USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 11
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 11
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The Federal forces took possession of "Camp Vest" and the city of Boonville. At the former there were found twenty or thirty tents, fifty guns, a large number of shoes and other cloth- ing, a quantity of blankets and ammunition and two secession flags.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CARTHAGE.
The lead mines in the southwest part of the State became an object of great importance to the Confederate Government, which, hoping to secure them, dispatched large bodies of troops from Arkansas and Texas. On July 5, a scouting party, sent out by Col. Franz Sigel, encountered, about two miles from Carthage, a picket guard of the State troops, who were taken prisoners. As soon as possible Col. Sigel prepared to advance, expecting to find the State troops some distance west of the town. About half-past 9 o'clock the armies met in an open prairie, seven miles beyond Carthage. The State forces numbered per- haps 5,000 men, mostly cavalry, but had a battery of five cannon. Col. Sigel's command comprised his own regiment of two bat- talions, and Col. Salomon's detached regiment, with several pieces of artillery, under command of Maj. Backoff. Col. Sigel's and Col. Salomon's men numbered together 1,100. Gens. Par- sons and Rains were in command of the State troops. Maj. Backoff, by direction of Col. Sigel, opened fire, and in less than two hours the battery of the opposing forces was silenced. The superior arms of the Federals enabled them to maintain a situa- tion of comparatively little danger. The State ranks were twice broken, but rallied, and held their position until their guns gave out, when their column was again broken.
At this time a large body of the Confederate cavalry was sent back to cut off Sigel's transportation train. Seeing this movement, he ordered a retreat, and sent word for the wagons to advance as quickly as possible. By keeping up an incessant fire with the infantry, and using the artillery whenever practicable, Sigel managed to retard the advance of the cavalry, and to fall back in good order, some three and a half miles, to the baggage train. The wagons were then placed in the center of the column in such a manner that there were artillery and infantry forces both in front and rear. At this the State forces retreated, and attempted to surround the entire column, taking a position upon some bluffs overlooking a creek. There was but one road across this stream, and, to change his position without further retreat, it was necessary for Sigel to cross the hill where the State cav- alry were mainly stationed.
.
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Maj. Backoff ordered two of the artillery pieces in front to oblique to the left, and two to the right, and at the same time a corresponding movement was made from Sigel's battalion. This maneuver led the State troops into the belief that the Federals were seeking to outflank their cavalry. Accordingly the forces on the bluffs closed up to the right and left, when, on reaching a point 300 yards from them, Backoff's artillery was ordered to transverse oblique, and immediately opened a terrible cross-fire with cannister. At the same time the Federal infantry charged at double quick, and in ten minutes the State troops were dis- persed in every direction.
This engagement, with the maneuvering, occupied about two hours. The State cavalry were poorly armed and mounted, and having no cannon on the bluffs could make but little resistance to the attacks of Col. Sigel. Forty-five men and eighty horses were taken by the Federals, also a quantity of double-barreled shot- guns and some revolvers and bowie-knives. The loss of the State troops was estimated at 250 or 300 men. However these forces still prevented Sigel's advance over the creek, and that officer was compelled to retreat in the direction of Carthage, the State troops following and surrounding the column on three sides, although kept at a distance by the infantry fire.
Sigel's command reached Carthage at half past six o'clock, and at once attempted to enter the woods about a mile distant. This movement the State cavalry resisted, knowing that they could do nothing in the timber. An effort to rally the cavalry to a charge was made, which brought the whole of Sigel's infantry into action. After some hard fighting that officer got his men into the woods and forced the State troops to relinquish the pur- suit. The latter returned to Carthage intending to renew the battle in the morning. In this last engagement the State troops lost ten killed and sixty-four wounded. The dispatchers of Col. Sigel placed his loss during the whole day at thirteen killed and thirty-one wounded.
Notwithstanding the terrible fatigue of the day-his men having been in action nearly twelve hours-Sigel continued his retreat. A forced march was made to Sarcoxie, in the south- east corner of the county (Jasper), a distance of twelve or four-
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teen miles. There the Federal troops went into camp at 3 o'clock in the morning. On the following afternoon the retreat was con- tinued to Mount Vernon, Lawrence County, where, for a time, Sigel established his headquarters.
THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
On July 3, 1861, the Western Department was created, com- prising Illinois and the States and Territories west of the Missis- sippi and east of the Rocky Mountains, including New Mexico. The headquarters of this department were at St. Louis, where, previous to its establishment, Gen. Harney, and, afterward, Gen. Lyon, were in command. Gen. John C. Fremont, who was a son- in-law of Senator Benton, and had been a candidate for the pres- idency in 1856, was appointed to the command of the new depart- ment, and assumed the duties of his office on the 26th of July.
The authorities at Washington, perplexed by the disastrous defeat at Bull Run, were so absorbed with the defenses of the National Capital, and with military operations at the East, as to be unable to give necessary aid to the Western Department. Fremont finally obtained $100,000 from the National sub-treas- urer at St. Louis, with which he proceeded to secure the re-enlist- ment of many of the three months' men, whose terms had expired, and to fortify the city against any probable attack. Harassed by a lack of resources, Fremont was soon placed in a dilemma, oc- casioned by the exigencies of the campaign in Missouri. The Confederate general, Pillow, was reported to be advancing with a large number of troops against Cairo and Bird's Point, while Gen. Hardee was pushing into the interior of Missouri to annoy Gen. Lyon's flank and rear. In addition to all this, Lieut .- Gov. Reynolds, Gov. Jackson being temporarily absent, elated with the Confederate victory at Bull Run, issued a proclamation to the people of Missouri, in which he alluded to the State con- vention as merely a tool in the hands of their enemies, assured them that peace and security could only be obtained through union with the South, and called upon them to rally as one man to the standard of the State, and aid Gen. Pillow in expelling the invader from their borders.
In view of this variety of changes, Gen. Fremont decided to
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secure Bird's Point against the attack of Gen. Pillow, but upon sending an expedition to that place, found that the menace against it was merely intended as a diversion.
Meanwhile, after the battle of Boonville, Gen. Lyon, with a force of nearly 3,000 men, four pieces of artillery and a long bag- gage train, left that place, and followed in pursuit of the State troops, who were reported to have fled to Syracuse and beyond. At Grand River, a branch of the Osage, in Henry County, he was reinforced by 3,000 Kansas troops under command of Maj. S. D. Sturgis. When within eighty miles of Springfield, Lyon heard of Sigel's battle at Carthage and determined to change his course and march to his relief. Notwithstanding the intensely hot weather, and the fatigue of his infantry, early on the morn- ing of July 10 Lyon's army moved from their encampment and forced their way among the hills, gorges and forests that lay in their path. After they had proceeded fifty miles, a messenger from Sigel brought definite information of the desperate en- counter at Carthage, and that Sigel's little army was now at Springfield. Therefore Lyon, marching more leisurely, accom- plished the remaining thirty miles of the journey in two days.
Encamped near Springfield, he now prepared to meet the enemy who were his superior in numbers and constantly increas- ing. It was now that he repeatedly called upon Gen. Fremont for those reinforcements which the latter failed to supply.
Near the close of July, Gen. Lyon was informed of the con- centration of the Confederate forces at Cassville, and of their de- sign of attacking his camp. Therefore, although their numbers were much greater than those of his army, he determined to an- ticipate their attack by an advance of his own troops. Late on the afternoon of August 1, his entire army, consisting of 5,500 foot, 400 horse and 18 guns, moved toward Cassville and biv- ouacked that night on Cave Creek, ten miles south of Springfield. The next morning they marched to Dug Springs, in Stone County, nineteen miles southwest of Springfield. Here they en- countered and defeated a body of Confederates under Gen. Rains.
WILSON'S CREEK.
On August 6, Gen. Lyon returned with his army to Spring- field. The entire Confederate force was now concentrated near
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Crane Creek, in the northern part of Stone County. Believing that Lyon's army was much larger than their own, a disagree- ment arose between Price and McCulloch as to the expediency of an advance toward Springfield, the former counseling a for- ward, and the latter a retrograde movement. Finally an order was received from Maj .- Gen. Polk, ordering an advance upon Lyon. A council was at once held, in which McCulloch expressed his willingness to march upon Springfield, provided he were granted the chief command. Price, to whom that distinction, perhaps, rightfully belonged, consented to the terms of McCul- loch, hoping that Lyon might be defeated, and driven from the State. A little after midnight on Sunday, August 4, they took up the line of march, and reached Wilson's Creek, ten miles southwest of Springfield, on the 9th. Here they encamped, determining at 9 o'clock that night to march in four separate columns against Springfield, surround the place, and begin a simultaneous attack at daybreak. A threatened storm caused Gen. McCulloch to countermand his order, and morning found his entire army, consisting of 5,300 infantry, fifteen guns, and 6,000 cavalry, besides a large number of unarmed horsemen, encamped upon the field. But the night was neither too dark nor stormy for Gen. Lyon. At 5 o'clock P. M. of August 9, he marched in two columns from Springfield, making a detour to the right, and notwithstanding the darkness and storm at 1 o'clock found himself within sight of the Confederate guard fires. Here he called a halt, and his soldiers lay on their arms until dawn, when they formed in battle line and advanced. Lyon's effective force was 5,200 men, including infantry and cavalry, and three batteries of sixteen guns. The two columns of the Federal army were commanded by Lyon and Sigel, and their early attack was a complete surprise to the Confederates, McCulloch, trusting for security to the darkness and storm, having withdrawn his advanced pickets.
The Federal forces in command of Lyon formed a line of battle at daybreak, closely followed by Totten's battery, supported by a strong reserve, and with skirmishers thrown out in front. After driving in the enemy's outposts, a ravine was crossed and a high ridge gained, when a large force of the Confederate skir-
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
mishers came in view. Very severe fighting ensued, and it be- came evident that Lyon's column would soon reach the strong- hold, where the main battle would take place. A few shells cleared the front, and the First Missouri and First Kansas moved forward, supported by the First Iowa and Totten's battery. The Second Kansas, Capt. Steele's battalion and Lieut. Dubois' bat- tery, were held in reserve, so as to bear upon a powerful bat- tery of the enemy, which was stationed in front, on the opposite side of Wilson's Creek. The Confederates now rallied in large force near the foot of the slope, opposite Lyon's left wing, and along the slope in his front and to his right. During this time, Capt. Plummer, with four companies of infantry, had moved down a ridge a few hundred yards to Lyon's left, and found at its terminus a large body of the enemy's infantry, which arrested further progress in that direction. Directly artillery firing was begun at the point, about two miles distant, where it was expected that Sigel's column would encounter the enemy.
Lyon's whole line now moved with great impetuosity toward the Confederate position; and the roar of musketry increased and became continuous. Totten's battery came into action, as the nature of the ground would permit, and made great havoc in the opposing ranks. After half an hour's fierce fighting the Con- federates retired in great confusion, leaving Gen. Lyon in pos- session of the field. Meanwhile, Capt. Plummer had been com- pelled to fall back, but Lieut. Dubois' battery, supported by Capt, Steele's battalion, opened upon the enemy in that direction, and soon drove them from the cornfield, where they had intrenched themselves. There was now a momentary cessation of firing along the whole line, except on the right, where the First Mis- souri was still engaged against superior numbers. The Second Kansas was ordered to the support of this regiment, which must otherwise have been destroyed while unflinchingly holding its position. During this time Capt. Steele's battalion, which had been detailed to the support of Dubois' battery, was brought for- ward to the support of Totten's, and soon the Confederate force reappeared along Lyon's entire front, marching toward each flank. The battle again began with great fury, and became general along the whole line. The ranks of the opposing sides were sometimes
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within thirty or forty yards of each other, when charges upon Totten's battery were made. For more that an hour the conflict was carried on with great slaughter on both sides, and so equally balanced were the opposing forces that neither were gaining any decisive advantage.
Early in this desperate engagement, Gen. Lyon's horse was killed, and he himself received a wound in the leg and one in the head. He then mounted another horse, and, swinging his hat, called upon the nearest troops to follow him. The Second Kan- sas gallantly responded, but their commander, Col. Mitchell, soon fell severely wounded, and, at about the same time, Gen. Lyon received a mortal wound in or near the heart. Maj. Sturgis then succeeded to the command. The Confederates had been driven back, and for twenty minutes there was a lull in the battle, during which Sturgis summoned his officers for a consul- tation. Lyon's column had been dreadfully shattered, and the leader killed. For nearly thirty hours the men had been with- out water, and a supply could not be had short of Springfield, which was ten or twelve miles away. Their ammunition was nearly gone, and should they, by slackening fire, reveal this fact to the enemy, annihilation seemed inevitable.
Sigel, meanwhile, had not been heard from; but the consul- tation of officers was soon brought to a close by the advance of a heavy column from the direction whence Sigel's guns' had been at first heard. These troops carried a banner resembling the American flag, and their dress resembled that of Sigel's brigade. Hoping to effect a junction with that officer, Sturgis formed his line for an advance. Suddenly from a hill in Stur- gis front a battery began to pour into his line shrapnel and cannister, and at this moment the on-coming Confederate forces, for such they were, displayed their true colors, and the fiercest engagement of the day immediately commenced along the en- tire Union lines. Totten's battery, in the center, supported by the Iowa and regular troops, was the main object of attack. The Confederates were often within twenty feet of the battery, and the smoke of the opposing lines was so intermingled as to appear made by the same guns. Notwithstanding the com- plete rout of the Confederate front, they continued to hold the
8
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
field. Finally, therefore, the Federal forces were ordered to retreat. They moved slowly to the open prairie, about two miles from the battlefield, and thence to Springfield, which they reached at 5 o'clock that afternoon, Their total loss was 223 killed, 721 wounded, and 292 missing.
Sigel's column, in the meantime, had marched within a mile of McCulloch's camp at daybreak, and planted four pieces of artillery on the left, the infantry advancing toward the point where the Fayetteville road crosses Wilson's Creek, and the two cavalry companies guarding his right and left. His artillery fire was so destructive that the enemy were soon driven from their tents, and retired toward the northeast part of the valley. The Third and Fifth Missouri Infantry (Union) had passed the creek, and formed almost in the center of the camp. As the enemy were now rallying in front, Sigel ordered the artillery to be brought forward and formed in battery 'across the valley, with the Third and Fifth to the left, and the cavalry to the right. At the end of half an hour the enemy retreated into the woods and up the adjoining hills. By the firing in the direction of Gen. Lyon's column, it now became evident that he had engaged the enemy along the whole line; therefore, to give him the greatest possible assistance, Sigel left his position in the camp and ad- vanced to attack the enemy's line of battle in the rear. In pur- suance of this design, Sigel's column struck the Fayetteville road, and, following it to Sharpe's farm, planted his artillery on the plateau, and the two infantry regiments on the right and left, across the road, while the cavalry was stationed on its flanks. The firing in the direction of Lyon's column had then almost entirely ceased. Supposing that Lyon had repulsed the Confed- erates, and that his forces were coming up the road, the com- manders of the Third and Fifth Regiments gave orders not to fire upon troops advancing from that direction. Very unexpect- edly, two Confederate batteries opened fire upon them, one in front on the Fayetteville road, and the other from the hill, where it was supposed Lyon's forces were victorious, while a strong column of infantry, mistaken for the Iowa regiment, advanced from the Fayetteville road and attacked Sigel's right. Conster- nation and frightful confusion at once ensued. Sigel's men,
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thinking that by some mistake Lyon's troops were firing upon them, could hardly be induced to serve their guns until it was too late. The Confederates arrived within a few paces of Sigel's cannon, killed the horses, turned the flanks of the infantry, and forced them to fly. In this retreat Sigel lost five cannons, of which three were spiked, and the colors of the Third Regiment. The total Federal loss was 258 killed, 873 wounded, and 186 missing; in all, 1,317. The Confederate loss was 279 killed, 951 wounded, and 68 prisoners; total, 1,298. Upon the arrival of the shattered Federal forces at Springfield, the command of the whole was entrusted to Col. Sigel, who ordered a retreat to Rolla, Phelps County, 125 miles distant. The retreating army reached this place, August 19, having safely conducted a govern- ment train five miles in length, and valued at $1,500,000.
After the Federal defeat at Wilson's Creek, Gov. Gamble issued a proclamation calling into service 42,000 of the State militia to serve for six months, unless peace in the State should be sooner restored.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED.
Gen. Fremont, on the 30th of August, inaugurated a new remedy for the lawlessness which prevailed, and the almost abso- lute impotence of the civil authority. He declared martial law and appointed J. Mckinstry, major United States army, provost- marshal-general of the State.
CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON.
Contrary to the expectations of both armies, McCulloch and Price failed to pursue their victory at Wilson's Creek by follow- ing Sigel in his retreat to Rolla, and McCulloch soon left Mis- souri with all his forces. Taking advantage of the favorable impression made upon the people by his success, Gen. Price issued a proclamation in which he declared that his army had been organized for the maintenance of the rights, dignity and honor of Missouri, and was kept in the field for these purposes alone. The citizens of the State now flocked to his standard in considerable numbers, and in a few weeks he had collected a large force. He now pressed northward across the State to Lex- ington, on the Missouri River. This place was defended by a
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force of Federals, 2,600 strong, commanded by Col. Mulligan. In anticipation of an attack, intrenchments had been thrown upon Masonic College Hill, an eminence overlooking the Missouri River. Mulligan's fortifications were most skillfully planned, but his men had only about forty rounds of ammunition each, six small brass cannon and two howitzers, the latter of which were useless because of the lack of shells. At dawn of Septem- ber 12, Gen. Price drove in the Union pickets, and, from a position within easy range of Mulligan's intrenchments, opened a cannonade from four different points. The assault and defense were kept up during the entire day, when Price withdrew to await the arrival of his wagon train and reinforcements. Mulli- gan's men worked night and day to strengthen their fortifications, and anxiously expected reinforcements, for which a courier had been dispatched to Jefferson City. This messenger was cap- tured on the way and, of course, no relief came.
On the morning of the 18th Gen. Price, who had been rein- forced, and now had from 15,000 to 25,000 men, began a final attack upon Mulligan's works, cutting off the communication of the beleaguered garrison with the city, stopping their supply of water, seizing a steamboat laden with stores, and occupying a building which commanded the position of the Union forces. A most stubborn defense was made, which continued for fifty- two hours. During the afternoon of the 20th Gen. Price pro- cured numerous bales of hemp, and with these, wetted to resist hot shot, he caused movable breastworks to be constructed, be- hind which a large body of the Confederates advanced within ten rods of Mulligan's works. The latter officer saw that further resistance was madness. To retreat was impossible. His men had no water except that which had been caught in blankets during a passing shower, and afterward wrung out; and the stench from the carcasses of horses and mules killed within the intrenchments was insufferable. Accordingly the white flag was raised, and the siege of Lexington was ended. The men laid down their arms and became prisoners of war. As the fruits of this victory there fell into the hands of Gen. Price six cannon, two mortars, over 3,000 stand of infantry arms, a large number of sabers, about 750 horses, wagons, teams, ammunition, and
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$100,000 worth of commissary stores. On the Union side 40 men were killed and 120 wounded. The Confederate loss was 20 killed and 65 wounded.
FREMONT IN THE FIELD.
Gen. Fremont, deeply chagrined at the Federal reverses, and fearing that Gen. Price would advance upon the State capital, or intrench himself at some central point upon the Missouri River, determined to take the field in person, with the hope of defeating Price before McCulloch, who had been recruiting troops in Arkansas, could return to his aid. With this intention he di- rected toward Southwestern Missouri an army of more than 20,000 men, arranged in five divisions, under command of Gens. Hunter, Pope, Sigel, Mckinstry and Asboth. These troops were accompanied by eighty-six pieces of artillery, many of which were rifle cannon. On the 28th of September Fremont, with his fa- mous body-guard, commanded by Maj. Zagonyi, a Hungarian, reached Jefferson City, and commenced vigorous measures to overturn the plans of Gen. Price, and drive him from the State. On the 30th of the month Price abandoned Lexington, leaving a small force of 500 men to guard such prisoners as had not been paroled. On the 16th of October Maj. White, with his "Prairie Scouts," consisting of 185 cavalry men, surprised this garrison releasing the Union prisoners, capturing seventy of the Confed- erates, and dispersing the rest. He then rejoined Fremont's army.
SPRINGFIELD.
Maj. White was now ordered by Gen. Sigel to reconnoiter near Springfield, and if advisable to attack the Confederate force in camp there. The major was seriously ill at the time, but im- mediately set his command in motion, accompanying them in a carriage.
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