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"

by Joseph Fielding Smith

Counter Proclamations

Parker issued a proclamation calling upon the mobs in the name of the state and by virtue of his authority, to disperse. Carlin and his crowd answered by a counter proclamation, stating that they would consider the government forces as a mob. Parker wrote to Singleton desiring a compromise without shedding blood. Articles of agreement requiring all the Saints to leave Nauvoo within sixty days, were drawn up and signed by Singleton and Chittenden for the mob, and Major Parker and three others for the government forces. In this manner Parker treated the mobbers as his equals and agreed to their terms.

Threats Against the Saints

It appears that the object for which the mob forces were ostensibly raised was entirely forgotten, and no more was heard of the resistance of the officers by Pickett, but the attacking forces now determined that all the “Mormons” should go. Singleton in his communication to Parker said: “When I say to you, the ‘Mormons’ must go, I speak the mind of the camp and the country. They can leave without force or injury to themselves or their property, but I say to you sir, with all candor, they shall go—they may fix the time within sixty days, or I will fix it for them.”

Attack Upon Nauvoo

These terms did not satisfy the mob. Sixty days was too long a time for them to wait for the departure of the remnant of the “Mormons” that they might plunder and rob, and besides they thirsted for blood. Singleton and Chittenden withdrew from the command of the mob forces, and wrote to Parker saying that the mob had rejected their treaty, which they considered reasonable enough. Carlin, the constable, thereupon placed Thomas S. Brockman in command, and gave orders for the mob to march. Parker also withdrew from service and Major Benjamin Clifford, Jr., took command of the government forces at Nauvoo by a commission from Governor Ford. September 10, Brockman and his mob approached Nauvoo. Many of the new citizens, seeing the danger they were in, fled from the city, leaving but a small force of volunteers to aid Major Clifford in the defense of Nauvoo. The defenders converted some steamboat shafts into cannon and threw up some fortifications on the north side of Mulholland street facing the mob. This small force made a determined stand, although outnumbered two or three to one. On the 10th, 11th and 12th, there was desultory firing on both sides. On Saturday the 12th Brockman sent a communication “to the commander of the ‘Mormon’ forces in Nauvoo,” demanding a surrender and the delivery of arms, to be returned as soon as the “Mormons” had crossed the river and were out of the state. The same day Major Clifford replied stating that there was no “commander of ‘Mormon’ forces” in that place; that he was there “by order of the governor and commander-in-chief of the Illinois militia to disperse your (Brockman’s) forces in the name of the people of Illinois.” The reply continued: “So far I have acted on 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]