Tuesday, April 17, 2007

THE H. O. R. N.

"At 5am the Horn should be blown and every man then arise and pray, attend to their cattle, and have everything done, in order that all may start by seven o'clock. That each extra man should travel on the off side [left] of his team, with his gun loaded over his Shoulder; that each driver shall have his gun so placed that he can lay his hand on it in a moments; that every gun shall have a piece of leather over the nipple, or in the pan of his gun, having their caps and Powder Flasks ready for a moment's warning. The brethren will halt for an hour to have dinner [midday meal] which must be ready cooked. When the Camp comes to halt for the night, the front of every Wagon shall be outward where the fires shall be built; the horses to be secured inside the circle.

At 1/2 past 8 the Horn will be blown when every man must retire to their wagons and pray, and be i n bed by 9'oclock, except the night guard; all fires to be put out at bed time. All the Camp to travel in close order."

More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170

Now these were the words from the journal of Thomas Bullock, a Mormon, who joined the chruch in 1841. These words are found in Bullock's journal, however, the above routine for travel was established by Bringham Young.

"Will Bagley, who edited Bullock's diary for publication, relates that the Mormons in the party started each day with coffee, and later, as some of the Mormons returned east, Young would distribute a canteen of spirits among the brethren. Neither is a modern LDS practice, but in the introduction to his book, "The Pioneer Camp of the Saints," Bagley wrote: "The 1833 revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89 called the Word of Wisdom, which proscribes hot drinks, tobacco, and alcohol, 'was given as counsel or advice rather than as a binding commandment' and until the early twentieth century observance of this scripture was 'sporadic' among Latter-day-Saints.

More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170

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