On the morning of Friday, November 2nd, 1838, in pursuance of the sentence of the secret tribunal of preachers and mobocrats—misnamed a court-martial—the Prophet and his fellow-prisoners were marched into the public square at Far West. But the brutal3 murder which had been decreed, did not take place. The failure of Lucas to enforce that part of the sentence was due in part to the manly4 rebellion of Generals Doniphan and Graham, and in part to his own wish to drag the Prophet and his brethren through the country and exhibit them as his captives. General Clark was expected immediately at Far West. He wanted the prisoners delivered to him; and jealousy5 worked in the mind of Lucas. It was esteemed6 a high honor to hold Joseph Smith in captivity7; and Lucas was determined8 not to share this glorious trophy9 of war with another. What the tears of women and children, the innocence10 of men, and a sense of justice could not accomplish in this bad man's mind, was easily achieved by the base motives11 of envy and vanity. He wanted to be recognized as a victorious12 general, and the presence of the captives would add to the pageantry of his march. If greater notoriety could have been achieved or greater admiration13 for his prowess secured by the murder of these men at Far West, he would not have stayed his hand. It was an opportunity of a lifetime for a militia14 leader to cover himself with the dishonors of war. Less than a quarter of a century from that time, the state of Missouri and all its citizens had ample occasion to deal with real enemies and to view in every city and village, and every field and every forest, and in every home the misery15 of fratricidal strife16. Men who had thirsted for blood were given more than a glut17 of it, for hundreds of them weltered in their own gore18.
Lucas prepared to continue his triumphal march, intending to take the brethren to Jackson County and expose them as captives at Independence. Before they left they begged to be permitted to bid their families farewell. This boon19, so estimable to them and so trifling20 to the mob, was ostensibly granted, but under conditions which showed an inhuman desire to torture. Every prisoner was permitted, under a strong guard, to seek out his beloved ones, but was forbidden to speak to them. He might gaze on them with tearful eyes and wave them farewell, a long farewell—forever, if he would; but no word from his lips might fall as balm upon their bruised21 spirits.
Hyrum, the Prophet's beloved brother, who was never very far away from Joseph, was one of the captives. Hyrum's young wife, Mary—for he was again a husband—was prostrated22 with suffering. When he was dragged before her by his armed captors he would have solaced23 her agony with a few words of comfort and cheer. He wanted to bid her look up and trust in God; but the mob soldiers threatened to kill him at her feet if he breathed a syllable24, and to spare her tortured soul this awful pang25 he held his peace. Mary saw her husband carried from her, perhaps to death; she gathered the motherless little children of Jerusha about her and sought to comfort them. She did not see her noble husband again until after she had passed through the trial and pain of maternity26; for her son, Joseph Fielding Smith, was born eleven days after, and while his father was still a captive in the hands of the mob.
To moan and weep over the captive Prophet came his wife and babes, and his aged27 father and mother. He had begged to have a moment in which to comfort his wife, for she was utterly28 overpowered with fear for his life. He wanted to reassure29 her that the sentence of death was not to be executed that morning and to promise her that they should meet again in this life. But the mob guards with their swords rudely thrust his wife and little ones away from Joseph's side, and threatened to kill him if he should speak.
Joseph gazed upon the overwhelming scene at Far West as he was being marched forth30 a captive. He commended the city and its people to the care of that God whose kindness had always followed them into the dark valley of tribulation31, and who alone could protect them from death and defilement32.
That night the Prophet with Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley33 P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Amasa M. Lyman and George W. Robinson, were started for Independence. Under a strong guard, commanded by Generals Lucas and Wilson, they camped at night on Crooked34 River.
A vision of hope and security came to Joseph that night, and when he arose in the morning he spoke35 to his brethren in a low and cheerful tone, saying:
Be of good cheer, my brethren, the word of the Lord came to me last night that our lives should be given us, and that whatever else we might suffer during this captivity, not one of us should die.
An express from General Clark demanding the august prisoners reached Lucas at this point. This commanding general had so far achieved little, the triumphs of the cruel contest being with his subordinates. He was therefore determined that the prisoners should be dragged at his chariot wheels and that their slaughter36 should be under his personal direction, to show Boggs and the populace that he was worthy37 of the truculent38 enterprise entrusted39 to him. But Lucas was no less determined that, having won the victory, he himself should enjoy the spoils and the plaudits; and with all possible speed he hastened forward with the captives.
Leaving the Prophet and his companions advancing toward their unknown fate, we must return with their anxious thoughts to the proceedings40 at Far West; as General Clark was marching upon that place, and the prisoners feared for their unprotected families.
Lucas had sent several companies of the mob militia including Neal Gilliam's band of painted wretches41 under General Parks to Adam-ondi-Ahman with instructions to disarm42 the militia at that place and to take prisoners. By his orders also a large body of troops had been left to guard some eighty brethren held captive at Far West.
General Clark did not arrive at the beleaguered43 city until the 4th of November, 1838; but on that day he came at the head of two thousand troops. In the interval44 of two days the people in the town had been subjected to every possible indignity45. Apostates46 prowled through the streets pointing out to the mob all the men of influence or station in the Church, and aiding to put them in irons. At first it had been ordered that all who were not held as prisoners should flee the city on the instant. But finally the mob concluded to keep the people within the town until General Clark's arrival.
It was a joy to the sectarian ministers of the neighborhood to see this work of ruin; and many of them visited Far West to exult47 over the prisoners and their suffering families.
Many privations and tortures were endured. The captives were kept without food until they were on the verge48 of starvation. The mob continued their work of ruin, hunting and shooting human beings like wild beasts; and ravishing and murdering women.
Upon Clark's arrival at Far West he selected fifty-six of the leading men and held them under a strong guard for trial, for what offense49 neither he nor they could tell. He also sent a messenger to the commander of the troops advancing to assault Adam-ondi-Ahman, requiring him to take all of the "Mormons" prisoners and to secure all their property to pay the damages of other citizens.
On the 6th day of November, 1838, Clark assembled the people and delivered an address to them as follows:
GENTLEMEN:
You whose names are not attached to this list of names will now have the privilege of going to your fields and of providing corn, wood, etc., for your families. Those who are now taken will go from this to prison, be tried and receive the due demerit of their crimes; but you (except such as charges may hereafter be preferred against), are at liberty, as soon as the troops are removed that now guard the place, which I shall cause to be done immediately.
It now devolves upon you to fulfill50 a treaty that you have entered into, the leading items of which I shall now lay before you. The first requires that your leading men be given up to be tried according to law; this you already have complied with. The second is, that you deliver up your arms: this has been attended to. The third stipulation51 is that you sign over your properties to defray the expenses of the war. This you have also done. Another article yet remains52 for you to comply with—and that is, that you leave the state forthwith. And whatever may be your feelings concerning this, or whatever your innocence, it is nothing to me. General Lucas (whose military rank is equal with mine), has made this treaty with you, I approve of it. I should have done the same had I been here. I am therefore determined to see it executed.
The character of this state has suffered almost beyond redemption, from the character, conduct and influence that you have exerted; and we deem it an act of justice to restore her character to its former standing53 among the states by every proper means. The orders of the Governor to me were, that you should be exterminated54, and not allowed to remain in the state. And had not your leaders been given up, and the terms of the treaty complied with, before this time you and your families would have been destroyed and your houses in ashes.
There is a discretionary power vested in my hands, which, considering your circumstances, I shall exercise for a season. You are indebted to me for this clemency55. I do not say that you shall go now, but you must not think of staying here another season or of putting in crops; for the moment you do this the citizens will be upon you; and if I am called here again in case of a non-compliance of a treaty made, do not think that I shall do as if I have done now. You need not expect any mercy, but extermination56, for I am determined the Governor's order shall be executed.
As for your leaders, do not think, do not imagine for a moment, do not let it enter into your minds, that they will be delivered and restored to you again, for their fate is fixed57, their dye is cast, their doom58 is sealed.
I am sorry, gentlemen, to see so many apparently59 intelligent men found in the situation that you are; and oh! if I could invoke60 that Great Spirit, THE UNKNOWN GOD to rest upon and deliver you from that awful chain of superstition61, and liberate62 you from those fetters63 of fanaticism64 with which you are bound—that you no longer do homage65 to a man.
I would advise you to scatter66 abroad, and never again organize yourselves with Bishops67, Presidents, etc., lest you excite the jealousies68 of the people and subject yourselves to the same calamities69 that have now come upon you. You have always been the aggressors—you have brought upon yourselves these difficulties, by being disaffected70, and not being subject to rule. And my advice is, that you become as other citizens, lest by a recurrence71 of these events you bring upon yourselves irretrievable ruin.
The prisoners whom he had taken were sent by him to Richmond, in Ray County, for trial.
About this same time Boggs wrote a letter requiring Clark to finish the awful work which had been begun. He directed a movement against the Saints at Adam-ondi-Ahman and said:
My instructions to you are to settle this whole matter completely, if possible, before you disband your forces.
To fulfill this edict, Clark ordered General Wilson with his brigade to Adam-ondi-Ahman, although there were enough mob troops already there to furnish a special guard and a special executioner for every man, woman and child in the place. On the 8th of November a cordon72 was drawn73 about Adam-ondi-Ahman. A court of inquiry74 was instituted with the notorious Adam Black on the bench, and with a man from General Clark's army as prosecuting75 attorney. Not a thing could be proved against any of the brethren, except that they had been long-suffering victims of senseless hate, and they were acquitted76; but not until a military order was prepared requiring them, one and all to vacate the place in ten days and to be outside of the state as early as the next spring or to be exterminated.
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1
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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7
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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glut
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| n.存货过多，供过于求；v.狼吞虎咽 | |
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18
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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21
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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22
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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23
solaced
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| v.安慰，慰藉( solace的过去分词 ) | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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maternity
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| n.母性，母道，妇产科病房；adj.孕妇的，母性的 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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32
defilement
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| n.弄脏，污辱，污秽 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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34
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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35
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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36
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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39
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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41
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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42
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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43
beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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44
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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45
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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46
apostates
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| n.放弃原来信仰的人( apostate的名词复数 )；叛教者；脱党者；反叛者 | |
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47
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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48
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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49
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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50
fulfill
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| vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意 | |
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51
stipulation
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| n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明 | |
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52
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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53
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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54
exterminated
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| v.消灭，根绝( exterminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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56
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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57
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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58
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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59
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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60
invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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61
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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62
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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63
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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66
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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67
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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68
jealousies
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| n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 )；妒羡 | |
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69
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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70
disaffected
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| adj.（政治上）不满的，叛离的 | |
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71
recurrence
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| n.复发，反复，重现 | |
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72
cordon
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| n.警戒线，哨兵线 | |
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73
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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75
prosecuting
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| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
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76
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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