THE BATTLE OF NAUVOO.
Leaving the main body of the Saints traveling westward, in this chapter I
wish to tell you about what happened to those who remained in Nauvoo; and
by the way, this is the last chapter of this little history in which mobs
will play an important part.
In the summer of 1846 there were about six hundred Saints in Nauvoo, most
of whom had been unable to get away. Many were poor, some were sick, and
there were many old people and children. Many non-"Mormons" had bought
property from the Saints who had left, and had moved into the city. The mob
called these friendly citizens "Jack Mormons."
Naturally, one would think that these few Saints would be left to get ready
to move in peace; but not so. If there is any doubt of the brutal character
of the mob, what they now did will remove that doubt forever.
On July 11, eight brethren were engaged in cutting grain in a field twelve
miles from Nauvoo. A mob surrounded them, and then taking them one by one,
whipped them severely. Two of these mobbers were afterwards arrested, and
to get even for this, the mob carried away five other brethren who were
abused by the mobbers for twelve days before they were released.
The next move of the mob was to get writs of arrest for many persons in
Nauvoo. A John Carlin was unlawfully appointed a constable to serve these
writs, that is, make the arrests, and he raised a large body of men to help
him; but behind all this, the real object was to drive the remaining
"Mormons" from the city.
Governor Ford was now notified of the actions of these mobbers, and he sent
Major Parker to Nauvoo, who was to raise volunteers and defend the city.
Four companies of troops were organized by the governor's order; but
instead of treating the invaders as they truly were, a mob, Major Parker
made a treaty with their leader in which it was agreed that the "Mormons"
would leave the state within sixty days. The mob leader thought this fair
enough, but the mobbers did not. At this, their leader resigned and a man
by the name of Brockman took command of the crowd. He gave the order to
march towards Nauvoo, which they gladly did.
On the morning of September 10th, 1846, the watchman in the tower of the
temple gave notice that the enemy were coming 1,000 or 1,500 strong. They
had cannon, plenty of ammunition, and came like an army ready for battle.
Many of the new citizens fled, and the little band of defenders numbered
only one hundred and twenty-three men.
Meanwhile, a committee had come from Quincy to try to settle the troubles
without bloodshed. Although with them were Major Flood, sent by the
governor, and Mr. Wood, mayor of Quincy, the mob paid no attention to them,
and so they could do nothing.
There seemed no prospect but that the citizens would have to defend
themselves as best they could. Benjamin Clifford took command of the
volunteers, and Captain William Anderson organized a small body of
sharpshooters called the Spartan Band. As cannon were badly needed, the
brethren got two hollow steamboat shafts, cut them in two, plugged up one
end, and thus made some cannon. They had no cannon balls, but they used
scraps of iron and lead tied up into bags.
On Friday, the 11th, the mob drew up to the city and began firing. They
were met by the "Mormon" troops with their home-made cannon, which
surprised the mobbers very much, and they were compelled to stop their
advance.
On Saturday, the 12th, a flag of truce was brought into the city, and with
it a note to the commander at Nauvoo, stating that if they did not
surrender they would have to take the consequences. Major Clifford replied
that he had been sent by the governor to uphold the laws and that he was
going to do it, advising Brockman to disband his men.
The Nauvoo citizens had held their position during the night and had thrown
up some breastworks. The next day the battle waged fiercer than ever, but
the Nauvoo boys held their ground and the mob could not get in. Twelve
mobbers were wounded. The first one killed among the defenders was Augustus
Anderson, a "Mormon" boy fourteen years old. He left his mother that
morning saying he would fight for her, and went along with his father,
Captain William Anderson. Augustus was struck by a cannon ball, and died in
a few minutes. Shortly after Captain Anderson was also hit.
"I am wounded," he cried. "Take my gun and shoot on."
David Norris was also killed, and a number of other brethren wounded.
For six days that little band of brave defenders kept the mob at bay; and
even when it was seen to be useless to keep the fight up longer, many were
in favor of doing so.
On the 16th a treaty was made. The city was to surrender. The citizens were
not to be molested, and the sick and helpless were to be protected. The
"Mormons" were to leave as soon as possible.
The mob forces entered the city on the 17th; but it was the same old story.
They thought no more of promises or of the treaty. Bands of men went
through the city, stealing, insulting, and in every way abusing the people.
A gang went through the temple and up to the tower where they rang the
bell, yelled and shouted. A preacher who was in the mob went up to the top
of the tower and cried in a loud voice:
"Peace! peace! peace! to the inhabitants of the earth, now the 'Mormons'
are driven!"
The poor Saints had to get away as fast as they could. Some went north,
some south, but most of them crossed the river and camped on the low
bottoms of the Mississippi in Iowa. I shall not attempt to tell you of the
sufferings of these poor people; weak, sick hungry, cold, and wet. It would
make your heart ache to see the picture, one of the saddest in all our
history.
At this time, when it seemed as though these people would starve to death,
a strange thing happened. Great flocks of quail came flying into camp. They
flew against the wagons with such force that they were killed or stunned,
so that they could be picked up. They also alighted all over the camp and
were so tame that they could be taken by the hand. Thus the Lord sent food
to his hungry children.
If you wish to read a very interesting account of this removal from Nauvoo,
read Colonel Kane's lecture, found in many of our larger histories.[2]
Topics.--1. Nauvoo after the main body of Saints had left. 2. The Battle
of Nauvoo. 3. The remnant driven out.
Questions and Review.--1. About how many Saints were left in Nauvoo? 2.
Who were the "Jack Mormons?" 3. Tell of the mob's doings. 4. Who was John
Carlin? 5. What did he do? 6. Who was Major Parker? 7. What did he have
orders to do? 8. Describe the mobbing party. 9. Tell about the Nauvoo
volunteers. 10. Who were William and Augustus Anderson? 11. How long did
the defenders hold out? 12. What was agreed upon in the treaty of peace?
13. Describe the actions of the mob in Nauvoo. 14. To where were the Saints
driven? 15. What was their condition? 16. How were they fed? 17. Who wrote
an interesting account of this exodus?