Paranoia? Glimsing the Past, Far West, 1838

The Log Creek Peace Expedition, 30 October 1838,
Hincle, Corill, Peck, Romig (03-05-03)
Copyrighted images provided courtesy of the Community of Christ Archives, Independence, Missouri, © 2002

Though caught up in a spiraling web of militarism, the siege of Far West, close upon the heels of the tragedy at Haun's Mill, proved a dose of reality. The close approach of soldiers and the threat posed to church families apparently helped Joseph realize that the church could not prevail in this escalating cultural clash. Though publicly he continued tough talk, privately Smith began to explore other alternatives. Joseph now turned to a different set of friends-- those who had tried to redirect the church from its increasingly militaristic course. “These “dissidents” were not cowards, nor apostates interested only in working at cross-purposes with the majority church members.” [LeSueur, 1838 Missouri Mormon War, 251]. George M. Hinkle foresaw that church policies would reap disastrous consequences and tried to forestall them. "I spoke to Mr. Smith, jun., in the house, and told him that this course of burning houses and plundering, by the Mormon troops, would ruin us; that it could not be kept hid, and would bring the force of the State upon us; that houses would be searched, and stolen property found. Smith replied to me, in a pretty rough manner to keep still; that I should say nothing about it; that it would discourage the men. . ."
[See Hinkle, Senate Document 189, 21-22.]

Now, cast in the role of doves, Hinkle, Corrill, Peck, Phelps, John Cleminson, and others, represented the only realistic glimmer of hope. Realizing the possibility of utter destruction, as affirmed by both Corrill and Peck, Joseph urged them to work out a compromise with the oncoming militia. Hinkle stated Joseph wished a treaty "on any terms short of a battle," [George Hinkle, letter to W. W. Phelps, August 14, 1844, reproduced in Journal of History, vol. 13 (October 1920), 449.] and if necessary, "beg like a dog for peace." [Corrill, A Brief History, 41; Peck, 24.]

Meanwhile, General Clark mustered his State militia forces, the initial company “consisted of three or four thousand men, and with this formidable force, commenced their march directly for the city of Far West. Where they arrived, while General Clark and his forces were several days march in the rear.

General Samuel Lucas reported, “On Monday, October 29th, the troops ordered out by Major-General Atchison and myself (as per our report to you of said date), took up their line of march from camp near Richmond, for Far West. We encamped on the night of the 29th at Linville's creek (a short distance from the road), about sixteen miles from Far West, at which point we received an express from Brigadier-General Doniphan, informing us that he was then encamped on Log creek with a force of five hundred men, and that he would join us at the crossing of said creek, on the road from Richmond to Far West, by ten o'clock the next morning. [General Samuel D. Lucas, report to Governor Boggs, Headquarters, Camp Near Far West, November 2, 1838, LDS History of the Church, Vol. 3, p.195.]


“In the mean time, the Governor's order, and all these military movements, were kept an entire secret from the Mormons, and even the mail was withheld from Far West, thus cutting off all intelligence. We had only heard that companies of armed men were seen in the south part of the county: and we had sent a white flag and a guard of one hundred and fifty men, to make enquiries.” [“A History of The Persecution, of The Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints In Missouri, Continued,” Times and Seasons, Vol. 1. No. 8., Nauvoo, Illinois, (June, 1840)]. Taking between 130 and 160 men on horseback, Hinkle set out for Log Creek in hopes of arriving at some suitable terms before the approaching forces neared Far West.
John Corrill explained, “On Sunday evening Smith came to me to have me accompany Reed Peck the next day to meet their army with a white flag, in order to open a correspondence, if possible, and agree upon some terms of peace. We went in company with Colonel Hinkle and about one hundred and sixty horsemen. When we got near Crooked River we learned that the army had moved on to Log Creek, and were making their way to Far West. We thought proper to return, and it was with difficulty that we got back, for the militia had come between us and town. [Corrill, Brief History of the Church, Chapter 23.]
Many of Hinkle's horsemen were little more than youths. Edward Stevenson recalls these events from within the context of public statements, colored by years of subsequent reinterpretation. “There was in existence the Fifty-third Regiment of Missouri Militia, under the command of Col. George M.Hinkle, who held a commission signed by the Governor of the state. There was times of trouble when it became necessary for Colonel Hinkle to call out the militia, consequently our movements were in accordance with the laws of Missouri. On the 30th of October, 1838, Neil Gillam was at the head of a mob who were disguised as wild Indians. They were painted, and Gillam himself was arrayed as an Indian chief. The mob had been burning houses and driving the Mormons' stock away from their owners, taking prisoners, etc. Colonel Hinkle ordered out a company of militia, about 150 in number, to endeavor to learn the intentions of Gillam and others, who were camping on Log Creek, near Far West. [Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph the Prophet: And the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon, Salt Lake City, Utah, Published by the Author, 1893.]

Another youth, John Nelson Wakley, recently arrived from Canada was also drawn into the action. “I received word that Joseph Smith wished to see me. I went to him and was greeted by these words. "Well son, I'm glad you came". He then told me he wished to send me on an important mission. I was surprised and started to explain that I did not belong to the church. He told me he knew it but he felt that I was the one he wanted as I was nearly unknown. The mission he wanted me to fulfil [sic] was to go secretly among the mob and find out their intentions toward the Saints.” After being assured that I had all the provisions for such an expedition, he told me that I should be led by the spirit of God and at all times to do as I felt best. . . ." “Upon reaching the camps of the mob I pretended to be in search of a good piece of land. I easily fell in with them and learned as much as I could of their plans.”

"There were one hundred Scouts on Log River under charge of Colonel Hinkle, and any time I had word to send to the Prophet I was to seek theses and send one of their number. I had sent in several reports and was going to send word again when a runner came from Joseph saying that a mob surrounding Far West. [The life of John Nelson Wakley, http://www.ida.net/users/lamar/pioneer1.html]
Samuel Gifford, a third youth, relates this story from a different perspective. Samuel Kendall states that he joined the military company, had a pistol about a foot long and a spear in the end of a pole, with which he trained, stood guard, etc. He said he was ready to fight in the defense of Zion, although he was young in age (14) and small for his age. “Just previous to the marching great army against the Saints. . . Alpheus [Gifford] and most of the Saints, had moved into Farwest, to be more secure from the mob. The day that the army came, Samuel K. states that he, his Uncle Levi Gifford and his sons Ichabod and Danial, went to Log Creek to get a small load of corn for bread.
(Also, Colonel Hinkle led a great portion of the small band of brethren of Farwest, to meet the mob. He led them in sight and quite close to the great army (who were well armed).” Gifford's account continues, suggesting Hinkle drew his force very near the Militia. Gifford included a variation not documented elsewhere: “[Hinkle] pulled off his coat in a cold day and would have marched the small handful of almost unarmed men, right into the midst, had it not been for Captain Whitmore, who took the command instantly from him and said, "Brethren, follow me." He led them out of danger and landed them safe, in Farwest.) [http://www.huntsman-gifford.com/history/gifford/gifford.htm]
Perhaps Gifford is suggesting Hinkle attempted to make contact and open negotiations, but was prevented by Captain Whitmore [?].
Stevenson continues the narrative, saying “I was one of those under Col. Hinkle, and we all were on horseback. We soon learned that their intentions were hostile. . . . and our company was cut off from Far West by a line of battle being formed between us and our homes. Colonel Hinkle returned from the front of our line with his military coat off, saying that there were hardly enough of us to allow a mouthful apiece for the numerous hosts before us. He seemed excited and fearfully frightened, and for this and other reasons I have always believed this accounted for his conduct on that occasion. We retreated fifteen miles (instead of five miles, from where we were), to Far West, arriving about the time the troops were nearing the city. . [Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences. . ., 1893.]

Somehow during the day, opposing troops coming from the south had bypassed by the horsemen, coming between them and preventing their direct return into Far West. So they turned up Log Creek.

Lucas described the encounter from other side. I . . . “took up my line of march for Goose creek, one mile south of Far West, which point we reached about one hour by sun in the evening. Just as the troops were encamping, I received intelligence from General Doniphan, from his position on the right, that he had discovered a party of mounted Mormons approaching Far West from the east, and requested permission. to intercept them, if possible. Leave was granted, and his brigade started off at nearly full speed to accomplish the order, but the Mormons succeeded in reaching the fort.” At this point, “General Doniphan approached within two hundred yards of their fortress, when they displayed a force of about eight hundred [150] men. [S. D. Lucas, LDS History of the Church, Vol. 3, p.195.]

Corrill, in company with the horsemen, recalled, “When we arrived, we saw a line of battle drawn up by the militia, and the Mormons also arrayed to meet them, but the militia, for some cause, withdrew to their camp on Goose Creek.” [Corrill, Chapter 23.]
John Wakely's account provides additional detail. “Colonel Hinkle, upon arriving near Far West, said he was not going to be made a target for the mob and pulled off his uniform coat and put it in his saddle bag. He was for fighting his way through the mob, but later decided to go down the Log River and enter the west side of Far West.”
When the horsemen rode into Far West, they could see the Militia, “marching with red flags, which were interspersed and mixed up with Gillam's command of painted faces. Our company coming into Far West on the gallop, created quite a sensation, as we were mistaken for the enemy coming in from two different points. We, however, soon proved ourselves to be friends, and were just in time to extend the line already formed in defense of the city. Our adversaries were in the ratio of about ten to one of us, which looked rather serious for a little handful of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph the Prophet And the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon, Salt Lake City, Utah, Published by the Author, 1893.]
“Upon arriving there we found that Joseph Smith had used all the logs that had been hauled in to build house, to construct a protection for the south side of the city. We at once dismounted and joined the Saints behind the barricade. Joseph told us many times that he did not think there would he a shot fired and it afterwards proved true. The mob was situated on Goose Creek and three times they charged toward our barricade of logs. Each time as they got within two or three hundred yards of us they seemed to strike an invisible wall. Three times their charge ended so abruptly that many riders went over their horse's heads. After the third attempt they rode away without a shot being fired." [The life of John Nelson Wakley, http://www.ida.net/users/lamar/pioneer1.html]
Hostilities were suspended till morning, "when we were in hopes of some further and more satisfactory information. The hostile army under the command of Lucas, then commenced their encampment for the night, and our little army continued to stand to their arms for fear of some treachery. ["A History, of The Persecution. . .," Times and Seasons, Vol. 1 (June, 1840)].
Yet another young observer, Albert Rockwood wrote, “During the evening of 23 October, 130 Mormon cavalry [the horsemen] returned to Far West. According to Albert P. Rockwood, Rigdon gave these "horsemen of Isreall" a "short address suited to the occasion when all the people said Amen." [The Last Months of Mormonism in Missouri: The Albert Perry Rockwood Journal, “ BYU Studies, 28 (Winter 1988): 23.]
Corrill relates that despite the standoff, efforts to negotiate a truce were again pursued. Hinkle arranged for Charles C. Rich to go out to the other camp with yet another white flag. Hyrum Smith relates, "A messenger was immediately despatched with a white flag, from the colonel of the militia of Far West, requesting an interview with General Atchinson, and General Doniphan; but, as the messenger approached the camp, he was shot at by Bogard, the Methodist preacher. The name of the messenger was Charles C. Rich . . . . However, he gained permission to see General Doniphan. . . . Mr. Rich requested General Doniphan to spare the people and not suffer them to be massacred until the next morning, it then being evening. He coolly agreed that he would not, and also said, that he had not as yet received the Governor's order, but expected it every hour, and should not make any further move until he had received it . . . . Mr. Rich then returned to the city, giving this information. The colonel [Hinkle] immediately despatched a second messenger with a white flag, to request another interview with General Doniphan, in order to touch his sympathy and compassion, and if it were possible for him to use his best endeavors to preserve the lives of the people. [Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 269.]

“About dark, Reed Peck took a white flag, and went into their camp. He saw General Doniphan and others. General Lucas, with his troops from Jackson County, had joined the army, and they were about thirteen hundred strong. When Peck returned he said that General Doniphan had appointed the next morning at eight o'clock to meet a committee of Mormons and make proposals of peace. He promised that no harm should befall us that night; he stated that their object was to bring the guilty to punishment, but the innocent should have an opportunity to escape before they would attack the place. [Corrill, Brief History, Chapter 23.]

During the night both sides received further reinforcements.
Those. . . “under the command of one Gilliam, came pouring in from the west, to strengthen the enemy, and another company . . . came in from Carrol county, and were taken into the ranks of Lucas, after . . . [taking parting in the attack on] Haun's mill, of which I will give a particular account hereafter. Thus both parties were considerably reinforced during the night. In the mean time our people, being determined, if attacked, to defend their homes, and wives the night in throwing up a temporary breastwork of building timber, logs, rails, &c., and by morning our south side of the city was fortified with a breastwork, and also a considerable part of the east and west sides; the whole line of fortification extending a mile and a half. -- This nights labor may seem incredible; but it happened that a great quantity of building materials had been accumulated near the spot where were thrown up the breastworks: And this proved an excellent material for the work.
Lucas related, after this standoff, “all returned, as dark set in, to camp. At this place I established my headquarters, and continued there during the expedition against the Mormons. The detachment under General Wilson returned about nine o'clock p.m.
The next morning, 31st of October, I received a message from Colonel Hinkle, the commander of the Mormon forces [Caldwell militia], requesting an interview with me on an eminence near Far West, which he would designate by hoisting a white flag. I sent him word I would meet him at two o'clock p.m., being so much engaged in receiving and en-camping fresh troops, who were hourly coming in, that I could not attend before.
Accordingly at that time, I started with my staff officers and Brigadier-Generals Wilson, Doniphan and Graham, General Parks being left in command. We met him and some other Mormons at the point before mentioned. He stated that his object in asking me to meet him there, was to know if there could not be some compromise or settlement of the difficulty without a resort to arms. [Lucas]