Hannibal, his four lieutenants, and the sergeants trained Company ‘A’ hard, knowing that the future of newly formed all colored units would depend on their success or failure. At the beginning of the 2nd week, steady progress was evident. Three days before boarding the train, Hannibal paraded his company. Satisfied, he allowed a 48-hour leave.
After debarking his company from the train, Hannibal rode up and down the rows of his mounted troopers, closely examining the press of the uniforms and the brightness of the buckles. With him was his adjutant, Sergeant Isaiah Hamilton. Hamilton had been allowed to stay at the Mares Island Marine base while Captain Johnson recovered from his injuries suffered at the Battle of Alcatraz. Hannibal promoted him and appointed him as his adjutant.
The Cavalrymen sat ramrod straight in their saddles, eyes front, never wavering. Finishing the inspection, Captain Johnson nodded to Sergeant Hamilton, then rode forward. Standing tall in his saddle, Hamilton barked out “Platoons, columns of two, forward-ho.” He then spurred his horse and joined Captain Johnson and the officers at the head of the column.
Riding alongside the tracks under construction, Company ‘A’ paraded to the temporary headquarters of Colonel Grissom, the regimental commander of the Ninth Cavalry. Colonel Grissom and his all white officers watched with approval as the columns paraded past. One of the officers remarked: “If they can fight as well as they ride, we will have a valuable addition to our regiment.”
Chapter 15
After the next day breakfast, Captain Johnson was summoned by Colonel Grissom. Hannibal mounted his horse and rode to the middle of the encampment to the headquarters tent. Grissom’s adjutant offered him a cup of coffee, and Hannibal sat on a tree stump to wait. Eventually, the adjutant walked over and said: “Colonel Grissom will see you now.”
Hannibal walked to the Colonel’s tent, pulled back the flap and entered. Standing at attention, Hannibal saluted and said: “Captain Hannibal Johnson reporting as ordered, Sir.” Hannibal held the salute for several seconds; then Colonel Grissom looked up from the file he was reading and said: “At ease Captain.” Then unrolling a map, he gestured for Hannibal to join him and said: “I have been reading your file. Your accomplishments are impressive for an enlisted man, however now you are a commissioned officer and a company commander. The bar is much higher. I have been tasked to determine if you and your men are up to the challenges before you.” Grissom pointed to the map and continued: Your assignment is to patrol the route from here east to the border of the Utah Territory. Reports indicate the Nauvoo Legion are in the area. Select a suitable defensible position in or near Utah Territory and fortify it for your base of operations.” Giving Hannibal a signed, blank requisition form Grissom stated: “Requisition what you need to sustain your company in the field for at least 30 days. Do you have any questions?”
Hannibal replied: “To adequately fortify a position I will need an artillery battery and Gatling guns.” Grissom smiled and retorted: “I am aware that you know how to use artillery and Gatling guns. As I said, requisition what you need. Dismissed.” Hannibal saluted and left.
Riding back to his company HQ, he could not suppress his grin. He was delighted that Colonel Grissom had provided him with an independent command and had given him a blank check to accomplish his mission. He understood that this was his proving ground, and he was determined not to fail. Once he arrived, he summoned his staff and laid out the outline of the mission. He and his staff then filled the requisition form with what they would require.
Two days later, an augmented Company A broke camp. Hannibal’s’ command now included 320 soldiers, consisting of his original company, a battery of six 12-pounder Napoleons, a battery of six Gatling guns, and a supply train of ten wagons. The Napoleons and Gatling guns were each hauled by a team of six horses and had a limber and caisson to carry ammunition.
Hannibal’s new staff consisted of Captain Reynolds, who was the gun captain and eight lieutenants. These included his original four, and one for each two cannons in the battery, and one for the Gatling gun battery. Captain Reynolds was his second in command. The Napoleons and Gatling guns were covered with canvas to protect them from the desert climate, and to obscure them from view. All an observer would only be able to observe be the twelve horse-drawn teams of limbers and caissons.
Three days later the column crossed into Utah Territory. Scouts reported a flat-topped rise in a wooded area adjacent to the railroad route. Hannibal and Captain Reynolds rode out to survey the location and found it perfect for a fortification. It was about 100 feet high with steep embankments on two adjoining sides. A stream bordered the side with the steep embankment.
The flat top measured about two acres. Hannibal ordered the column to camp on the position for the night, and fortifications began the next morning. Within three days the trees within a ½ mile radius were cut down. Following consultations with Reynolds and his lieutenants, they constructed a five-pointed star fortress utilizing the logs. Abatis barriers constructed of sharpened branches were installed outside the walls to impede a ground assault. The soldiers sawed other logs into boards to construct gun platforms. Napoleons and Gatling guns protected each side of the star. Cutting down the trees also provided an open field of fire, and left attacking forces little to no cover. An observation tower with a warning bell stood in the middle of the fortification, which took up one acre. An Abatis barrier protected the side bordered by the steep embankments, and also protected the front of the fence for the horse corral. The horses, under constant guard, were allowed to graze daily below the fortification. Hannibal left the naming of the fortification to the men. After much discussion, they selected Fort Grissom in honor of the regimental commander.
Cavalry patrols went out each day searching for the Nauvoo Legion and hostile Indians. The Arapaho and Northern Cheyenne had formed an alliance and were active in the area. They were violently opposed to the railroad, as it cut across their traditional lands and hunting grounds. The tribes had also formed an alliance of convenience with the Mormons, as there was a common enemy.
A week later, a platoon-sized cavalry patrol made the initial contact with the Nauvoo Legion five miles east of Camp Grissom. Four Company A scouts saw a dust cloud to the east. Two of them moved forward, while the other two rode back to inform the platoon. 2nd Lieutenant Phillips ordered the platoon forward at a trot. Minutes later they come up to, a slight rise, where the scouts dismounted. Phillips pulled out his binoculars and staying low moved forward. To his dismay, he saw an estimated 600 Nauvoo Legionnaires one mile away; advancing towards Camp Grissom.
Phillips ordered one squad to ride back to Camp Grissom with the news. He then ordered two scouts out on either flank, to get a better estimate of the strength of the approaching legionnaires. All of the scouts were on foot; one held the horses while the other two observed the approaching formation. After a few minutes, Legionnaire cavalry pickets saw the scouts and began to pursue. Phillips men provided cover fire and drove the Legionnaires off inflicting several casualties. Phillips men then retreated towards Camp Grissom.
Lieutenant Phillips met with Hannibal and reported the approximate strength of the approaching Legionnaires; and that the legionnaires had two batteries of artillery. Realizing that relief was several days away, Hannibal sent three men back to inform Colonel Grissom, then organized the defense of his position. Soldiers filled water barrels to sustain the garrison during a siege. Captain Reynolds dispersed ammunition, cannon balls, shells, and canister to the defensive positions.
Satisfied with his initial preparations Hannibal called his officers in for a meeting. Not one for speeches Hannibal began: “We hold the high ground, and have a strong defensive position. The Legionnaires have limited avenues of assault, and I intend to make them pay a high price when they do attack.” Hannibal then turned the meeting over to Captain Reynolds who stated: “The Napoleons have an effective range of one mile. The elevation of our position will increase that distance. Our previous test firings
have pinpointed the effective reach of fire. If the Mormons mean to attempt to reduce our fortifications, they will have to establish their batteries inside our range. In an artillery duel, we will have the advantage of being able to see exactly where they position their guns, and we will be able to shift ours as the need arises.” He then ordered his lieutenants to see to the preparation of the cannons. As the officers were leaving Hannibal’s tent, the alarm bell on the tower began to ring. Lead elements of the Nauvoo Legion were arriving.
The commander of the Legion, Major Sidney Willes viewed the fort with his binoculars. He did not like what he saw. It encompassed the entire top of the hill, and the Abatis barriers would make a ground assault costly. His consternation grew when he recognized the Napoleon cannons. Those guns outranged his field howitzers, and their dispersal would make it difficult to take them out of action. He also tried to discern the type of ordinance presented by what appeared to be smaller cannons; which had their barrels covered. He was also puzzled by the makeup of the enemy unit. Instead of a colored cavalry unit, he observed a combined cavalry and artillery unit with both white and colored officers. Willes did not like surprises, and this unit was not what he expected. He sent messengers back to central command highlighting his observations and requested reinforcements.
The next morning at sunrise the engagement began. The Nauvoo Legion had spent the evening building revetments for their field howitzers, which were elevated to the maximum 15 degrees to increase the range. The howitzers opened fire with a 12 gun barrage. The explosive shot fell short of the fortifications. Hampered by the sun in their eyes, Captain Reynolds gunners returned fire, with cannon balls striking the revetments. The Legionnaire Gunners doubled the gunpowder, and the next salvo exploded over Camp Grissom. Reynold’s gunners switched to explosive shot and bombarded the revetments.
Following a one-half hour bombardment, with the rising sun in the eyes of the defenders, the legionnaires began their assault. The terrain funneled the attackers up the slope towards the fortifications. When they were within 100 yards, three of the Gatling guns opened up. Dozens of Legionnaires were shot down, but still, they surged up the hill. Two more Gatling guns joined with enfilading fire, cutting swaths into the flank of the legionnaires. The momentum of the attack began to falter, then broke, and the survivors retreated down the hill, leaving over 60 bodies on the slope.
The cannonade from both sides began to taper off, and a deathly silence reigned, interrupted by calls for help from the wounded. The gates opened, and stretcher bearers retrieved the wounded. Physicians were busy tending the wounds, both Legionnaires and members of Company A.
The surviving Legionnaires streamed back to their lines. Major Willes was appalled at his losses. The Nauvoo Legion had suffered the worst defeat in its history. Willes sent dispatches back to Salt Lake City with the results of the battle, and a request for reinforcements. A siege was instituted, with activities limited to artillery barrages, and counterbattery fire from Camp Grissom.
The messengers Hannibal had sent back to Colonel Grissom headquarters arrived and met with the Colonel. During Hannibal’s absence, the railroad had moved forward 30 miles. Grissom had anticipated what the Mormon reaction would be from Hannibal’s assignment. He knew that the Mormons would not stand idly by as United States Troops entered Utah Territory, now called Deseret. The incident he needed had occurred. Grissom left 300 soldiers to protect the railroad from the Northern Cheyenne and marched with 800 soldiers to relieve Fort Grissom.
Simultaneously, Major Willes received word that he would not get reinforcements. The dispatches indicated that General Sheridan and a large United States Army was entering Utah Territory from Wyoming Territory, and posed a direct threat to Salt Lake City. He was instructed to conduct a delaying action.
Willes was dismayed. The topography from Nevada to Salt Lake City was mostly barren salt flats, left when the Great Salt Lake dried up and retreated north. In the salt desert, he would have little cover, and few places to set up an ambush. He decided his best course of action was to retreat across the desert and delay the United States Army with night raids to steal their horses. Minutes later, he realized his time for action was present. His scouts reported a large relief force of United States Army troops less than a days’ ride to Camp Grissom.
Chapter 16
Battle of Salt Lake City
The next morning broke, and lookouts in Camp Grissom’s tower reported the Mormon camp was empty. Hannibal dispatched a platoon of cavalry to investigate. An hour later, they returned with the confirmation that the legionnaires were indeed gone, with tracks leading east towards Salt Lake City. Hannibal convened a meeting with his officers. He decided that Captain Reynolds, his artillery battery and three of the Gatling guns would remain as the garrison of the camp. Hannibal rode off at Noon in pursuit with the original Company “A” cavalry, three Gatling guns, and sufficient supply wagons with water to reach Salt Lake City.
Captain Reynolds organized burial parties for the dead legionnaires in a common grave at the base of the hill. At dusk, Colonel Grissom arrived; was informed by Captain Reynolds of the battle, and Hannibal’s pursuit plan. Grissom thought it to be audacious and resolved to leave at dawn to catch up. Reynolds would remain as commander of the garrison, with two platoons of cavalry to supplement his original forces.
Within three days Grissom caught up with Hannibal, who had been in sporadic combat with the Nauvoo Legionnaires. Those actions claimed the lives of 12 cavalry troopers, with an additional 15 wounded. The Legionnaires had suffered far worse, as the night attacks were driven off with heavy casualties sustained from the Gatling guns. Observing the arrival of Grissom’s relief column, Willes broke off the delaying action and retreated through the night towards Salt Lake City. He had received orders to assist in the defenses of the city. His men were immediately directed to reinforce the defenses to the southwest of the city.
General Sheridan marched west to the Wasatch Mountains 30 miles east of Salt Lake City. The Nauvoo Legion had fortified the Echo Canyon passes slowing the march to a crawl. Mile by mile his men were engaged in close combat with the legionnaires. Inexorably, the weight of numbers pushed the Mormons back towards Salt Lake City. Casualties were heavy on both sides.
Colonel Grissom’s forces reached the breastworks defending the south side of the city. With the Great Salt Lake protecting the city in the west The Legion built defenses in depth within the pass in the Wasatch Mountains to the east. That was the direction from which they knew General Sheridan was advancing. No one had expected a threat from the west. Major Willes men built the breastworks, and together with reinforcements from the 300 Legionnaires from Provo were determined to hold their position.
Brigham Young knew he was in a box. The war of attrition in the mountain passes around Echo Canyon was pushing his Legionnaires ever slowly back toward the city. Now with more than 1,000 United States soldiers just to the southwest of the city, he realized his bid for independence was over. He needed to make the best terms he could. He was meeting with the Church of the Latter Day Saints Elders when messengers arrived reporting that the United States soldiers to the southwest were attacking and in danger of breaching the defenses.
Colonel Grissom had developed a two-pronged assault plan. Just before dusk, with cover fire from a battery of cannon and the Gatling guns, Company A would assault the breastworks near where they angled back towards the lake. Hannibal’s attack was to be a feint. Once that assault diverted additional defenders to the point of attack, Grissom and the rest of the regiment would attack the breastworks after defenders vacated the area.
The attack commenced with the artillery bombardment including explosive shot and airbursts. The Legionnaires had more cannon but needed to disperse them along the breastwork. Company ‘A’ crawled forward during the bombardment getting ever closer to the defenses.
The Gatling guns were moved forward and directed their fire towards the top of the breastworks. The cannons fired their last bar
rage. Hannibal and his officers blew their whistles and screaming their battle cries Company ‘A’ surged forward.
The Legionnaires at the point of attack were disorganized from the bombardment and the Gatling gun fire. As Hannibal and his men reached the breastworks, the Gatling guns ceased fire. The cannon fire had breached the defenses in several places. Hannibal led his men into the breaches firing his cavalry carbine, then emptying his pistol. Drawing his saber, he began to hack his way through the defenders. More and more of his men pushed through and overran the defenders.
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