The Rise and Fall of NauvooRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
History
The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saints -- Illinois -- Nauvoo; Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History
1. The manner of this incident about the revolt of the Carthage Greys
is thus related in Gregg's History of Hancock County: "It seems that
after the McDonough regiment had been disbanded, and were about to
return home, they expressed a desire to see the prisoners, [Joseph
and Hyrum]. The wish was reasonable, and as the easiest mode of
gratifying it, they were drawn up in line, and General Deming with the
two prisoners, one on each arm, and the Greys as an escort, passed
along the line of troops, Deming introducing them as General Joseph
Smith and General Hyrum Smith, of the Nauvoo Legion. The Greys not
aware that this was done at the request of the McDonough men, and not
satisfied to be made an escort to such a display, exhibited signs of
dissatisfaction, and finally gave vent to their feelings by hisses
and groans. As a punishment for this offense they were afterward
ordered under arrest. In the meantime there was great excitement in
the company. As a detachment of the troops was being detailed for the
purpose of putting the general's order into execution the officer in
command of the Greys addressed them a few words and then said: 'Boys
will you submit to an arrest for so trifling an offense?' 'No!' was the
unanimous response. 'Then load your pieces with ball,' was the sullen
order. In the meantime some explanations had been made, which permitted
General Deming to countermand the order of arrest, and the Greys were
quietly marched back to their encampment."
This account says nothing of the fact that it was generally known, that
the night before, Governor Ford had promised all the troops a view of
Generals Smith, and the Greys had been in revolt at General Deming's
headquarters before the party including Joseph and Hyrum reached the
McDonough troops. Moreover, I was informed by Colonel H. G. Ferris,
when in Carthage in 1885, investigating these matters, that when word
arrived in that place that Joseph Smith would surrender himself to the
authorities, if the governor would pledge him protection and a fair
trial, the governor made a speech to the mixed multitude of troops
and citizens in which he stated the proposition of the Smiths, and
wanted to know if they would sustain him in pledging them protection to
which they responded in the affirmative. There was some talk, too, of
sending the Greys as a posse to escort the Smiths into Nauvoo. Against
this proceeding General Deming protested and told Governor Ford that
the pledge of protection made by the crowd and the troops was not to
be depended upon, it was insincere, and that the lives of the Smiths
were not to be trusted to the Greys. The governor however disregarded
the warning of General Deming. Colonel Ferris was present at this
meeting.--_B. H. R._
2. In view of the great civil war which a few years later desolated the
land it is clear that the above utterance was prophetic.
3. Ford's History of Illinois, p. 338.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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