Levi Savage Journal from August 27, 1856 - October 25, 1856

One of the sources I am using for the story of Sophie Petersen is the diary that Levi Savage kept while he was a part of the Willie Handcart Company. I am sharing it here to give you a better picture of the life Sophie and her children experienced on the handcart journey.

August 1856

Wednesday, 27th August 1856 This morning we left the Loup Fork. At 12 o'clock we came to some wells, and from there traveled over sandy roads to a pond of poor water, having traveled about 15 miles. We encamped. Captain Bunker's Company passed on the 10th instant.

Thursday, 28th August 1856 (Wood River) Today we crossed Prairie Creek about 12 o'clock. From this point, Brother Siler and I went in search of buffalo. We saw four and shot at them, but got none. The handcarts and teams moved on to Wood River, some 8 or 10 miles. Brother Siler and I found the carts about 2 miles from the river. The teams did not get to camp until after dark; they left old Brother Haley behind, a mile and a half or two miles distant. They sought for him but in vain. He lay out all night and encountered a heavy rainstorm.

Friday, 29th August 1856 (Wood River) This morning, all healthy men in camp were requested by Brother Willie to go in search of Brother Haley. They found him about a mile and a half from camp, wet and cold but in good spirits. We started at 12 o'clock p.m. We traveled 5 or 6 miles and came to a camp of 800 Pawnee Indians. They are hunting buffalo, and yesterday killed 90. We bought some meat of them. They informed me of A. Babbitt's teamster being killed by the Cheyennes; a woman that was with them was carried captive, and her child, 10 months old, was killed. The U.S. Troops followed and killed some of them.

Saturday, 30th August 1856 (Wood River) This morning the Indians came to the camp early to trade more. At 7 o'clock a.m. we were under way. At 12 p.m. we stopped to dine. Here we saw two oxen in the yoke at a distance. Brother J. Elder and myself went on horseback and got them. They were very wild. We had a hard run for them. From this, we traveled until near 6 p.m. and encamped, having traveled about 15 miles. A. Babbitt, whose teamsters were killed and who stopped back on business, has just overtaken us. I have not spoken to him yet.

Sunday, 31st August 1856 (Deer Creek & Platte River) This morning Mr. A. Babbitt left us and went to Fort Kearny. He brought an elderly sister from Florence, intending to take her to the valley, but due to the robbery committed upon him by the Indians, he is unable to do so. He hired Brother Siler to take her. We traveled 18 miles. Had a good camping ground.

September 1856

Monday, 1st September 1856 (Buffalo Creek) Today we traveled about 18 miles. This evening we killed a buffalo and a cow for beef; the cow was shot 11 times before she fell. I never saw a beast so murdered before. Brother Willie had some disagreeable words concerning Brother Siler driving his teams between the handcarts and in front of the handcart teams. I objected to his driving there, it being to us a traveling camp with our sick. Brother Willie says he shall drive there, as he has driven there from Florence except for two days.

Tuesday, 2nd September 1856 (Buffalo Creek) Today we traveled 13 miles and encamped at 4 o'clock. Plenty of buffalo in sight. Some of the brethren shot at them but got none.

Wednesday, 3rd September 1856 (Near Chugwater Lake) This morning, just after daylight, Sister Ingra, aged 75 years—who had been sick and deranged since leaving England and had been drawn in a handcart from Iowa City—died. She suffered much. The camp moved on while Elder Willie and others remained on the ground and buried her. At 12 o'clock, the brethren killed two buffalo near the road. We took the meat on the handcarts, traveled 16 miles, and encamped without wood. We cooked our food with buffalo chips (dry dung). Brother J. Elder and I went on horseback and endeavored to get a buffalo calf or cow. The old bulls would not let us have any. They formed themselves in battle array, ready to receive their enemy. Their large heads were to be seen in all directions. We did not get to camp until after dark.

Thursday, 4th September 1856 (Near Chugwater Lake) Some time last night, 30 of our best working cattle left us. We had a guard around them, but no one knows when or where they went. I and a number of the brethren spent the day unsuccessfully hunting them. As I passed down the river, I saw Brother Smoot's train on the opposite side, south. We had an awful storm last night.

Friday, 5th September 1856 (Near Chugwater Lake) Today we also searched for the cattle without success. Brothers Atwood, Siler, and Jolley visited Brother Smoot's company across the Platte. I came to camp at dark and found Brothers Smoot and Rockwell, who had accompanied Brother Atwood's company to camp. I was glad to see them. They stopped with us all night.

Saturday, 6th September 1856 (Near Chugwater Lake) This morning, Brothers Elder and Smith started back toward Florence after our stray oxen. The remainder of us moved the camp, half at a time, about 3 miles. About 3 o'clock p.m., Brother Smoot and Rockwell left us to overtake their train, which is supposed to be moving 15 miles ahead.

Sunday, 7th September 1856 (Near Chugwater Lake) This morning, four men from California were seen encamped near us. Brother Willie, myself, and others visited them. The names of three of them are as follows: James H. Hurn (he said they had left a horse about 18 miles back, and if I could find him I might have him), Franklin Hawkins, and John Hawkins. They were short of provisions. They intended to go to Kearny, then to Missouri. We spent a part of the day in a meeting preaching to the people, and the remainder in repairing our handcarts and yoking unbroken cows.

Monday, 8th September 1856 (Platte River) This morning, a discharged soldier from Laramie came into camp and reported two families from Salt Lake were killed by the Indians. One of their names was Thomas Margetts. They were all well known by many of the Saints in this camp. We transferred from our wagons onto our handcarts about 4,000 pounds of flour, hitched up our teams, and got under way about 11 o'clock. We went 10 miles and camped by the Platte just at dark. Numbers of the sick did not get in until some time after. Our wild cows worked extraordinarily well; surely the hand of the Lord is with us yet.

Tuesday, 9th September 1856 (Platte River) This morning we started rather late and had heavy, sandy roads. We traveled about 12 miles and encamped at 4 o'clock p.m. on Skunk Creek. Our teams, as well as the Saints, were very tired.

Wednesday, 10th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we had sandy roads, traveled 14 miles, and encamped at the Cold Springs.

Thursday, 11th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we have had good roads and crossed several creeks, over which most of the women and children were carried by Brothers Willie, Atwood, and others. All are in good spirits and but few are sick. The flour on some of the carts draws very hard.

Friday, 12th September 1856 (North Bluff Fork) This morning we started at half-past eight and traveled eleven miles, crossing this creek about four o'clock p.m. Soon after this, Brothers F. D. Richards, D. Spencer, C. H. Wheelock, William Kimball, and others came up with us, as well as Brothers Elder and Smith, who went in search of our cattle. It was a joyful meeting. No one has heard of or seen our cattle, to our knowledge. This evening, by moonlight, we held a meeting. President Richards and others spoke, congratulating the Saints on their arduous journey and the blessings they should hereafter receive. We had a good time.

Saturday, 13th September 1856 (South Bank of the Platte) This morning, agreeable to Brother Richards' request and Brother Willie's orders, we arose at 4 o'clock, got breakfast, and made ready for starting at 7 o'clock a.m. At this time, our teams being hitched to our wagons and our handcarts packed ready for starting, very unexpectedly to me, I perceived a meeting of the Saints was called—not on the camp ground as usual, but a short distance to one side. I supposed it was for prayers.After singing and prayers, Brother Richards commenced to speak, and I soon perceived that the meeting was called in consequence of the wrong impression made by my expressing myself so freely at Florence concerning our crossing the plains so late in the season. The impression left was that I condemned the handcart scheme, which is radically wrong. I never conveyed such an idea nor felt to do so; quite to the contrary, I am in favor of it.The meeting was also called more particularly because someone, unknown to me, informed Brother Richards of the disagreeable words that took place between Brother Willie and myself concerning Brother Siler's teams traveling between the handcarts and front wagons, which I supposed was settled when I asked Brother Willie's and the Saints' forgiveness for all that I had said and done wrong. Brother Richards reprimanded me sharply. Brother Willie said that was the spirit I had manifested since Iowa City. This is something unknown to me and something he never before expressed. I had always held the best of feelings toward him and supposed he had toward me until now, except in the case of Brother Siler mentioned above.After the meeting, President Richards and company left us, intending to arrive in Salt Lake City in time for the October conference. Agreeable to his counsel, we crossed the river onto the south side and encamped. The water was shallow, but it required a strong team to draw our wagons through the sandy bed of the river, a mile distant.

Sunday, 14th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled up the Platte bottom 12 miles and camped by the river again.

Monday, 15th September 1856 (Platte Hills) This forenoon we traveled up the bottom on good roads. In the afternoon, we commenced to ascend the bluffs. The ascent was sand, which caused very hard pulling. As we reached the summit, three Indians came to us. They appeared friendly and said that the Cheyennes and Sioux would kill us all, and that they had, some five days ago, fallen upon a large train. What damage was done we did not ascertain, and we only have the Indians' word to confirm it at best.At sundown, we camped around a small buffalo wallow which had been recently filled by the recent rains. We were all much fatigued with our day's journey. We chained our oxen to the wagons, for there was neither feed nor water, and we had some fears of the Indians. We set a strong guard. About 2 o'clock a.m., an alarm was made. I immediately got out of bed but saw nor heard nothing of Indians. Some said they saw one and heard the voices of others.

Tuesday, 16th September 1856 (Platte Bluffs) This morning, the camp was called by the sound of the bugle at 3 o'clock and moved before daylight. We traveled some 10 miles, during which distance we descended through a rough canyon to the Platte, where we took breakfast at 10 o'clock a.m. Here we remained until 2 p.m., when we moved up the river three or four miles and encamped for the night. Both people and teams are much fatigued by the heavy, sandy roads.

Wednesday, 17th September 1856 (Platte River) This morning, just before the camp got under way, a cold and strong wind arose from the northwest. This, together with the heavy sand, made our progress very slow and extremely laborious. Several were obliged to leave their carts, and they, with the infirm, could scarcely get into camp. Our teams also, at times, could scarcely move. We traveled about 10 miles.

Thursday, 18th September 1856 (Ash Hollow) This morning we got under way as usual and traveled 4 or 5 miles to where the road ascended the bluffs. Here we dined, then doubled our teams and ascended the long, steep hill. Immediately upon reaching the summit, we commenced descending into Ash Hollow and encamped at its mouth by the Platte. At dinner, Sister Reed, whom Brother Babbitt left with us, was missing. It was ascertained that she was ahead, but she is not in camp, and no one knows where she is. She is bound to stay out one night.

Friday, 19th September 1856 (Mouth of Ash Hollow) Today we remained in camp to repair our carts. Some are broken, and on others, the axles are badly worn. Brother Chislett, with a company of brethren, went in search of Sister Reed. About 11 o'clock a.m., they returned and reported they had followed her footsteps 7 or 8 miles, mingled with Indian footsteps, and supposed that the Indians had got her.President Willie was not fully satisfied and determined to go himself; he chose me and ten others. We found her steps as reported, but I was satisfied that she had not been disturbed by Indians. She had taken the road up Ash Hollow, going back to the South Fork of the Platte. About 5 miles out, we found her steps coming back, but they soon left the road. Dark came, and we returned to camp, where we found she had just been brought in by some of the brethren who had gone to the canyon for timber. She was nearly exhausted, having been 36 hours without food and water. The weather is extremely warm.

Saturday, 20th September 1856 (Platte River) At 2 o'clock p.m., having repaired our carts, we started and traveled 6 or 8 miles. The weather is cold, and this evening a mist of rain commenced to fall. No wood.

Sunday, 21st September 1856 (Platte River) Last night was very rainy and disagreeable; it is also wet and cold today. Many are sick and stopping back to get into the wagons. The roads are very sandy. We could scarcely move. Sister Leafson's little boy, 2 years old, died at 11 o'clock last night. The weather is still cold and damp. Traveled 12 miles.

Monday, 22nd September 1856 (Platte River) This forenoon a mist of rain was still falling. In the afternoon, the clouds broke a little, the rain stopped, and it became a little warmer. We have traveled about 12 miles today. Brother Empey departed this life at half-past one p.m. One of his hands and arms was nearly covered with putrefied sores, which I should suppose were hereditary. He had been having the ague for some time past, but no one thought him dangerous.

Tuesday, 23rd September 1856 (Platte River) This morning was cold and foggy. The Saints were dilatory in rising and getting breakfast early, notwithstanding Brother Willie's repeated orders to arise at the sound of the horn (daylight)—apparently not realizing the necessity of our making as much distance as possible in order to reach the valley before too severe cold weather sets in. Some complain of hard treatment because we urge them along. Many hang on to the wagons. This afternoon, we came in sight of Chimney Rock and camped within 10 miles of it. Have traveled 16 miles.

Wednesday, 24th September 1856 (Platte River, near Chimney Rock) Today we traveled 16 miles. Camped near Chimney Rock. I thought we were nearer to it last night than we actually were. We have fine weather.

Thursday, 25th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled about 16 miles, and at five o'clock encamped a short distance above Robidoux's late trading post. Just before we arrived at the post, we caught a large bay horse. He is very thin in flesh and has been left, no doubt, by some company passing to or from Great Salt Lake or California.

Friday, 26th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled 14 miles without water. Some of our oxen nearly gave out. We camped at Robidoux's old trading post. When we stopped at 12 o'clock p.m., Sister Ann Bryant—who had been ill some time but was not thought to be in danger—was found dead in the wagon in a sitting posture, apparently asleep. Her age would have been 70 years next month.

Saturday, 27th September 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled about 12 miles. The old appear to be failing considerably.

Sunday, 28th September 1856 (Platte River, 20 miles from Laramie) Today we traveled 16 miles. At 12 o'clock, we met a company from Salt Lake going to the States, I think mostly apostates. Benjamin Brackenbury was with them. They said Babbitt was killed by the Indians. Just before camping, some soldiers who were camped near the road took the horse that we had caught, by force.

Monday, 29th September 1856 (5 miles below Fort Laramie) Today we traveled about 14 miles. Brothers Woodward and Elder went to the fort. Brother Richards has no cattle provided for us here, and no other provisions have been made.

Tuesday, 30th September 1856 (Fort Laramie) Today we moved on 6 miles and camped 2 miles from the fort.October 1856

Wednesday, 1st October 1856 (Platte River) This morning, Brother David Reeder was found dead in his bed. He had been ill some time with no particular disease but debility. He was a good man and a worthy member of the Church. Brother Siler and his company stopped here to recruit and strengthen his teams, and to join the first wagon company that arrives here bound for the valley. Our camp moved on, and Brothers Willie, Atwood, myself, and others went to the fort and purchased provisions. They are extremely costly. I stopped all night with Brother Siler and company.

Thursday, 2nd October 1856 Early this morning, I returned to the fort, sold my watch (which cost me 20 dollars) for eleven, and purchased a pair of $6.00 boots and other articles. Then I proceeded to overtake the camp. On my way, I met a company of elders from the valley bound for the different nations of the earth to preach the Gospel. I met Brother Parley P. Pratt in camp. He spoke cheeringly to the Saints. Today, Brother Read died of a disease of the heart. His age was 64.

Friday, 3rd October 1856 (Platte River) Today we left the river and crossed over the hills, said to be 22 miles to feed and water. We traveled until 8 o'clock p.m. and camped within half a mile of a spring, but there was no feed for our cattle. We were all fatigued. Brother Ingra, aged 68, died just after we camped.

Saturday, 4th October 1856 This morning at 10 o'clock we started and traveled about five miles to a small creek and encamped. We took an estimate of our provisions and reduced our rations to 12 ounces per day. Pacific Springs is the only place where we are sure of meeting supplies. Brother Benjamin Culley, aged 61 years, and David Yadd, aged 2 years, died. All three were buried, as well as a Dane who died last night. Some stealing is practiced by some; consequently, we put all the provisions into three wagons and placed a guard over them.

Sunday, 5th October 1856 At eight o'clock this morning we got under way. We have had good roads and traveled about 16 miles. Camped by the Platte. The weather is very fine.

Monday, 6th October 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled 16 miles. Our rations are now reduced to an average of 12 ounces of flour per head. We are not certain of supplies before arriving at Pacific Springs

.Tuesday, 7th October 1856 (Platte River) Today we traveled 14 miles. The weather is good.

Wednesday, 8th October 1856 (Deer Creek) When we arose this morning, we found the best ox in our train dead. In the weak state of our teams, the loss impaired us much. At 9 o'clock a.m. we moved and traveled 15 miles. Our old people are nearly all failing fast. A four-mule team express from Laramie is camped near us; they passed us this afternoon.

Thursday, 9th October 1856 (Platte River) Today we moved 16 miles.

Friday, 10th October 1856 (Last Crossing of the Platte) At about 12 o'clock, we passed the Platte Bridge. Here we got 31 buffalo robes which President Richards purchased for us. Moved on 5 miles, crossed the river, and encamped. Our teams are very weak.

Saturday, 11th October 1856 (Mineral Springs) Today we traveled 12 miles. Three of our working cows gave out and one died, and the remainder of our oxen were nearly overcome.

Sunday, 12th October 1856 (Small Creek) Today, we left out of the yoke some of our cows that were nearly exhausted. Last night our cattle had good feed, and they traveled much better today than yesterday. One of the cows that was overrun with work, though driven less, could not be got within a mile of camp. By Brother Willie's order, several of the brethren went back to kill her for the people to eat (if they wanted to). They struck her twice in the head with an ax; she got up and ran into camp, where she was shot, dressed, and issued out. The people have sharp appetites.

Monday, 13th October 1856 (Greenwood Creek) Today we have traveled 13 miles. The nights are cold; the days are warm and pleasant.

Tuesday, 14th October 1856 (Independence Rock) Today we traveled 12 miles, got some saleratus out of the Saleratus Lake, and crossed the Sweetwater River at the second bridge.

Wednesday, 15th October 1856 (Sweetwater) Today we traveled 15½ miles. Last night, Caroline Reeder, aged 17 years, died and was buried this morning. The people are getting weak and failing very fast; a great many are sick. Our teams are also failing fast, and it requires great exertion to make any progress. Our rations were reduced last night by one quarter, bringing the men's to 10½ ounces, the women's to 9 ounces, and the children's to 6 ounces and 3 ounces each.

Thursday, 16th October 1856 (Sweetwater) This morning we had three deaths and one birth. We have traveled 11 miles today. Our oxen are much worn down, and our loading increases daily by the weak and sick.

Friday, 17th October 1856 (Sweetwater) At 2 o'clock this morning, Brother William Philpot died and was buried before we started. At 10 o'clock the camp moved, traveled 10 miles, and encamped at sunset.

Saturday, 18th October 1856 (Fourth Crossing of the Sweetwater) Today we traveled eight miles, camped, killed a beef, and prepared for a 16-mile drive with water. The weather is cool but fair.

Sunday, 19th October 1856 (Fifth Crossing of the Sweetwater) At half-past 10 o'clock we started. In about one hour, we encountered a very severely cold and blustering snowstorm; for one hour, the poorly clad women and children suffered much. At 12 o'clock, we met Brother Wheelock and company, who have come to our relief. He reported 40 wagons loaded with flour just one day in advance of us. This was joyful news to us, for we had eaten the last pound of flour, having only 6 small beeves and 400 pounds of biscuit to provision over 400 people.After a short meeting, in which Brothers Wheelock and Joseph A. Young spoke cheeringly to the Saints, we moved on. The wind continued strong and cold. The children, aged, and infirm fell back to the wagons until they were so full that all in them were extremely uncomfortable. Brother Knowles, aged 66 years, died during the day in a handcart hitched behind one of the wagons. Sister Smith, aged, and Daniel Esplin, aged 8 years, died in the wagons. They had been ill some time. The carts arrived at the river at dark. The wagons, it being dark, took another road and did not get into camp until 11 o'clock p.m., nearly exhausted; so was myself and the teamsters.

Monday, 20th October 1856 (Sixth Crossing of the Sweetwater) This morning when we arose, we found several inches of snow on the ground, and it is still snowing. The cattle and people are so much reduced by short food and hard work that, unless we get assistance, we surely cannot move far in this snow. Brother Willie, the captain, and elders started on horseback about 10 o'clock to search for the wagons that Wheelock reported a short distance in advance of us. This morning we issued the last bread or breadstuffs in our possession. It continued snowing severely during the day. We expected Brother Willie would return this evening, but he has not come.

Tuesday, 21st October 1856 (Sixth Crossing of the Sweetwater) This morning about eleven o'clock, Brother Willie returned with Brother George D. Grant, bringing a good supply of teams, wagons, provisions, and some clothing—a desirable relief. Here, we buried several persons.

Wednesday, 22nd October 1856 We prepared for starting and commenced moving about 12 o'clock. Brother Grant took a good portion of the teams and continued his journey to meet Brother Martin's company, and Brother William H. Kimball took charge of our company. We traveled about 10 miles and camped at the foot of what is called the Rocky Ridge. I had charge of the teams, and because of their reduced strength and heavy loads—a large number of sick and children being in the wagons—I did not arrive in camp until late at night. The wind blew bleak and cold, and firewood was very scarce. The Saints were obliged to spread their light bedding on the snow, and in this cold state, endeavored to obtain a little rest. Sister Philpot died about 10 o'clock p.m., leaving two fatherless girls; several others also died during the night.

Thursday, 23rd October 1856 This morning we buried our dead, got up our teams, and about 9 o'clock a.m. commenced ascending the Rocky Ridge. This was a severe day. The wind blew awfully hard and cold. The ascent was some five miles long, and in some places steep and covered with deep snow. The people became weary, sat down to rest, and some became chilled and commenced to freeze.Brothers Atwood, Woodward, and myself remained with the teams, they being perfectly loaded down with the sick and children, so thickly stowed that I was fearful some would smother. About 10 or 11 o'clock in the night, we came to a creek that we did not like to attempt to cross without help, it being full of ice and freezing cold. Leaving Brothers Atwood and Woodward with the teams, I started to the camp for help. I met Brother Willie coming to look for us; he turned back for the camp, as he could do no good alone. I passed several on the road and arrived in camp after about four miles of travel.When I arrived in camp, but few tents were pitched, and men, women, and children sat shivering with cold around their small fires. Some time elapsed before two teams started to bring up the rear; just before daylight they returned, bringing everyone with them—some badly frozen, some dying, and some dead. It was certainly heartrending to hear children crying for mothers, and mothers crying for children. By the time I got them as comfortably situated as circumstances could admit (which was not very comfortable), day was dawning. I had not shut my eyes for sleep, nor lain down, and I was nearly exhausted with fatigue and want of rest.

Friday, 24th October 1856 This morning found us with thirteen corpses for burial. These were all put into one grave; some had actually frozen to death. We were obliged to remain in camp, moving the tents and people behind the willows to shelter them from the searing wind, which blew enough to pierce us through. Several of our cattle died here.

Saturday, 25th October 1856 We commenced our march again. From this time, I have not been able to keep a daily journal, but nothing of much note transpired except that the people died daily. Theophilus Cox died on the morning of the 7th of November on the Weber River, was carried to Cottonwood Grove, East Canyon Creek, and there buried. We overtook Brother Smoot's emigration company on the 9th, and that afternoon arrived in Great Salt Lake City, where we deposited the people among the Saints and they were made comfortable.