Difficulties in Missouri--Governor Boggs' Order of Extermination
1838
Election Day at Gallatin
At the election held at Gallatin, Daviess County, Missouri, August 6,
1838, hostilities between the Missourians and the "Mormons" broke out.
This was the kindling of the flame which was to result in the expulsion
of the Latter-day Saints from that state. The Saints had been warned
two weeks before by Judge Morin, candidate for the state senate, that
an attempt would be made to prevent them from voting; however, they
paid little attention to the warning, hoping for better things. On that
day, as a number of the brethren approached the polls, Col. William
P. Peniston, who had led a mob against the Saints in Clay County,
mounted a barrel and harangued the crowd, which he had gathered for the
purpose, against the "Mormons." He accused their leaders of various
vicious crimes and called the members "dupes, and not too good to take
a false oath . . . they would steal, and he did not consider property
safe where they were; that he opposed their settling in Daviess County,
and if they suffered the "Mormons" to vote, the people would soon
lose their suffrage." Peniston was a candidate for the legislature,
and knowing the brethren would not vote for him, he was determined to
prevent them forcibly from casting their ballots.
The result was that a premeditated attack was made upon the little
band of voters. These "Mormons," about twelve in number, held their
ground against a force of over one hundred. Many heads were broken in
the conflict. Elder John L. Butler, filled with righteous rage, seized
a club and knocked men down right and left. The mobbers disbursed
swearing vengeance and threatening to get fire arms and return. The
brethren were persuaded by the election officials to depart to save
further conflict, since this was a prearranged attack, and their
enemies came fully intending to create trouble. The brethren returned
to their homes, collected their families and concealed them in the
thickets, while they stood guard over their homes during the night.
The Prophet's Investigation
The next day the report having reached Far West that two or three of
the brethren had been killed and the Missourians would not permit their
bodies to be removed, or interred, Joseph Smith and about fifteen
others armed themselves and started for Gallatin. At Colonel Lyman
Wight's home they learned the correct status of the affair. On the 8th,
some of the brethren called at the home of Adam Black, justice of the
peace and judge elect for Daviess County, and had some conversation
with him in which they asked him if he was their friend or enemy. While
he said some very bitter things against the "Mormons," he assured them
that he was not in sympathy with the mob, and would not aid them. He
was asked if he would make such a statement in writing, and willingly
did so in the following unique document:
"I, Adam Black, a justice of the Peace of Daviess County do hereby
Sertify to the people coled Mormin, that he is bound to support the
Constitution of this State and of the United States and he is not
attached to any mob, or will he attach himself to any such people,
and so long as they will not molest me, I will not molest them.
This the 8th day of August, 1838.
"Adam Black."
Peniston's Affidavit
Two days after the interview with Adam Black, William P. Peniston,
William Bowman and others, made affidavit before Judge Austin A. King,
stating that the "Mormons," to the number of about five hundred men,
were armed and collected in Daviess County, for the purpose, they
verily believed, of committing great violence to the citizens, and to
take vengeance for some injuries, or imaginary injuries, done to some
of their friends, and to intimidate and drive from the country all
the old citizens, and possess themselves of their lands, or to force
such as do not leave, to come into their measures and submit to their
dictation. They also stated that about one hundred and twenty men did
commit violence on Adam Black, "by surrounding his house and taking
him in a violent manner, and subjecting him to great indignities, by
forcing him, under threats of immediate death, to sign a paper writing
of a very disgraceful character."
Adam Black made affidavit of similar nature on August 28, 1838,[1] in
this manner maliciously falsifying and breaking his promise made to the
brethren.
Effect of These Falsehoods
These emissaries of evil knew the effect of their falsehoods would be
to stir the Missourians, who needed very little provocation, to acts of
violence against the "Mormons." They also hoped, with apparent reason,
to win the sympathy of the officers of the state, especially Governor
Lilburn W. Boggs. In fact it is not so clear that the governor was not
secretly aiding them. He had been elected to the highest office in
the state since the disgraceful expulsion of the Saints from Jackson
County, in which he took a very prominent part.
Mob Gatherings
These evil reports soon spread through other counties, and the people
were informed by many rumors that the "Mormons" were preparing to
commit acts of violence against the older citizens, in other parts of
the state. Every conceivable plan was adopted to provoke the members of
the Church to acts of violence. Their enemies captured prisoners and
punished them: then circulated the report in the "Mormon" settlements
that these prisoners had been tortured to death. Thus they hoped to
stir the Saints up to anger, trusting they would seek revenge that
occasion might be found against them as the aggressors; but the Lord
revealed the evil intent of their adversaries.
Arrest of Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight
Based on these falsehoods of Peniston, Black, et al., charges were
preferred against Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight. At first they objected
to being tried in Daviess County, where the writ was issued, because
of the enmity of the citizens there. After consulting with their
attorneys, Atchison and Doniphan, they volunteered to be tried in
Daviess County, before Judge Austin A. King. When the trial was held,
Adam Black was the only witness who appeared against them, and William
P. Peniston was the prosecutor. Several witnesses, both non-members
and members of the Church, testified in their defense. However, the
judge, who manifested a bitter spirit, bound them over in the sum of
five hundred dollars. At the close of the trial he admitted to some of
the witnesses that there was no evidence to warrant his action, but the
people demanded it.
Proclamation of Governor Boggs
These rumors and false affidavits reached the governor, as their
authors intended they should. On the pretext that the "Mormons" had
entered into an alliance with the Indians and were in rebellion,
Governor Boggs issued an order, through Adjutant General B. M. Lisle,
to General Atchison and six other commanders of the militia, that as a
"precautionary measure," an effective force of the militia be held in
readiness to meet either contingency (i.e., the rising of the Indians
or the "Mormons"). This force was to consist of four hundred men from
each of seven divisions, mounted, armed, and equipped as infantry or
riflemen, and formed into companies according to law, thus making a
force of 2,800 men.
During all this excitement armed forces of the mob were collecting
at various points and making threats against the Saints. Under the
direction of the civil authorities, some of the brethren who were
members of the state militia, intercepted a wagon load of arms and
ammunition on the way to a camp of mobbers. These brethren from Far
West took the guns and supplies, arrested three men who appeared to be
in charge, and carried them to Far West. Here the men were examined
before Albert Petty, justice of the peace, and held in bail to appear
at the next term of the circuit court. Judge King was informed of the
action taken and he replied that the prisoners should be turned loose
and treated kindly. What disposition to make of the guns he did not
seem to know, but said they belonged to the militia. Because of this
statement, the brethren kept the guns and distributed them; but later,
on the order of General Doniphan, they were gathered and delivered up
to him.
Austin's Mob Force at Diahman
False accusations continued to spread and great excitement was manifest
on every hand. The militia, according to the order of Governor Boggs,
was mustered into service. In their ranks were many of the most bitter
enemies of the Saints. Near Diahman a large mob force had gathered
under the command of Dr. Austin, armed and in a threatening mood.
General Doniphan, with an equal force of militia ordered them to
disperse. They claimed that they had gathered in self defense, yet they
were besieging the small settlement of "Mormons" at Diahman. Lyman
Wight, who was a colonel in the state militia, had gathered such force
as he could to protect the Saints. At the request of Doniphan he showed
a willingness to disperse, but demanded that the force under Austin do
the same. This, however, the force under Austin refused to do. General
Doniphan took up a position between the mob and the people at Diahman,
hoping that in a few days they would all disband.
Siege of De Witt
When Austin saw that his purpose to destroy Diahman was foiled he moved
his force to De Witt, in Carroll County, with the determination of
expelling the "Mormons" from that place. The citizens here attempted
to defend themselves the best they could, and Austin thereupon laid
siege to the town, firing upon the inhabitants from time to time, and
threatening their extermination or removal from the state. In the
meantime both Atchison and Doniphan, as well as a committee of citizens
from Chariton County, who had come to investigate the situation,
reported to the governor that the "Mormons" were very much alarmed and
entirely on the defensive in this unequal conflict. General Atchison
writing to the governor said: "Things are not so bad in that county
as represented by rumor, and in fact, from affidavits I have no doubt
your Excellency has been deceived by the exaggerated statements of
designing or half crazy men. I have found there is no cause of alarm
on account of the 'Mormons;' they are not to be feared; they are very
much alarmed." When the governor received these reports he seemed very
much elated, and replied: "The quarrel is between the 'Mormons' and the
mob, and they can fight it out." Nevertheless, when he discovered that
the "Mormons" were determined to fight it out and maintain their legal
and constitutional rights against such overwhelming odds, he was much
incensed, which later events will show.
Defense of De Witt
The forces of the Saints at De Witt, under Lieutenant Colonel George M.
Hinkle, who held a commission in the state militia, prepared to defend
themselves against their foes, who had come upon them without warrant
or provocation. The mob forces under Dr. Austin first threatened De
Witt, September 21, 1838, in defiance of all law, and ordered the
inhabitants to leave the country by October first. If they were not
gone by that time they were to be exterminated, "without regard to age
or sex." The following day the citizens of the town petitioned Governor
Boggs for relief against the mob. The governor turned a deaf ear to all
appeals from the Saints, and seemingly failed to heed the expressions
of any but their enemies. The siege of De Witt continued until the 11th
of October, in the presence of state troops, under General Parks and
Captain Bogart, a Methodist preacher, who looked on, but made no effort
to interfere.
The Prophet Visits De Witt
When Joseph Smith learned of the distress of his brethren in De Witt,
he paid a visit to that place. Although the town was under siege by
the mob, he risked his life and slipped past the guards. He found the
poor Saints in dire distress; their provisions were gone, and they had
no prospect of obtaining more; their cattle had been driven off and
consumed by their enemies. Again an appeal was made to the governor,
through the services of a number of gentlemen, not members of the
Church, but who understood the situation. This appeal was unheeded. On
the 11th of October the Saints accepted the proposition of the mob, to
vacate De Witt, with the understanding that they were to be recompensed
for the loss of their property. That afternoon they started for Far
West, destitute, hungry and cold. They were emaciated by their long
siege; many had died from this abuse; several more died on the march
to Far West, a distance of fifty miles. That they failed to receive
compensation as they were promised, need hardly be mentioned.
Other Attacks by the Mob
Very much elated over their success at De Witt, the mobbers sought
other fields of conquest. The Rev. Sachiel Woods, a Presbyterian,
called the mob together and informed them that the land sales were
coming on, and if they could get the "Mormons" driven out, they could
get all the lands entitled to preemptions, and to hasten to Daviess
County in order to accomplish their object. Moreover, that the lands
purchased by the "Mormons" would again come into their hands, and they
could have both the lands and the money the "Mormons" had paid for
them. Cornelius Gilliam was also busy in Platte and Clinton Counties
raising a mob to aid Woods in this wicked scheme. These mobbers
commenced to burn the houses of the Saints and drive them from their
doors, in the midst of a snow storm on the 17th and 18th of October,
1838. Among those who were thus deprived of shelter, was Agnes M.
Smith, wife of Don Carlos Smith who was in the mission field. She was
forced to wade Grand River carrying two small children, in the midst of
inclement winter weather.
General Doniphan Orders a Defense
General Doniphan ordered out an officer with a force to march to the
scene of trouble at Adam-ondi-Ahman, but these troops were in sympathy
with the mob, and so were sent back by Doniphan, who said they were
"damned rotten hearted." He then commanded Lieutenant Colonel George
M. Hinkle, to organize a force at Far West, and march them to Diahman,
while he would raise a force in Clay and other counties for the same
purpose. At the same time General Parks commanded Col. Lyman Wight,
who held a commission in the 59th regiment, under Parks, to collect
his force at Diahman, which was done. When the mobbers learned of the
action of these troops, they broke their camp and fled. What they could
not accomplish by force, they now hoped to gain by stratagem; therefore
they moved the goods from several of their log huts at Millport and
Gallatin and set them on fire. Then they spread the report in the
country round about that the "Mormons" had "riz" and were burning all
before them.[2] This action had the desired effect, and mob forces
commenced to gather in various parts of upper Missouri, and prepared
for war. This evil action was augmented by the cunning falsehoods of
Samuel Bogart, Col. William P. Peniston, Dr. Samuel Venable, and many
others, who circulated affidavits of an inflammatory nature, accusing
the "Mormons" of all the wicked deeds committed by the mob. Because of
this the Saints in the various settlements were forced to flee to Far
West, seeking protection.
Battle of Crooked River
Captain Bogart, although a member of the state militia, continued his
depredations against the Saints. On the night of the 24th of October,
1838, this reverend captain with his force went to the home of Nathan
Pinkham and took him and two other brethren prisoners, together with
some horses and arms. The word reached Far West, and Judge Elias
Higbee, the first judge of the County of Caldwell, ordered Lieutenant
Colonel Hinkle, the highest officer in the militia at Far West, to send
out a company to disperse the mobbers and release the prisoners. The
trumpet sounded in the public square about midnight and the brethren
assembled. Captain David W. Patten, was given command of a company and
ordered to go on horseback to the scene of the difficulty. The history
of what occurred is given as follows:
"Fifteen of the company were detached from the main body while
sixty continued their march till they arrived near the ford of
Crooked River, where they dismounted, tied their horses and leaving
four or five men to guard them, proceeded towards the ford, not
knowing the location of the encampment. It was just at the dawning
of light in the east, when they were marching quietly along the
road, and near the top of the hill which descends to the river,
that the report of a gun was heard, and young Patrick O'Banion
reeled out of the ranks and fell mortally wounded. Thus the work of
death commenced, when Captain Patten ordered a charge and rushed
down the hill on a fast trot, and when within about fifty yards of
the camp formed a line. The mob formed a line under the bank of
the river, below their tents. It was yet so dark that little could
be seen by looking at the west, while the mob looking towards the
dawning light, could see Patten and his men, when they fired a
broadside, and three or four of the brethren fell. Captain Patten
ordered the fire returned, which was instantly obeyed, to great
disadvantage in the darkness which yet continued. The fire was
repeated by the mob, and returned by Captain Patten's company, who
gave the watchword, 'God and Liberty.' Captain Patten then ordered
a charge, which was instantly obeyed. The parties immediately came
in contact, with their swords, and the mob were soon put to flight,
crossing the river at the ford, and such places as they could
get a chance. In the pursuit, one of the mob fled from behind a
tree, wheeled and shot Captain Patten who instantly fell, mortally
wounded, having received a large ball in his bowels.
"The ground was soon cleared, and the brethren gathered up a wagon
or two, and making beds therein of tents, etc., took their wounded
and retreated towards Far West. Three brethren were wounded in the
bowels, one in the neck, one in the shoulder, one through the hips,
one through both thighs, one in the arm, all by musket shot. One
had his arm broken by a sword. Brother Gideon Carter was shot in
the head, and left dead on the ground so defaced that the brethren
did not know him. Bogart reported that he had lost one man. The
three prisoners were released and returned with the brethren to Far
West. Captain Patten was carried some of the way in a litter, but
it caused so much distress that he begged to be left by the way
side. He was carried into Brother Winchester's, three miles from
the city of Far West, where he died that night. Patrick O'Banion
died soon after, and Brother Carter's body was also brought from
Crooked River, when it was discovered who he was."[3]
The result of this conflict brought sorrow to the Church at Far West.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight met the brethren on their
return, at Log Creek, where they did all that could be done for Captain
Patten before his death. "Brother Patten," said the Prophet, "was a
very worthy man, beloved by all good men who knew him. He was one
of the Twelve Apostles, and died as he had lived, a man of God, and
strong in the faith of a glorious resurrection, in a world where mobs
will have no power or place. One of his last expressions to his wife
was--'what ever you do else, O do not deny the faith.' How different
his fate to that of the apostate, Thomas B. Marsh, who this day vented
all the lying spleen and malice of his heart towards the work of God,
in a letter to Brother and Sister Abbot, to which was annexed an
addendum by Orson Hyde." The funeral of Brothers Patten and O'Banion
was held at Far West, Saturday, October 27, 1838. On that occasion the
Prophet said of Elder Patten: "There lies a man that has done just as
he said he would--he has laid down his life for his friends."
Apostasy of Thomas B. Marsh
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the council of the Twelve Apostles,
suddenly left Far West in October, 1838, and went to Richmond in an
ugly mood. He had been offended over a trivial matter and thereupon
left the Church and made false accusations against his former brethren.
Orson Hyde, in the same spirit, followed him on the 18th of October.
On the 24th, Marsh went before Henry Jacobs, justice of the peace at
Richmond, and made an affidavit the gist of which is as follows:
"They have among them a company, considered true 'Mormons,' called
the Danites, who have taken an oath to support the heads of the
Church in all things that they say or do, whether right or wrong.
Many, however, of this band are much dissatisfied with this oath,
as being against moral and religious principles. On Saturday last,
I am informed by the 'Mormons,' that they had a meeting at Far West
at which they appointed a company of twelve, by the name of the
'Destruction Company,' for the purpose of burning and destroying,
and that if the people of Buncombe came to do mischief upon the
people of Caldwell, and committed depredations upon the 'Mormons,'
they were to burn Buncombe; and if the people of Clay and Ray made
any movement against them, this destroying company were to burn
Liberty and Richmond. . . . The Prophet inculcates the notion, and
it is believed by every true 'Mormon,' that Smith's prophecies are
superior to the laws of the land. I have heard the Prophet say
that he would yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead
bodies; and if he was not let alone, he would be a second Mohammed
to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood
from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean; that like Mohammed,
whose motto in treating for peace was, 'the Alcoran or the Sword;'
so should it be eventually with us, 'Joseph Smith or the Sword.'
These last statements were made during the last summer. The number
of armed men at Adam-ondi-Ahman was between three and four hundred.
"Thomas B. Marsh."
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day herein written.
"Henry Jacobs, J. P., "Ray County, Missouri."
* * * *
"Richmond, Missouri, October 24, 1838."
_"Affidavit of Orson Hyde"_
"The most of the statements in the foregoing disclosure I know to
be true; the remainder I believe to be true.
"Orson Hyde."
* * * *
"Richmond, October 24, 1838."
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day above written.
"Henry Jacobs, J. P."[4]
General Atchison's Report to Boggs
After the expulsion of the Saints from DeWitt, General Atchison
reported the condition to Governor Boggs. He informed him that the mob
was on the way to Daviess County to continue their ravages, "where it
is thought," said the general in his communication, "the same lawless
game is to be played over, and the 'Mormons' to be driven from that
county, and probably from Caldwell County. Nothing, in my opinion, but
the strongest measures within the power of the executive, will put down
this spirit of mobocracy." Again, showing the spirit of disapproval of
the course taken by the officials in the state, he wrote the governor
and said: "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 driven from their homes,
let it be done without any color of law, and in open defiance thereof;
let it be done by volunteers acting upon their own responsibilities!"
This was evidently intended as a rebuke, but it and other reports of
like character were entirely ignored by Governor Boggs, who remained
true to his colors as the advocate of mob rule.
Evil Reports
Governor Boggs preferred to believe--or more correctly, accepted
contrary to his knowledge--the evil reports which flooded his office
from the enemies of the Saints. In reporting to the governor the siege
of DeWitt, General Samuel D. Lucas, referred to the Saints as "base and
degraded beings," who would be exterminated if they dared to kill one
of the mobbers besieging them; for such was the hatred of the people.
Lucas was one of the most bitter of the enemies of the Church. Reverend
Sashiel Woods and Joseph Dickson, October 24, 1838, reported to the
governor that "Captain Bogart and all his company, amounting to between
fifty and sixty men, were massacred by the 'Mormons' at Buncombe,
twelve miles north of Richmond, except three." This false report was
made about the time of the battle of Crooked River; and they added that
it might be relied on as being true that the "Mormons" expected to
lay Richmond in ashes that very morning. Their fiendish appeal ended
with these words: "We know not the hour or minute we will be laid in
ashes--our country is ruined--for God's sake give us assistance as
quick as possible!" This was sent from Carrolton. Similar reports were
sent by Amos Rees, formerly attorney for the Church in the Jackson
trouble, and Wiley C. Williams, mobocrat, in a communication to Judge
Ryland. Judge Ryland answered and said:
"Since Mr. Morehead left Richmond, one of the company (Bogart's)
has come in and reported that there were ten of his comrades
killed, and the remainder were taken prisoners, after many of them
had been severely wounded; he stated further that Richmond would
be sacked and burned by the "Mormon" banditti tonight. Nothing can
exceed the consternation which this news gave rise to. The women
and children are flying from Richmond in every direction. . . .
My impression is, that you had better send one of your number to
Howard, Cooper and Boone counties, in order that volunteers may be
getting ready. . . . They must make haste and put a stop to the
devastation which is menaced by these infuriated fanatics, and they
must go prepared and with the full determination to exterminate or
expel them from the state _en masse_. Nothing but this can give
tranquility to the public mind, and re-establish the supremacy of
the laws. There must be no further delaying with this question
anywhere. The 'Mormons' must leave the state, or we will, one and
all, and to this complexion it must come at last" (_Documentary
History of the Church_, vol. 3:172).
The Saints had no thought of making any attack on Richmond or any other
place. This Judge Ryland must have known; but he evidently had become
drunken with the bitter spirit of the times. His very letter refutes
the falsehoods contained therein.
Atchison's False Report
Even General David R. Atchison, who previously had shown a spirit of
justice and fair play, was overcome by the lying spirits abroad in the
land. He permitted himself, under date of October 28, 1838, after the
battle of Crooked River, to join that evil genius, Samuel D. Lucas, in
a false report to Governor Boggs, as follows:
"Sir: From late outrages committed by the Mormons, civil war is
inevitable. They have set the laws of the country at defiance, and
are in open rebellion. We have about two thousand men under arms
to keep them in check. The presence of the commander-in-chief is
deemed absolutely necessary, and we most respectfully urge that
your excellency be at the seat of war as soon as possible."
"Your most obedient servants,"
"David R. Atchison, M. G. 3rd Div." "Samuel D. Lucas, M. G. 4th
Div."
The surprising thing is that General Atchison would permit his name
to be attached to such a document as this, which both these officers
knew perfectly well was not true. But good men are at times overcome.
Apparently he could not stand the pressure of the consolidated effort
against the Saints, who were seeking merely to defend themselves and
their rights against the aggressions of mobocracy. Nevertheless it
appeared to be a capital offense for a weak and practically defenseless
people to resist such invasion. For doing so they were guilty of
causing a state of civil war!
General Atchison's conscience must have troubled him for thus yielding
to the mob spirit, for, later, because he manifested a spirit of
fairness towards the Saints, he was "dismounted" by the governor, and
relieved of his command.
Boggs' Order to Clark
October 25, 1838, the Governor issued orders to General John B. Clark
to raise sufficient troops to reinstate the inhabitants of Daviess
County on their possessions, for, said he: "they [the "Mormons"] have
burnt to ashes the towns of Gallatin and Millport in said county; the
former being the county seat of said county, and including the clerk's
office and all the public records of the county, and that there is not
now a civil officer within said county." Two thousand men were to be
raised, in addition to those already under arms, to "restore" these
people, who had not been molested, in these towns.
The Order of Extermination
This first order to General Clark was followed by another the following
day, the report of the battle of Crooked River having reached the ear
of the governor. When he discovered that the "Mormons" were attempting
to "fight it out," he had a great change of heart and issued his
disgraceful "exterminating order," the greatest blot on the escutcheon
of the state of Missouri. Others among the mob, and even officers of
lesser dignity, had hinted at such a thing; but it remained for Lilburn
W. Boggs, governor of the state of Missouri, without provocation or
due investigation, to issue by authority of the great office which he
held, to the militia of that commonwealth, an order to exterminate or
drive from Missouri twelve thousand defenseless citizens who had done
no wrong. And the execution of this shameful and wicked order was to be
carried out in the dead of winter, which would bring to pass exposure
and death of delicate women and innocent children, against whom there
could have been no charge.[5]
A Match to the Flame
The Governor's order soon became generally known and the mobbers looked
upon it, as well they might, as an approval of their unlawful course.
Great excitement prevailed, and mobs assembled on every side. Marauders
sallied forth, burning houses, driving off cattle, destroying property,
ravishing women and threatening with death any who dared resist their
fiendish deeds.
Notes
1. For the Prophet's reply to these charges see _Documentary History of
the Church_, vol. 3:70.
2. These houses really belonged to the Latter-day Saints who had
purchased them but had not taken possession.
3. _Documentary History of the Church_, vol. 3:170-1.
4. Orson Hyde returned to the body of the Church in June, 1839,
at Commerce (Nauvoo) Illinois, and on the 27th of that month was
reinstated in the council of the twelve. He was repentant, and in tears
of humility begged forgiveness from his brethren for the unfortunate
part he had taken in this lying report with Thomas B. Marsh. He had
been overcome by the spirit of darkness and had borne false witness
against his brethren while under that influence. After his return to
the Church, he faithfully performed his part to the end. It was Orson
Hyde, who, in the life time of Joseph Smith, was intrusted with the
important mission of dedicating the land of Palestine for the return
of the Jews. The consciousness of his guilt in this unfortunate act in
Missouri, preyed upon his mind all his life, and many were the days
he shed bitter tears because that chapter in his history could not be
blotted out.
Thomas B. Marsh, at a later day (1857), also returned to the Church.
On the 4th of September, 1857, he arrived in Salt Lake City with the
immigrants of William Walker's company. He had crossed the plains
from Harrison County, Mo. Two days after his arrival he addressed a
congregation in the tabernacle and in his remarks said: "I can say,
in reference to the quorum of the twelve, to which I belonged, that I
did not consider myself a whit behind any of them, and I suppose that
others had the same opinion; but let no one feel too secure; for before
you think of it, your steps will slide. You will not then think nor
feel for a moment as you did before you lost the Spirit of Christ; for
when men apostatize, they are left to grovel in the dark. . . . But let
me tell you, my brethren and friends, if you do not want to suffer in
body and mind, as I have done; if there are any of you that have the
seeds of apostasy in you, do not let them make their appearance, but
nip that spirit in the bud; for it is misery and affliction in this
world, and destruction in the world to come" (_Deseret News_, Sept. 16,
1857). He was a broken man in health and spirit and showed that the
hand of affliction had been over him. "If you want to see the fruits
of apostasy," he would say, "look at me!" He was later ordained a high
priest.
The shadow of color for the report made by Thomas B. Marsh and Orson
Hyde, was in the fact that a Dr. Sampson Avard, who had shortly before
joined the Church, did organize a band which he called "Danites." These
Danites did subscribe to some oath of vengeance on their enemies.
However, as soon as Joseph Smith discovered what was going on, he put a
stop to it and Avard was excommunicated.
5. The exterminating order of Governor Boggs to General Clark is as
follows:
"Sir: Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to cause
four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have
received by Amos Rees, Esq., and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., one of my
aids, information of the most appalling character, which changes
the whole face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude
of open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made open
war upon the people of this state. Your orders are, therefore,
to hasten your operations and endeavor to reach Richmond, in Ray
County, with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as
enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if
necessary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all
description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to
do so, to any extent you may think necessary. I have just issued
orders to Major-General Wallock, of Marion County, to raise five
hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess and
there to unite with General Doniphan, of Clay, who has been ordered
with five hundred men to proceed to the same point for the purpose
of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have
been directed to communicate with you by express; and you can also
communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore,
of proceeding as at first directed, to reinstate the citizens of
Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond,
and there operate against the Mormons. Brigadier-General Parks, of
Ray, has been ordered to have four hundred men of his brigade in
readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed
under your command.
"L. W. Boggs," "Governor and Commander-in-Chief."
"To General Clark."