The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-09-26
4oIitifaI.
AN INCIDENT RELATED IN THE BIoG-
RAPHY OF STEPHEN a. DOUGLAS 7

p 2. f- -
In 1846, the excitement against the Nor
m ons reached its height. The people of the
surrounding country determined to drive them
aw ay. the Saints resolved to defend themselves.
A civil war seemed iminert. Governor Ford
| despatched regiment to put down both bel
| ligerants. This regiment consisting of 45O
men, was under the command of Col. John j.
Hardin, the old political opponent, but warm
personal friend of Mr.. neuslas, who held the
post of major. Faszs 80
= AS this little body of troops approached
Nauvoo, they saw the Mormons, 5000 strong,
drawn up to oppose their advance. Every
man of them was known to be armed with
seven shooter and brace of Colts revolvers'
twenty one shots to man besides a bowie
knife. o. il -qsH s.f
e- Hardin halted his troops just outside of rifle
range, and thus addressed them 5s,s-z
- "There are the Mormons, ten to one against
us. [ intend to attack them. If there is a
coward here who wishes to go home, he may
do so now. Let any one who wishes to so
step to the front"
Not man came forward. 4
"There was, I dare say" says Mr. Douglas,
ssjust 451 of US, including our colonel, who
would have been glad to have retired; but Eot
one of us had the courage to own that he was
a coward" rs-rz- stw
n
take 100 men, proceed to Nauvoo, arrest the
Twelve Aposi les, and bring them here !'
"Celonel Hardin asked the Major quietly,
so that no one else heard, "Is this prcmpto-
ry oraerr'
q 4 ssThe1 shall make the attempt to execute
it. But give you warning that not man
Of us will ever return.
The Apostles must be taken, Major Doug
las" replied the Colonel.
'sNery we'll, Colonel, if you will send me
alone, you will be much more likely to get
them" e..o
"Eut you will lose your life" ra
~ viii take the responsibility. If you will
send me alone, will pledge myself to reach
the city. As to bringing in the Twelve or
getting back myself, that is quite another
question. I viii try"
'''Do you assume the responsibility 2"
II do" -a H f' -'
"sIujor Douglass" said the. Colonel, after
rejecting few moments, "will proceed to
Nauvoo, taking such escorts as he secs fit"
The order was hardly given when the little
Maior-for he was not then 'tLittle Giant"
dashed off at full speed AS he approached
the Mormon Legion, Gen. Wells came forward
to meet him, and after brief conversation
corted him through the hollow square of troops
into tile CITY lie was not long in finding
Brigham and the Twelve. All of them were
old acpuaintances Of his. Most Of them had,
in fact been before him for trial, as Judge,
upon some charge or other.
The JUDI &c is famous for his taking manners;
and in a very brief time he succeeded in in
ducing Brigham and his associates to accom-
pany him. They all packed themselves into
the Apostolic Coaoh,' drawn by eight horses,
and presented themselves in the camp
The fighting was postponed, and negotia-
tions for the removal of the Morinons were en-
tered upon. Judge Douglas became chief ne
go,iator on one side. Brigham himself said
but little; and at length said he would so out
for while, directing his associates to set
tic the terms These were soon formally
agreed to by the Twelve, and they were com
mitted to paper.
Brigham returned and asked how the mat
ter had succeeded. He told that every
thing had been settled.
s-Let me look at the terms,'' said Brigham
quietly. .Hl4 .rs5s.s
He read them over hastily.
'sI'll never agree 10 them; never he ex-
claimed. =.
The vote was formally put, and the whole
Twelve, without a dissenting voice declared
against them, though they had as unanimous
ly accepted them not five minutes before.
The negotiations were then renewed between
Brigham and Douglas. New terms were set
tied; aud when tie vote was taken the Twelve
agreed to them at once. The treaty was duly
signed, and the Mormons prepared to leave
the State.