History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

DEFEAT OF THE FALSE PROPHET. 617
but that their enemies should be smitten before them.
The faithful were then assembled, and after prayer
and reading of the revelation were told to choose
which part they would take. A moment later the
report of artillery was heard, and two women were
struck dead by a cannon-ball, the lower jaw of a young
girl being shattered by the same shot. The firing was
continued almost without intermission, the assailants
opening with musketry as they approached the camp.
At first the Morrisites, both men and women, took
refuge in their cellars, or wherever else they could
find cover, all being unarmed and the attack unexpected;
but presently, recovering from their panic, the
men seized their weapons and organized for defence.
The camp consisted mainly of tents and covered
wagons, with a few huts built of willows, woven together
and plastered. Behind this frail protection
the besieged maintained for three days an unequal
fight, the cannon and long-range rifles of their assailants
raking the enclosure, 34 while their own weapons
consisted only of shot-guns and a few Mexican fire-
locks. At intervals Morris was besought to intercede
with the Lord, but his only answer was: "If it be his
will, we shall be delivered, and our enemies destroyed;
but let us do our duty." On the evening of the third
day a white flag was raised, whereupon he exclaimed:
"Your faith has gone and the Lord has forsaken us.
I can now do nothing more."
After the surrender, the Morrisites were ordered
to stack their arms, the men being separated from the
women, and most of the former placed under arrest.
The prophet, his lieutenant, and two of the women
were shot, as the survivors relate, by the sheriff, 33 ten
Zi The cannon were loaded with musket-balls, which tore down the huts
and pierced the sandy hillocks, wounding some of the women and children,
who had taken refuge behind them. Beadle'* Life in Utah, 417.
35 In a sworn statement made before Judge Waite, Apr. 18, 1S03, Alsx.
Dow deposed: ' In the spring of 1SG1 I joined the Morrisites, and was present
when Joseph Morris was killed.' 'Robert T. Burton and Joseph L.
Stoddard rode in among the Morrisites. Burton was much excited. He said:
"Where is the man? I don't know him." Stoddard replied, "That's him,"