LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 627, 22 June 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE EMIGRANT CARAVAN. Twenty years ago there was a considerable movement of emigrants from Arkansas and some adjoining states towards California, which was then beginning to get into a flourishing condition. As the way was long across the prarics and Rocky Mountains, and dangerous from roving bands of Indians, the emigrants bound for the far west usually formed a largo body for mutual assistance and protection. These trains or caravans of emigrants sometimes consisted of upwards of a hundred persons, men, women, and children, with waggons, horses, and cattle. The men were armed with rifles, not only for defence, but to kill game, as an aid to the general store of food. We are going to tell the story of one of these large cavalcades, which we do from authentic sources.

In the month of July 1857, a body of emigrants proceeded from Arkansas, numbering a hundred and fifty persons. Every age was there, from the tender infant in the mother’s arms to the old gray-haired man. In proceeding towards California they selected a route through Utah, which had been settled some years previously by the Mormons, from whom it was expected supplies of provisions could be purchased. The vast and solitary prairies had been safely traversed. The range of the Rocky Mountains had been thankfully left behind. The emigrants had now reached the plains of Utah, and bent their way to the Salt Lake City, the headquarters of the Mormons. They had heard strange things of this community, but did not doubt that, in passing, food for themselves and provender for their cattle could be obtained from them on payment of the proper value. The approach of the emigrant train was known in Utah. Many travellers had passed them on the road, and become aware of their intended visit to the Salt Lake City._ The intelligence of their visit roused sentiments ol hostility among the Mormon leaders, who by no means wished to give any friendly aid to so large a body of Gentiles—as they called all who differed from them in their fantastic religious dogmas and usages. To the amazements of the emigrants, admittance to the city was denied, all assistance was refused, and the almost halfstarving wayfarers were sternly ordered to quit the precincts without delay, and proceed on their journey. In this unexpected emergency, they had no choice but to submit, and striking their encampment, they dolefully went on their way westward. They passed many flourishing settlements, but one and all received them in the same cold and churlish manner, acting under orders, that had been despatched from Salt Lake City. It was distinctly understood that no intercourse was to be held with the emigrants. No provisions of any kind were to be supplied; and all settlers in the Mormon colony well knew that these orders must be obeyed, or the vengeance of their superiors would be the inevitable consequence. The unfortunate emigrants found themselves rejected on all sides. Innocent as they were of the remotest intention of evil, they were unable to understand the meaning of this strange behaviour on the part of those from whom they had looked for civility and good feeling. An Indian, more humane than people of their own race, sold them thirty bushels of corn; but this was but small help in their desperate extremity. Their stock of provisions and cattle was pitiable. The strength of the wretched animals was so greatly reduced by the absence of the neccssasy provender, that they could travel only slowly and feebly along the plains that lay between them and their destination.

Creeping slowly along in this distressed condition, the party at length arrived at a town called Com Creek. Here the wayfarers halted. They did not form any expectation of being succoured in their extremity, because here resided the commander of the forces of Southern Utah; but they imagined they might procure information as to the possibility of getting supplies of forage for their worn-out animals. The official applied |to was ready with! an answer. His instructions had been sent to him from head-quarters. He told the emigrants that at a spot called Mountain Meadows they would get what they required. To this place they at once repaired. There they found good and abundant pasturage for their cattle, and they hoped to rest for a time after their fatigues and disappointments.

These peaceful anticipations were not to be realised. The doors of the colonists ha 1 been shut against the strangers by orders from the Mormon chiefs. For a great distance around, it had become generally understood that the destruction of the entire

emigrant company was speedily to be accomplished. As, even with all their power, the Mormons could not safely destroy a hundred and fifty persons, the device was fallen npon of throwing on the Indians the blame of a <_ general massacre. The plot was as ingenious as it was secret and cruel. By some prospect of plunder, held out to them, the Indians were to set upon and kill the whole party, leaving not one to escape. In modern days wo have nothing to match this iniquity. A parallel to it is found only in the records of history. For anything similarly atrocious we have to go back to the massacre of Glencoe, promoted by that accomplished but very heartless person, Sir John Dalryraple, afterwards first Earl of Stair. Just as no friendly hand was held out to prevent the wholesale slaughter of the Macdonalds, so no one within the sphere of the Mormon jurisdiction uttered a warning whisper to put the Arkansan emigrants on their guard. At a meeting held at a place called Fort Harmony, for the special purpose of discussing the affair, a show of hands was called for, and a woman stated afterwards she held up her hand with the rest. Then, remembering the nature of the business, and what the gesture was designed to express, she instantly withdrew her hand, but this was all. So absolute was the obedience enforced by the despots who ruled the colony, that no one was courageous enough to declare his abhorrence of the foul crime that was contemplated. Meanwhile, the emigrants rested in peaceful ignorance of all that was going on around them. Lulled into a fancied security, they had no thought of the dark treachery that was secretly scheming their destruction. But one day, as with a thunder-clap, these pleasing visisions were rudely dispelled. On the 7th September, the quiet encampment was plunged into confusion and dismay by the sound of musketry. A volley was unexpectedly discharged among them, and the horror-stricken emigrants rushed wildly out to see many of their number dead or dying on the ground, and to find themselves surrounded by a horde of Indians. AngloAmericans are not slack in taking steps to defend themselves against a surprise. In a moment, comprehending the full peril of their situation, they, like brave men, quickly resolved on defence. Wheeling their waggons into a corral, or circle, they rapidly up the earth as high as the shafts, to form an embankment. Behind this shelter they barricaded themselves, and there they remained, while their assailants kept up a desultory fire until nightfall. Seven of the emigrants were killed in this attack, and many others was wounded. Every one who showed himself for a moment was shot at, their ferocious Indian assailants 'keeping up a noise of whooping, yelling, and other discordant sounds. With all its horrors, the attack was so far a failure. The Morraan leaders had been frustrated in their hideous design. The, Arkansas stood well on their defence, and there was little chance of subduing them by this species of attack. Obviously, the emigrants had skilfully fortified themselves in their encampment, and were prepared to the uttermost to resist any further assault. It was clear that they resolved to sell their lives as dearly as they could. The Mormons felt that they were foiled in the attempt to destroy the emigrants through the agency of the Indians. Some other plan must be resorted to. The authorities at Corn Creek despatched an Indian runner to Cedar City to convey the intelligence that the emigrants were stoutly defending themselves at Mountain Meadows, and could not be dislodged. Cedar City, which was a Morman outpost with a military organisation, immediately took measures accordingly. A troop was directed to march to Mountain Meadows, to bring matters to a conclusion. Seeing that the Indians had failed, the Mormon forces must now at allhazards interpose. At the same time, it was felt, that instead c£ an open attack, treachery might advantageously be attempted. The first idea was t) cut off supplies, and starve the emigrants into surrender. But as this would be a work of time, there was a resolution to employ stratagem. Let us see how the thing was effected. (To hn continued .)