History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 20

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 20
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 20

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

February 1 a " Southern Rights " meeting was held at Liberty. John R. Killer presided. Col. H. L. Routt spoke and was replied to by James H. Moss. Resolutions looking to secession in certain con- tingencies were introduced, and though the chairman declared them adopted, it was the general expression that they had been rejected by the meeting, a majority of whose members were Union men who, under the leadership of Mr. Moss, had come in and " captured " it.

Delegates from Clay and Platte met at Barry February 7, and regu-

192

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

larly nominated, though not without dissent, Messrs. Doniphan, Moss and Norton. Certain "Southern Rights " candidates were announced independently.

On election day, February 18, there was much interest manifested in this county. At Missouri City even the ladies were interested. They assembled in a public meeting, indorsed the Crittenden com- promise, declared for the Union and then, carrying the old flag, with 34 stars and 13 stripes, marched in procession to the polls and urged and entreated the voters to cast their ballots for the Union candidates, Doniphan, Moss and Norton, and assist in preventing civil war with all its enormities and horrors. Never before had the ladies of Clay county abandoned their domestic duties to engage even indirectly in politics, and their action on this occasion indicates what must have been the prevalent feeling among our people.

The election in this district resulted in an overwhelming majority for the Union candidates, as follows : --

Candidates.

Clay.

Platte.

A. W. Doniphan, Union

· 1,578

2,275

James H. Moss 66

1,468

1,928

Elijah H. Norton 66

1,480

1,891

J. F. Farbis, Secession

166

503

Kemp M. Woods "

134

The selection of Doniphan, Moss and Norton by a vote of nearly ten to one againt the Secession candidates, clearly and unmistakably shows that a large majority of the people of Clay and Platte were for the Union in the winter of 1861 - at least were opposed to secession at that time. But it is just as true, although not shown by official records, that they were strenuously opposed to coercion. There must be no war. It was folly and unwise for the Cotton States to secede, but there must be no attempt on the part of the General Government to bring them back into the Union by force of arms. In such an event, many openly declared, " we will stand by our Southern brethren."

THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION.

The convention assembled at Jefferson City, February 28, 1861. Sterling Price, of Chariton county, afterward the distinguished Con- federate general, was chosen president. On the second day it ad- journed to meet at St. Louis, where it re-convened March 4, contin- ued in session until the 22d, when it adjourned to meet on the third Monday in December, subject, however, to a call of a majority of a

193

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

committee of seven. Before adjourning, a series of resolutions was adopted, two of which were of superior importance, and here proper to be noted : 1. Containing the explicit declaration that there was no adequate cause to impel Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal union. 2. Taking unmistakable ground against the employ- ment of military force by the Federal government to coerce the seced- ing States, or the employment of military force by the seceding States, to assail the government of the United States.

Mr. John F. Redd, of Marion, and Mr. Harrison Hough, of Missis- sippi, presented a minority report, declaring the Abolitionists of the North responsible for the then condition of affairs and favoring the holding of a convention by the non-seceding Slave States at Nashville, Tennessee, for the adoption of a plan of settlement of the existing difficulties on the basis of the Crittenden compromise.

The resolutions from the committee on Federal Relations being under consideration, Mr. Moss, of Clay, moved to amend the fifth of the majority (Gamble ) series by adding the following : -

And further, Believing that the fate of Missouri depends upon a peaceable adjustment of our present difficulties, she will never count- enance or aid a seceding State in making war on the General Govern- ment, nor will she furnish men or money for the purpose of aiding the General Government in any attempt to coerce a seceding State.

The Moss amendment was under discussion in the convention for several days, during which period several speeches were made upon it by the ablest and most prominent members. Mr. Moss himself de- livered an able argument in its favor, at the same time avowing him- self an unconditional Union man, opposed to fanatical Abolitionists and coercionists alike ; declaring that he verily believed a majority of the people of the seceded States were really Union men, but that a " reign of terror " existed among them, stifling their voices and awing them into submission.1 . Following was the conclusion of his speech :-

In conclusion, I only desire to state that I hail from a county where Lincoln did not get a vote, and where the Secessionists got only less than two hundred. My constituents are Union men, and they indorse my position, and they believe that all Missouri has is staked on the die - that she must have a peaceable settlement. They do not want to go out of the Union, but they ask that their honor shall be safe in your hands. We occupy the middle ground, and we can extend to both sections a friendly hand, and say we want peace, and our salva- tion depends upon it.

1 See Journal of Proceedings of State Convention, first session, 1861, p. 75. For the entire speech, p. 68 to 75.

194

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

On the fourteenth day of the convention Mr. Moss' amendment was voted down by the following vote : -

Ayes -Eli E. Bass, of Boone ; Geo. Y. Bast, of Montgomery ; R. A. Brown, of Cass; J. R. Chenault, of Jasper ; Samuel C. Collier, of Madison ; A. Comingo, of Jackson; R. W. Crawford, of Law- rence ; R. W. Donnell, of Buchanan ; Geo. W. Dunn, of Ray ; R. B. Frayser, of St. Charles ; Joseph Flood, of Callaway ; N. F. Givens, of Clark; H. M. Gorin, of Scotland ; A. S. Harbin, of Barry ; R. A. Hatcher, of New Madrid ; V. B. Hill, of Pulaski ; W. J. Howell, of Monroe ; Prince L. Hudgins, of Andrew ; J. Proctor Knott, of Cole ; J. T. Matson, of Ralls ; J. H. Moss, of Clay ; E. H. Norton, of Platte ; R. D. Ray, of Carroll ; J. T. Redd, of Marion ; S. L. Sawyer, of Lafayette ; E. K. Sayre, of Lewis ; J. K. Sheeley, of Jackson ; J. G. Waller, of Warren; N. W. Watkins, Cape Girardeau; Warren Woodson, of Boone- 30.

Noes -J. S. Allen, of Harrison ; Orson Bartlett, of Stoddard ; J. H. Birch, of Clinton ; Joseph Bogy, of St. Genevieve; S. M. Breck- inridge, of St. Louis ; J. O. Broadhead, of St. Louis ; H. E. Bridge, of St. Louis ; Isidor Bush, of St. Louis ; Robert Calhoun, of Calla- way; M. P. Cayce, of St. Francois ; Wm. Douglass, of Cooper ; Charles Drake, of Moniteau ; John D. Foster, of Adair; H. R .. Gamble, of St. Louis ; T. T. Gantt, of St. Louis ; J. J. Gravelly, of Cedar ; Willard P. Hall, of Buchanan ; Wm. A. Hall, of Randolph ; John B. Henderson, of Pike ; Littleberry Hendrick, of Greene ; Henry Hitchcock, of St. Louis ; Robert Holmes, of St. Louis ; John Holt, of Dent ; Harrison Hough, of Mississippi; John How, of St. Louis ; J. M. Irwin, of Shelby ; Z. Isbell, of Osage ; Wm. Jackson, of Put- nam ; R. W. Jamison, of Webster ; J. W. Johnson, of Polk; C. G. Kidd, of Henry ; W. T. Leeper, of Wayne; M. L. L. Linton, of St. Louis ; John F. Long, of St. Louis ; Vincent Marmaduke, of Saline ; A. C. Marvin, of Henry ; J. W. McClurg, of Camden; J. R. McCormack, of Perry; Nelson McDowell, of Dade ; James Mc- Ferran, of Daviess ; Ferd. Myer, of St. Louis : W. L. Morrow, of

Dallas ; J. C. Noell, of Bollinger ; Sample Orr, of Greene ; John F. Phillips, of Pettis ; Wm. G. Pomeroy, of Crawford ; C. G. Rankin, of Jefferson ; M. H. Ritchey, of Newton ; Fred. Rowland, of Macon ; Thos. Scott, of Miller ; Thos. Shackelford, of Howard ; J. H. Shackel- ford, of St. Louis ; Jacob Smith, of Linn ; Sol. Smith, of St. Louis ; J. T. Tindall, of Grundy ; W. W. Turner, of Laclede ; A. M. Wool- folk, of Livingston ; Uriel Wright, of St. Louis ; Ellzey Van Bus- kirk, of Holt ; G. W. Zimmerman, of Lincoln, and the President, Sterling Price, of Chariton - 61.

Absent- A. W. Doniphan, of Clay ; C. D. Eitzen, of Gasconade ; A. W. Maupin, of Franklin ; J. P. Ross, of Morgan ; Robt. M. Stewart, of Buchanan ; Aikman Welch, of Johnson ; Robt. Wilson, of Buchanan.

Sick - Philip Pipkin, of Iron.

195

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

The convention adjourned March 22, to meet the third Monday in the following December, but was called together October 10, 1861. Messrs. Moss and Doniphan attended subsequent sessions, and voted with the other conservative members against the test oaths. Doni- phan voted for the emancipation ordinance, adopted July 1, 1863, providing for the abolition of slavery in the State July 4, 1870. This ordinance was adopted by a vote of 51 to 30, but its provisions were rendered of no force by the adoption of the thirteenth amendment.

AFTER FORT SUMPTER.

The firing on Fort Sumpter by the Confederates, April 12, 1861 ; the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 volunteers ; Gov. Jackson's indignant refusal to respond to the requisition on Mis- souri ; the excitement throughout the South ; the uprising in the North, these are incidents in the history of the country, the particulars of which need not be set forth in these pages.

The reception of the news of the firing on Sumpter caused the most intense excitement in Clay county. Cheers for South Carolina and Gen. Beauregard rang out, and secession flags fluttered in the breezes at Liberty and Smithville. When Lincoln's proclamation was heard of, a great storm of indignation swept over the county, bearing down all but the staunchest Union men. Many who had opposed secession up till now, changed their views suddenly, denounced the administra- tion, and avowed themselves " on the side of the South." The " sub- missionists," as the unconditional Union men were termed, were few and undemonstrative; the Secessionists were numerous and noisy.

CAPTURE OF THE LIBERTY ARSENAL.

The Missouri border was ablaze. In Clay county a long meditated act - an act forming an incident of a grand scheme - was accom- plished, highly important in its results to the Secession cause. This was the capture of what was generally known as the Liberty arsenal, although it was really four miles from Liberty, and was called by the U. S. authorities the Missouri Depot. It is altogether probable - though the evidence can not be had, owing to the reluctance of cer- tain parties to give it in such clear terms as is desirable - that a plan had been organized by leading Secessionists of the State, Gov. Jack- son among the number, to seize not only Liberty arsenal, but the St. Louis arsenal, and even Ft. Leavenworth.

There is evidence, and the statement has been published, that while these captures or seizures were not to be made by the authority of

196

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Gov. Jackson, yet they received his personal sanction and approval, and that of other prominent gentlemen of Secession proclivities in the State, as M. Jeff Thompson, John W. Reid, James S. Rains, S. H. Woodson and certain St. Louisans. Col. Peckham, of St. Louis, states that Col. Marmaduke ( now Governor) was sent to Ft. Leaven- worth and that the sum of $25,000, of which $5,000 was drawn from the bank at Arrow Rock, was placed at his disposal for the purpose of bribing Maj. Hagner, the officer in command, to surrender the post when called upon by an invading force from Missouri.1 A letter written by the compiler of this volume to Gov. Marmaduke, and ask- ing for an affirmation or denial of this statement of Peckham's, re- ceived no answer.

Saturday morning, April 20, as Maj. Nathaniel Grant, in charge of the arsenal, was at breakfast, a negro boy entered hastily and handed him a note. The note was not signed, but was written by a Union man, then living near the landing and read substantially as follows : -

A company of men from across the river camped in the bottom last night. I understand that another company is at or near Liberty, and that the destination of both is the arsenal. Look out. If you want to make a speech, get it ready.

A few minutes later about 200 armed and mounted Secessionists rode up to the arsenal gate, forced admission and demanded of Grant the surrender of the post and its contents. There was but little need of this demand, since the post was already in their possession. No thought of resistance was entertained at any time, for the force at the arsenal consisted of Maj. Grant and two employes, Armorer Giros and Wm. L. Madden. Had the note of warning come earlier it would have made no difference in this respect. Grant contented him- self by protesting vigorously against the seizure, and this was allowed him with great good humor, and amid laughter and raillery,

The force that captured and seized the arsenal was about 200 Seces- sionists, composed of one company from Jackson county commanded by Capt. McMurray, of Independence, and a strong company from Liberty and Clay county under Col. Henry L. Routt, the whole under command of Col. Routt. The Jackson county company had crossed the river the previous evening. No authority was presented by Routt implicating Gov. Jackson or any other officials, but he significantly stated that he knew what he was about. Asked if he didn't fear that the Governor would order the arms returned, he replied, " Never!"

1 Lyon and Missouri, p. 112.

197

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

The Secessionists held possession of the arsenal for a week, until all the stores and munitions had been removed. The Jackson county men took away some cannon, muskets, etc., with them and sent back for more. Lieut. J. W. Gillespie was guarding the stores that had not been removed and refused to give any portion of them up. Where- upon a fight over the spoils was imminent, and only prevented by a concession on the part of Lieut. Gillespie, who gave the delegation from Cracker's Neck half of what they demanded.

The property taken consisted of three six-pounder brass cannon, each weighing 882 pounds, mounted on field carriages ; 12 six-pounder iron guns, unmounted ; one three-pounder iron gun ; five caissons, two battery wagons, two forges, besides all the ordinary artillery equipments and accompaniments, and several hundred rounds of artillery ammuni- . tion, chiefly solid shot and canister ; 1,180 percussion muskets, complete ; 243 percussion rifles, 121 rifle carbines, 923 percussion pistols, 419 cav- alry sabers, 39 artillery swords, 20 cavalry and artillery musketoons, 1,000 pounds cannon powder, 9,900 pounds of musket powder, 1,800 of rifle powder, about 400,000 cartridges, besides accouterments and equip- ments for all small arms in great number, and in excess of the arms taken.

By far the greatest portion of the arms and munitions were taken possession of and hauled in wagons, provided for the purpose, to Liberty. Here they were distributed to the " minute men " of Clay and surrounding counties. Col. Routt's ice-house was converted into an armory, and here the military companies repaired from time to time and received their guns and other munitions of war, which in time did effective service against the Government to which they be- longed. The powder in barrels amounted to thousands of pounds,1 was hidden away in different portions of the country - in hay stacks, hollow logs, and elsewhere, and long after much of it gave its custo- dians no end of uneasiness, anxiety and trouble, for fear of its dis- covery by the Federal soldiery.

The day following Maj. Grant sent this report of the capture of the arsenal to the chief of ordnance at Washington : -

MISSOURI DEPOT, Sunday, April 21, 1861.

SIR - I embrace the first opportunity to inform you that the depot was taken yesterday, about 10 o'clock, by a body of armed men from this and the adjacent counties. While I am writing the depot yard

1 In February, 1862, ten of these barrels were returned by D. S. Miller, who found them hidden in his straw stack.

198

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

and grounds are filled with men, who are rapidly moving the ordnance and ordnance stores from the post. Having no means of resistance, my protest against the forcible and unlawful seizure of the public property was of no avail, and I was informed that all the military stores would be taken. I send this to Saint Louis by boat to be mailed, and so soon as it can be done a detailed report of all the facts, so far as they can be ascertained, will be forwarded. Very respect- fully, I am, sir, your obedient servant.

NATHANIEL GRANT, In charge of Depot.

COL. H. K. CRAIG, Chief of Ordnance, Washington City.

The following dispatch was sent from East St. Louis to the Secre- tary of War: -

EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL., April 21, 1861. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War:

Liberty Arsenal, in Missouri, was taken possession of by Secession- ists yesterday, and 1,500 arms and a few cannons distributed to citi- zens of Clay county. The Missouri river is blockaded at Independence. All quiet here at present.

BENJAMIN FARRAR.

Two days later Maj. Grant made the following detailed report of the seizure : -

DETAILED REPORT OF MAJ. GRANT.

MISSOURI DEPOT, April 27th, 1861. Col. H. K. Craig, Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D. C .:

SIR - On the 21st inst. I informed you - by letter sent to St. Louis by boat to be mailed -- that this depot had been seized by armed men from this and adjoining. counties, and that the arms, ammunition, etc., were being rapidly removed. The only reason assigned for this act was that the property was considered essential to the safety of the frontier ; and they assumed that the State would eventually become responsible for it to the General Government, and they to the State. Having no force to repel them, nor to prevent the removal of the stores, I was compelled to submit.

The post was evacuated by the insurgents to-day, and during the period of their possession they removed all the cannon, gun carriages, caissons, battery wagons, forges, arms, accounterments, implements, ammunition and part of the tools, etc., from the depot. The post was occupied by a force varying from 100 to 200 men during the first three days, and was then left under a guard of about 20 men to re- move the balance of the stores.

The Union feeling had been so strong in Missouri, and particularly in this county, that I had no apprehension that the post would be dis-

199

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

turbed ; but it appears that the late telegraphic dispatches from other States produced much excitement among the people, and meetings have been held and Secession flags raised in almost every town during the past week - this state of things being inaugurated by the seizure of the depot.

I understand, however, that this feeling is by no means universal, and that a majority of the citizens here disapprove the seizure of the public property ; but this feeling of disapproval, being simply nega- tive in its character, is powerless to prevent the violent measures advocated by those holding extreme political views, and the Conserva- tives, or Union men, who have done their utmost to preserve the peace and the Union, begin to despair, and are of the opinion that the State is fast drifting into the current of secession.

The exact condition of the property at the depot can not be accur- ately reported until I can make an inventory of the stores not taken, and this will be done with as little delay as possible. The forcible seizure of the public property in my charge leaves me at a loss how to proceed in the absence of special instructions.

I learn that the property has been distributed through several of the border counties.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obt. servt.,

NATHL. GRANT, In charge of Depot.

AFTER THE ARSENAL'S SEIZURE.

News of the capture of the arsenal was telegraphed to the outer world the same day, and created considerable sensation throughout the country, North, South, East, and West. It was the first overt act of citizens of Missouri against the Federal government. Lincoln heard of it and telegraphed to Leavenworth for an explanation. Harney heard of it at St. Louis and refused to believe it, but Lyon and Sweeney at the St. Louis Arsenal doubled their guards, planted two cannon at the gate, and sat up all night to watch the movements of a large crowd of Secessionists at the Berthold mansion, who were dispersed at a late hour by Mayor Daniel Taylor.

Among those who believed in secession the tidings were received with great joy and exultation. Clay county was cheered heartily ; the act itself was applauded, and Routt and his men were the heroes of the hour. There can be no question that the capture or seizure was of inestimable advantage to the Secession cause, and so far was a success. In this county it decided, or helped to decide, the course of hundreds of men in twenty-four hours !

Monday following the seizure a large and enthusiastic Secession meeting was held at the court-house. Circuit court was in session, Judge Dunn on the bench. Eloquent and impassioned speeches were

200

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

delivered by S. H. Woodson, Aaron H. Conrow, J. H. Adams, John T. Hughes, Dr. Maughas, G. S. Withers, J. C. C. Thornton, J. E. Pitt and J. W. Gillespie, of Clay, Jackson, Ray, Platte, and Buchanan counties. A fine Secession flag was raised amid the firing of the captured cannon and the cheers of the multitude, men and women.

Resolutions were adopted condemning President Lincoln for the call for troops, and indorsing Gov. Jackson for his " noble reply ; " declaring that the State Convention did not represent the will of the people when it said that Missouri would remain in the Union, even if the Crittenden compromise was refused ; favoring a new convention, and resolving -

That in the event there should be a new convention ordered, we pledge ourselves to support no man for delegate for said convention who will not aver himself a Southern Rights man, and that we will use all honorable means for the immediate secession of Missouri.

The stream of secession had swollen from insignificance to a mighty and almost resistless torrent, and was bearing down upon its current hundreds who had aforetime declared that, in the language of Henry Clay, the time could " never, never," come for secession and disunion. Two months before the vote was ten to one against secession; now, if an expression could be had the vote would be largely in its favor. So much had old gray-haired Edmond Ruffin done for Clay county when he pulled the lanyard that sent the first shot against Sumpter.

But many of the conservative Union men were not demoralized or dismayed, by what had occurred elsewhere, and what had occurred in their midst. The next day after the Secession meeting they assem- bled at the court-house and held a meeting of their own. Dr. W. A. Morton was chairman. Col. Doniphan and James H. Moss addressed the audience in speeches full of fervor and feeling, pleading still for the Union, and crying peace, " when there was no peace." Doni- phan said he could not take part in the war. He would not fight against the flag under which he fought and conquered in the war with Mexico, and he would not draw his sword against his neigh- bors, his kinsmen, and his friends in the South. The sentiment of the meeting was alike opposed to secession and coercion.

The proceedings of this meeting were marked with befitting gravity and deliberation. Resolutions were passed declaring that " secession is a remedy for no evil," approving Jackson's reply to Lincoln, and asserting that " the true policy of Missouri at present is to main-

201

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

tain an independent position within the Union, holding her soil and institutions against invasion or hostile interference from any . quarter."

PREPARING FOR WAR IN EARNEST - ORGANIZATION OF MILITARY COMPANIES.

And now in the season of spring, when the winter was over and gone, and the time of the singing of birds and the blooming of flowers had come, there was the note of preparation for bloody and deadly conflict heard in our county of Clay, and the fancy of the young men did not turn to thoughts of love. There was mustering and there was forming and the setting of squadrons in the field. Military companies were organized everywhere throughout the county.

In Liberty the first company was organized. This, as distinctly announced, was for " home protection," and was called the " Liberty Home Guards." The members were to defend the town against everything hostile, but to assail nothing. It was composed largely of Union men. Capt. O. P. Moss, an unconditional Union man, and the veteran commander of the Clay county company in the Mexican War was elected captain ; James H. Moss, Wm. G. Garth, and John Dunn, lieutenants, and Larkin Bradford, orderly sergeant. The Liberty Home Guards numbered 107 men, and the company was organized April 24.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156