USA > Missouri > Scotland County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 34
USA > Missouri > Lewis County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 34
USA > Missouri > Clark County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 34
USA > Missouri > Knox County > History of Lewis, Clark, Knox, and Scotland counties, Missouri. From the earliest time to the present, together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and mumerous family records > Part 34
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124
The Thirty-second Regiment, also from Marion County, was called on for 200 men, in companies of fifty each. These were organized into a battalion, led by the commander of the regiment, Col. Jordan J. Montgomery. The battalion set out from Pal- myra, independent of Col. Lear's regiment, and a day later. The first night it camped across North River, near Oldham's spring, afterward known as Todd's spring. It was very cold and disa- greeable, but the men built big fires, and, as they had taken five days' rations with them in wagons, they had plenty to eat. The command marched next day early, and that night went into camp two miles from La Grange.
Here the men, half desperate at their situation, gave them- selves over to certain wild and unmilitary conduct. A half a mile of a settler's rail fence was burned as speedily and unceremo- niously as if a battalion of Jim Lane's jayhawkers had done it. Several packs of cards were produced and a great deal of playing was indulged in-some for money. It is said that the next grand jury of the county indicted about 100 of the militia men for gambling.
In this camp the peace commissioners were met, also, and the next morning Col. Montgomery faced his command about and returned to Palmyra. Along the route, on the return trip, the men indulged in a great deal of rough and wild sport. Like their comrades of the Fifty-sixth Regiment, many of them wore turned coats when they reached Palmyra.
A company from Shelby County, under Capt. Scott Matson, had encamped north of Newark, en route for Waterloo, when it received the intelligence that peace had been declared.
In March, 1840, Congress legislated on the subject. In a strong memorial of the Legislature, and by oral arguments from the senators and others, Missouri presented a very plausible case. The point relied on, mainly, was that in the organic act the word
377
STATE OF MISSOURI.
"line" in the phrase, "making the said line correspond with the Indian boundary line," meant the "meridian line" running north through the mouth of the Kansas River, and forming the western boundary of the State, and not the line running east and form- ing the northern boundary. But the claim was not tenable. The decision was in favor of Iowa, and "the Indian boundary line " run by Col. Sullivan was declared to be the true northern boundary of the State. In this decision all acquiesced. A few years later the line was again run by commissioners from both States, and some corrections made.
The cost of the Iowa war to Missouri was about $20,000. Of this sum $19,000 was for the payment of troops and the attend- ant expenses. (Acts XI, Gen. Ass., p. 21.) Gens. Willock and Allen and their "escorts" received about $600, and $351.56 were paid to Franklin Levering, of Clark, to reimburse him for dam- ages and costs sustained in the suits brought against him for false imprisonment by the three Iowans whom he had arrested at St. Francisville, in December, 1839. (Ibid, p. 223.) There were some other items paid for not worth mentioning.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
No organized body of soldiers was furnished by Clark County for the Mexican war, though a few individuals may have gone outside of the county, and joined other commands which went to that war. A company of soldiers was raised in Clark County on that occasion by two Virginians, who were at the time stopping at the house of Robert E. Lee, one of the early settlers, and of whom mention is elsewhere made. This company, however, was not accepted. So, in fact, after the difficulty about the boundary line with the Territory of Iowa had been settled, the people had nothing of a war-like nature to disturb their peace, until the approach of the great civil war of 1861-65. Then all became excited-many who had emigrated from, or were the descendants of emigrants from other Southern States, and especially those who favored the institution of slavery, sympathized with the "Southern Cause." Fortunately, however, the great majority of the people remained loyal to the Old Flag which was carried tri- umphantly through the struggle, and is still waving over them.
24
378
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
At first a strenuous effort was made to maintain "armed neu- trality," and companies were formed for that purpose, but this could not be done, as will appear by reading the history of the battle of Athens.
THE BATTLE OF ATHENS.
A brief account of the events preceding the battle of Athens is necessary to a complete understanding and appreciation of that memorable incident in the history of Clark County and North- east Missouri. What follows has been obtained from the best sources accessible, and may be relied upon as substantially cor- rect.
Without disparaging the services or character of any others, it is perhaps but the truth to say that to Col. David Moore, more than to any other man, attaches the credit and distinction of wresting Northeast Missouri from the Secessionists and "armed neutrality " men, and placing it completely in the hands and under the control of the unconditional fighting Union men.
There were plenty of men in the country, in the spring of 1861, who were quite willing to fight for the Union cause, but they had no leader. Numbers of them, in time, became dis- gusted and discouraged. A large number of Union men, strenu- ous anti-Secessionists, wanted the trouble settled without blood- shed. Another portion were wavering and irresolute, half-hearted and vacillating. All the while the Secessionists were bold and aggressive. They met in open day for military drill and instruction, flung Secession flags to the breeze, talked war and denounced "yankees," predicted the speedy and complete success of their cause, and were generally demonstrative.
At last, about the 20th of May, Col. Moore, then a merchant in the little hamlet of Union, Clark County, received authority from Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, of St. Louis, to recruit a company of men for the Federal service. Moore had served as a captain in an Ohio regiment during the Mexican war, was therefore acquainted with military life, knew the tactics fairly well, could tell the difference between cartridge powder and black sand, and his selection as an officer was a most excellent one. He was now in his prime; had lived in Clark County long enough to know the country well; possessed more than the average stock of com-
379
STATE OF MISSOURI.
mon sense, was an unconditional Union man, and absolutely desti- tute of anything like personal fear. Some time previously, when an organization of "home guards " was being effected, he was proposed for captain, but defeated because he was not considered by some of the members as favoring, in the least degree, the Secession cause. From this circumstance there afterward arose a silly story, often told with great relish by the Secessionists, that he sought the office of captain of a rebel company, and fail- ing to get it, became a Unionist out of spite! His situation was peculiar. His neighbors and many of his best friends were Secessionists, and his three sons entered the Confederate service and fought directly against him on more than one occasion.
Moore raised a squad of ten men, and with this handful took the field. Clear and ringing as a bugle blast, he sounded the following challenge and invitation:
The undersigned is authorized to raise a company of volunteers in this county for the Union service. All who are willing to fight for their homes, their coun- try and the flag of our glorious Union are invited to join him, bringing with them their arms and ammunition. Until the Government can aid us we must take care of ourselves. Secessionists and rebel traitors desiring a fight can be accommodated on demand.
D. MOORE.
In the form of handbills these notices obtained a wide circu- lation. They spread over all of Northeast Missouri, Southern ern Iowa, and all of the region around about. Somehow the blunt, plain and vigorous rhetoric was suited to the times and the circumstances. The Unionists hailed it with enthusiasm, and said, "This is the man we have been looking for; here is our leader." In a few days the ten men, brave as those of Leonidas, had increased to a hundred, and still they were coming.
Within a week, emulating the example, other brave men fornied companies and squads. The fire of enthusiasm swept over the prairies of Clark into the prairies of Scotland, lit the woods of Schuyler, and even of Putnam, and set Knox ablaze. Capts. William McKee, T. H. Roseberry, Jackson, Moore, Hackney, Spellman, Motley and Washburn raised companies and squads in Clark. Capts. William Harle, Simon Pearce, and Ellsberry Small formed companies in Scotland; Capts. Jo- seph Story, George W. Fulton, N. W. Murrow and Pierce rallied the Unionists in Knox. All of these made haste to join their
380
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY. .
forces to Moore's, and he soon had a little army of a thousand men under him; although he had but the authority of a captain he was an acting colonel if not a brigadier. He called his com- mand the First Northeast Missouri Regiment, and of this organ- ization, by universal consent and by a unanimous election, he was chosen commander and styled colonel. That he had no formal commission did not lessen his efficiency in any respect. His men obeyed him readily, for they had come to confide in him implicitly.
The organization of these forces was effected at different periods, during the month of June. Temporary camps were made and the men began to drill. Provisions were brought in and furnished by the troops themselves and by their loyal friends; every man found his own gun and ammunition and a horse if he wanted it. The Government, at first, supplied noth- ing. From time to time Moore allowed his men to return to their homes to cultivate their crops and to provide for their fami- lies. Although he could not hold them for a moment against their will, they always asked for a furlough and none departed without leave and usually returned on time. They took "turns " in going home and not more than half were absent at one time, the other half being kept on duty for emergencies.
Meantime Martin E. Green had organized a considerable rebel force in Lewis and was threatening the Unionists of that county under Col. H. M. Woodyard, and menacing the forces under Col. Moore. From good sources it was learned that Green had about 1,000 men with 500 in easy call, and two pieces of cannon. It was the latter part of July, and Moore now had only about 500 men. But twenty men came over from Warsaw, Ill., "to the help of the Lord against the mighty," and on the 21st of July Moore moved against a rebel force under Maj. Benjamin Shack- lett, at Etna. On the 22d he entered the village. Capt. William McKee's mounted company skirmished with the rebels, mortally wounding one man, who died at Keller's tavern. Shacklett had but a small company, and was easily driven away. Moore's men cut down a tall liberty pole, eighty feet high, from the top of which a rebel flag was flying, and secured the flag. Some pris- oners were made, and some supplies secured.
381
STATE OF MISSOURI.
News that Moore was afield spread rapidly, and the Unionists hastened to join him. Finding it almost impossible, under the circumstances, to support his men on the county, Moore deter- mined to go into camp at Athens, where he could receive supplies over the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and if necessary reinforce- ments from the Federal recruiting stations at Keokuk and Bur- lington, Iowa, where a considerable number of volunteers were known to be. Athens was on Missouri soil; he would therefore be within the State, engaged in its defense against the insurgent forces, and immediately opposite, on the Iowa side of the Des Moines, stood the village of Croton, a station on the railroad. The selection of Athens as a camp of occupation and instruction was in every way a very wise one.
Repairing, therefore, to Athens, Moore furloughed a number of his men, until he had about 400 left, and went into camp. He at once began drilling his men, and in a short time they were quite proficient in the "school of the soldier" and in com- pany and battalion drill. In the meantime the Federal military authorities had furnished him from St. Louis, via Keokuk and Croton, with muskets and equipments and a considerable quan- tity of ammunition. The entire shipment weighed thirty tons. He had also contracted with a Mr. Smith, of Farmington, Iowa, for a supply of commissary stores, and these too were received via Croton. He was now in good condition to resist an attack, which he felt sure was imminent, and complacently and with confidence awaited developments.
On the 25th of July a delegation of "peace men," composed of Andrew Maxwell, Charles Sanford, Capt. Baker, and other prominent citizens of Clark County, nearly all of whom were more or less pro-secession-at least they were so considered- visited Col. Moore's camp. Assembling at the house of Joseph Benning, in Athens, they sent for the commander. In the inter- view which followed the delegation stated that the object of their mission was to bring about a cessation, or at least a suspension, of hostilities between the menacing forces in Northeast Missouri; that to avert bloodshed they had been called upon, and felt in some sense empowered, to visit both the Union and rebel camps, and confer with the commanders; that they had visited Martin
382
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Green's camp, and found that he had a force of several hundred well armed, well equipped, and superbly mounted brave and determined men, "the bone and sinew, the chivalry of Northeast Missouri;" that this force amounted to about 2,000 men, with two fine pieces of artillery, and they earnestly advised that Col. Moore and his men immediately lay down their arms and return at once to their homes or expect annihilation, stating that Green was desirous of avoiding the effusion of blood, and though he had the advantage, would doubtless disband if Moore would. Moore replied, in his usually brusque and sententious manner, that he did not doubt the sincerity and well-meant intentions of the delegation, and he thanked them for their interest in his personal welfare; but that they had come too late, for that a state. of war already existed between the Government of the United States and the rebels in arms against it; that he and his men were in the service of the Government, and Martin E. Green and the men he assumed to command were arrayed against it; that any arrangement he and Green might make for peace would eventually come to naught, and that as both had set out to fight they had better do it, and fight it out, adding that as for himself he did not fear the result. "And," said he, "if Mart. Green desires to avoid the shedding of blood he had better keep his men beyond the range of my muskets!" Closing, he remarked, "I do not wish to hear any more propositions of this sort." The conference then closed, the delegation retiring in consterna- tion and with a great buzz of agonized and vehement remon- strance and protestation.
Immediately after this Col. Green was earnestly solicited by certain citizens in and about Athens, who were in sympathy with the cause of secession to come to that point and drive Col. Moore and his forces away or capture them, stating that the Union sol- diers were destroying their property, etc. While Col. Green was willing to comply with their request, Lieut .- Col. Joe C. Porter and Maj. Benjamin W. Shacklett, both objected to it. However, about the 1st of August Green moved from his camp at Edina to attack the Federal camp at Athens. He left behind him a con- siderable detachment under Lieut .- Col. Porter and Capt. Frisby H. Mccullough; one company at Edina was commanded by Capt ..
383
STATE OF MISSOURI.
John T. (Crockett) Davis. After marching one day Green's command went into camp on the Wyaconda, about one mile east of Etna, in Scotland County, where it remained one day and night, and then moved on to Big Fox River in Clark County, having been joined on the way near Luray by a battalion under Col. Cyrus Franklin. This whole command reached Athens at dawn on the morning of the 5th, and formed in line and gave battle. Green knew the situation well, and that Moore had less than 500 men and not a single cannon, while he had two pieces of artillery. He was confident of his ability to easily defeat the Unionists, drive them into and across the Des Moines and win the fight for the control of Northeast Missouri.
On the evening of the 4th two companies of Iowa Home Guards from Keokuk, numbering eighty men, armed with rifles, and com- manded by Capts. Hugh Sample and W. W. Belknap, the latter afterward Secretary of War, etc., arrived on the Croton side. Com- ing down to the water's edge they called across the river to Moore, and asked if they could be of assistance. Moore replied that his scouts had reported the enemy advancing in force, and he expected an attack some time the next day, and would be under many obli- gations if they would come over and help him. The two captains readily promised to cross with their men at daylight the next morning.
About sunrise Green's advance guard attacked and drove in Moore's mounted pickets under Capt. William McKee and Dr. Oliver B. Payne. The Federals resisted long enough to give a thorough alarm and enable Moore to get his men in line. The rebel artillery, a nine-pounder and a six-pounder, under Capt. J. W. Kneisley, of Marion, was placed in position in the main road, on the brow of the hill overlooking the Federal position, enabling it to make a plunging fire. The rebels formed on either side of the artillery, the line extending in a general direction from east to west and facing north. They had left their horses in the tim- ber, a few hundred yards to the rear, and were fighting as infantry on foot.
Green's right wing, under Maj. Ben Shacklett, advanced by the flank to the river bank on the east of Athens, then faced westward and advanced toward the village through a field, becom-
384
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
ing instantly engaged. The left wing, under Capts. Dull and Kimbrough swung around to the river on the west, while the center was held under Green himself; and thus the Federals were practically surrounded, with the enemy on three sides of them, and a wide flowing river at their backs on the fourth. The rebels began the action by rapid discharges from their cannon which were fired down the main street of the village at the Federal line, but 300 yards away. The shooting was very wild and ineffective, however, a majority of the cannon balls going clear over the river into Iowa; two shots passed through the roof of the railroad depot building in Croton, while at least three struck in the Croton grave- yard, on a high hill, half a mile into Iowa, and one shot passed directly through the house of " Uncle " Joe Benning in Athens, and very near where the latter stood. The house is still standing and the holes through the walls remain just as they were made by the solid shot. The only regular artillery ammunition with which Green was supplied consisted of some cannon balls and a quantity of powder; but his artillerists had improvised some can- ister out of iron slugs chopped up in a blacksmith shop, nuts, screws, nails and stray bits of iron, and these were fired with some effect.
Moore had in his camp about 450 men. At the beginning of the fight he had a number of prisoners in his custody. These he sent under escort of Capt. J. T. Farris and thirty-five men to Croton for safe keeping and that they might not be exposed to danger during the battle. The Iowa captains, Belknap and Sample, mustered their companies when the firing began, but, good Democratic lawyers as they were, they suddenly became strong respecters of State lines and did not choose to invade a neighboring sovereign State. They, however, fired across the river on Shacklett's men, and contributed something to the gen- eral result.
To meet the attack upon him, Moore sent Capt. Hackney and the fighting preacher, Capt. John H. Cox, with about sixty men to the right, up the river, to resist the assault of Dull and Kim- brough. To the left of his line, down the river, against Shack- lett, he sent the companies of Capt. Spellman and Capt. Elsberry
385
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Small .* Col. Moore himself directed operations in the center. The engagement now became general, and for some minutes there was an incessant roar of small arms intermingled with the crash of the cannon. The engagement had only fairly begun, when Capt. Spellman, with the greater part of his company, broke and fled with great precipitation across the river, then at a low stage, and easily waded in the shoal water below the milldam. Spell- man carried off his flag and his men took their arms with them. This weakened Moore's left wing very materially, but old Capt. Small, with a huge rifle in his hand, cheered his men and en- couraged them to fight the harder, and successfully resisted every effort to drive him back, and the rebels gained nothing by Spell- man's defection.
The rebels seemed quite disconcerted at their rough reception. Their first onset was met and withstood. The rapid volleys from their shot-guns and rifles were answered by the steady fire of the Federal muskets, and there was no indication that the Unionists were disposed to fly the field. Blood began to flow, men fell dead, and wounded comrades reeled and staggered. Dazed and stunned, the advancing line halted, stood a moment irresolute and weak, and then wavered.
It was the turning point in the fight, Green saw it, and sought to rally and force his men again into action. Moore saw it, and with all of his extraordinary volume of voice, called out loud enough for every man on both sides to hear him, even above the roar of the conflict: "Forward! charge bayonets!" With a shout, the Unionists sprang away to the front, up the hill, over all the irregularities of the ground, unimpeded and unresisted. The rebel center quivered-shook-then broke and rolled to the rear in wild disorder and confusion. Five minutes more and Green would have rallied his men, they would have caught their " second wind," and who could tell what the result would have been. With the center destroyed, the rebel flanks could but give way. Already they were in partial confusion. Shacklett, a grisly wound in his neck, sought to draw off his command, but
* Capt. Small was from Memphis, Scotland County. There is nothing in a name, for he weighed 350 pounds, or thereabouts, although he was of but average height. He was a stanch and brave Unionist, and did good service for the cause, Considering the recklessness with which he exposed himself at Athens, and his elephantine proportions, it is a great marvel that he was not killed.
.
386
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
lost control of his men, who fled incentively, some running down the river straight to the east. Kneisley limbered up his cannons and galloped down the road, the postillions lashing their horses like race-riders. Kimbrough, Dull and Franklin withdrew the left wing in a tolerable state of preservation.
A wild and almost inexplicable panic siezed upon the little seccession army. It was a miniature Bull Run. In their frantic rush for the rear, scores of men did not stop to mount their horses, but pushed on afoot. Others followed a line of retreat to the east, or west of where they had tethered their steeds, and would not turn aside a rod or lose a half a minute to secure them. Others unhitched the first horses they came to, mounted them, and skurried away:
Finding himself in possession of the field, Moore reformed his line for attack or defense, as circumstances should order, but pushing out McKee's company of mounted men he found that his enemy had deserted, and his men were ordered to gather up the visible fruits of the victory, and to care for the dead and wounded. About 400 good horses (it is claimed 500) saddled and bridled, a large number of guns of all kinds, revolvers, huge knives, blankets, quilts, etc., several wagon loads of provisions, and other material of war were secured.
The fight for Northeast Missouri was over. The issue of bat- tle had decided that it should belong to the Union, and never again did the Secessionists make a serious attempt to wrest it from the control of those who won it.
Of the men who fought at Athens perhaps forty-nine out of every fifty here received their baptism of fire, and for the first time in their lives discharged a gun at an enemy with intent to kill, maim, or wound. It was a fight between Missourians, for only a mere handful of Moore's men were from another State. It was a fight, too, between neighbors, for dozens on each side rec- ognized acquaintances and former friends in the ranks of the foe. It was a fight, too,-Oh, the pity of it !-- between brothers, between father and son. Opposed to Col. Moore, there fought bravely his son, Dr. William Moore, who commanded a company. Hundreds of Green's men lived to laugh at their unseemly stam- pede from the field of Athens, and to battle valiantly on many a
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.