. . . I labored here [Glouchester District] till January 16th when I was called to go home in connection with all the Valley brethren in the mission. On account of the U. S. Army being sent to Utah. I arrived in Liverpool on the evening of the 16th and 22 of the Valley boys at Mrs. Geetting's, at Crosshall Street & great was our joy at meeting together again.
We found the brethren a few miles up the river from Burlington. We went to work fitting up & soon left for the Missouri River (passing for emigrants bound for California). Many were the inquiries made of us if we were not afraid of the Mormons capturing us, as the government was at war with them & had a large army near Salt Lake City. Our reply was that our numbers would considerably augmented when we got to the frontiers & being well armed, we thought it possible for us to get through all right. On arriving at Crescent City, I met my Father who had been sent to Canada [p. 25] on a mission the next spring after my leaving in the fall.
On arriving at Winter Quarters the rest of the brethren met us — they having come up the river from St. Louis. And being joined by the returning missionaries from the States under the command of David Brintin, and all things being in readiness, we rolled out of camp on the 34rd of May for Utah with John Berry as captain & B. Snow as sergeant of the guard. There being about 60 of us altogether & eight men to each wagon. . . . [p. 26]
. . . We arrived in Salt Lake City on the 21st of June, and found the city evacuated, a few only being left as a guard. We camped in the City overnight, and next day started south. And on the 23rd we arrived at Provo City where we met President Young. Our company was disorganized and everyone went on the hunt for his friends & family. . . . [p. 27]
BIB: Shumway, Andrew Purley, 1833-1909. Reminiscences, 1869. Ms 1677; pp. 24-27. Acc. #24305] (CHL)
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