Liberty Oct. 22nd 1838
To his Excellency the Commander in Chief.
SIR:- Almost every hour I receive information of outrage and violence; of burning and plundering in the county of Daviess. It seems that the Mormons have become desperate and act like mad men. They have burned a store in Gallatin, they have burnt Millport; they have, it is said, plundered several houses and have taken away the arms of diverse citizens of that county. A cannon that was employed in the siege of De Witt in Carroll County, and taken for a like purpose to Daviess County, has fallen into the hands of the Mormons. It is also reported that the anti-Mormons have, when opportunity offered, disarmed the Mormons and burnt several of their houses. The great difficulty in settling this matter seems to me in not being able to identify the offenders. I am convinced that nothing short of driving the Mormons from Daviess County will satisfy the party opposed to them, and this I have not the power to do as I conceive legally. There are no troops at this time in Daviess County, nor do I deem it expedient to send any there. For I am well convinced that it would but make matters worse for, Sir, I do not feel disposed to disgrace myself, or permit the troops under my command to disgrace this state, and themselves, by acting the part of a mob. If the Mormons are to be
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drove [driven] from their homes, let it be done without any color of law and in open defiance thereof. Let it be done by volunteers acting upon their own responsibility.
However, I deem it my duty to submit these matters to the Commander in Chief, and will conclude by saying it will be my greatest pleasure to execute any orders your Excellency should think proper to give in this matter, with promptness and to the very letter.
I have the honor to be your,
Excellency’s Most Obt Servt,
David R. Atchison,
Maj. Gen. 3rd Div. Mo. Mi.
N.B. I herewith enclose you a report from Gen. Park, also one from Capt Bogart.
D.R.A.
The Governor to General Clark.
Head Quarters of the Militia,
City of Jefferson, Oct. 27, 1838. }
Gen. John B. Clark.
SIR:- Since the order of this morning to you, directing you to call 400 mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Amos Rees Esq., of Ray, & Wiley C. Williams Esq., one of my Aides, information of the most appalling character which entirely changes the face of things and shows the Mormons in the attitude of an open and armed defiance of the law, and of having made war upon the people of this state. Your orders are therefore to hasten your operations with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace. Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increases your forces you are authorized to do so to any extent you may consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Major Gen. Willock of Marion Co. to raise 500 men and to march them to the northern part of Daviess and there unite with Gen. But when a door Doniphan of Clay, who has been ordered with 500 men to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express. You can also communicate with him if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore, of proceeding as at first directed to reinstate the citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond and there operate against the Mormons. Brig Gen. Parks of Ray has been ordered to have four hundred of his Brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.
I am very respectfully your ob’t serv’t,
L. W. Boggs, Commander-in-Chief.
E. M. Ryland to Messrs. Rees and Williams.