"Monday morning the 12th [ ] the twelve all left to go back to Winter Quarters and we resumed our journey across to the [Platt] and then followed the bottom about 15 miles from where we staid Sunday night and camped on the bank of the Platt[e] to wait for the return of the twelve held a meeting in the evening and decided that Bros [Thomas] Grover, [Henry] Sherwood & [Stephen] Markham should take charge till the twelve come back [ ] Br Markham gave some good advice relative to our duty in guarding the camp and observing our prayers [ ] had some music and dancing [ ] Brother Markham placed out a guard around the camp and then called upon the Bretheren to tend to their prayers in their several messes [ ] I joined in prayers with Markhams mess and then retired to our wagon to bed [ ] N[orton] Jacob returned with the twelve to Winter Quarters [ ] the weather during this time has been cold and the spring backward there is some slight appearance of grass"
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The term 'mess' he uses seems to have several meanings. It was used in the 19th century in wagon trains to mean eat in company, as a member of a mess. The three days previously they had just arrived and crossed over the Elkhorn River where they camped, and the next day continued on with their journey now to find the Platte.
