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Military Order to Wilson Law, 8 December 1843

Source Note

JS as lieutenant general, Military Order,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, to
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
, [
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 8 Dec. 1843; handwriting of
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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; one page; JS Collection (Supplement), CHL. Includes docket and notation.
Single leaf measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The order was inscribed on the recto; the verso is blank except for a later docket. The document was trifolded for storage and docketed.
The order was docketed by
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844.
1

Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456. In December 1843, Bullock docketed and copied many of JS’s letters as well as municipal and legal documents so that copies could be forwarded to Illinois governor Thomas Ford. (See, for example, Affidavit from Daniel Avery, 28 Dec. 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

The notation “A. J | Printed” was added by Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) in 1891 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
2

Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

The Church Historical Department (now CHL) published a register of the JS Collection in 1973. Between 1974 and 1984, staff continued to locate documents authored by or directed to JS in uncataloged church financial records and in name and subject files. The department also acquired additional JS documents from donors, collectors, and dealers. These newly located and acquired documents were kept together in a supplement to the JS Collection. A preliminary inventory of the supplement was created in 1992. This group of records was named the JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, and its cataloging was finalized in 2017.
3

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The order’s early docket and notation, as well as its inclusion in the JS Collection (Supplement), suggest continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456. In December 1843, Bullock docketed and copied many of JS’s letters as well as municipal and legal documents so that copies could be forwarded to Illinois governor Thomas Ford. (See, for example, Affidavit from Daniel Avery, 28 Dec. 1843.)

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

  2. [2]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection (Supplement), 1833–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 8 December 1843, JS, as lieutenant general of the
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
, issued an order to Major General
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

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to call out a portion of the legion to protect the rights of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois, citizens in the aftermath of the kidnappings of
Daniel

1 July 1797–16 Oct. 1851. Farmer, carpenter. Born in Oswego Co., New York. Son of Daniel Avery and Sarah. Moved to Franklin Co., Ohio, by 1821. Married Margaret Adams, 4 Jan. 1821, in Franklin Co. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry...

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and
Philander Avery

13 June 1822 or 1823–9 May 1907. Farmer. Born in Franklin Co., Ohio. Son of Daniel Avery and Margaret Adams. Moved to Worthington, Franklin Co., by Sept. 1825; to Perry, Franklin Co., by June 1830; to Colwell, Schuyler Co., Illinois, 1832; to Rushville, Schuyler...

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.
1

For more information on the Avery kidnappings, see “Part 5: December 1843.”


Sometime between eleven o’clock that morning and four o’clock in the afternoon, JS issued an order to
Henry G. Sherwood

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

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, Nauvoo’s city marshal, instructing him to defend Nauvoo residents from being kidnapped. The order advised Sherwood to call out a portion of the Nauvoo Legion if necessary.
2

Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; see also JS, Journal, 8 Dec. 1843.


Sherwood responded with a requisition to JS asking him, as mayor, to order Law to mobilize a portion of the legion.
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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, clerk of the mayor’s court and one of JS’s scribes, drafted JS’s orders to
Sherwood

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

View Full Bio
and
Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
as well as Sherwood’s requisition to JS, which suggests that Phelps drafted the three documents in JS’s
office

Term usually applied to JS’s private office, which was located at various places during JS’s lifetime, including his home. From fall 1840 until completion of JS’s brick store, office was located on second floor of a new building, possibly on Water Street ...

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at roughly the same time.
3

Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.


Sherwood’s request presumably drew on the legislative act incorporating the city of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, which stated that the legion was “at the disposal of the Mayor.”
4

Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.


However, JS framed the order as commander of the legion, instructing Law, his subordinate, to hold a portion of the legion “in readiness” to “compel obedience” to city ordinances and “secure the peace of the citizens.”
The next day,
Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
issued orders to Colonel
Stephen Markham

9 Feb. 1800–10 Mar. 1878. Carpenter, farmer, stock raiser. Born at Rush (later Avon), Ontario Co., New York. Son of David Markham and Dinah Merry. Moved to Mentor, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1809. Moved to Unionville, Geauga Co., 1810. Married Hannah Hogaboom, before...

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and Brigadier General
Charles C. Rich

21 Aug. 1809–17 Nov. 1883. Schoolteacher, farmer, cooper. Born in Campbell Co., Kentucky. Son of Joseph Rich and Nancy O’Neal. Moved to Posey Township, Dearborn Co., Indiana, ca. 1810. Moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois, 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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, directing each man to “order out the most efficient Regiment” under his command and to direct those troops to assemble at JS’s home at three o’clock in the afternoon “completely armed and equiped for duty.”
5

Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL, underlining in original; Charles C. Rich to Hosea Stout, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, in Order Book, 1843–1844, 13, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL. Only Law’s order to Rich is extant, but other documents indicate that Law issued a similar order to Markham. (See Letter from Wilson Law, 9 Dec. 1843; and Pay Order to William Clayton for Stephen Markham and Charles C. Rich, 9 Dec. 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

Law also wrote to JS asking him to issue pay orders to Markham and Rich so that they could supply their cohorts with ammunition.
6

Letter from Wilson Law, 9 Dec. 1843.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For more information on the Avery kidnappings, see “Part 5: December 1843.”

  2. [2]

    Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; see also JS, Journal, 8 Dec. 1843.

  3. [3]

    Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.

  4. [4]

    Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.

  5. [5]

    Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL, underlining in original; Charles C. Rich to Hosea Stout, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, in Order Book, 1843–1844, 13, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL. Only Law’s order to Rich is extant, but other documents indicate that Law issued a similar order to Markham. (See Letter from Wilson Law, 9 Dec. 1843; and Pay Order to William Clayton for Stephen Markham and Charles C. Rich, 9 Dec. 1843.)

    Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

    Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

  6. [6]

    Letter from Wilson Law, 9 Dec. 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Military Order to Wilson Law, 8 December 1843
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [1]

Head Quarters
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
,)
City of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
Dec. 8, 1843)
Sir: The
Marshal

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

View Full Bio
having made <​of this
city

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
​> of this having m[a]de a demand of me, for a suitable portion of the Nauvoo Legion to protect the rights of the citizens, and carry the ordinances of said
city

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
into full effect, your are hereby directed and required, to hold in readiness, such portions of the <​said​> Nauvoo Legion, which you have the honor to command, as may be necessary to compel obedience to the ordinances of said
city

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
,
1

JS’s order to Henry G. Sherwood and Sherwood’s requisition to JS included similar language regarding the legion’s readiness to “compel obedience” to city ordinances. (Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.)


and secure the peace of the citizens, and call them out, if occasion require, without further notice.
2

Although the legion mobilized on 9 December 1843, it apparently received no specific orders until 18 December 1843. (Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL; Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A; Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–B.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

With due regard I have the honor to be your obt sevt.
Joseph Smith
Liut Gen
N. L.

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
Maj Gn
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
)
Commanding)
Nauvoo Legion

A contingent of the Illinois state militia provided for in the Nauvoo city charter. The Nauvoo Legion was organized into two cohorts: one infantry and one cavalry. Each cohort could potentially comprise several thousand men and was overseen by a brigadier...

View Glossary
) [1/4 page blank] [p. [1]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Military Order to Wilson Law, 8 December 1843
ID #
1217
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:336–338
Handwriting on This Page
  • William W. Phelps

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS’s order to Henry G. Sherwood and Sherwood’s requisition to JS included similar language regarding the legion’s readiness to “compel obedience” to city ordinances. (Mayor’s Order to Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843; Requisition from Henry G. Sherwood, 8 Dec. 1843.)

  2. [2]

    Although the legion mobilized on 9 December 1843, it apparently received no specific orders until 18 December 1843. (Wilson Law to Charles C. Rich, Order, Nauvoo, IL, 9 Dec. 1843, Charles C. Rich, Collection, CHL; Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–A; Military Order to Wilson Law, 18 Dec. 1843–B.)

    Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Account Book, 1844–1849. Charles C. Rich, Collection, 1832–1908. CHL.

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