Mormon History, May 6, 1847

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th I was some better this morning. We had some rain last night. I had a poor nights rest. We started early this morning without feeding (except a little corn) as there was no grass & travled 3 miles & got beyond the fire. Left it in our rear & stop to bait & Breakfast on a good spot of grass.
This morning the Herds of Buffalo speck the plains on both sides of the river. And Antelope in great abundance some of which run into camp. The Buffalo Calf is dead this morning that was brought into camp alive last night. We continued our journey saw many herds of Buffalo Antelope & one large Herd of Elk. A young Buffalo Calf Came into Camp & followed us. We gave him some milk & left him.
We travled 10 miles & Nooned on the prairie. We scarsly meet with any timber now. Two Antelope were killed this forenoon but as we have so much meet in camp it is thought best not to kill any more Buffalo untill we need it or any other game.
We were visited at noon with many Buffalo. Dr Richards G. A. Smith & myself walked up quite near several Buffalo Herds & exhamined through our glasses. They were sheding their coats. One bull Had a mat of wool swining by his side like a loose robe.
Our Herd of cows started to run among the Buffalo & President Young on his horse [rode] to seperate them & had great difficulty in doing it. He lost A spy glass in the Chase worth $40. The Brethren Hunted for it A long time but Could not find it.
We continued to Journey among the Herds of Buffalo & we are not out of sight of them at all. They have eat the grass out to such a degree that our cattle & Horses can get but vary little to eat. We camped near A Herd at night that reached as far as our eyes could extend. There were thousands in it. Distance of the day 20 m.

[source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

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