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SOLDIERS OF 1812.
In January, 1858, there was a meeting of the soldiers of the War of 1812
held in Fulton, embracing the following veterans of that war. Of course
no soldiers entered the War of 1812 from Callaway county, for at that
time the county had not been organized. The names of the soldiers found
below were men who emigrated to the county from other States:--
Stephen Brown, 80 years old; John Holt, 77; John Duncanson, 72; Stephen
Maddox, 72; William Martin, 71; William Smith, 70; G. T. Johnson, 68;
William Jones, 68; Samuel Miller, 68; Jesse Bull, 70; Jerre Muir, 67;
S. Sheley, 67; Job Curtis, 67; R. Reily, 67; Charles Maddox, 67; W. W.
Snell, 66; J. J. Adcock, 66; Robert Read, 66; J. A. Robertson, 66; George
Herring, 66; John Bennett, 65; Asa Williams, 65; J. B. Finley, 65; Samuel
Darby, 65; J. C. Anderson, 65; David Dunlap, 64; James McNite, 64; John
Burdett, 64; James Davis, 64; G. B. Hopkins, 63; N. Glasgow, 63; John
Boyd, 61; John West, 61.
Below we give a list of the veterans who were living in the county in
1879:--
Joel Palmer, 83 years old; Thomas S. Suggett, age unknown; Joel J. Adcock,
85; Pat Ewing, 87; Gideon Gaines, 90; Barba Collins, 86; G. B. Hopkins,
85; James M. Griffin, 81; Wiley Vinson, 85; Alfred Barnes, 89; William
Wallace, age unknown; J. R. Davis, 84; W. B. Garrett, 79; Stephen Hyten,
age unknown.
A few more years will close the scroll, and the last survivor of the War
of 1812 will have joined the patriots of ’76 on the other side of
the river.
BLACK HAWK WAR.
In the spring of 1832, Captain Callaway was called on by the Governor
of Missouri to furnish two companies of mounted riflemen, for the purpose
of protecting the northern boundary of the State, during the existence
of the Black Hawk War. The county at that time, contained a population
of something over four thousand whites. Fulton was a small village of
seven years’ growth, built up mostly of log cabins, but notwithstanding
the sparse population, the citizens turned out with great alacrity, and
promptly filled up the two companies required.
The Black Hawk War was the most important event that marked the two decades.
After the close of the war, in 1815, a misunderstanding in relation to
the stipulation of a treaty entered into by the contracting chiefs of
the Sac and Fox Indians, and the commissioners on the part of the government,
culminated in open hostility. The most objectionable part of this treaty
to the Indians was the transfer to the United States government of the
lands above the mouth of Rock River, in Illinois. These green valleys
and flowering plains were rendered sacred to them by the legends of the
past. They were loth [sic] to leave their villages and the burial places
of their fathers. The chiefs increased the dissatisfaction of their people
by denying the validity of the treaty. A very intelligent Indian trader,
residing at the Indian trading post at Keokuk, informed Captain Jameson,
who commanded one of the companies from Callaway County, that Black Hawk
had frequently denied to him ever having given his consent to the sale
that the whites had written, and the clause or stipulation in reference
to the transfer of their lands was an interpolation on the part of the
commissioners. This was, however, a ruse on the part of the wily chieftain,
to unite his people more closely in the defence [sic] of their homes.
When the war became imminent, the settlers along the northern boundary,
near the Des Moines river, owing to their proximity to the Indians, were
apprehensive that hostile and marauding bands would be turned loose on
their defenceless [sic] settlements to perpetrate their peculiar and savage
mode of warfare. At an informal meeting of these pioneers, a request was
forwarded to Governor Miller to send troops to protect them from the anticipated
invasion. The Governor cheerfully complying with their request, ordered
Captain Mace, of the volunteer rangers, to repair to the frontier, and
remain until an organization of the militia could be effected. In the
meantime, a requisition was made on General William Gentry to raise six
companies of mounted riflemen from the counties of Boone, Callaway, Pike
and Ralls—two companies each from the first two, and one from each
of the others. Sometime during the month of June, in 1832, the citizens
of Callaway met at Fulton for the purpose of responding to General Gentry’s
requisition; the officers elected at that meeting were Captain John Jameson
and Patrick Ewing.
John S. Henderson, an old pioneer, who now resides in Callaway county,
and who was a soldier in the Black Hawk War from Callaway county, furnishes
the following interesting sketch in reference thereto:--
“I was a member of Captain Jameson’s company, the subordinate
officers of which were Robert Reed, first lieutenant; and John Gibson,
second lieutenant; Hawley Wilkerson, orderly sergeant. Major Reed had
served with distinction in the War of 1812-15, and participated in the
battle of New Orleans. Lieutenant Gibson was an early pioneer in North-central
Missouri, and had seen service in nearly all the ranging parties in the
first settlement of Montgomery and adjoining counties. The other counties
embraced in General Gentry’s order acted promptly, and furnished
their full quota, the whole forming a battalion commanded by Major Conyers,
of Boone county, a very popular and efficient officer. The entire force
of 450 men was formed into three divisions, of two companies each, to
serve alternately, for the term of thirty days, during the continuance
of hostilities. The first division was composed of the two companies from
Pike and Ralls, commanded respectively by Captains A. B. Chambers and
Matson. The second of one company from Callaway, Captain Jameson, and
one from Boone, Captain David M. Hickman. The third, of the two companies
from Callaway and Boone, commanded by Captains Ewing and Kirtley. About
the first of June the first division was ordered to relieve Captain Mace,
who had occupied the post since early in April. Situated about twelve
mile above the mouth of the Des Moines and six from Keokuk, Captain Mace
had built a very substantial fort, which, in honor of his adopted county,
he named Fort Pike. The fort was eligibly situated immediately on the
bank of the Des Moines river, protected on the north by the river, while
around on either side was an open space of sufficient extent to prevent
an ambuscade within rifle shot. An area of one-half acre was enclosed
with strong oak pickets, with a log block house in the northeast angle.
This was used as a depot for commissary stores.
“On the evening of the 1st of July, 1832, Captain Jameson’s
company left Fulton, en route for Fort Pike. We encamped the first night
at Miller’s Creek, moving on to Columbia the next day, where we
arrived about twelve o’clock. Here we remained until having been
joined by Captain D. M. Hickman’s company, and mustered into service
by the late General Richard Gentry. The expedition left for the frontier,
via Palmyra, which at that early period in the history of the State, we
found a prosperous village of some 400 inhabitants. La Grange, situated
a short distance above Palmyra, had recently been laid off in lots. When
we were there only one cabin gave evidence of the town, and that was in
an unfinished condition. Six miles above we passed though Canton; a few
log cabins formed the nucleus of the present flourishing town. On July
10th we arrived at the fort. On the following morning the companies of
Captains Chambers and Matson took up their line of march for home. No
incident worthy of note occurred on the trip.
“As an episode in these reminiscences I will mention a fact in regard
to Captain Jameson. When he was chosen to command the company, he was
one of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature. The biennial election
was to be held in August, and in accepting the position of a soldier,
he not only risked his own chance of being made a legislator, but also
seriously jeopardized the election of the other candidate associated with
him on the ticket. The two political parties were pretty equally divided,
the preponderancy being somewhat in favor of the Democrats. Captain Jameson’s
company was composed in great part of his political friends. Their term
of service expired on the 10th of August, and as the election was to be
held on the first Monday of that month, which on this occasion was on
the second day, they would necessarily be absent from the polls. The loss
of this vote would be sufficient to turn the political scale in favor
of the Whigs. It was not anticipated that Captain Ewing’s company
would be called on to proceed to the frontier until after the election
as they would have ample time after that event to reach the fort, on or
before the 10th; but Governor Miller, in his political wisdom, came to
the rescue of the party. Captain Ewing’s company was nearly all
Whigs, and just on the eve of the election they were ordered to march
to the frontier, leaving the political parties about on their original
footing as to their comparative strength. The Whig candidates up to this
time had been confident of success, but were decidedly chop-fallen. They
vented their spleen upon the Governor in no measured terms, accusing him
in this premature order of acting in collusion with some of the leading
Democrats. If this was the case, however, their names never came to light,
the Governor being made the scape-goat to bear the sins of others, probably
equally guilty. The result was the election of the Democratic candidates,
Captain John Jameson and Judge Peter G. Glover, by a small majority.
“At the following session of the Legislature Captain Jameson was
elected speaker of the House of Representatives. As the war came on in
the midst of the political canvass, and as Captain Jameson was an able
and popular debator, [sic] his political friends did not look very favorably
on the course he saw proper to take, in accepting the command of the company.
It will be recollected that the campaign of 1832 was one of great excitement
and bitterness. General Jackson’s Presidential term was drawing
to a close, and both parties were busy in marshalling their forces for
the approaching election. The antagonism engendered by the Federal contest
was accompanied with great personal bitterness, which was fully infused
into the local election.
"In defending the frontier settlements Major Conyers kept a scouting
party constantly on the alert, leaving a force only sufficient to garrison
the fort. This plan was also popular with the company, as it relieved
them of the dull, monotonous routine of camp life. These random trips
extended some twenty or thirty miles from the fort, along the tributary
streams of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers, in the western part
of Clark county, and in the northern parts of the present limits of Scotland.
The western part of Clark and all of what is now Scotland county was at
that time unsettled. It had long been a favorite hunting-ground [sic]
of the Sac and Fox Indians. From this cause game was comparatively scarce;
deer and some elk were found. The buffalo had crossed the Des Moines,
but were quite plentiful in the western part of Iowa.
"The honey-bee was found in all this unsettled part of the State--like
Palestine, it was a land flowing with honey--it was not necessary to resort
to the method adopted by the bee-hunters, that of coursing them from bait,
or from their watering places, to obtain a supply of their rich stores.
All that was needed to make an expert hunter was to find the trees suitable
for bees to lodge in. The Indians, although fond of honey, did not put
themselves to much trouble to secure it. The bee-moth was not found at
that time west of the Missouri river. The prairies afforded a profusion
of flowers, and along the water courses were the linden, maple, and other
honey-producing trees, making this a paradise for bees.
"Having been delayed by unfavorable weather, in one of our scouting
expeditions, our stock of provisions was exhausted, and we retraced our
steps in the direction of the fort. Very opportunely we came to a settler's
ranch. It was late in the afternoon, and at the suggestion of the captain--that
the place was suitable as a camping ground--we quickly dismounted and
turned our horses out to graze. A cabin and a potato patch were the only
evidence that a white man had occupied the place, the owner and his family
having removed to a more secure locality. We lost but little time in procuring
potatoes enough to make a substantial if not a sumptuous repast. If the
officers or men had any conscientious scruples in relation to the use
of another man's property, a twelve hours' fast acted as a quietus for
the time being. The owner of the property bore the cognomen of Rutherford.
He had moved here, twenty miles from the outskirts of civilization, in
the previous spring. His cabin was a rude ten by twelve log hut, without
floor or door. A bedstead had been made by driving forks in the ground
in one corner of the building, on which poles were placed lengthwise and
transversely; two three-legged stools, a frying-pan and a small table
made of puncheons, completed the inventory of the furniture.
"In short, --
'The domicil [sic] was rife,
With specimens of frontier life.'
Like Alexander Selkirk, he was 'monarch of all he surveyed,' but when
rumors of war were heard upon the border, unlike him, 'rather than dwell
in the midst of alarms', he concluded to reign in another place; for the
better protection of his scalp, he went to the vicinity of the fort. Shortly
after our return, Rutherford put in an appearance and was clamorous for
pay for the depredations on his potato patch. He made a very earnest,
if not logical, appeal to the officers in his own behalf, in which he
recounted the hardships of making a settlement in the wilderness, and
his dependence of his potatoes for bread and his rifle for meat. Major
Conyers, although willing to repay him fully for the loss he had sustained,
could not forgo the pleasure the opportunity presented to have a little
quiet amusement at the settler's expense. A group of men had collected
at headquarters, all equally anxious for something to turn up. It is said--
'A little nonsense now and then
Is relished by the wisest men.'
"Major Conyers, in response to the pioneer, reminded him that he
was there for the protection of his person and property, and as a consideration
for these services, the claimant ought willingly to contribute something
to the comfort and substantiation of the army, and particularly in an
emergency like that which had overtaken us at his potato patch; but he
pioneer was unable to comprehend the force and application of this terse
reasoning. The argument did not weigh a feather in his estimation. He
planted himself squarely on his reserved rights, as he understood them,
and was willing to 'fight it out on that line.' 'Let any man, or set of
men,' said he, 'interfere with my inborn rights, or my plantation (of
the latter he held fee simple of a squatter), and my rifle will settle
the dispute.' Major Conyers was not disposed further to excite his belligerent
propensities, and frankly informed that he would be fully remunerated
for his potatoes. * * *
"Our term of service expired on the frontier, on the 10th of August,
and being promptly relieved by Captains Ewing and Kirtley, we returned
to our respective homes in Callaway and Boone counties. Captain Jameson
returned as he started, with the confidence and respect of the entire
command, and in his social and official intercourse with his company he
well exemplified, Suaviter in modo, forttter in re. To the younger portion
of this command—there being several under twenty-one years of age—he
was kind, constant and assiduous in his intentions, giving them the necessary
instruction, and affording them the protection and inexperience required.
Captain Hickman was also deservedly popular. Here, as at home, he was
beloved and respected for the many noble traits which adorned his character.
“Before the expiration of the term of Captains Ewing and Kirtley,
the war had closed, Fort Pike was abandoned and the town of St. Francisville
was laid off, and now occupies the site of the old fort. At the beginning
of the war, Black Hawk, with a part of the Sac and Fox Indians, resided
at the mouth of the Rock river, in Illinois; the larger part, however,
had their permanent homes on the Iowa river. These two tribes speak the
same language and are perfectly consolidated by marriage and other sites.
They formerly owned the northern part of Illinois and the northwestern
part of Missouri, above the lands of the Missouri Indians. From the time
they were first seen by the early French settlers, on the Mississippi,
they were the steady and sincere friends of the whites; this friendship
was first interrupted in 1832.
“The Sac and Fox Indians numbered at the beginning of the war 12,400
souls; they were removed from their late reservation in Kansas, and are
now living west of the Creeks and north of the Seminoles; a small band
of something more than 300 still remain in Iowa. They are fast dwindling
to their graves; the tide of civilization has drifted them to the confines
of the great prairie wilderness, which is destined to be their home; the
music of its rushing winds will be their requiem. I saw Black Hawk shortly
after the war; he was en route for the middle and eastern States, traveling
under the protection and at the expense of the government. He was apparently
about forty-five years of age, being in the prime of original manhood;
his features were of the strongly marked Indian type; he manifested that
marked trait in the Indian character—a stoical indifference to surrounding
circumstances. He was accompanied by his son, a good-looking Indian of
about twenty years of age. Shortly after his return to his tribe his heath
failed, and after lingering dejected and broken in spirit , he was gathered
to his fathers—dying October 3, 1838.”
LIST OF CAPTAIN JAMESON’S COMPANY.
First mess.—Thomas Reynolds+, Benjamin F. Sitton+, Captain J. Jameson*,
Thomas Jameson, John Sitton, John T. Smart*.
Second mess.—James M. Dunlap*, L. W. Musick+, Hawley Wilkinson*,
William Thompson+, Jesse B. Thompson+, James Thompson+.
Third mess.—Samuel McKinney*, Charles McKinney*, Franklin Branham*,
Joseph G. Kelso*, S. G. Boulware*, Jos. Richards*.
Fourth mess.—Thomas Austin*, Absalom Austin*, Aaron B. Anderson*,
Charles McIntyre, N. G. Bradley+, Archibald Paseton+.
Fifth mess.—Isaiah W. Craighead*, William Jones, John Gibson*, Robert
C. Baker*, Milton S. Devore*, George W. Harris, Jr.*
Sixth mess.—M. V. Harrison*, James M. Suggett*, Russell Phillips+,
Lewis B. Hawkins+, George W. Harris+, David P. Smart*.
Seventh mess.—Joseph Adair*, James Baskett*, William O. Thompson+,
Cyrus Sharp*, James E. Turley, John White*.
Eighth mess.—James Willingham+, Henry Heriford+, first lieutenant
R. Reed*, John Davis*, William H. Clasby*, Bayless Kilgore+.
Ninth mess.—John Chapman*, Mason S. Thatcher*, Phillip Blattenberg*,
John S. Henderson, Samuel Toler*, Joshua M. Duncan.
Tenth mess.—John Heriford*, William O. Turley*, William Hynes*,
Edward Ayres*, Elisha Archer+, Joseph Saller*.
Eleventh mess.—Alexander R. Letcher*, Peter W. Fort+, Jordan Underwood*,
Hamilton Dunham+, Jarret Dunaway+, John Letcher+.
Twelfth mess.—M. P. Goodrich+, Thomas H. B. Sitton+, Britton Matthews+,
Andrew Alexander*, Benjamin Shepherd*, William H. Dawson*.
*Dead. +Removed from the county.
[NOTE—We made every effort to obtain the names of Captain Patrick
Ewing’s company, but failed.]
MEXICAN WAR.
About the middle of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for
volunteers to join the expedition to Santa Fe, and take part in the war
with Mexico. These troops were to rendezvous at Fort Leavenworth. By the
5th of June the companies began to arrive, and were mustered and lettered
in the order of their arrival. The first regiment of Missouri mounted
volunteers consisted of eight companies: A, 114 men, from Jackson county,
commanded by Captain Waldo; B, 112 men, from Lafayette county, Captain
Walton; C, 113 men, from Clay county, Captain Moss; D, 94 men, from Saline
county, Captain Reid; E, 117 men, from Franklin county, Captain Stephenson;
F, 100 men, from Cole county, Captain Parsons; G, 100 men, from Howard
county, Captain Jackson; H, 104 men, from Callaway county, Captain Rodgers.
The entire regiment numbered 856 men.
The election of officers on the 18th of June, resulted in the election
of Alexander W. Doniphan for colonel, C. F. Ruff, lieutenant-colonel,
and William Gilpin, major. All the officers had volunteered as privates,
but Colonel Doniphan was already noted as a distinguished lawyer, and
had been a conspicuous member of the Legislature.
The entire expedition under the command of General Stephen W. Kearney,
of the regular army, consisted of 1,658 men and sixteen pieces of ordnance.
The main body of this force commenced its march across the plains towards
New Mexico, on the 16th of June. The whole distance was almost an unbroken
wild, an dthe march was beset with difficulties, hardly conceivable to
those who have not experienced them; but this army was composed of strong
and brave men, full of enthusiasm, and possessed of a spirit not to be
disheartened by obstacles.
When the army approached Santa Fe the enemy fled, and on August 18, 1846,
after a march of 900 miles, the city was occupied without the loss of
a single man. In a short time the whole surrounding territory quietly
submitted to the authority of the United States. From Santa Fe General
Kearney took his departure for California, leaving Colonel Doniphan in
command of the troops, with orders to march against the Navajo Indians,
who had failed to attend a council for making peace with the United States
and had continued their depredations. After treating with these Indians
and requiring security for their future conduct, Colonel Doniphan was
ordered to report to General Wood. Adjutant G. W. Butler, of Colonel Doniphan’s
staff, and Lieutenant Snell, of Captain Roger’s company, brother
of Colonel W. T. Snell, a banker of Fulton, Missouri, died while on the
expedition. Captain Rogers was so disabled that the command of the company
devolved upon Lieutenant Harrison.
After the treaty with the Indians was concluded the troops took up their
march toward Chihuahua. The battles of Brazito and Sacramento were fought
on this march. At Brazito eight of Colonel Doniphan’s men were wounded.
One of this number was W. Dooley, of Captain Roger’s company.
The battle of Sacramento was a very notable one. With less than a thousand
men the Americans gained a decisive victory over more than four times
their number of Mexicans. Colonel Doniphan’s loss was one killed
and eleven wounded, three mortally; while the Mexicans had 320 killed,
560 wounded and seventy-two taken prisoners. J. F. Fleming, of Callaway
county, was wounded in this battle. Chihuahua, the great stronghold of
central Mexico, was entered on March 1, 1847, the next day after the battle
of Sacramento. After holding this city for some time, Colonel Doniphan
marched to join General Wood. This officer congratulated the Missouri
troops in very complimentary terms, saying that no troops could point
to a more brilliant career than those commanded by Colonel Doniphan. They
were permitted to retain the Mexican cannon captured at Sacramento, as
trophies of their victory. They reported to General Taylor at Monterey,
on May 27, 1847, and there received instructions in regard to being mustered
out of the service. The forces were directed to proceed to the mouth of
the Rio Grande and there take water transportation for New Orleans. The
men embarked for New Orleans on the 9th of June, in the sail vessel Republic,
and arrived at that place on the 15th of the same month, meeting with
the most cordial reception. Having been paid and discharged by the 28th
of June, the soldiers departed for their homes. About 300 of them were
formally received by the citizens of St. Louis, on July 2, with processions,
and speeches by the Hon. Thomas H. Benton and others. Here Colonel Doniphan
was crowned with a laurel wreath, the “gift of beauty to valor.”
Of the 856 men in the regiment at the outset, 120 were lost by death,
discharge, transfer, etc., so that 736 men were finally mustered out of
the service. Below we give a list of the officers and privates of Captain
Rogers’ company, which is as full as we can make it—seven
names being necessary to complete the roll. A large number of the men
are dead, but we are unable to say how many:--
Officers.—Charles Rodgers*, captain; J. B. Duncan, first lieutenant;
James Smith*, second lieutenant; B. F. Murray, third lieutenant; F. Letcher,
first sergeant; Thomas Jameson, second sergeant; B. P. Jones, third sergeant;
Phillip Blanckenburg, fourth sergeant; Thomas Harrison, first corporal;
C. A. Rogers, second corporal.
Privates.—C. Harrison, B. French, W. French, A. Reed, Frank Berry,
R. M. Berry, Berry Collier, J. Beeding, W. McCray, J. Oldham, E. J. Overfelt,
W. Payton, A. Carter, J. Johnson, Lewis Jones, John M. Davis, W. Morris,
H. Dooley, W. Dooley, Kit. Bullard, J. Adcock, J. Thompson, V. Thompson,
W. Thompson, David Kern, R. Yancey, W. A. Dickinson, W. Baker, T. Baker,
John Leopard*, Hall Wilkerson, J. Thorp, Glover Collins, ---Andrews, J.
W. Kelso, R. Steward, F. Davis, S. T. Sharp, B. Smart, M. Love, C. Wright,
John Maddox, M. Trimble, W. Trimble, J. Trimble, B. F. Bailey*, J. W.
Bailey, J. Harper, Levi Blount, ---Owen, ---Cockerell, J. Price, Odon
Guitar, J. Roberts, J. F. Fleming, W. H. Northcut, R. S. Dunlap, R. J.
Williamson, T. Ficklin, D. H. Overton*, Charles Hill, H. Y. C. Neal*,
---Habernight, V. Davis, L. Frank, David Craig, John Ennett, John Swon,
W. Bagby, U. Maddox*, J. Humphreys, T. Boles, John McClure*, H. S. Hunter,
L. Derieux, Jefferson Ridgeway*, R. Glover, James George*, P. Divers,
---Aylet, W. Broadwater, Elijah A. Wills, R. A. Raphael*, Thomsa L. Tureman*,
U. Vanbibber, ---Ryan, F. S. McKinney*.
*Deceased.
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.
The years of 1849 and 1850 will be remembered by the old settlers of Callaway
county as the periods when the gold excitement in California reached its
highest point, an as the years when the people generally throughout the
American Union, as well as Callaway county, were alike smitten with the
gold fever. The earliest settlers, like their descendants of to-day, soon
learned that—
“Gold is the strength, the sinews of the world;
The health, the soul, the beauty most divine;”
and manifested their love and appreciation of the saffron-hued metal by
separating themselves from their homes and friends, and taking up their
line of march to the gold fields of California. Callaway county sent forth
many of her sons—some of whom were men with gray beards, and boys
still in their teens—to that far-distant region, all animated with
the hope that their labors, their sacrifices and their bravery, would
be rewarded with an abundance of the glittering and precious ore.
CALLAWAY EMIGRANTS.
The following is in part a list of the emigrants who proposed to emigrate
from this county to California in the spring of 1850. the list numbers
235 names, twenty-two of whom resided in Fulton: William Armstrong, Joseph
Adcock, William Arnett, Hugh Alkinson, James Allen, John Allen, William
Allen, ---Bailey, Wash Bright, Alfred Bowman, Robert M. Boyd, Thomas G.
Baker, John R. Burdett, James Bradley, Elkana Brooks, W. A. Bagby, James
Bartley, John Bailey, George W. Bailey, B. Hall, William Hook, Dr. John
H. Howard, William Hendrix, Abner Holt, Ed. Hopkins, Rufus Hisey, John
Irvine, Alexander Irvine, William Jones, Robert Jones, Walter Jones, William
James, William Johnson, William Johnson, Benjamin Jones, Oratio Jones,
Richard Jackson, Samuel Bright, Thomas Baker, William Baker, Walter Bradley,
William Bright, Thomas Bowls, ---Baskins, Spephin Bowles, William Bradley,
Sim Brannam, John Bellows, F. Brandon, Willis Bennett, John Bennett, T.
W. Bradley, Henry C. Bradley, Burt Bradley, Robert Brown, B. Bowden, John
Bowden, B. H. Brown, James Brown, Thomas Boyd, William Buckner, James
Broughton, W. F. Bryant, Benjamin Baker, William T. Baker, Thomas Baker,
Philip Blackenburgh, George Bradley, James Benson, William M. Baker, Jackson
Benson, John Baker, I. W. Boulware, --Chiles, Alexander Cleveland, W.
P. Clatterbuck, Robert Carter, S. D. Conger, Thomas Conger, E. Conger,
F. Cummins, James Conger, Stephen Conger, Jr., James Coons, John Carney,
Alexander Carter, John Crowson, W. L. Crowson, Peter Crow, --Callaway,
Jno. R. Craighead, Isaiah W. Craighead, Lemuel Carter, David W. Craig,
J. E. Cook, D. Crosswhite, J. W. Doubleday, Samuel Dyer, Thomas Davidson,
James W. Davis, F. R. Davis, F. Darioux, I. Davis, Joseph Ewing, Joshua
C. Ewing, James Ellis, Henry N. Ewing, J. Easton, --Foxworthy, Absalom
Ferguson, John Ferguson, B. French, Thomas Farmer, George Ferrier, John
Fitzhugh, Irvin Fry, Samuel Grant, William Gregory, W. H. Gilbert, Samuel
Gill, J. P. Gibbs, George Gordon, T. W. Grey, Robert Glover, John Glasgow,
William Glasgow, John Green, Thomas Gilmore and son, William Hume, John
P. Harrison, George W. Hamilton, William Hoover, Hugh Herrymann, Green
Hubbard, William Hubbard, Thomas Holland, Crockett Harrison, James Harrison,
Samuel Harrison, James Kennedy, Joseph M. Key, A. Key, William Knott,
E. King, W. King, F. F. Letcher, W. S. Letcher and lady, John A. Lepard,
Monroe Lynes, Jefferson W. Lynes, Smith Lawson, James Lawrence, Ch. McKinney
and son, John Mosely, W. L. Moore, Wharton Moore, Russell Martin, Jeremiah
Muir, R. Majors, H. Majors, Jerry Miller, George Morris, Jos. Morris,
James Morris, Isaac McCord, M. McIntire, Arch. McClintock, Samuel McClintock,
Stephen Messick, Mathew Mason, John Mason, R. Miller, John Neill, Jeremiah
N. B. Neill, Calvin Nichol, Henry Neill, Madison Nichols, Marshall Neviss,
James Nichols, Ole Nelson, William B. Price, ---Pogue, Captain Joseph
Price, W. F. Pugh, William Payton, John V. Pemberton, John Peters, William
Pauley, Walter Robinson, William Renoe, Benjamin F. Robertson, James M.
Riley, William Rothwell, R. D. Rodgers, Dr. E. Rackliff, William Rodman,
William Rutherford, R. Reynolds, J. Ryan, W. Reynolds, E. W. Ratekin,
John Smith, Caswell Snell, Isaac D. Snedecor, William Stephens, Dr. W.
E. Stephens, Boston W. Shobe, James Simpson, William Setters, R. L. Swope,
James C. Scott, Samuel T. Snedecor, Benjamin Suggett, Jefferson Trimble,
Samuel Trimble, Marcellus Threlkeld, Calvin Tate, James Turmans, William
Smith, Benjamin Truitt, Charles Tarrh, T. J. Trimble, Ulten Underwood,
W. W. Vaughan, Elijah Vansandt, W. L. Vaughan, James Whiteside, E. Worthington,
John Ward, Dr. A. Wilkerson, George W. Wilkerson, Robert Wells, C. Wright,
John Wilson, Jeptha Yates.
It is possible that all the parties whose names appear above did not go
to California. Just how many did go, we have not been definitely informed.
The following company started fro that distant region about the first
of May, 1850:--
CALLAWAY COMPANY.
The Callaway company, en route for California, met on the plains ten miles
west of St. Joseph, when they proceeded to organize by adopting a constitution
and electing officers.
Major James Tate was unanimously elected president, with powers of a military
captain, and A. George was unanimously elected vice-president, with powers
of first lieutenant; S. G. Letcher, secretary of the company, with powers
of a second lieutenant. John Harper, B. F. Trimble, Glover Collins, W.
H. Wilson, Alfred Shobe, Z. C. Welbourn, J. W. Anderson, R. W. Thurman
and James M. Goggin were constituted a judicial board, with powers of
sergeants. Robert Dunlap, David McClure, J. W. Drisdell, J. F. Coons,
Edwin Curd, J. P. Vanlear and Herman Habernicht were elected a legislative
body. The following is a list of all the members present on the day of
organization; but various applications were afterwards made to them, sufficient
to swell the number to 100.
LIST OF
COMPANY.
Frank Trimble, E. J. Overfelt, Robert Bailey, Robert Dunlap, John Trimble,
A. G. Dunlap, John Harper, A. G. Harper, Edward Snell, William Wallton,
David McClure, A. W. Fisher, Andrew Harrison, J. W. Smith, B. F. Driskell,
Z. C. Wilbourn, G. Page, Thomas Hickerson, J. W. Driskell, Robert Poag,
R. W. Thurman, J. M. Coons, T. J. Coons, W. W. Robertson, John Smith,
J. F. Coons, M. H. Collins, W. D. Collins, S. G. Collins, J. W. Anderson,
A. George, Edwin Curd, J. O. Craghead, G. F. Swope, S. G. Letcher, W.
H. Wilson, James Tate, T. S. Wilson, J. Foxworthy, J. P. Vanlear, J. T.
Buckner, J. M. Goggin, J. S. Watkins, Thomas Goodrich, Thomas Swepstore,
R. George, Givens George, John Wilson, H. Habernicht, A. Shobe, W. V.
Arnold.
The following poem, written by a local poet, appeared in the Fulton Telegraph,
April 1, 1850:--
CALIFORNIA
GOLD.
“Gold, precious metal, but alas!
It joy and sorrow brings—
Come read the papers as they pass,
Of California things.
The California fever here,
It rages very high;
The cause of many souls I fear,
To moan, lament and sigh!
Though some there are have fortunes made,
Through hardship, toil and pain,
While thousands of them, it is said,
Have spent their time in vain.
They move about the busy way—
From day to day they roam,
And sadly disappointed they—
They wish themselves at home.
The search of gold, what has it done?
Come tell me if you can!
Go ask the broken-hearted one,
The woman, or the man!
A sad and mournful tale you’ll hear!
Deluded souls are fled—
Fathers, sons, brothers, husbands dear,
Lie numbered with the dead!
Along those dreadful, dang’rous ways,
On every side are seen
The marks of some sad gloomy days,
That shows what there have been!
The toil and suff’ring on the way
Through which they have to go;
Ah! who can tell, or who can say,
Beset with pain and woe!
And yet they flock along space,
The golden land to see;
Not thinking what may be their case,
They move away in glee.
Now I would have them to take care-
Reflect on it in time,
A nurs’ry of disease is there,
A school of vice and crime;
Where desperate men in search of prey,
Their object to fulfil [sic]—
They lurk and watch, both night and day,
To rob, and sometimes kill.
The gambler, too (pretended friend),
Will coax and urge them on—
He’ll fleece their purse from end to end,
Till all they have is gone.
Alas! how thoughtless and how blind,
How frail we mortals are—
We leave our happy homes behind
In search of gold elsewhere.
So goes the world from time to time
In search of worldly gain—
And oft we move from clime to clime,
In sorrow, grief and pain.
That great All-wise, first cause of all,
Left free the human will—
Though bound in chains by Adam’s fall,
May choose the good from ill.
Then let the world move as it may—
Be watchful, cautious, wise,
And you will find, mark what I say,
Sweet home the golden prize.”
After the emigrants arrived in California, the following letter was
received by a gentleman who then resided in Fulton:--
FROM THE CALLAWAY EMIGRANTS.
“Sacramento City, August 29, 1850.
Dear sir: I should have written to you earlier announcing the safe arrival
of myself and numerous fellow travelers from Callaway county, in this
land of golden phantoms, but my first impressions of the country were
so much at variance with all my preconceived opinions of California, that
I considered it proper to wait until observation and experience had convinced
me of the true state of things. Before entering upon matters immediately
connected with the country I will, however, glance back at the long pathway
of destruction, death, suffering and misery which leads to it across the
mountains and deserts from Missouri here. My last letter to you was written
at the ferry on North Platte. So far the journey had been pleasant; we
were in high spirits, and little dreamed of the trials and tolls that
awaited us. From thence to the South Pass we had little grass, but otherwise
got on very well. We rejoiced as we began to descend along the streams
which pour their waters in to the Pacific, deeming our journey half over,
and the latter part the easier, as being a descent; but soon the mountain
fever began its operations amongst us. At one time all but James Allen
were sick, very sick for two or three days, and in two wagons from Boone
county (Messrs. Black and Hubbard and Turner’s) there were four
sick. I was at no time unable to administer medicine, --the disease easily
yielded to prompt treatment,--and in eight or ten days all were able to
assist in camp duties, though many persons lingered for weeks under it,
and some died. In the meantime we traveled by moderate stages, taking
the Salt Lake road at the Cut-off. At Fort Bridger Mr. West, one of our
traveling companions from Nashville, Boone county, had the misfortune
to discharge a pistol loaded with buck-shot against his body. The greater
part of the charge was intercepted by the cap of the holster in which
the pistol was, and his vest pocket and waistband of his pantaloons. Four
shots penetrated through his clothes, one entering his body just below
the lower rib, ranging upwards towards the right side, as the pistol had
been discharged by being thrown out of the front wagon by himself pulling
out a laryette, [sic] and falling upon the hounds was discharged in an
upward direction. There was no physician to be called upon, and we did
the best our judgments could dictate, but from the apparent course of
the shot and the high fever that immediately ensued, and the intense pain
he complained of, we believed he would soon die. After lying by one day,
my team moved forward, also Turner’s. I remained to do what I could,
and at length found a physician in a passing train who had instruments,
and after examination he gave it as his opinion that the shot had glanced
around the intestines and had probably lodged where it would do but little
ultimate damage. He approved of the course that had been pursued, and
advised us shortly to proceed on our journey and get to Salt Lake. The
next day at noon the company was overtaken, the patient doing well. He
then got into Mr. Hickerson’s spring hack, in which he rode with
ease, and in a few weeks was walking as brisk as the balance.
“The road to Salt Lake we found partly very good; grass all the
way abundant, but the last eighty miles is as bad as ever was travelled
[sic]. We passed through deep, narrow canons [sic], and almost every half
hour crossed deep, narrow streams, with precipitous or rather perpendicular
banks, over which in the States it would appear impossible to drive an
empty wagon. On we went, however, without any material difficulty, or
any accident occuring [sic] to our wagon, but frequently having to aid
others in righting their upset wagons, and pulling out their mired horses
and mules. We finally reached the great valley on the 20th of June, all
in good health. A great many came by the lake to obtain a supply of provisions,
but were disappointed, as none were to be had until after harvest. Some
remained to wait for harvest, a few obtained fifty pounds of flour in
exchange for a good horse, and others rushed on, trusting to rapid driving
and charity of others to carry them through.
"I intended to have given you in full the results of my inquiries
and observations among the people of this secluded, rich and beautiful
valley--the morals (?) politics, progress and prospects of the inhabitants
of the celestial valley, but have not space now. I will endeavor to recur
to it some of these days, as it may answer for copy for you first page.
"Leaving Salt Lake City, we passed up the valley, northward, seventy-five
miles, to Bear river; this was the fifth ferry we had to pay, besides
the Platte ferry. The road and grass all this distance were splendid,
Salt Lake all the time in sight, but the mass of its waters were hidden
behind a high promontory. From Bear river, the road turns west amongst
the low mountains--occasionally opening on the lake. Here are some rich
and beautiful valleys, destined ere long to be filled with a Mormon population
from Europe.
"From the head of Salt Lake to Humboldt or St. Mary's river, our
progress was agreeable, though the country is very mountainous and grass
in many places scarce. On the 4th of July we crossed the head waters of
the Humboldt. At this point a man lay dying, who had been shot with an
arrow on the 2d by the Indians, while on guard with his horses. We found
the river high. Carried our plunder over on our shoulders, wading to the
armpits--pulling over our wagons with ropes, and swam our stock. This
was the only time we crossed the river with our wagons, the water so high
that the emigrants had to form a new road entirely on the north side,
making the distance nearly 100 miles farther than the river road, according
to the statement of many who had travelled [sic] it before. For the first
three or four days we had but little to complain of, but then the valley
of the Humboldt began to prove itself to be to stock the 'valley of the
shadow of death'--a modern 'Golgotha' in the fullest sense, and for men
to work their way down it this year with teams, required the most powerful
and unremitting exertions, such as exhausted nearly the last energies
of the system. All the feed that was obtained for stock had to be cut
and floated over the river, and then very frequently carried from half
a mile to a mile and a quarter, through sloughs and mud from knee keep
to waist deep. In many places grass could not be obtained for swimming
and cutting, but had to be pulled up by the roots from amongst the rushes
and willows, and then washed. For two hundred miles this immense labor
was to be performed every time that stock was fed. No wonder then that
the loss of stock, especially horses, has been very great. The whole atmosphere,
when we came along in July, was rank with fetor of dead stock--now it
is much worse. The grasses along this horrible river appear to lack the
ordinary nutritious qualities, and the water, diluted as one would have
supposed its poisonous minerals to have been, from the overflowing fullness
of the river, afflicted stock with universal diabetes that wasted them
rapidly. There has this year been an almost universal shortness of provisions
amongst the emigrants, caused, I presume, by the fear of general waste
that occurred last year, but owing to the timely supplies sent out by
the traders and the generous liberality of the citizens of Sacramento,
no cases of starvation occurred that I have heard of, though many were
on very short allowance while on the Humboldt, and to wade and swim that
all the time to relieve the weak stock, stand guard and live on half rations,
was just about as much as men could stand up to. In crossing the desert
there were many individual instances of peculiar suffering, but all that
I have heard of got thorough with life. Carson valley reached, and all
serious difficulties were ended. Flour could be obtained at $2 a pound,
pork $2.25. A good horse would purchase from ten to fifteen pounds; a
common one five pounds, to those who had no money. To those who had neither
money nor stock, the traders would always give enough to carry them from
one station to another. For this kindness the emigrants felt grateful
to the traders, but in some other matters they practised [sic] a lying
deception far from being honorable. In order to purchase stock cheap they
told the emigrants, even their intimate aqcuaintances, [sic] that stock
was worth nothing almost, and that wagons and harness could be picked
up around the commons in California; when in fact wagons are now selling
for $100 to $150 and harness $30 to $50 a set. Horses and mules that have
just come in bring from $30 to $80 a head. Oxen about $75 per yoke. And
I have seen some of these men, whom I had known before, bring in as many
wagons as they could, and these loaded with harness and other things which
they had partly caused to be thrown away. As we passed up Carson valley
we saw a number of persons who had been out prospecting for gold among
the mountains. They had found gold in considerable quantities, but water
for washing it was very scarce. They said it would not pay to remain there,
but many have since gone over to join them.
"As to California, the terminus of our wearisome journey, the goal
of all our hopes, I scarcely know how to write about it so as to be believed.
Multitudes in the States have got the idea fixed in their minds that there
is no more to do but to come to California, be industrious and economical,
and a fortune is certain, and the most brilliant golden tales are so emblazoned
before their eyes by the press, that nothing that wears a darker shade
can be apprehended or receive nay attention. The first thing that struck
my attention upon entering the mining regions, was the general expression
of dissatisfaction amongst the miners, and the constant travelling [sic]
to and fro that I observed. I could liken it to nothing else than a vast
swarm of bees that had lost their queen. Miners are seen moving at all
times and in all possible directions, with their blankets and tools upon
their backs, hunting for new diggings. At the same time on every stream
where water can be had, men are hard at work, some making a little money,
and many only making expenses, while a very, very few strike upon a rich
spot and take out several hundred dollars or perhaps thousands in a few
days; and these are the miners your [sic] hear tell of in the papers.
The thousands who are making only their board or a little over, and who
would be willing to accept of $3 a day at any kind of employment they
could obtain, are never mentioned by the press of this country especially,
and I observe that it is from the papers of this country that others copy
most of their gold news. Wages here are very much reduced; teamsters can
be hired at $50 to $75 per month, $100 is about the highest; cooks, $100,
etc.
"Hundreds have spent large sums of money in damming streams which
have not paid one cent. A few again, especially on Feather river, have
done well; but there has been no chance for the emigrants of this year
to share in these rich deposits except by buying out claims generally
at large prices. This few have done, or had the means to do. the chances
of making money rapidly here are about over, and people here have all
lowered their expectations, and brought themselves to contemplate very
small amounts as being enough to go home with; thousands, I will venture
to say, would go if they had enough to pay their wey. [sic] Of last years
miners there are many who a few months ago, were worth from $2,000 to
$5,000 are now without anything, having spent it prospecting and damming
rivers.
"Provisions are now abundant and comparatively cheap; flour $8 to
$9; pork, $30 per barrel; sugar fifteen to twenty cents; potatoes, $7
to $9, etc.
"Most of the Callaway emigrants have arrived, generally in good health
and bring their stock. Their names are too numerous for me to attempt
mentioning in this already verbose epistle. Mr. Alfred George, the bearer
of this, who is just starting for home, carries with him a large number
of letters from emigrants to their friends
"Yours etc., FULTON."
THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION.
All that transpired during that memorable struggle would fill a large
volume. Callaway county, as did the State of Missouri generally, suffered
much. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied by either one of
the other antagonistic elements, and her citizens were called upon to
contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. However
much we might desire to enter into the details of the war, we could not
do so, as the material for such a history is not at hand. Indeed, were
it even possible to present the facts as they occurred; we doubt the propriety
of so doing, as we would thereby reopen the wounds which have partially
been healed by the flight of time and the hopes of the future. It were
better to let the passions and the deep asperities which were then engendered,
and all that serves to remind us of that unhappy period, be forgotten.
We have tried in vain to obtain the number and names of the men who entered
the Confederate army from Callaway county. No record of them has ever
been preserved, either by the officers who commanded the men, or by the
Confederate government. In all, thirteen companies entered the Southern
army from Callaway county, commanded by the following officers: D. H.
McIntyre, I. N. Sitton, David Craig, Milton Scholl, Henry Burt, Thomas
Holland, Creed Carter, George Brooks, Thomas Hamilton, Jefferson Gibbs,
Robert M. Berry, Preston Wilkerson, George Law. These companies were not
all full. There were, however, scores of men who left the county singly
or in squads of from two to four each, and joined the Southern army further
South. From the best information we can obtain, the number of men who
from first to last united their fortunes with the Confederate army, might
be placed somewhere between eight and eleven hundred.
UNION ARMY.
The number of white men who entered the Union army from Callaway county
is estimated to have been about three hundred and fifty. There were three
full companies and a portion of another. The full companies were under
the command of Captains William T. Snell, Henry Thomas and J. J. P. Johnson.
Benjamin Sharp, who now resides at Wellsville, Montgomery county, Missouri,
was captain of a company partly made up of Callaway men.
BATTLE OF MOORE'S
MILL.
On the 29th day of July, 1862, a battle was fought at Moore's Mill, in
Callaway county. This was the only engagement that took place in the county
between the Federals and Confederates. The account given below is taken
from the Missouri Telegraph. There were fifty-nine Federals killed and
wounded, and twenty-seven Confederates:
"Since issuing our extra of the 29th ult., we have been able t obtain
the following list of the loss in the battle of Moore's Mill, seven miles
northeast of this city, between Colonel Porter, of the Confederate army,
and detachments of Federals under Colonel Guitar, his principal officers
being Lieutenant-Colonel Shaffee and Major Clopper, of the Missouri troops,
and Major Caldwell, of the Third Iowa. Our readers may rely on the following
as correct:--
"Merrill's Horse--Killed.--Sergeant Cameron, company K; Bugler Ludwigstize,
company K; Private McBride, company K; Private Walters, company K; Private
James Taylor, company I--five. Wounded--Lieutenant Myers, company K, several
places, severe; Private Liechte, company K, in the knee, slight; Private
Hoye, company K, in groin and breast, mortal; Private Vankamp, company
K, in leg, severe; Private Kidner, company K, in leg, severe; Corporal
Bower, company K, in leg and shoulder, severe; first Sergeant, G. Bradshaw,
company I, in neck and shoulder, severe; Private J. J. Long, company I,
in arm and shoulder, severe; Private N. H. Truder, company H, in arm,
slight; Private E. Toyer, company H, in eye and head, severely--ten.
"Third Iowa Cavalry--Killed.--James Cross, company E; B. F. Holland,
company E; John Morgan, company E; Robert Parker, company G--four. Wounded--T.
Johnson, company E, in thigh, slight; C. Gregory, company E, in breast,
severe; M. J. Clark, company E, in groin, severe; W. F. Craven, company
E, in arm and knee, slight; M. Worley, company E, in leg, slight; J. Worley,
company E, in shoulder, slight; H. Morris, company E, in arm, slight;
G. Cheatham, company E, in breast, severe; J. Harber, company E, in cheek
and shoulder, severe; S. Shane, company G, in leg, severe; J. Burton,
company G, in leg, slight; R. Watts, company G, in shoulder, severe; W.
Vandyke, company G, in breast, severe; J. A. Dunham, company G, in arm,
severe; C. W. Gleason, company H, in leg and foot; F. W. Campbell, company
H, in shoulder, severe; S. H. Owens, company H, in the shoulder; A. C.
Barker, company H--eighteen.
"Louisiana Independent Red Rovers--Wounded.--G. W. Selvy, in breast,
severe, (since died); L. B. McCans, in neck, mortal, (since died); A.
D. Tipple, in leg and shoulder, severe; W. Ousley, in wrist, severe; W.
Codey, in thigh, severe; Oscar Gilbert, in leg, severe; W. P. McCans,
in face, severe; T. R. Doge, in leg, slight; George W. Moore--nine.
"Parts of Companies A, B, G and F of the Ninth Missouri, Colonel
Guitar--Killed.--Richard Baker, George Shultz--two. Wounded.--Bugler Gallatly,
in several places, dangerous; H. Shrader, in head, severe; P. Knitzer,
in head, severe; L. Snowden, mortally; J. Tudor, in leg, severe; W. A.
Mason, in hip and hand, severe; H. Shultz, in thigh, slight; Fleming,
in arm, severe; R. H. Breese, in head, slight; M. Dalton, in elbow, slight;
E. C. Music--eleven.
"The above includes the entire list of killed and wounded on the
part of the Federals, except those of the Indian battery, of which we
learn one was killed and two wounded. Thus, it will be seen that the entire
number of killed and wounded of the Federals foots up fifty-nine. Several
of those who were wounded have died since the day of the battle. The whole
number of the Federals dead, up to this time, is fifteen.
"The rebel loss in killed and wounded amounts to twenty-seven. Five
of this number were killed outright, and one has since died. We have not
been able to learn the names of all the dead and wounded of the rebels,
many of the wounded refusing to give their names.
"The following is as perfect a list as could be obtained: Captain
Penny, of Marion county, killed by grape shot; Private J. Fowler, killed
by a minie ball; C. H. Hance, of Randolph county, wounded in arm and thigh,
very sever; D. P. Brown, of Boone county, wounded in head, mortally; William
Gibson, of Scotland county, wounded in left shoulder, not dangerous; Thomas
B. Moore, of Lincoln county, wounded in left breast, severe; James Tolson,
of Boone county, wounded in leg, below the knee, severe; G. T. Joyner,
of Shelbyville, Missouri, wounded in leg, severe; John McKnight, of Boone
county, wounded in shoulder, severe; J. W. Splawn, of Ralls county, wounded
in breast (since died); E. B. McGee, of Monroe county, wounded in head,
dangerous; George D. J. Endine, of Marion county; ---Tole, of Marion county;
---Hamilton, of Marion county.
"We did not learn the character of the wounds of the last three,
but understand they are badly wounded.
"The foregoing includes the names of all of the rebel dead and wounded
that we could obtain. We regret that we cannot give the names of all their
killed and wounded; and out of their entire loss (twenty-seven), we can
only give the names above. We do not suppose they took any of their wounded
off with them, for they had no means of carrying them, having no wagons
nor ambulances. They travel without any encumbrances. Porter carries no
tents, no cannon, no trains, no supplies. He and his men sleep on their
blankets beneath the trees, and subsist on the supplies which they get
from friend and foe on their way.
"We here repeat what we said in our extra of Tuesday last--that the
battle of Moore's Mill was one of the hardest-fought and most hotly contested
battles that has taken place since this Rebellion commenced, considering
the numbers engaged and the circumstances by which the Union troops were
surrounded.
"Colonel Guitar, with 875 men and two pieces of cannon, came upon
Porter, with 350 men concealed in the bushes, before he was aware of his
whereabouts, our troops receiving a shower of balls from the rebels before
they fired a gun. The heroic Union boys soon recovered from the shock,
and were not slow in returning a deadly fire. The battle raged for two
hours, when the rebels were put to flight. They left so precipitately,
that if they had any baggage, supplies, or, indeed, anything but themselves
and horses, it would have fallen into the hands of the Union troops.
"All the troops are loud in their praise of the heroic bravery of
Colonel Guitar. Indeed, all--officers and privates--did nobly and bravely.
"Porter and his men fought with desperation. The Union troops admit
that the rebels showed grit and determination--that their courage and
bravery were worthy a better cause.
"We learned from one of the rebel wounded that Porter was deceived
in regard to the number of Union troops. He had been advised, by some
means, of the number that left this place on Sunday last to attack him
at Brown's Spring, but did not know that Colonel Guitar had received reinforcements.
The wounded rebel said, that if Porter had known the number of Colonel
Guitar's forces, he would not have stopped for a fight--that the Union
troops had given them more than they had bargained for.
"Colonel Guitar left in pursuit of Porter and his rebel band early
on Tuesday morning. We learn that the rebels divided into squads, and
took different directions.
"Porter had better skedaddle, for he has in his pursuit a brave,
energetic officer, well fitted to lead the true, tried and heroic troops
that are under him; and if Porter don't get beyond kingdom come, the boys
will 'take him in.'
"There was one prisoner--Doctor William W. McFarlane, brother of
Captain McFarlane, of Colonel Guitar's regiment, taken by the Union troops
on the battlefield. The rebels took no prisoners.
We hope and trust that Porter and his like will keep out of this county.
The citizens, before he came, were quiet--all was quiet, and peace reigned
in our midst. All classes were attending to their legitimate business.
We hope, too, that we may not have to record the history of another battle
in our county."
A RELIC OF WAR.
"To the people of Callaway county.--Those in command have sent me
among you with instructions to see that the laws and military orders lately
issued are enforced. One of these orders requires that all able-bodied
men subject to military duty, that is, all between the ages of eighteen
and forty-five, and all disloyal persons should enroll themselves, and
the latter deliver up their arms. It is not necessary for me to allude
to the means which your government has instructed me to use in order to
enforce the enrollment and disarming; for I shall act upon the presumption
that you will comply with the orders when the means are given you to do
so. The means are now offered to you, and I ask those subject to military
duty to come forward at once and enroll themselves. All disloyal persons,
not subject to military duty, are also requested to enroll themselves
and deliver up their arms. My headquarters are established at the Lunatic
Asylum, where the enrollment will take place, and the arms received. Full
protection is guaranteed to all who come and go these headquarters for
the purpose of complying with the orders alluded to.
"Let no consideration induce you to abstain from fulfilling your
duty; for you may rest assured that the orders will be enforced.
"A. KREKEL,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Com'd."
"Notice to all concerned.--If any of my soldiers or trains are fired
upon, in or near a farm, I shall act upon the presumption that those living
near know of such acts, and unless it shall appear that such persons have
done their duty in giving information, will be held responsible in person
and property for such acts.
"A. KREKEL,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Com'd."
VOTED FOR
LINCOLN.
"The following is a list of names of the persons who voted for Lincoln
at the election for President in Callaway county, Tuesday, November 6,
1860:--
Auxvasse township.--George Raffelesberg, John Harper, Able Fuchs, J. Schroughauser,
C. Meier, J. Polzeck, A. Ladmann, Joseph Kerebischeck, John Dumalt, H.
Cornell.
Cote Sans Dessein township.--G. H. Austin, William Trotter, William Smith,
Samuel Miller, John D. Wood."
NON-COMBATANTS
KILLED.
Were we to enter into a detailed statement of all the facts connected
with the killing of the non-combatants in Callaway county, during the
war, such a statement would constitute the darkest portion of this history;
the darkest, because it would tell of the butchery of innocent victims,
by men who were devoid of the common instincts of humanity; by men who
distinguished themselves by their acts of brutality; by men whose names
are immortally linked in with an infamy as odious and execrable as ever
disgraced the annals of any country. But we forbear, leaving the facts
to be more fully gathered by some future historian, who will write them
up when there is still less of passion and less of hatred. Unfortunately,
men of low, brutish instincts and ignoble aspirations are found in all
wars; in fact, a war without its Kirks and Hesselriggs is something that
has never yet existed even in the most civilized countries.
JAMES RENOE.
James Renoe was a Southern sympathizer; he was, however, a quiet inoffensive
man, never thrusting his political opinions upon others who differed with
him, while he never concealed his views, when called upon to express them.
During the year 1862, a company of Confederate soldiers camped near Renoe's
father's house, and after arranging their camp on the creek, one or two
men were sent to Renoe's house, who ordered young Renoe and a negro man
to take a load of corn to the camp. Renoe's father, in accordance with
an order issued by a man singing himself A. Krekel, with headquarters
at the State Insane Asylum, at Fulton, requiring men to report the presence
of rebels, etc., the next morning went to Fulton to report that the rebels
were encamped near his residence.
The commander at Fulton had already heard of the fact, and had sent a
company of soldiers to Renoe's house. Mr. Renoe was returning home from
Fulton, when he met the company of Union soldiers who had been to his
house. He discovered that the men were leading one of his own horses,
with a saddle on, and he further noticed as his horse passed him, that
the saddle was bloody. He continued in the direction of his home, when,
after proceeding a short distance, he found, to his great horror, the
body of his son lying in the fence corner. He learned from parties who
were working in a tobacco field, opposite to the place where the body
laid, that the soldiers had shot him.
During the month of October, 1862, William R. Given and David Given, his
son, and Charles Hill, were killed at the residence of the former, seven
miles northwest of Fulton, under the following circumstances:--
A company of rebels had camped in the neighborhood of Given's house, and
by accident, one of the men belonging to this company had been dangerously
wounded. The wounded man was taken to Given's house by his comrades. This
fact had been made known to the commander of the militia at Fulton, who
had charge of about one hundred men, composed largely of Germans. This
company was sent out to attack and disperse the rebels, but before this
was done, the company went to Given's house, and took William R. Given,
David Given and Charles Hill prisoners, and placed them in Mr. Given's
buggy house under guard. These parties at the time of their arrest were
building a school-house but a short distance from Given's residence, and
were found on the roof of the same, nailing on shingles. Hill was a Union
man, but Given and his son were Southern sympathizers. After making the
arrest, the company of Union men were attacked by the rebels. The guards
having the prisoners in charge asked the officer in command what must
be done with the prisoners. The officer answered, by telling them to shoot
them, which was accordingly done. Hill was killed instantly; William R.
Given lived twenty-four hours, and David forty-eight hours after they
were shot. William R. Given had long since passed the meridian of life.
At the time he was shot, he was on his knees praying, and praying for
his slayers. He was an exemplary member of the M. E. Church South.
Among others who were murdered in cold blood by the militia were William
Robinson, William Scott (the latter a boy about seventeen years of age),
J. W. Smith, an old man, Colonel James Brewer, Sr., and James Brewer,
Jr. (the latter a boy of seventeen), John and William Marus, and a number
of others whose names we did not get. Men were killed upon both sides.
The bushwhacker seemed at times to be no less a savage than the militia,
and murdered and robbed with equal avidity and cruelty.
This harvest of death was something like the bloody assizes, memorable
in English history and inaugurated by Jeffreys after the defeat and capture
of Monmouth and Argyle. These American Jeffreys, like their infamous prototype
across the sea, left some of their victims dangling in mid-air, where
they hung until their bodies were devoured by the beasts and birds of
prey--no one daring to give them even the semblance of a decent burial.
The difference, if any, between the English Tyrant and the American butchers
seems to have been in favor of the former, as he went through the farce
of a trail before taking the blood of his victims, while the latter shot
them down like dogs wherever they could be found, without trial, judge
or jury.
THE HEROES WHO DIED.
"God knows who was right,
Ah! Yes it is true,
And the God of the Gray
Is the God of the Blue;
He bore their proud spirits
To mansions above,
And He crowned them at last
With His garlands of love.
"The grasses grow green
On the graves where they lay,
The flowers bloom alike,
O'er the Blue and the Gray;
And the loved one's tears
Are mingled with dew,
While with it God blesses
The Gray and the Blue.
"In Heaven above us
God opens his gate,
No strife or contention,
No discord, no hate;
The portals are open,
And there side by side
Stand the heroes of battle--
The heroes who died.
"God welcomes them all;
Though in battle array
One bore the bright Blue,
And the other the Gray.
Though one for Union,
The other for State,
One angel of Mercy
Guided all to God's gate.
"And there at the right hand
Of Him who is just,
Away from the mortal
And up from the dust,
There, there by God's throne
Far away from earth's grave,
In raiments unspotted,
Stand the true and the brave.
"Shall we, the frail worldings,
Who yet live and wait--
Shall we sit in judgment,
Or cry out in hate,
While a Father above us,
A Father all wise,
Calls back His loved children
From earth to the skies?
"Forgive us, forgive us,
Dear Father above!
Bring back to our conscience
The heart beat of love;
And while we are weeping
For our loved ones to day
Let us tenderly cherish
The Blue and the Gray."
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