the first segment of the journey, from winter quarters to fort laramie, took six weeks, with the company arriving at the fort on june 1. the company halted for repairs and to reshoe the draft animals. while at fort laramie, the vanguard company was joined by members of the mormon battalion who had been excused from service due to illness and sent to winter in pueblo, colorado. also traveling in the new group were church members from mississippi who had taken a more southern route toward the great basin. at this point, the now larger company took the established oregon trail toward the trading post at ft. bridger. at a difficult crossing of the platte, just before encountering the sweetwater river, the company made use of their portable boat and were able to cross with comparative ease. seizing the opportunity to both help future travelers and increase the cash available to the migration, nine men under the direction of thomas grover were left behind to construct and operate a ferry at that location. missourians and other travellers at the river paid the saints $1.50 or more per wagon to help them cross.