Mormon Extermination Order
Posted by:
???? (68.117.215.---)
Date: March 23, 2007 05:49AM
Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order Number 44 on October 27, 1838.
Missouri Executive Order Number 44 is better known as the Mormon Extermination Order.
Hundreds of Mormons were beaten, lynched, murdered, looted, tarred and raped under color of Executive Order Number 44.
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Missouri Executive Order Number 44:
Headquarters of the Militia,
City of Jefferson, Oct. 27, 1838.
General John B. Clark:
Sir: Since the order of this morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Amos Reese, Esq., of Ray county, and Wiley C. Williams, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which entirely changes the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this state. Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operation 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 consider necessary. I have just issued orders to Maj. Gen. Willock, of Marion county, to raise five hundred men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess, and there unite with Gen. 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 them if you find it necessary. Instead therefore of proceeding as at first directed to reinstate the citizens of Daviess in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond and then operate against the Mormons. Brig. Gen. 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.
I am very respectfully,
your ob't serv't,
L. W. Boggs,
Commander-in-Chief.
Missouri Governor Christopher Bond rescinded Executive Order 44 in 1976