News came to Far West that the Rev. Samuel Bogart, with a mob of 75 men,
were committing depredations on Log Creek, destroying property and taking
prisoners. Whereupon Judge Higbee issued an order to raise a force to disperse
the mob. A call to arms was sounded about 10 o'clock at night. Capt. D. [David]
W. Patten and myself with about forty others volunteered, which number he
thought would be sufficient, but as I believed a battle was inevitable I
proposed to go and raise some more men and meet Captain Patten about six miles
from Far West: which was agreed to. I rode through the settlements on Goose and
Log creeks, and rallied the brethren as I went along. When we met we numbered
about seventy-five, and were divided into companies of ten, and then proceeded
by the main road, four miles, to near Crooked river, where we left our horses
tied to Randolph McDonald's fense, and placed a few men to guard them. Captain
Patten divided the party into three companies, taking command of the first
himself, I commanded the second company, and James Durfee the third.
Apprehending that the mob were encamped at Field's house—Captain Patten took his
men and went round to the right of the field, Durfee through the field, and I
round to the left. I arrived at the house about five minutes before the other
companies, which gave me a little time to reconnoiter the premises, Captain
Patten made a short speech, exhorted the brethren to trust on the Lord for
victory, then ordered a march to the ford, along the road.
When near the top of the hill, the words, 'Who comes
there,' were heard, and at the same instant the report of a gun; young P. [Pat]
O'Banion reeled out of the ranks and fell mortally wounded; whereupon Captain
Patten ordered a charge, and rushed down the hill; when within about fifty yards
of the clump, we formed a line. Captain Patten's company at the right, my
company next, which brought me in the road, brother Patten's company was partly
shielded by a club of trees, and brother Durfee's by a thicket of hazel brush.
The mob formed under the bank of the creek, below their
tents, and fired upon us all their guns, brother James
Hendricks fell wounded near me on my left, and brother Hodges fell wounded
on my right. Captain Patten ordered the company to fire, which was obeyed
immediately, after which a calm succeeded for a moment. I commenced calling our
watch-word, 'God and liberty.' in which all the companies joined. Captain Patten
ordered us to charge—the enemy fired a few shots and fled, two lingered behind,
Brother Patten pursued one, and I the other; the man that he pursued wheeled and
shot him. Brother Patten wore a white blanket coat which made him a conspicuous
mark.
The mob left all
their animals and camp equipage and dispersed in nearly all directions, and were
so completely routed that almost every one of them reported that Bogart's whole
company were destroyed and he alone was left to tell the tale.
We took three of our brethren whom
they had prisoners, one of whom was severely wounded by the mob; we gathered up
Captain Patten and the others who were wounded and put them in a wagon, and left
for Far West; the sun was not yet risen. After travelling a few miles, brother
Patten's sufferings became so great he wished to be left; he and Brother Seeley
were then placed upon litters and carried by the brethren. When we arrived near
Log creek, we met President Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, H. C. Kimball and others.
At this place Brother [David] Patten became so ill, he was not able to be borne
any further, we rested a short time."
Charles Rich Journal in "History," Millenial Star 26 (1864) - p.441.
Historical Sketch of James HENDRICKS and Drusilla DORRIS
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