[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from General H. G. Parks, Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, of the 3rd Division of Missouri Militia at Millport, MO to Governor Boggs, Jefferson City, MO ]
[ view finding aid | view image ]
Head Quarterz 2nd Brigade 3rd. Division
Millport
His Excellency L. W. Boggz
Commander in Chief.
Sir-I received this
morning, after my return from a tour in
the upper part of this County, with a detail
of the troopz under my command, in assisting
the constable in bringing offenderz against
the lawz to justice, your despatchs to Major
Genl Atchison, which I took the liberty to open.
The Major General left here with the troopz
from Clay and Ray, except 2 Companiez
from Ray, ordered to remain under my com:
:mand, as the 18the inst. Since that time I
have been employed in assisting the peace
officerz to execute the lawz, & in bringing
offenderz to justice.
I am happy to inform you
that there is not any necessity to use a larger
force here at present-That now under my
command. I deem amply sufficient for the
present [purent] purpose. Should occasion re:
:quire it. I have thought I could detail a
sufficient force from the Brigade under
my command. Whatever may have been the
desposition of the people, called Mormonz,
before our arrival here, since we have made
our appearance, they have shown no dispos:
:sition to resist the lawz, or of hostile intentionz-.
I deemed it my duty to visit their towns in this
County, and az soon az they saw the militia interpose
betweeen them and the people of this and some of the
adjoining Countiez, who had assembled in armz, they
went to work, abandoned their hostile attitude. &
at this time peace and tranquility have every appear:
:ance of being restored. How long things may maintain
their present attitude I know not-but if the Major
Genl: had not taken the field with a sufficient
force, as promptly as he did there is every reason to fear
a dreadful conflict would have ensued. On next
Saturday there will be brought to trial some 15 or
20 individuals of the mormonz before a Justice of the
peace- A committee haz been appointed on behalf
of the Citizenz of Daviesz County to meet the
Mormonz on tomorrow for the purpose of
proposing to buy or sell out to them. They will
meet at Adam-ondi-Ahmon, where I will attend
with a force to ensure tranquility. There has been
So much prejudice & exaggeration concerned
in this matter, that I found thingz on my arrival
here, totally different from what I waz
prepared to expect-
It is time that a great excitement did
prevail between the partiez, & I am happy
to say that my exertions, az well az that of
Major Genl Atchison, & the officerz & men under
my command have been crowned with success.
When we arrived here we found a large body of
men from the Countiez adjoining; armed and
in the field, for the purpose, as I learned of az:
:sisting the people of this County against the
Mormonz, without being called out by the proper
authoriez-These forces the Major General very
promptly prevailed on to return to their homez. &
left directionz with me to see that they had done
so- I have the honor to say to you that duty haz
been promptly attended to. all of which I have ad:
:vised Genl A. thereof- I have thought it necez:
:sary to be this minute in detailing to you our
operationz since we took the field-for further par:
:ticularz I beg your Excellency may refer to the
Major Genl, who I doubt not will commu:
:nicate to you all the information in his pos:
:session- In the mean time I assure you that
any orderz given by you or the major Genl: rela:
:tive to this matter, shall be promptly atten:
:ed to.- I have the honor to remain
your obdt servt:
H. G. Park, Brig. Genl
Commanding
over
P.S. Since writing the above, I recd. inform:
:ation that if the committeez do not agree
the determination of the
is to drive the Mormonz with powder and
lead. Should any further measurez take
place of importance. I will immediately
advise the Major General of the Division thereof
I remain yourz
H. G. P. B. Genl.
H. G. Parks
to
Commander in Chief