[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from General Samuel D. Lucas, 4th Division of the Missouri Militia in Boonville, MO to Governor Boggs, Jefferson City, MO ]
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Genl Lucas
to
Govr
[Exe:]
copied
Dear Sir-
As
we passed down the
River on Monday last, we saw a large
force of Mormons at De Witt in Carroll
County, under arms. Their Commander Col:
Hinckle, formerly of
:ed me that there were 200, and that they
were hourly expecting an attack from the
Citizens of
then encamped only 6 miles from there –
waiting for a re-inforcement from Saline
County. Hinckle said they had determined
to fight. News has just been received at this
place through Dr. Scott of Fayette, that a fight
took place on yesterday, and that several persons
were killed. Dr. Scott informed me that he
got his information from a gentleman of res:
:pectability who had heard the firing of their
guns, as he passed down. If a fight has ac:
:tually taken place, which I have no doubt,
it will create great excitement, in the whole
upper
beings will be exterminated from the face
of the earth. If one of the Citizens of Carroll
should be killed, before 5 days I believe that
there will be from 4 to 5 thousand volunteers
in the field against the Mormons, & nothing
but their blood will satisfy them. It is an un:
:pleasant state of affairs – The remedy I do
not pretend to suggest to your Excellency.
My troops of the 4th. Div: were only dis:
:missed, subject to further orders. I can be
called into the field, at an hour’s warning.
In haste I have the honor
to be yr. mo: obt: sert:
Saml D. Lucas –
[the following paragraph has three x’s crossing it out]
P.S. We get on slowly with the Courts
Martial – Neither Powell, Smith, nor any
of the witnesses have arrived – I would be
pleased to hear from your Excellency by
return mail.