Diary of H. W. Rigler in 1847 and 1848, With Notes [pp. 233-245]

238 Diary of 11. W Bigier in 1847 and 184& [Sept.
who shot do~n i8 or 19 of our brethren in June 2Jt/i.- Worked in a well.
the Haun's mill massacre in Missouri. He June 28fli.- Worked in a well.
acknowledged that he was one of the mob, June 29t~. — Worked as hodman.
and begged to be forgiven. June 3ot/1.- Bought a pack-saddle.
Sunday, Afay 2d. - The mail from the Sunday, July 41~.- Our fort fired a nanorth brings a report that the companies of tional salute. Our garrison then marched
our battalion stationed at Los Angeles are into town, saluted our officers with musmaking cartridges to be prepared for an ketry, and gave three cheers for San Diego.
attack by 300 or 400 of Fremont's men The citizens brought out wine and brandy,
who have sworn that they will kill every more than we wanted. The day passed
Mormon. splendidly. Orders were issued that our
Afay 3d.-Major McCloud arrived, and company should get ready to march within
we drew six months' pay, $42 each. four days to Los Angeles, there to be dis Yfay 4th.-The Haun's mill beggar was charged with the remainder of the battalion
convicted today of stealing a pocket knife. on the i6th inst.
Afay 6th. - News that the Amen cans j?ii;yjth.- All save those who re-enlisted,
have taken Vera Cruz. engaged in making bridles, saddles, and
Afay ioth. - I went with some of our other things in preparation for our departmen 6 miles into the country to cut cord- ure. The citizens of San Diego and vicinwood for burning bricks. Our wages are ity have expressed a wish that we would all
$2 a day. re-enlist. They would rather have us than
Sunday, May i6t/'. - The mail from the dragoons or marines who were here beMonterey brings news that General Kearny fore us. They have found that the Morand Colonel Cooke start tomorrow for Wash- mons are peaceful, quiet, industrious, and
ington. a benefit to the town. One of the leading
Afay 26/h. - We began to purchase and citizens said that when he heard the Morbreak wild horses and mules, to be used in mon Battalion was coming to San Diego,
our projected journey to Salt Lake. The he feared to stay with his family, for he
price for the horses was from $3 to $7; of had heard they were very bad people, would
the mules from $9 to $I~. steal everything they could lay their hands
Sunday, Afay 30/h. - A letter from San on, and would make trouble among the
Francisco announces that Sam Brannan has women; but in his observation of their congone to meet the immigrants coming over- duct, he had seen nothing to justify such
land; and that our brethren who arrived in accusations.
California by the ship Brooklyn have plant- July 8/h. — Four masons of our company
ed`45 acres in wheat besides some Indian finished the brick work of a building to be
corn and potatoes to feed the new comers. used for a courthouse and schoolhouse; and
June 21st. - The ship Vandalia sailed they had previously burned a kiln of 4,000
for Boston, with a mail on which I have sent bricks for Don Juan Bandini. Others of
letters to friends in the States. Today I our company dug wells, walled them with
worked at digging a well, our captain h~ving brick, paved yards, made pumps, and did
permitted his men to take such jobs. carpenter work on many houses. After the
June 23d. -- Colonel Stevenson arrived. mason work of the courthouse, the first
He wants Company B to re-enlist for six or house of burned brick in California, was fintwelve months more. ished, the citizens gave a banquet to our
June 24th.- Seventeen of our men en- company with an abundance to eat and
listed under Stevenson. drink.