The Mormon Battalion and the White Mule

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The Brethren tried to encourage the men to enlist in the Mormon Battalion.   William, at 16 years of age, was Drusilla’s son and biggest help since his father was still helpless and Joseph, the next son, was only 9.  The night before the Battalion was to leave no one could sleep so they sat up until midnight listening to the girls sing and William playing the violin.

 

Drusilla shares what happened the next morning.  “I got ready to get breakfast and when I stepped up on the wagon tongue to get my flour I was asked by the spirit if I did not want the greatest glory and I answered with my natural voice, Yes, I did.  Then how can you get it without making the greatest sacrifice? said the voice.  I answered Lord, what lack I yet? Let your son go in the Battalion, said the voice.  I said it is too late; they are to be marched off this morning.  That spirit then left me with the heart ache.”  While they were eating breakfast, Thomas Williams came shouting at the top of his voice calling them to turn out men because we do not have enough for the battalion.  “William raised his eyes and looked me in the face.  I knew then that he would go as well as I know now that he has been. I could not swallow one bit of breakfast, but I waited on the rest thinking I might never have my family all together again.  I had no photograph of him but I took one in my mind and said to myself, If I never see you again until the morning of the resurrection I shall know you are my child….I thought the cows would be shelter for me and I knelt down and told the Lord if He wanted my child to take him, only spare his life and let him be restored to me and to the bosom of the church…Then the voice that talked with me in the morning answered me saying, It shall be done unto you as it was unto Abraham when he offered Isaac on the altar.”

 

When his mother told him he could go, William in great faith told her that he could do as much good for the family going as by staying because President Young said it was for the salvation of the people. 

 

William was one of the two youngest members of the Battalion being 16 years of age.  He was a drummer boy, and he fulfilled his responsibilities faithfully and always remembering his reasons for enlisting.   

 

At one point during the trek, they became very thirsty to the point of dying from lack of water.  They lay down that night not knowing if they would survive the night or not.  Remembering the teachings of his parents, William said his prayers asking for Heavenly Father’s help.  William went to sleep but something woke him, and he saw a white mule standing at his side.  He mustered enough strength to pull himself up on the mule.  The mule took him to water.  After William had revived, he filled his canteen with water and returned to his soldier companions.  They went to the source of the water and were saved.  However, the white mule was never seen again.  This was truly a miracle in the life of William and his companions, and an answer to the prayers of his mother who had besought Heavenly Father in great faith.


-submitted by Dan Holm

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