| 257 Times and Seasons
"Truth will prevail."
Vol. IV No. 17.] CITY NAUVOO, ILL. JULY 15, 1843. [Whole No. 77
TRIAL OF JOSEPH SMITH
Continued.
PARLEY P. PRATT sworn. Says that he fully concurs in the testimony of the preceding witness, so far as he is acquainted with the same, and that Joseph Smith has not been known as Joseph Smith Junior, for the time stated by Hyrum Smith. He was an eye-witness of most of the scenes testified to by said Hyrum Smith, during the persecutions of our people in Missouri. That during the latter part of the summer and fall of the year 1838, there were large bodies of the mob assembled in various places, for the avowed object of killing, driving, robbing, plundering and exterminating the Mormons, and actually committed many murders and other depredations, as related by the preceding witness. The Governor was frequently petitioned, as also the other authorities, for redress and protection. At length Austin A. King, the Judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial District, ordered out somewhere near a thousand men for the avowed purpose of quelling the mob and protecting the Mormons. These being under arms for several weeks, did, in some measure, prevent the mob's proceedings for some time, after which, Judge King withdrew the force, refusing to put the State to further expense, for our protection, without orders from the Governor. The mobs then again collected in great numbers in Carroll, Davies, and Caldwell counties, and expressed their determination to drive the Mormons from the State or kill them. They did actually drive them from De Witt, firing upon some, and taking others prisoners. They turned a man by the name of Smith Humphrey and family out of doors, when sick, and plundered his house and burned it before his eyes. They also plundered the citizens generally, taking their lands, houses and property. Those whose lives were spared, precipitately fled to Far West in the utmost distress and consternation. Some of them actually died on the way, through exposure, suffering and destitution. Other parties of the mob were plundering and burning houses in Davies county; and another party of the mob were ravaging the south part of Caldwell county, in a similar manner. The Governor was again and again petitioned for redress and protection, but utterly refused to render us any assistance whatever. Under these painful and distressing circumstances, we had the advice of Generals Atchison, Doniphan, and Parks, to call out the Militia of Caldwell and Davies counties, which was mostly composed of Mormons, and to make a general defence [defense]. The presiding Judge of Caldwell county, Elias Higbee, gave orders to the Sheriff of said county to call out the Militia. They were called out under the command of Colonel Hinkle, who held a commission from the Governor, and was the highest military officer in the county. This force effectually dispersed the mob in several places, and only a portion of them were so organized in the city of Far West, that they could assemble themselves upon the shortest notice, and were frequently ordered to assemble in the public square of said city, in cases of emergency. These proceedings against the mob being misrepresented by designing men, both to the Governor and the other authorities and people of the State, caused great excitement against the Mormons. Many have tried to have it understood that the Mormon were in open rebellion, and making war upon the State. With these pretences [pretenses], Governor Boggs issued the following extermination order:
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE MILITIA }
CITY OF JEFFERSON, }
October 27th, 1838.
SIR-
Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to come with 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 changed entirely the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of the 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 peace.
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 Wollock of Marion county, to raise five hundred men and to march them to the northern part of Davies county 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. You can also communicate with then if you find it necessary. Instead wherefore, of proceeding as at first directed, to re instate [reinstate] the citizens of Daviess in their houses, you will proceed immediately to Richmond, and there operate against the Mormons. Brigadier General Parks of Ray, has been ordered to have four hundred of his Brigade in readiness to join you at Richmond. The whole force will be placed under your command.
(Signed) L. W. BOGGS,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
In the mean time, Major General Lucas, and Brigadier General Wilson, both of Jackson county, (who had, five years previously, assisted in driving about twelve hundred Mormon citizens from that county, besides burning two hundred and three houses, and assisting in murdering several, and plundering the rest,) raised forces to the amount of several thousand men,
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