"the weather moderate"
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(Charles actually put the 17th and the 18th together in his diary. I'm splitting them up so I can give a description of each day.)
May 17th was a tough travel day. They had a lot of sand and hills to forge through. Brigham's horse got stuck and had to be help out by the men and oxen. It was a day for hunting buffalo and antelope by some of the men. The only problem with that was that they had gone out and killed without 'permission' and the camp had so much meat already that this was overkill. Brigham was not happy about it.
It's interesting to note that today's Interstate 80 and Highway 30 follow this route that they were on. Also, according to "111 Days to Zion", Highway 26 from Ogallala "more closely follows the trail". The fact that I lived in that same area once and didn't know this is frustrating.
I'm going to put this letter on here of Brigham Young's that he wrote to his wife. He started it on April 20th and continued with it on May 4. It didn't happen on this day, but it's interesting reading the thoughts he had about his family over 300 miles back.
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"9 o'clock P.M.
April 20, 1847
Pioneer camp of Israel 95 miles from Winter Quarters
My Dear Companion partner in tribulation. I should have written you by Bro. Rockwood but had not time, the camp was to be organized and a great deal to be dun to prepare for mooving. On Sunday I should have written but did not feele able to. I lade abed and thought of a greatdeal I should like to say to you. The camp is in good helth and first rate Spirits. they have never felt better in their lives I think. My health has very much improved yesterday and to day. You mentioned in your letter that you heard I lay on the grond the night I left home. I did, but due not think it hurt me, but when I arived in camp I found my self completely tired out. I thank you a thousand times for your kind letters to me more especely for your kind acts and still more for your kind hart. I pray for you and the children continualy and for all our famely. I do think the Lord has blest me with one of the best famelyes that any man ever had on the Earth. I due hope the children will be good and mind there mother when I am gon. My Son Joseph you must goe away from home and Brigham also must stay at home[.] How due sapose I would feele when I come home if I found one of my children destoyed by the Indens? I pray this may not be the case. You mention that there are a grate meny cald for money, I due not want you to pay any of my debts until I come back. I made arangements with Bro. Whitney to pay all that I wish paid. due you make yourself comfortable and let other folks due so to.
May 4 '1847 about 20 mi above the head of grand Island this morning. We have a chance to send a letters to Sarpee--by some traders. I want xxxx to wright a long letter but have not time. We are all perty well at present though my labour has ben verry hard for me on the jorney. I pray for you continualy[.] the pauness [Pawnees] have watched us close and we have watched them but they have got 2 of our horses Brs [Willard] Richards & [Jesse C.] Littles, our cattle standit well. Edmond [L. Ellsworth] wants I should say a word to Elizabeth for him[.] Edmond has been sick but is now well and in good Spirits. John Greene wants to bring the things that Com. Cane sent to him for he thinks he shall not goe back. we stop every Sabath and have a day of rest[.] the Lord has blest us in all things for which we are thankful. I am glad you are not a going to come on this sumer for I want to be with my famely when they come this journey. on Saterday last we saw buffalo for the first time[.] they went on a chase after them[ ] they got 4 old ones and 5 calfs which has made us plenty of meat. if this letter re[a]ches there before the next company starts, they had better fetch the 3 canon that are there [ ] keep up a thurer [thorough] g[u]ard every night tie there horses nights keep cattle close. we shall have to cross the Platt[e] River here on the acount of feed[.] the praire is all burnt over in the north Side of the River[ ] the Pauneas [Pawnees] have gone a head of us and burnt, the next company had better keep up on the north Side[.] I think it is a good rout[e] for us here after. I want the bretheren to help my famely whilst I am gone and not supress them. Joseph and Brigham be good Boys and mind your mother and Ales Caroline little Johnie and finely all my children and famely be you Blest for ever and ever
Brigham Young "
