“Lexington 6 o’clock p.m. Octr. 25. 1838. To Messrs. and Wiley C. Williams— “Gentlemen:— This letter is sent on after you on express, by Mr. Bryant of , since you left this morning. Mr. C. R. Morehead came here on express for men to assist in repelling a threatened attack upon to night. He brought news that the Mormon armed force had attacked this morning at daylight, and had cut off his whole company of fifty men. Since Mr. Morehead left , one of the Company (’s) 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 would be sacked and burned by the Mormon banditti to night. Nothing can exceed the consternation which this news gives rise to. The women and children are flying from 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 one hundred well armed and daring men, perhaps the most effective our Country can boast of. They will certainly give them (the Mormons) a warm reception at to night. You will see the necessity of hurrying on to the , 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 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 tranquility to the public mind, and re-establish the supremacy of the laws. There must be no further delaying with this question any where. 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, discretion and fitness [HC 3:172] for the task you have undertaken, and we have only time to say, God speed you. Yours truly E. M. Ryland”

Head Quarters of the Militia, , Octr. 26. 1838— Gen. 1st. Div. Mo. Mi. Sir:— Application has been made to the Commander in Chief by the [p. 840]