by Heman C. Smith
This battle does not rank with great battles of the world's history, but was merely a skirmish fought on Crooked River, Missouri, in Ray County, near the line of Caldwell County, a short distance below the present location of Elmira, Missouri, on October 25, 1838.
It was during the time of the unpleasant and hostile friction between the Latter Day Saints and other citizens of Missouri. Some of each party belonged to the State Militia. The Latter Day Saint company was under command of David W. Patten, an apostle of the church and a captain of the Missouri Militia. The other party was under command of Captain Samuel Bogard, a minister of the Methodist Church. Though there had been previous agitation accompanied by charges and countercharges, the immediate causes of the conflict were as follows:
On the night of October 24, it was reported by eye witnesses that Captain Bogard had upon that day called at the residence of Mr. Thoret Parsons, on Log Creek in the southwest part of Caldwell County, and warned him to be gone by ten o'clock of the next day, also stating that Neil Gillium would that night camp with a force six miles west of Far West and that he (Bogard) should camp on Crooked River, expecting that the two forces would form a junction the next morning and "give Far West thunder and lightning" before noon. It was also reported that eight men from Bogard's command had visited the house of a Mr. Pinkham and carried off Nathan Pinkham, William Seely and Addison Green as prisoners.
At midnight at the sound of the trumpet the citizens of Far West assembled on the public square. The situation was explained and Elias Higbee, the first judge of Caldwell County, [page 456] ordered that a company be sent out to disperse the Bogard mob, liberate the prisoners, and thus prevent the attack upon Far West.
About seventy-five men volunteered to obey the judge's order. These were placed under Captain Patten and immediately mounted and took up their march toward Crooked River. One of the party describes the scene as they marched southward lighted by the burning of their homes, barns, and grain stacks. He says:
This company was soon under way, having to ride through extensive prairies a distance of some twelve miles. The night was dark, the distant plains far and wide were illuminated by blazing fires, immense columns of smoke were seen rising in awful majesty, as if the world was on fire. This scene of grandeur can only be comprehended by those acquainted with scenes of prairie burning; as the fire sweeps over millions of acres of dry grass in the fall season, and leaves a smooth, black surface divested of all vegetation.
The thousand meteors, blazing in the distance like the campfires of some war host, threw a fitful gleam of light upon the distant sky, which many might have mistaken for the aurora borealis. This scene, added to the silence of midnight, the rumbling sound of the tramping steeds over the hard and dried surface of the plain, the clanking of swords in their Scabbards, 'the occasional gleam of bright armor in the flickering firelight, the gloom of surrounding darkness, and the unknown destiny of the expedition, or even of the people who sent it forth; all combined to impress the mind with deep and solemn thoughts, and to throw a romantic vision river the imagination, which is not often experienced, except in the poet's dreams, or in the wild imagery of sleeping fancy.
Not knowing the location of Bogard's camp, fifteen men were detailed to reconnoiter in another direction while the other sixty marched on until approaching a ford on Crooked River l little below the north line of Ray County. They dismounted and leaving their horses with a few men moved cautiously and quietly toward the ford and down the hill. They had scarcely commenced descent when a voice demanded "Who goes there?" accompanied by a shot. Young Patterson O'Banion reeled out if the ranks mortally wounded. This shot was fired by a Bogard sentinel, by the name of John Lockhart. About this time he tents of Bogard's camp could be seen in the narrow valley [467] between the foot of the hill and the river.
CROOKED RIVER BATTLE GROUND— THE HILL.
Captain Patten commanded a charge, and his command went down the hill at double quick, halting and forming a line about fifty yards from the enemy's camp. Bogard and his men took refuge, and formed under the bank of the river below their tents from whence they fired a broadside and several of Patten's men fell. The fire was returned when Bogard fired a second volley which was also returned and Patten ordered another charge which was instantly obeyed, his men shouting "God and liberty," and immediately the parties came in contact in a hand-to-hand conflict. Bogard's men broke in confusion and crossing at the ford or plunging into a deep hole above the ford gained the west shore of the river and each one fled under the impression, it is said, that he was the only survivor. Patten did not pursue them further. The prisoners were released and one of them wounded. One of Bogard's men fled from behind a tree and turning shot David Patten in the bowels, the wound proving to be fatal. Gideon Carter fell dead on the field, his face so disfigured as to be scarcely recognizable. Patten's force lost one killed and eight wounded by gunshots, two [458] of whom subsequently died; and one by sword. Bogard reported one dead, which formed the base of the charge of murder against all who were present of the church party, in the investigation before Judge King as appears in this issue [Senate Document 189, Journal of History, Vol. 10 (January 1917): 440-454]. Bogard had decidedly the advantage in the ground as the action took place just at the dawn of day and Patten's men could be seen in the east in the light of the dawning day, while they looking to the west could not see plainly the enemy; besides Bogard took shelter under the river bank. Patten's men utilizing some of the deserted tents and wagons of the enemy started for Far West with their dead and wounded. When within about three miles of Far West David Patten was taken to the house of Stephen Winchester where he died that night. O'Banion died shortly afterwards. These two with Gideon Carter were buried in Far West.
The history of Caldwell County gives the loss of Bogard's command as follows: Moses Rowland, killed; Thomas H. Lloyd, Edwin Odell, James Lochard, Martin Dunnaway, Samuel Tar-water, and Wyatt Craven, wounded. Tarwater is said to have [459] received several saber cuts in the face and neck, considerably affecting his speech and memory. In 1840 by special act he received a pension of one hundred dollars annually from the State of Missouri, which continued while he lived.
The above account of the engagement is from those who were present in Patten's company.
Log and Goose Creek Participants in Battle of Crooked River
LDS Historic Sites - BCR
C.C. Rich Account of Battle of Crooked River
Historical Sketch of James Hendricks and Drusilla Dorris Hendricks
David Patten in Northwestern Missouri
Where David Patten Died
Far West Burial Ground
CROOKED RIVER BATTLE GROUND— THE FORD.
The other side or some one in sympathy with them published the following in the Missouri Argus of November 8, 1838:
Extract of a letter to the Editors, dated Elk Horn, October 30, 1838. On Thursday, the 25th instant, about the dawn of day, a party of Mormons, about two hundred strong", attached Captain Bogart's company, consisting of about forty men, on the line dividing" Rav and Caldwell Counties. On the approach of the Mormons the sentry fired and gave the alarm. The former advanced within thirty-five paces, formed a line, and received orders "in the name of Lazarus, the apostles, and Jesus Christ our Lord, to fire," which was followed by a simultaneous charge, accompanied by demoniac and hideous yells of "fight for liberty— charge boys— charge— kill the d——d rascals," etc. Bogart, at the head of his gallant band, leveled his gun and echoed the command, "Boys, let them have it!" The struggle was short and desperate. The Mormons were armed with one gun, two long pistols, a butcher's knife, etc., and rushed to the charge, in which many of our men came in collision with them and parried their swords, etc., with their guns and knocked them down. They pursued the charge about six hundred yards. Our loss was one killed and three wounded— two of the latter were left for dead on the ground. The loss of the Mormons was nineteen or twenty killed and wounded— five or 6 of the latter are yet living. They took one prisoner— carried him to within three miles of Far West, where they had him put to death. The country is in the highest state of excitement. There are about 2,500 troops within a day's march of Far West. They are pouring in from all quarters, and we expect in a day or two, that that town will be laid waste. We are looking for the Governor with more troops. I have this moment been informed that the Mormons are making every preparation for a general battle. In the engagement on the 25th they took about $4,500 worth of horses, etc.
The country was of course excited and agitated, and conflicting rumors were freely circulated, and many strange versions of the trouble were sent to the governor, among, others the following: [page 460] Carrollton, Missouri, October 24, 1838.
Sirs:
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 Bupcombe, 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 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.
Sashiel Woods was a Presbyterian minister who had before taken an active part in exciting the populace against the "Mormons" in Carroll and Daviess Counties. Under the circumstances this story was a very peculiar one. It was written the day before the battle. The cannon referred to which "the Mormons had in their possession," was a six pounder. The distance was about fifty miles. To distinctly hear the report of a six pounder fifty miles, and that the day before it was supposed to be fired, was a remarkable experience for the reverend gentleman and his fellow reporter. Then when it is considered that there is no claim on the part of either side to the conflict that a cannon was used the wonder increases. It was this and similar reports that inspired the Governor, Lilburn W. Boggs, to issue his famous exterminating order of October 27, 1838, providing that "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State, if necessary, for the public good."
Among the names of those engaged in this fight on the side of the Latter Day Saints so far as we have learned were David W. Patten, Parley P. Pratt, Gideon Carter, Patterson O'Banion, Norman Shearer, Morris Phelps, Darwin Chase, Luman Gibbs, ———— Hendrix, Amos Hodges, and two sons, James Durphy, Charles C. Rich, and ————Holbrook.
We have not thought it proper to discuss the merits of demerits of the acts on either side, but have related as best we could learn the events historically.
On July 27, 1917, the writer had the privileged of visiting this historic place in company with Mrs. Smith, Mr. W. E. Dye of Richmond, Missouri; Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Ferguson of Hardin, Missouri; and Mr. John H. Thompson who resided near the place. At this time we took the views accompanying this article.
[Journal of History, Vol. 10 (January 1917):455-461].
CROOKED RIVER BATTLE GROUND— OVERVIEW.
George Edward Anderson, 1907, image courtesy LDS Church Historical Department, Archives
Militia Ordered Out
Account by Peter H. Burnett, an Old Pioneer
Burnett wrote, "John "Estes, one of Bogard's men, who was in the fight, escaped and came to Liberty the same day, and gave information to General Atchison. The latter at once ordered the Liberty Blues to march to the battleground, and there await further orders. I was a member of this independent militia company.
We made ready, and were off before night, and marched some ten miles that evening, under General Doniphan. The next day we reached the scene of conflict, and encamped in the edge of the open oak-woods next to the prairie that extended from that point to Far West (the town being in the open prairie), and on the road that Patton had traveled to attack Bogard, and about one mile nearer Far West than Bogard's camp. We were joined by soe of Bogard's men, so that we numbered about one hundred. The first night after our 'encampment was cold and frosty. I remember it well, for I was on guard that night... The next day was warm and beautiful, and was what is called "Indian summer." I went upon the battle-field and examined it carefully. The dead and wounded had all been removed; but the clots of blood upon the leaves where the men had fallen were fresh and plainly to be seen. It looked like the scene of death. Here lay a wool hat, there a tin cup, here an old blanket; in the lop of this little tree hung a wallet of provisions; and saddles and bridles, and various articles of clothing, lay around in confusion. The marks of the bullets were seen all around. I remember that a small linden-tree, three or four inches in diameter, that stood behind Patton's men, seemed to have been a target, from the number of shots that had struck it." [Peter H. Burnett, Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer (New York: D Appleton and Company, 1880), 59-60.]
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