Early this morning of April 16th in 1847, the members of pioneer camp formed a circle around their leader and counted off: 143 men, 3 women, and 2 children. The vangard party of pioneers who would blaze the trail west.

Brigham Young gave instructions and organized them in military fashion, by hundreds, fifties and tens and designated fifty men to guard the camp by turns.

A bugle would awaken the camp each morning at five. Then they would pray, eat and prepare for a seven a.m. departure.

This day, though, they wouldn't leave until two in the afternoon and then they traveled only a few miles along the Platte before stopping for the night.