Freeman. There were others whose name have slipped me. I
know that our total force was fifty-four Danites and three
hundred Indians. As soon as these gathered around the camp I
demanded of Brother Higbee what orders he had brought. I then
told all that had happened at the Meadows, so that every person
might understand the situation. Brother Higbee reported as
follows:

"It is the orders that the emigrants be put out of the way.
President Haight has counseled with Bishop Dame, and has orders
from him to put the emigrants to death; none who is old enough to
talk is to be spared."

Brother Higbee then said substantially that the emigrants had
come through the country as our enemies, and as the enemies of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That they had no
pass from anyone in authority permitting them to leave the
Territory. That none but friends were permitted to leave the
Territory, and as these were our sworn enemies they must be
killed. That they were nothing but a portion of Johnston's army.
That if they were allowed to go on to California they would raise
the war cloud in the West and bring destruction upon all the
settlements in Utah. That the only safety for the people was in
the utter destruction of the whole rascally lot.

The Danites then in Council now knelt down in a prayer circle and
prayed, invoking the Spirit of God to direct them how to act in
the matter. After prayer Brother Higbee said:

"Here are the orders," and handed me a paper from Haight.

The paper read in substance that we were to decoy the emigrants
from their position and kill all that could talk. This order was
in writing. Brother Higbee handed it to me and I read it. The
orders were that the emigrants should be decoyed from their
stronghold, and exterminated, and no one left to tell the tale.
Then the authorities could say it was done by Indians. Haight
told me the next day that he got his orders from Bishop Dame.

After the Council I retired and bowed in prayer before God.
Brother Hopkins, a man in whom I had great confidence, came to me
from the Council, saying that he believed it was right, for the
brethren and the Priesthood were united in the thing. At the
solicitation of Brother Hopkins I returned with him to the
Council. When I got back the Council again prayed for aid. The
Council formed a prayer circle, and kneeling down, so that elbow
touched elbow, the Danites prayed for Divine instructions. After
prayer Brot