In the late summer of 1857, during the so-called Utah War, a California-bound wagon train from Arkansas led by Captains John T. Baker and Alexander Fancher camped in this valley. In the early morning hours of September 7th, local Mormon settlers and Indians attacked and laid siege to the encampment, and for reasons not fully understood a contingent of territorial militia joined them. This Iron County Militia consisted of Latter-day Saints acting on orders from local religious leaders and military commanders headquartered thirty-five miles to the northeast in Cedar City. Complex animosities and political issues intertwined with religious beliefs motivated the Mormons, but the exact causes and circumstances behind the events over the next five days at Mountain Meadows still defy any clear or simple explanation. During the siege, fifteen emigrant men were killed in the fighting while trying to escape. Late Friday afternoon, September 11th, the emigrants were persuaded to surrender their weapons and leave their corralled wagons in exchange for a promise of safe passage to Cedar City. Under heavy guard, they moved out of the encirclement, but after they had left the corral and some had gone more than a mile up the valley, they were suddenly attacked without warning by those who had promised to protect them. Local Indians joined in the slaughter, and within minutes fourteen adult male emigrants, twelve women, and thirty-five children were killed. Nine hired hands driving cattle were also killed, along with at least thirty-five other unknown victims. At least 120 people died in what became known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Seventeen children under the age of seven survived and were eventually returned to Arkansas, and one or more other children may have remained in Utah.