaded gun always ready for instant use.
Sunday, April 18, 1847, in the afternoon, President Young met with the captains of the camp and decided on the details for the government of the camp as follows:
“At 5 o’clock in the morning the bugle is to be sounded as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he leaves his wagon. Then the people will engage in cooking, eating, feeding teams, etc., until 7 o’clock, at which time the train is to move at the sound of the bugle. Each teamster is to keep beside his team with loaded gun in hand or within easy reach, while the extra men, observing the same rule regarding their weapons, are to walk by the side of their particular wagons to which they belong; and no man may leave his post without permission of his officer. In case of an attack or any hostile demonstration by Indians, the wagons will travel in double file— the order of encampment to be in a circle, with the mouth of each wagon to the outside and the horses and cattle tied inside the circle. At 8:30 p.m., the bugles are to be sounded again, upon which signal all will hold prayers in their wagons, and be retired to rest by 9 o’clock.”
“At 5 o’clock in the morning the bugle is to be sounded as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he leaves his wagon. Then the people will engage in cooking, eating, feeding teams, etc., until 7 o’clock, at which time the train is to move at the sound of the bugle. Each teamster is to keep beside his team with loaded gun in hand or within easy reach, while the extra men, observing the same rule regarding their weapons, are to walk by the side of their particular wagons to which they belong; and no man may leave his post without permission of his officer. In case of an attack or any hostile demonstration by Indians, the wagons will travel in double file— the order of encampment to be in a circle, with the mouth of each wagon to the outside and the horses and cattle tied inside the circle. At 8:30 p.m., the bugles are to be sounded again, upon which signal all will hold prayers in their wagons, and be retired to rest by 9 o’clock.”
The line of travel taken by the pioneers was along the north bank of the Platte River to Fort Laramie, and from there they crossed the river, and continued over the Oregon trail up the Sweetwater and over the Continental divide through the South Pass across Green River to Fort Bridger. They then traveled to the southwest through Echo Canyon, and East Canyon over Big and Little Mountain into Emigration Canyon, and then to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
On the south side of the Platte was the Oregon trail, but the pioneers remained on the north bank where there was no trail, for reasons expressed by Elder Wilford Woodruff as follows:
“We were convinced that it would be better for us as a company to cross the river and take the old traveled road to Laramie as there was good grass all the way on that side, while the Indians were burning it all off on the north of the river where we were traveling. But when we took into consideration the situation of the next company, and the thousands that would follow, and as we were the Pioneers and had not our wives and children with us—we thought it best to keep on the north side of the river and brave the difficulties of burning prairies to make a road that should stand as a permanent route for the Saints, independent of the then immigrant road, and let the river separate the emigrating companies that they need not quarrel for wood, grass, or water; and when our next company came along, the grass would be much better for them than it would be on the south side, as it would grow up by the time they would get along; and the vote was called and it was unanimous to go on the north side of the river; so the camp again moved on.”
The pioneers were anxious to know the distance of each day’s travel and the length of the entire journey. In order to obtain this information they first resorted to guesswork, but this proved unsatisfactory. They then tied a piece of cloth to a wheel of one of the wagons and a man was placed on duty to count the revolutions. However, this was tedious though accurate if the count was correctly kept. April 19 William Clayton suggested to Orson Pratt that a set of wooden cog wheels might be attached to the wheel of a wagon to record the distance automatically. The result was that an odometer was constructed on “the principle of the endless screw” and was installed during the month of May, after they were well along on the journey.
The pioneers were under the necessity of keeping constantly on the alert to protect themselves from attacks by Indians. They had considerable anxiety while passing through the Pawnee tribes. At times the brethren were fired upon. The Indians made several attempts at night to creep into the camp, evidently to plunder and steal animals. At one time before the camp was organized for the night they were successful in stealing two of the best horses belonging to Dr. Willard Richards and Jesse C. Little. The following day, April 27, a party was sent out to search for the missing animals. They encountered a number of Indians who endeavored to decoy them to a point where the brethren would be in their power, but they were on the alert and well armed, so the Indians dared not make an attack. As the brethren prepared to return to camp the Indians fired upon them, whereupon the searching party turned upon their foe, and the Indians hastily fled.
Not all of the Indians, however, were hostile. Generally they showed a friendly spirit, but were ever ready to commit theft. The brethren at times gave them a few articles such as powder, lead, flour and salt.
On the 4th of May, after the camp had proceeded about two miles on their way, they were met by a Frenchman, Charles Beaumont, a trapper and fur trader, who was traveling eastward over the Oregon road with a camp consisting of three wagons and nine men. He crossed the river to find out who the pioneers were. During his interview he cheerfully consented to carry letters back to the Saints, so the brethren wrote some fifty or sixty letters and left them in his care. Other means of communication with the later companies on the plains were adopted. Posts were placed at prominent points along the road with writing on them and letters were placed in improvised boxes with a notice on the box. At other times they used whitened skulls of the buffalo. Over a portion of the journey, especially from Fort Laramie, the pioneers planted mile posts every ten miles as the distance was measured by their odometer.
Astronomical observations were constantly taken. The temperature was recorded daily, also the altitude as shown by barometrical pressure. This was done under the able direction of Elder Orson Pratt, one of the great scientists of his time.
At Fort Laramie the pioneers were forced to cross the Platte owing to the fact that the north side of the river was impassable. They hired a flatboat from a Frenchman, Mr. James Bordeaux, who was in charge of the post. They paid him fifteen dollars for the accommodation. Mr. Bordeaux treated the brethren very kindly, and informed them that Lilburn W. Boggs, with a company of Missourians en route to Oregon, left the fort but a short time before. These emigrants had endeavored to embitter him against the “Mormons.” The Missourians, he said, were constantly quarreling and were great thieves. Bordeaux gave the pioneers information regarding the route before them and said the Crow Indians were troublesome and had lately run off all the horses and mules from the fort.
Soon after the pioneers arrived at Fort Laramie they were joined by a company of seventeen emigrants of the Mississippi Saints who had wintered at Pueblo, where the sick detachments of the Mormon Battalion, under command of Captains Brown and Higgins, were also stationed. They had been at the fort two weeks awaiting the arrival of the pioneers. These emigrants consisted of the members of the Crow and Therlkill families, others being Archibald Little, James Chesney and Lewis B. Myers. They had five wagons, one cart, eleven horses, twenty-four oxen, twenty-two cows, three bulls and seven calves. From these Mississippi Saints the pioneers obtained their first knowledge in many months, of the battalion. Four of the pioneers, Amasa M. Lyman, Thomas Woolsey, John H. Tippits, and Roswell Stevens, were sent to Pueblo on horse-back and with mules, to take charge of the remaining body of the Mississippians and conduct them to the Salt Lake Valley.
From Winter Quarters to Fort Laramie the Pioneers had broken a new road over the plains, which was destined to be traveled by the emigrating Saints for many years. Subsequently the Union Pacific Railroad was built along a great portion of the trail. Continuing their journey, the pioneers arrived, Saturday, June 12, 1847, at the Black Hills, where the Oregon road crossed the Platte, some one hundred and forty-two miles from Fort Laramie. Here they overtook the Oregon emigrants, including the Missourians. The pioneers had sent an advance company three days before to prepare for the crossing of the river, with a sole-leather skiff capable of carrying eighteen hundred pounds. These brethren were employed in ferrying the emigrants over the river at the rate of $1.50 for each wagon load, receiving their pay in flour, meal and bacon, at Missouri prices. Their stock of provisions at this time was in need of replenishing, and to have the privilege of ferrying their old enemies from Missouri over the river at this price, gave them some satisfaction. “It looked as much of a miracle to me,” said Elder Wilford Woodruff, “to see our flour and meal bags replenished in the Black Hills, as it did to have the children of Israel fed with manna in the wilderness. But the Lord has been truly with us on our journey, and has wonderfully blessed and preserved us.” The Missourians kept on their way, quarreling, cursing and fighting among themselves, while the brethren camped, as was their custom, on the Sabbath day. Monday, June 14, they commenced crossing the river, taking their wagons on light rafts made of poles. It was concluded to leave several brethren at this ferry, to help the oncoming emigrant trains for Oregon, in the hope of earning enough to supply the pioneer company with provisions. For this purpose Thomas Grover, John S. Higbee, Luke S. Johnson, Appleton M. Harmon, Edmund Ellsworth, Francis M. Pomeroy, William Empey, James Davenport and Benjamin F. Stewart, were detailed to remain.
In this region of the country the pioneers were constantly meeting with trappers and traders who were familiar with the Salt Lake Valley. They all gave discouraging reports of that region and advised the Saints to locate elsewhere. They spoke more favorably of the Cache, the Bear and other valleys to the north. Among those giving this adverse advice were Major Moses Harris, Thomas L. Smith and Colonel James Bridger. The latter informed President Young that he deemed it unwise to bring a large colony into the Great Basin until it was demonstrated that it would be possible to raise grain there. He stated that he would give a thousand dollars if he knew an ear of corn could ripen in Salt Lake Valley. Undaunted by these unfavorable reports President Young with his band of pioneers pushed on with great vigor.
Wednesday, June 30, 1847, the pioneers arrived at the Green River. The water was very high, with a swift current. After dinner the brethren commenced making two rafts with which to cross the stream. While they were at work Samuel Brannan came into the camp, having come from San Francisco. He had traveled around Cape Horn, from New York to California, with a company of emigrating Saints in the year 1846. Brannan and two others had braved the dangers of the mountains through deep snows to reach the camp of the pioneers, having left on the 4th of April. He brought with him several numbers of his paper,The California Star, and the latest news of the Mormon Battalion. He labored diligently to get President Young to continue on to California and not remain in the barren wastes of the Rocky Mountains. President Young, however, was following the inspiration of the Lord, and not the wisdom of man. The Lord had pointed out to him—as he had to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842—that the place of settlement for the Latter-day Saints was in the “midst of the Rocky Mountains.”
It should be remembered that in 1847, the Salt Lake Valley was desolate and uninviting. There was little vegetation save the stubby growth of salt-grass, grease-wood and sage that covered the valley, and the few willows and cottonwood trees that stood on the banks of the canyon streams. At that time the Rocky Mountain region and a large part of the plains to the east were little known. The few emigrants who had passed through the Great Basin had made haste to get beyond and into the more inviting parts on the Pacific coast. This vast inter-mountain country was the haunt of the trapper and the hunter, to whom the possibilities and resources of the arid west were not even a dream. The valleys of the mountains had been occupied for upwards of twenty years by these nomads of the desert, who wandered from place to place hunting and trapping, content in the belief that the wild and primitive condition which then prevailed must so remain forever.
As late as 1843, two years before the exodus, the opinion held by the majority in the United States was that the whole territory of the Rocky Mountains was not worth a “pinch of snuff.” Such was the expression made by Senator George H. McDuffie, of South Carolina, in the senate that year. Discussing the settlement of Oregon, he said: “Who are to go there, along the line of military posts, and take possession of the only part of the territory fit to occupy—that part upon the sea coast, a strip less than one hundred miles in width. Why, sir, of what use will this be for agricultural purposes? I would not for that purpose give a pinch of snuff for the whole territory. I wish to God we did not own it.”4
The inspiration which came to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842—and even earlier and which was converted into reality by Brigham Young—shines forth with increased lustre when placed in contrast with the united opinions of all those who were familiar with the land in the year 1847.
July 1, 1847, the men commenced ferrying over Green River which was continued until Saturday the 3rd. In the evening of Saturday, the camp was called together and the men who desired to journey back to meet their families who were on the plains and supposed to be several hundred miles in the rear, were given that privilege. Five volunteered to return. President Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards accompanied the five brethren back to the ferry on Green River. Here they saw a group of thirteen men, with horses and baggage on the opposite side of the river ready to be ferried across. They were members of the Mormon Battalion journeying from Pueblo. They were given three cheers and President Young “led out in exclaiming Hosannah! Hosannah! Give glory to God and the Lamb, Amen!” These men were in pursuit of horse thieves who had stolen several of the battalion horses, of which they had recovered all but one or two. They reported to President Young that the Pueblo detachment of the battalion was within seven days’ march of the Green River. It was decided that as the members of the battalion had not been discharged nor had they received their pay, Samuel Brannan and Thomas S. Williams should return with them to California to pilot them on the way. Brannan was greatly disappointed at the decision of President Young to locate in the Salt Lake Valley.
President Young and companions returned to the pioneer camp with twelve of the members of the battalion, Sunday afternoon, July 4. One of the soldiers, William Walker, had decided to accompany the five brethren back to the camps of the Saints. Sunday was spent by the pioneers in religious service under the direction of the bishops.
Monday, July 5, 1847, the company took up their march and arrived at Fort Bridger on the 7th, where they camped. Here they repaired the wagons and shod their horses, preparatory for the rough mountain travel which would lead them to the end of their journey. July 9, they continued on to the head of Echo Canyon, which was reached on the 12th. At this place President Young was taken ill with mountain fever. He ordered Elder Orson Pratt to take a company and precede the main body of pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. This advance company, consisting of twenty-five wagons and forty-two men, traveled down Echo Canyon, with instructions to look for the trail of the Reed-Donner party.5This they found after some difficulty, for it was almost obliterated. It was necessary for a detachment with proper tools to go on ahead and construct a road for the wagons. From this point on to their destination, they encountered the most difficult portion of the road over which they traveled. They passed down into East Canyon and over Big and Little Mountains into Emigration Canyon, which they named “Last Creek.” July 21, President Brigham Young sent Erastus Snow to meet Orson Pratt with a message for him to bear northward after entering the valley, and select the first convenient place for plowing and planting seed. The reason for this apparent haste was that the season was well advanced and every moment counted in the growing of their seed. Elder Snow overtook Orson Pratt on the afternoon of the 21st and together they entered the valley, with one horse between them. Seeing what looked like a field of waving grain to the south, they first journeyed in that direction only to find that they saw canes growing near the banks of what is known today as Mill Creek. Remembering the words of President Young, they retraced their steps and passed on to the north. When near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Erastus Snow discovered he had lost his coat which was thrown over the saddle and he went back to find it, while Orson Pratt continued on to the north to the present site of Salt Lake City. The following day others of the advance company entered the valley.
July 23, they moved north and camped on what was subsequently known as the Eighth ward square, now occupied by the Salt Lake City and County Building. Orson Pratt called the camp together, dedicated the land and invoked a blessing on the seed they were about to plant. The ground was found so hard that the first attempt to plow was unsuccessful, and several plow-points were broken. By placing a dam in the stream (City Creek) they soaked the ground and in the course of a few days several acres were plowed and planted. The season being so late nothing came of their planting, save the garnering of potatoes about the size of a pea or a walnut, which served for seed the following year and produced a good crop.
On the 24th of July, 1847, President Brigham Young with the main body of the pioneers, entered the valley. He was resting in a carriage driven by Elder Wilford Woodruff and as they emerged from the canyon and pulled up onto a ridge President Young, who was ill, requested Elder Woodruff to turn his carriage around so that he could look upon the valley. This was done, and President Young gazed in silence for a few moments. Then with an expression of satisfaction, he said, “This is the place, drive on.” They entered into the valley and camped with the members who had preceded them. They had found the promised land and a resting place for their weary feet, where they could fulfil the predictions of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.
1.Outcasts from “civilization,” with little to eat and little to wear; with few expressions of sympathy, and less help extended in their direction, it was only natural that the Saints on the plains at times would be despondent. President Young constantly labored to cheer and strengthen them. Shortly before the departure of the Pioneer band, he requested Elder William Clayton to write something that would encourage the people. Within two hours Elder Clayton had written the following remarkable hymn, and set it to the music of “All is Well,” an old English tune:Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;But with joy wend your way.Though hard to you this journey may appear,Grace shall be as your day.’Tis better far for us to striveOur useless cares from us to drive;Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—All is well! All is well!. . .And should we die before our journey’s through,Happy day! All is well!We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;With the just we shall dwell!But if our lives are spared againTo see the Saints their rest obtain,Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—All is well! All is well!
1.Outcasts from “civilization,” with little to eat and little to wear; with few expressions of sympathy, and less help extended in their direction, it was only natural that the Saints on the plains at times would be despondent. President Young constantly labored to cheer and strengthen them. Shortly before the departure of the Pioneer band, he requested Elder William Clayton to write something that would encourage the people. Within two hours Elder Clayton had written the following remarkable hymn, and set it to the music of “All is Well,” an old English tune:
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;But with joy wend your way.Though hard to you this journey may appear,Grace shall be as your day.’Tis better far for us to striveOur useless cares from us to drive;Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—All is well! All is well!. . .And should we die before our journey’s through,Happy day! All is well!We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;With the just we shall dwell!But if our lives are spared againTo see the Saints their rest obtain,Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—All is well! All is well!
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
’Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—
All is well! All is well!
. . .
And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—
All is well! All is well!
2.Elders Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor had been sent to England, after the exodus from Nauvoo, to set the British Mission in order. Elders Reuben Hedlock and Thomas Ward, who were in charge, had misappropriated the funds of “The Joint Stock Company,” an organization which had been formed for the purpose of assisting the Saints of the British Isles to emigrate. The three apostles took charge of affairs and soon had the mission again in a flourishing condition. Early in 1847, they again returned to the United States, Elders Pratt and Taylor preceding Elder Hyde, who remained to install Elder Orson Spencer as president of that mission. Elder Orson Spencer, a man of culture and superior education, performed an excellent work and under his ministry the mission flourished.
3.Luke S. Johnson, formerly of the council of the apostles, came to Nauvoo in 1846 in a repentant spirit, and asked to be reinstated in the Church. He was baptized and was forced to leave that place with the body of the Saints. He was chosen as one of the pioneer band to come in advance to the Salt Lake Valley. In the year 1858, he settled at St. Johns, Tooele County, where he was ordained a bishop. He died in Salt Lake City, December 9, 1861.
4.Congressional Globe, 27th Congress, 3rd Session, pp. 198–201.
5.The Reed-Donner party, comprised seventy-eight men, women and children, under the direction of James F. Reed and George Donner, who left Independence in May, 1846, for California. They came via Fort Bridger, Echo and East Canyons through Emigration and westward through the Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys, around the south end of Salt Lake. Delayed by many misfortunes, they were caught in the snows in the Sierras in the winter of 1846, where many of them perished. Near the close of that year several of the ill-fated party put on snowshoes and crossed to the Sacramento Valley for relief. A relief expedition was sent back and found that the survivors had been living for weeks on the flesh of their dead, like cannibals. Thirty-nine of the original company had perished.