LDS Historic Sites of Northwest Missouri Battle of Crooked River

Following the fight over voting rights in Gallatin in August 1838, relations between the Saints and their neighbors deteriorated rapidly. The situation became so tense that the Ray County Militia, under the command of Captain Samuel Bogart, was mobilized on October 24, 1838. Two Latter-day Saints were captured as "spies" that same day. Word of the capture reached Far West later in the evening, and the drums called out the Caldwell (LDS) Militia at midnight to rescue the captured men.

The brethren, under the command of C.C. Rich and David W. Patten (at that time President of the Quorum of the Twelve), caught up with the Ray Countians near dawn on the 25th, at a ford on the Crooked River. Bogart's men were well hidden in the underbrush along the south bank, and the Latter-day Saints were well silhouetted by the rising sun, making their approach obvious and dangerous. A short exchange of gunfire ensued, during which the Missourians became convinced that the Saints were here to fight for themselves, and departed the field poste haste, leaving their prisoners behind. But not before wounding several of the men that were easy targets in the early morning light.

On several occasions, Elder Patten had expressed to the Prophet his wish to die for the faith. Brother Joseph once sadly rejoined him to be careful what he prayed for, because when one as righteous as he prayed for something, the Lord would almost always grant it. David Patten was gravely wounded that day at Crooked River, and was taken to the home of Stephen Winchester, where several hours later the Lord granted his wish to be a martyr for the Gospel in this dispensation. He was the first.

Today the battle site is on private property, inaccessible by public roads. Here is a picture of the countryside where the men of Far West chased down and found the Ray County Militia:

This shot was taken on a hill above the River, not far from the battle site. The road suddenly becomes impassible here as it goes down the hill toward the river. This picture is looking north, toward Caldwell County. The site is a few miles northeast of Lawson, Missouri.

Above is a picture of the Crooked River, looking in the direction in which the battle took place. The actual site is unmarked.