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Show 65 estimated. No reports of its entire strength are available for the period in question. In 1854 the militia was reported at 2,748 men, but the population, and probably the Legion, had grown significantly since then due to a heavy influx of immigrants.9 In a life or death struggle, almost anyone could become a combatant. Estimates range from 5,000 to 8,000 men out of a population of 40,000 Utahns were capable of bearing arms. The latter figure was that of Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the U.S. Army.10 On September 8 Captain Stewart Van Vliet, assistant quartermaster of the army, arrived in Salt Lake City. His mission was to procure supplies and make the necessary arrangements in advance of the army's encampment in Utah. In an interview with Brigham Young, Van Vliet affirmed the peaceful intentions of the army, but Brigham Young was unconvinced. He told the captain there was an abundance of everything required for the troops, but none would be sold to them. Furthermore, Young insisted the expedition was on the march to destroy a peaceable religious community, and the troops would be resisted to the last man. "We do not want to fight the United States, he affirmed, "but if they drive us to it, we shall do the best we can; and I will tell you, as the Lord lives, we shall come off conquerors, for we trust in God. d~L The day following Van Vliet's departure, Brigham Young issued his famous "Procamation" bearing the date of September 15, l857« The document began thus: "Citizens of Utah; We are invaded by a hostile forse who are evidently assailing us to accomplish our overthrow and destruction."12 The proclamation forbid all armed forces from coming into the Territory; the militia was to be ready to march at a moment's notice to repell any invasion; and martial law was declared to exist in the Territory. Young's proclamation and the events of the early fall had a tremendous effect on the growth of the Nauvoo Legion. As an example, Colonel William H. |
