Prisoners-of-War

Approximately ten months following the Grand Island U.S. Army ambush and ensuing Cheyenne counterattacks, one of the victim’s brothers—Philip Margetts—departed Salt Lake City on a fact-finding mission. Stopping by both Fort Laramie and Fort Kearny, Philip interviewed surviving eyewitnesses, such as Henry Baurichter, while also gathering narratives circulating through the Platte Road forts. Due to the strength of national rumors that the four Cheyenne incursions were carried out by Danites at the behest of Brigham Young, Margetts indited and then published his findings in New York City’s LDS newspaper The Mormon. Margetts’ key purpose in seeking publication of his letter was to refute the “false reports of the calumniators of Utah,” and to rebut the “firebrands who do their utmost to bring difficulties upon … [our] Territory.” Unfortunately, Margetts’ June 1857 letter appeared too late. As early as May 1857, federal troops had already begun to amass in preparation for an anti-Mormon expedition (Map 8.1).