We camped near the bank of the river, in a small grove. We were poorly prepared for the journey before us, especially at this season of the year. A heavy snowstorm occurred, after which the weather turned intensely cold, and caused considerable suffering. My brother had two wagons and a small tent, one cow and a scanty supply of provisions and clothing, and yet was much better off than some of our neighbors in our general encampment.
On the 7th of February, 1846, Brigham Young, our great leader under God, organized the Camp in order for traveling. Lorenzo was, at this time or soon after, appointed captain over the ten in which Parley P. and Orson Pratt and their families were included. On the first day of March, the ground covered with snow, we broke encampment about noon, and soon nearly four hundred wagons were moving to—we knew not where.
As applicable to the circumstances, I here insert two poems which I wrote in Camp:
CAMP OF ISRAEL.
No. 1.
Although in woods and tents we dwell,
Shout! shout! O Camp of Israel:
No "Christian" mobs on earth can bind
Our thoughts, or steal our peace of mind.CHORUS.
Though we fly from vile aggression,
We'll maintain our pure profession—
Seek a peaceable possession,
Far from Gentiles and oppression.We'd better live in tents and smoke,
Than wear the cursed Gentile yoke;
We'd better from our country fly,
Than by mobocracy to die.CHORUS.—Though we fly, etc.
We've left the City of Nauvoo,
And our beloved Temple too;
And to the wilderness we go,
Amid the winter frosts and snow.CHORUS.
Our homes were dear—we loved them well—
Beneath our roofs we fain would dwell,
And honor our great God's commands,
By mutual rights of Christian lands.CHORUS.
Our persecutors will not cease
Their murd'rous spoiling of our peace,
And have decreed that we shall go
To wilds where reeds and rushes grow.CHORUS.
The Camp, the Camp—its numbers swell—
Shout! shout! O Camp of Israel!
The King, the Lord of hosts is near,
His armies guard our front and rear.CHORUS.
West side of the Mississippi, Feb. 19th, 1846.
CAMP OF ISRAEL.
No. 2.
Lo, a mighty host of Jacob,
Tented on the western shore
Of the noble Mississippi,
They had crossed, to cross no more.
At the last day-dawn of winter,
Bound with frost and wrapped in snow;
Hark! the cry is "Onward, onward!
Camp of Israel, rise and go."All at once is life and motion—
Trunks, and beds, and baggage fly;
Oxen yoked, and horses harnessed,
Tents rolled up and passing by:
Soon the carriage wheels are moving,
Onward to a woodland dell,
Where at sunset all are quartered—
Camp of Israel, all is well.Thickly 'round the tents are clustered,
Neighb'ring smokes together blend;
Supper served, the hymns are chanted,
And the evening prayers ascend.
Last of all the guards are stationed—
Heavens! must guards be serving here?
Who would harm the houseless exiles?
Camp of Israel, never fear.Where is Freedom? Where is Justice?
Both have from this nation fled;
And the blood of martyred Prophets
Must be answered on it's head!
Therefore, to your tents, O Jacob!
Like our Father Abra'm dwell;
God will execute His purpose—
Camp of Israel, all is well.
March 1st, 1846.
CHAPTER XVI.
Garden Grove.—Pisgah.—Severe sickness.—Death of Elder Huntington.—Lorenzo called to preside.—Condition of the Saints.—A dilemma.—Lorenzo's policy.—How he succeeded.—A ludicrous and enjoyable entertainment.—Births.—Death.—Life incidents.—President Young's call.—Appointments.—Another wife.—Arrives in the Valley.—Ordained into the Quorum of the Twelve.—Builds a log house.