Exagerated Reports Reach Jefferson City
Captain Bogart's initial report of ten killed and the remainder captured by the Mormons, spread anxiety like wildfire across Missouri. Actually, Moses Rowland, a Missouri state militiaman, was the only Missourian killed at the clash at Crooked River. Residents of Richmond expected to be set upon by the Mormons. The alarm quickly reached the state capital in Jefferson City. Information of this nature helped persuade Governor Boggs the Mormons must be removed from Missouri.
Vol. 10. Jefferson City, November 3, 1838. No. 577.
Lexington, 6 o'clock P.M. GENTLEMEN:--
October 25, 1838.
This letter is sent after you on express by Mr. William Bryant of Ray county. Since you left us this morning, Mr. R. Morehead came here on express for men to assist in repelling a threatened attack upon Richmond tonight. He brought news that the Mormon armed force had attacked Capt Bogart this morning at daylight, and had cut off his whole company of 50 men. Since Mr. Morehead left Richmond, one of the company (Bogart.) had 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. A number of them have repaired to Lexington, amongst whom is Mrs. Rees. We will have sent from this county, since 1 o'clock this evening about 100 well-armed and daring men, perhaps the most effective that our county can boast of. They will certainly give them (the Mormons) a warm reception at Richmond to-night. You will see the necessity of hurrying on to the City of Jefferson and also of imparting correct information to the public as you go along.
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 and flocking to the scene of trouble as fast as possible. 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 tranquillity to the public mind and reestablish the supremacy of the law. 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. We have great reliance upon your ability, direction and fitness for the task you have undertaken, and have only time to say God speed you. Yours truly, E. M. RYLAND.
Messrs Amos Rees & W. C. Williams. [Jeffersonian Republican, Jefferson City, Missouri, 3 November 1838; see Uncle Dale's - Readings in Early Mormon History: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/MO/Miss1838.htm]