The Nauvoo Legion and the Illinois State Armory

The militia was traveling on orders from governor Ford to collect weapons from the city. There were real concerns by Joseph Smith's opponents throughout the county that the Nauvoo Legion would pose trouble if he was arrested. On June 24th, Governor Ford issued an order to Captain James Dunn to go to Nauvoo and collect all of the weapons belonging to the state of Illinois. They did not collect weapons that were private possession.