The Rocky Mountain Saints/Chapter 38

While the Mormons were locked out by deep snows on the mountains from nearly all intercourse with the Eastern States, and were almost as destitute of news from the Pacific, they had little idea of the stir which Utah had created everywhere throughout the Union.

Perfectly unconscious of having disturbed the tranquillity of any one, and never suspecting that the great sermons of the Tabernacle would be taken for more than buncombe, the Mormon leader began in early spring to carry out his projects at home and his missions abroad.

One of the citizens of Utah had obtained the contract from the Post-Office Department for the transportation of the United States mails across the plains between Leavenworth, Kansas, and Salt Lake City. In this Brigham saw the foundation for a grand carrying company, and bent all his energies to organize a "B. Y. Express." He gathered around him the most intrepid men of the mountains, pressed the brethren who had "stock" to join in the enterprise, and succeeded in controlling all that was necessary to make the company successful.

​The winter snows of 1856–7 had tarried long on the mountains and the plains, and this rendered the stocking of the road and the building of stations over the long distance of 1,200 miles a very severe task. But there was every incentive to more than ordinary diligence. The Government had never exhibited much favour to any Mormon citizen, and delay in commencing the new mail contract might be seized as a pretext for repudiating the new contractor. With this fully impressed upon their minds, the most daring and hardy of the mountaineers were called to assist, and in an incredibly short space of time, and in the midst of very severe weather, stations were built and relays of horses and mules were strung all the way along the travelled route from the mountains to the river. There was a fair prospect then that the "B. Y. Express Carrying Company" would have grown into a gigantic enterprise, conveying all the merchandise and mails from the East, and have placed Utah, by means of express messengers, in daily intercourse with the rest of the world, a decade before that desired end was accomplished by the railroad. This was to all appearance the most sensible enterprise that Brigham ever attempted; but, alas!

The correspondence from Utah, the serious charges of the judges, the wire-pulling of contractors, and the deep-laid schemes of politicians,^[1] were too much for any government to resist; but the unkindest cut of all was the desertion of the Mormon interest by their long-tried friend, Senator Stephen A. Douglas.

As circuit judge in Illinois, that honourable gentleman had befriended the founder of Mormonism, when he was the victim of an erring interpretation of the law, or the subject of ​unwarrantable interference. The Mormons looked upon the judge very kindly, and in after-years, when he became senator, every delegation from Utah to Congress was certain to consult and listen to his suggestions and counsels.

His "squatter-sovereignty" was their political creed, and while they sought his influence at the seat of government, he found in them the living exponents of the sovereignty doctrine to which he devoted his life. But the time had come when this harmony was to be disturbed.

In the spring of 1856 Senator Douglas delivered a great speech at Springfield, Illinois. It was the announcement of his platform before the assembling of the conventions that were to nominate the successor of President Pierce. In that speech the senator characterized Mormonism as "the loathsome ulcer of the body politic" and recommended the free use of the scalpel as the only remedy in the hands of the nation. The Author well remembers that speech and its effect upon the Mormons. He was then engaged as assistant editor of The Mormon, a weekly paper published in New York city. His first impulse was to notice the speech, but a careful examination of it rendered the expediency of such a course very doubtful. There were so many "ifs" and so often "should it be," that it was at last concluded to leave it alone, for the senator might after all have only said what he did from the necessity of sailing with the popular tide against the Mormons, while at the same time he might in the Senate demand evidence of the criminality of the Mormons before any action was taken against them. Brigham alone could determine what course, if any, should be adopted in respect to the Springfield speech.

Before long the Deseret News, Brigham's official organ, presented to the world a reply to Senator Douglas. The priesthood's phials of wrath were poured out without stint or mercy upon the head of their quondam friend and defender. All the good that he had ever done was in a moment forgotten, and all their obligations were in an instant cancelled for ever. An irreconcilable breach was made, and the spirit of prophecy was rampant. The predictions of Joseph that had been embalmed in the catacombs of history were dragged forth from their long and silent slumbers, and the Illinois statesman was reminded ​of the time when he was "but a county judge" and when the Prophet Joseph patronizingly told him that he would yet be an aspirant for the chair of Washington, that, if he continued the friend of the Mormons, he should live to be President of the United States, but if he ever lifted his finger or his voice against them his plans should be frustrated and his ambitious hopes utterly disappointed. All this Brigham circumstantially related to the senator in reply to his Springfield speech, and closed with the anathemas of the priesthood and the prediction that the senator should fail in his attempt and never attain to the goal of his ambition. The Democratic Convention met in Cincinnati soon after, and Senator Douglas was a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. The Hon. James Buchanan was nominated, the Illinois senator was defeated, Brigham was a prophet, and the faithful rejoiced.^[2]

During that campaign, in the fall of 1856, Republicans carried the banner hostile to polygamy, and Democrats made speeches against the same institution: the Mormons had no friends anywhere.

On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated chief magistrate of the republic, with a cabinet that soon proved itself hostile to Utah and ready to obey the behests of the nation in bringing Brigham Young and the Mormons "into subjection to the laws."

The Mormons had hardly got to the Missouri river with the first mail from the mountains before the noisy preparations of war were heard. The new mail contractor received at Leavenworth but one monthly mail to carry across the ​plains, and, when he presented himself for the second, it was denied him. The Government had concluded on a change; an act of bad faith which "military necessity" alone might perhaps justify; but the ground upon which the contract was said to be annulled was discreditable to the Government and tended to impress the Mormons more and more with dislike to the representatives of the nation.

Brigham's representative in the East, A. O. Smoot, then mayor of Salt Lake City, a discreet and honourable man, hastened back to the mountains bearing with him evidence of the appointment of a new governor and new Federal officers for Utah, who were to be escorted thither by "the flower of the American army."

Utah had passed through severe trials in 1856. There had been Indian troubles, the destruction of the crops by crickets, the Reformation, the unfortunate hand-cart experiment, and the troubles with the judges. The summer of 1857 was promising a rich harvest, the judges had left the Territory, there. was no one to disturb or annoy, and nothing could be more appropriate than a grand celebration on the return of "the anniversary of their deliverance"—the 24th of July, the day when the pioneers entered Salt Lake Valley. It was a great anniversary and a day to be celebrated with great rejoicing.

To avoid the enervating effects of processional display in the city, Brigham invited those who had the means of transportation to join him in an excursion to Big Cottonwood Lake, distant about twenty-four miles from Salt Lake City, and nearly ten thousand feet above the level of the sea. It was a kind of three days' jubilee. One day was given to getting up a steep, narrow, and rugged cañon, fixing tents, and preparing for enjoyment; the second was a day of festivity, and the last was devoted to a quiet return home, under the pleasant influences of the rejoicings of the previous day.

On the 24th of July, 1857, there were probably gathered at the lake about two thousand persons—men, women, and children—in the fullest enjoyment of social freedom. Some were fishing in the lake, others strolling among the trees, climbing the high peaks, pitching quoits, playing cricket, engaging in gymnastic exercises, pic-nicking, and gliding through ​the boweries that were prepared for the mazy dance. It was a day of feasting, joy, and amusement for the silver-haired veteran and the toddling child. The welkin rang with the triumphant songs of Zion, and these, accompanied by the sweet melody of many-toned instruments of music, thrilled every bosom with enthusiastic joy. Their exuberance was the pure outgushing of their souls' emotion, and owned no earthly inspiration, for their only beverage was the sparkling nectar of Eden, while their sympathies were united by a sacred and fraternal bond of affectionate love, which for the time rendered them oblivious of the artificial distinctions of social life. The highest and the lowest rejoiced together, rank and authority were set aside; it was a day in which the dreary past could be favourably contrasted with the joyous present, and hearts were made glad in the simple faith that the God of their fathers was their protector, and that they were his peculiar people.

When Brigham, ten years before, had addressed the pioneers at their first halting-place in the Valley, he spoke to them of the mobs that had driven them from their homes in Missouri and in Illinois, and of the Government that deserved its share of condemnation for affording them no redress. In winding up that speech, he expressed the confidence that he felt in the future, and the assurance that, if the Saints had ten years of peace from that time, "he would ask no odds of Uncle Sam or the devil!"

With a full realization of the weight and importance of the news of which he was the bearer, elder Smoot lost no time on the plains, and, knowing well that the tenth anniversary would be celebrated, he strained every nerve to be present—not to mar the happiness of the occasion, but to afford his chief the best opportunity for instructing the people before they separated to all parts of the Territory.

The weary journey from the States was at length accomplished, and, before the sun had crimsoned the snowy peaks that surrounded the worshipping, rejoicing Saints, Brigham was in possession of the news, and the people were listening with breathless attention to the most stiring, important address that ever their leader had uttered, for upon his decision depended peace or war.

​Brigham was undaunted. With the inspiration of such surroundings—the grandeur of the Wahsatch range of the Rocky Mountains every where encircling him, the stately trees whose foliage of a century's growth towered proudly to the heavens, the multitude of people before him who had listened to his counsels as if hearkening to the voice of the Most High

—men and women who had followed him from the abodes of civilization to seek shelter in the wilderness from mobs, prattling innocents and youths who knew nothing of the world but Utah, and who looked to him as a father for protection— what could he not say?

"God was with them, and the devil had taken him at his word. He had said ten years before, and he could but repeat it, he would ask no odds of Uncle Sam or the devil." He preached to them; and he prophesied that in twelve years from that time he himself should be President of the United States, or would dictate who should be.^[3]

​With such glory before their wondering eyes, the simplehearted people sang again their songs of joy, and he blessed them over and over again. They renewed their dancing in the boweries, and when the day was fully spent they returned happily to their tents, more than ever satisfied that the angels had charge concerning them. Sublime spectacle of faith!

Before the news reached elder Smoot's ears that the newly installed administration had resolved upon a thorough change in Utah, President Buchanan and his Secretary of War, John B. Floyd, had already made an entirely new list of Federal appointments, and issued orders for the march of the army. Alfred Cumming, of Georgia, was the new Governor; D. R. Eckles, Chief-Justice; John Cradlebaugh and Charles E. Sinclair, Associate Justices; John Hartnett, Secretary; and Peter K. Dotson, Marshal.

It is an understood thing among the Saints that nothing of this kind should take place without "the Lord" previously. notifying the Prophet of what was about to transpire; but it is very evident that the evil one, who is always "seeking to destroy the kingdom," did get a little the start of the Prophet on this occasion. Long before elder Smoot reached the scene of rejoicing at Big Cottonwood Lake, the United States army was on the march. Brigadier-General W. S. Harney was appointed commander of the expedition, and Major Stew- ​art Van Vleit had been selected as Captain Assistant Quarter-Master, to repair immediately to Utah in advance of the army to make the necessary purchases of lumber for their quarters, forage for the animals, and such provisions as might be required for the subsistence of the troops.

The Saints had no time now to lose; the enemy was approaching their homes. War was then everything in Utah. The leaders preached war, prayed war, taught war; while saintly poets scribbled war, and the people sang their ditties. "The God of Battles" was the deity of the hour, and his influence was everywhere seen and felt. Public works and private enterprise were alike suspended, while every artist who had sufficient genius for the manufacture of revolvers, repairing old guns, or burnishing and sharpening rusty sabres and bayonets, was pressed into service for the defence of Zion. The sisters, too, were seized with the war-fever, and their weaving and knitting talents were fully exercised in preparation for the coming campaign. It was a great time for rejoicing in the Lord, cursing Uncle Sam, and keeping powder dry.

Two apostles, Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich, had successfully established a colony of Mormons at San Bernardino, in Southern California. Orders were immediately dispatched to them, and to Orson Hyde's colony in Carson Valley, to "break up" and come home for the defence of Zion.^[4] A special messenger was sent to Europe to direct the apostles Orson Pratt and Ezra T. Benson to send home immediately all the Utah elders, and to return themselves the best way they could. The elders who were on missions in the Atlantic and Pacific States were all "called in" to protect their families in the coming struggle.

When "the Lord" called upon Joseph to go up and re​deem Zion in Missouri, the Prophet could only muster two hundred and five "warriors," but the times were changed. Israel had grown and multiplied, and in numbers was not now to be despised. The republic was a great nation, but Zion was greater. The prophecies were about to be fulfilled, and what the Saints wanted in cannon and munitions of war they could make up in faith. Not only were the missionary elders eager to return to the mountains for the protection of their families, but, could it have been accomplished, thousands of the Saints in Europe and the States would have rallied round the standard of the Prophet. There was no fear, no hesitation anywhere; every one believed that "the Lord" would come out of his hiding place and vex the nation.

The Western Standard, the Mormon organ then published in San Francisco, and The Mormon, published in New York, were ordered to be discontinued—the world was to be left without light. The missionary elders returning from Europe landed at New York as secretly as possible, and made their way westward to the frontiers by various routes, so that they should not be recognized or hindered by any action of the Government as they journeyed home, or be delayed by any annoyances on the part of the citizens as they passed by.

The Utah elders are by no means cowards, but many of them when returning had formed the idea that Uncle Sam was ready to devour them, and that the devil was always at their elbow ready to denounce them as they passed along. If a person chanced to look twice at any of them, or ask a question about their destination or object in travelling, he was instantly regarded as a spy or some Government officer in disguise, who meant mischief and peril to them. A number of elders returning from their missions to Europe, while passing through Chicago, met with a little difficulty which did serious damage to the cause of human enlightenment. An officer in blue, with eagle buttons, chanced to put up at the same hotel, and one of the chief brethren at sight of him was instantly demoralized. Visions of a terrible fate troubled his mind; he and his brethren were certainly going to be thoroughly overhauled, and, if any papers were found upon them that would establish their identity as Mormons, detection was a certainty. He communicated his ​apprehensions to the others, and counselled the immediate destruction of all the books and papers that any of the brethren chanced to carry about their persons or in their satchels. One of the elders had been for years the "private secretary of Brigham Young," and had kept a pocket-journal in which he had jotted down the inspired droppings of the sanctuary. It was to him then a priceless treasure, and undoubtedly would one day have become a valuable contribution to the historian's office. It was brimful of choice sayings, bits of some rare revelations and interpretations of others, dates, memoranda, "blessings," and receipts for money paid. In it, too, were tracings of the names of his forefathers and foremothers, for whom he was yet to be baptized in the Temple, in order to aid their salvation and deliverance from the hands of the devil. It was one of those priceless bijous that no one can ever part with, and "brother Thomas" held on to it as a fond mother to her only child. But obedience to "counsel" was insisted on, and this rich treasure, this priceless journal, was tearfully consigned to the dark caverns of a Chicago third-class hotel sewerage! Poor Thomas! Years later, with tears in his eyes, he narrated to the Author his grief and the annoyance which he suffered from the loss of his treasured volume. Thomas probably may not have quite so much faith to-day, and may fret less.

The apostles from Europe, and a few elders who attended them as a body-guard, crossed the Atlantic incognito, preserved themselves secretly in New York till the Pacific steamer sailed for San Francisco, preferring the long sea journey and the western route, via Southern California, rather than the risk of following the usual route of the Saints to Zion through the Atlantic States, and across the plains where the troops were journeying.

A high priest, who was presiding over the Saints in the Atlantic States at the outbreak of the Mormon war, was so terror stricken that, if he saw a sergeant or captain of police in a street car in which he chanced to be riding, he would become perfectly nervous. He it was who had first in New York given the Utah elders counsel to store away their books and papers where they would be safe till they could send for them, and it was the private secretary's attachment to his journal and dis​obedience to this counsel that terrified the chief elder in Chicago, till he could see nothing in the memoranda but a veritable Jonah that would sink the whole ship.

The high priest while in New York would have died from sheer fright, had he not been stimulated to live by the kindly glances of a sweet Connecticut maiden, who in time became his second wife. Before the war, while he was a brave preacher and defiant of all earthly powers, he had worn what was called a Kossuth overcoat, but that was now too conspicuous, and all the braid and filligree-work had to come off lest it should lead to his identity. A coloured barber, who had long dyed the high priest's locks, in a moment of gushing kindness and with his blandest smile exclaimed to him: "Massa, I knows who you was! Yah, yah!" That ebony acquaintance was cut for ever. The Author well remembers the last time that he was chatting with "the judge" on the affairs in Utah, at a new boarding-house where he had hoped that no one would recognize him as a Mormon. He could scarcely speak above a whisper, and feared that some one might hear through the keyhole. Very different was the Author's own experience. He was known and seen daily in the offices of the New York press, and treated with more respect and attention by those who knew that he was a Mormon than he would probably have been had he been a Gentile; he saw no signs of the nation's vindictiveness, and witnessed and heard nothing that could possibly be construed into "persecution of the Saints" on the part of the republic.

Major Van Vleit arrived in Salt Lake City in the beginning of September. He was politely received by Governor Young, but was informed with great frankness that they had abundance of all he required, but they would sell nothing to the Government, and were determined that the United States troops should not enter Salt Lake Valley. Through the politeness of Major-General Van Vleit, the Author is able to give portions of that officer's report to the commanding general of the army, which throw great light upon this period of Mormon history:

"He [Brigham] stated that the Mormons had been persecuted, mur​dered, and robbed in Missouri and Illinois, both by the mob and State authorities, and that now the United States were about to pursue the same course, and that, therefore, he and the people of Utah had determined to resist all persecution at the commencement, and that the troops now on the march for Utah should not enter the Great Salt Lake Valley. As he uttered these words, all there present concurred most heartily in what he said. . . . In the course of my conversation with the Governor and the influential men in the Territory, I told them plainly and frankly what I conceived would be the result of their present course. I told them that they might prevent the small military force now approaching Utah from getting through the narrow defiles and rugged passes of the mountains this year, but that next season the United States Government would send troops sufficient to overcome all opposition. The answer to this was invariably the same: 'We are aware that such will be the case; but when those troops arrive, they will find Utah a desert, every house will be burned to the ground, every tree cut down, and every field laid waste. We have three years' provisions on hand, which we will cache, and then take to the mountains, and bid defiance to all the powers of the Government.'

"I attended their service on Sunday, and in course of a sermon delivered by elder Taylor he referred to the approach of the troops, and declared they should not enter the Territory. He then referred to the probability of an overpowering force being sent against them, and desired all present, who would apply the torch to their own buildings, cut down their trees, and lay waste their fields, to hold up their hands; every hand in an audience numbering over four thousand persons was raised at the same moment."

The Major further reported that he anticipated that the Mormons would burn the grass on the plains, stampede the cattle, and hinder the advance of the expedition till the snow rendered it impossible for the army to force a passage through the cañons, and suggested that Fort Bridger should be selected for winter-quarters.

At the very moment when this representative of the Government was listening to the harangues of Brigham Young and the Mormon leaders against the advance of the army, and protesting their innocence of the charges preferred against them, there was perpetrated, two hundred and fifty miles south of Salt Lake City, the darkest crime on record in American history—the Mountain Meadows massacre, in which over one hundred and twenty men, women, and children were butchered by Indians and Mormons! A fouler deed of treachery was ​never known in any nation professing the Christian faith. Had Mormonism up to that hour been stainless, had its principles been as pure as the breathings around the throne of Jehovah, that one cursed deed unatoned for was alone sufficient to shut against it for ever the portals of heaven. The historian's pen will yet record that the hand of an avenging angel has been uplifted in retributive justice ever since against the shedders of that innocent blood, and the withering curse of the Almighty has followed that priesthood who had not the manhood to rise up and demand that the cause of which they were the exponents should not be blighted by the bloody work of savages who claimed to be their brethren in Christ and the anointed of the Lord. The people were horrified at the deed, and it has been the canker-worm of their souls ever since.

On the 14th of September Major Van Vleit left the city and returned to the East. The next day Brigham issued the following document:

"PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

"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 to 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 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, no 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 person to be sent to enquire into 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; of hireling priests and howling editors, who prostitute the truth for filthy lucre's sake.

"The issue which has been thus forced upon us compels us to resort to the great first law of self-preservation, and stand in our own 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 tamely 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 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:

"1st. Forbid all armed forces of every description from coming into this Territory, under any pretence whatever.

"2d. 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.

"3rd. 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 the Territory without a permit from the proper officers.

"Given under my hand and seal at Great Salt Lake City, Territory of Utah, this 15th day of September, A. D. 1857, and of the Independence of the United States of America the 82nd.

(Signed)"Brigham Young."

On the following day (Sunday) the Tabernacle discourses were overflowing with inspiration. For years the Saints had been listening to predictions which promised them national independence. They had been looking forward to the time when the Government by some act of folly should rise up against the Lord's anointed and force an issue that would justify the Saints in throwing off their allegiance and verify the inspiration of the apostle Taylor:

When the congregation in the morning had got well seated, and prayer had been offered, in an unctuous tone Brigham spoke of his confidence in the future, and then bursting out revealed himself in this fashion:

"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."

"Brother Heber," Brigham's first counsellor, an eccentric, good-natured, jocular Saint, wanted to have a hand in the fight, and gushing over with "the Spirit " he set forth his views of the situation:

"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 for ever. No, ​never. And there shall no wicked judge with his whore 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 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."^[6]

Between sermons, Brigham had leisure for further reflection, and as, doubtless, many of the brethren had cordially shaken hands with him on his way to and from home, and blessed "the Lord" for his favour to his servant, he felt that all had not yet been said. With such encouragement, in the afternoon assemblage, after partaking of the sacrament, he again addressed the Saints:

"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.^[7]

"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 a 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."^[8]

With such sermons and with such threats of death to the lukewarm and rebellious, what could the dissenting among the people do but bend before the storm? The masses were, in the language of the Tabernacle, but "clay in the hands of the potter," to be shaped and fashioned according to the dictates of a ruler's mind. Brigham's declaration to Major Van Vleit, that "he and the people of Utah had determined to resist," is interpreted by his Sunday sermon, wherein he informs the faint-hearted who would not destroy their property that if the troops advanced into the city they should "be sheared down." The reader has but to imagine himself in a sparsely settled desert country, "a thousand miles from everywhere," from which there was no possibility of escape without the loss of everything, and the risk of life itself, and his indignation against the Mormon people for their rebellion will soon change. to sympathy.

The brethren made but rough soldiers, although they had been drilled as well as their situation, arms, and the ability of their instructors permitted. They were immediately sent out into Echo Cañon, a narrow defile between the mountains about twenty-five miles in length, through which the troops were expected to pass. There, on the east side, the high rocks were swarming with men engaged in building dry stone walls as a ​protection for the riflemen, and on the sloping sides of the western mountains trenches were dug for the same purpose. On the east side, at the base of the overhanging mountains, was the ordinary road through the cañon. The Mormon engineers had constructed dams for the purpose of throwing a great body of water on to the west of the road, among the willows and scrub-trees, so that the army would be forced to take the east side of the cañon, where the Saints were prepared for them.

On the overhanging rocks large quantities of boulders and masses of rocks were placed, so that, as the army passed by, a small leverage would be amply sufficient to hail them down, upon the soldiers. It may be hardly fair to smile at this primitive arrangement, but in these days of rifles and long-range

shells the critical unbeliever can hardly refrain from comparing such defensive operations to the process of "catching birds by putting salt on their tails!" As the traveller in the luxurious Pullman cars of the Union Pacific Railroad passes through that cañon to-day, it is edifying to raise the eyes and see still standing the dry stone walls—the "bulwarks of Zion."

The officers of the "invading army" had little conception of the importance of their mission, and were taken by surprise when, for the first time, they learned what kind of a reception ​waited them. Instead of lead and bullets they anticipated a repetition of the hospitable reception extended to Col. Steptoe and his command three years before, and had supplied themselves with lavender and "cream kids" for the parties in the Social Hall. The little trinkets that speak of thoughtfulness for the fair sex, and the kindly interchange of social courtesies, were not forgotten by the younger aspirants to fame and ladies' graces. In brief, they started West on the best of terms with themselves and the acquaintances they expected to make.

Major Van Vleit reached Washington in the middle of November, and made the following report to the Secretary of War:

"In explaining to Governor Young the object which the Government had in view in sending troops to Utah, I told him that the Territory of Utah had been organized into a separate military department the same as Florida, Texas, Kansas and other portions of the United States had been, and the troops crossing the plains had been simply ordered to take post in it. I told him further that I had seen the orders which were to govern the commanding officers of the troops, and that they contained no intimation whatever that the troops would or could be used to molest or interfere with the people of Utah. I explained that the troops could only be called upon to interfere when the authority of the Government was set at defiance, and only then as a posse comitatus on the requisition of the Governor of the Territory, the same as then obtained in the Territory of Kansas.

"I also told them that I was convinced that the intentions of the Government towards the people of Utah were of the most pacific nature, and that the past was forgotten, and that as the Constitution of the United States guaranteed to each one entire freedom in religious matters, I was certain that Governor Cumming would have no instructions that could in any way interfere with the Mormons as a religious people. I stated that I had seen Governor Cumming just before I left the frontiers, and had he had any such instructions I would have been made acquainted with them.

"In making these statements to Governor Young and other citizens of Utah, I was governed by a desire to allay if possible the hostile feeling which I plainly saw existed towards the United States, and to place before them the action of the Government in its true light. I was soon convinced, however, that Governor Young had decided upon the course he intended to pursue, and could I have laid before him the most pacific intentions of the Government, over the signature of the President himself, it would not have turned him from it.

"At present Governor Young exercises absolute power, both temporal and spiritual, over the people of Utah, both of which powers he and the people profess to believe emanate directly from the Almighty. Hence the ​opposition of the people to a new Governor, and the remark of Governor Young that, should Governor Cumming enter the Territory, he would place him in his carriage and send him back.

"I heard elder John Taylor, in a discourse to a congregation of over four thousand Mormons, say that none of the rulers of the earth were entitled to their positions unless appointed to them by the Lord, and that the Almighty had appointed a man to rule over and govern his Saints, and that man was Brigham Young, and that they would have no one else to rule over them."

When the order was given for the march of the troops to Utah, no one could have divined that such terrible misfortunes were in store for them as those which they experienced before the close of the year. The force consisted of two regiments of infantry—the Fifth and Tenth; one regiment of cavalry—the old Second Dragoons; and two batteries of artillery—Reno's and Phelps's. There was nothing forgotten in the equipment of the expedition, and the chief officers were gentlemen of thorough military education and eminently qualified for the position which they held. The probabilities then were all against Brigham, should he conclude to oppose the advance of the army; but, before the end of 1857, a more unfortunate expedition could not well be conceived. The troubles originated at the beginning of the march. Kansas at that moment was supposed to require the presence of General Harney and the Second Dragoons. The General, therefore, never took command of the Utah expedition, and the dragoons were absent from the Plains at the time when they were most required.

General Persifier F. Smith was assigned to the command in place of General Harney, but he fell ill and died at Fort Leavenworth. The infantry and artillery, with all the quarter-master and commissary stores, were then on the plains, and the command of the expedition, by seniority of rank, devolved upon Colonel Alexander, of the Tenth Infantry. The expedition was, therefore, without any instructions from the Government; all that its commander knew was its destination.

As the army passed the boundary line of Utah, Brigham's declaration of September 15th was forwarded, together with another missive, dated September 29th, for the perusal of "the officer commanding the forces now invading Utah Territory," the gist of which was that Brigham was still Governor, as the ​Act of Congress organizing the Territory provided that the chief executive should hold his office for four years, or "until his successor should be appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the President of the United States." Brigham asserted that no one had been legally appointed and qualified to succeed him, that he himself had not been removed by the President, and hence he was still Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Commander-in-chief of the militia of the Territory. The remainder of the document, as a gem of Dogberryism, is worthy of notice:

"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 position at Black's Fork or Green River, you can do so in peace and unmolested, on condition that you deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robinson, Quarter-Master-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 upon making the proper applications therefor."

The Mormon "warriors" now set to work vigorously to fulfil the instructions of their leaders, to hamper and impede the advance of the army, and the detention of the Second Dragoons in Kansas was now felt to be not only a serious blunder, but an irreparable loss, for there was no proper force to prevent the Mormon cavalry from plundering the supply-trains, or doing whatever else they pleased.

Meanwhile, a new commander had been appointed at Washington in the person of Col. Albert Sidney Johnston. He was a brilliant soldier, but at the date of Brigham's proclamation was still at Leavenworth, twelve hundred miles from the army to which he was appointed. His command had as yet heard nothing from him, and, without instructions and fearing everything, Col. Alexander concentrated his forces at Ham's Fork, until some course could be resolved upon by a council of the officers. It was then the latter part of September; winter was approaching, the stock of forage was rapidly decreasing, and the country was altogether unfitted for winter-quarters. Every day's delay was disastrous, and threatened the very existence ​of the expedition, for the mountains were already draped with snow, and the Mormons were constantly harassing the supply-trains. The troops began to show signs of demoralization;

they were in a bleak and barren desert, with an enemy surrounding them that knew every inch of the ground, and who to all appearances could easily destroy them without shedding a drop of their own blood.

On the 4th of October, Brigham's counsellor, D. H. Wells, issued the following order:

"On ascertaining the locality or route of the troops, proceed at once to annoy them in every possible way. Use every exertion to stampede their animals, and set fire to their trains. Burn the whole country before them and on their flanks. Keep them from sleeping by night surprises. Blockade the road by felling trees, or destroying the fords when you can. Watch for opportunities to set fire to the grass on their windward, so as, if possible, to envelop their trains. Leave no grass before them that can be burned. Keep your men concealed as much as possible, and guard against surprise. Keep scouts out at all times, and communication open with Colonel Burton, Major McAllister, and O. P. Rockwell, who are operating in the same way. Keep me advised daily of your movements, and every step the troops take; and in which direction.

"God bless you and give you success.

"Your brother in Christ,

(Signed)"Daniel H. Wells.

​"P. S.—If the troops have not passed, or have turned in this direction follow in their rear, and continue to annoy them, and stampede or drive off their animals at every opportunity.

D. H. Wells."

These instructions were carried out to the letter. One of the Government supply-trains was burned at Simpson's Hollow, ten miles east of Green river, and two trains were burned on the Sweetwater; in all seventy-five wagons containing provisions, tents, tools, and clothing. At the same time those who burned them ran off a large number of cattle.

The Prophet had given orders that no blood was to be shed under any temptation or provocation, save only in the extremity of self-defence, but the army was to be "wasted away." The teamsters, wagon-masters, and attachés of the trains were corralled, furnished with an outfit of provisions, and their faces turned eastward. Of that entire host of civilians it is stated that not a dozen of them reached the frontiers. They perished by the way, from exhaustion, cold, and the attacks of Indians.

On the 10th of October the officers of the expedition held a council of war and determined that the army should advance from Ham's Fork, but to change the route of travel and make Salt Lake Valley, if they could, via Soda Springs, a distance of nearly three hundred miles, and at least a hundred and fifty ​miles farther than the route through Echo Cañon. The order was issued, and next day the troops commenced a dreary march.

Early in the morning the sky was surcharged with dark, threatening clouds, and as they started the snow fell heavily. A few supply-trains were kept together and guarded by the infantry, but the travel was slow, vexatious, and discouraging. The beasts of burthen were suffering from want of forage, as, in anticipation of this movement, the grass had been burned all along that route. The animals were completely exhausted, and, before they were a week on the new route, three miles a day was all the distance that could be made.

Another council of war was held, but the only topics of discussion were the suffering, disaster, and heavy losses of the company. The soldiers were murmuring, and dissatisfaction reigned everywhere. Some gallant officers were desirous of forcing an issue with the Mormons, cutting their way through the cañons, and taking their chances of what might come. This course might have afforded some gratification to individuals, but to the company at large it was impracticable: every effort was necessary to save the expedition from total ruin.

In this forlorn condition the new commander was heard from, and the troops were instantly inspired with new life. Colonel Johnston comprehended the situation and ordered the expedition to retrace its steps. The snow was six inches deep, the grass all covered, the animals starving. The advance had been slow, the retreat was simply crawling. On the 3rd of November they reached the point of rendezvous, and next day Colonel Johnston joined them with a small reinforcement and the remainder of the supply-trains.

The morale of the army was restored by the presence of an efficient commander with instructions in his pocket, but the difficulties of the expedition were increasing every hour. The supply-trains were strung out about six miles in length, the animals worrying along till, thoroughly exhausted, they would fall in their tracks and die.

All this long line of wagons and beef cattle had to be guarded to prevent surprise and the stampede of the animals.^[9] ​The snow was deep on the ground and the weather was bitterly cold. Many of the men were fatally frost-bitten and the cattle and mules perished by the score. In Colonel Philip St. George Cooke's command fifty-seven head of horses and mules froze to death in one night on the Sweetwater, and from there to Fort Bridger, where the expedition finally wintered, the road was literally strewn with dead animals. The camp on Black's Fork, thirty miles from Bridger, was named "The Camp of "Death." Five hundred animals perished around the camp on the night of the 6th of November. Fifteen oxen were found huddled together in one heap, frozen stiff.

In this perilous situation the expeditionary army to Utah made the distance to Bridger—thirty-five miles—in fifteen days! Often the advance had arrived at camp before the end of the train had left. On the 16th of November, the army reached their winter-quarters, Camp Scott, two miles from the site of Fort Bridger and one hundred and fifteen from Salt Lake City.