Mormon History, Sep 17, 1845

[Hosea Stout Diary] 17th W. Early this morning I recieved orders from Genl Rich to call the 2nd Cohort out to meet at the Square North East of the Temple at 10clock A. M.I immediately gave orders to the several Colonels to that effectI then went to the Shoe shop and ordered a belt and rigging to carry pistols inI then went to the Masonic Hall to meet the 4th Regt at 8 oclock and other businessI then went to Br. Dibbles and shaved and then went to the parade ground when the Legion & was formed and organized.As followes to wit Major Genl Charles C. Rich in command of the LegionThe First Cohort was nearly all gone General Miller as aforesaid and was not present.The Second Cohort was under my command.Previous to taking command I appointed David Candland to be my Clerk.Who took his place as such There was three Regiments on the ground to witThe first Regiment under Col Scott, The 4th under Col Harmon and the 5th under Col TurleyAfter the proper arraingements were made the Cohort w
as formed into A Hallow
Square and Lieutenant General Brigham Young then into the Square and addressed the officers & soldiers as follows to wit: â€" It is my wish that every man from the age of 16 to 100 be enlisted in these companies & that Gen Rich continue the charge of the same & see that every man is armed & equipd as the Law directs & as the sheriff as ordered & be ready for any event that may happen.I am composed nor has the late disturbance had any effect upon me.I want this holloings. beating of drums & firing of Guns should ceasethe Police have their orders from this time to arrest every man or boy in our street found guilty of these acts or any one walking our street after night detain them till daylight & stripping off their clothes show whether they are male or femaleI am going to propos to J. B. Backenstos that he make every man a Deputy then we may sally forth with our writs in our pockets in any number & arrest these Mobberswhen you shoot be sure & shoot ri
ght If you die â€" die like Deming
in the defense of your countrys rights when we meet Demings in another world he will [be] happy in the death he diedGod grant you may all live & die in the defence of your countrys rights keep your Guns to yourselves trust no one & when you shoot take a good aim â€" Majr Genl Rich enquired if the officers & soldiers were willing to hearken to the counsel given to which he us also all the Regts responded Hie â€" Col Markham called for 50 men for a reinforcement to our comrades already out he failed in getting his compliment they having no horses he further said if a man owning horses refused to let them go he would mark that man â€" Brigr Stout said Let him be marked with a mark not soon forgotten & take his horse any how.The Corps were dismissed by Gen Rich at 12 â€" to meet at 2 P M. from thence I went to Genl Richs to dine while there we agred to place certain companies upon picket guards to wit one about 4 miles above town â€" another a
t or near John Bills or Suffacools about 4 or 5
miles East of town the other on the Carthage Road near Joseph Farmfrom thence I returned to meet the Legion at 2 oclock â€" the several Regts were as in the morning on the ground as also Col Hale with the 3 Reg who took his post in the lineI detailed Capt O M. Allen with his compy from the 5 Reg up the river â€" Capt Bair from the 4 to guard near Bills & Suffoccools â€" Capt Kay of the 5 Reg â€" to guard near Lotts Farm â€" with orders to let no man except he prove himself a friendif a spy bring him into Town.at 4 A.M. I gave order for Col Scott to select 30 men from the 1 Reg to be stationed near the Mansion House Barn to keep guard night & day till further orders also 30 from the 3. Reg under Col Hale to be stationed in Squire Spencer Barn east of the Temple to be stationed as the other till further orders â€" order that at the tolling of the Temple Bell every man know it as an alarm & repair forthwith armed & equipd to the
parade ground past 4-o clockThe Legion were dismissed to meet at
9-o clock on the parade ground next morning I went to meet the police at the temple & Capt Hunter & McRaes Two Compy met at the Stand I gave by invitation an address to the Two compy assembled & then went & detailed the Police guard at this moment by expressI was called to Council at Br Richards I met the compy commanded by Genl Miller just returned & who were in council at the house of Dr Richards he reported that on their entering Carthage they were fired upon by the mob who instantly fled the families which they designed to rescue were all fled except Mrs Deming, wife of the late Genl Deming she thought the recent death of her husband might appease the wrath of the mob against her and her family.The mob attempted to burn their own houses in order to lay it on the possee but the sheriff threatened to put the town to the sword if they did which caused them to desist.They then went towards Warsaw and on on rea
ching a point midway they were informed they were informed of new
depredations by the mob.The sheriff then sent his family to Nauvoo under a small guard and proceeded to the scene of the mobbers.The mobbers saw them coming and took to flight the posse pursuing with orders to arrest them if possible if not to fire upon them.After pursuing them for some distance the posse fired upon them and killed two and wounded it is believed others.This was on Bear Creek about 2 oclock this afternoonthe possee then came to Nauvoo where they arrived about dark performing a forced march of about 65 miles in about 20 hours.After the council I had some conversation with B. Young relative to a man by the name of _____ who was in the _____ fur company.After relating the circumstances He gave his opinion and I saw Capts Hunter & McRae we went [half page left blank]

[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]