The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-27
THE MORMON WAR.
From the st. Louis Republican. Sept H.
Letter from the ediiorprogyess Of the cirit icav-ont
Of the anfi-.Mcrmons killed

Al this place and at Quincy, find state Of ex
citemeni of which il is very hard TO give just de
scription for there are all kinds Of reports an,
stories aAost. As well as can gather the facts a
Quincy and here, they are substantially these
The citizens, under the style Of anti-Mormons, hav
determined to drive the Mormons out of the county
The first difficulty commenced in Adams county
which adjoins Hancock in what is known as Nor
leys settlement, or precinct In this quarter, which
is near the town of Lima, party has been out burn
ing the Mormon houses, barns stacks, &c
In this war Differentiation, they include not only
the Mormons, but all who suspected OF favoriBe
the Mormon cause, or of harboring Mormons abou
them. The reports vary very much as to the number
Of houses burned. At Quincy, the number was stated
at from fifty to sixty; but think this large est
mate. The anti-Mormons, am told, are divided
into two companies: one is known as the "Fr,
and scord" cnmpany-whose duty it is to set FIRE e
Mormon buildings, and drive the occupants off, The
other division acts as spies and guards, generally
not appearing or taking very prominent part.
am told that company of the ''Fre and Sword
men were out in the Morley settlement on Satur
day, and their return they reported that they hat
burned htyhree houses, and had got through befor.
supper Al Quincy, II was reported that, among
the buildings burned, was mill; and that in con-
killed, and three or four wounded. lido not know
how much reliance to place in these reports; but
from the excitement, think them not improbable.
Mr.. Head, the clerk Of Hancock county, has fled
from Carthage, the county scat, with the records
and papers, TO Quincy was told that the clerk Of
Brown county had also gone to Quincy; but of this
] am not certain. II is expected that the troops
from Adams and Pike counties will be Immediately
called out. A messenger was despatched to Gov
crnor Ford at Springfield, on Sunday last.
Warsaw is under considerable excitement, and At
present is vigilantly guarded by armed men, AT a
place called Rocky Branch about six miles from
this place, General Williams is encamped with a
number of men, anti-Mormons. The general 10
the commander Of this brigade, hut l suppose will
operate against the Mormons--law or no law. Yes
terday, deporable circumstance occurred, about
seven miles from here, which believe will form
the element for much wider difficulty than any
thing which has yet TRANSFERRED The story, as well
as can gather it in the confusion Of reports, fol-
lows
1t is said, that on Sunday or Monday, three men
entered Carthage, and inquired for MIR. Backenstos,
the sheriff, who is Jack Mormon, and very obnox-
ious to the an,i-Mormons. Mr.. Backenstos made
his escape. Yesterday, Mr.. Franklin A. Worrcl, a
merchant Of Carthage, and lieutenant in the Car
thagc Grays, WINS out with about twelve or fourteen
other persons, when they came up with Backenstos
and number Of Mormons, at place called Prem
tees Shanty. The Mormons beckoned to Worrel
and his party to keep away; but they either did not
understand the signal, or disregarded it. On their
approach, two guns were fired A ball from one
entered Worres breast, killing him almost instant
ly. The corpse is now IN this town. The other
ball entered the cap of the man by his side. As yeu
may suppose this has added fuel to the flames; and
this morning find majority of the citizens here
preparing TO 60 out, and nothing is talked Of but
general BATTLE and the driving of the Mormons from
the county.
III can find the means of conveyance shall 90
to-day out TO General Wlams's camp, and into
the Mormon settlement, and endeavor as far ms pos
sibe TO find out the facts. Numbers Of people, es-
pecially women and children, leaving the coun-
try as fast as they can get away. found num-
I<n- Hknr hou and ok,Il
the bank Of the river. Thus far, the Mormons have
fled in every instance, making little resistance
but they cannot fec much further, and they must
either stand and fight, shortly, leave the county
II is reported here, and credited, that the same
process Of burning out the Mormons has been COM
menced in the upper part Of this county. II said
that they have commenced burning the Mormon
houses in the La Harpe settlement and Camp Creek
settlement. The determination appears to be to
burn the Mormon houses; but the Antics claim
that they will not niure the sick or widows, nor
destroy the grain. When they find sick persons, or
women, they give than notice to leaye-in fact but
NV wait for the notice; and, as soon as the house ia
vacated, they Get fire to II.
have not time now 10 comment on these pro-
ceedngs further than TO say the excitement exceeds
anything of which had any conception.
Alarm and excitement pervade all classes, and ter
ror is depicted on the counenances Of all the fami-
lies ] have yet seen. This week, believe, must
bring matters to an ISSUE From the apparent con-
cert with which the anti-M ormons are acting--their
simultaneous attacks--thc deep and deadly hatred
which they entertain to the Mormons--the fact that
the Mormons from all the settlements ont of Nauvoo
are being driven into the city,-l judge fight must
come off this week, which will probably give pre-
Scminancy to one party or the other | shall wait
the result. II is very doubtful whether the COVER
civil authorities can act in time to prevent the
worst results There is report in this place-said
to have been brought, in las, night-hat three hun
dred Mormons, with some pieces of artillery, had
marched towards Carthage. Their purpose, il is
said, was TO bring away the family of Backenstos.
The report is not much relied upon by the more in
telligent citizens ! send you with this copy Of
the Warsaw Signal, from which you will see the
temper of feeling prevailing here.
The above letter cmbodes nearly all the news
which we have from the disturbed district. II is
stated in the Nauvoo Neighbor, that accounts had
been received there Of the destruction of fory-four
houses and out-houses, in Green Plains and Lima
districts. The "Neigbbor" insists that the shots
fired upon the anti-Mormons, at the meeting on
Tuesday, were fred by their party and that the
Mormons knew nothing Of the occurrence until the
next day. A partial list Of the houses destroyed is
published in the Nauvoo paper, and it is added:
All that we shall remark on the above, is, that
Col. Williams is at the head. We had, for some
time, heard a rumor that the mob were preparing
for further outrages, but really in hopes, as
our people had given no provoca,ion whatever that
law and order would govern the old citizens. Our
people, though they have been baseIy treated, and
shot at, can be proved, have been quiet-not re-
taating even in self-defence, seeking peace at all
hazards"
The same paper says that wriIs against the
stwelve" and some Others upon the charge of trea-
son, }" have been issued in that county
The planning mills, carding- machine, &c, belong
ing to Norman Buel, about mile from Lima, were
barnt
MIR. worell, who was killed by The Mormons.
tad sv.~ I~csl H.