Account of Trial, , Hancock Co., IL, 21–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Transcribed from shorthand [before 24 Aug. 1858]; handwriting of and Daniel Mackintosh; 106 pages; Report of the Trial of the Murderers of Joseph Smith, 1845, CHL.
after the volenteers had stept out from those who went with ? I think he was in frunt. Was in frunt also? I think he was. You dont know wether the Cap. or gave <the word of> command? Yes. You say they where both in frunt? yes I think they where. When the word of command was given all the Volenteers advanced for ? Yes. What was the others doing? they where arguing upon it. How meny was there in the company who where to advance? between 40 and 200. Was there more than one company there? There was two companys. Before the order was given how did they stand did they stand in double or single file or where they arranged round? I think they where. Was A supereiour officer? He read the order to disband. Who was the supereiour officer? I cannot so wether he or Generall Nocks [Knox] You think read the disbanding order? Yes I think so. Did you see these men after they had stept out what kind of an organisation they made? I heard an observation made by A scertain individual that those who should go should follow the music. Where was when the music march along? I dont know. Did those who would not go to go home? I was one of the first who started off home. You did not stay till the company started to ? I recolect so being on the hill, and they where standing at the bottom on the creek and I think shooting at A mark. Who was it said they where going to blow the jail to hell? I dont know. Did you hear any of them say they where going to kill the Smiths? I c[o]uld not tell. Was there any cursing of the mormons going on? There was considerable of it done. Who was it that gave this command to advance was it an officer do you think? I think it was, But wether it was or the Cap. of the Company you cannot recolect? No. Did you hear raise any opposition to coming [p. [54]]