MOUNTAIN MEADOW MASSACRE Sept. 11, 1857 What was the Mountain Meadows Massacre? It was an tragic incident in American History. It was an tragic incident in American History. The actual incident took place on Friday, September 11, The actual incident took place on Friday, September 11, It was the wrong people, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. It was the wrong people, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. What caused the Mountain Meadows Massacre? Americans felt threatened by Mormon views of blood atonement and polygamy. Mormons felt threatened that the U.S. government would disrupt their lives, and their religion. Other reasons for this tragedy To add to the tension, there was news of the murder of a Mormon leader in Arkansas. It was reported that the Arkansas immigrants were bragging of the murder and were also treating local Paiutes and Mormon settlers with contempt. There was a rumor that the immigrants poisoned some well water, and some Paiutes and their animals died. Journey to California On May 1, 1857, a train of over forty wagons, several carriages, 1000 head of cattle, hundreds of horses, and about 142 pioneer men, women and children left Arkansas for California. Tension was building at this time among the Mormon people, who were becoming fearful of the federal government. Worries on the Utah Front President James Buchanan had received distorted reports of the terrible activities in Utah. President James Buchanan had received distorted reports of the terrible activities in Utah. He sent a new governor to Utah to replace the Mormon governor in office, Brigham Young. He sent a new governor to Utah to replace the Mormon governor in office, Brigham Young. The Mormons feared their own destruction by the federal government. The Mormons feared their own destruction by the federal government. The various Mormon Militia units were instructed to be ready to march on a moment's notice to any part of the territory. Because the settlers in Utah had not been friendly, the pioneers were alert. However, they were expecting no trouble from the Indians. Asking for advice Mormon leader Isaac Haight, head of the local militia, sent a horseman galloping to Salt Lake City to ask Brigham Young for advice. The rider made remarkable time, but before he returned with an answer, Haight, John D, Lee and other members of the militia joined the Paiute men at Mountain Meadows. Indians Attack On Tuesday morning, September 8, 1857 the Indians attacked the emigrants, killing seven men and wounding sixteen others before they were turned back. On Tuesday morning, September 8, 1857 the Indians attacked the emigrants, killing seven men and wounding sixteen others before they were turned back. The pioneers withstood the attacking Indians for four days, leaving the pioneers with no water, very little food and their ammunition nearly gone. The pioneers withstood the attacking Indians for four days, leaving the pioneers with no water, very little food and their ammunition nearly gone. THE SURRENDER Bishop John D. Lee approached the wagon train under a flag of truce and convinced the pioneers that he had persuaded the Indians to let them go if they would leave their wagons and possessions to the Indians. The Arkansas immigrants were told that it should appear to the Indians that they were the Mormon's prisoners. THE WAY OUT First The guns were loaded into a wagon. First The guns were loaded into a wagon. Second the wounded were then loaded into two wagons and two other wagons were loaded with the youngest of the children. Second the wounded were then loaded into two wagons and two other wagons were loaded with the youngest of the children. These wagons left first followed by the women and older children on foot. These wagons left first followed by the women and older children on foot. The men were lined up single file, and parallel to a single file of Mormon Militiamen and this group followed about a quarter of a mile behind. The men were lined up single file, and parallel to a single file of Mormon Militiamen and this group followed about a quarter of a mile behind. As the group moved out, the waiting Indians moved in and began to loot the goods the pioneers had left behind. As the group moved out, the waiting Indians moved in and began to loot the goods the pioneers had left behind. THE MASSACRE A short distance later, Bishop Lee rose up in his stirrups and shouted Men Do your Duty!" and each Militia member shot the prisoner of the wagon train standing next to him. A short distance later, Bishop Lee rose up in his stirrups and shouted Men Do your Duty!" and each Militia member shot the prisoner of the wagon train standing next to him. At about the same time up a mile ahead, Mormon Militiamen disguised as Indians, and the real Indians, moved in on the women and older children, shooting, clubbing and axing them to death At about the same time up a mile ahead, Mormon Militiamen disguised as Indians, and the real Indians, moved in on the women and older children, shooting, clubbing and axing them to death SURVivors The two wagonloads of children who had not been killed were adopted into Mormon homes. It is believed that 18 of the children survived. In 1859, Captain James Lynch of the U.S. Army took possession of these young survivors and returned them to relatives in Arkansas. What happened next No effort was made to give the bodies a decent burial. Foraging animals scattered the bones over a great distance. No effort was made to give the bodies a decent burial. Foraging animals scattered the bones over a great distance. In 1859, a passing detachment of U.S. Cavalry stopped and gathered what bones they could find into one grave. In 1859, a passing detachment of U.S. Cavalry stopped and gathered what bones they could find into one grave. CONCLUSION and CONSEQUENCES A rock headstone was erected with the words "Here lie the bones of one hundred and twenty men, women and children from Arkansas, murdered on the 11th day of September, 1857." A rock headstone was erected with the words "Here lie the bones of one hundred and twenty men, women and children from Arkansas, murdered on the 11th day of September, 1857." Although there were many investigations, no punishment was handed out for the crime until 20 years later. Bishop Lee wrote out a full confession and was found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. Although there were many investigations, no punishment was handed out for the crime until 20 years later. Bishop Lee wrote out a full confession and was found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. Brigham Young Researchers have disagreed on whether Young may have ordered the massacre. Juanita Brooks concludes that Young did not order the massacre, and would have prevented it if he could. Her conclusion is based largely on a letter from Young to President Haight dated September 10 giving instructions to leave the emigrants alone.September 10 In regard to the emigration trains passing through our settlements, we must not interfere with them until they are first notified to keep away. You must not meddle with them. The Indians we expect will do as they please but you should try and preserve good feelings with them. There are no other trains going south that I know of. If those that are there will leave, let them go in peace.