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