History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
Sir.--We were informed, last night, by an express from Ray county,
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 statement you may rely
on as being true, and last night they expected Richmond to be laid
in ashes this morning. We could distinctly hear cannon, and we
know the Mormons had one in their possession. Richmond is about
twenty-five {169} miles west of this place, on a straight line. 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.
Yours, etc.,
Sashiel Woods,
Joseph Dickson.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Statement of the Buncombe Affair.]
These mobbers must have had very accute ears to hear cannon, (a six
pounder) thirty-seven miles! So much for the lies of a priest of this
world. Now for the truth of the case. This day about noon, Captain
Bogart, with some thirty or forty men called on Brother Thoret Parsons,
at the head of the east branch of Log creek, where he was living, and
warned him to be gone before next day at ten in the morning, declaring
also that he would give Far West thunder and lightning before next
day at noon, if he had good luck in meeting Neil Gillum, (Cornelius
Gilliam) who would camp about six miles west of Far West that night,
and that he should camp on Crooked creek. He then departed towards
Crooked creek.
[Sidenote: Raid on the Pinkham Residence.]
Brother Parsons dispatched a messenger with this news to Far West, and
followed after Bogart to watch his movements. Brothers Joseph Holbrook
and David Juda, who went out this morning to watch the movements of the
enemy, saw eight armed mobbers call at the house of Brother Pinkham,
where they took three prisoners, Nathan Pinkham, Brothers William
Seely and Addison Green, and four horses, arms, etc. When departing
they threatened Father Pinkham that if he did not leave the state
immediately they "would have his damned old scalp." Having learned of
Bogart's movements the brethren returned to Far West near midnight, and
reported their proceedings and those of the mob.
[Sidenote: Crooked River Battle.]
On hearing the report, Judge Elias Higbee, the first judge of the
county, ordered Lieutenant Colonel Hinkle, the highest officer in
command in Far West, to send out {170} a company to disperse the mob
and retake their prisoners, whom, it was reported, they intended to
murder that night. The trumpet sounded, and the brethren were assembled
on the public square about midnight, when the facts were stated, and
about seventy-five volunteered to obey the judge's order, under command
of Captain David W. Patten, who immediately commenced their march on
horseback, hoping without the loss of blood to surprise and scatter the
camp, retake the prisoners and prevent the attack threatening Far West.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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