John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1839

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
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[ti]me, informed us that had the chief command. Smith appeared to be much alarmed, and told me to beg like a dog for peace, and afterwards said he had rather go to States-prison for twenty years, or had rather die himself than have the people exterminated. About three o’clock in the evening we received word that the ’s order had arrived, so we went again to meet them, and see what it was. , , , , and went, and read the order to us.
Smith had previously requested that after receiving the order, or finding out what the required, we should see him before we agreed to any proposals. We did so, and although the Mormons have accused us of giving up their leaders by intrigue, yet Smith himself was the first man that agreed to the proposals.
The following is a copy of the ’s order:—
“Head Quarters of the Militia, City of ,
“October 27th, 1838.
“Sir—Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by , of , and W[iley] C. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling nature, which entirely changes the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this . Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operations and endeavour to reach , in Ray county, with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated, or driven from the if necessary for the public peace. If you can increase your forces, you are authorised to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Maj. Gen. [David] Willock, of Marion county, to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of , and there unite with , of , who has been ordered with five hundred men to proceed to the same point, for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express: you can also communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore, of proceeding as at first directed, to reinstate the citizens of in their homes, you will proceed immediately to , and there operate against the Mormons. , of , has been ordered to have four hundred men of his brigade in readiness to join you at . The whole force will be placed under your command.
“Gen. , Fayette,
Howard Co.”
(Signed,) , Com. in Chief. [p. 41]
[ti]me, informed us that had the chief command. Smith appeared to be much alarmed, and told me to beg like a dog for peace, and afterwards said he had rather go to States-prison for twenty years, or had rather die himself than have the people exterminated. About three o’clock in the evening we received word that the ’s order had arrived, so we went again to meet them, and see what it was. , , , , and went, and read the order to us.
Smith had previously requested that after receiving the order, or finding out what the required, we should see him before we agreed to any proposals. We did so, and although the Mormons have accused us of giving up their leaders by intrigue, yet Smith himself was the first man that agreed to the proposals.
The following is a copy of the ’s order:—
“Head Quarters of the Militia, City of ,
“October 27th, 1838.
“Sir—Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by , of , and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling nature, which entirely changes the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this . Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operations and endeavour to reach , in Ray county, with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated, or driven from the if necessary for the public peace. If you can increase your forces, you are authorised to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Maj. Gen. David Willock, of Marion county, to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of , and there unite with , of , who has been ordered with five hundred men to proceed to the same point, for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express: you can also communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore, of proceeding as at first directed, to reinstate the citizens of in their homes, you will proceed immediately to , and there operate against the Mormons. , of , has been ordered to have four hundred men of his brigade in readiness to join you at . The whole force will be placed under your command.
“Gen. , Fayette,
Howard Co.”
(Signed,) , Com. in Chief. [p. 41]
Page 41