[Hosea Stout Diary] Sunday March 4th 1849. This morning we had in addition to our usual amount of bedclothes a blanket of snow some two inches deep;But the morning was pleasant[.] All seemed refreshed except my-self being afflicted with a severe attact of the sick head ache & scarcely able to set up[.] It was in great pain & distress that I could traval.
We had an earley start and traveled South to the Provo, a fine large stream & well timbered on the valley. This is a beautiful farming country.
Here we found the Utahs, who were friendly who had been notified of our reproach by D. B. Huntington & B. Ward, who had been sent on earley this morning for that purpose. They recieved us friendly but were much excited being evidently afraid of us.
After spending an hour or so with them & learning what we could respecting those we were in pursuit of & also explaining the object of our visit we traveled on Little Chief accompanied us about three miles up the Provo where we encamped for the night[.] The Little Chief then returned home promising to send his sons this evening to pilot us to the camp of those we were in the pursuit of who came accordingly about one hour after dark. They were in favor of attacting them to night least some one might be friendly enough to give them word. They declared that if we did go to night that they would go themselves.
We all concluded to go forthwith according tot heir plan & so we was soon on the move again, travelling up the provo[.] The night was clear & a bright moon shone beautifully as we travelled along.
After following up the Provo to the foot of the mountains we ascended the high bench lands travelling North several miles when the Indians thought we had best leave our animals in a cedar grove on the mountain side and a detachment go on foot to make the attact. Accordingly the Col chose out ten men with one of the Indians and was soon on our march again leaving the animals &c here.
We travelled some six miles over the spurs of the mountains high above the bench land & found their fires in the first creek North of the Provo.
It was deemed best by the party now to fall back some distance and send for the rest of the company to join us.
Accordingly two men were sent back for them while we kindled small fires to keep from freezing. About two hours before day the rear came up.
Our Indian pilot, when he saw the fires of those we sought, his heart failed & he wished to go back saying he did not want to see them die but at the same time desired us to kill them. He was willing to stay when he learned that we would not require him to fight.
All things being ready now we only waited the dawn of day to attact them.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
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