History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

WHOLESALE MURDER. 553
slaughter the women and children, sparing only those
of tender age, and Lee with some of the wagoners
was to butcher the sick and wounded. Mounted
troopers were to be in readiness to pursue and slay
those who attempted to escape, so that, with the exception
of infants, no living soul should be left to tell
the tale of the massacre.
Entering the corral, Lee found the emigrants engaged
in burying two of their party who had died
of wounds. Men, women, and children thronged
around him, some disputing gratitude for their
rescue, some distrust and terror. The brother played
his part well. Bidding the men pile their arms in
the wagons, to avoid provoking the Indians, he placed
in them the women, the small children, and a little
clothing. While thus engaged, one Daniel McFarlancl
rode up, with orders from Major Higbee to
hasten their departure, as the Indians threatened to
renew the attack. The emigrants were then hurried
away from the corral, the men, as they passed between
the files of militia, cheering their supposed deliverers.
Half an hour later, as the women drew near the ambuscade,
the signal was given, and the butchery commenced.
Most of the men were shot down at the
first fire. Three only escaped from the valley; of
these two were quickly run down and slaughtered,
and the third was slain at Muddy Creek, some fifty
miles distant. 18
The women and those of the children who were on
foot ran forward some two or three hundred yards,
when they were overtaken by the Indians, among
whom were Mormons in disguise. The women fell
on their knees, and with clasped hands sued in vain
18 Forney's Re.pt, ut supra, 89; Burton's City of the Saints, 412, note. Lee
also says that three escaped, but were overtaken and killed before reaching
the settlements in California. Mormonism Un vaili d, 244. Cradlebaugh states
that two escaped and were overtaken in the desert 150 miles distant. Mormonism,
12. Beadle mentions three, one of whom starved to death in the
desert, another was murdered by Indians, 90 miles south of the desert, and a
third was killed on the Colorado River by persons unknown. Life in Utah,
1S4.