MARCHING ON ZION, A NOVEL ON THE UTAH WAR, 1857-1858 IBD

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Marching on Zion is the true story about an unlikely hero, Thomas Leiper Kane, and a resolute community of believers, Latter-day Saints (or 'Mormons') who face an army and a nation together. When the 5âÇÖ3', 100 lbs. Kane visits this group of persecuted religious refugees at the edge of civilization in 1846, he makes it his lifeâÇÖs work to defend them against all odds, despite opposition from his family, the government and one-third of the United States Army. By 1856, Kansas is already bloody - battles between abolitionists and slave-holders are being fought in advance of that stateâÇÖs entry into the union either as a free or slave state. Then, in December, Democrat James Buchanan Jr. wins the presidency, defeating upstart Republican John C. Fremont who had campaigned to defeat 'the twin relics of barbarism, slavery and polygamy.' Since the Democrats are divided over slavery, polygamy and the Mormons in the Territory of Utah are fair game. So, by spring, Secretary of War, John B. Floyd, a southerner and future Confederate general and others advising the president convince Buchanan to replace Brigham Young as territorial governor and dispatch armed forces to do so at the point of a bayonet.áNewspapers like the New York Herald, and the New York Times applaud the idea to subject the rebellious Latter-day Saints to the will of the Federal government with force, if necessary.Young had promised his followers in 1847 when the first Latter-day Saint refugees arrived in the Great Basin, 'that if they leave us alone for ten years, they wonâÇÖt be able to dislodge us.' Ten years to the day when Young declared, 'This is the place, move on'-July 24, 1857-four horsemen arrive in Big Cottonwood Canyon southeast of Great Salt Lake City, where the Saints had gathered to celebrate their ten years of peace. They share the terrible news: One-third of the United States Army, some 2,500 soldiers with wagons and supplies are underway to put down the 'rebellion.'ááThomas Kane understands that if someone doesnâÇÖt mediate this crisis, blood will be shed, sets out anyway in the winter of 1857-1858 carrying a letter from President Buchanan authorizing him to act as an intermediary. After being driven from state to state since 1838, the Mormons stand their ground, but areátold not 'to shed one drop of blood,' but yet do all they can to stop the Army, destroy its supply wagons, drive off horses and and cattle to prevent the Army from entering the Salt Lake Valley. Bulwarks and defenses are erected along Echo Canyon that led down into the passages into the valley. Lot Smith and others conducted raids along the path of the Army, burning wagons and supplies, chasing off cattle and scattering horses and mules forcing the Army to winter in Wyoming instead of marching into Salt Lake City. Then, with fear of extermination on everyoneâÇÖs mind and the Army on its way, a contingent of Arkansas settlers stirs up hysteria among the Mormons, are attacked in southern Utah and more tha