Initially intended to be an Indian massacre , two men with leadership roles in local military , church and government organizations , Isaac C. Haight and John D. Lee , conspired for Lee to lead militiamen disguised as Native Americans along with a contingent of Paiute tribesmen in an attack . The emigrants fought back and a siege ensued . Intending to leave no witnesses of Mormon complicity in the siege and avoid reprisals complicating the Utah War , militiamen induced the emigrants to surrender and give up their weapons . After escorting the emigrants out of their fortification , the militiamen and their tribesmen auxiliaries executed approximately 120 men , women and children . Seventeen younger children were spared
Indian massacre
List of Indian massacres
Killings and aftermath of the Mountain Meadows massacre