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 8
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
" who was one of the prisoners at the breastworks, having become satisfied that the intrenchments could not be taken, asked, and was granted permission to visit the confederates, under a flag of truce, in order to see what arrangements could be made so as to bring about a cessation of hostilities. The two commanders finally agreed upon an armistice for six days, Major Poindexter's troops to be withdrawn from the breastworks and city.
The home guards numbered about one hundred and forty effective men. Their loss was two killed and seven wounded. The names of the killed were John A. Hayne, adjutant, and Kimball, a private. The number of Colonel Brown's command who were killed and wounded is not known. Col. and Capt. Brown, were, after the battle, taken to hospital at Boonville. The Colonel died of his wounds the same evening ; the Captain lingered until the next day, when he too died. Their bodies were taken to Saline county for burial.
At the commencement of the battle, messengers were dispatched by three different routes, viz : by way of Tipton, Jefferson City road, and down the river in a skiff, asking for reinforcements. Of these messengers, none reached Jefferson City except Joseph Read and Joseph Reavis, who went down the river. Those who went by the way of Tip- ton and the Jefferson City road, were captured by Col. Brown's men while they were on the way.
On the 14th, at ten o'clock, P. M., the force at Boonville was reinforced by the 5th Iowa regiment, under the com- mand of Col. Worthington, which came up the river on a steamboat. After the armistice had expired, Major Poin- dexter drew off his men, and marched up the river to join Gen. Price at Lexington.
In November, 1861, a scouting party of three men, be- longing to the "home guards," started out to gain informa-
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
tion in regard to a band of bushwhackers, who were thought to have their headquarters somewhere in Clark's Fork township, in this county. While approaching the house of William George, in said township, they were fired upon from the house, and one of their number killed. The scouts then retreated to Tipton, and having obtained reinforce- ments. returned and burnt William George's house.
On the 16th day of September, ISGI. Col. Eppstein's battalion was commanded by Col. Worthington to take possession of and guard the bridge across the Lamine river on the road from Boonville to Arrow Rock. Before their arrival at the bridge, they heard the firing of several minute guns behind them, which were intended to warn the State troops of the approach of Col. Eppstein's men. They reached the bridge in the night, and were fired upon from the opposite side of the river by the State troops, who seemed to have taken possession of the bridge. Col. Epp- stein returned the fire, and mortally wounded a young man named Herndon, who lived in Lamine township, in this county. Ile was taken to the house of Mr. Wm. Higger- son. where he soon afterwards expired. The State troops soon retreated and left Col. Eppstein's troops in possession of the bridge, where they remained until the 19th day of September, when they were ordered to return to Boonville.
Soon afterwards, Col. Worthington ordered Col. Epp- stein to take his command with him and burn this same bridge, it having been reported that Gen. Price's army was marching towards Boonville from that direction, and would probably cross the Lamine at that point. Col. Eppstein endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, by telling him that this would only delay Price a single day, as he could cross a short distance above ; but Col. Worthington replied that it must be done, as he deemed it to be a mili- tary necessity. So the bridge was burned in accordance
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
with his order. Yet this proved to be a false alarm, as Price was not on his way to Boonville, and did not attempt to march in that direction.
Under a special law of Congress, passed on account of a general dissatisfaction among the "home guards" all over the State, Col. Eppstein's battalion was reorganized, and became a part of the Missouri State militia. Six companies were raised and organized at Boonville, and to these were added two companies from St. Louis, thus forming the 13th regiment of the Missouri State militia cavalry. The com- pany of infantry which was commanded by Capt. Charles Beihle, joined the Ist Missouri State militia infantry. After- wards, the 13th regiment was consolidated with four com- panies of the 12th regiment, and Skofield's "Bazars," and from that time formed the 5th regiment, the old 5th having previously been disbanded. .
The officers of this regiment were, Albert Seigel, Col., Joseph A. Eppstein, Lieut. Col., John B. Kaiser, Major, and John Fetzer, Surgeon. This regiment after being first thoroughly organized and fully drilled and equipped, was ordered to Waynesville, in the Rolla district, where they remained and from whence they mostly operated during the war. Part of this regiment was under the command of Col. Brown, during his pursuit of Shelby, when in October, 1863, he made his raid through the State in the direction of Boonville.
PRICE'S RAID.
Six companies of the 5th regiment, under the command of Col. Eppstein, composed a portion of the forces of Gen. Sanborn during his operations against Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri in the fall of 1864. Gen. Sanborn at first supposing that Gen. Price would march in the direction of Rolla, concentrated his forces at that place, but finding that Gen. Price was making for Jefferson City,
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
he moved his command to the latter place ; on the way, marching nearly parallel with the confederates, for while he was crossing the Osage river at Castle Rock, General Price was crossing the same stream eight miles below. Col. Eppstein's command had a slight skirmish with the confederate advance guard, between the Osage and the Moreau Creek, but he succeeded in reaching Jefferson City first.
Gen. Sanborn had concentrated at that place, 3.000 in- fantry and 4,000 cavalry, most of them regulars, and all of them well-armed and drilled. Gen. Price's army numbered about 20,000 men, yet there were thousands of them who had no arms, and had never seen anything like a battle. Neither had his troops been organized and placed under commanders, as many of them had flocked to his standard as he marched through the State, and as he was continually on the march, he had no opportunity to effect organization in the ranks at this time, though shortly after- wards he had them under perfect control.
Price only made a slight attack on Jefferson City with a small portion of his forces, then withdrew without a general battle, and marched across the country in the direction of Boonville. Gen. Sanborn, as soon as he learned the true state of affairs, started his cavalry in pursuit of the confed- erates. The cavalry had skirmishes with the confederate rear guard, which was commanded by Gen. Fagan, at Stringtown, Russelville and California, on the 10th day of October, 1864. During these skirmishes, three of Colonel Eppstein's men were killed and thirteen wounded. The loss of the confederates is unknown. Price camped, on the night of the roth, on the Moniteau Creek, just within the limits of Cooper county, and on the next day marched to Boonville.
The federals moved west and camped on the upper Tip-
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ton road, about eleven miles south of Boonville, at Cren- shaw's farm. On the 12th of October, Col. Graveley, with about four hundred mounted men of Sanborn's command, advanced by way of the upper Tipton road to within about one-half of a mile of Boonville, to test the strength, and if possible, to find out the contemplated movements of Gen. Price's command. At what is known as the Vollrath Place, about one-half of a mile south of Boonville, Col. Graveley came upon some confederate companies in camp, and some lively fighting ensued, but finding the confederates too strong for them, the federals retreated to the main army.
On the 12th, Col. Eppstein, with about three hundred and fifty men of his command, moved towards Boonville, and camped at Bohannon's farm, about seven miles south of Boonville. Early on the morning of the 13th, he was ordered to advance as far as he could in the direction of Boonville, and reconnoitre Gen. Price's position. Imme- diately upon receiving this order, he commenced his march with the above mentioned number of men and two mountain howitzers, and on arriving at Wilkin's bridge, across the Petite Saline creek, his command was fired upon by a band of about four hundred men under the command of General Fagan. who were guarding the bridge. Col. Eppstein re- turned the fire, and ordered four mounted companies to dismount and deploy as skirmishers. After some little skirmishing, along the. banks of the creek, Gen. Fagan leisurely retreated towards Boonville. After going north about one half of a mile, to where a lane crosses the main road south of Mrs. McCarty's house, Col. Eppstein, who was in pursuit, found that Gen. Fagan had barricaded the road with trees, &c. Here Miller's and Murphy's com- panies had a close fight with the confederates, even using swords and bayonets. These two companies were sur- rounded at one time and ordered by the confederates to
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
surrender ; but the other two companies of Col. Eppstein's command coming up to their aid, Gen. Fagan again fell back. At this place two of the federals were wounded, but none hurt upon the other side.
Gen. Fagan next made a stand at Anderson's branch, and here they had a more severe battle. Three of the federals were killed and seven wounded. The killed were, Fred. Hoecher, a man named Jones, and the name of the other is not known. The loss of the confederates, as was afterwards learned, was considerable.
Gen. Fagan by this time had brought up four pieces of artillery, and commenced shelling the woods along Ander- son's branch in which Col. Eppstein was stationed. The federals then received orders to fall back, and retreated to California, Moniteau county, and there to obtain supplies. They soon afterwards returned to Crenshaw's farm, and there halted and took dinner. There Gen. Sanborn learned that Price had left Boonville, so marching west he camped for the night at New Nebo church. The next morning he continued his march in the direction of Georgetown.
In August. 1864, Capt. Parks, with two companies. of which Franklin Swap was Ist Lieutenant and Provost Mar- shall, being a part of the Iowa cavalry, had command at of the post at Boonville. Finding but little to do on this side of the river, they crossed over into Howard county. in search of "Anderson's bushwhackers." passed through New Franklin, and took the road east leading to Roche- port. Although warned by the citizens of his danger, as Anderson was known to be in full force in the neighbor- hood, Capt. Parks marched on.
When about one mile east of New Franklin, his com- pany was suddenly attacked by Anderson's men, and cut into two parts, seven of them being killed by the first fire. The greater part of the command retreated to a house in
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
the Missouri river bottom, and kept Anderson at bay by firing through the cracks of the house. Capt. Parks, at the outset, became separated from his men, and retreated towards Fayette until he met Major Leonard's command, which happened to be marching in that direction. With this he returned to the relief of his company, and Anderson having learned of his approach, drew off his men and re- tired.
The part of Capt. Parks' company which had been be- sieged in the house, finding that Anderson had drawn off his men, mounted horses, came back to Old Franklin in the night, and crossed the river in safety, although several men were missing. This part of the company knew noth- ing of Capt. Parks until the next day, when he made his appearance. They then recrossed the river, and having re- covered the bodies of their companions who had been killed, buried them in one grave at the city cemetery in the southwest part of Boonville.
In the winter of 1862 and 1863, Col. Pope was the com- mander of several companies of home militia, with head- quarters at the fair grounds at Boonville. They disbanded in 1863, and Col. D. W. Wear formed a battalion, and was commander of the post at Boonville. The battalion did considerable scouting, the details of which are not suffi- ciently known to be given.
Lieut. Col. Reavis, while under Col. Pope, learning that some confederate recruiting forces had crossed the river, making their way in a southern direction, he immediately started in pursuit, and overtook them while in camp in the brush, near Thomas Tucker's house, about two miles east of Bunceton, in Cooper county. He fired upon them, kill- ing two men and wounding one. The recruits then separ- ated, and made their way out of the country by different routes. The names of the confederates who were killed,
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
were ' Joshua Lampton and Jones, from Boone county. They were buried at the "Vine" or "Concord" church. The wounded man, after recovering, was paroled by Col. Pope, and returned to his home in Boone county.
SHELBY'S RAID.
Gen. Joseph Shelby, of the confederate army, made a raid into Cooper county during the month of October, 1863. He passed through Otterville on the night of the 9th of said month, and burned the Pacific railroad bridge near that town. On the night of the 10th he camped near Bell Air. in a pasture belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Leonard, and on the next day he marched to Boonville. His movements becoming known in Boonville the night before, a meeting of the citizens was called by Mayor McDearmon. After some delay, the conclusion was reached, that the only alter- native was to surrender the city to Gen. Shelby. Citizens were sent out to meet him, who returned without being able to gain any information as to his whereabouts, and conveyed the impression that he would not pay his compliments to the city during this expedition.
Therefore his, arrival at Boonville on the 11th day of October was quite a surprise to the citizens. Several of the citizens had crossed the river into Howard county the night before, having concluded that discretion was the better part of valor, that their presence in Boonville would accomplish no good, and that there would be more safety in making themselves scarce.
Just as Gen. Shelby marched into Boonville from the south, Major Leonard, with about two hundred and fifty fed- eral troops, appeared on the north side of the river, and com- menced crossing his men. The first boat load had almost reached the Boonville shore, when some one called to those in the boat that the town was full of confederates, and that they had better retreat. The pilots immediately turned the
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
boat around and made for the Howard shore. At this time some of Shelby's men appeared and commenced firing upon the boat with muskets. But the boat having gotten out of reach of this fire, the confederates brought up some artillery and opened fire upon the boat, two shots striking it before it reached the shore. As soon as Maj. Leonard landed his forces, the artillery was turned upon them, and they were soon forced to retire beyond the reach of the shells.
At the same time, Col. Crittenden, with about one hun- dred men, was seen steaming up the river in a boat, but on learning the situation of affairs at Boonville, he dropped back down the river, and landed a short distance below, in Howard county.
Gen. Shelby remained in Boonville the balance of the afternoon of that day, and encamped for the night west of the city on the Georgetown road. He came here to obtain supplies, such as clothing and provisions, which they found in great abundance, and which they took, wherever found. M. J. Werthumer, and Messrs. Lamy & McFadden were the greatest sufferers, each losing about $4,000 in clothing. The confederate troops did not molest any person during their stay, not a single man was killed or wounded, and they were very polite and gentlemanly to every person.
While the confederates were in Boonville, the federals, under Gen. Brown, were close behind them, and on the IIth day of October, were within eight miles of Boonville, on the Bell Air road. On that day Gen. Brown moved a portion of his troops west to the junction of the Sulphur Springs and the Boonville and Georgetown roads, which is about seven miles southwest of Boonville. But during the night he marched his command back again to the Bell Air road, and camped near Bellingsville. The next morn- ing after Gen. Shelby had left, the federals passed through
-
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Boonville in pursuit, their advance just behind the confed- erate rear guard. Two of Gen. Shelby's men who had stopped at Mr. Labbo's house, about one and one-half miles west of Boonville to get their breakfast, were killed by some federal scouts as they appeared at the front door, in order to make their escape.
A running fight was kept up at intervals, all along the route from Boonville to Marshall. The fight became pretty spirited between the Sulphur Springs and Dug Ford ; and at Dug Ford two federals were killed and fell from their horses into the water. During this long running fight there was quite a number killed on each side, but the num- ber is not known.
At Marshall, a lively battle took place, in which a num- ber were killed and wounded on both sides. But General Shelby succeeded in escaping from his pursuers with the loss of only a small portion of the stores which he had obtained at Boonville.
This raid, of course, produced great excitement, and in the heat of passion, considerable censure was heaped upon the commanding officer, whether justly or unjustly, is left the reader to determine. Gen. Shelby succeeded in getting back to his lines without any great loss, but whether his entire anticipations in regard to obtaining supplies and re- inforcements were fully realized, is not known. Major Leonard and Col. Crittenden crossed their commands over the river to Boonville about ten o'clock on the morning of the 12th, and after stopping for dinner, they started in the direction of Marshall. Boonville, then, was once more clear of troops, and the citizens had time to gather together provisions to feed the next lot of hungry soldiers who hap- pened to land there, whether they were federals or con- federates. Thus ended the famous "Shelby's Raid." as far as Cooper county was concerned.
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
PRICE'S RAID INTO COOPER COUNTY.
The federal troops, in the fall of 1864, having all abandoned Boonville, three companies of "home guards" were organized for the protection of the city against what were known as the "bushwhackers." One company was commanded by Capt. Horace Shoemaker, another by Capt. Harrison Thompson, and the third by -- The two last mentioned companies were composed of men belonging to both parties, who had joined these companies with the understanding that they would only be required to protect the city against "bushwhackers and plunderers," and would not be compelled, against their wills, to fight against the regular southern troops.
Although there were frequent alarms, the .bushwhack- ers" never attacked Boonville, but often during the war ยท made raids through the county, in which many citizens were killed. They always took anything they wished, no matter in whose hands it was found. There were also bands of robbers moving continually through the county, who cared nothing for either party, and who robbed and killed without discrimination or regard to party. During the year 1864, many good citizens belonging to each side, were shot down, first by one party and then by another, and many citizens abandoned their homes, seeking places of more security. The details of these murders and rob- beries are too disgraceful and sickening to enumerate in this brief history.
On the 11th day of October, 1864, scouts brought infor- mation that a large hostile force was approaching Boonville. These three companies being under the impression that these were "Anderson's bushwhackers," immediately erected a strong barricade across Fifth street, at the Thes- pian Hall, in Boonville. They were strengthened in the belief that these were "bushwhackers," from the fact that
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
they had received a dispatch that afternoon from Mexico. Missouri, stating that Gen. Price had been repulsed at Jefferson City, and was retreating by way of Tipton.
So these companies of home guards expecting no quarter from Anderson's men, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as they could, thinking anyway that it would be certain death to fall into the hands of "Bill Anderson." Soon afterwards, Shelby's command entered the town with a dash, killing a German scout near Mrs. Muir's residence, about one mile east of Boonville. The "home guards" fired one round at the advance guard of Shelby's command as they advanced along Vine street near the Baptist church. but their fire injured no one.
But learning that this was but the advance guard of Gen. Price's large army, and that resistance would be useless. the home guards surrendered as prisoners of war. These prisoners were quartered at the court house and closely guarded, but the commissioned officers were paroled. Gen. Shelby, with his command, entered about sundown on the above mentioned day. Gen. Price and his staff made their headquarters at the city hotel, on Morgan street. On Tuesday, the 13th day of October, the prisoners were marched in front of the city hall, ranged in line, and Gen. Price made them a speech, and gave orders for their parole. on the condition, that if they were ever found with arms against the south, they would be shot.
Price had about 20.000 men. many of them late Missouri recruits, without arms. Some of his command were well armed and drilled, but the greater part were very poorly armed. Their general conduct towards the citizens during their stay in Boonville, was good.
On the night of the 13th, while Capt. Shoemaker, who was on parole, was going from Capt. John Porter's house to his residence. on the corner of Central avenue and
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Sixth streets, he was captured by some men, who were afterwards discovered to be Anderson's men, taken to the fair grounds, killed, and his body thrown into the river. Two men, named Neef and Boller, were killed near their homes, about four miles west of Boonville ; also a negro man who was concealed in a cornshock on the farm of J. M. Nelson, situated two miles west of Boonville. These were all the persons killed in this part of the country, who were not slain in battle, whose names are now recollected.
Thousands of volunteers in Missouri flocked to the stand- ard of Gen. Price, believing that he would be able to hold the State. The rear guard of Gen. Price's army, and the advance guard of Gen. Sanborn's command, skirmished, at intervals, from Jefferson City to Boonville. Gen. San- born's command consisted of about 4,000 mounted men. The infantry command, under Gen. A. J. Smith, was also in pursuit, but never came within fighting distance of the confederates.
There was considerable skirmishing and some hard fight- ing, south and southeast of Boonville, during Price's three day's sojourn at that place, in which a number were killed and wounded on both sides. The Arkansas militia, under the command of Gen. Fagan, who were left to protect the rear of Gen. Price's army, were the greatest sufferers among the confederates.
A dash was made upon Gen. Price's out-posts, by a few companies of federals, who came so near Boonville, that the firing could be heard, and the smoke of the battle seen from the city. Gen. Price's artillery was brought into requisition, and soon compelled the federals to retire. The greater part of Price's regulars was then called out, and a general charge having been made all along the line, the federal army fell back on the road leading from Jefferson City to Georgetown, via, Bell Air, and following that road,
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. HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
camped about four miles west of Bell Air, near the farm of A. J. Read.
Price's army left Boonville during the night of the 14th day of October, having remained there three days. His army took all the horses in the northern part. and the federal troops in the southern part of the county. Both parties foraged upon the people of the county for the sup- port of their respective armies, and left the county pretty destitute, especially of horses, hardly a good one being left. This was virtually the end of the war, as far as Cooper county was concerned, no more battles being fought in it between organized armies.
The partisan warfare in Cooper county became pretty bloody during the summer and fall of 1864. The details of these occurrences, the writers must be excused from recording, leaving the task to some future historian, although they believe that they could give the particulars without partiality or prejudice, but others might not so consider them.
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