Sunday, Oct. 18, 1846:
A Sabbath meeting was held at the stand in Winter Quarters. President Brigham Young asked the Saints to be more faithful regarding resting on the Sabbath and attending their meetings.The building of winter homes in the community was well under way. President Young understood that attention was needed to care for the thousands of cattle that would be used for the planned journey to the west. Arrangements were made for a cattle drive to the river bottoms in the north, where there were rushes (marsh plants) for the cattle to feed on during the winter. Brigham Young and others wanted to hire brethren to herd their cattle during the winter for a fee of $2 per head.
Back in Garden Grove, a letter had been received from Brigham Young asking for teams to be sent back to bring the poor from the banks of the Mississippi. Luman Shurtliff was chosen to lead a company of 18 yoke of oxen, wagons and teamsters. With faith, they started out with only 75 cents of expense money for a journey of about 340 miles. He wrote, "This was the best we could do so we loaded in some squashes and pumpkins for the teams and rolled out, thus equipped to gather home the poor Saints. . . . We traveled on cheerfully as though we had been rich and plenty of money at our command."
Monday, Oct. 19:
The large cattle drive to the rush bottoms began. Brigham Young sent 110 head of cattle up the river; Heber C. Kimball sent 130. The Church's cattle would be sent the following morning. Brigham Young wrote a long letter of instruction to Asahel Lathrop, who was at the rush bottoms, giving inspired counsel to the herdsmen: "It will be a blessing to the brethren to organize themselves, have their social meetings and pray with and for each other, and bless each other but never curse. Pay all that attention to the Sabbath that your situation will possibly admit of and you will be doubly prospered, the remaining six days." He mentioned that the cattle sent north was "as a drop to the ocean" compared to the number that have to be wintered for the entire Camp of Israel.
John D. Lee collected about $1,200 in checks from the Mormon Battalion. He started his journey back to Council Bluffs with the money to help support the battalion families.
Tuesday, Oct. 20:
The Church cattle were sent off to the north with a group of herdsmen. A general hunt was conducted for lost cattle and many were found. The prairie to the south of Winter Quarters caught on fire, burning several tons of hay and a large amount of feed. Men were quickly raised to fight the fire. They successfully put it out in the afternoon.
The Mormon Battalion marched on for 11 miles. In the evening, Col. Cooke issued a long order of regulations. He cut the rations to three quarters. The men were prohibited from having the public wagons carry their muskets or knapsacks. No one could stray from their company over a quarter of a mile without permission. At reveille, all would assemble for roll call, carrying their arms."
Wednesday, Oct. 21:
Brigham Young gave Dr. Samuel Sprague money to buy medicine on a trip to St. Louis, Mo. A package of letters was prepared to send east with William Pickett who was returning to Nauvoo. Willard Richards wrote a letter to Joseph Young and the Nauvoo Trustees asking them to send on the Seventies' Quorum library.
In the evening, Joseph Fielding, his sister, Mary Fielding Smith (widow of Hyrum Smith) and their families, arrived at Winter Quarters after a quick two-week journey across Iowa. Joseph Fielding wrote about their approach to the city. "The lights of the camp of the Saints as we saw the lights at a distance were interesting. It reminded us of Israel of old in the wilderness . . . there were few houses; nearly all were in their tents upon about a square half mile."
Thursday, Oct. 22:
In the afternoon, several of the brethren helped load some logs for Elder Willard Richards' unusual eight-sided house, under construction in Winter Quarters. The house served as a Church office and a private residence.
Friday, Oct. 23:
A general meeting was held at the Winter Quarters' stand. Brigham Young gave directions regarding the cattle drive. About 100 brethren volunteered to conduct another hunt for cattle, and were immediately sent out. President Young also helped with the search which successfully found many more cattle.
Saturday, Oct. 24:
Brigham Young and other members of the Twelve met with the Omaha chief, Big Elk, and his delegation of braves. Big Elk said he understood that there were bad feelings between the Omahas and the Saints. President Young explained that about 50 oxen and many sheep had been killed. Big Elk admitted that there were some young men among the Omahas whom he could not restrain. He advised Brigham Young that the cattle and city should be fenced in to deter the stealing.
In the evening, a council meeting was held with the bishops of Winter Quarters. They reported on their stewardships to help the poor and sick. Several had been supporting families out of their own pockets.
Sources: MHBY, pp. 414-26; Diary of Hosea Stout, pp. 205-06; Mormons at the Missouri, pp. 77, 96; Exodus to Greatness, pp. 258-59; Mary Fielding Smith, Daughter of Britain, p. 202; Luman Shurtliff Autobiography, Typescript, p. 67; A Ram in the Thicket: The Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, pp. 207-18; Journal of Philip St. George in Exploring Southwestern Trails 1846-1854, pp. 67-76; A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion, 175-77.