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