Many non-Mormon residents of Missouri and the…

Many non-Mormon residents of Missouri and the LDS settlers engage in an ongoing conflict, often referred to as the Mormon War, in autumn 1838.

After several skirmishes, the Battle of Crooked River (which involves Missouri state militia troops and a group of Latter Day Saints) occurs.

There is considerable debate as to whether the Mormons knew their opponents were government officials.

Many reports of this battle (some claim that half of the militia's men had been lost, when in fact they had suffered only one casualty), as well as affidavits by ex-Mormons that Mormons are planning to burn both Liberty and Richmond, Missouri, make their way to Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs.