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Show The mob got its first surprise when a raid on the Mormon meeting ; house at Colesville was repelled by an unknown number of armed Mormons. Afew days later a band of 17 Mormons scattered a mob of nearly 50 missourians, killing two. One Mormon died in the skirmish. Flush with confidence following the two victories, 200 Mormons gathered at Rockwell's ferry. Their mission was to ride into Independ-' Independ-' ence in broad daylight and free Corrill, Morley and Gilbert. The militia leader was Lyman Wight. "Coming with us?" George Beebe asked as Port ferried him and several sev-eral others across the river to join the Mormon army, already nearly 200 strong. Beebe was Port's brother-in-law, Luana's brother. "Don't know," Port said. "Hate to leave Dad and the women alone. Too many pukes looking for something to burn." "We'll be making history," George persisted. "Hundreds of Mormons marching on Independence. Independ-ence. The Army of Zion putting the fear of the Almighty into the hearts of every puke. With God on our side, how can we fail?" Til ask Luana," Port said. An hour later Port was riding with George and the rest of the Mormon army to Independence. Port was riding his tall gelding, Bill. The horse's neck was arched more then usual as he cantered beside the other horses, sensing the excitement of the maneuver. The fear Port had felt initially, upon joining the company, was gone. Riding beside his comrades, mounted on the fastest horse in Missouri, armed with his Navy revolver and rifle, he began to feel invincible, that God really was on their side, especially when Wight led the men in singing all six verses of "Onward Christian Soldiers." All the men sang, some louder than others, some more on tune, but all sang as they hurried along the dusty road to Independence. As the enthusiastic Mormons galloped around a bend, emerging from an oak forrest onto an open prairie, the singing suddenly stopped. Blocking their path, in a straight line across the golden sod were an equal number of mounted Missourians, rifles and pistols drawn. With nothing more than a wave from Wight, the Mormons drew and cocked their weapons as they spread out, forming a straight line facing the enemy . Port and George Beebe ended up in the middle of the line, directly behind Wight who pushed his horse forward to meet Colonel Pitcher, the leader of the Missouri militia. To the surprise sur-prise of the Mormons, Pitcher rode right up to Wight, and offered his hand. The conversation between the two leaders lasted what seemed a long time. The excitement and confidence Port had felt while singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" Sol-diers" had vanished. The men facing fac-ing him had loaded guns, and would use them, if necessary. If a battle erupted with so many men in the open field at such close quarters, some would die. Many would be wounded. Port guessed the Missourians probably outnumbered out-numbered the Mormons. He felt the same sick feeling he had experienced expe-rienced the night at the ferry when the mob refused to pay. He hoped he would have courage to fight, if a battle began. The sick feeling became be-came more intense. Finally, Wight turned to face his men. "They want peace, if we will surrender our arms" he shouted. There was grumbling among the Mormons who didn't trust Pitcher. "In good faith they have already released Morley, Corrill and Gilbert from jail." Some of the grumbling stopped. Releasing the three Mormons was indeed an act of good faith, though some doubted the three men had actually been let go. "Where are they?" shouted a man near Rockwell. "Should be here any minute," Wight answered. "Let's wait and see," the soldier responded. Wight turned his horse and rode back to Pitcher. They resumed their private conversation. Most of the men put their rifles and pistols away, though not taking their eyes off the enemy. By the time Corrill, Morley and Gilbert rode into view, the enthusiasm enthusi-asm to fight had all but vanished, on both sides of the line. Rockwell felt relief, but reluctance reluc-tance when he was asked to surrender surren-der his weapons, but following his comrades, he obliged. He handed his pistol to an old acquaintance, Willard Sweeney. "How's Luana?" Willard asked as Port handed him the weapons. "Fine," was all Port managed to say. Willard wanted to continue the conversation, but was ordered over to Pitcher who handed the young man a dispatch to take to Lieutenant Lieuten-ant Governor Boggs as quickly as possible. Wight explained to his men that the dispatch contained news of the settlement. As soon as Boggs received it, the conflict would end. Sweeney spun his horse around and spurred it towards Independence. In-dependence. As the Mormons rode home that night they felt relief. Peace, at last, had been achieved. From now on the rights of the Mormons would be respected. Sweeney found Boggs at the courthouse in Independence, enjoying enjoy-ing a late supper with Judge Weston. After delivering the dispatch dis-patch Sweeney answered some questions before being dismissed to return home. (To be continued) |