Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-10-29
March OfMOrmOnB Battalion
Sixty-four Years Ago Today.

ID
The following weeks march is taken
from the journals of First Sergeant
William Coray and Second Sergeant
William Hyde, both of company B.
From the Journal of these men the
reader begins to trace the suffering en-
dured by the battalion which does not
improve or cease until the end of the
march. It will be left with the reader
to determine whether their condition
could have been improved or whether
ambition of the commanding ofhcers
had anything to do with their sur1er-
ings for want of food:
Thursday, Oct 29-Marched 10 miles
and cncamped in Il beautiful cotton
wood grove. Since leaving Santa fe
wood has been very scarce until to-
night. but pasturage for teams Is good.
Friday, Oct 3l-We marched 10 miles
on very bad roads: were under the
necessity of leaving the river ana
climbing the bluffs and of returning
again to the bottoms. where we en-
cnmped. We can SEQ plenty or snow
on the tops of the mountains. AZ this
F, place there is Il grist mill built on
such a small scale 1t is hardly worthy
the name
Saturday, Oct. 3l--We left the small
settlement and also the road and fol-
lowed Gen. Kearney's trail. We
marched Is miles and camped.
Sunday, Nov. I've were called out
on parade Heard an order read ac-
cepting the resignation of Adjt Dykes
and the appointment of p. G. Merrill.
third lieutenant company b, in his
place cs adjutant, the object Of Dykes
resigning was no doubt to supplant
Capt Higgins and take the command
of company D, he surprising Capt. Htg-
gins would be court-martialed for not
coming back before his furlough ran
out. In this, however he was disap-
pointed, as In many other Of his chlcu-
iations. We marched 10 miles ana
camped near timber.
Monday, Nov. 2-Today and night
was sergeant of the guard. In the after,
noon the auartermastcr bought so head
OF sheep. The herd we bought them
from numbered 5000. The Spanlards
through this part keep n great NUMBER
of sheep. They are but little expense
as there is plenty of food both sum
mer'and winter. We marched 10 miles.
Tuesday. Nov. 3-We narchea 10
miles following Kearncy's trail. Today
James Hampton of Company A, died.
His sickness was short and unexpected
and caused much solemnity of feelins.
Today our rations were reduced from
II TO ounces of flour per day ana the
reason assigned was this, IRON the
report OF our principal guide we are
vet 90 days from settlement, with less
thnn 20 DAYS rations and less than ono
quarter the number OF mules neccs-
sury TO such a trip. ! consider this an
abuse We were only three days from
n settlement where there were plenty
OF mules and provisions for sale why
did he not question the guide beioIe
ictn
disencunbcr himself of Il baggage train
and make California as soon rs possible
In order to raise his name in the army
Lv performing u march with less means
land less humanity than any other
man. 1t was well he had Mormons to
deal with; nobody else would nave
horne what fwo did. At this time the
coi,panics were divided and detailed
to push wagons all day through sand
IN hill and down. The wheels would
cut In from 3 to IL inches. 1t was me
.andiest country l ,evor. saw. Sncn
were the hardshlps of the men that
they became dissatisfied with their
command.
"Wednesday. Nov. I've Travelled Is
miles. The road was unbroken and IN
many places almost impnssnble. After
We encamped Bro. Thomas Woolsey
came up with us, He was one that was
detailed at the Arkansas river to go
wthiCapt Higgins and the compan!
that went to Pueblo to winter. They
came rs far as Santa Fe. The privl-
lego was granted them and they con-
cluded to return to Pueblo. Many
thought It strange that Capt. Hisgins
did not follow his company, us his place
was not well supplied, Today ny oroer
OF Commander Dykes. through MS men
for n slight misdemeanor--fo;'. NOT go-
ing through With the usual ctfeh,oillcS
Of respect while performing grnnn
rountls--sonc men were tiea VIII
hands crossed behind an OK wagon anu
compelled to walk, there the entire DAY
This was rather cutting to those VINO
saw them In that condition. The COM
pany felt Indignant and could not thlnk
a pleasant thought or speak p,ehs-