Book Review: Bigler's Chronicle of the West

Bigler's Chronicle of the West: The Conquest of California, Discovery of Gold, and Mormon Settlement as reflected in Henry William Bigler's Diaries, by Erwin G. Gudde, University of California Press, Berkely and Los Angeles, 1962.
Here is a great book, most of it based on Bigler's diaries, meaning this is a good source of original information on the Mormon Battalion, the discovery of gold, and the trip from California to Utah by former members of the Mormon Battalion.  This record chronicles the discovery date of gold, and circumstances surrounding the discovery.  It also talks about some of the early prospecting.  The Mormons were prospecting mostly on Angel Island in the American River, but also found gold in other locations.  It tells the story of how they left some of their gold on the mill waterway when John Sutter came to visit, to impress him.  However in the meantime, and youth discovered the gold and claimed it for himself. 
However before this, it gives a very good, although not complete, history of the day-to-day struggles of the Mormon Battalion.  It talks about those who left with the sick train, talks about getting paid, and their digging of wells and making improvements in San Diego.  It talks of the trip north, where in they passed New Hop in San Joaquin Valley on their way to Sutter's Fort.  They worked on the saw mill, while others Mormons worked on a flour mill.  As part of their payment Sutter gave them cattle to take to Utah.  He also furnished two cannon he had purchased from the Russians at Fort Ross. 
This report chronicles the death of three Mormons, who got ahead of the group returning to Salt Lake.  These men were Daniel Browett, Ezrah H. Allen and Herderson Cox.  The Mormons named the place Tragedy Spring and the name still is used.  They found the gold pouch belonging to Ezrah H. Allen and returned this to his wife. 
The trip to Salt Lake was full of hazards.  Often Indians would shoot poison arrows into the horses, with the hopes they could eat them when they died.  They also shot other animals, but seemed to like horse meat.  However some Indians were more friendly.  they had issues with finding the route, taking a cutoff rather than going to Fort Hall.  The finally arrived to Salt Lake and family.
Bigler was subsequently called on a gold seeking mission to California, and three missions to the Hawaiian Islands.