USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 10
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
one of Missouri's greatest orators, and in 1857 was elected to the United States senate to serve from 1857 to 1861, and was defeated for re-election by the legis- lature in 1861 because he was a seces- sionist. However, he received seventy- six votes on one ballot, which was within three votes of a majority. Green made a brilliant speech, which was very bitter on the Union men. During the course of his speech, and addressing himself to any federals who might be present, he said: "If you win the day we will leave the state; if we win, you shall leave." This statement was vigorously applanded by the secessionists present.
The speaking was held in the court house. The flag was made by the seces- sion ladies of the town and afterwards divided and made into dresses by the ladies to prevent its capture by the federal troops. From this time on the Confederate flag waved over many homes in different parts of the county.
The Union men did not hoist any flags, but were busy just the same. They effected an organization at Miller's mill, in the eastern part of the county, and in Shelbyville, Ben McCoy, a brother-in- law to William and Abe Kemper, was occasionally drilling a company of Union volunteers. Union men were numerous in and around Bethel, and we might add that this is the only township in Shelby county that has given a Republican majority since the war period. Griffin Frost, a brother to the late Frost, who edited the Clarence Courier, and who died only recently and was buried in Edina, Mo., was at this time editing the Shelby County Weekly and was told by the Unionists that his room
was preferable to his company. He took the hint and abandoned the office, going to Marion county.
THE FIRST FEDERAL TROOPS.
The date on which the first federal troops actually set foot on Shelby county soil was June 13, 1861. The 2d Iowa Infantry, under command of Col. Samuel Curtis, came down the Mississippi river from Keokuk, Iowa, and landed at Han- nibal. There they took the Hannibal & St. Joe railroad for St. Joe. At Hunne- well some citizens were fired upon by these troops and two persons were taken prisoners. No one was injured, however, and the troops passed on to St. Joseph. A number of Shelby county Union men went to St. Joseph at this time to enlist in the service. About this time there was an attempt made to organize a bat- talion of cavalry, with W. R. Strachan as major, and a company was organized at Shelbina by Captain Hughes. By this time the Shelby countians who had gone to St. Joseph had enlisted in the Old Missouri 13th Infantry (afterwards the 25th). They were captured a little later at Lexington, Mo., while serving under Mulligan.
The war cloud had now risen to its zenith in the sky, and sentiment was intense.
The Monroe City fight happened July 10th of this year, and about the same time a detachment of the 16th Illinois came out from Macon City to William Baker's place and cut down the secession flag-pole that had been raised there. The neighborhood was badly scared, but be- yond cutting the pole down the troops were not disposed to make any military
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
demonstrations. These troops camped on Salt river at the old Ray's bridge west of Cherry Box.
FIRST UNION COMPANY ORGANIZED.
A Union meeting was held at Miller's mill, six miles east of Shelbyville, in Tiger Fork township, the latter part of July, 1861. The orators of the occasion were John M. Glover, of Lewis county, and John L. Taylor, of Knox. There were a large number of Union men present, but very few who sympathized with the Confederate canse. Hon. John McAfee, speaker of the house, however, attended, and was severely criticized and censured by Glover in the latter's speech for his (McAfee's) course in the legis- lature. After the speaking, MeAfee and Glover engaged in a controversy, and MeAfee called Glover a liar. Quick as a flash the Lewis countian assaulted the speaker. Quite an exciting time fol- lowed, but neither of the combatants was severely injured.
At this meeting the Shelby County Home Guards were organized, with Joseph H. Forman as captain; Robert Eaton and Solomon Miller, lieutenants ; Oliver Whitney, first orderly sergeant; George Lear, second orderly. This was an independent company and served as infantry.
This company possibly had existed irregularly since some time in May, but did not enter the United States service formally until July 23d. It was mus- tered in at Shelbina on the above day by United States Marshal William R. Strachan. This company was anthorized by Gen. G. A. Hurlbut and continued under his jurisdiction until August 23d, at which time it was disbanded.
Guarding the railroad and the govern- ment's goods at Hannibal and doing a little scouting and camp duty were the services rendered the government by this company. The men were armed with muskets sent them from Hannibal, and upon being mustered out a majority enlisted in other regiments.
SALT RIVER BRIDGE BURNED.
The Missouri State Guards, a com- pany of secession troops from Ralls county, under Capt. Daniel B. West, under direction of Dr. Foster, of Hanni- bal, set fire to and burned the Salt River railroad bridge on July 10, 1861. The bridge was located two miles west of Hunnewell. The troops were assisted by some of the residents of the neighbor- hood, who furnished turpentine to hasten the burning. Five cars were burned at Hannibal the same day, and Foster or- dered the depot burned, but was per- suaded to countermand the order by citizens of the town.
At the time the bridge was burned the fight was on at Monroe City, and the federals were greatly hindered in the transportation of supplies and troops. The bridge was soon rebuilt by Hurl- but's troops. The structure was made only temporary for a time. Some Illi- nois troops soon after construeted a bloek-house near the bridge, and a strong gnard was kept for some time. Brig .- Gen. John Pope was assigned by the federal authorities to the North Missouri command. He made headquarters part of the time at Hunnewell and Shelbina. Brigadier-General Hurlbut was also an active federal officer along the Hanni- bal & St. Joe railroad, and spent some of his time in Shelby county.
TYPE OF BLOCK HOUSE ERECTED ON SALT RIVER
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
JOIN GREEN'S COMPANY.
In July of 1861 quite a number of Shelby county boys who had decided to enlist and die if need be for the cause they believed to be just, left the county and joined the Confederate ranks. They enlisted under Col. Martin E. Green, who was then at Sugar Camp ford, on the Fabius, near Monticello, in Lewis county.
Colonel Green soon left Lewis county and concentrated his forces, about 1,000 men, near Marshall's mill, about six miles northwest of Palmyra.
While located here, Green sent a com- pany into this county to arrest some Union men at Shelbyville. The company was commanded by J. L. Owen, of Marion county. They remained in Shelbyville an hour or so and then re- turned to camp, being unable to find their men.
A few days later, Frisbie MeCul- lough, commanding a company of Con- federates, called at the residence of Capt. Joseph Freeman, just east of Shelbyville, and took the captain and a hired man named Gwinn prisoners.
At another time MeCullough visited Shelbyville and took Col. John F. Ben- jamin prisoner. The latter was held for some time and was well guarded all the time. He was taken into Knox and Lewis counties. Green also made a trip to Bethel at one time, but here he did not disturb anybody more than to levy small contributions in the way of supplies.
In September, Mr. Green broke camp at Marshall's mill and went south to join General Price's army. He erossed the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad near Monroe City and passed across Monroe
connty, going through Florida and Paris.
The next noteworthy movement of troops in Shelby county took place in September, when General Hurlbut. com- manding 500 troops of the 3d Iowa. Col. David Moore's Northeast Missouri Regi- ment, and Colonel Smith, of the 16th Illinois, united their forces at Bethel to attack Green, whom they supposed to be at Philadelphia, in Marion county. With their 1,200 men, of whom 400 were mounted, and their four pieces of field artillery, and 150 Knox and Adair County Home Guards, they began their mareh on Green, but on arriving at Phil- adelphia they learned of his movement to the south.
Hurlbut now sent Moore and Smith with their men on to Palmyra, and with the 3d Iowa and abont 120 siek men he started to Shelbina. He reached Shelby- ville at near noon, and remained for din- ner, after which the march to Shelbina continued.
Three of the Union soldiers set out on foot, withont leave, to go from Shelby- ville to Shelbina, while the main portion of the army was visiting at the county seat. They had covered about half the distance, and were walking down the direct road between the two cities, when they were fired upon by Confederate sympathizers who had concealed them- selves behind some large oak trees about half a mile north of the Salt river crossing. One of the men was killed instantly, another wounded, and the third escaped unharmed. He was found a mile or so east of the scene and was taken by J. C. Hale on horseback to the command, which they met on the high prairie about two miles out of Shelby- ville. The dead comrade was taken by
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
the company to Shelbina and buried. The two that survived were severely cen- sured by their commander for leaving the company without permission.
The parties that did the shooting were, it is said, nine in number, and among that number were Ray Moss, John Jacobs, Bert Hightower, John Evans and a Mr. Freeman. They had their horses tied near by, and intended, no doubt, to fire upon the whole company as they passed by; but the three strag- glers drew their fire before the full com- pany got there. They made their escape on horseback. Moss afterwards became a captain in the Missouri State Guards under General Price. He served six months in this capacity and was then mustered ont and immediately re-enlisted in the regular Confederate army. On October 4, 1862, he was killed at Corinth, Miss., having his head torn off by a grape shot. Jacobs also enlisted in the regular Confederate service and became a captain. He became famous as a fighter. After the war he settled at Lonisiana and died in about 1880.
At seven o'clock that evening Hurlbut reached Shelbina, but could not wire for transportation on account of a fierce wind and hail storm. He therefore went into camp. The next day the company received transportation and left about noon for Brookfield.
During this time Moore and Smith had remained at Palmyra, but on the 4th of September set ont after Green. They, however, left 400 men behind to gnard the city, who on the 6th, under the command of General Pope and ac- companied by Col. John M. Glover and about fifty men of his cavalry, which
was organized in northeast Missouri, set out for the main army of the Federals.
GREEN TAKES SHELBINA.
General Pope, who was now located at Brookfield, had three companies of the 3d Iowa Infantry under Col. N. G. Williams, and a company of the Linn County Home Guards from Brookfield, to Palmyra, to open the road and then to go to Paris, Monroe county, to take possession of the specie and funds in the bank there, fearing the Confederates would get hold of it. On Angust 31st they left Brookfield, and arrived at Pal- myra the day following. Here they found they had to go to Hannibal in order that their engine might be turned around. While at Hannibal they were joined by the 2d Kansas Regiment, which had fought at Wilson's creek and had come up from St. Louis on a boat on their way home to be mustered ont.
The Kansas boys gladly joined the men under Colonel Williams and set out with them for Paris. Colonel Williams had a few more than 600 men, which in- eluded the Linn County Mounted Home Guards under Loring and a large por- tion of the 3d Iowa under Lieutenant- Colonel Scott. Sunday, September 1st, the Federals arrived in Shelbina and that evening set out for Paris. They arrived there Monday morning, after an all-night march. The funds had been removed by the cashier of the bank, and could not be obtained. So on the fol- lowing morning the troops started to return to Shelbina. Colonel Green, who was then at Florida, had mustered his forces and determined to take the Fed- erals. Williams and his men reached
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
Shelbina by hard and tiresome marching and by considerable dodging and shift- ing from one direction to another in order to avoid Green. They arrived in Shelbina after dark and soon learned that General Hurlbut had left the town that day for Brookfield. The Union men realized they were in a close place, with only 620 men, and Green close on their heels with something like 1,500'mnen. On Wednesday, September 4th, it could be seen that Green had them surrounded and would soon accomplish his aim. so the Federals barricaded the streets and concluded to put up the best defense pos- sible and to make their get-away as soon as an opportunity presented itself. They were relived, however, about 11 o'clock by a train arriving from Brookfield. It was sent by General Hurlbut to take the company back to Brookfield. Wednesday at noon Colonel Green sent Colonel Wil- liams a note which gave the Federals thirty minutes to remove the women and children and to surrender. The order was obeyed as far as removing the women and children was requested, but no further. The note was not even an- swered. Green had obtained a good po- sition just southeast of the town and out of range of the Federal musket and opened fire with his two pieces of artil- lery, which belonged to Captain Kneis- ley's Palmyra battery. One was a six and the other a nine pounder. Nearly every shot was well pointed and fell somewhere near the center of the town near the depot square. Here it was that Captain MeClure, of the Second Kansas, lost a foot. Two balls went through the old hotel building and the marksmanship was so accurate that only two balls went astray. They were found ont north of
town next day. Green's men were ont of musket range and, of course, the Fed- erals could not fight back, unless they could get in closer range. This they did not want, so the Kansas troops took the train. The whole company then boarded the train, except the Linn County Mounted Home Guards. They got out of town by proceeding under cover of train -keeping the train between them and the artillery until they were a mile or so west of town. The Confederates then advanced and took the town. Their tro- phies of war were some knapsacks, four mules and a wagon and some guns. The Confederates now numbered fully 2,500 men. They had been reinforced by some Marion, Ralls and Monroe county guards under Col. Theodore Brace. The report of the battle by Colonel Williams fol- lows :
REPORT OF COL. N. G. WILLIAMS, THIRD IOWA INFANTRY.
In obedience to your order, I respect- fully submit the following statement of facts connected with the Paris expedi- tion and the reasons why I retired from Shelbina :
Late Friday evening (August 30th), I received a telegraphie dispatch from General Pope to take my effective com- mand, together with Loring's cavalry, proceed to Palmyra, open the road, and then go to Paris and take the specie and funds in the bank and send it to St. Louis. Early Saturday morning I started from Brookfield to execute the order. I arrived in Palmyra about noon, was there informed by the railroad em- ployees that we would have to go to Hannibal in order to turn the engine west, they telling me it would be impos-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
sible to back the train. As a further rea- son for going to Hannibal there was $150,000 specie on board and from in- structions I feared it would be in some danger of being seized by the rebels. I arrived in Hannibal and while feeding my men the 2nd Kansas regiment ar- rived per boat, enroute for Kansas to reeruit. I immediately invited them to join me in the Paris expedition, as I had learned on my down trip that it would be unsafe with my force (320 men) to go into Monroe county. They consented, and we started Sunday morning. Ar- rived at Shelbina about noon. I pressed into service some wagons to carry provisions and sick men, and started for Paris about 8 o'clock in the evening. My entire force consisted of about 620 men, viz: 520 infantry and 100 cavalry. I arrived in Paris at daylight Monday morning, September 2nd. I immediately proceeded to the bank in company with M. Cassel, Esq. (agent to receive money). We called the directors together. They informed us that the cashier had taken the money to a safe place, and that they did not know where he or the money was. We waited during the day, thinking that they would get the money. In the after- noon I learned that the whole country was rising in arms against us. About 5 o'clock I gave the order to prepare for our return march, but a termendous storm coming up I countermanded the order and resolved to stay in Paris over night. I quartered my men in the Court house and vacant buildings. About mid- night we received an alarm and turned out under arms and remained so during the night. Started on our return at day- break.
In the meantime I had learned that
Green and his forces had got past Gen- eral Hurlbut and that he had prepared an ambushı for me on the straight road to Shelbina. I determined to take the road to Clinton, making a detour of ten miles. Every step of the way I found evidence that the whole people were in arms. I arrived, however, in Shelbina at night, having escaped the ambush, but had one man wounded (supposedly mortal) by the enemy's piekets. When I arrived in Shelbina I found no communication east or west, also learned that General Hurl- but had left that day for Brookfield. During the night had two alarms. In the morning and after the enemy had shown himself in force, a train arrived from the west and brought word that an- other train was coming to take my com- mand away. In the meantime the enemy was gathering in still greater force, so that I could make out about 3,000 men.
About noon I received a note from the rebel commander, giving me thirty min- utes to move the women and children and to surrender. I ordered the women to leave but made no reply to Green. I bar- rieaded the streets and prepared to re- sist the enemy. After a short time the enemy opened on us with two pieces of artillery, one nine and one six pounder (reported to me to be brass by an es- caped prisoner). Their battery was planted a full mile off. I am satisfied that at this time the enemy numbered fully 3,000. With my glass I could dis- cover a strong force under cover of tim- ber to support their artillery. I offered to lead the men out on the plain and of- fer the enemy battle. Major Cloud, of the Second Kansas, objected. I did not insist, as I thought the opposing force too great.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
During the firing I discovered the ene- my some two miles in the west tearing up the track. I immediately ordered one company on the train to run up to them, which was done, and the enemy driven from that point. I observed also a force in the east tearing up the track and started a train that way, but the train came back, as the enemy opened upon it with their artillery. The officer in com- mand reported to me that he supposed the engine and train of more valne than a little piece of track. I told him he did right.
The enemy fired well. Almost every shot was well pointed, either striking the building or falling in the square. Cap- tain McClure, of the Second Kansas, had his foot shot off. After receiving some thirty shots, the officers of the Second Kansas held a meeting, and sent Major Cloud to me, demanding that I should withdraw the men, saying that they had been in one Springfield fight and did not wish to be in another (meaning fighting against such odds), and also that if I would withdraw and get artillery they would come back with me. He further stated that his men were discontented and supposed they were going home and did not like being brought on the expedi- tion; that he, to encourage them, had held out the inducement to them that the money in the bank was to pay them off with; that they only considered them- selves in the light of volunteers, etc. I still further resisted, and declared I would not mention the subject of retreat- ing to my men, as I had been to them and told them we could hold the place; but finally they insisted so strongly, and fearing there might be a stampede, I consented to call the officers together.
When they met, I said to them I had nothing further to say. After they had decided it to be expedient to retire I told them to wait orders. I delayed giving orders any further than to tell them to go to their companies and prepare to move. After a few minutes I saw the Kansas men starting for the cars. They filled the first train and started. I jumped on the engine and ordered the engineer to move slow, so that the cav- alry could keep up with him on the right flank (the enemy was on the south). I then jumped off and started baek for my own men (280), but they, seeing the Kan- sas men off, had got on the second train and started before I got back. In the confusion the Iowa men left some of their coats and knapsacks in the quar- ters. They did not know at the time we were retiring from the enemy. There was also one transportation wagon and four mules left, all of which might have been brought off had they waited for orders.
It is proper for me to state that I had but one captain with me at the time and he had been quite siek for several days, and was unfit for duty at the time, but he turned out and rendered me valuable assistance. I was extremely short for officers. I had sent three home sick. I then moved the trains to Hudson and re- ported to you in person. Very respect- fully, your obedient servant,
N. G. WILLIAMS, Colonel Third Iowa. Brig .- Gen. G. A. Hurlbut, U. S. A.
WIIAT THE KANSAS OFFICERS SAID.
In their report of the Shelbina affair to Brig .- Gen. S. A. Hurlbut, Lieut .- Col. Charles W. Blair and Major W. F. Cloud
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
said : "It is perhaps proper for me to state formally to yon a fact or two rela- tive to the evacuation of Shelbina on yes- terday. The enemy numbered, as near as we could ascertain, about 3,000 men, and we had only 600 efficient men. We drove them several times and held our position until the enemy brought to bear upon us two pieces of artillery, one six and one nine pounder. We having no ar- tillery and not being able to reach them otherwise, but being compelled to sit be- hind barricades and receive discharges of artillery, which would inevitably have destroyed the command, I, after consul- tation with Major Cloud and the officers of the Second Kansas, insisted upon the men being withdrawn until we could be reinforced by artillery, which we under- stood was at Brookfield. Colonel Wil- liams was averse to the withdrawal, but we insisted that it should be done and he finally yielded a reluctant and unwilling assent; and as we had volunteered to serve in the Paris expedition, he was in courtesy compelled to pay some atten- tion to our wishes in the matter and con- sequently he at last yielded."
SECOND BURNING OF SALT RIVER BRIDGE.
After the departure of the Federal troops Colonel Green took posession of Shelbina and his men remained there several hours. Late that evening the Confederates burned the railroad bridge across Salt river. They also visited Hun- newell and caused some slight damage about the depot.
Colonel Blanton, of Monroe county, was in command of the company that Green sent around west of town to tear up the railroad track, and which was made to retreat by the company sent out on the
train by Colonel Williams. Colonel Blan- ton received a shot in the month ; another man in his company lost his horse.
Green abandoned Shelbina that night, but a few men returned and burned some freight cars that stood on the side track.
Hunnewell was now made the base of what was expected to be important mili- tary movements. And the people of the county saw something of the real pomp of war. A brigadier-general and his staff took charge of affairs and directed matters from this town. Then Briga- dier-General Pope was sent here to move on Green and to totally annihilate the latter, who was then stationed at Flor- ida, in Monroe county. But General Fremont withheld his orders for Pope to move on Green until the latter had crossed the Missouri river at Glasgow and was on his way to join Price at Lex- ington. Captain Forman and the other Shelby countians who had formerly been taken prisoners, were released near Mar- shall, after being duly paroled not to take up arms until they were exchanged.
Brigadier-General Pope left Hunne- well on September 8 and pushed forward to where Green had been near Florida. Here he found only a few of the rear guard and a portion of their outfit, which were captured. Only two shots were fired and only one man wounded. The cavalry set out to locate Green, but re- turned Jater and announced that the Confederates must be over fifty miles away. General Pope returned to Hunne- well.
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