"Sunday [ ] journeyed on [ ] crossed the dividing ridge between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific and camped at night near a small Spring which soon sunk into the sand [ ] distance traveled 15 1/4 miles"
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(Image courtesy of O. Ned Eddins website)
Since the last camp spot they have reached the South Pass and are now crossing the Continental Divide. The waters are now running west instead of east. Charles has written the past few entries of how sandy the land is that they are passing through. You can kind of see that in this image above.
William Clayton's journal today. He writes of a...... "veteran mountain man named Moses Harris" that gives them valuable information about Cache Valey in Utah. Also today, the pioneers are remembering three years ago when Joseph and Hyrum were killed at Carthage, Illinois. The sad memories leave them in a somber mood.
"Sunday 27 [ ] Morning fine but cold [ ] the ox teams started at 5 minutes to 8 and the remainder a while after [ ] We soon met 8 of the Oregon men on their way back having over 200 horses and mules with them mostly laden with packs of robes skins &c [ ] Several of the brethren sent letters back by them [ ] at 2 3/4 miles arrived at the dividing ridge where Er Pratt took a Barometrical observation and found the Altitude 7085 feet above the level of the sea [ ] this spot is 2781/2 miles from Fort John & is supposed to divide the Oregon and Indian Territery by a line running North & South [ ] At 2 miles further we arrived at where Er. Pratt camped last night at the head waters of Green River and although the stream is small we have the satisfaction of seeing the current run West instead of East [ ] the face of the country West looks level except far in the distance where a range of mountains peers up their surface white with snow [ ] there is good grass here but no timber nor in fact any in sight except on the mountains
Since leaving the Pass we have descended considerable winding round and between high bluffs on hills but the road is good [ ] one of the Oregon men is returning with us today and then intends to wait for the next companies &c and act as pilot for them [ ] his name is "Harris" and appears to be extensively Known in Oregon & the subject of much dispute on account of having found out a new route to Oregon much South of the old one [ ] he appears to be a man of intelligence & well acquainted with the western country [ ] he presented a file of the Oregon papers Commencing with February 11, 1847 and 5 following numbers for our perusal during the day [ ] he also presented a number of the California Starr published at Yerba Buenna by Sam Brannon and edited by C. P. Jones [ ] I had the privelege of perusing several of these papers during the day but found little interesting news [ ] from his description which is very discouraging we have little chance to hope for even a moderate good country anywhere in those regions
He speaks of the whole region as being Sandy and destitute of timber and vegitation except for the wild sage [ ] He gives the most favorable account of a small region under the Bear River mountains caled the Cach Valley where they have practiced Caching their robes &c to hide them from Indians [ ] he represents this as being a fine place to winter cattle [ ] After halting some time we proceeded on and crossed the stream which is about 3 feet wide then halted on its banks at 12 o clock having traveled 6 1/2 miles, the day warm.
At 25 minutes past 2 we started again and proceeded over gently rolling land and good hard road till 20 minutes to 7 when we found our encampment on the West banks of the Dry Sandy having traveled this afternoon 9 miles and during the day 15 1/4 [ ] The country West for many miles appears destitute of timber and the view is very extensive [ ] there is very little grass to be seen any where and not much near this creek [ ] there is but little water in the Creek at first sight but by digging and trampling on the quick sand sufficient can easily be obtained to supply a large company [ ] Er Kimball has been on the road near 2 miles further but discovered no chance for camping ground better than this
Mr Harris has described a valley 40 miles above the mouth of the Bear River and 30 miles below the Bear Springs which might answer our purpose very well if the report is true [ ] It is about 30 miles long and 15 miles wide and tolerably well timbered [ ] we generally feel that we shall know best by going ourselves for the reports of travellers are so contradictory it is impossible to know which is the truth without going to prove it
It is 3 years today since our Brethren Joseph and Hyrum were taken from us and it was a general feeling to spend the day in fasting and prayer but the gentile companies being close in our read and feed scarce it was considered necessary to keep ahead for the benefit of the teams but many minds have reverted back to the scenes at Carthage Jail and it is a gratification that we have so far prospered in our endeavors to get from under the grasp of our enemies"
