"By virtue of the authority thus vested in me, I have issued and forwarded you a copy of my proclamation, forbidding the entrance of armed forces into this Territory. This you have disregarded. I now further direct that you retire forthwith from the Territory by the same route you entered. Should you deem this impracticable, and prefer to remain until spring in the vicinity of your present encampment, Black Fork, or Green River, you can do so in peace, and unmolested, on condition that you deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robinson, Quartermaster-General of the Territory, and leave in the spring, as soon as the condition of the roads will permit you to march. And should you fall short of provisions, they can be furnished you by making the proper applications therefor.
"Gen. D. H. Wells will forward this, and receive any communications you may have to make.
"Very respectfully,
"Brigham Young;
"Governor and Superintendent of
Indian Affairs, Utah Territory
"To the Officer commanding the Forces
now invading Utah Territory."
The legitimate result of this violent and treasonable proclamation, as might be supposed, was to incite the people to revenge and bloodshed. Every man who could bear arms was at once taken from his usual avocation and trained in the art of war. Clothing was at this time very scarce, as no trains of goods had arrived from the States. The "sisters" were called upon to make up every article which they could possibly spare into uniforms for the troops. Accordingly the "brethren" appeared arrayed in pieces of bed-quilts, carpets, and old clo' made over, and presented to the eye as motley and miserable a crew as those of "the right valiant Sir John Falstaff." If we look at the leaders of these classical armies, however, the parallel fails. The chivalric Jack had at least the courage to march at the head of his soldiers; while Brigham, who acknowledges himself to be a natural coward, preferred to remain snugly ensconced among his numerous wives and children. The Lion of the Lord, though seemingly aroused, only shook himself and roared loudly several times. He then quietly lay down, and remained thenceforth couchant during the war. With all the assurance and assumption of Joseph Smith, he lacked his personal courage and manly daring.
But the rank and file of these "warriors of the Lord" lacked neither courage nor enthusiasm. Their Zion was threatened,—their institutions in danger,—and with the fire of revenge burning in their hearts, at the remembrance of former injuries, they rushed forth, to conquer or to die.
Many joined their brethren in Echo Canyon, without even
shoes to their feet, wading through snows several feet deep. Such devotion and heroism were worthy of a better cause.