USA > Missouri > Boone County > History of Boone County, Missouri. > Part 41
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The fight at Compton's Ferry occurred August 9 ; that at Yellow Creek August 13. In both of these engagements portions of the Ninth M. S. M. were present and took a creditable part. A few days previously - that is to say, on July 28-Gen. Guitar had fought and defeated a force of Confederates under Col. Jo. Porter, Third Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A., at Moore's Mills, Callaway County.1 Guitar had under him portions of companies A, B, G, and F, of the Ninth M. S. M. ; a part of Merrill's Horse, a battalion of the Third Iowa Cavalry, and a company of militia from Pike County. Following is a list of the killed and wounded in the companies of the Ninth M. S. M. : -
· Killed. - Richard Baker, George Schultz.
· Wounded. - Bugler John Gallatly, in several places, dangerous (the report that he was killed is untrue); H. Shrader, in head, severe; P. Knitzer, in head, severe; L. Snowden, mortally; J. Tudor, in leg, severe; W. A. Mason, in hip and hand, severe; H. Shultz, in thigh, slight; - Fleming, in arm, severe; R. H. Breese, in head, slight; M. Dalton, in elbow, slight; E. C. Music.
The total Federal loss at Moore's Mill was about sixteen killed and fifty wounded. The Confederate loss was about the same. Boone County men participated in this fight on both sides. Among the Confederate killed were D. P. Brown and Henry Pigg, both of this county ; wounded, Wm. T. Tolston, John McKinzie, John Bergen, and John Jeffries.
August 6, Gen. John McNeil defeated Col. Porter at Kirksville, the Ninth M. S. M. performing much valuable service for the Federals. The Boone County companies, under Capts. Garth and Cook, were especially mentioned in the official reports for gallant action.
THE GUERRILLAS VISIT COLUMBIA AND RELEASE THE PRISONERS IN JAIL -THEY CALL FOR COL. SWITZLER AND GO TO THE "STATES- MAN " OFFICE TO DESTROY IT -THEY CAPTURE ABOUT 80 FEDERAL HORSES.
On Tuesday, August 13, 1862, about 200 guerrillas under com- mand of Capt. Young Purcell, of Audrain, and Lieutenant John Brown,
1 A full account of this engagement and of the Compton's Ferry fight were prepared for publication, but omitted for want of room. - PUBLISHERS.
1
-
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
of Boone, made a sudden dash into Columbia from the north, by the Centralia road. Their presence in different portions of it was so sud- den and unexpected, that it was with difficulty that many of the Federal soldiers, who were leisurely walking around and sitting be- neath the trees, made their way past them to their encampment in the campus of the University.
The guerrilla advance guard was the first to enter, which im- mediately picketed the principal cross streets and all the roads leading out of town, allowing no one to pass in or out. This guard was shortly followed by about 70 more who scattered in the streets north of Broadway, leaving a large number in the suburbs behind.
After going through with these preliminaries, they proceeded to the jail, demanded the keys of the jailer, who surrendered them, and released the three confederate prisoners therein confined - Wm. R. Jackson of Audrain, Wm. Rowland, and Amos Marney, Jr., both of this county, the latter a cousin to the confederate Captain Purcell. The release of these men appeared to be the principal object of their visit to Columbia, for shortly after this was accomplished they evacu- ated the town creating no further disturbance.
But while this was going on, squads of them, some intoxicated, were ranging up and down the streets swearing and hallooing at a ter- rible rate. A party of them halted in front of the Statesman office and inquired for Colonel Switzler, but were informed that he was ab- sent, he having left early on the previous evening for St. Louis via Jefferson City. They then swore with a vengeance that they had come to demolish the office, and were about proceeding to the work when the interference of Lieut. Brown and some of the citizens, Southern men, prevented it. It was with reluctance that they could give up this long and dearly cherished design. Happily, however, they in- jured nothing. One of them ordered down the Union flag floating in front of Redmond's daguerrean gallery and trailed it in the dust as he rode through the streets singing songs and shouting for Jeff. Davis. Such conduct as this characterized many of them whilst in town, but the body of them were more civil and more disposed to be quiet.
The pickets kept up a continual firing, the Federals returning it when they could, from behind houses and fences, but no one was in- jured, though several citizens narrowly escaped.
Whilst these things were going on in town a party of the invaders
424
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
went to a pasture belonging to Maj. Wm. S. Cave, one mile north of town and captured 81 head of government horses-the farm now owned by Col. E. C. More. The horses were grazing in the pasture, and were guarded by four men, all of whom escaped except one - Daniel W. Rogers - who, it is supposed, was wounded as he was taken pris- oner. They also took a horse from Mr. Jere Orear, a citizen of Column- bia. The government horses taken were very inferior animals, some of them scarcely worth driving away. Out of the whole number, they got only about twenty fit for service of any kind. About 15 were afterwards recovered.
About 5 o'clock they left town by the Mexico road, and camped that night on the farm of John Read, near Mt. Zion Church.
MILITARY SECRETARY IN ARKANSAS.
In August, 1862, Hon. John S. Phelps, of Springfield was ap- pointed by the Secretary of War, Military Governor of Arkansas, who appointed W. F. Switzler, Military Secretary of that State, with the rank, pay and emoluments of a major of cavalry. Amos Eno, of New York City was appointed adjutant. They immediately took up their headquarters in Helena, Ark., then garrisoned by Maj. Gen. S. B. Curtis, with 25,000 soldiers. Col. Switzler, in October follow- ing, resigned and came home.
BURNING OF MOUNT ZION CHURCH.
On Sunday, September 22, 1862, a detachment of an Iowa regi- ment stationed at Mexico, and at the time in command of a Lieutenant by the name of Hartman, appeared at Mount Zion Church, about 12 miles northeast of Columbia, and burned it to the ground. They also burned the dwellings and barns of Robert H. Gay, and Elijah Cris- man, in the same neighborhood. It is not known that they were ever arrested and punished for these outrages.
In August, 1862, Col. Guitar, 9th Cavalry, M. S. M., was promoted by Gov. Gamble, to be Brigadier General in the enrolled militia, for gallant and meritorious services recently rendered, and was ordered to make his headquarters in Columbia, where he issued an order that all persons subject to military duty, residing in the county, report themselves at his headquarters (the president's house at the Univer- sity), for enrollment on or before September 25th. John Corbit, enrolling officer.
Under this order about 2,100 citizens were enrolled.
425
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
FLAG PRESENTATIONS.
On Thursday morning, the 30th of October, 1862, a rich and beau- tiful silk flag, on behalf of the Union ladies of Columbia and vicinity, was presented to the command of Gen. Guitar, the Ninth Cavalry, M. S. M., Hon. J. S. Rollins making the presentation speech, and Gen. Guitar responding. On the same occasion, R. L. Todd, Esq., presented a beautiful banner to Company B, Captain Garth respond- ing. Still another banner, no less beautiful and appropriate than the others, was presented by Hon. J. S. Rollins to the Ninth Cavalry, accompanied with an appropriate address from Maj. Rollins, and a stirring response from Gen. Guitar. The scene of the presentations was in front of the court house, the troops being drawn up conven- iently and appropriately, in columns, and the speakers standing on the steps of the portico.
At the battle at Lone Jack, in Jackson County, Missonri, Capt. J. B. Watson and W. T. Parker, of this county, were killed. Capt. W. was shot in the head. Mr. Parker was a son of Gabriel Parker, of this county ..
NEW ORDER - COL. GUITAR.
General Merrill, at his own request, having been relieved of the command of the Enrolled Militia of this (9th) Military District. Gen. Guitar was appointed to the command, with headquarters at Columbia. The District was composed of the counties of Boone, Randolph, Howard, Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Ralls, Pike, Mont- gomery, Warren and St. Charles. Maj. Luther T. Hayman was ap- pointed Asst. Adjt. General of the District.
Lt. W. B. Kemper was promoted to Brigade Quartermaster, of this District, with the rank of Major.
SWORD PRESENTED TO COL. GUITAR.
On Saturday night, November 29, 1862, at the military headquar- ters in Columbia (the president's house in the University campus), the ceremonies attending the presentation of a magnificent sword to Gen. Guitar occurred, as a token of esteem and regard on the part of his Union friends in Boone County. The sword was manufactured in Philadelphia, at a cost of about $150, and is a superb piece of work- manship. The scabbard is plain, but highly polished, and exhibits a richly golden color. Near the top of it, next to the hilt, is engraved in silver the portrait of Washington. On the other side are engraved
426
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
the words : " Presented to Brig. Gen. O. Guitar by his Union friends of Boone County for his gallant and meritorious conduct at Moore's Mill, Little Compton and Yellow Creek."
The hilt is of solid silver, with golden guard, and bears the engrav- ing of an eagle in combat with a serpent. The end of the hilt is sur- mounted with a golden eagle. The blade is executed of the finest steel, highly polished. On it, in beautiful colors, is engraved the goddess of liberty, with the letters "U. S."
R. L. Todd made the presentation speech to which Gen. Guitar responded.
Orders were issued December 16, 1862, that Gen. Guitar's regi- ment leave Columbia and make its headquarters at Rolla, Missouri, and that Col. J. B. Douglass, with Captains Miller and Lamme's com- panies of enrolled militia, garrison the post. Lieut. James A. Adams remained as Provost Marshal.
427
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CIVIL WAR. - CONCLUDED.
Election Returns -Confederate Assault on the Columbia Jail - Skirmish on Cedar Creek -- Hon. J. S. Rollins "Taken in" by Confederate Guerrillas - Celebration of Union Victories - Union Meetings - Negro Exodus - First Provisional Regiment - Murder of M. E. Oldham - Depreciation of Slave Property ; a " Likely" Negro for $200 - Negro . Recruits - Desperate Fight at Dripping Springs - The Gosline's Lane Fight; Capture of a Federal Wagon Train; Eleven Federals and One Bushwhacker Killed - The Carnage at Centralia - Massacre of 23 Unarmed Federals by Bill Anderson - Horrible Scenes - Annihilation of Maj. Johnson's (Federal) Command by the Bushwhackers and Guerrillas under George and Tom Todd, Thrailkill, Anderson and Poole - A Fight without a Parallel - Federal Loss 123; three Guerrillas Killed -Pursuit of the Guerril- las by Gen. J. B. Douglass - The Federal Draft and the Drafted - Horrible Massacre of Negroes - A Fighting Flock of Furious Fowls-Capt. Cook's Fight with Carter's Bushwhackers in Perche Township - "The Morning Cometh " - Peace at Last - An- other Draft, but Nobody Hurt - Assassination of President Lincoln -Public Meeting - Gov. Fletcher's Appointments-Spencer Rifles for the " Boone County Tigers " - Rollins Robbed Again -Surrender of Jim Jackson's Band -Independence Day, 1865 - General Re-union of the People - Brethren in Unity Once More -Clasping Hands Over the Bloody Chasm - Capt. Cook's Company Relieved; End of Military Occupa- tion - Railroad - Agricultural College - Federal and Confederate Soldiers' Record.
ELECTION RETURNS FROM 1863 TO 1866.
* Those thus marked were elected.
NOVEMBER, 1864.
PRESIDENT.
Geo. B. McClel- - * Abraham Lin-
lan; Dem. . 808
coln, Rad. 244
McClellan's majority 664
GOVERNOR.
Thos. L. Price, *Thos.C. Fletch- Dem. . . 818
er, Rad. 218 ell 57
Price's majority · . 600
CONGRESS.
Odon Guitar, *G. W. Ander- Dem. . . 809 son, Rad. . 190
Guitar's majority
619
CIRCUIT ATTORNEY.
*A. J. Harbison, Dem., (no opp.) . . 684 REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE. Thos. J. Sutton 99
John Berkebile 99 *Jno. W. Harris 574
William Slade . 90 Wm. W. Todd . 163
*Boyle Gordon 670 Jno. G. Shelnut 35
SHERIFF.
Jeremiah Orear 333 | *John F. Baker 526
Total .
859
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN-
TION.
Francis T. Rus-
John W. Jami-
son
.
48
J. B. Redmond .
57
*W. F. Switzler 599
*Thos. B. Harris 603 |
For holding constitutional convention 174
Against
. 339
COUNTY JUDGE.
*James W. Daly (no opposition)
. 791
COUNTY TREASURER.
*Moss Prewitt (no opposition)
.
812
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
*J. W. Hickam 382 | T. J. Gillaspie . 168 James Lampton 200
428
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
ELECTION RETURNS - Continued.
JUNE 6TH, 1865.
*For new constitution . 132
Against .
1,763
Shall the railroads pay their Yes . 10
bonds? No . 1,431
NOVEMBER 6TH, 1866.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Wm.F. Switzler 636 *George W. An- derson . 178
Total . 814
STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTEDENT.
John F. Wil-
*T. A. Parker,
liams, Dem. . 681 - Rad. . 135
SENATOR.
John A. Hock- *Paul Hubbard 166
aday
645
Total
811
REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE.
*James S. Rol- John B. Allison 82 lins . . 308 Jno.G. Shelnutt 9
Wm. Leach, Jr, 11
*Rollin Lyman 321
I. I. Blair 82
SHERIFF.
*James C. Orr . 605 | John F. Baker 220
Total .
825
COUNTY JUDGES (THREE ELECTED) .
*James Harris 618 James W. Daly 308. *John W. Hall . 423 David Gordon . 234 *James Arnold . 321 John Berkebile 191 J. R. Crosswhite 228
CIRCUIT CLERK.
*Jno. M. Samuel 552 | R. L. Todd . . 268.
Samuel's majority
284
COUNTY CLERK.
*Warren Wood-
son .
.
. 366
Joseph B.Doug-
lass .
.
.
. 200
H. M. Cook
251
COUNTY TREASURER.
*R. B. Price
. 595 | J. H. Waugh
. 169
Price's majority
426
COUNTY ASSESSOR.
1 *J. W. Hickam 220 | James Lampton 145 M. H. Harris . 189 Miles J. Henley 99 J. C. Gillaspie . 162 | H. P. Potts . . SUPERVISOR OF REGISTRATION.
*Jeffers'n Garth 678 | Isaac T. Jeffrey 146.
Garth's majority
532
COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
*James A. Hen-
H. H. Grey .
158
derson
. 480
E. G. T. Ross . 60.
CONFEDERATE ASSAULT ON THE COLUMBIA JAIL.
1863 .- About 12 o'clock on the night of January 11, 1863, a band of Confederates, numbering about fifteen, entered Columbia for the purpose of releasing six or eight Confederates therein confined, on indictments by the civil authorities, based on charges of horse-stealing and perhaps other criminal offenses. The jail was guarded by a single sentinel, who, hearing the approach of the Confederates, withdrew to the court house, where the remainder of the guard, numbering six or eight men, were lodged. It appears that one of the Confederates, Chas. McGhee, of this county, came in advance of the band for the purpose of captur- ing or killing the sentinel. McGhee, in the darkness of the night, mis- taking one of the windows of the jail for a sentinel, fired thirty odd buck shots into it. When his companions came up they mistook him for the guard and one Confederate fired on him, a charge of buckshot entering his back and lodging in his breast. They then visited the house of the jailer for the purpose of getting the keys, but the jailer had escaped with the keys to the court house. During this time, the
429
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
guards lodged in the court house kept up a constant firing. The Confederates, finding the place too hot for them, left on a double quick, without entering the jail or committing any damage.
McGhee lived in great agony for three hours, but, before his death, gave the names of several of the parties engaged in the raid, viz. : John Brown, Thomas Cave, J. Drury Pulliam, Sidney Jackman,. of Howard, and John Yates.
A SHARP SKIRMISH ON CEDAR CREEK.
On Wednesday morning, January 21, 1863, a squad of E. M. M., from Columbia, numbering about twenty men, under command of Lieut .- Col. F. T. Russell, went on a scout in search of a Confederate camp, reported to be in the forks of Cedar Creek, near Boonsboro. When the command got in the neighborhood of the hiding place, it was divided - a portion under Col. Russell and the balance under Capt. Hubbard Williams. It was not long before two of the militia, J. W. and A. L. Scott, brothers, were fired upon from ambush by the Confederates, the former wounded in the back, and the latter in the head and knee. The escape of the latter was miraculous. He spied a Confederate behind a tree, and both raised their guns at once, the Confederate's gun firing first, the ball entering Scott's cap above the brim and cutting the skin on his head.
These shots opened the ball, and they were succeeded for several hours by irregular skirmishing, searching, retreating, pursuing - re- sulting finally in the capture of four captains, three of whom had re- cruiting commissions on their persons, viz. : James Wilson and George Langston, of Boone; Alex. Muir, of Cooper, but more recently of Nebraska City, and Capt. Primrose, of Knox County. Four others escaped, among them, very narrowly, Dr. Julius McGuire, of this county, whose horse, saddle and equipments were captured.
Col. Russell, with his squad, found the Confederate camp to consist of one tent made of bed-ticking, blankets, cooking utensils, provisions, etc. It seems dinner was in progress when the militia flushed the camp, for the wheat dough was kneaded and the bacon was in the pan ready for frying.
Capts. Wilson and Langston had an eventful time of it. The former, in his attempt to escape, lost his cap and threw away his coat and gun, afterwards concealing himself in a pile of drift-wood in Cedar Creek. Capt. Langston went into the subject much deeper, for he immersed his whole body in the creek, his head only emerging
430
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
from the water, and this in the midst of a pile of drift-wood. George, who is a very clever fellow, got rather a cold bath, but the militia took him in out of the wet.
HON. J. S. ROLLINS CAPTURED BY GUERILLAS.
On Wednesday, July 1, 1863, about 5 o'clock P. M., James S. Rol- lins and Warren Woodson left Jefferson City on their return home, taking passage on a steamboat. The boat landed at Providence at 10 o'clock. That night, shortly thereafter, a band of guerillas from fifteen to twenty-five in number, dashed into the town on horseback, under the command of Capt. Drury Pulliam. Riding up in front of Mr. J. W. Lamme's store, they inquired for Maj. Rollins, who, pre- senting himself at the door, Capt. Pulliam dismounted and arrested him, at the same time ordering two of his men to guard him closely and not allow him to leave the store-room. In a few minutes the whole band took possession of the store and commenced indiscriminate plunder, from the most valuable down to the smallest article which they could lay their hands upon. Maj. Rollins remained in the store while this pillage was going on, giving to them an occasional word of good advice. One of the band, under the nom de plume of William Hunter (a great desperado), denounced Mr. R. as a " d-d old Abo- litionist and Lincolnite ; " said that he had been after him for a long while, and that now he meant to " kill and send him to h-ll." After the plundering ceased, Maj. Rollins had a short conversation with Capt. Pulliam, who was altogether civil in his language, and, upon the intercession of several ladies who were present, the Major was re- leased. Besides Capt. Pulliam, Russell Palmer, of this place, and the aforesaid Wm. Hunter (the same man who was engaged eighteen . months before in plundering Maj. Rollins' farm ), and a young Evans, of this county, were with the gang.
Two ladies living near Columbia were arrested by order of Capt. H. N. Cook, commander of the post of Columbia, for insultingly getting off the sidewalk into the gutter, in order to avoid passing beneath a Union flag, on July 4, 1863.
FALL OF VICKSBURG CELEBRATED.
Friday night, July 10, 1863, the Union victories achieved at Vicks- burg, Helena and Gettysburg were celebrated in Columbia by illumi- nation, firing of cannon, speeches, etc. Volleys of fire crackers exploded upon the sidewalks, serpentine fireworks careered through
431
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
the air, while rockets shot with whizzing sound and fiery tails athwart the sky. The cupola of the University was brilliantly illuminated by the soldiers of the Ninth Cavalry and the enrolled militia, and the windows of many of the business houses, offices, and private resi- dences blazed with light. About 9 o'clock the soldiers on duty, in command of Lieut. Marshall H. Harris, Capt. Cook's company, Guitar's regiment, marched from their quarters into town, and forming a line in front of the post office, then in the building on court house Street now occupied by Wm. Booth's restaurant, the people collected there to hear speeches. Lieut. Harris, from the balcony, called the concourse to order, and Col. Switzler proceeded to address those present. He was followed by Mr. J. V. C. Karnes, and he by Maj. A. J. Harbison. The speeches were listened to with marked atten- tion and were vociferously cheered throughout. The exercises of the evening were closed by a national salute from Sergeant Conger's anvil battery.
PROVOST MARSHAL, NINTH DISTRICT.
In July, 1863, Wm. F. Switzler was appointed by President Lincoln Provost Marshal, under the conscription act of Congress of March 3, 1863, for the Ninth Congressional district, composed of the counties of St. Charles, Warren, Montgomery, Callaway, Boone, Audrain, Lincoln, Pike, Monroe and Ralls, with headquarters at Mexico. S. J. Reynolds, of Pike, surgeon ; Wm. B. Adams, of Montgomery, com- missioner, and Wm. W. Davenport and Jonas Whitney, clerks. Lewis M. Switzler was deputy provost marshal, and James T. Harris and Wm. Hunter, enrolling officers for Boone County. In January, 1864, the headquarters were moved to St. Charles, where Col. Switzler dis- charged the duties of his office until October, 1864, when he was removed, he supporting Gen. McClellan and not Mr. Lincoln for President, and Wm. L. Lovelace, of Montgomery, was appointed his- successor.
UNION MEETINGS IN COLUMBIA.
On Saturday, July 18, 1863, a Union meeting was held in the court house, in Columbia, to consider the state of the country, the ordi- nance of emancipation, to indorse Gov. Gamble's administration and the conduct of our delegates to the Convention.
An organization was perfected by the election of Hon. Jas. Rollins- as permanent president. On motion of W. F. Switzler Gen. F. R. Conway and Wm. Boggs, Esq., were elected vice-presidents and J. V. C. Karnes and L. M. Switzler secretaries. On motion of W. F ..
432
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Switzler the chair was instructed to appoint a committee of nine to draft resolutions expressive of the sense and objects of the meeting. The chair appointed the following : -
Col. W. F. Switzler, Dr. E. R. Arnold, Wm. Whist, J. T. Henry, J. W. Daly, Moss Prewitt, Wm. H. Allen, J. W. Harris and Wm. C. Robinett.
During the retirement of the committee Maj. Rollins addressed the people in favor of the restoration of law and order in Missouri, and the subordination of the military to civil authority. He advised the people to acquiesce willingly and peaceably in the ordinance of eman- cipation, saying that the plan adopted by the late Convention for the emancipation of the slaves in Missouri, was the best that, under the circumstances, could be secured.
He was particularly severe on the radical or revolutionary party in the State who, regardless of law, are seeking to do away with the work of the Convention, and to overthrow the Provisional Govern- ment of Missouri. He branded them as traitors to peace, to law and to the security of the State. All agitation of the subject of slavery in Missouri should now cease, and the people of the State should ply their wonted avocations undisturbed by local dissensions and divisions. It was their duty to sustain with a strong arm the General Govern- ment and the Provisional Government of the State, to put down agi- tation, to support and defend the laws and to kill or drive from the country lawless brigands of whatever name or character.
He denounced the instigators of the rebellion as guilty of a great wickedness, second only in criminality and atrocity to the murder of the Savior of mankind.
Maj. Rollins's speech was warmly applauded. After the conclusion of his remarks, W. F. Switzler, chairman of the committee, reported resolutions in favor of the Union, against the rebellion and guerilla warfare and bushwacking, in favor of law and order, and the subor- dination of the military to the civil authority, indorsing Gov. Gamble as an unselfish patriot, a Christian statesman and a wise ruler, and the votes of our delegates to the State Convention - Warren Wood- son, Eli E. Bass and Joseph Flood - in voting for the ordinance of emancipation as the wisest and best policy they could adopt under the circumstances, by which we are surrounded.
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