Trek Across the Plains, July 24, 1849

The continuing saga...

Thursday, July 19: Camp moved forward about eleven miles and encamped at the Liberty Pole on the margin of the Platte River.


Monday, July 23: Camp moved early; traveled about twelve miles through a wet, muddy, miry and slimy read, and encamped on the banks of the Platte. The plains are hundreds of miles in length and from three to twelve [miles] wide from the Platte River south to the Bluff's north, and are covered with rich, luxuriant pastures and beautiful flowers of different odors, colors and variegated hues. The lands thus far traveled from the Missouri being to the Omaha and Pawnee Tribes of Indians, but we had not seen any since we left Winter Quarters.

Tuesday, July 24: Traveled eleven miles through muddy roads, the weather being exceeding warm, which fatigued and wearied our cattle very much. Stopped to rest often and encamped for the night at the Loupe Fork of the Platte, opposite to where the Pawnee village of several hundred huts were located in the spring of 1847, when Pioneer camp went out. We found a good camping place, plenty of weed and water. It is quite interesting in the evening when the camp stops to witness the activity of all that are able: some watering cattle, some driving others to herd, others carrying wood and water, others making fires and carrying wood for evening and morning, while others are preparing their meals; after supper the driving up of the herd, chaining and tying up cattle. The captains of the guard blows his horn and summons the guard to duty. The camp, after prayers, retires to rest. With their camp lights burning and their lamps lighted up in their wagons, with the lowing of the oxen, the bleating of the sheep and neighing of the horses in the corral, the howling of the wolves in the distant hills and the prairies, with the half hourly cry of the guards from No. 1, as they cry the hour of the night with "all is right," all combined lends enchantment to the scene and a feeling of praise veneration and thanksgiving to the God of the Saints.