| 435 Elder Pratt and family are in good health, all the Twelve are expected at Manchester this week. We have just received the 7th No. of the Times and Seasons, and three Nos. of the Gospel Reflecter, published at Philadelphia, and also a letter from Joseph Smith, with other papers from home. I feel very glad to get so good news from home. Br Joseph's letter is very interesting. Please remember me to all my friends, my aged parents in particular.
G. A. Smith
Burslem, 29th March, 1841.
Br. D. C. Smith-
The following is a brief sketch of my journey from London to this place, Elder Kimball left London on the 19 Feb., I left on the 26th, and arrived at Bristol on the same day, where I found Elder Kington, who was busily engaged in the work of the Lord in that city, and had established a small branch of 14 members, I tarried here a short time and preached three times in a theatre [theater], had full congregations, good attention, and baptized one, and there appears a good prospect of a work in that city. Population of Bristol 200,000. While there, I visited the suspension bridge now erecting across the river Avon, at St. Vincents Rocks, Clifton; which bridge is I00 [100] feet in height above the river, and 700 in length. I spent one evening in Monmouth, on the borders of Wales, preached to a full congregation, several offered for baptism after meeting. On the 8th March, I attended a conference in Garway, Elder Levi Richards was chosen President, James Morgan Clerk, heard four branches represented containing 134 members; three were ordained to the ministry. I also preached at Legwardine, Shucknall Hill. Leadbury, Dymock, and Turkey Hall, to full congregations, and find the work of the Lord still progressing throughout that region. The excitement upon the subject in the city of Hereford has been so great, that it has assembled together in the Market place 3000 persons at a time, to hear something upon the cause of Latter Day Saints. On the 15 March, I attended the Gadfield Elm Conference, which met at the Gadfield Elm Chapel. Elder W. Woodruff was chosen President, John Hill Clerk, and heard 18 branches represented, containing 408 members, 8 elders, 32 priests, 11 teachers, I [1] deacon; when such business was transacted, as was deemed necessary.
I also met large congregations at Keysen, Street, Coldville, Browcut, Dunclose, Frooms Hill, and Stanly Hill, and left many churches on the right and left, which time would not permit me to visit. I also met with the Frooms Hill Conference on the 22nd March, at Stanly Hill, Herefordshire, there being present 1 of the traveling high council, 2 high priests, 20 elders, 31 priests, 9 teachers, 2 deacons. Elder Levi Richards was chosen President and Elder Woodruff Clerk. On this occasion, I heard represented 30 branches, containing 997 members, 24 elders, 66 priests, 27 teachers, 7 deacons and 6 were ordained to the ministry. The sum total represented at these conferences is as follows: 1539 members, 36 eld. 103 priests, 41 t'h's. 7 deacons, all of which have embraced the work in that part of the vineyard, in the term of one year, besides many members and officers, who have emegregated [emigrated] to America: and I am happy to say that the saints and the officers, and members, have universally been ready to hearken to counsel, and give heed to our instructions, and it was with no ordinary feelings, that I took my farewell of those churches who have been so ready to receive and embrace the truth. I called upon the saints in Birmingham and Grits Green, but had not time to hold any meetings among them. I arrived in Hanly on the 25th where I had the privilege of again meeting with Elder Smith, and was rejoiced to find the churches universally prospering in Staffordshire. I spent one evening with the church at Longton, and baptized 7, and have had the privilege of sitting with Elder Smith in the Staffordshire Conference, the minutes of which he has already presented before you, we now feel that our labors are about closing in this land at present as the Manchester Conference will be the last we shall hold in England, during this mission, as we shall then immediately leave for home, and I truly feel thankful unto our Heavenly Father, for his mercies unto me and my brethren since we have been in this land, for great has been the mercy of God unto us, at the same time we also rejoice at the prosperity of the saints in Nauvoo, and the progress of the work throughout the United States: and my prayer is, that the Lord will bless us in returning to the bosom of our families, and the society of the saints.
W. Woodruff.
Nauvoo Legion
Nauvoo Headquarters. Nauvoo Legion.}
City of Nauvoo, Illinois,}
May 25th, A. D. 1841.}
General Orders
The 1st Company, (riflemen) 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Cohort, will be attached to the escort contemplated in the general orders of the 4th inst., for the 3rd of July next.
In forming the Legion, the Adjutant will observe the rank of companies as follows; to wit:
1st Cohort-the flying artillery first, the lancers next, and the riflemen next-visiting companies of dragoons next the lancers, an cavalry next the dragoons:
2nd Cohort-the artillery first, the lancers next, the riflemen next, the light-infantry next, and the infantry next-visiting companies in their appropriate places on the right of the troops of their own grade: the ranking company of the 2nd cohort will be formed on the left of said cohort,-the next on the left of the right, the next on the right of the left, and so on to the center. The escort will be formed on the right of the forces.
Joseph Smith,
Lieutenant General.
John C. Bennett,
Major General.
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