JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845; handwriting of , , Jonathan Grimshaw, and ; 512 pages, plus 24 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the third volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This third volume covers the period from 2 Nov. 1838 to 31 July 1842; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, D-1, E-1 and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
This document, “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” is the third of six volumes of the “Manuscript History of the Church” (in The Joseph Smith Papers the “Manuscript History” bears the editorial title “History, 1838–1856”). The completed six-volume collection covers the period from 23 December 1805 to 8 August 1844. The narrative in this volume commences on 2 November 1838 with JS and other church leaders being held prisoner by the “’s forces” at , Missouri, and concludes with the death of Bishop at , Illinois, on 31 July 1842. For a more complete discussion of the entire six-volume work, see the general introduction to this history.
Volume C-1 was created beginning on or just after 24 February 1845 and its narrative was completed by 3 May 1845, although some additional work continued on the volume through 3 July of that year (Richards, Journal, 24 and 28 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, Journal, 3 May 1845; 3 and 4 July 1845). It is in the handwriting of and contains 512 pages of primary text, plus 24 pages of addenda. Additional addenda for this volume were created at a later date as a supplementary document and appear in this collection as “History, 1838-1856, volume C-1 Addenda.” Compilers and Thomas Bullock drew heavily from JS’s letters, discourses, and diary entries; meeting minutes; church and other periodicals and journals; and reminiscences, recollections, and letters of church members and other contacts. At JS’s behest, Richards maintained the first-person, chronological-narrative format established in previous volumes, as if JS were the author. , , , and others reviewed and modified the manuscript prior to its eventual publication in the Salt Lake City newspaper Deseret News.
The historical narrative recorded in volume C-1 continued the account of JS’s life as prophet and president of the church. Critical events occurring within the forty-five-month period covered by this text include the Mormon War; subsequent legal trials of church leaders; expulsion of the Saints from Missouri; missionary efforts in by the and others; attempts by JS to obtain federal redress for the Missouri depredations; publication of the LDS Millennial Star in England; the migration of English converts to ; missionary efforts in other nations; the death of church patriarch ; the establishment of the city charter; the commencement of construction of the Nauvoo ; the expedition that facilitated temple construction; the introduction of the doctrine of proxy baptism for deceased persons; the dedicatory prayer by on the Mount of Olives in Palestine; publication of the “Book of Abraham” in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons; publication of the JS history often referred to as the “Wentworth letter;” the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo; and the inception of Nauvoo-era temple endowment ceremonies.
<November 2nd.> for , when I was left in sole command. I then took up my line of march for Goose Creek, one mile South of , which point we reached about one hour by sun in the evening. Just as the troops were encamping, I received intelligence from , from his position on the right that he had discovered a party of mounted Mormons approaching from the East, and requested permission to intercept them if possible. Leave was granted and his Brigade started off at nearly full speed to accomplish the Order, but the Mormons succeeded in reaching the fort. approached within two hundred yards of their fortress, when they displayed a force of about eight hundred men. <-[150]-> At this juncture I ordered, Gen. Graham’s brigade (holding ’ and part of ’s mounted in reserve) to march full speed to the relief of the 1st. Brigade 3rd. Division, but from the inequality of the force of the first detachment. (being only two hundred and fifty strong at that time and the Mormons 800) <-[150]-> it was considered prudent to withdraw the troops, and march against them in the morning, which was accordingly done, and they all returned, as dark set in, to camp. At this place I established my head quarters, and continued there during the expedition against the Mormons. The detachment under returned about 9 o’clock P.M. The next morning 31st. of October, I received a message from , the Commander of the Mormon forces -[ Militia]- requesting an interview with me, on an eminence near , which he would designate by hoisting a white flag. I sent him word I would meet him at 2 o’clock p.m. being so much engaged in receiving and encamping fresh troops, who were hourly coming in, that I could not attend before. Accordingly at that time, I started with my staff officers and Brig. Gens. , , and Graham, being left in command We met him and some other Mormons at the point before mentioned. He stated that his object in asking me to meet him there was to know if there could not be some compromise or settlement of the difficulty without a resort to arms. After giving him to understand the nature of your orders, I made him the following propositions, which I furnished him a copy of, also a copy of your order. viz:
1st. To give up their -[the Church]- leaders to be tried and punished. [HC 3:196]
2nd. To make an appropriation of their property, all who had taken up arms, to the payment of their debts, and indemnity for damage done by them.
3rd. That the balance should leave the , and be protected out by the Militia, but to be permitted to remain under protection until further orders were received from the .
4th. To give up the arms of every description to be receipted for.
agreed to the proposition readily, but wished to postpone the matter until morning. I then told him that I would require Jos. Smith Jr., , , , and , as hostages for his faithful compliance with the terms, and would pledge myself and each one of the officers present, that in case he, after reflecting and consulting upon the proposition during the night, declined acceding to them, that the hostages should be returned to him in the morning, at the same point they were received, but it was understood in case they did comply, they were to be held for trial as part of the leaders called for by the first stipulation; I then gave him until one hour by [p. 851]