Chapter IV

POLITICAL HISTORY CONTINUED.--THE MORMON WAR.

Report of the Secretary of War.--Proclamation of Gov. Brigham
Young declaring Martial Law.--Correspondence.--Sermons of
Young and Kimball.--Proclamation of Gov. Cumming.--His Echo
Canyon Adventures.--Col. Kane.--The Mormons leave Salt Lake.--
Commissioners appointed by the President.--Peace restored.

By these and similar outrages the Mormons had succeeded in ridding themselves of all the federal authorities, and were really in open rebellion against the Federal Government.

As Congress was not in session, the matter was taken in hand by Floyd, Secretary of War, and President Buchanan.

After due consultation it was deemed advisable to appoint new men to all the civil offices of the Territory, and to accompany them with a military force sufficient for their protection and the enforcement of the laws. Accordingly, President Buchanan, during the summer of 1857, made the following appointments for Utah:--Governor, A. Cumming; Chief Justice, D. R. Eckels; Associate Justices, John Cradlebaugh and Charles E. Sinclair; Secretary, John Hartnett.

An army of about 3000 men was armed and equipped, and ordered to march for Utah, early in the fall of 1857.

Brevet Brigadier-General W. S. Harney was originally named as commander of this force, but it was subsequently deemed inadvisable to detach that officer from the special duties of his department in Kansas, and the troops sent to Utah were placed under the orders of Col. A. S. Johnson.

The Secretary of War, in his report, dated December 5, 1857, says:--

"The Territory of Utah is peopled almost exclusively by the
religious sect known as Mormons. . . . They have substituted
for the laws of the land a theocracy, having for its head an
individual whom they profess to believe a prophet of God.

"This Prophet demands obedience, and receives it implicitly
from his people, in virtue of what he assures them to be
authority derived from revelations received by him from
Heaven. Whenever he finds it convenient to exercise any
special command, these opportune revelations of a higher law
come to his aid. From his decrees there is no appeal; against
his will there is no resistance. . . .

"From the first hour they fixed themselves in that remote and
almost inaccessible region of our territory, from which they
are now sending defiance to the sovereign power, their whole
plan has been to prepare for a successful secession from the
authority of the United States, and a permanent establishment
of their own. . . .

"This Mormon brotherhood has scarcely preserved the semblance
of obedience to the authority of the United States for some
years past; not at all indeed, except as it might confer some
direct benefit upon themselves, or contribute to circulate
public money in their community. . . . I need not here recite
the many instances in their conduct and history on which these
general allegations are founded, especially the conduct they
have adopted within the last twelve months towards the civil
authorities of the United States.

"It has, nevertheless, always been the policy and desire of
the Federal Government to avoid collision with this Mormon
community. It has borne with the insubordination they have
exhibited, under circumstances when respect for its own
authority has frequently counselled harsh measures of
discipline. And this forbearance might still be prolonged, and
the evils rife among them be allowed to work out their own
cure, if this community occupied any other theatre, isolated
and remote from the seats of civilization, than the one they
now possess.

"But, unfortunately for these views, their settlements lie in
the great pathway which leads from the Atlantic States to the
new and flourishing communities growing up upon the Pacific
seaboard. They stand a lion in the path; not only themselves
defying the civil and military authorities of the government,
but encouraging, if not exciting, the nomad savages who roam
over the vast, unoccupied regions of the continent, to the
pillage and massacre of peaceful and helpless emigrant
families traversing the solitudes of the wilderness. The rapid
settlement of our Pacific possessions; the rights, in those
regions, of emigrants, unable to afford the heavy expenses of
transit by water and the Isthmus; the facility and safety of
military, political, and social intercommunication between our
eastern and western populations and States,--all depend upon
the prompt, absolute, and thorough removal of a hostile power
besetting this path, midway of its route, at a point where
succor and provisions should always be found, rather than
obstruction, privation, and outrage. . . .

"From all the circumstances surrounding this subject at the
time, it was thought expedient, during the past summer, to
send a body of troops to Utah, with the civil officers
recently appointed to that Territory. . . . Great care has been
taken, in preparing for the march to Utah, that nothing should
seem to excite apprehension of any action on the part of the
army in the least conflicting with the fixed principle of our
institutions, by which the military is strictly subordinate to
the civil authority. The instructions of the commanding
officer were deliberately considered, and carefully drawn, and
he was charged not to allow any conflict to take place between
the troops and the people of the Territory, except only in
case he should be called upon by the Governor for soldiers to
act as a _posse comitatus_ in enforcing obedience to the laws.

"In conformity with this sentiment, and to assure these people
of the real intention of the movement, an active, discreet
officer was sent in advance of the army to Utah, for the
purpose of purchasing provisions for it, and of assuring the
people of the Territory of the peaceful intentions of the
Government. This officer found, upon entering the Territory,
that these deluded people had already, in advance of his
arrival, or of any information, except as to the march of the
column, determined to resist their approach, and prevent, if
possible, and by force, the entrance of the army into the
Valley of Salt Lake. Supplies of every sort were refused him.

"The day after his departure from the city, on his way back,
Brigham issued his Proclamation, substantially declaring war
against the United States, and at the same time putting the
Territory under martial law."

The following is a copy of this celebrated document:--

"PROCLAMATION

"OF GOVERNOR BRIGHAM YOUNG.

"_Citizens of Utah_,--We are invaded by a hostile force, who
are evidently assailing us to accomplish our overthrow and
destruction. For the last twenty-five years we have trusted
officials of the Government, from constables and justices, to
judges, governors, and presidents, only to be scorned, held in
derision, insulted, and betrayed. Our houses have been
plundered and then burned, our fields laid waste, our
principal men butchered, while under the pledged faith of the
Government for their safety; and our families driven from
their homes, to find that shelter in the barren wilderness,
and that protection among hostile savages, which were denied
them in the boasted abodes of Christianity and civilization.

"The Constitution of our common country guarantees unto us all
that we do now, or have ever claimed. If the constitutional
rights which pertain unto us as American citizens were
extended to Utah, according to the spirit and meaning thereof,
and fairly and impartially administered, it is all that we
could ask,--all that we have ever asked.

"Our opponents have availed themselves of prejudice existing
against us, because of our religious faith, to send out a
formidable host to accomplish our destruction. We have had no
privilege or opportunity of defending ourselves from the
false, foul, and unjust aspersions against us, before the
nation.

"The Government has not condescended to cause an investigating
committee, or other persons, to be sent to inquire and
ascertain the truth, as is customary in such cases. We know
those aspersions to be false, but that avails us nothing. We
are condemned unheard, and forced to an issue with an armed,
mercenary mob, which has been sent against us at the
instigation of anonymous letter-writers, ashamed to father the
base, slanderous falsehoods which they have given to the
public; of corrupt officials, who have brought false
accusations against us, to screen themselves in their own
infamy; and of hireling priests and howling editors, who
prostitute the truth for filthy lucre's sake.

"The issue which has thus been forced upon us compels us to
resort to the first great law of self-preservation, and stand
in our own self-defence,--a right guaranteed to us by the
genius of the institutions of our country, and upon which the
Government is based. Our duty to ourselves--to our
families--requires us not to tamely submit to be driven and
slain, without an attempt to preserve ourselves. Our duty to
our country--our holy religion--our God--to freedom and
liberty, requires that we should not quietly stand still, and
see those fetters forging around us, which are calculated to
enslave and bring us in subjection to an unlawful military
despotism, such as can only emanate, in a country of
constitutional law, from usurpation, tyranny, and oppression.

"Therefore, I, Brigham Young, Governor and Superintendent of
Indian Affairs for the Territory of Utah, in the name of the
people of the United States in the Territory of Utah,
forbid,--

"_First._ All armed forces, of whatever description, from
coming into this Territory, under any pretence whatever.

"_Second._ That all the forces in said Territory hold
themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice, to
repel any and all such invasion.

"_Third._ Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this
Territory, from and after the publication of this
proclamation; and no person shall be allowed to pass or
repass, into, or through, or from this Territory, without a
permit from the proper officer.

"Given under my hand and seal, at Great Salt Lake City,
Territory of Utah, this fifteenth day of September, A. D.
eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the eighty-second.

"BRIGHAM YOUNG."

This proclamation was forwarded to the commander of the United States forces, then on the Plains. It was accompanied by the following letter:--

"FORT BRIDGER, September 3, 1857.

"SIR,--I have the honor to forward you the accompanying letter
from his Excellency Governor Young, together with two copies
of his proclamation, and a copy of the Laws of Utah, 185,
chap. 7, containing the Organic Act of the Territory.

"It may be proper to add, that I am here to aid in carrying
out the instructions of Governor Young. General Robinson will
deliver these papers to you, and receive such communication as
you may wish to make.

"Trusting that your answer and action will be dictated by a
proper respect for the rights and liberties of American
citizens, I remain,

"Very respectfully,

"DANIEL H. WELLS,

"_Lieut.-General commanding Nauvoo Legion_."

"GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UTAH TERRITORY,
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, September 29, 1857.

"Sir,--By reference to the Act of Congress, passed September
9, 1850, organizing the Territory of Utah, published in a copy
of the Laws of Utah, herewith, p. 146, chap. 7, you will find
the following:--

"'SEC. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That the
executive power in and over said Territory of Utah
shall be vested in a governor, who shall hold his
office for four years, _and until his successor
shall be appointed and qualified_, unless sooner
removed by the President of the United States. The
governor shall reside within said Territory, shall
be commander-in-chief of the militia thereof,' &c.,
&c.

"I am still the Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs
for this Territory, no successor having been appointed and
qualified, as provided by law, nor have I been removed by the
President of the United States.

"By virtue of the authority thus vested in me, I have issued
and forwarded you a copy of my proclamation, forbidding the
entrance of armed forces into this Territory. This you have
disregarded. I now further direct that you retire forthwith
from the Territory by the same route you entered. Should you
deem this impracticable, and prefer to remain until spring in
the vicinity of your present encampment, Black Fork, or Green
River, you can do so in peace, and unmolested, on condition
that you deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robinson,
Quartermaster-General of the Territory, and leave in the
spring, as soon as the condition of the roads will permit you
to march. And should you fall short of provisions, they can be
furnished you by making the proper applications therefor.

"Gen. D. H. Wells will forward this, and receive any
communications you may have to make.

"Very respectfully,

"BRIGHAM YOUNG;

"_Governor and Superintendent of
Indian Affairs, Utah Territory_

"To the Officer commanding the Forces
now invading Utah Territory."

The legitimate result of this violent and treasonable proclamation, as might be supposed, was to incite the people to revenge and bloodshed. Every man who could bear arms was at once taken from his usual avocation and trained in the art of war. Clothing was at this time very scarce, as no trains of goods had arrived from the States. The "sisters" were called upon to make up every article which they could possibly spare into uniforms for the troops. Accordingly the "brethren" appeared arrayed in pieces of bed-quilts, carpets, and old clo' made over, and presented to the eye as motley and miserable a crew as those of "the right valiant Sir John Falstaff." If we look at the leaders of these classical armies, however, the parallel fails. The chivalric Jack had at least the courage to march at the head of his soldiers; while Brigham, who acknowledges himself to be a natural coward, preferred to remain snugly ensconced among his numerous wives and children. The Lion of the Lord, though seemingly aroused, only shook himself and roared loudly several times. He then quietly lay down, and remained thenceforth _couchant_ during the war. With all the assurance and assumption of Joseph Smith, he lacked his personal courage and manly daring.

But the rank and file of these "warriors of the Lord" lacked neither courage nor enthusiasm. Their Zion was threatened,--their institutions in danger,--and with the fire of revenge burning in their hearts, at the remembrance of former injuries, they rushed forth, to conquer or to die.

Many joined their brethren in Echo Canyon, without even shoes to their feet, wading through snows several feet deep. Such devotion and heroism were worthy of a better cause.

The feeling and determination of the people cannot be better expressed than by extracts from the sermons of their leaders at this critical period.

Sunday morning, September 16, 1857, Brigham Young, in his public discourse, said:--

"This people are free; they are not in bondage to any
government on God's footstool. We have transgressed no law,
and we have no occasion to do so, neither do we intend; but as
for any nation's coming to destroy this people, God Almighty
being my helper, they cannot come here. [The congregation
responded a loud 'Amen.'] . . .

"We have borne enough of their oppression and hellish abuse,
and we will not bear any more of it, for there is no just law
requiring further forbearance on our part. And I am not going
to have troops here to protect the priests and hellish rabble
in efforts to drive us from the land we possess; for the Lord
does not want us to be driven, and has said, 'If you will
assert your rights, and keep my commandments, you shall never
again be brought into bondage by your enemies.' . . .

"They say that their army is legal; and I say that such a
statement is as false as hell, and that they are as rotten as
an old pumpkin that has been frozen seven times, and then
melted in a harvest sun. Come on with your thousands of
illegally ordered troops, and I will promise you, in the name
of Israel's God, that you shall melt away as the snow before a
July sun. . . .

"You might as well tell me that you can make hell into a
powder-house, as to tell me that you could let an army in
here, and have peace; and I intend to tell them, and show them
this, if they do not stay away. . . . And I say our enemies
shall not slip the bow on old 'Bright's neck' again. God bless
you. Amen."

In the afternoon of the same day, the "lion" again roars, as follows:--

"There cannot be a more damnable, dastardly order issued, than
was issued by the Administration to this people, while they
were in an Indian country in 1846. Before we left Nauvoo, not
less than two United States Senators came to receive a pledge
from us that we would leave the United States; and then, while
we were doing our best to leave their borders, the poor, low,
degraded curses sent a requisition for five hundred men to go
and fight their battles! That was President Polk; and he is
now weltering in hell, with old Zachary Taylor, where the
present Administration will soon be, if they do not repent.

"Liars have reported that this people have committed treason,
and upon their lies the President has ordered out troops to
aid in officering this Territory; and if those officers are
like many who have previously been sent here,--and we have
reason to believe that they are, or they would not come where
they know they are not wanted,--they are poor, miserable
blacklegs, broken down political hacks, robbers and
whoremongers; men that are not fit for civilized society; so
they must dragoon them upon us for officers. I feel that I
won't bear such cursed treatment, and that is enough to
say,--for we are just as free as the mountain air. . .

"I have told you that if this people will live their religion,
all will be well; and I have told you that if there is any man
or woman who is not willing to destroy anything or everything
of their property that would be of use to an enemy if left, I
wanted them to go out of the Territory. And I again say so
to-day; for when the time comes to burn and lay waste our
improvements, if any man undertakes to shield his, he will be
sheared down; for 'judgment will be laid to the line, and
righteousness to the plummet.'

"Now, the faint-hearted can go in peace; but should that time
come, they must not interfere. Before I will suffer what I
have in times gone by, there shall not be one building, nor
one foot of lumber, nor a stick, nor a tree, nor a particle of
grass or hay that will burn, left in reach of our enemies. I
am sworn, if driven to extremity, to utterly lay waste, in the
name of Israel's God."

On the same subject, Heber C. Kimball, first counsellor to Brigham, used the following language:--

"Is there a collision between us and the United States? No; we
have not collashed; that is the word that sounds nearest to
what I mean. But now the thread is cut between them and us,
and we will never gybe again,--no, never, worlds without end.
[Voices, 'Amen.'] . . .

"Do as you are told, and Brigham Young will never leave the
governorship of this Territory, from this time henceforth and
forever. No, never. And there shall no wicked Judge with his
w---- ever sit in our courts again; for all who are against
Israel are an abomination to me and to our God.

"The spirit that is upon me this morning is the Spirit of the
Lord, that is, the Holy Ghost,--though some of you may think
that the Holy Ghost is never cheerful. Well, let me tell you,
the Holy Ghost is a man; he is one of the sons of our Father
and our God, and he is that man that stood next to Jesus
Christ,--just as I stand by brother Brigham. . . . You think
our Father and our God is not a lively, sociable, and cheerful
man; he is one of the most lively men that ever lived. . . .
Brother Brigham is my leader, he is my Prophet and my Seer, my
Revelator; and whatever he says, that is for me to do, and it
is not for me to question him one word, nor to question God a
minute."[49:A]

Many sermons were delivered, composed, throughout, of such material as the foregoing extracts. The genius of Mormonism is here fully displayed,--implicit obedience to their leaders, and especially to the teachings of Brigham Young. The people were commanded to be ready to leave their homes at an hour's notice, and flee to the mountains,--and this too, as the snows of winter were falling around them. They were commanded to have the torch ready to set fire to their dwellings, and the axe to cut down all their fruit-trees; and they were ready to obey! The question naturally presents itself, Can blind faith and fanaticism thus lead and control a whole community? That some should be thus blindly infatuated, is not strange; but that a whole community should thus lose their reason, and be willing to beggar themselves and families, in obedience to the call of their leader, is almost beyond belief.

It is safe to say, had the Mormons been left free to choose, at least one half would have remained at home, and even welcomed the troops into the city.

But the fiat of despotism had gone forth. "When the time comes to burn and lay waste our improvements, if any man undertakes to shield his, he will be sheared down; for 'judgment will be laid to the line, and righteousness to the plummet.'" This means, in plain English, that any man who refused to obey Young should be put to death; and the people well understood it. As it was certain death to resist his will, they vied with each other in seeming to render a willing obedience to a tyrant whom many hated, and all feared.

They fortified Echo Canyon, a narrow pass, about eighteen miles in length, eastward from the city. Piles of huge stones were heaped up along the borders of the precipices, ready to be dashed against the troops, as they should essay to pass the gorge. Intrenchments were thrown up, and such other warlike preparations made as their facilities afforded.

The United States troops had entered the Territory of Utah, and were encamped in Green River County, near Fort Bridger, a distance of 118 miles from Salt Lake City. From this place Governor Cumming issued the following proclamation:--

"GREEN RIVER COUNTY, near Fort Bridger, }
UTAH TERRITORY, 21st November, 1857. }

"_To the People of Utah Territory_:--

"On the 11th day of July, 1857, the President appointed me to
preside over the executive department of the government of
this Territory. I arrived at this point on the 17th of this
month, and shall probably be detained some time, in
consequence of the loss of animals during the recent
snow-storm. I will proceed at this point to make the
preliminary arrangements for the temporary organization of the
territorial government. Many treasonable acts of violence have
recently been committed by lawless individuals, supposed to
have been commanded by the late executive. Such persons are in
a state of rebellion.

"Proceedings will be instituted against them in a court
organized by Chief Justice Eckels, held in this county, which
court will supersede the necessity of appointing military
commissions for the trial of such offenders.

"It is my duty to enforce unconditional obedience to the
Constitution, and the organic law of this Territory, and to
all the other laws of Congress applicable to you.

"To enable me to effect this object, I will, in the event of
resistance, rely first upon a _posse comitatus_ of the
well-disposed portion of the inhabitants of this Territory,
and will only resort to a military _posse_ in case of
necessity. I trust this necessity will not occur. I have come
among you with no prejudices or enmities; and by the exercise
of a just and firm administration I hope to command your
confidence.

"Freedom of conscience, and the use of your own peculiar mode
of serving God, are sacred rights, the exercise of which is
guaranteed by the Constitution, and with which it is not the
province of the Government or the disposition of its
representatives in this Territory to interfere. In virtue of
my authority as commander-in-chief of the military of this
Territory, I hereby command all armed bodies of individuals,
by whomsoever organized, to disband, and return to their
respective homes.

"The penalty of disobedience to this command will subject the
offenders to the punishment due to traitors.

"A. CUMMING,

"_Governor of Utah Territory_."

During this time the Mormon troops were busy stealing stock, burning supply-trains, and in every way weakening and embarrassing the United States forces. Being familiar with the country, they had greatly the advantage; and could break suddenly upon a herding party, from some side canyon, capture their stock, and before the alarm could be given, be safely ensconced in their own quarters. Much valuable stock was acquired in this way.

"Forts Bridger and Supply were vacated and burned down. Orders
were issued by Daniel H. Wells (Lieut.-General Nauvoo Legion,)
to stampede the animals of the United States troops on their
march, to set fire to their trains, to burn the grass and the
whole country before them and on their flanks, to keep them
from sleeping by night surprises, and to block the roads by
felling trees, and destroying the fords of rivers.

"On the 4th of October, 1857, the Mormons, under Capt. Lot
Smith, captured and burned, on Green River, three of our
supply trains, consisting of seventy-five wagons, loaded with
provisions and tents for the army, and carried away several
hundred animals."

Late in the fall of 1857 "the Army of Utah" arrived at Bridger, and made an encampment, which was called Camp Scott.

As the winter was severe, and the snow very deep, little progress was made by the army in quelling the Mormon rebellion, while much suffering was endured by the soldiers. Some time during the winter of 1857-58 Col. Kane set out for Utah, to ascertain, if possible, the exact state of affairs in that Territory. He was not sent as the agent of the Government, as is generally supposed, but his mission was approved by President Buchanan, and the War Department. He went _incognito_, and by the southern route, and arrived in Utah in the month of January. He was accompanied by a servant only, and while on the desert to the south of Salt Lake City, was taken sick, and came near losing his life. Amasa Lyman and others were out exploring, with a view of ascertaining whether the Mormons could be attacked from the south. They found Col. Kane and his man on the desert. Lyman took him into his carriage, "laid hands on him, and administered unto him." Kane still remained unknown to him, but told him that he had business of importance to transact at Salt Lake,--important both to the Mormons and to the nation. He was immediately taken to Salt Lake, where, for the first time, he made known his business and his name.

Brigham was agreeably surprised to find an old friend and _quasi_ Mormon in his guest, and of course treated him with the greatest consideration. It was well understood at Salt Lake that Col. Kane was baptized by the Elders some years before, while on a tour of exploration to the Rocky Mountains.[52:A] How much of Mormonism he imbibed is not known, but certain it is, that the saints rely on his aid and influence, under all circumstances.

The negotiations were of the most friendly character, and Kane proceeded soon after, in his character as pacificator, to the "Head-quarters of the Army of Utah," at Fort Bridger. He was escorted by Porter Rockwell, and Daniel Kimball past the limits of the Mormon camp. He held interviews with the officers of the army and with Governor Cumming, and succeeded in inducing the Governor to accompany him to Salt Lake.

Of this journey Governor Cumming says:--

"I left camp on the 5th, _en route_ for this city, accompanied
by Col. Kane, as guide, and two servants. . . . I was escorted
from Bear River Valley to the western end of Echo Canyon,--the
journey through the canyon being performed, for the most part,
in the night; it was about eleven o'clock when I arrived at
Weber Station.

"I have been everywhere recognized as the Governor of Utah,
and, so far from having encountered insults and indignities, I
am gratified in being able to state that, in passing through
the settlements, I have been universally greeted with such
respectful attentions as are due to the representative of the
executive authority of the United States. . . .

"When it was arranged with the Mormon officer in command of my
escort that I should pass through Echo Canyon in the night, I
inferred that it was with the object of concealing the
barricades and other defences. I was therefore agreeably
surprised by an illumination in honor to me. The bonfires
kindled by the soldiers, from the base to the summit of the
hills, completely illuminated the valley, and disclosed the
snow-covered mountains which surrounded us."

The following is the Mormon account of the _entrée_ of Governor Cumming into the Valley of Salt Lake, and may go to explain to him why the journey was made through Echo Canyon in the night.

Upon entering the Mormon lines they were rejoined by Rockwell and Kimball, who commanded the Governor's escort to Salt Lake City. Echo Canyon is a narrow pass, about eighteen miles in length, and commands the entrance to Salt Lake Valley from the east. The Mormons had fortified this canyon at several points. They also had four camps, or places of rendezvous, at convenient distances. Upon arriving at Cache Cave, the first "post," the party of the Governor came to a halt. His Excellency was escorted into camp with due honor, and an ox was slain to celebrate the occasion. After partaking of a sumptuous repast, the troops were ordered out for the Governor to review. About 150 men were "drawn up," and after the review, the Governor "made a speech." He complimented "the boys" on their order, discipline, and skill.

Col. Kimball then proceeded to read various orders to the troops. Various imaginary companies were ordered to relieve various other imaginary companies. Several new posts were ordered to be established, and others abandoned. Meanwhile, the Governor, _not to be deceived_, was noting down the different companies as they were called. This done, they again took the road. It was now about sundown; and as they passed the stations, the troops were arranged on each side of the road, to salute the Governor, and be reviewed by him. Everything passed off smoothly until they reached the third station, when it suddenly occurred to Col. Kimball that the pickets at that post had not been apprised of their coming. He remarked, on nearing the camp, that "he saw no pickets, and he guessed the boys were in ambush." He therefore mounted a horse, and telling the driver to be sure and "halt" as soon as he heard the word, rode off. In a moment more, the guard shouted, "Halt! who goes there?"--and before a reply could be given, the crack of a rifle was heard. The Governor, trembling with fright, cried out, "I am your friend, the Governor of Utah; don't fire, boys; for God's sake, don't fire!" "I know nothing about Governors, nor anybody else," replied the picket; "I must do my duty. This way, Sergeant of the Guard." By this time quite a company rode up, and, as the Governor supposed, he was about to be taken prisoner. Col. Kimball now appeared, explained the whole matter, and relieved his Excellency from his embarrassing position. But the Governor was entirely innocent of the joke, and believes, to this day, that he had a hair-breadth escape.

They then passed on to the mouth of Echo Canyon, where the troops were again reviewed; and as the party bivouacked for the night, hundreds of camp-fires gleamed along the rugged sides of the canyon, furnishing incontestable evidence of the great number of the Mormon soldiers. There were at this time about 150 men, all told, in the canyon, and _these the Governor had reviewed at every station_.

The next morning the Governor proceeded on his journey, prepared to assert that the Mormons had from two to three thousand men under arms in and near Echo Canyon. When the company arrived at Sessions, ten miles from Salt Lake City, they were met by a large concourse of citizen soldiery, preceded by a band of music, accompanied by the roaring of cannon. The Echo Canyon boys were also there, to see the fun. The Governor was quite bewildered by all this parade, and made up his mind that the Mormons were very numerous, and both ready and willing to "wipe out" the handful of Government soldiers, whenever they could get permission from their leader.

Upon arriving at the "Holy City," the best lodgings and the best brandy were provided for his Excellency. Brigham called in due time, and paid his compliments; invited Governor Cumming to his office, and tendered to him "the hospitalities of the city." Governor Cumming was delighted, and in a few days called at the office of Governor Young. This wily personage put on one of his blandest smiles, resigned his office of Governor, turned over the papers and documents of the office to his legal successor, and, to crown all, produced the _records of the courts_, in the highest state of preservation.

Governor Cumming was perfectly amazed. Was it possible his eyes did not deceive him? Were these the veritable records about which so much had been said? They were; and the Mormons had been belied, and the Government deceived. He immediately wrote to the President and to Col. Johnson, and explained how matters stood.

The gifted and accomplished Col. Kane was the bearer of these documents to his venerable friend James Buchanan, who read with delight these "signs of repentance" on the part of his dear children, and immediately commenced writing their pardon.

It has been supposed by many that Col. Kane was, at that time, acting as the agent of the United States Government. But the following extract from a letter to him, written by President Buchanan, dated December 31, 1857, will at once determine the position which the Colonel occupied:--

"MY DEAR SIR,--You furnish the strongest evidence of your
desire to serve the Mormons, by abandoning the comforts of
friends, family, and home, and voluntarily encountering the
perils and dangers of a journey to Utah, at the present
inclement season of the year, at your own expense, and without
official position. . . . Nothing but pure philanthropy, and a
strong desire to serve the Mormon people, could have dictated
a course so much at war with your private interests."

While the President was penning his proclamation of pardon, the Mormons were leaving their property and homes, and taking up their line of march for the South. Governor Cumming was unable to control the movements of Col. Johnson, who was acting under instructions from the Secretary of War. Hence Cumming could not save to Brigham, however much he might feel disposed to do so, the humiliation of seeing the streets of the city filled with the federal soldiers, against whom he had been hurling his anathemas. Finding this catastrophe could not possibly be averted, he promulgated an order, purporting to emanate from the Almighty, commanding the people to leave their homes and start for the South. This order was prompted partly by the fact that the "President of the Church" was committed to this course by his repeated declarations, and partly by the wish on his part to test his power over "this people." It was readily and implicitly obeyed by his deluded followers. They knew not where they were going. Many believed they were destined for Sonora. They only knew the Prophet of the Lord had spoken, and they must obey.

On the 6th of April, 1858, their long trains moved southward, taking with them their household goods, and provisions for the journey. Brigham, Heber, and the principal men, also removed their families from their comfortable homes, again to encounter the toils and privations incident to life on the Plains. They went to Provo, 50 miles from the city, and there halted. The snow was still on the ground, and the pilgrims suffered much from the inclemency of the weather.

On the 12th of April, Mr. Buchanan appointed L. W. Powell, of Kentucky, and Ben McCulloch, of Texas, Commissioners to Utah, and by them sent on his proclamation of pardon. They reached Salt Lake on the 7th of June, and immediately made known their business to the Mormon authorities. They were instructed to say to the Mormons, in the language of the proclamation, "If you obey the laws, keep the peace, and respect the just rights of others, you will be perfectly secure, and may live in your present faith, or change it for another at your pleasure. Every intelligent man among you knows very well that the Government has never, directly or indirectly, sought to molest you in your worship, to control you in your ecclesiastical affairs, or even to influence you in your religious opinions."

The following extracts from the report of the Commissioners will serve to show the result of their mission:--

"We stated that we wished a free conference with them, and
were ready to hear what they had to say. Ex-Governor Brigham
Young, Lieut.-Governor Wells, and others, spoke. They
expressed their gratification that the President had sent
commissioners to Utah. They stated that they were attached to
the Constitution and the Government of the United States; they
spoke harshly of many of the officials who had held office in
the Territory; they spoke of the wrongs and injuries hitherto
done them; they said they desired to live in peace, under the
Constitution of the United States. They denied that they had
ever driven any officials from Utah, or prevented any civil
officer from entering the Territory. They admitted that they
burned the army trains, and drove off the cattle from the army
last fall, and for that act they accepted the President's
pardon. All the charges that had been made against them,
except the one last named, they denied. . . . We are pleased
to state that the conference resulted in their agreeing to
receive, quietly and peaceably, all the civil officers of the
Government, and not to resist them in the execution of the
duties of their offices; and to yield obedience to the
authorities and laws of the United States.

"That they would offer no resistance to the army; that the
officers of the army would not be resisted in the execution of
their orders within the Territory. In short, they agreed that
the officers, civil and military, of the United States, should
enter the Territory without resistance, and exercise,
peaceably and unmolested, all the functions of their various
offices."

The Mormons, on their part, stipulated that the army should not be encamped within forty miles of the city; that they should protect private property; that they should march directly through the city, without halting; and should not encamp until they crossed the Jordan. These conditions were substantially complied with. "On the 26th of June General Johnson marched the army under his command through Salt Lake City, and encamped on the banks of the river Jordan, just without the city limits. The place selected for a permanent camp was in Cedar Valley, about forty miles south of Great Salt Lake City, and known as Camp Floyd, now Fort Crittenden."

On the 5th of July, 1858, the Mormon refugees received orders to return to their homes. With joy and alacrity they prepared to obey the welcome summons.

Governor Cumming had frequently urged them to return, without avail. But when the "mighty man of God" sent forth his mandate, each man sprang to his feet as if by magic, rushed to his teams, and before the morning sun gilded the eastern hills, "the faithful" were again returning to their Mecca.

A company of United States troops were stationed on what was called "the Dug Out," to prevent collision with the Mormons on their return to Salt Lake. The officer commanding related to me the following incident:--

"I witnessed the most extreme destitution among the returning
emigrants. I saw a number of women cooking around a camp-fire,
and their clothing was extremely scanty. The supply of a
family of fourteen persons could have been compressed into a
small-sized trunk. One evening I saw two or three women
cooking supper, and observing that they had neither tea nor
coffee, I questioned them, and they replied they had had none
for two or three years. At this time, according to report, it
took a four-mule team to draw the Prophet's gold and silver,
besides some that went in other conveyances."

The saints again entered into possession of their deserted homes, and began, as well as the lateness of the season would permit, to cultivate their farms and gardens.

Thus ended this crusade against the modern Mohammed and his followers.

FOOTNOTES:

[49:A] _Deseret News_, November 18, 1857.

[52:A] John Hyde, Jr., in his work on Mormonism, page 146, says: "Fillmore, by the advice and intercession of Col. Kane, _who had embraced Mormonism in Iowa_, appointed Brigham as the Governor of Utah."