I,
ly before Brigham's departure, was left in charge of the first companies ordered westward. On the 4th of July, 1847, they set forth for the Rocky Mountains, numbering in all 1,553 persons.^^
A complete organization of the people was effected, according^ to a revelation of the Lord made throusfh Brigham on the 14th of January, 1847.^^ They were divided into companies, each with one hundred wagons, and these into companies of fifty wagons, and ten ^vagons, every company under a captain or commander. Two fifties travelled in double columns if practicable. When a halt was called the wagons were arranged as in the march of the pioneers, form- ing a temporary fort, with its back opening upon the corral formed by the two semicircles. The cattle were then driven into the corral under charge of the herdsmen. When ready to march, the captain of each ten attended to his company, under the super- vision of the captain of fifty. Advance parties each day selected the next camping-ground. In the ab- sence of wood, fires were made from buffalo chips and 'sage brush. The wagons had projections extending over the sides, making the interior six feet wide. Hen-coops were carried at the end of each wagon, and a few young pigs were brought for use in the valley. Great care was used to prevent a stampede of the animals, as they appeared to recognize the peculiarities and dangers of the new country and
very severe, the snow deep, and consequently horses and cattle had been lost. . . .My wagons were overhauled and put in order, tii'es reset, chains repaired, yokes and bows arranged in order, wagon bows made and mended.' Pratt's Autobioij., 397-S. 'The companies were organized by Elder P. P. Pratt and myself, as near as we could in accordance with instructions left by Pres. Young.' Tai/lor's Rem., MS., 7.
^^This company is distinguished as the first immigration. It was supplied with 580 wagons, 2,21.3 oxen, 124 horses, 887 cows, 358 sheep, 716 chickens, and 35 hogs. Utah Early Records, ISIS., 17. Smith says about 700 wagons. Rise, Progrenii, and Travels, 16. Kearny's and Fremont's parties met Pratt's com- panies at Loup River; and according to Marthi's Narr., '42 '" dd., MS., 122, John Young was appointed president and John Van Cott marshal.
2* This was called ' the word and will of the Lord concerning the camp of Israel.' Like all revelations, it was in scriptural phraseology, and very explicit in its directions. It was also read by Brigham to his people in Salt Lake City on the 1st of Aug
