Missouri State Archives: Finding Aid 5.1

Mormon War Papers, 1837-1841

[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from Captain Samuel Bogart of Elk Horn, Ray County, MO to General David R. Atchison, 3rd Division of the Missouri Militia in Liberty, MO. ]
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Sam’l Bogart

to

Genl Atchison

   Oct 23, 1838


                                    Elkhorn . Oct 23rd. 1838.

Gen. Atchison,

                        Dear Sir-  The mormons have

burnt Gallatin & Mill port. & have ravaged

Daviesz County .  driven out the Citizenz, burnt

the Post office, taken all kinds of property

from the Citizenz-have gone into Livingston

County, & taken the cannon from the Citizensz

there- they have threatened to burn Buncombe

& Elkhorn . & have been seen near, & on the line

between Ray & Caldwell-In consequence of

which I have ordered out my company

to prevent, if possible, any outrage on the

County of Ray, & to range the line between

Caldwell & Ray, & await your order & further

assistance- I will camp at Fields 12

miles north of this tonight-

                        I learn that the people of Ray

are going to take the law into their own

hands, & put an end to the mormon war-

            In hast your obdt: servt:

                             Saml Bogart-

P.S.  Please be  explicit in your

expresz to me, as to my course-