As the emigrants travelled along the banks of the Sweetwater, the nights became severe, and their bed-covering was now insufficient.  Before them were the mountains clad almost to the base with snow, where already the storms of winter were gathering.  Gradually the old and infirm began to droop, and soon deaths became frequent, the companies seldom leaving their camping-ground without burying one or more of the party.  Then able-bodied men began to succumb, a few of them continuing to pull their carts before they died, and one or two even on the day of their deaths.  On the morning when the first snow-storm occurred, the last ration of flour was issued, and a march of sixteen miles was before them to the nearest camping-ground on the Sweetwater.  The task seemed hopeless, but at noon a wagon drove up, containing Joseph A. Young and Stephen Taylor, from Salt Lake City, who told them that a train of supplies would reach them in a day or two.  Thus encouraged, the emigrants pushed forward.  By doubling their teams, and by the strongest of the party helping the weak to drag their carts, all reached the camping-ground, though some of the cattle perished, and during the night five persons died of cold and exhaustion.

In the morning the snow was a foot deep, and there remained only two barrels of biscuits, a few pounds of sugar and dried apples, and a quarter of a sack of rice.  Two of the disabled cattle were killed, their carcasses issued for beef, and on this and a small dole of biscuits the emigrants were told that they must subsist until supplies reached them.  The small remnant of provisions was reserved for the young children and the sick.  It was now decided to remain in camp, while the captain with one of the elders went in search of the supply-trains.  The small allowance of beef and biscuit was consumed the first day, and on the second day more cattle were killed and eaten without biscuit.  On the next day there was nothing to eat, for no more cattle could be spared.  Still the supplies came not, being delayed by the same storm which the emigrants had encountered.  During these three days many died and numbers sickened.  Some expired in the arms of those who were themselves almost at the point of death.  Mothers wrapped with their dying hands the remnant of their tattered clothing around the wan forms of their perishing infants.  The most pitiful sight of all was to see strong men begging for the morsel of food that had been set apart for the sick and helpless.

It was now the evening of the third day, and the sun was sinking behind the snow-clad ranges which could be traced far to the west amid the clear, frosty atmosphere of the desert.  There were many who, while they gazed on this scene, did not expect to see the light of another day, and there were many who cared for life no longer, having lost all that makes life precious.  They retired to their tents and commanded themselves to their Maker, lay down to rest, perchance to die.  But presently a shout of joy was raised.  From an eminence near the western portion of the camp covered wagons were seen approaching, with the captain at their head.  Immediately about half of the provisions, together with a quantity of warm clothing, blankets, and buffalo-robes were distributed to the companies.  The remainder was sent forward under charge of Grant for the use of another company.