| 1075 of the morning trumpet every man was again on his knees before the Lord, imploring his blessing for the days.
After completing the organization of the companies on the 8th, we recommenced our march towards Zion, and pitched our tents in a beautiful grove, at Chippeway, twelve miles from New Portage, for the night. On the 9th we proceeded onward, and on Saturday the 10th passing through Mansfield, encamped for Sabbath in Richfield.
Sunday 11, Elder Sylvester Smith preached, and the company received the sacrament of bread and wine.
Monday the 12th, we left Richfield, for the Miami River, where we arrived, after daily marches, on the 16th.
During this march the brethren in Missouri wrote Col. Lucus [Lucas]s follows:
"Liberty, Clay county, May 15th 1834
Col. S. D. Lucus [Lucas];
Sir: We have this day received a communication from the Governor of this State, covering the order herewith, and we hasten to forward the said order to you, by the bearer, Mr. Richardson, who is instrueted [instructed] to receive your reply. We would further remark, that under existing circumstances, we hope to receive our arms on this side the river, and we would name a place near one of the ferries for your convenience; as the arms are few in number, we request that they may be delivered with as little delay as possible.
Respectfully, yours,
(Signed) A. S. GILBERT.
JOHN CORRILL,
W. W. PHELPS,
EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
JOHN WHITMER.
P. S. We will thank you for a written communication, in answer to this letter, and the accompanying order."
We forded the Miami river with our baggage wagons, and the men waded through the waters. On the 17th of May we crossed the State line of Ohio, and encamped for the Sabbath just within the limits of Indiana, having travelled [traveled] forty miles that day. Our feet were very sore and blistered, our stockings wet with blood, the weather being very warm. This night one of our enemies' spies attempted to get into our camp, but was prevented by our guards. We had our sentinels every night on account of spies, who were continually striving to harass us.
About this time the saints in Clay county, Missouri, established an armory, where they commenced manufacturing swords, dirks, pistols, stocking rifles, and repairing arms in general for their own defence [defense] against mob violence; many arms were purchased, for the leading men in Clay county rendered every facility in their power, in order, as they said "to help the Mormons settle their own difficulties, and pay the Jackson mob in their own way."
Sunday 18th, we had preaching as usual, and the administration of the sacrament.-Monday 19th, although threatened by our enemies that we should not, we passed through Vandalia quietly, and unmolested; all the inhabitants were silent and appeared as though possessed with fear. At night we encamped on an eminence, were we lost one horse.
Wednesday 21st, we forded While river.-Sunday 25th, arrived at the State line of Illinois. We had no meeting but attended to washing, baking and prepairing [preparing] to resume our journey, which we did on Monday the 26th and at night were aroused by the continual threats of our enemies. Notwithstanding our enemies were continually breathing threats of violence, we did not fear, neither did we hesitate to prosecute our journey, for God was with us and his angels went before us, and the faith of our little band was unwavering. We know that angels were our companions, for we saw them.
On Tuesday the 27th we arrived at the deep river Kaskaskia, where we found two skiffs, which we lashed together, and on which we ferried our baggage across the stream. We then swam our horses and wagons, and when they arrived at the opposite shore, the brethren attached ropes to them and helped them out of the water and up the steep bank. Some of brethren fell trees across the river, on which they passed over. Thus we all safely passed the river, and the day following arrived at Decater [Decatur], where another horse died.
Saturday evening, May 31st, we encamped one mile from Jacksonville, and made preparations for the Sabbath.
Two days previous the brethren in Clay county wrote the following letter to his Excellency Daniel Dunklin.
"Liberty, Missouri, May 29th 1834.
Sir: Your communication to us of May 2nd containing or enclosing an order on Col. S. D. Lucus [Lucas] for the arms which were forcibly taken from us last November, was received the 15th inst., and the order forwarded to Col. Lucus [Lucas], at Independence, on the 17th, giving him the privilege of returning our arms at either of the several ferries in this county. His reply to the order was, that he would write what he would do the next mail (May 22nd). But as
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