History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

SIEGE AND TRUCE.
munition was almost exhausted; of their number,
which included a large proportion of women and children,
many were wounded, and their sufferings from
thirst had become intolerable. Down in the ravine,
and within a few yards of the corral, was the stream
of water; but only after sundown could a scanty supply
be obtained, and then at great risk, for this point
was covered by the muskets of the Indians, 1 * who
lurked all night among the ravines waiting for their
victims.
Four days the siege lasted ; on the morning of the
fifth a wagon was seen approaching from the northern
end of the meadow, and with it a company of the
Nauvoo legion. When within a few hundred yards
of the intrenchment, the company halted, and one of
them, William Bateman by name, was sent forward
with a flag of truce. In answer to this signal a little
girl, dressed in white, appeared in an open space between
the wagons. Half-way between the Mormons
and the corral, Bateman was met by one of the emigrants
named Hamilton, to whom he promised protection
for his party on condition that their arms were
surrendered, assuring him that they would be conducted
safely to Cedar City. After a brief parley,
each one returned to his comrades.
By whose order the massacre was committed, or
for what reasons other than those already mentioned,
has never yet been clearly ascertained ; but as to the
incidents and the plan of the conspirators, we have
evidence that is in the main reliable. During the
week of the massacre, Lee, with several other Mormons,
was encamped at a spring within half a mile of
the emigrants' camp ; and, as was alleged, though not
distinctly proven at his trial, induced the Indians by
promise of booty to make the attack; but, finding the
resistance stronger than he anticipated, had sent for
14 'Thursday morning I saw two men start from the corral with buckets,
and run to the spring and fill their buckets with water, and go back again.
The bullets flew around them thick and fast, but they got into their corral in
safety.' Lee's Mormonism UnvaUed, 230.
551