The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry, and TravelsPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt: One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry, and Travels
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Apostles -- Biography; Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker), 1807-1857
Our little band, which had been thrown into some disorder, were
instantly formed, and their pieces reloaded. This done, a
detachment surveyed the field, to look after the wounded. I turned
to Gideon Carter, who was lying on his face, and saw him die. His
face was so marred and disfigured with wounds and blood that I did
not recognize him then, but learned afterwards that we had mistaken
him for one of the enemy, and left him on the ground in mistake. I
next found David Patten, whom, a few minutes previously, I had seen
fall. He could speak, but was lying on his side, pale and almost
dying, a ball having pierced the lower part of his body. Many
others were wounded, and some dangerously.
The enemy had left their horses, saddles, camp and baggage, in
the confusion of the flight. We harnessed some of their horses and
placed them before a wagon, arranged blankets therein, on which we
laid those who were not able to mount a horse; this done, our whole
troop mounted the horses we had taken and formed in front and rear
of the wagon which bore the wounded. We then moved slowly back to
the guard and horses we had left. Here we halted and readjusted the
wounded. It was an awful sight to see them pale and helpless, and
hear their groans. There were about six of our men wounded, and one
left dead on the ground. The enemy suffered a similar loss, besides
their camp, and many of their arms and military stores.
We ascertained from the prisoners whom we rescued, that the enemy
consisted of about sixty marauders, headed by a Methodist preacher,
named Bogart. Our _posse_ who were actually engaged, could not have
been more than fifty. At the commencement of the engagement there were
three of our fellow citizens held as prisoners in their camp; they
had been kidnapped from their peaceful homes the day previous. Two of
these made their escape at the commencement of the engagement; the
third was shot through the body in attempting to run to our lines, but
fortunately recovered.
Having now arranged everything to the best advantage for the
wounded, we made slowly on towards Far West. When we came within
five miles of the city our express had reached there with the news
of the battle, and we were met by a surgeon and others for our
relief. Among those who met us here was the wife of the pale and
dying Patten. Our wounded were now taken into a house, and their
wounds dressed. As Mrs. Patten entered the room, and cast her eyes
upon the pale and ghastly features of her husband, she burst into
tears, exclaiming: "O God! O my husband! How pale you look!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account