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William Clayton's Journal
Nauvoo Illinois
Sunday, February 8, 1846. At the office all day packing public goods, evening at Farr's writing out a letter of instruction to trustees.
Monday, 9th. At the office packing. At 3:30 the temple was seen on fire. Women carrying water.
Tuesday, 10th. At the temple packing, also Wednesday 11th.
Thursday, 12th. At home preparing to move.
Friday, 13th. Sent four loads of goods over the river. Loading and packing.
Saturday, 14th. Packing and seeking letters.
Sunday, 15th. Riding around to get teams and things together. Sent two teams over the river.
Monday, 16th. Still loading teams, also Tuesday 17th.
Wednesday, 18th. 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, 19th. 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, 20th. 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, 27th. We have spent the past week waiting for crossing over the 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, 28th. 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.
Sunday, March 1, 1846. 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, 2nd. 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.