USA > Missouri > Bates County > History of Bates County, Missouri > Part 15
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I soon became satisfied that, notwithstanding Mr. Lane's assertion to the contrary, he had no thought of trying to carry out his scheme
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in opposition to my orders, and that the vast majority of the people of Kansas were entirely opposed to any such movement. On the 4th of September I published an order, a copy of which is inclosed, pro- hibiting armed men, not in the military service, from passing from one state into the other, and sent a sufficient force along the state line to enforce the order against any who might be disposed to disobey it. The people quietly acquiesced. The Paola meeting, which had promised to be of gigantic proportions, dwindled down to a few hundred people, who spent a rainy day in listening to speeches and passing resolutions relative to the senator from Kansas and the commander of the Depart- ment of the Missouri.
I inclose copies of correspondence with Governer Carney, show- ing the measures which have been adopted to place the state in a con- dition to protect itself against such raids as that made against Law- rence. These measures, together with those which are being carried out in western Missouri, will, I believe, place beyond possibility any such disaster in future.
Not the least of the objects of my visit to the border was to see for myself the condition of the border counties, and determine what modification, if any, ought to be made in the policy which General Ewing had adopted. I spent several days in visiting various points in the counties affected by General Ewing's order, and in conversation with the people of all shades of politics who are most deeply affected by the measures adopted. I became fully satisfied that the order depop- ulating certain counties, with the exception of specified districts, was wise and necessary. That portion of the order which directed the destruction of property I did not approve, and it was modified accord- ingly.
The evil which exists upon the border of Kansas and Missouri is somewhat different in kind and far greater in degree than in other parts of Missouri. It is the old border hatred intensified by the rebel- lion and by the murders, robberies, and arson which have characterized the irregular warfare carried on during the early periods of the rebellion, not only by the Rebels, but by our own troops and people. The effect of this has been to render it impossible for any man who openly avowed and maintained his loyalty to the Government to live in the border counties of Missouri outside of military posts. A large majority of the people remaining were open Rebels, while the remainder were com- pelled to abstain from any word or acts in opposition to the rebellion
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at the peril of their lives. All were practically enemies of the Gov- ernment and friends of the Rebel guerrillas. The latter found no difficulty in supplying their commissariat wherever they went, and, what was of vastly greater importance to them, they obtained prompt and accurate information of every movement of our troops, while no citizen was so bold as to give us information in regard to the guerrillas. In a country remarkably well adapted by nature for guerrilla warfare, with all the inhabitants practically the friends of the guerrillas, it has been found impossible to rid the country of such enemies. At no time during the war have these counties been free from them. No remedy short of destroying the source of their great advantage over our troops could cure the evil.
I did not approve of the destruction of property, at first contem- plated by General Ewing, for two reasons, viz: I believe the end can be accomplished without it, and it cannot be done in a reasonable time. so effectually as to very much embarrass the guerrillas. The country is full of hogs and cattle, running in the woods, and of potatoes in the ground and corn in the field, which cannot be destroyed or moved in a reasonable time.
I hope the time is not far distant when the loyal people can return in safety to their homes, and when those vacated by Rebels will be pur- chased and settled by people who are willing to live in peace with their neighbors on both sides of the line.
The measure which has been adopted seems a very harsh one ; but after the fullest examination and consideration of which I am capable, I am satisfied it is wise and humane. It was not adopted hastily, as a consequence of the Lawrence massacre. The subject had long been discussed between General Ewing and myself, and its neces- sity recognized as at least probable. I had determined to adopt the milder policy of removing all families known to be connected with or in sympathy with the guerrillas, and had commenced its execution before the raid upon Lawrence. The utter impossibility of deciding who were guilty and who were innocent, and the great danger of retaliation by the guerrillas upon those who should remain, were the chief reasons for adopting the present policy. In executing it. a liberal test of loyalty is adopted. Persons who come to the military posts and claim protection as loyal citizens are not turned away without per- fectly satisfactory evidence of disloyalty. It is the first opportunity which those people have had since the war began of openly proclaiming their attachment to the Union without fear of Rebel vengeance.
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It is possible that General Ewing might have done more than he did do to guard against such a calamity as that at Lawrence; but I believe he is entitled to great credit for the energy, wisdom, and zeal displayed while in command of that district. The force at his command was larger, it is true, than in other portions of the department, yet it was small for the service required-necessarily so, as will be readily understood when it is considered how much my troops have been increased by our advance into Arkansas and the Indian country.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major-General.
(Inclosure No. 2.) Leavenworth, Kans., August 24, 1863.
Major-General Schofield,
St. Louis, Mo .:
Sir: Disaster has again fallen on our state. Lawrence is in ashes. Millions of property have been destroyed, and, worse yet, nearly 200 lives of our best citizens have been sacrificed. No fiends in human shape could have acted with more savage barbarity than did Quantrill and his band in their last successful raid. I must hold Missouri respon- sible for this fearful, fiendish raid. No body of men large as that com- manded by Quantrill could have been gathered together without the people residing in western Missouri knowing everything about it. Such people cannot be considered loyal and should not be treated as loyal citizens; for while they conceal the movements of desperadoes like Quantrill and his followers, they are. in the worst sense of the word, their aiders and abettors, and should be held equally guilty. There is no way of reaching these armed ruffians while the civilian is per- initted to cloak him.
There can be no peace in Missouri, there will be utter desolation in Kansas, unless both are made to feel promptly the rigor of military law. The peace of both states and the safety of the republic demand alike this resolute course of action. I urge upon you, therefore, the adoption of this policy, as the only policy which can save both western Missouri and Kansas; for if this policy be not immediately adopted. the people themselves, acting upon the common principle of self-defense. will take the matter in their own hands and avenge their own wrongs. You will not misunderstand me. I do not use, or intend to use, any threats. I tell you only what our people almost to a man feel. The excitement over the success of Quantrill is intense-intense all over
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the state-and I do not see how I can hesitate to demand, or how you can refuse to grant, a court of inquiry by which the cause of that fatal success may be fully investigated, and all the facts laid before the pub- lic. I go even further. I demand that this court of inquiry shall have power to investigate all matters touching military wrong-doing in Kan- sas, and I do this most earnestly, to guarantee alike our present and future safety.
As regards arms, we are destitute. There are none at the fort, and none in the state. I telegraphed the Secretary of War this fact, asking him to turn over to me here arms in sufficient quantity to meet our wants. He ordered it done, and replied, further, that anything the Government could do to aid Kansas should be done. This being so, will you not express to me arms for cavalry and infantry sufficient to arm three regiments?
I inclose the copy of the dispatch of the Secretary of War to me, that you may see its purport and understand its spirit.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. CARNEY, Governor. (Inclosure No. 2.) Washington, August 24, 1863.
Governor Carney :
The order for arms and ammunition requested in your telegram of this morning has been given. They will be turned over on your requisition. Any other aid you require will be given if in the power of the Government. EDWIN M. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
(Inclosure No. 4.) Headquarters Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, August 29. 1863.
His Excellency Thomas Carney.
Governor of Kansas:
Governor: I have forwarded a copy of your letter of the 24th to the War Department, and requested the President to appoint a court of inquiry, with full powers to investigate all matters touching military affairs in Kansas, and have urged it strongly. I have no doubt the court will be appointed, and that the responsibility of the sad calamity which has befallen Lawrence will be placed where it properly belongs.
Be assured that nothing in my power shall be omitted to visit
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just vengeance upon all who are in any way guilty of the horrible crime, and to secure Kansas against anything of the kind in future; meanwhile let me urge upon you the importance of mollifying the just anger of your people, or rather of reconciling them to the necessity and propriety of leaving it to the United States troops to execute the vengeance which they so justly demand.
It needs no argument to convince you of the necessity of this course. Without it there would be no end of retaliation on either side, and utter desolation on both sides of the border would be the result.
Anything you may require in the way of arms for your militia, and complete outfit for your new regiment of volunteers, shall be fur- nished at once. Immediately upon the receipt of your letter, I ordered 3,000 stand of arms to be shipped to you at once, and to-day have ordered some horses for the Fifteenth Regiment. The arms are not of the best class, but are the very best I have, and are perfectly ser- viceable.
Permit me to suggest that your militia should be thoroughly organ- ized throughout the state, and that every town should have arms in store, under a small guard, sufficient to arm the militia of the town. The arms can be easily supplied by the General Government. Without such organization, no town in Missouri or Kansas near the border is safe, unless it be occupied by United States troops, and to occupy them all, you will perceive, is utterly impossible with the force under my command.
To entirely prevent the assemblage of such bands of desperate outlaws as that under Quantrill in the summer season is simply impos- sible without five times my present force. In a state like Kansas, where everybody is loyal, such a state of things could not exist; but when half or more of the people are disloyal of all shades, as in west- ern Missouri, and consequently cannot be permitted to carry arms, whether willingly or unwillingly, they are the servants of these brigands, and are entirely at their mercy. If they resist their demands or inform upon them, it is at the peril of their lives. I do not wish to extenuate in any degree the crimes of those who are responsible for these inhu- man acts; they shall suffer the fullest penalty ; but I simply state what. at a moment's reflection, will convince you are facts. to show the neces- sity for full preparation on your part to assist me in -preventing the recurrence of any calamity like that which befell Lawrence.
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
I am informed that a meeting was held in Leavenworth a few days ago, in which it was resolved that the people should meet at Paola, on the 8th of September, for the purpose of entering Missouri to recover their stolen property. If this were the only result of such expedition, or if their vengeance could be limited to those who are actually guilty, there would be no objection to it; but it is a simple matter of course that the action of such an irresponsible organization of enraged citi- zens would be indiscriminate retaliation upon innocent and guilty alike. You cannot expect me to permit anything of this sort. My present duty requires me to prevent it at all hazards, and by all means in my power. But I hope a few days of reflection will show the popular leaders in Kansas the folly and wickedness of such retaliation, and cause them to be abandoned.
I shall confidently rely upon your powerful influence to prevent any such action on the part of the people of Kansas as will force me into the painful position of having to oppose them in any degree, par- ticularly by force.
Be assured, Governor, of my earnest desire to do all in my power to promote the peace and security of Kansas. I shall be glad at all times to know your views and wishes touching your state.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.
(Inclosure No. 5.) Leavenworth, Kans., September 3, 1863. Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield,
Commanding Department of the Missouri:
Sir: The brutal outrages committed upon the unoffending and unarmed citizens of Lawrence by Quantrill and his band have not only aroused every man in the state, but shocked the whole country. The wish of both is that the doers of these bloody deeds-their aiders and abettors-shall be steadily pursued and surely punished, for there can be no safety in the present or the future while these miscreants are permitted to live.
The 9th day of this month, by order of your district commander, is the day fixed upon to begin this summary punishment. That this punishment may be swift and sure, I offer you any forces at my com- mand. You have promptly sent me a sufficient quantity of arms to meet the wants of the state. With these arms in their hands, and
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
organized, our citizens can repel any raid which brutal marauders like Quantrill and his band may attempt, or punish, instantly and severely, those who shall aid or abet them. I have confidence only in organized action, and satisfy both of your ability to lead our forces and your resolve to punish the guilty, I shall be happy to place the military of the state at your disposal.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS CARNEY, Governor. (Inclosure No. 6.) Kansas City, Mo., September 3, 1863.
His Excellency Thomas Carney,
Governor of Kansas:
Governor: . I am in receipt of your letter of this morning. I fully sympathize with your feeling of anxiety to give security to the Kan- sas border, and to avenge on the Rebels in Missouri the unparalleled atrocities of the Lawrence massacre. My forces in Missouri and Kan- ยท sas having been greatly reduced by re-enforcements sent to Generals Grant, Steele, and Blunt. I am glad to avail myself of your offer of a part of the Kansas militia to aid the United States forces in this district.
With the chief towns on the eastern border of Kansas garrisoned by the militia of the state, and with two regiments of volunteers, which I have lately ordered to re-enforce the troops already in the district, the military authorities will be able not only to execute the orders for the expulsion of disloyal persons, but also to pursue and destroy the guerrilla bands which have so long ravaged the border.
For the purpose named, I will accept the services of so many com- panies of militia as may be deemed necessary by you and the district commander to protect the towns referred to.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
J. M. SCHOFIELD. Major-General.
Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., U. S. Army, Commanding District of the Border.
Headquarters District of the Border, Kansas City, Mo., August 31. 1863.
Sir: Some commanders of detachments engaged in the pursuit
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of Quantrill are still out after his scattered forces. In advance of their return, I submit a report of the raid, which, in some respects, may be deficient, for want of official information from them.
Three or four times this summer the guerrillas have assembled, to the number of several hundred, within 20 or 30 miles of the Kansas border. They have threatened, alternately, Lexington, Independence, Warrensburg, and Harrisonville, and frequent reports have reached me from scouts and spies, that they meant to sack and destroy Shaw- nee, Olathe, Paola, Mound City, and other towns in Kansas near the eastern border. I placed garrisons in all these Kansas towns, and issued arms and rations to volunteer militia companies there. From reliable sources I learned toward the last of July, that they were threat- ening a raid on Lawrence, and soon after they commenced assembling on the Snibar, in the western part of La Fayette county. I at once ordered a company of infantry which was then coming down to Fort Riley, to stop at Lawrence, which they did for more than a week, and until after the guerrilla force had been dispersed by a force I sent against them.
From this time, though constantly receiving information as to their movements and plans, I could learn nothing of a purpose to make a raid into Kansas. Their forces were again scattered in small preda- tory bands, and I had all available forces in like manner scattered throughout the Missouri portion of this district, and especially the border counties, besetting their haunts and paths.
Quantrill's whole force was about 300 men, composed of selected bands from this part of Missouri. About 250 were assembled on Black- water, near the eastern border of this district, at least 50 miles from the Kansas line, on the 17th and 18th instant, and I am informed by Major (J. T.) Ross, Missouri State Militia, who has been scouting in the southwest part of Saline county that the rendezvous was there.
Lieutenant-Colonel (B. F.) Lazear, commanding two companies of the First Missouri, at Warrensburg, heard, on the morning of the 20th, that this force had passed the day before 12 miles north of him, going west, and moved promptly after them, sending orders to Major (A. W.) Mullins, commanding two companies, of the same regiment, at Pleasant Hill, to move on them from that point.
On the night of the 19th, however, Quantrill passed through Chapel Hill to the head of the Middle Fork of Grand River, 8 miles northwest of Harrisonville and 15 miles southeast of Aubrey, the nearest station
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in Kansas, passing 5 miles south of Aubrey at 6 p. m. going west. Aubrey is 35 miles south of Kansas City, and about 45 miles southeast of Lawrence. Kansas City is somewhat farther from Lawrence.
Captain (J. A.) Pike, commanding two companies at Aubrey, received information of the presence of Quantrill on Grand river at 5:30 p. m. of the 20th. He promptly forwarded the information up and down the line and to my headquarters, and called in his scouting parties to march upon them. One hour and a half later he received information that Quantrill had just passed into Kansas. Unhappily, however, instead of setting out at once in pursuit, he remained at the station, and merely sent information of Quantrill's movement to my headquarters, and to Captain Coleman, commanding two companies at Little Santa Fe, 12 miles north of the line. Captain (C. F.) Cole- man, with near 100 men, marched at once to Aubrey, and the available force of the two stations numbering about 200 men, set out at mid- night in pursuit. But Quantrill's path was over the open prairie, and difficult to follow at night, so that our force gained but little on him. By Captain Pike's error of judgment in failing to follow promptly and closely, the surest means of arresting the terrible blow was thrown away, for Quantrill would never have gone as far as Lawrence, or attacked it, with 100 men close on his rear.
The first dispatch of Captain Pike reached here at 11:30 p. m .; the second an hour later. Before 1 o'clock Major (P. B.) Plumb, my chief of staff, at the head of about 50 men (which was all that could be got here and at Westport), started southward, and at daylight heard at Olathe, 25 miles from here, that the enemy had passed at midnight through Gardner, 18 miles from Lawrence, going toward that town. Pushing on, Major Plumb overtook Captains Coleman and Pike, 6 miles southeast of Lawrence, at 10:30 o'clock Friday, the 21st instant, and by the light of the blazing farm houses saw that the enemy had got 6 miles south of Lawrence, on their way out of the state. The enemy were overtaken near Palmyra by Major Plumb's command, to which were there added from 50 to 100 citizens, who had been hastily assembled and led in pursuit by General Lane. By this time the horses of our detachments were almost exhausted. Nearly all were young horses, just issued to the companies, and had marched more than 65 miles without rest, and without food from the morning of the 20th. Quantrill had his men mounted on the best horses of the border and had collected fresh ones going to and at Lawrence, almost enough to
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remount his command. He skillfully kept over 100 of his best mounted and best trained men in the rear, and often formed line of battle, to delay pursuit and give time and rest to the most wearied of his forces. By the time our scattered soldiers and citizens could get up and form line, the guerrillas' rear guard would, after a volley, break into column, and move off at a speed that defied pursuit. Thus the chase dragged through the afternoon, over the prairie, generally following no roads or paths, until night, when Quantrill's rear guard formed line of battle 3 miles north of Paola, and 20 miles from where they entered the state. A skirmish ensued, the guerrillas breaking and scattering, so that our forces, in the darkness, lost the trail, and went into Paola for food and rest, while search was being made for it. Lieutenant-Colonel (C. S.) Clark, Ninth Kansas Volunteers, with headquarters at Coldwater Grove (13 miles south of Aubrey), Rockville (13 miles south of Coldwater Grove), Chouteau's Trading Post (15 miles south of Rockville), and Harrisonville. There were two companies at each station, but the force out patrolling rarely left 50 men in camp at each post. He received Captain Pike's message as to the gathering of Quantrill's forces troops at Rockville and Trading Post to march up to Coldwater Grove. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 21st, he received a dispatch from Cap- tain Coleman, at Aubrey, saying that Quantrill had crossed into Kansas, and he set out with 30 men, following Quantrill's trail nearly to Gard- ner, and thence going south to Paola, reaching there at 5 p. m. With this command, and a force of perhaps 50 citizens, and a part of Cap- tain (N. L.) Benter's company of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry, which had been garrisoning Paola, he prepared to attack Quantrill at the ford of Bull creek, 3 miles south of Paola, toward which he was then retreat- ing. But Quantrill, on coming within 4 or 5 miles of that crossing. soon after dark, formed line of battle, as I stated above, broke trail. turned sharp to the north, and dodged and bewildered the force in waiting for him as well as that in pursuit.
These troops at the ford returned to Paola about the time the command which had followed Quantrill reached there. One of the parties in search of the trail found it 5 miles north of Paola, and reported the fact to Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, who was the ranking officer there. at between 1 and 2 o'clock. He was slow in ordering pursuit, which was not renewed until daybreak. He, at that time, sent Captain Cole- man forward, with 30 men of the Ninth Kansas, which he himself had brought to Paola, and 40 of the same regiment, which had got there
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from the Trading Post at about 2 o'clock that morning, and about 70 militia, chiefly of Linn county. He marched soon after himself with the troops which had followed Quantrill the day before.
Half an hour before Major Plumb started from Kansas City on the night of the 21st, Captain Palmer, Eleventh Kansas, was sent by him from Westpoint with 50 men of his company down the line to near Aubrey, where he met a messenger from Captain Coleman, directing re-enforcements to Spring Hill, at which point he struck Quantrill's trail, and followed it to within 7 miles of Lawrence. Thence, learning that Quantrill had gone south, he turned southeast; and at Lanesfield (Uniontown) was joined by a force about 80 strong, under Major Phillips, composed of detachments of Captain Smith's company. Enrolled Missouri Militia, Captain (T. P.) Killen's Ninth Kansas, and a squad of the Fifth Kansas. This latter force had been collected by Major (L. K.) Thacher, at Westport, and dispatched from there at noon on Friday, the 21st, via Lexington, Kansas. The command of Major Phillips, thus increased to 130, pushed southeast from Lanesfield, and struck Quantrill's trail about sunrise, 5 miles north of Paola, and but a little behind the commands of Coleman and Clark.
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