The Exodus from Nauvoo
1846
The Abandonment of Nauvoo
Wednesday, February 4, 1846, the first of the Saints left Nauvoo and
crossed the Mississippi River on the journey to the West.[1] On the 6th
of February Bishop George Miller and a company with six wagons crossed
the river, and a few days later the work of ferrying the Saints to the
Iowa side was kept up day and night. Elder Parley P. Pratt left Nauvoo
on the 14th of February, and the following day President Brigham Young,
Willard Richards and George A. Smith with a large company of Saints
crossed the Mississippi on the ice and continued their journey about
nine miles to Sugar Creek, in Lee County, where a temporary camp was
formed for the exiles fleeing from Nauvoo.[2] President Young spent the
16th in organizing the camp into companies and Elder Heber C. Kimball
with another company arrived on the 17th. On the 18th President Young
and some of the brethren returned to Nauvoo to transact some necessary
business and give instruction to those who were left there in command.
Elder Joseph Young, president of the seventies, had been left at Nauvoo
to preside over the Saints who still remained. The exiles tarried on
Sugar Creek for some time where a number of council meetings were held
and the needs of the people were duly considered.
At the October conference in 1845, the members of the Church, on
suggestion of President Brigham Young, unanimously covenanted as
follows: "That we take all the Saints with us, to the extent of our
ability, that is, our influence and property." After the motion was
carried, President Young remarked: "If you will be faithful to your
covenant, I will prophesy that the Great God will shower down means
upon this people to accomplish it to the very letter." The members of
the Church had been constantly instructed to prepare for the journey
by laying up stores of provisions for many months. It was discovered
that many who had come to Sugar Creek were without supplies to last
them more than a few days, and this caused serious reflection and some
anxiety among the leading brethren. It was winter time and supplies
could not readily be obtained in the wilderness. However, those who
had, shared with those who were destitute, and the Lord blessed them in
their substance.
Conspiracy in Washington
While camped on Sugar Creek a letter was received by President Young
from Samuel Brannan, in which there was presented a proposition from
Amos Kendell, formerly Postmaster-General, A. G. Benson and others, to
use the Church authorities as their tools to secure land in California.
They represented to Brannan that there was a movement on foot to disarm
the Saints and prevent their movement towards the West. However, they
declared, the power was in their hands to avert the calamity, which
they would do on certain terms. Their terms were that when the Saints
arrived in California they would secure the lands and that every
alternate section should be deeded to this combination of conspirators.
They falsely represented that the President, James K. Polk, was a party
to the scheme. For their service these men promised that the Saints
should be permitted to travel to their destination without molestation,
and with the protection of the government. With righteous indignation
President Young and the Apostles refused to make reply.
Petition to the Governor of Iowa
On the 28th of February a petition was addressed to the governor of
Iowa, imploring his protection and influence in behalf of the Saints
while they passed through that territory, or remained temporarily
within its borders, to raise crops and to render assistance to those
who would follow after. No reply to this petition was received and the
Saints continued without aid or interference.
The Journey Resumed
March 1, 1846, camp was broken and the journey was resumed. The weather
was extremely cold and stormy, and a great number of the people were
without proper clothing and necessary shelter. Many of the wagons
were without covers, and others had covers which would not shed the
rain. Several members of the camps died from exposure and lack of
proper care. The roads were almost impassable because of the constant
storms.[3] At this time there were some four hundred wagons on the
road, heavily laden and without sufficient teams to permit of rapid
travel. In this condition the exiles continued their toilsome journey
over the plains of Iowa. By the latter part of April the great body of
the Latter-day Saints had left Nauvoo and were slowly wending their way
seeking a haven in the west.
Organization of the Camps
While encamped near the Chariton River on the east fork of Shoal Creek,
the organization of the camps was reduced to a more systematic order.
They were divided into companies of hundreds, fifties and tens, with
officers appointed to preside over each. The apostles were appointed
to take charge of divisions, and the camps were divided into two grand
divisions. Over one of these President Brigham Young had command.
He was also sustained as "president over all the camps of Israel."
Elder Heber C. Kimball was appointed to the command of the other
grand division. In addition to these officers there were appointed
a contracting commissary and a distributing commissary for each
fifty. The duties of the former were to agree on terms, prices, etc.,
concerning the purchase of provisions and necessities for the camp.
The latter were to distribute among the camps the grain and provisions
furnished for that purpose, judiciously and with singleness of heart.
This organization led to better discipline. The companies were more
susceptible to advice and counsel, and the principle of obedience
was more fully understood. Less selfishness was manifested among the
people, and a better spirit prevailed. Of necessity the regulations
in the camps were strict, yet the freedom and rightful privileges of
the Saints were safely guaranteed. Much of the dross had been left
behind, and the "fair weather friends," as they were called by Col.
Thomas L. Kane, had forsaken the tents of Israel and had sought the
tents of ease. In this manner the camps were purged of those who were
not faithful enough to face the perils and deprivations of the eventful
journey. Although there were difficulties and differences to be settled
from time to time, President Young was led to declare that he doubted
if there had ever been a body of people, since the days of Enoch,
who had done so little grumbling under such unpleasant and trying
circumstances.
Garden Grove
At the beginning of the journey about one hundred men, under command
of Colonel Stephen Markham, were selected as pioneers, to travel in
advance of the companies to build and repair the roads; also to seek
out temporary places for shelter where fields could be cultivated
and homes--humble though they, of necessity, would have to be--might
be provided for the exiles. The advance companies arrived at a place
on the east fork of Grand River, some one hundred and forty-five
miles west of Nauvoo, April 24, 1846. Here a temporary settlement
was selected which they named Garden Grove. Two days later a council
meeting was held and three hundred and fifty-nine laboring men were
reported in the camp. From these one hundred were selected to cut
trees and make rails; ten to build fences; forty-eight to build
houses; twelve to dig wells and ten to build bridges. The remainder
were employed in clearing land and preparing it for cultivation. Every
one was busy, and in a few days a respectable village, magic like,
had risen in the wilderness. A temporary organization was effected
with Samuel Bent as president, and Aaron Johnson and David Fullmer as
counselors. At this point President Young addressed the Saints saying
it would be necessary to leave some of their number here, because they
could not continue the journey, while the main body would push on and
"lengthen the cords and build a few more stakes," and so continue on
until they could all gather at the place appointed, and "build the
house of the Lord in the tops of the mountains."
Proposition to Explore the West
It was the intention of President Young and the apostles to fit out
a strong company of able-bodied men, unencumbered with families, and
send them to the Rocky Mountains, there to build houses and plant
crops, and prepare for the coming of the people as they were able to
gather from year to year. "Were matters to be so conducted," he said,
"none would be found crying for bread or destitute of clothing, but
all would be provided for, as designed by the Almighty. But instead of
taking this course the Saints have crowded on us all the while, and
have completely tied our hands by importuning and saying, 'Do not leave
us behind. Wherever you go, we want to go, and be with you;' and thus
our hands and feet have been bound, which has caused our delay to the
present time. And now hundreds at Nauvoo are continually praying and
importuning with the Lord that they may overtake us, and be with us."
An estimate of what would be required for a company of pioneers to take
such a journey was made and the project was considered, but subsequent
events prevented the undertaking until the following year.
Mount Pisgah
On the 18th of May President Young and several of the apostles reached
the middle fork of Grand River, some twenty-seven miles west of Garden
Grove. Here Parley P. Pratt with a company was found encamped. He had
called the place Mount Pisgah, and here it was decided to make another
settlement for the Saints. Several thousand acres of land were fenced
for cultivation, after the manner of the settlement at Garden Grove,
and this place became a resting place for the weary exiles for several
years while crossing the plains. Elder William Huntington was chosen to
preside with Elders Ezra T. Benson and Charles C. Rich as counselors.
The camps were now traveling through an Indian country, where there
were no roads, no settlements and only Indian trails. The spring rains
having ceased, however, greater progress was made although a road had
to be prepared all the way, and bridges built over all the streams.
At the Missouri River
On the 14th of June, President Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt
and others arrived on the banks of the Missouri, not far from Council
Bluffs, with their respective companies. The next day a council meeting
was held and it was decided to move back on to the bluffs where spring
water could be obtained, and they would be protected from Indians. The
Pottawattamie Indians were very friendly, and their chiefs showed the
Saints some favor. A ferry boat was built and on the 29th the companies
commenced crossing the river. About this time Elder Wilford Woodruff,
who had just returned from presiding over the British Mission, and
Elder Orson Hyde, who had been laboring in Nauvoo, joined the camp.
President Young was still very anxious to send an exploring company to
the Rocky Mountains in advance. The camps were called together, there
being about five hundred wagons on the ground and others on the way,
and President Young addressed them advising them of his desire to get a
company off for the Rocky Mountains. He feared, he said, that something
would happen to stop the movement, and was impressed that "everything
that men and hell could invent would be hatched up to prevent the camp
from making any progress." He spoke plainly on the subject and said
if the members of the Church should be blown to the four winds, and
never gathered again, he wished them to remember that he had told them
when and where to gather, and if they failed to do so to remember and
bear him witness in the day of judgment, that they had received such
information and advice.
A Call From the Government
June 26, 1846, Captain James Allen, of the United States army, arrived
at Mount Pisgah and had an interview with the brethren there. He was
the bearer of a message to the "Mormon" people making a requisition on
the camps for four or five companies of men, to serve as volunteers in
the war with Mexico, which had recently been declared. The brethren at
Mount Pisgah did not feel authorized to take any action, and therefore
advised Captain Allen to visit President Young and the apostles at
Council Bluffs. Captain Allen arrived at Council Bluffs on the 30th
day of June, and the following day met with the Church authorities
and presented his credentials for raising five hundred men. Such a
demand caused some surprise and a little dismay among the camps.
However, President Brigham Young declared that the volunteers would be
forthcoming. It was moved by Heber C. Kimball and seconded by Willard
Richards, that a battalion of five hundred men be raised, which was
carried unanimously at a meeting of the brethren of the camp who were
called together to consider the requisition. Consequently President
Young and Elder Kimball returned to Mount Pisgah to raise volunteers,
while letters were sent to Garden Grove and to Nauvoo bearing on
the subject. Monday, July 13, 1846, in obedience to the call of the
authorities, the camps of the Saints met on Mosquito Creek, where they
were addressed by President Young, Captain Allen and Colonel Thomas L.
Kane, who had arrived in the camp to be of service to the people. Four
companies of the battalion were raised on that and the following day,
and the fifth company a few days later.
An Important Council Meeting
July 16, a council meeting was held at the bluffs and Ezra T. Benson
was ordained an apostle in the stead of John E. Page, who had been
excommunicated. Elders Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor
were appointed to go to England to take charge of the affairs of the
Church in that land and set them in order. Reuben Hedlock and Thomas
Ward, who had been in charge, had been guilty of misconduct in the use
of funds and had been disfellowshipped. The same day four companies of
the battalion were mustered into service by their respective captains,
and on the 20th left for Fort Leavenworth in the service of the United
States. The fifth company left the following day, and the entire body
arrived at their destination August 1, 1846, numbering at the time five
hundred and forty-nine men.
President Young's Instructions to the Battalion
In giving instructions to the members of the battalion before their
departure, President Young requested that they prove themselves to be
the best soldiers in the service of the United States. He instructed
the captains to be fathers to their companies, and to manage the
officers and men by the power of the Priesthood. They should keep
neat and clean; teach chastity, gentility, and civility. No swearing
should be indulged in; no man was to be insulted, and they should avoid
contentions with Missourians, or any other class of people. They were
to take their Bibles and Books of Mormon with them, but were not to
impose their belief on others. They were advised to avoid card playing
and if they had any cards with them to burn them. If they would follow
the instructions given they would not be called on to shed the blood of
their fellow men, and after their labors were over, they probably would
be discharged within eight hundred miles of the proposed settlement of
the Saints in the Great Basin, where the next temple would be built in
a stronghold free from mobs.
Reasons for the Call for Troops
January 20, 1846, while the high council of Nauvoo was considering the
abandonment of that place and journeying to the Rocky Mountains, the
subject of sending an advance company was discussed. There had been
some talk of the government building block houses and forts along the
road to Oregon, and the matter was then before Congress. It was decided
at this meeting that "In the event of the President's recommendation to
build block houses and stockade forts on the route to Oregon becoming
a law, we have encouragement of having that work to do, and under
our peculiar circumstances, we can do it with less expense to the
government than any other people." Six days later Elder Jesse C. Little
was appointed to preside in the Eastern States, and was furnished a
letter of appointment in which the following occurs:
"If our government shall offer any facilities for emigrating to the
western coast, embrace those facilities, if possible. As a wise and
faithful man, take every honorable advantage of the times you can.
Be thou a savior and a deliverer of that people, and let virtue,
integrity and truth be your motto--salvation and glory the prize
for which you contend."
Acting on this advice Elder Little wrote an appeal to President Polk
in behalf of the Latter-day Saints, and afterwards called upon him and
also the vice-President and members of the cabinet. At the time of
his interview, June 1, 1846, word of the commencement of hostilities
between Mexico and the United States had reached Washington, and those
governments were in a state of war. The authorities in Washington
accepted the suggestion of Elder Little, thinking it might be opportune
to call upon the "Mormons" for volunteers. This was a very different
action than that hoped for by the authorities of the Church, as they
were looking for the opportunity to labor along the road toward Oregon
over which they were destined to travel. Nevertheless they had asked
for aid and now they were determined to carry through the proposition
of the government, hoping thereby that a blessing would be obtained
and some benefit accrue to them. In complying with the order from the
government over five hundred of their most vigorous young men were
taken from their camps to travel westward by another route thus greatly
weakening the camps.
Winter Quarters
The call of these able-bodied men for the battalion made it impossible
for the Saints in their weakened condition, to continue their journey
towards the West. It became necessary, therefore, for them to seek
quarters where they could prepare for the coming winter. Captain James
Allen secured from the chiefs representing the Pottawattamie tribes
their voluntary consent for the Saints to make the Indian lands an
abiding place as long as they should remain in that country. He also
wrote an open letter stating what he had done in this matter. The
Indian sub-agent also endorsed the letter which Colonel Thomas L. Kane
forwarded with a communication of his own, to the President of the
United States. Measures were taken to gather to this place all the
scattered Saints who were on the plains. Twelve men were chosen to form
a high council, and a site was chosen on the west bank of the Missouri
River for their settlement. A committee of twelve men was appointed to
arrange the temporary city into wards, over which bishops were chosen
to preside. During the summer hay was cut in sufficient quantities to
provide for their stock in the winter. Every family labored diligently
to construct some kind of a house in which they could find shelter,
although many of these were merely dugouts built in the side of the
hill. The place was named Winter Quarters and was laid out regularly
into streets. The Indians gave some trouble and it became necessary to
build a stockade around the town. Through kind treatment, President
Young and the Saints obtained the good will of most of the Indians, so
that they lived in comparative peace.
Major Harvey's Opposition
Major H. M. Harvey, the superintendent of Indian affairs and some
others, made trouble for the Saints. Mr. Harvey called on President
Young in November, and stated that he wished the Saints to move from
the lands belonging to the Indians, and complained that the people
were burning the Indians' wood. He said he had instructions from
the government to permit no settlers on the lands without authority
from Washington. President Young explained that the reason for the
encampment was due to the sudden demand of the United States for
troops, and if the government prevented them from continuing their
journey, some consideration and protection in return should be offered.
Later developments indicated that the opposition was instigated by
the enemies of the Saints. Through the intercession of J. K. Kane,
father of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, the government gave permission for
the exiles to remain where they were through the winter. Colonel Kane
proved himself a faithful friend to the Latter-day Saints, and was yet
to perform valiant service. He wrote to Elder Willard Richards, the
camp historian, stating that he was intending to secure a lease from
the government of the Omaha lands, on which some of the Saints had
located. "Trust me," he said, "it is not fated that my forces shall
depart before I have righted you at the seat of government, and have at
least assured to you a beginning of justice besides an end of wrong."
Activities at Winter Quarters
A gristmill was built at Winter Quarters; also a council house, where
meetings could be held. This was done as much for the sake of keeping
the people employed as it was for their convenience. During the winter
they suffered greatly. The scurvy broke out among them and continued
until potatoes were obtained from Missouri, and horse-radish was
discovered in an abandoned fort near the camp. Meetings were regularly
held and the spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of the refugees
was not neglected. Much of the time of the leading brethren was spent
in giving employment to the Saints and in devising means for the
continuance of the journey when the time should come in the spring for
them to move.
Mob Uprisings at Nauvoo
In the summer of 1846, hostilities were renewed against the members of
the Church who still remained in Nauvoo. The great body of the Saints
had left and only a remnant remained, composed of the poor, sick and
afflicted, who had been unable to get away. They were all anxious
to depart and were exerting all their energies to obtain means for
that purpose. President Young and the apostles also were doing all in
their power to aid them to depart. Notwithstanding their straitened
circumstances and their inability to move--which was due mainly to mob
violence they had suffered--their enemies became impatient at their
delay and continued their vicious persecution. The new citizens, who
had purchased property from the Saints, also came in for a share of the
bitterness of the mob.
Major Warren's Proclamation
Major W. B. Warren, who had been stationed in Hancock County with a
small force, took up his quarters at Nauvoo by order of the governor
and published a proclamation to the citizens of Hancock County
attempting to quiet their opposition, in which, in part, he said:
"I have been in Nauvoo with my detachment a week, and can say to
you with perfect assurance, that the demonstrations made by the
'Mormon' population, are unequivocal. They are leaving the state,
and preparing to leave, with every means that God and nature has
placed in their hands. Five ferry boats are running at this place
night and day, and many are crossing at Nashville and Fort Madison.
This ought to be satisfactory.
"The anti-'Mormons' desire the removal of the 'Mormons;' this is
being effected peaceably, and with all possible dispatch. All
aggressive movements, therefore, against them at this time, must
be actuated by a wanton desire to shed blood, or to plunder. This
course, I know, is deprecated by three-fourths of the anti-'Mormon'
population, and must not be indulged in. I therefore exhort all
good citizens to stay at home, with an assurance that they shall be
duly advised of all movements which may take place, in which they
feel interested.
"A man near sixty years of age, living about seven miles from
this place, was taken from his house a few nights since, stripped
of his clothing, and his back cut to pieces with a whip, for no
other reason than because he was a 'Mormon,' and too old to make
successful resistance. Conduct of this kind would disgrace a horde
of savages."
A proclamation of this kind, issued by one who was himself none too
friendly to the "Mormon" people, was without effect. At the time he
wrote, John McAuley and Levi Williams--the latter a Baptist preacher,
and one of the mob who took part in the murder of Joseph and Hyrum
Smith--with a strong force were preparing to gather under arms,
contrary to the proclamation of the governor to the effect that not
more than four persons with arms should assemble together, other than
the state troops. Though his force was small, Major Warren notified
these mobbers that he had law and moral force on his side and was able
to meet successfully any mob which could assemble in that county. He
advised the "Mormons" to go on with their preparations to cross the
river, as speedily as they could, and leave the fighting to him; if he
should be overpowered, then they could recross the river and defend
themselves and property.
Kidnapping of Phineas H. Young and Others
On the 11th day of July, eight of the citizens of Nauvoo went into
the country about eleven miles from Nauvoo, to harvest wheat. While
engaged in their work they were surrounded by a mob who ransacked their
wagons, seized their weapons, and then took them one at a time and
brutally beat them with hickory goads. Several of the mobbers engaged
in this were recognized, and two, John McAuley and a man named Brattle,
were arrested. While they were under arrest, a second party of five
"Mormons," Phineas H. Young, Brigham H. Young, Richard Ballantyne,
James Standing and James Herring, were waylaid and taken prisoners.
When they asked why they were treated in that manner the answer was
given that they had committed no offense, but they were "Mormons," and
were to be held as hostages for the safety of McAuley and Brattle.
They were held by their persecutors for fourteen days, several times
facing guns expecting to be shot, from which they were saved only by
interposition of Divine power. Attempts were made to poison them, and
they were most inhumanely treated. Finally they made their escape and
returned to Nauvoo.
The "Resistance of Law"
When the two mobbers were arrested a gun was found in the possession
of McAuley belonging to one of the harvesters. It was recognized and
seized by William Pickett, a non-"Mormon." For this action Pickett and
two others were arrested by the mobbers on a "warrant" for "stealing."
Pickett had incurred the hatred of the mob, and knowing that the charge
against him was only a trick to get him into their hands, he was not
inclined to yield. When John Carlin came from Carthage to arrest him,
Pickett asked if he would be guaranteed safety. Carlin answered no;
whereupon Pickett resisted arrest. Though later he went before the
magistrate at Green Plains, who issued the warrant, and was released.
The "resistance" by Pickett was the thing most desired by the mob, who
only wanted a pretext to attack Nauvoo. Now there had been a defiance
of law. "Nauvoo was in rebellion," and Carlin issued a proclamation
calling upon the citizens to come as a _posse comitatus_, and assist
him in executing the law. The citizens of Nauvoo petitioned the
governor for protection, for the mob forces were collecting under
command of James W. Singleton, assisted by J. B. Chittenden, N.
Montgomery, James King, J. H. Sherman and Thomas S. Brockman. The
governor very graciously sent Major Parker with a force of ten men, and
authorized him to take command of such forces as he could raise from
volunteers, and defend the city against mob attacks. There were very
few members of the Church in Nauvoo at the time, less than one hundred
and fifty men who were available for defense.
Counter Proclamations
Parker issued a proclamation calling upon the mobs in the name of the
state and by virtue of his authority, to disperse. Carlin and his crowd
answered by a counter proclamation, stating that they would consider
the government forces as a mob. Parker wrote to Singleton desiring a
compromise without shedding blood. Articles of agreement requiring all
the Saints to leave Nauvoo within sixty days, were drawn up and signed
by Singleton and Chittenden for the mob, and Major Parker and three
others for the government forces. In this manner Parker treated the
mobbers as his equals and agreed to their terms.
Threats Against the Saints
It appears that the object for which the mob forces were ostensibly
raised was entirely forgotten, and no more was heard of the resistance
of the officers by Pickett, but the attacking forces now determined
that all the "Mormons" should go. Singleton in his communication to
Parker said: "When I say to you, the 'Mormons' must go, I speak the
mind of the camp and the country. They can leave without force or
injury to themselves or their property, but I say to you sir, with all
candor, they shall go--they may fix the time within sixty days, or I
will fix it for them."
Attack Upon Nauvoo
These terms did not satisfy the mob. Sixty days was too long a time
for them to wait for the departure of the remnant of the "Mormons"
that they might plunder and rob, and besides they thirsted for blood.
Singleton and Chittenden withdrew from the command of the mob forces,
and wrote to Parker saying that the mob had rejected their treaty,
which they considered reasonable enough. Carlin, the constable,
thereupon placed Thomas S. Brockman in command, and gave orders for
the mob to march. Parker also withdrew from service and Major Benjamin
Clifford, Jr., took command of the government forces at Nauvoo by a
commission from Governor Ford. September 10, Brockman and his mob
approached Nauvoo. Many of the new citizens, seeing the danger they
were in, fled from the city, leaving but a small force of volunteers to
aid Major Clifford in the defense of Nauvoo. The defenders converted
some steamboat shafts into cannon and threw up some fortifications on
the north side of Mulholland street facing the mob. This small force
made a determined stand, although outnumbered two or three to one. On
the 10th, 11th and 12th, there was desultory firing on both sides. On
Saturday the 12th Brockman sent a communication "to the commander of
the 'Mormon' forces in Nauvoo," demanding a surrender and the delivery
of arms, to be returned as soon as the "Mormons" had crossed the river
and were out of the state. The same day Major Clifford replied stating
that there was no "commander of 'Mormon' forces" in that place; that
he was there "by order of the governor and commander-in-chief of the
Illinois militia to disperse your (Brockman's) forces in the name of
the people of Illinois." The reply continued: "So far I have acted on
the defensive, and for the sake of humanity; if for no other purpose, I
hope you will at once see the propriety and justice of dispersing your
forces. The armed force under your command is not necessary for any
lawful purpose in this city or county."
The Battle of Nauvoo
Upon receiving this reply, Brockman advanced upon Nauvoo, endeavoring
to gain entrance at the head of Mulholland street, the main street
of the city. He was driven back after a determined resistance by
the defenders of the place. The cowardly mob forces were somewhat
disconcerted at the sound of cannon in Nauvoo, for they thought the
besieged citizens were poorly armed, and that to enter the city would
be an easy thing to do. During the battle three of the defenders lost
their lives, namely, Captain William Anderson, his son, August L.,
a lad fifteen years of age, and David Norris. Several others were
wounded. It cannot be ascertained how many were killed on the side
of the mob, but a large number were wounded. The fighting continued
until the 16th, and the mob was repulsed four times. On the latter
day a treaty of surrender was entered into, through the agency of
a committee of citizens from Quincy, who were in sympathy with the
mob. This treaty which was signed by Andrew Johnson for the Quincy
Committee, Thomas Brockman and John Carlin for the mob, and A. W.
Babbitt, J. L. Heywood and J. S. Fullmer for the Latter-day Saints,
stipulated that the city of Nauvoo should surrender September 17, at
three o'clock p.m. The arms of the besieged were to be delivered up to
the "Quincy Committee," to be returned at the crossing of the river.
The citizens and property were to be protected from all violence. The
sick and helpless were to be protected and treated with humanity, and
the "Mormon" population was to leave the state as soon as they could
cross the river. There were provisions of minor importance, one of
which was that five men--including the trustees of the Church--were to
be permitted to remain in the city to dispose of property, free from
all molestation and violence. However, William Pickett, the man so much
wanted according to the first reports of the mob for resisting the law,
and on whose account the mob had gathered, was not to be one of this
committee, nor was he to remain in the city.
Valiant Defenders
Among those who took valiant part in the battles during the siege of
Nauvoo were the two Andersons, father and son, and David Norris, who
lost their lives. They belonged to a company known as the "Spartan
Band," because of the perilous situation in which they were stationed
in the defense of the city. Also "Squire" Daniel H. Wells, Captain
Andrew L. Lamereaux, William L. Cutler, Alexander McRae, Almon Fullmer,
Benjamin Whitehead, John E. Campbell and Curtis E. Bolton. In fact the
entire band of noble defenders are worthy of special mention, and their
names should be recorded among the true sons of liberty.[4]
The Violation of the Treaty
According to the agreement, the mob forces entered Nauvoo on the
17th, and in keeping with the usual mob spirit, failed to regard
their agreement. Immediately they commenced to drive the Saints from
the city, and treated some of the men in a most brutal manner. They
commenced their diabolical deeds by searching the wagons on the bank of
the river waiting to be ferried across, and ransacked their contents
taking all firearms and scattering the goods over the ground. Families
of the poor were ordered from the city at the point of the bayonet.
The sick were sorely abused, and even those who were engaged in the
burying of their dead were molested. They entered the temple, ascended
the tower and rung the bell, shouting and yelling, and giving vent to
filthy oaths in a fiendish manner. They plundered the homes of the
people, irrespective of whether they were members of the Church or
not. Colonel C. M. Johnson was sentenced to death, but his persecutors
could not agree on the manner of his execution and he escaped. With
such inhuman treatment, the members of the Church remaining in Nauvoo,
were forced across the Mississippi River in their poverty and distress.
Their condition was pitiable, but it could not move the hearts of the
mobs of Illinois. These outcasts camped on the bank of the river for
several days, where the Lord in his mercy fed them, as he did the
children of Israel, with a supply of quails, until help arrived from
the camps of Israel in the wilderness. As soon as they could leave they
bid farewell to the inhospitable boundaries of "civilization" and took
up their journey toward the west, there to build a city of refuge,
and find a haven of rest among the more tender-hearted savages of the
desert.
Notes
1. The same day two hundred and thirty-five members of the Church,
from branches in the New England and the Atlantic States, under the
direction of Samuel Brannan, sailed from New York for California.
They had chartered the ship "Brooklyn" at twelve hundred dollars per
month, the lessee to pay the port charges. They carried with them
farming implements of all kinds, blacksmith, carpenter and wheelwright
tools and fixtures, the necessary parts for two gristmills and sawmill
irons. They also carried text books on various subjects and many other
volumes. The press and type on which the _Prophet_--a paper published
by the Church in New York--was printed, and sufficient paper and other
things as would be needed to establish a new colony in their distant
home. They arrived at Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, Wednesday, July
29, 1846, having gone around Cape Horn and touched at the Hawaiian
Islands. On their arrival they found the American flag waving over the
fort the guns of which had saluted them on their entrance into the
bay. Three weeks earlier the United States Flag had been raised and
the country occupied in the name of the government. In January, 1847,
Samuel Brannan commenced publishing a newspaper at Yerba Buena called
the _California Star_, the first English paper published in California.
2. On the first night of the encampment of Sugar Creek nine infants
were born. The weather was inclement and extremely cold and the people
without proper shelter. Writing of these conditions, Eliza R. Snow,
the poetess, has said: "As we journeyed onward, mothers gave birth
to offspring under almost every variety of circumstances imaginable,
except those to which they had been accustomed; some in tents, others
in wagons--in rainstorms and in snowstorms. I heard of one birth which
occurred under the rude shelter of a hut, the sides of which were
formed of blankets fastened to poles stuck in the ground, with a bark
roof through which the rain was dripping. Kind sisters stood holding
dishes to catch the water as it fell, thus protecting the newcomer
and its mother from a showerbath as the little innocent first entered
on the stage of human life; and through faith in the Great Ruler of
events, no harm resulted to either.
"Let it be remembered that the mothers of these wilderness-born babies
were not savages, accustomed to roam the forest and brave the storm
and tempest--those who had never known the comforts and delicacies of
civilization and refinement. They were not those who, in the wilds
of nature, nursed their offspring amid reeds and rushes, or in the
recesses of rocky caverns; most of them were born and educated in the
Eastern States--had there embraced the Gospel as taught by Jesus and
his apostles, and, for the sake of their religion, had gathered with
the Saints, and under trying circumstances had assisted, by their
faith, patience and energies, in making Nauvoo what its name indicates,
"the beautiful." They had lovely homes, decorated with flowers and
enriched with choice fruit trees, just beginning to yield plentifully.
"To these homes, without lease or sale, they had just bade a final
adieu, and with what little of their substance could be packed into
one, two, and in some instances three wagons, had started out,
desertward, for--where? To this question the only response at that time
was, God knows" (_Women of Mormondom_, Tullidge, ch. 32).
3. It was not the intention of the Saints to leave Nauvoo until the
springtime had fully arrived. But the human fiends, who hated the
religion of the Saints and coveted their substance and property, were
not willing for them to wait. What cared they for the suffering and
exposure of an innocent people, driven from their homes and sheltered
by the broad canopy of heaven in the midst of winter? "We could have
remained sheltered in our homes," said President Brigham Young, "had
it not been for the threats and hostile demonstrations of our enemies,
who, notwithstanding their solemn agreements, had thrown every obstacle
in our way, not respecting either life, or liberty, or property; so
much so that our only means of avoiding a rupture was by starting in
mid-winter. Our homes, gardens, orchards, farms, streets, bridges,
mills, public halls, magnificent temple, and other public improvements
we leave as a monument of our patriotism, industry, economy,
uprightness of purpose, and integrity of heart; and as a living
testimony of the falsehood and wickedness of those who charge us with
disloyalty to the Constitution of our country, idleness and dishonesty"
(_Manuscript History of the Church_).
4. Daniel H. Wells, who had joined the Church August 9, 1846, after
the departure of most of the members of the Church, but who had always
been a true friend to the Prophet Joseph and Patriarch Hyrum Smith,
addressed the remaining members of the Church, while they were in the
hands of their enemies, as follows:
"There is no use in the small handful of volunteers trying to
defend the city against such an overwhelming force. What interest
have the Saints to expect from its defense? Our interests are not
identified with it but in getting away from it. Who could urge the
propriety of exposing life to defend a place for the purpose of
vacating it? I have been in the councils of Joseph and Hyrum and
the twelve, and I know they were desirous that the Saints should
leave the state and go westward. Have not the twelve and most of
the Church gone, and is not their counsel for us to follow? Have
not they told us that our safety was not in Nauvoo, but in our
removal westward?
"The trustees have no means with which to carry on the defense;
they are already involved. Major Parker, who was sent by the
governor to aid us, when he left, promised to raise men and return
immediately to our assistance, but he has forsaken us, and is it
not well known that the Quincy Committee was prepared to join the
mob, if a treaty was not effected? Under these circumstances, I
have thrown in my influence with the trustees for the surrender of
Nauvoo upon the best terms we could get, and as being the best and
only wise policy left for us to pursue.
"Brethren, reflect, we have nothing to gain in defending Nauvoo,
but everything to lose; not only property, but life also, is hourly
in peril."