[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from General H. G. Parks, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the Missouri Militia, 5 miles from DeWitt, MO to General David R. Atchison, 3rd Division of the Missouri Militia in Boonville, MO ]
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Brigade Head Quarters, 5 miles from De wit, in
Major Genl D. R. Atcheson
Sir
Immediately after my express to you
by Mr. Warder was sent, I proceeded to this place
which I reached Yesterday, with two companies of
mounted men from Ray. I ordered Col Jones to
call out 3 companies from this county to hold
themselves in readiness to join me at
on the 5th Inst. which order has not been carried
into effect, none of the Carroll Regiment is with
me. – On arriving at the vicinity of De wit, I
found a body of armed men under the command
of Doctor
that place to the number of 200 or 300. with a
piece of Artillery, ready to attack the town
of De wit. On the other side Hinkle has in that
place 3, or 400 Mormons to defend it, and
says he will die, before he is drove from thence.
On the 4th Inst. they have a [ ] 15
or 30 [“20” crossed out] guns fired on both sides, one man from
Saline wounded in the lip, the Mormons,
are at this time too strong, and no attack is
expected before Wednesday or Thursday next
at which time Dr. Austin hopes his forces will amount
to 500 men, when he will make a second attempt on
the Town of
In this posture of affirs, I can do nothing
but negotiate between the parties until further aid, is
sent me; - I received your friendly letter of the
5th. Inst. by Mr. Warder authorizing me to call on Genl
Donephant, which call I have made on him for 5
companies from Platte, Clay, and
companies I ordered, from
doubt whether these last will come, if they do,
I think I will have a force sufficient to manage
these Billigerents. Should these troops arrive [“in” crossed out] here
in time, I hope to be able to prevent Bloodshed
nothing seems so much in demand here (to hear
the
yet they are scared, I believe Hinkle with his
present force and position, will beat
500 of his troops, the Mormons say they will die before
they will be drove out &c. As yet they have acted
on the defensive, as far as I can learn. It is my
settled opinion, the Mormons will have no rest
until they leave; whether they will or not, time
only can tell: I assure you I never felt more
rejoiced than when I received your letter, to
call on General Donaphant’s Brigade, for this
mark of your confidence and friendly approval
of my action, I do feel under renewed obligations
to you, and hope to shew the necessity of making
the call on D’s Brigade. I have also sent an
express to Doniphant to come in person if he can,
I want his aid & advice, I will keep you advised
from time to time of the state of affairs here,
it would relieve me much if you would request
the Governor to make his appearance here among
the Carroll boyes he need not order out any
forces, those already ordered by me, I deem
sufficient, you know a word from his Excellency
would have more power to quell this affair than a
Regiment; should he come which I hope he will
for this is no little affair, he will be able to take
such steps as may be deemed by him right and
necessary to Settle this matter.
I have the honor to remain
Your Obt. Servt
H.G. Parks Brig,d Genl
Commanding