Naturally, one would think that these few Saints would be left to get ready
to move in peace; but not so. If there is any doubt of the brutal character
of the mob, what they now did will remove that doubt forever.

On July 11, eight brethren were engaged in cutting grain in a field twelve
miles from Nauvoo. A mob surrounded them, and then taking them one by one,
whipped them severely. Two of these mobbers were afterwards arrested, and
to get even for this, the mob carried away five other brethren who were
abused by the mobbers for twelve days before they were released.

The next move of the mob was to get writs of arrest for many persons in
Nauvoo. A John Carlin was unlawfully appointed a constable to serve these
writs, that is, make the arrests, and he raised a large body of men to help
him; but behind all this, the real object was to drive the remaining
"Mormons" from the city.

Governor Ford was now notified of the actions of these mobbers, and he sent
Major Parker to Nauvoo, who was to raise volunteers and defend the city.
Four companies of troops were organized by the governor's order; but
instead of treating the invaders as they truly were, a mob, Major Parker
made a treaty with their leader in which it was agreed that the "Mormons"
would leave the state within sixty days. The mob leader thought this fair
enough, but the mobbers did not. At this, their leader resigned and a man
by the name of Brockman took command of the crowd. He gave the order to
march towards Nauvoo, which they gladly did.

On the morning of September 10th, 1846, the watchman in the tower of the
temple gave notice that the enemy were coming 1,000 or 1,500 strong. They
had cannon, plenty of ammunition, and came like an army ready for battle.