This not being responded to, about an hour later the posse, most of whom had been hitherto out of sight, commenced to defile over the bluffs, and to occupy a prominent position commanding the camp.
Morris now called a meeting of those within the fort. Scarcely had they assembled, when a cannon-ball came into the congregation, killed two women, and wounded a girl. From this time cannonading and musketry fire was continued with but little intermission.
The camp consisted of a few houses built of willows, like basket-work, and plastered, and of tents, and covered wagons. Still the fight was kept up by these deluded people for three days, during all which time, fighting with the energy of desperation, they held this immense force at bay. On the evening of the third day, a white flag was raised, and the whole camp surrendered. The Morrisites stacked their arms, under guard of a detail from the posse, who had by this time entered the fort.
Amidst much confusion, the men and women were separated, and large numbers of the men were placed under arrest. Morris, and a leader by the name of Banks were shot in cold blood; also two of the women. All these were killed after the Morrisites were unarmed, and their arms in the possession
of the sheriff. The posse had two men killed. The Morrisites ten in all.
After the Morrisites had been taken prisoners, their houses were searched and plundered, and property, consisting of watches, jewelry, clothing, &c., taken, to the amount of many hundreds of dollars.
The prisoners were taken to Salt Lake City, and placed under bonds by Judge Kinney for their appearance at his court. They were afterwards tried, and large numbers of them were fined and imprisoned. All of those imprisoned were afterward pardoned and released by Governor Harding.
Thus ended "the Morrisite War." The Morrisites were now "scattered and peeled," and so remained until May, 1863. At that time Gen. Connor established a military post at Soda Springs, a beautiful place at the northern bend of Bear River, about 175 miles north of Salt Lake City. Before starting with his expedition, Gen. Connor gave notice that all persons wishing to go up and form a settlement at that point, would be furnished by him with transportation. The result was, that about eighty families, consisting of over two hundred persons, nearly all Morrisites, availed themselves of this offer,—removed, with their goods and household gods, and established themselves at Soda Springs.
This settlement continues to exist and flourish, and may now be looked upon, it is to be hoped, as a permanent point where the weary emigrant may pause and rest on his long journey over the Plains, and be free from the whims, exactions, and dangers of Mormonism. The place is now in Idaho Territory, and returned eighty-one votes at the territorial election of 1864.
Although the court and juries were fast to bring to punishment those who had resisted the writs, yet Burton, the leader of the posse, who shot four persons after they had surrendered, was not even indicted by a Mormon grand jury. The evidence was laid before them, but without avail.