At home preparing to move.
Friday, February 13
Sent four loads of goods over the river. Loading and packing.
Saturday, February 14
Packing and seeking letters.
Sunday, February 15
Riding around to get teams and things together. Sent two teams over the river.
Monday, February 16
Still loading teams, also Tuesday 17th.
Wednesday, February 18
Got about ready to go over the river. Evening President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, J. M. Grant and some of the pioneers came to hurry us over. N. K. Whitney also came in. We conversed together some. They state the brethren have made a perfect waste of food and property in the camp.
Thursday, February 19
This morning the ground is covered with snow. It is so windy they cannot cross the river. Continued to snow all day. Evening went to Elder Babbit's to supper with Elder Kimball. President Young was there, Backenstos, J. M. Grant and some others.
Friday, February 20
The weather is very cold and windy. Impossible to cross the river. Spent the day running after things to get ready, fixing wagons and chopping fire wood.
Friday, February 27
We have spent the past week waiting for crossing over the [Mississippi] river. It has been hard frost and much snow. This morning I concluded to start over the river and began early to send my teams. About noon I crossed with my family and then rested the teams and soon after went on to the camp where we arrived a little before four o'clock. Bishop Whitney concluded to stay at the river until morning because some of his teams could not get over. When we got to the camp we were received with joy and formed in the company of the band. The weather is still very cold especially during the night. The distance from Nauvoo to this place is called seven and a half miles.
Saturday, February 28
A.M. arranging my tents, etc. At twelve was sent for to council and about two the band was requested to go and meet bishop Whitney and his teams. We went and met him five miles from the camp. We played some time and then returned to the camp. President Young, Heber C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, Orson Pratt and others accompanied us. At night played with the band.
March 1846
Sunday, March 1
A.M. preparing to march to the next encampment. At ten a lecture was given by Elder Kimball and about one the company proceeded to the next camp about four and a half miles, where we arrived in good season.
Monday, March 2
Started this morning for another camp about eight miles where we arrived about five p.m., the roads being somewhat hilly and muddy. The band played at night. During the day the artillery company broke into our ranks several times and broke a number of our wagon boxes. At night they complained of us at headquarters, but after hearing our story the matter stood about right.
Tuesday, March 3
Proceeded on our journey through Farmington about eight miles to a place where bishop Miller was encamped and arrived in good season. The band played at night.
Wednesday, March 4
This morning we concluded to stay a day and fix up some wagons which were broken. A number of the citizens from Farmington came to the camp and gave a very pressing invitation for the band to go to Farmington and play some. Accordingly about three o'clock, the band started and arrived at Farmington about 4:30 p.m. We played at the principal hotel and then went to the school house and played till nearly dark. The house was filled with men and women, the leading people of the place. We then returned to the hotel where they had provided us with a good supper. They also gave us $5 in money. John Kay sang a number of songs. At eight o'clock we returned and when we left they gave us three cheers. When we arrived at the camp we met thirty of the guard just starting out to meet us. The President felt uneasy at our staying so long and was sending the men to protect us.
Thursday, March 5
Proceeded on our journey. Crossed the Des Moines river at Bonaparte and afterwards had a very bad road up the bluff for several miles which detained us until late in the afternoon. We stopped awhile to feed the band teams inasmuch as they had none this morning. We then started and went to the next camping ground, making the day's journey about sixteen miles.
Saturday, March 7
Proceeded about eight miles to a camp ground near to a Dr. Elberts where the band camped. President Young was behind and when