[ Full-text transcription of: Letter from General Robert Wilson, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the Missouri Militia, at Adam-on-diahmon, MO to General John B. Clark, 1st Division of Missouri Militia, Richmond, MO ]
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Head Quarters 2nd Brigade 1. D. M. M.
Adam-ondi-ahmon. Nov: 12-1838
Maj. Genl:
Sir-In pursuance of your
order of the 7th. at
march with my command, & arrived here on the
8th: we suffered much from the inclemency of the
weather, which still continues.
On my arrival here, I found
The troops had left. I met Col. Burges some two
miles from this place, he being the last. I imme:
:diately placed a guard around the Town, & ordered
the Mormons to parade, which order was promptly
obeyed, and about two hundred men entered their
names. I then proceeded to the investigation as you
required by your order. Justice Black & other citizens
being present I caused such of the Mormons as
were supposed to be guilty of crimes arrested and
handed them over to the Civil authorties for trial—it
however appears that the most guilty had per:
:viously escaped, they having ample opportunity,
as I am informed the Town had not been under
guard up to the time of our arrival. The investi:
:gation is still progressing, but with but little
hope of affecting much, as the Citizens seem to be
unable to identify but few.
It is perfectly impossible for
me to convey to you any thing like the awful
state of things, which exist here--language is
inadequate to the task. The citizens of a whole
county first plundered, & then their houses & other
buildings burnt to ashes, without houses, beds,
furniture or even clothing in many instances
to meet the inclemency of the weather. I confess
that my feelings have been shocked with the
gross brutality of these mormons, who have acted
more like demons from the infernal regions
than human beings. Under these circumstances
you will readily perceive, that it would be perfectly
impossible for me to protect the mormons
against the just indignation of the citizens.
I therefore promptly informed the mormons
in a short address of all the facts that had
then come to my knowledge—told them I
should remain in
would endeavor to protect them during that
time—at the end of the ten days I would leave
& was not authorized to promise them further
protection in
promised protection in
such of them as wished to remove to
out of the State, I would give a permit to that effect,
& would guarranty their safety on the rout. The
mormons themselves appeared pleased with the
idea of getting away from their enemies, & a
justly insulted people, and I believe all have
applied & received permits to leave the County,
and I suppose about fifty families have left
& others are hourly leaving, & at the end of the ten
days, Mormonism will not be known in Daviess
County.
This appeared to me to the only course left to
prevent a general massacre and I hope my course
in this matter may meet your approbation, as
it has been your pleasure to commit to my charge
a most important command without Special
instructions. I feel the more bound not only
to return you my sincere thanks for the honor
thus done, but to give you a full account of all
my acts. Nothing has been left undone on my part
to justify that confidence.
The Citizens of Daviess have co:
:operated heartily with me, & to their praise be it said,
have shown a dgree of compassion & charity, unparalled
under the Circumstances, to their enemies, and have cheer:
:fully obeyed every order I have found it proper to give
in this matter, & I now confidently believe I shall
be able to close this most shocking insurrection with:
:out further bloodshed—
I had previously to receving your order
discharged all the Troops under my command except
one company under Capt Newbold. This company
will be retained until I close my business here. I expect
without otherwise ordered to remain here until tomorrow
week, & then set out for home. If therefore it is your
pleasure to give me further orders before leaving, I
would suggest that they be forwarded in time to
reach here before that time—
It would astonish you to see the
immense piles of stolen property which has been brought
in & deposited by the mormons, consisting of almost everything
to be found at a farmhouse, & much remaining yet concealed
-Large quantities have been found buried in & near towns—
I have been making all possible exertions, to collect & preserve
this property for the owners, but I find it hard to do, as these dirty
thieves are more skilful in the pilfering line than any
I have yet seen. The Citizens inform me that much
of their property has been to
you order them to return them here at their own expense—
I write in a miserable shanty, called the Lord’s Store house
late at night after having been well soaked in the
rain during the day, & much fatigued—I may have
omitted some things, but when I am more com:
:fortable, I will write you more fully—
I have the honor to be with unfeigned good will
Your Obdt: Servt:
R. Wilson. Brig. Genl..
Comr 2nd Brig. M. M.