Fort Laramie, August 7,1853.
President Brigham Young:
Dear Brother: I now have the pleasure of forwarding you herein e enclosed a statement of the persons and teams composing the St. Louis Company, over which I was appointed Captain at Keokuk, by Brother Eldridge and Brother Haight. The company Left Keokuk for Kanesville in small companies, as they got ready and I started in company with 20 wagons on the 16th of May, and arrived at Kanesville on the 11th of June.
Notwithstanding that nearly all the teamsters were quite ignorant in the m anagement of cattle, had roads and a runaway of 6 teams and wagons, in which many persons escaped with their lives miraculously, we got to Kanesville without accident, the cattle in first rate traveling order and the company enjoying the best of health.
In consequence of the high state of the Missouri River flooding the county around, we did not get across the river before the afternoon of the 29th June, and after organizing, started the following morning on our journey.
On the 30th of July, 20 teams and wagons, and on the 3rd of August, 17 teams and wagons ran off at a furious rate, many of the company escaping with their lives most miraculously, and to the utmost astonishment of all the company. Although a number of oxen were run over, they escaped with but a few scratches, and only 7 wagons were injured, which were immediately repaired and the company permitted to go ahead with little loss of time.
The health of the company has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. At ""Loup Ford"" the destroyer made an attack upon the company but was repelled with the loss two children by the scarlet fever. There was no sickness in camp before nor since.
The condition of the cattle is better than I could have expected all things considered. As for the spirit of the company, I suppose that it is near a fair average of what may be expected on the plains in a company composed of persons from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, St. Louis, and other parts of Missouri.
On the 22nd of July we camped with Captain Merrill's Company, enroute to Europe, 306 ¼ miles from Winter Quarters. They were all well and in good spirits. We held two meetings at which they were present and addressed the company. The remarks they made cheered, refreshed and encouraged our company very much.
Our company have held together with the exception of three teams who joined a company of six wagons who came up to us yesterday and have camped on the north side of the river. We have heard of the companies behind us, and last accounts there was considerable sickness in Spencer's company.
As we have had no blacksmithing done since we left Kanesville and as we have a number of chains, etc. to repair, we intend remaining here for two days and make all things right for another start. We arrived here today. Company all well, and teams in good condition.
I expect that if all things go as well with us as they have done, we shall arrive at Great Salt Lake in about 6 weeks.
We thank the Lord always for the blessings He has so abundantly bestowed upon us during our journey thus far.
I am, Dear Brother, Yours in the covenant,
Moses Clawson, for
David O. Calder, Clerk.
Journal History, August 7, 1853 pp. 4-5.
Letter to Brigham Young from Moses Clawson. Written from Fort Laramie on August 7, 1853.
Microfiche #1259740"
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