9/11 is remembered for the terrorist attack, but it is also the day of another atrocity motivated by religion.  In 1857, the Mormons were settled in Utah, but not getting along with the U.S. government, which controlled the Utah Territory.  President Buchanan was sending federal troops to exert control over the area.  Brigham Young prepared for opposition.  He decided to harass any wagon trains passing through on the way to California.  The Mormons would refuse to sell supplies and the local Pauite Indians were encouraged to attack the trains, concentrating on stealing livestock. The Baker-Fancher wagon train was subject to this harassment, but retaliated with supposed acts of revenge like poisoning wells.  The emigrants foolishly taunted the Mormons by reminding them of their eviction from Missouri.  It all came to a head when the train camped at Mountain Meadows.  Members of the Utah Territorial Militia decided to attack the Gentiles.  They got the Pauites involved, but they participated disguised as Indians.  The initial attack on Sept. 7 caused the emigrants to circle the wagons.  They put up a stout defense for five days.  The Mormons began to worry that their disguises had been seen through.  John D. Lee and the other leaders decided there should be no survivors to tell the tale.  On Sept. 11, Lee came in under a white flag and convinced the party that the Mormons were there to protect them.  The Paiutes had agreed to allow the Mormons to escort them out of the area if they gave up their weapons.  Lacking water and low on ammunition, the emigrants agreed.  The escorting did not last long before the Mormons turned on the defenseless emigrants and slaughtered them.  Only 17 young children were spared.  Although it was unclear what happened, Buchanan pressured Young to accept army occupation and a Gentile governor.  Justice was delayed because of the Civil War, but in 1874 nine militiamen were indicted.  Only Lee stood trial and the jury was hung.  At this point, Young offered evidence against him in exchange for the U.S. backing off.  Lee was found guilty and executed by firing squad at Mountain Meadows.

 https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mormons-and-paiutes-murder-120-emigrants-at-mountain-meadows

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_Massacre

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/mormons-massacre/


0 Comments

I would love to hear what you think.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.