Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
the defensive, and for the sake of humanity; if for no other purpose, I
hope you will at once see the propriety and justice of dispersing your
forces. The armed force under your command is not necessary for any
lawful purpose in this city or county."
The Battle of Nauvoo
Upon receiving this reply, Brockman advanced upon Nauvoo, endeavoring
to gain entrance at the head of Mulholland street, the main street
of the city. He was driven back after a determined resistance by
the defenders of the place. The cowardly mob forces were somewhat
disconcerted at the sound of cannon in Nauvoo, for they thought the
besieged citizens were poorly armed, and that to enter the city would
be an easy thing to do. During the battle three of the defenders lost
their lives, namely, Captain William Anderson, his son, August L.,
a lad fifteen years of age, and David Norris. Several others were
wounded. It cannot be ascertained how many were killed on the side
of the mob, but a large number were wounded. The fighting continued
until the 16th, and the mob was repulsed four times. On the latter
day a treaty of surrender was entered into, through the agency of
a committee of citizens from Quincy, who were in sympathy with the
mob. This treaty which was signed by Andrew Johnson for the Quincy
Committee, Thomas Brockman and John Carlin for the mob, and A. W.
Babbitt, J. L. Heywood and J. S. Fullmer for the Latter-day Saints,
stipulated that the city of Nauvoo should surrender September 17, at
three o'clock p.m. The arms of the besieged were to be delivered up to
the "Quincy Committee," to be returned at the crossing of the river.
The citizens and property were to be protected from all violence. The
sick and helpless were to be protected and treated with humanity, and
the "Mormon" population was to leave the state as soon as they could
cross the river. There were provisions of minor importance, one of
which was that five men--including the trustees of the Church--were to
be permitted to remain in the city to dispose of property, free from
all molestation and violence. However, William Pickett, the man so much
wanted according to the first reports of the mob for resisting the law,
and on whose account the mob had gathered, was not to be one of this
committee, nor was he to remain in the city.
Valiant Defenders
Among those who took valiant part in the battles during the siege of
Nauvoo were the two Andersons, father and son, and David Norris, who
lost their lives. They belonged to a company known as the "Spartan
Band," because of the perilous situation in which they were stationed
in the defense of the city. Also "Squire" Daniel H. Wells, Captain
Andrew L. Lamereaux, William L. Cutler, Alexander McRae, Almon Fullmer,
Benjamin Whitehead, John E. Campbell and Curtis E. Bolton. In fact the
entire band of noble defenders are worthy of special mention, and their
names should be recorded among the true sons of liberty.[4]
The Violation of the Treaty
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