USA > Missouri > Cooper County > A history of Cooper County, Missouri, from the first visit by white men in February, 1804, to the fifth day of July, 1876 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
"THURSDAY, MAY 21St, 1846.
VOLUNTEERS .- A proper spirit seems to animate the citi- zens of our county and especially the young men.
The call for one company from the Fifth Division has been promptly responded to. Forty-three volunteers were raised by Gen. Ferry on Monday in Boonville, and on Tuesday at Palestine, under the direction of Gen.'s Ferry and Megguire, the number was increased to sixty-one. They then elected their officers, and the following gentle- men were chosen :
Joseph L. Stephens, Captain, without opposition, who delivered to the volunteers on that occasion a spirited and handsome address.
Ist. Lieutenant-Newton Williams.
2d. Lieutenant-H. C. Levens.
1st. Sergeant-John D. Stephens. 2nd. Sergeant-William T. Cole. 3rd. Sergeant-Richard Norris. 4th. Sergeant-James S. Hughes.
91
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Ist. Corporal-Tipton Prior.
2nd. Corporal-A. B. Cole.
3rd. Corporal-Wesley Amick. 4th. Corporal-A. G. Baber.
The company, thus organized, assembled in Boonville on Wednesday, where they were exercised in military duty by their accomplished and gallant young Captain.
The following is a list of the privates, from which it will be seen a few more have been added :
Thomas Bacon, Edward S. D. Miller,
W. B. Rubey,
Sam'l D. Burnett,
John Whitley,
W. H. Stephens,
Jacob Duvall,
Benj. P. Ford,
John M. Kelly,
Charles Salsman,
Phillip Summers,
George Mock,
Ewing E. Woolery,
George W. Campbell,
Samuel Elliott,
Heli Cook, Joel Coffee,
Samuel R. Lemons,
Alpheus D. Hickerson,
Joel Epperson,
Thompson Seivers,
Henderson C. Martin,
Jesse Epperson,
Charles F. Kine.
Spague White,
Hiram Epperson,
Jesse Nelson,
Wm. Woolsey,
John McDowell,
John Colbert,
Martin Allison,
J. R. P. Wilcoxson,
Robt. Rhea,
Henry Francis,
T. T. Bowler,
Edmond G. Cook,
Robt. H. Bowles,
William Sullans, John B. Bruce,
Justinian McFarland,
Horatio Bruce,
Jas. P. Lewis,
Nathaniel T. Ford.
William J. Jeffreys,
Benj. C. Lampton,
James H. Jones,
James M. Jeffreys,
Oliver G. Ford,
James C. Ross,
Hiram Burnam,
U. E. Rubey,
Richard Hulett.
They departed to-day (Thursday) on the steamer L. F. Linn, for St. Louis, where they will be armed and equipped, and immediately transported to the army of Occupation on the Rio Grande. Our best wishes attend them. May vic- tory ever perch upon their banners, and may they all return home to their friends full of honors, with the proud reflec- tion that they have served their country faithfully."
When the steamer Louis F. Linn, Eaton, Captain, Jewell, Clerk, arrived at Boonville, on her downward trip, the com- pany formed in line on the upper deck and many friends
John R. Johnson,
Edmond Eubank,
92
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY,
passed along the line, bidding farewell and shaking each volunteer by the hand. The landing was crowded with people. The boat soon started, with cheers from the mul- titude, and waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies.
INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE.
Our steamer laid up for the first night at Nashville, which is about fifteen miles below Rockport. The members of the company were all jolly fellows, and jest and laugh made the time pass pleasantly and quickly. The most of them had never been from home, and longed, with the anxiety of children to see new countries, and to take part in other than every day affairs of their lives.
Lieutenant Levens being on watch the latter part of the night after they had left Boonville, heard a terrible splash in the water, and on inquiring for the cause discovered that one of his men had fallen overboard. The deck-hands rescued him, and soon afterwards another of the company followed the example of his comrade, and was rescued by the same men. The Lieutenant becoming alarmed for the safety of the men of the company, waked up the Captain, informed him of what had happened, and told him that if he did not take measures to prevent it he might have his company considerably diminished before they reached St. Louis, if the men continued to fall overboard as rapidly as they had commenced. The Captain was greatly surprised at such unexpected accidents, and placed out a strong guard, which prevented any more occurrences of the kind. The trouble was that some of the men before leaving Boonville had imbibed rather freely, and having never been on board of a boat before, imagined they were on land and walked off without being aware of their changed cir- cumstances,
They arrived at St. Louis without further accident. and were quartered at the Court House without any blankets to
93
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
cover them, or any place except the naked benches on which to sleep. Most of the company expecting to draw their cloth- ing and blankets at Jefferson Barracks, had nothing but the shirt and pants which they had worn from home.
Captain Stephens' company was mustered into service by Gen. Robert Campbell. Gen. Taylor having gained an im- portant victory over the Mexicans, and it being thought that he would be able to conquer his enemies without any further reinforcements, Capt. Stephen's company were or dered back, and directed to report to Adjutant General Par sons at Jefferson City, whither they hastened on the same boat, expecting orders from him to join Donaphan's expe- dition to New Mexico ; General Parsons informed the Cap- tain that he had no requisition for Cooper county, but to hold his company in readiness to march when called on. The members of the company were very much disappointed at being thus summarily dismissed to their homes, and felt very indignant at what they considered such shabby treat- ment ; and though the company was ready and willing during the whole of the war, to go to the field of battle on the shortest notice, they were not called on. Some of the members of the company were so determined to go, that they joined other companies of General Donaphan's com- mand. The company, although they were gone from home only a short time, had a rough introduction to military life, having been forced to live on "hard tack" on their trip to St. Louis and return, without bedding of any kind, and many of them without a change of clothes. Mrs. Andrews, an estimable lady of St. Louis, treated the company to as many pies as they could eat, for which they will always feel grateful to her.
But very few of the company had ever seen St. Louis or any other city, and it was a pleasing and wonderful sight to these men, who had during all their lives, been accus-
94
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
tomed only to the quiet scenes of their every day life. The company, as it passed through the streets, seemed from the numbers who stopped to gaze at them to attract as much attention as a fantastic company on account of their queer costumes, arms and manners. As they expected to draw their uniform on their arrival at the "Great City," and as they expected to throw their citizen's suits away, they were not particular what they wore when they started from home. Most of them being dressed in back woods style, without uniform or arms, made a rather ludicrous appearance to "city folks." But the men cared little for that, and some of the "city gents" were made to measure their lengths upon the pavement for their uncalled for remarks in regard to the personal appearance and manners of the strangers.
Some of the company while in St. Louis had a row with some merchants on Water street for insulting one of the men. After some little quarreling, the merchants threat- ened to have them arrested and confined in the calaboose ; but they were told if that threat was executed, they would level the calaboose, and if that was not sufficient to show their power they would level the whole city, and that they had sufficient men to accomplish that undertaking. So the merchants becoming alarmed, did not attempt to have the threat executed, and the difficulty was finally arranged without any serious consequences. On their return up the Missouri river on the same boat on which they had gone down to St. Louis, a fine dressed "gentleman" unthought- edly made the remark, that "these soldiers were a rough set." The officers of Capt. Stephen's and Capt. Reid's companies demanded that he should be put ashore, and at the next landing he was made to "walk the plank," amidst shouts and cheers from the crowd ; they thus gave him an opportunity of traveling on the next boat, where perhaps. he might meet with passengers more congeniel to his nature,
1
We Will, from this on, Make a Specialty
++ OF +
ALL CLASSES OF GROCERIES !
CALL ON US AND GET PRICES !
PRODUCE WANTED !
H. M. & K. R. THOMSON,
Boonville, Mo.
ELLIOTT, WILLIAMS CO.,
BANKERS,
BOONVILLE, NO.
Do a General Banking Business.
LOANS
Made on Personal and Collateral Securities.
BUY AND SELL EXCHANGE ON ALL THE PRINCIPAL CITIES
EUROPE AND AMERICA.
COLLECTIONS GIVEN PROMPT ATTENTION.
95
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
and where he would not be forced to associate with those whom he considered beneath him in the social scale.
After this they proceeded without further incident to Boon ville, where they were met by crowds of their friends and acquaintances, who, with loud cheers, welcomed them home. Soon after they arrived, the company was disbanded by the captain, with orders to be ready to assemble and march to the seat of war on very short notice. From that time to the close of the war the members of the company were prepared at all times to march to the front, whenever their services should be required, but they were never ordered forward to take part in the great struggle which had then been transferred to the enemy's country.
This is the only part the citizens of Cooper county took in the war of 1846, and though they did not partake directly in the struggle, they showed their readiness to do so, by organizing and keeping in readiness to march a company composed of some of the best citizens.
WAR HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
- CHAPTER XI.
The late "War of the Rebellion" in Cooper County .- Battle below Boonville .- Movements of the "Home Guards" in Cooper County .- Defeat of Captain Parks by Wmn. Anderson .- Shelby's Raid into Cooper County, and his Engagements with the Federal Troops .- Price's Raid into Cooper County, and the Battles Fought near Boon- ville .- Bitter Partisan Feeling Engendered During the War, &c.
We would like to pass the history of this war, and leave it to be recorded by future historians, when the passions and bitter feelings engendered shall have passed away and been forgotten ; but it is certain that it is not wise for the recorder of events to omit to tell the simple truth for fear that it may grate harshly upon the ear of some one. He must, impar- tially, write the facts as they occurred, without showing favor to either side. It is not intended here to give a detailed account of all that transpired during the unhappy conflict of the late war; but the following pages only pro- fess to give, without any comment, some of the main facts as they occurred :
Cooper county suffered a great deal during the late war. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied either by one party or the other, and her citizens were called upon to con- tribute to the support of first one side and then the other. The first of the actions which took place within Cooper county, and indeed the second engagement of the war, was the
BATTLE BELOW BOONVILLE.
Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price, on the 11th day of June, 1861, left Jefferson City, where the Legislature was in ses-
97
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
sion, sought an interview with Gens. Lyon and Blair, and made propositions for a compromise, on the basis of neutrality, &c. The two last mentioned Generals refused to make any compromise whatever, but claimed the "unre- stricted right to move and station the troops of the United States throughout the State, whenever and wherever that might, in the opinion of the officers, be necessary, either for the protection of loyal citizens of the federal govern- ment, or for the repelling of an invasion."
Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price, after this unsuccessful en- deavor to bring about peace, returned to Jefferson City, and the governor issued a proclamation, calling into the active service of the State, 50,000 men. Gen. Lyon, a few days afterwards issued a counter proclamation, in justification of his course in refusing to compromise with Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price.
Gen. Lyon then moved his troops to Jefferson City, and on his arrival at that place, he found that Gov. Jackson had moved his forces fifty miles above, to Boonville, cutting the telegraph lines, and destroying the bridges on the railway as he proceeded. Gen. Lyon, leaving Col. Boemstein in command of a small force at the capitol, on the afternoon of the 16th day of June, 1861, embarked his forces on three steamers, and ascending the Missouri river, they arrived at Rocheport about six o'clock on the following morning. There he ascertained that the State troops, under General Marmaduke, Price at that time being sick, were in full force a few miles below Boonville, and that resistance might be expected from them, should he attempt to reach Boonville by that road. Leaving this place and taking the steam ferry boat, Paul Wilcox with them, Gen. Lyon's command ascended the river, to the island, eight miles below Boon- ville, which they reached at about seven o'clock, A. M., and on the southern shore of which they disembarked.
98
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
No enemy being in sight, and the scouts reporting no signs of any, the troops at once marched up the Missouri river towards Boonville, and followed the road about a mile and a half, to the place where it ascends the bluffs, from the river bottom. At this place several shots from Gen. Lyon's scouts announced the driving in of Col. Marma- duke's pickets. Gen. Lyon then advanced for nearly a mile, and found Gen. Marmaduke well posted at the brow of the ascent. Capt. Totten opened the engagement by throwing a few nine pound bombshells into the entrench- ments of the State troops, while the infantry commenced a heavy volley of musketry, which was well replied to, the balls flying thick and fast among the ranks of the troops and wounded several on both sides.
The State troops, under the command of Col. Marma- duke, were posted in a lane running from the Rocheport road in the direction of the river, and west of the residence of Wm. M. Adams, on the north-east corner of the junction of the two roads. During the fight, a couple of bombs were thrown through the east wall of Mr. Adams' house, causing the inmates to retreat to the cellar for protection. A heavy fire from Col. Shaefer's German infantry, Gen. Lyon's company of regulars, and part of Col. Blair's regi- ment, which were stationed on the left of the road, com- pelled the troops of Col. Marmaduke to retreat.
His force then clambered over the fence into a field of wheat, and again formed in line just on the brow of the hill. They then advanced some twenty steps to meet the federal troops, and for a short time the artillery of Capt. Totten was worked with great rapidity. Just at this time the State troops opened a galling fire from a grove just on the left of the federal center, and from a shed from beyond and still further to the left.
What had been before this a skirmish, now assumed the
99
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
magnitude of a battle, which continued only about one half of an hour. The State troops finding the federals too strong and too well armed and drilled to be successfully opposed by raw recruits, most of whom had never been under fire, and having no artillery with which to return the fire from Gen. Lyon's batteries, abandoned the fight and re- treated. Captains Cole and Miller took possession of "Camp Bacon," where the State troops for two days had been encamped.
Gen. Lyon continued his march towards Boonville. He was met on the hill near the residence of T. W. Nelson, by James H. O'Bryan, acting mayor of Boonville, Judge G. W. Miller and other prominent citizens, who formally surrendered the town to him, and he immediately marched into and took possession of it.
Col. Marmaduke commanded the State troops on this oc- casion, Gen. Price was in ill health, and on the day on which the battle occurred he left Boonville on a steamboat for Lexington. Governor Jackson was on the battle-ground in the forenoon, but left Boonville on the Georgetown road about eleven o'clock of that day. In this engagement two of Lyon's men were killed and nine wounded. Among the State troops three were killed and several wounded, but the number of these is unknown.
Kelly's was the only well organized and well drilled company under the command of Col. Marmaduke, and it did not participate in the battle. It was said that General Price was opposed to making a stand against Gen. Lyon at that time, as all of his troops, except Kelly's company, were raw recruits, and very poorly armed and drilled, hav- ing rallied at Boonville during the preceding three days. There was considerable controversy among the officers and men, whether considering the circumstances a stand or retreat should be made ; but some of the most enthusiastic,
100
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
whose counsel prevailed, said, that they had come to fight, and they intended to do so There were several prisoners taken by Gen. Lyon, but they were afterwards released on parole.
The next day after the battle Gen. Lyon issued a procla- mation offering full pardon to all who would lay down their arms, return to their homes, and relinquish their hostility to the United States government ; and persons who did this were assured that they would not be molested for past occurrences. Many who had taken part in the battle. availed themselves of the opportunity offered by Gen. Lyon. and some of them never took up arms again during the war.
Gen. Lyon remained at Boonville for several weeks. during which time he purchased a large outfit of wagons, horses and mules, paying fair prices for them, no pressing or forced sales being made ; he also captured every steam- boat that passed down the river. On the third day of July. having received reinforcements of an Iowa regiment. he took his departure for the south-west. his objective point being Springfield. A short time before. Gen. Blair left for Washington, to take his seat in Congress, he having been elected a representative from St. Louis.
This being the first battle of the rebellion which was fought on land, the taking of Fort Sumpter having occurred only a short time before, produced great excitement through- out the United States, and Gen. Blair, on his way to Wash- ington, was met by great crowds of his friends, and lion- ized, feasted and toasted, as the "hero of the hour."
Gen. Lyon, before he left Boonville, organized two com- panies of home guards, composed entirely of Germans. commanded by Major Joseph A. Eppstein, and threw up strong fortifications at the "Old Fair Grounds." When he moved to Springfield, he left Maj. Cully, who was shortly
IOI
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
afterwards succeeded by Col. John D. Stephenson, in com- mand at the fortifications.
Dr. Quarles was among the killed of the State troops. His body was found in the wheat field late in the evening after the battle, he having been severely wounded in the thigh, and not being discovered, he had bled to death. Young Mccutchen was also wounded in the thigh, and was properly cared for, though all their efforts could not save him, and he died in a few days after the battle. The death of these two gentlemen, so young, so promising and kind-hearted, cast a gloom over the entire community, and their loss was universally regretted by all parties. The other gentleman killed, who was from Pettis county, was shot in the head, and his name is not recollected.
Gen. Parsons, with the artillery belonging to the State troops, arrived too late to engage in the battle. He came in on the Boonville and Tipton road, via Wilkins' bridge, and halted at the top of the hill, south of Boonville, near Dr. Wm. H. Trigg's present residence, where, learning the result of the battie, that Col. Marmaduke had been defeated and was retreating, took the road leading from Boonville to Prairie Lick, in a south-west direction, and soon formed a junction with Gov. Jackson's State troops.
Gen. Lyon, two days after the battle of Boonville, sent a detachment of his force south-west, by way of Syracuse, as far as Florence, Morgan county, in pursuit of Gov. Jack- son. But finding that the State troops had moved still far- ther south, the command returned to Boonville without meeting any of Jackson's command.
MOVEMENTS OF THE HOME GUARDS IN COOPER COUNTY.
Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, on the twentieth day of June, 1861, organized and mustered into service a company of German "Home Guards," consisting of 135 men. Of this company
IO2
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Joseph A. Eppstein was elected captain, Emil Haas, Ist lieutenant ; Ernest Roeschel, 2nd lieutenant, and John A. Hain, orderly sergeant. This company was, on the fourth day of August, ordered to Jefferson City for the purpose of aiding in the protection of the capitol. They, together with Col. Brown's 7th Missouri regiment, were, a short time afterwards, ordered to Otterville. They went by rail to Syracuse, and marched on foot the balance of the way to Otterville, which they immediately occupied.
A large number of southern men living in the vicinity had organized a company, and under the command of Capt. Alexander, James B. Harris, and others, were camped near by. These two commands, not. for some reason wish- ing to attack each other, made the following compromise which had been suggested by the southern commanders, and after some parley, accepted by Col. Brown. It was agreed, that if the federal troops would withdraw from Otterville, Capt. Alexander would disband his forces, and Col. Brown ordered his command back to Jefferson City.
Afterwards, the home guards, with part of Col. Worth- ington's command, were ordered to Boonville. They ascended the Missouri river in a steamboat, and arrived at Boonville very early on the morning of the day following their start from Jefferson City. The morning was very fogy, so that the boat could hardly be seen from the shore. It passed Boonville under cover of the darkness and the fog, and landed at Haas' brewery, situated about one-half of a mile west of the city. Here the "home guards" dis- embarked, and from thence marched around and surrounded the town before the citizens were aware of their presence. Col. Worthington, with the men of his command, dropped down on the steambout to the landing at the foot of Main street, and marched up into the town. He then took a num- ber of prominent citizens prisoners, and confiscated the con-
103
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
tents of two tin stores and one shoe store, the owners of which were charged with selling goods to the Confederates ; he also took possession of the Advertiser printing establish- ment, then owned by Messrs. Caldwell & Stahl, and had the presses, type, &c., boxed up and shipped to Jefferson City. This was all done under the orders of Col. U. S. Grant, now president of the United States, who was then in com- mand at Jefferson City. The "home guards," together with Col. Worthington's command, on the afternoon of the same day, taking with them the prisoners and the property which they had confiscated. The prisoners were afterwards re- leased, and returned home ; but most of the property, except that belonging to the printing establishment, was never again seen by its owners.
On the twenty-eighth day of August, in the same year, the "home guards" were ordered to reinforce Col. Mulligan at Lexington, Missouri. Two days before, the 12th Illi- nois regiment of cavalry had been ordered to the same place, and had started. When Col. Eppstein, the commander of the "home guards" arrived at Tipton, he heard that a part of the 12th Illinois cavalry were at Boonville, and concluded to go there also, and reported to headquarters, that if they had any orders for him, to forward them to him at that place.
Col. Eppstein was ordered by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, then stationed at Jefferson City, to remain at Boonville, and occupy the breastworks, which he did.
On the first day of September, 1851, the troops around Boonville formed themselves into a battalion, consisting of two and one-half companies ; companies "A" and "B," infantry, and one-half of a company of cavalry. The officers of the battalion were Joseph A. Eppstein, Major ; Emil Haas, Surgeon, and John A. Hayne, Adjutant ; of company "A" infantry, were John B. Keiser, captain ; John
IO4
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Reatherd, Ist Lieutenant, and Charles Kock, 2nd Lieuten- ant ; of company "B" infantry, were Charles Beihle, cap- tain ; Joseph Weber, Ist Lieutenant; John Fessler, 2nd Lieutenant. The half company of cavalry was commanded by Peter Ostermeyer.
About four days afterwards, this battalion received infor- mation that they would be attacked by the confederates from several surrounding counties. Col. Eppstein imme- diately arrested a number of the most prominent southern men in Boonville, viz : H. N. Ells, Rev. Painter, Wm. E. Burr and J. W. Draffen, and held them as hostages, hoping thereby to prevent the contemplated attack. But about six o'clock on the morning of the 13th day of September. 1861, while Eppstein's command was at breakfast, the pickets having all come in, the breastworks were attacked by a force of about eight hundred men under the command of Col. Brown, of Saline county. The fortifications were attacked on the west, southwest and southeast sides. The first attack was from the southwest, the next through Lilly's field on the south-east, and finally extended around to the west side. At the first the firing was very rapid from the southwest and southeast, and soon afterwards from the west side of the fortifications, the balls falling thick on every side. Col. Brown led the attack on the southeast. and made two charges upon the breastworks, but was compelled to fall back each time under the heavy fire from the intrench- ments. In the second attack Col. Brown was mortally wounded, and fell within fifty feet of the breastworks; a short time afterwards, his brother, Capt. Brown, was also mortally wounded, and fell about ten feet behind him. The Browns were both brave men, and fought with desperation. and with utter disregard of their own safety. After the two Browns had fallen mortally wounded, and Major Poindex- ter been left in command of the confederates, Mr. Burr,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.