moved that they hereafter assume the title and name of the "Church of the Latter Day Saints," discarding the name of Mormonite, which they began to consider rather a reproach. This was carried unanimously, of course. What their particular object was in the movement, at that particular crisis, we have not been able to understand, unless for the purpose of denying, in the most positive terms, as they passed through the country, that they belonged to the sect known' as Mormonites, thereby deceiving the people as to their true character, objects and intentions. But why was not this question settled, as all others are, by a revelation. The Lord had before given them directions not to chew tobacco, nor feed corn to their horses; but in the important matter of giving them a name, by which they were ever after to be known, be had wholly refused to interfere, or they had not time to ask him.

During the progress of these preparations, the brethren in Missouri waited patiently the coming of the "liberating army," or some new revelations, not daring to take any steps which their circumstances or necessities might seem to require. In the month of February, several of the Elders, at their request, were escorted back to Independence, by a company of militia from another county, by order of the Governor of the State, for the purpose of testifying before the court then sitting for Jackson county, against those who had been concerned in the former outrages and riots. After staying one night under the protection of the guards, they were, in the morning informed, by the public prosecutor, that no indictments would be had, for the reason that the members of the Grand Jury were more or less implicated. Neither could any private suits be instituted for the loss of property, for similar reasons. The Elders were then marched back, it is said, to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," and set across the Missouri.

In the mean time, the people of Jackson county were not inattentive to the premeditated attack of Gen. Smith, the Prophet.

CHAPTER XIV.

But to return to the grand army. On the second day of their march, they arrived at New Portage, about 40 miles distant; where about 100 more fell into the ranks. Here the whole were organized into bands of fourteen men, each band having a captain, baggage wagon, tents, &c. Just before leaving this place, Smith proposed to his army, that they should appoint a treasurer to take posession of the funds of each individual, for the purpose of paying it out as he should think their necessities required. The measure was carried, without a dissenting voice, of course. Prophet was nominated and voted in, as Treasurer, no one, of course, doubting his right. After pocketing the cash of his dupes, the line of march was resumed, and a white flag raised, bearing upon it, the inscription of "PEACE," written in red.

The

Somewhere on their route a large black snake was discovered near the road, over five feet in length. This offered a fair opportunity for some of the company to try their skill at miracles, and Martin Harris took off his shoes and stockings, to "take up serpents," without being harmed.He presented his toes to the head of the snake, which made no attempt to bite; upon which Martin proclaimed a victory over serpents; but passing on a few rods farther, an

other of much larger dimensions was dicovered, and on presenting his bare foot to this one also, he received a bite in the ankle, which drew blood. This was imputed to his want of faith and produced much merriment to the company. A large mound was one day discovered, upon which Gen. Smith ordered an excavation to be made into it; and about one foot from the top of the ground, the bones of a human skeleton were found, which were carefully laid out upon a board, when Smith made a speech, prophesying or declaring that they were the remains of a celebrated General among the Nephites, mentioning his name and the battle in which he was slain, some 1500 years ago. This was undoubtedly done to encourage the troops to deeds of daring, when they should meet the Missourians in battle array.

On arriving at Salt creek, Illinois, they were joined by Lyman Wight and Hiram Smith, (brother of the prophet,) with a reinforcement of twenty men, which they had picked up on the way. Here the grand army, which being fully completed, encamped for the space of three days.— The whole number was now estimated at 220, rank and file. During their stay here, the troops were kept under a constant drill of manual exercise with guns and swords, and their arms put in a state of repair-the Prophet became very expert with a sword, and felt himself equal to his prototype Coriantumr. He had the best sword in the army, (probably a true model of Laban's, if not the identical one itself,) an elegant brace of pistols, which were purchased on a credit of six months, a rifle, and four horses. Wight was appointed second in command, or fighting general, who, together with the prophet, had an armour bearer appointed, selected from among the most expert tactitions, whose duty it was to be in constant attendance upon their masters with their arms. The generals then appointed a new captain to each band, organized two companies of rangers, or sharp

shooters, to act as scouts or flankers, when they should ärrive upon the field of carnage. After this they dubbed themselves the "army of Zion," and Hiram Smith was chosen to carry the flag, which he kept unfurled during the remainder of the march.

The march of the grand army was then resumed for two or three days, when it was agreed to spend half a day in a sham fight. For this purpose four divisions were formed, and took positions, and went to work, agreeably to the most approved forms of Bonaparte, Black Hawk, Coriantumr or Shiz

After coming to close quarters, however, all discipline was lost sight of, and each one adopted a mode agreeable to his taste. Some prefered the real British push with the bayonet, some the old Kentucky dodging from tree to tree, while others prefered the Lamanite mode of tomahawking, scalping and ripping open the bowels. The final. result was, that several guns and swords were broken, some of the combatants wounded, and each one well pleased with his own exploits..

After crossing the Mississippi, spies on horseback were kept constantly on the look out, several miles in front & rear. The Prophet went in disguise, changing his dress frequently, riding on the different baggage wagons, and, to all appearance, expecting every momemt to be his last. Near the close of one day, they approached a prairie, which was 30 miles in extent, without inhabitants. Here an altercation took place between the two generals, which almost amounted to a mutiny. The prophet declared it was not safe to stay there over night, as the enemy would probably be upon them. Gen. Wight totally refused to enter the prairie, as they would not be able to find water, or to build a fire to cook their provisions, besides the great fatigue it would cause the troops. Smith said he would show them how to eat raw pork. Hiram said he knew by the spirit

that it was dangerous to stay there. The prophet finally exclaimed, "Thus saith the Lord God-March on;" this settled the matter-and they all moved on about fifteen miles, and thinking themselves out of danger, they encamped beside a muddy pool, and went through the raw pork operation. Here the controversy was again renewed between the two generals. Smith said he knew exactly when to pray, when to sing, when to talk, and when to laugh, by the Spirit of God that God never commanded any one to pray for his enemies." The whole seemed much dissatisfied, and came nigh breaking out into open mutiny.

The Prophet had, besides his other weapons, a large bull dog, which was exceedingly cross during the nights, and frequently attempted to bite persons stirring about. One of the captains, (a High Priest,) one evening, declared to the Prophet that he would shoot the dog, if he ever attempted to bite him. Smith replied, "that if he continued in the same spirit, and did not repent, the dog would yet eat the flesh off his bones, and he would not have the power to resist." This was the commencement of a controversy between the Prophet and his High Priest, which was not settled till some time after their return to head-quarters, in Kirtland, when the former underwent a formal trial on divers serious charges, before his Priests, honorably acquitted, and the latter made to acknowledge that he had been possessed of several devils, for many weeks. The dog, however, a few nights after the controversy commenced, was shot through the leg by· a sentinel, near the Prophet's tent, and died instantly.

When within twelve miles of Liberty, Clay county, Mo. (the head-quarters of the fanatics in that state,) the “army of Zion" was met by two gentlemen, who had been deputed by the citizens of another county, for the purpose of enquiring into the motive and object of such a hostile and warlike appearance upon their borders. These gentlemen