Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-18

II VIE dboN3 is from Il poem written on the
spot by who had part In the battle.
The CORY connct took place the l1th OF
December. 1916, the San Pedro river in
Arzona-not far from the present town of St
Davd-not far north of the Mexican boundary
Inc. There was great shedding or blood during
the alternating cbb and flow OF charge and
teroharge; and there also many features
that mark tie enEa cement as one wholly unique
the annals Of warfare 1; is proposed here
10 tel the story of the famous fight. Prior TO
entering upon the narration, however. It will be
proper to refresh the readers mind lmpor-
tant series OF historical iacts.
HISTORIC DATE ENDANGERED
Q ONE one may be offended at the remark that
~ Utahs settlement in 1891 less of
an accident 1t is the truth. nevertheless, so far
as the date is concerned. If certain things hadn't
happened, a party of Mormons would have pene-
tratod and doubt body OF them would have
settled. some part of the Rocky Mountain region
years earlier. II Is we'll known that their
first leader only predicted their future es-
tablishment and growth along the continental back
bone. but that he actually took steps. In prepara-
ton for this event. organize expeditions to spy
out the land with view to settlement At a
later date, indeed the very last move he made
before turning his face toward the place of
martyrdom toward the west. which his
thoughts had so much dwclt lie had crossed
the Mississippi ard planning to assemble
opportunities of timorous unwse or treacherous
friends caused him to retrace his steps and go to
meet his doom.
His mantle having fallen Brigham Young,
that resoute cheftain took UP and bore
Enthusiastically forward his hle-lcnder's great idea
ot western colonization Nor was 1t in his case
altogether left to his discretion or convenience as
to when the mighty movement should begin.
Pressure upon the inhabitants of the devoted city
of NauVoO became
blood of their prophets. instead of appeasing.
served seemingly further to inlame the violence
and rapacity of their enemies. With these latter
they were compelled to treat for temporary
sations of hostiites in order that they might save
sell or convert even portion of their property
They forced to enter into agreements whose
terms were most cruel and unjust II they would
even save their lives. And sooner did condl-
lions become sufficiently settled for tn enter
earnestly upon their preparations than the i'm
patience of their prosecutors would break
again. and all pledges, stipu!ations. treaties and
ermistices would fall nullihed TO the ground In
stead of being permitted peaceably to exchange
their farms and homes and surplus furniture and
Other comforts for the teams and wagons and
COMPACT supplies and outfits with which prosper
oUs home-seekegs in lands try to provide
themselves. they continually interrupted by
threats, depredations and armed attack In
tending purchasers were made loath to buy
through increasing evidence that the unfortunate
owners had only the alternative of taking any
poor price that might be offered being driven
forth without getting any price at all Much time
that should have been prohtably employed In
getting ready for the migration, was perforce
spent with gun in hand defending lives of loved
ones. So that when at last their vanguard crossed
the river in the bitter month of February-the
ferry teing abandoned for the solid ice
which bridged the mighty stream-they wero but
ill-pTeparod for the long journey ahead of them.
WESTWARD Ho. AT LAST.
But they were at last on the way to the west
the land of their destiny Some of them tried to
feel that they glad they on the move
and promised themselves that they would locate
next time where prosecutions heavy hand could
not soon reach them. All agreed that whether they
came willingly or not they had to come. they
might well say it was with willingness. Their
pursuers had done this much for them, they had
given them good. swift start. incidentally
tributing to the fulhllment of the prophecy
him whom they had slain impostor.
This was in 1876. and preparations were soon
under way for the selection and equipment of the
advance party which was to push on ahead select
the place where the commonwealth was to
be established. and plow and plant for those who
were TO follow along after fast they prudent
ly and prohtably could. This party was to con-
sist of hundred picked men with 25 wagons.
drawn by 80 yokes of oxen-thus four oxen and
lies the party to carry plenty OF seed grain
and vegetables. agricultural implements and suf-
hcient provisions to sustain them for a year. Be-
Ing all we'll mounted. well armed and able bodied,
and not heavily loaded. 1t expected they
would travel along fairly rapidly and present
such martial array would render them i'm
mune from the attack of marauding bands Of
Indians. BY the month of June enstments for
this expedition We're we'll advanced under Wllford
Woodruns energetic direction and only a short
time would have bsen cessary TO complete the
party and start 1t on It's Journey.
THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENED
II something Unforeseen had not happened Just
then. the people OF today would be celebrat-
ing the 24th of July as Utahs birthday and pos
sIbly the figures 1876 would be adjoining tho
great seal OF the state in place of the year which
IS there commemorated at present
"his something unforeseen was just about the
most improbable event that could have occurred
Any number OF unooked-for incidents might have
come between them and the accomplishment OF
their plan-any number Incidents which while
perhaps unexpected could not be deemed wholly
unlikely. But this of these. 1t could
only be compared surprise to that oft-ouoted
phenomenon-a thunderbot from clear sky
What was it7
ono day In the latter part OF June a captain Of
Dragons, U. S army rode into the moro
permanent and popuous camps of the Mormons
the prairies of Iowa. with a momentous mes
sag. He lost time in making his business
known to the leading In the camp. who
listened respectfully though with amazement and
treated him with every courtesy. They could only
refer him to their leader who the time
mi ont thc far eotcr horde of InNya