Saturday, June 5. This day a large company of saints, including Parley P. Pratt and families, Perregrine Sessions and families, left Winter Quarters for the mountains.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 5, 1847, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Tuesday, June 15. The Saints gathering on the southwest bank of the Elkhorn river preparatory to starting for the mountains were called together in the afternoon and Parley P. Pratt spoke at some length concerning the organization and then proceeded to organize.
Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor were chosen as presidents of the immigrating companies; John Smith, Patriarch was appointed to preside over the spiritual affairs of the camp under the direction of the Apostles present. John Young was appointed to preside over the temporal affairs of the camp with Edward Hunter and Daniel Spencer as his counselors, under the direction of the Apostles present.
Jedediah M. Grant, Willard Snow and Abraham O. Smoot, captains of Hundreds, John Van Cott, Marshal of the camp, General Chas. C. Rich at the head of the military organization; Wm. C. Staines, clerk and historian for the camp.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 15, 1847, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Thursday, June 17. Wm. C. Staines, the historian of the camp of the emigrating saints in the Elkhorn, counted the wagons in camp and found that there were 331 wagons in Parley P. Pratt’s encampment and 90 in John Taylor’s encampment; the two companies were about half a mile apart, Taylor’s company being ahead. The first hundred caught 700 fish, weighing upwards of 2,000 lbs. At 3 p.m. the wind changed to the northeast and the camps were visited by a thunderstorm and a heavy shower of rain. A public meeting was held at 4 p.m., at which Parley P. Pratt stated that the companies were ready to start, provided Colonel John Scott could get the cannon, the boat and the Temple bell ready.
Following are the minutes of the meeting held in the camps of the emigrating saints at 4 o’clock p.m.
John Taylor opened the meeting by prayer; Parley P. Pratt explained that the cattle belonging to the respective companies had all got uneasy and that it was time the companies were off. A day’s journey at all events, so that they could get in order. He thought that one hundred wagons would be enough to camp together and suggested that the camps be made in an oval form, leaving the encampment open at both ends and guard the ends so that there would be no danger of broken wagons if the cattle should get scared but that they could run for these openings. But, says some, “we are not ready; we have not got the cannon nor the bell.” Well, I do not care if they are not, for I would sooner risk myself with a pistol or a pellet gun, than be guarded by Bro. Scott or the cannon, but I think they will be here by the time you could get all the wagons off this ground, if you was to begin to move. Now, I want we should all start in the morning in the counsel see fit. If not, I am willing to be guided by all the camp and will wait till they say go. Bro. Webb reports the cannon to be all ready, but Col. Scott was not ready. Bro. Taylor said he proposed that Bro. Rich send someone for those cannons and bring them to camp forthwith.
Gen. Rich said he was sorry the cannons were not here. He had ordered Scott to get the cannons ready for a start the first of June and said Bro. Rich, “He told me he would get it ready, but it has not been done. Last Sunday I sent an order for him to start on Monday. I called to see him that morning, and he told me there was some repairing to be done. I immediately went to a blacksmith to get the work done and I left, supposing that he would follow me immediately. I think it would be well to send for them.” A vote was then taken that the cannons and all that pertained to them should be sent for. Gen. Rich said that in as much as he was to have charge of the military affairs of the camp, he hoped that all the guns would be in good order, so that the owners could fire them at a moments notice. If they Indians were to attack the camps, it would be a signal and a blow at the same time. John Taylor said that he hoped the brethren would be very particular with their guns. He said if you keep them loaded, do not let them be any priming in or caps on and keep the musle upward in your wagons; if you do not attend to these things, we are all in danger. That these cannons causes us a great deal of trouble. When I learned that there was no team to haul them, I found a good man who sent a boy and three yoke of cattle to haul one of them. Scott is very much to blame, neither he nor any other man should trifle with the authorities of this people. John Scott does not control those cannons but Gen. Rich is the man.
It was moved by Parley P. Pratt and seconded by Daniel Spencer that the camps move to the banks of the Platte river, and that they move in Hundreds and camp in that way about half a mile apart. The vote was unanimous. It was moved by Parley P. Pratt and seconded by John Smith that Daniel Spencer’s Hundred be called the first Hundred. John Taylor’s (Edward Hunter) the second Hundred. Jedediah M. Grant’s the third Hundred and Abraham O. Smoot’s the fourth Hundred. It was moved by Parley P. Pratt and seconded by John Taylor that a contribution be made for Martin to pay him for his strict attention as captain of the raft, also for purchasing a map of the route between here and the mountain, giving a correct account of all the camping places. On motion is was decided that a meeting should be held at 8 o’clock for the captains of Hundred, Fifties and Tens. Finally it was proposed that all who found stray cattle should put them in the yard and that all who found yokes, chains, etc. should bring them to the Liberty Pole.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 11, 1847, 2-4]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Sunday, June 20. A public meeting was held at 11 a.m., at which Parley P. Pratt exhorted the brethren to be obedient to their officers and trust in the God of Israel.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 20, 1847, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Monday, June 21. The emigrating saints in the Platte river encampment were busy making preparations for the final start for the mountains, but were waiting for the artillery to come up. Elders Parley P. Pratt and Daniel Spencer started back to meet the artillery company and returned during the day, bringing word that the artillery would soon arrive.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 21, 1847, 2]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]