Item Detail
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16167
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12
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0
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English
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Bigler's Chronicle of the West
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Berkeley, Calif.
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University of California Press
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August 4, 1846 to September 28, 1848. Bigler enlists in the Mormon Battalion. He describes outfitting and accidents that befall the group early on. The commander, James Allen, dies and Andrew Smith replaces him. Bigler notes the distance traveled, landmarks passed, and supplies. The Battalion splits into two companies, and Phillip Cooke takes command. He comments on the group's medic, Dr. Sanderson, who is considered a poor doctor and an anti-Mormon. The group wastes time looking for a pass to the Gila River. Convinced they will die if this continues, the Battalion prays that Cooke's heart will be changed and he will return to established trails. He does change course, which Bigler considers a miracle. The men suffer from thirst and hunger, and Bigler complains about Cooke's disregard for the men. He notices the privileged status of the commander's mule and saves a mule from his wrath by deliberately misloading his pistol. The men are forbidden to water their animals, except at set times, and many animals die. Bigler accuses Cooke of mismanaging the Battalion, causing unnecessary suffering and death. The company crosses the Colorado River and proceeds to the San Diego Mission, during which time the men are plagued by a lack of provisions, cold, and the loss of many animals. Gen. Kearney re-supplies the Battalion, and they move to San Luis Rey, then to Ft. San Diego. Bigler does odd jobs before being discharged and traveling to San Francisco, California. The men receive a letter from the First Presidency advising those ill-prepared for the return journey to work the winter. Its messengers describe the Donner party remains, which they recently passed, and Bigler himself views one of their camps. He spends the winter working at Sutter's Mill. He is present when gold is discovered and stakes a claim for land and another for gold. He records a sudden rush to Sutter's Mill, and complains that there's no respect for claims. Bigler and the other Mormons decide to leave and move to the Salt Lake Valley.
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