"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." Chapter 25 Persecutions of the Saints 1838 Clark's Fitness for His Job General John B. Clark was a resident of Jackson County. So was General Samuel D. Lucas. Both assisted in driving the "Mormons" from that county in 1833. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs was also from Jackson, and aided in that expulsion. At that time he was lieutenant governor, and worked secretly. These three men hated the Latter-day Saints with a mortal hate. General Clark was not the ranking officer in the state militia in 1838, but Boggs knew, from former experiences, whom to depend upon to execute his dastardly job. Few of the other generals, though several of them disliked the "Mormons," could debase themselves enough to reach the level required to execute the governor's inhuman decree. Clark, who received the command, and Lucas who assisted him, were the two most fitted to carry out the order of extermination. The Haun's Mill Massacre