The "Mormon War"

A few days ago one of our volunteers, Ivy Tulin, was going through some letters that had been given, and discovered a few by James Monroe Burt (1816-1884). He was a Warwick man who followed the call to "go West", stopping first in Illinois and later founding the city of Oroville, California during the gold rush.

Astonishingly he was in Illinois earlier than had been realized, and this letter puts him on the inside circle of the controversies over the Mormon movement. Joseph Smith and his followers had established at Nauvoo, Illinois. The letter was written just before Smith and a few other followers were murdered by a mob at the jail. They had given themselves up to answer allegations about the destruction of a printing press that opposed the Mormons.

This document is significant because there are few who would've known about the governor's plans; perhaps Burt was involved because he had done legal work on the case (he was a lawyer).

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Letter from James Monroe Burt in Quincy, Illinois to his brother Thomas in Warwick NY
Donated to the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick by Burt Carroll in 1973

June 24th 1844

Dear Tom,
Your last was duly received a few days since, for which I am much obliged. If you had not taken sure much censure upon yourself for your neglect I should have felt disposed to give you a damn right lashing-- But as you plead guilty, and throw yourself upon my mercy, I do hereby most freely pardon and forgive you—that is on condition that you keep your promises in future—you ought certainly write three times to my once—because you have everything to write about that interests me, while I can say nothing of much interest to you.

I shall write this note in much haste—its object will be to give a correct account of the Mormon War which I presume you have some little curiosity to be informed of. I sent papers to you by last weeks mail which contained all the facts up to that time—since then much excitement has prevailed in Hancock and surrounding counties—Governor Ford is now upon the ground, and been endeavoring to settle the difficulties by an attempt to persuade Jos. Smith and others engaged in the destruction of the Press to give themselves up and abide the due course of the law—this has failed. On Saturday last the Governor ordered out the militia in Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler & Brown counties and the Indipendant (sic) companies of this city—So great is the excitement that the people are high, as 5000—these will fight desperately for their Prophet.

We have information this morning from the seat of the disturbances, that an attack will be made upon Nauvoo—if an attack is made the loss will be very great, and dreadful slaughter will follow. The anti Mormons in my opinion will have the worst of it on the first attack. Altho’ the general opinion is, that war and extermination will be the result, I think differently. Smith has too much sagacity to encounter the militia of the state—He will make some show of fight—but when the militia march into Nauvoo the will find that the Mormons have laid down their arms, and that those for whom writs have been issued will have made their escape or secreted themselves so that they cannot be found—of course the militia would not shoot down defenceless men and woman—I shall not close this until tomorrow and if anything transpires worthy of note I will inform you.

June 25—6 o’clock.
A messenger from Carthage in Hancock County has this moment arrived, bringing the information that Js. Smith and all others named in the writs issued against them have delivered themselves up and are now in Carthage undergoing an examination before the magistrates—the arms of the Mormons on the demand of the Governor were also surrendered.

Smith and his brother Hyram, and the 12 counsellors of the city—are those who are undergoing the examination, the court is mearly a court of enquiry—have power only to recognize to the circuit Court of the County for trial—they will all be held to bail I suppose—and this is all the information of importance up to this time.

(two paragraphs about family finances omitted)

We have had a very wet and rainy spring, until within a week past it has rained almost constantly. The Mississippi is “booming high” as is also the Missouri. And very great damage has been done the corn crops here in consequence of the rainy season will be cut off almost entirely.
I conclude this hasty scrawl wishing you every blessing,
Your affectionate Brother, J.M. Burt