History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

124 THE STORY OF MORMOXISM.
Mormon militia, to disperse the party, which was
done, and the cannon in their possession seized, without
firing a shot. Spreading into other counties, Gilliam's
men raised everywhere the cry that the Mormons
were killing people and burning property.
Soon afterward the Mormon militia returned from
Daviess county to Far West, where they learned that a
large force under Samuel Bogart, a methodist clergyman,
was plundering and burning houses south of
that point, in Ray county, and had taken three men
prisoners, one only of whom was a Mormon. Elias
Higbee, county judge, ordered the Mormon militia
under Captain Patten 21 to retake the prisoners. In
passing through a wood Patten came without knowing
it upon the encampment of Bogart, whose guard
fired without w r arning, killing one of Patten's men.
Patten then attacked, routing Bogart's force, but not
preventing the shooting of the Mormon prisoner,
though he afterward recovered. In the charge one
man was killed, and Patten and one other were mortally
wounded. The company captured forty wagons. 22
About this time arose the mysterious and much
dreaded band that finally took the name of Danites,
or sons of Dan, concerning which so much has been
said while so little is known, some of the Mormons
even denying its existence. But of this there is no
question. Says Burton: "The Danite band, a name
of fear in the Mississippi Valley, is said by anti-
Mormons to consist of men between the ages of seventeen
and forty-nine. They were originally termed
Daughters of Gideon, Destroying Angels—the gentiles
say devils—and, finally, Sons of Dan, or Danites, from
one of whom w T as prophesied he should be a serpent in
the path. They were organized about 1837 under D.
21 Pratt, Persecution, 68, says that the detachment was under the command
of Captain Durphey, aided by Patten.
22 ' The enemy had left their horses, saddles, camp, and baggage in the confusion
of their flight, which fell into our hands. ' PratCs Persecution, 72. ' We
delivered the horses anil spoils of the enemy to Col. Hinckle, the commanding
officer of the regiment.' Id., 74.