Sunday, Sept. 27, 1846:

The first Sabbath meeting was held at Winter Quarters on a rise of land on the west side of Main Street. Daniel H. Wells and William Cutler, recently arrived from Nauvoo, spoke about the sad events surrounding the battle and surrender of Nauvoo. They described scenes of persecution that melted many hearts.Brigham Young arose and expressed his joy that these two brethren had arrived safely. He referred to the tragic suffering of the Saints both at Nauvoo and in the Camp of Israel. President Young testified that "the Lord God who has fed us all the day long, has his care still over us and when the Saints are chastened enough it will cease." He promised the Saints that the Lord would not permit any mob to destroy the people.

In the evening, the council wrote a letter to the brethren across the river at Council Bluffs. They explained the destitute condition of the Saints who had recently been driven from Nauvoo. "The poor brethren and sisters, widows and orphans, sick and destitute, are now lying on the west bank of the Mississippi, waiting for teams and wagons, and means to remove them, which Brothers Cutler and Wells have come to raise. Now is the time for labor. Let the fire of the covenant which you made in the House of the Lord burn in your hearts like fire unquenchable." They called for men to be raised to bring the poor from Nauvoo. "Let those who go be as fathers to the poor, whom they shall take up, and not leave until they are comfortably situated."

Monday, Sept. 28:

The ferry across the Missouri River was in operation at the new location near Winter Quarters. Wilford Woodruff crossed over the river and spent the day digging out a canoe.

Tuesday, Sept. 29:

Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards chose a site to build a bridge across Turkey Creek at the head of Main Street in Winter Quarters. In the afternoon they accepted contracts for the mill that would be constructed.

The Mormon Battalion crossed into today's New Mexico and passed by two peaks which they called the Rabbit Ears. A number of men wandered to these mountains to hunt antelope. While there, they discovered a ring of stones about 50 feet across with a pile of rocks shaped like a wing in the center. Levi Hancock felt that it was constructed by the ancient inhabitants of America spoken of in the Book of Mormon.

Wednesday, Sept. 30:

Brigham Young started to dig a well and worked with others to continue surveying Winter Quarters. Wilford Woodruff helped cut more than 100 logs for houses. The lowland was full of men and teams cutting trees and hauling logs.

Thursday, Oct. 1:

Mary Richards described Winter Quarters in a letter to her missionary husband, Samuel W. Richards, "the place where we have settled for winter quarters is one of the most beautyfull flatts I ever see. it is about one mile square. the East side borders on the Mo River and most of the North & South. the West side is bounded with a ridge or bluff, from the top of which it decends graduley to the River. . . . the scene is quite Romantic."

Friday, Oct. 2:

John Pack arrived from Savannah, Mo., with a carding machine (used to process wool) and two newspapers. The brethren read an article written by Peter G. Camden of St. Louis, Mo., who published a sympathetic appeal to the citizens of the city for the poor who had been driven from Nauvoo. The newspapers announced that food, clothing, and other articles were being collected for the sufferers. Several stores in St. Louis were accepting contributions for the Saints.

In the evening, a council meeting was held at which Elders Amasa Lyman, Orson Pratt and Wilford Woodruff were appointed as a committee to divide Winter Quarters into wards. Bishops would be appointed over each ward.

Across the river at Council Bluffs, the high council met and discussed Brigham Young's request that more men and teams be sent back to help gather the poor from the banks of the Mississippi River. Even though the brethren in Council Bluffs were already carrying a heavy load in providing for the Mormon Battalion families, they responded favorably to this request for additional service. James Murdock and Allen Taylor with about 25 teams would lead this rescue effort. These teams would be in addition to those led by Orville M. Allen, who had left about two weeks earlier. Brother Allen's rescue teams would arrive in the poor camp within a few days.

Saturday, Oct. 3:

Hosea Stout traveled six miles up the river where the camp's huge herd was kept. On Saturdays the men would gather the entire herd scattered over several miles. This made it much easier for the owners to find their cattle. Otherwise, it might have taken days to search for specific cattle.

After the Mormon Battalion traveled about six miles, Lt. A.J. Smith called for a temporary halt and invited all the battalion officers to his tent. He emphasized the importance of arriving to Santa Fe within a week. It was proposed that 50 strong men from each company make a quick, forced march to Santa Fe. The sick, lame, women and children would travel slower under the command of Lt. George Oman. Most of the officers agreed to this proposal. Many of the enlisted men had difficulties accepting the decision.

Sources: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, pp. 396-403, 597; Wilford Woodruff's Journal 3:87-90; Exodus to Greatness, pp. 243-46; Journal of Henry Standage in The March of the Mormon Battalion, pp. 168-69; A Ram in the Thicket: The Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War, pp. 158-61; The Diary of Hosea Stout 1844-1861, p. 203; William Hyde Journal; A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion, pp. 162-163; The Personal Writings of Eliza R. Snow, pp. 23-24; Life Writings of Mary Haskin Parker Richards, p. 92; Mormons at the Missouri, 1846-1852, pp. 82-84.