“The Nauvoo Legion was on parade by virtue of an order of the 25th. of January 1842 and was reviewed by Lieutenant General Joseph Smith who commanded through the day. One year since the Legion consisted of 6 Companies; to day of 26 Companies, amounting to about 2000 troops. The Consolidated Staff of the Legion, with their Ladies, partook of a sumptuous dinner at the house of the Commander in Chief between 1 and 3 o’clock P.M. The weather was very fine. In the <​afternoon​> The Legion was separated into Cohorts and fought an animated sham battle; the first Cohort under the command of General , the second under General . At the close of the Parade, Lieutenant General Joseph Smith delivered a most animating and appropriate address, in which he remarked “that his soul was never better satisfied, than on this occasion” <​See addenda book page 63.​> [HC 5:3] -[Legion History]- In addition to this quotation I would remark that the day passed very harmoniously, without drunkenness, noise, or confusion, There was an immense concourse of spectators, and many distinguished strangers, who expressed much satisfaction, but one thing I will notice, I was solicited by to take command of the first Cohort during the Sham battle. This I declined, next requested me to take my Station in rear of the Cavalry, without my Staff during the engagement, but this was counteracted by Captain , Commander of my life Guards who kept close to my side, and I chose my own position, and if ’s true feelings towards me, are not made manifest to the world in a very short time, then it may be possible, that the gentle breathings of that Spirit, which whispered me on parade that there was “mischief concealed in that sham battle” were false, a short time will determine the point. Let answer at the day of Judgment “Why did you request me to command one of the Cohorts, and also to take my position without my Staff, during the Sham Battle on the 7th. of May 1842 where my life might have been the forfeit, and no man have known who did the Deed?”