[William Clayton Journal] This morning about half past 3 an alarm was sounded. I immediately got out of the wagon and learned that three of the guard who were stationed to the North East of the Camp had discovered some Indians crawling up towards the wagons. They first received alarm from the motions of one of our horses, and noticing this they went towards the spot and listening heard something rustle in grass; they first suspected they were wolves and fired at them. Only one gun went off and six Indians sprung up and run from within a few rods of where they stood. Another gun was then fired at them and the Camp alarmed. A strong guard was placed all round, and a charge of cannister put in the Cannon. The day was just breaking when this took place and the moon had just gone down. The air being extremely cold and fires put out I retired into the wagon till morning and arose again at half after 5. After daylight, the footsteps of the Indians could be plainly seen, where they had come down under the bank and sometimes stepped into the water. No doubt their object was to steal horses, and they had a fair privilege, if the guard had been found asleep for the Camp was only formed in a half circle and some horses tied outside. However the prompt reception they met with will have a tendency to shew them that we keep a good watch and may deter them from making another attempt. Orders were given for the tens to assemble for prayers this morning instead of two in each wagon, which was done. President Young told me this morning that as soon as my health will permit, he wants me to assist Brother [Thomas] Bullock in keeping minutes &c as Brother Bullock is hard run, having to take care of a team and attend to other chores.
The camp started out about 8 o'clock. I started at 7 1/2 on foot and travelled four miles, then waited for the wagons. There no road here, Consequently, President Young, Kimball, G. A. A. Lyman and others went ahead on horse back to point out the road. The horse teams travel first to break the strong grass so that it will not hurt the Oxens feet. The hunters started out in different directions keeping only a few miles from the wagons . . .
About 8 o'clock Joseph Mathews came into Camp from seeking his horses and stated that an Indian had rode a horse off a little before and he supposed it was Brother [Jesse] Little's horse, which was missing. Dr. Richards mare was also missing. Brother Mathews stated that he went out to see for his Black man who was out watching his team, and as he arrived he saw Brother Little's horse as he supposed going towards the river. He ran towards it to turn it back to camp, but as soon as he commenced running the horse sprang to a gallop, which made him suppose there was an Indian on him, but he could not see the Indian. As soon as he gave the alarm 5 or 6 of the brethren mounted their horses, and pursued on the course pointed out to the river, but could neither see nor hear a horse nor Indian. When they returned, President Young and Kimball and a number of others went out on horseback and searched till near 11 o'clock, but likewise proved unsuccessful. The brethren have been repeatedly warned not to let their horses go far from their wagons, but every time we stop they can be seen around for more than 2 miles. These are 2 good horses and the owners feel bad enough, but it will be a warning to others to be more careful.
[source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
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