Missouri State Archives: Finding Aid 5.1

Mormon War Papers, 1837-1841

[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from General David R. Atchison, 3rd Division of the Missouri Militia in Liberty, MO to Governor Boggs, Jefferson City, MO ]
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Maj’r General

D R Atchison

to

Govr

Oct 22. 1838

copied

                                    Liberty Oct. 22^nd. 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 from 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 be in not being able 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 the State, and

themselves, by acting the part of a mob.  If the

Mormons are to be drove from their homez

let it be done without any color of law, and

in open defiance thereof; let it be done by

volunteerz acting upon their own responsibilitiez.

            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 order your Excellency

Should think proper to give in this matter

with promptnesz and to the very letter.

                                    I have the honor to be your

                                       Excellenceys Most Obt. Servt.

                                                David R. Atchison

                                                Major Genl. 3^rd. Dvis M. M.

N. B.

            I herewith inclose to you a report from

            Genl. Parks, also one from Capt Bogart

                                                   

                                                            D. R. A.