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History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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DEFEAT OF THE FALSE PROPHET. 617<br />

but that their enemies should be smitten before them.<br />

The faithful were then assembled, and after prayer<br />

and reading <strong>of</strong> the revelation were told to choose<br />

which part they would take. A moment later the<br />

report <strong>of</strong> artillery was heard, and two women were<br />

struck dead by a cannon-ball, the lower jaw <strong>of</strong> a young<br />

girl being shattered by the same shot. The firing was<br />

continued almost without intermission, the assailants<br />

opening with musketry as they approached the camp.<br />

At first the Morrisites, both men and women, took<br />

refuge in their cellars, or wherever else they could<br />

find cover, all being unarmed and the attack unexpected;<br />

but presently, recovering from their panic, the<br />

men seized their weapons and organized for defence.<br />

The camp consisted mainly <strong>of</strong> tents and covered<br />

wagons, with a few huts built <strong>of</strong> willows, woven together<br />

and plastered. Behind this frail protection<br />

the besieged maintained for three days an unequal<br />

fight, the cannon and long-range rifles <strong>of</strong> their assailants<br />

raking the enclosure, 34 while their own weapons<br />

consisted only <strong>of</strong> shot-guns and a few Mexican fire-<br />

locks. At intervals Morris was besought to intercede<br />

with the Lord, but his only answer was: "If it be his<br />

will, we shall be delivered, and our enemies destroyed;<br />

but let us do our duty." On the evening <strong>of</strong> the third<br />

day a white flag was raised, whereupon he exclaimed:<br />

"Your faith has gone and the Lord has forsaken us.<br />

I can now do nothing more."<br />

After the surrender, the Morrisites were ordered<br />

to stack their arms, the men being separated from the<br />

women, and most <strong>of</strong> the former placed under arrest.<br />

The prophet, his lieutenant, and two <strong>of</strong> the women<br />

were shot, as the survivors relate, by the sheriff, 33 ten<br />

Zi The cannon were loaded with musket-balls, which tore down the huts<br />

and pierced the sandy hillocks, wounding some <strong>of</strong> the women and children,<br />

who had taken refuge behind them. Beadle'* Life in <strong>Utah</strong>, 417.<br />

35 In a sworn statement made before Judge Waite, Apr. 18, 1S03, Alsx.<br />

Dow deposed: ' In the spring <strong>of</strong> 1SG1 I joined the Morrisites, and was present<br />

when Joseph Morris was killed.' 'Robert T. Burton and Joseph L.<br />

Stoddard rode in among the Morrisites. Burton was much excited. He said:<br />

"Where is the man? I don't know him." Stoddard replied, "That's him,"

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