USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 18
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 18
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 18
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In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on Gov. Boggs, of Missouri, for 600 volunteers. The first regiment enlisted under the authority of the proclamation of the Governor was composed principally of volunteers from Boone, Howard, Callaway, St. Charles and one or two other counties. A second regiment was enlisted consisting of four companies, two of which were composed of Delaware and Osage Indians. The second regiment was consolidated with the first, all under the command of Col. Gentry, who, by the way, had commanded the Missouri volunteers in the Black Hawk War.
In October the regiment left for the scene of action, but before de- parting was presented with a beautiful silk flag at Columbia, by Miss Wales, of the Female College of that place, and her lady friends. This was borne with honor to Missouri by her brave volunteers throughout the war, and Col. Gentry, who fell at the battle of Okeechobee, gallantly leading his men, with almost his last breath gave them the command to stand by their flag. It was brought back in triumph at the close of the war, and presented to Col. Gentry's wife, but the brave leader who carried it to victory fell upon the field where his triumph was won.
After leaving Columbia the regiment marched to Jefferson Barracks below St. Louis, and was there regularly mustered into the service.
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Capt. Knott, from this county, joined the regiment with his company at St. Louis, but it not being a full company he was consolidated with Capt. Jackson's company from further up the river, and Jackson hav- ing the larger number of men was made captain. Capt. Knott re- turned to St. Charles county, but his men remained under Capt. Jackson.
From St. Louis they proceeded to New Orleans by river, and thence by brigs across the gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. Being cav- alrymen, their horses were also sent across the bay, but in a separate vessel from the one in which the troops shipped. On the gulf they were overtaken by a storm and their vessels separated, but all ulti- mately reached their destination in safety, the vessel bearing the horses several days after the men. Finally, taking up the line of march to the interior, they traveled about 135 miles to Okeechobee lake, their route laying almost entirely through swamps, everglades, and small lakes. Their progress was very slow on account of the difficulties they encountered, for they were in water almost contin- uously, and frequently bayous, sloughs, and so forth, had to be bridged.
In the vicinity of Okeechobee they came upon the whole force of the Seminoles under their most redoubtable leaders, Mycanopee, Alligator, Tiger Tail and Sam Jones. Several Indians were cap- tured before the main body was reached, and from them the troops learned the situation of the Indians. The latter were apprised of the approach of the troops and were prepared for an attack. They had stationed themselves on a somewhat elevated piece of ground which was covered with a growth of cypress, live oak, etc., and was just beyond a long swamp. In making the attack the troops approached the Indians through this swamp, which was partially covered with water from shoe-mouth to hip deep. Only a knoll of ground now and then above the water and covered with grass was perceptible. The troops were dismounted and made the attack on foot, the Mis- sourians, under Col. Gentry, being in front and supported on either flank by the regulars. Through the entire swamp they were under a constant shower of balls from the Indians; but undaunted they pushed bravely forward to the attack, reserving their own fire until they could get into a position to make it effective. At first the In- dians shot too high, but soon their aim became lower. As the fire of the enemy became lower and lower the troops first fell to their knees and were finally compelled to crawl on their hands and feet through the mud and water. Finally the rendezvous of the Indians was
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reached and with a yell of triumph and a continuous fire the troops rushed upon them, Col. Gentry leading his men with conspicuous bravery, far in advance and regardless of all thought of danger. The battle was short, sharp and decisive. The Indians were completely routed and the war virtually put to an end. But unfortunately for the brave Missourians, though they had closed one of the most impor- tant Indian wars of the country by their gallantry and intrepidity, their heroic commander, the valiant and chivalrous Gentry, who fought in the forefront of the battle as another Henry of Navarre, and won victory where defeat seemed inevitable, fell bleeding on the field mortally wounded. He lived but a short time and his body was carried off the field by his devoted comrades. He lived to hear the shouts of triumph of his gallant men as they planted the silken and victorious banner of Missouri high above the Flowery Peninsula of the South. Col. Gentry died the death of a soldier and hero, and a num- ber of his brave men fell gallantly fighting by his side. A number, too, were wounded. Among the wounded from this county was Mr. Cottle, already referred to as a member of Jackson's company. Twenty Missourians lost their lives in this engagement and a number of regulars. . Col. Gentry's remains, together with those of Capt. Van Swearingen and Lieuts. Brooke and Centre, of the Sixth regular United States Infantry, were brought to Jefferson Barracks and buried, the government erecting above them a suitable monument. The county of Gentry was named in honor of Col. Gentry's memory and the gallant part he took in the Florida War.
Col. Taylor, of the Regular service, in his report of the battle to the War Department, through jealousy of Col. Gentry and prejudice against the Missouri volunteers, as it is believed, criticised rather severely the conduct of the Missourians in the engagement. This called forth an investigation by the Missouri Legislature which revealed the utter groundlessness of Col. Taylor's criticisms. The resolutions adopted by the two houses contained among other just and well merited expressions the following language : That " Col. Gentry fell at the head of his troop in a manner worthy of the commander of Volunteers ; and that the conduct of the Volunteer officers and soldiers, generally, was such as ought to have elicited praise and commenda- tion, instead of censure and reproach."
Though hardly worthy of the designation of a war, the Slicker troubles of 1841-45 rose to such importance in the affairs of this county that mention of them could hardly with propriety be omitted.
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They are therefore referred to in the present connection, as following in chronological order the Florida War.
The Slicker organization originated in Benton county, this State, in about 1841. The name came from the mode of inflicting punish- ment by the Slickers, which was to tie the culprit to a tree and " slick " or whip him with hickory withes. He was then given notice to leave the country within a stated time. They were organized for the purpose of breaking up a band of horse thieves and' counterfeiters who had their headquarters among the hills and fastnesses of Benton county. Similar organizations were formed in various parts of the State and were known by the general name of " Slickers." In some instances bad men and even the very thieves and counterfeiters against whom they were warring, contrived to become members of these so- cieties and through their evil influence and false and malicious repre- sentations innocent and unoffending persons were severely and cruelly punished. This led to the organization of the anti-Slicker companies, and in some parts of the State actual war raged betweeen the opposing factions, and many persons were killed, wounded, or mal- treated.
During the high water in June, 1844, several small steamers ascended the Cuivre river to Chain of Rocks, in Lincoln county, where there was a small village consisting of several stores, a mill, one or two shops, etc. One of these boats, called the Bee, made several trips between St. Louis and that place, and on one of her trips landed a man at the Chain of Rocks who gave his name as Hal Grammar, and who proved to be a counterfeiter, horse thief, and bad character generally.
The next time the Bee came up she brought a peddler, who landed from the boat and proceeded to the hotel to get his dinner. He left his pack in the office of the hotel and passed into the dining-room, and while engaged in eating his dinner Hal Grammar and his confed- erates, who at that time were unknown, stole the goods and left. Grammar was captured soon after, but had disposed of the goods, which were never found. He escaped from his captors, and it soon became evident to the citizens that there was a regular organization of thieves and counterfeiters in their county, and that Grammar was doubtless the originator and chief of the band.
The county became flooded with counterfeit money ; horses, cattle and hogs were stolen and run out of the country; and the thieves finally became so bold that they butchered beef cattle on the farms of
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their owners, and shipped the meat to St. Louis in boats prepared for the purpose.
The evil having become unendurable, the citizens organized a com- pany of Slickers for the purpose of ridding themselves of their griev- ance. Many of the best men of the county joined the organization, and Mr. James Stallard, of Hurricane township, was elected captain. In the company were such men as Ira T. Nelson, Rolla Mayes, Abra- ham and Joshua King, Rufus Gibson, Mitchell Bosman, John and Malachi Davis, Washington Noel, Lewis G. Martin, Sebran Wallace, Littleton Dryden, William and Benjamin Cooper, William Wilson, Thomas Wallace, James Bedows, Abraham Barkhead, Dr. William Wise, James Day, John Argent, George Smith, John W. McKee, John Dalton, Joseph Wright, James Oliver, James and John Lindsay, Kinchen Robinson, Jacob Boone, Levi Bailey, Jacob Groshong, George Pollard, Elihu Jones, Taylor Crumes, Willis Hutton, Samuel and James Alexander, Andrew Hill, Jacob Conn, John Loving, Charles McIntosh, Charles W. Martin, Lawrence B. Sitten, Tandy K. Nichols, James Blademore Harrison Anderson, Joseph Woodson, Carroll Sitten, Zoar Perkins, M. Martin, Vincent Shields, and others, among whom, as was afterward ascertained, were several of the coun- terfeiters and thieves. All of those whose names were given were good, honest, law-abiding citizens, who went into the organization from the best of motives. Only seven of the entire number are now living.
The thieves and counterfeiters were hunted out and tried, and most of them were whipped and ordered to leave the country, which they were glad to do ; but a few of the ringleaders were executed.
These vigorous measures soon restored peace and security to the honest people of the county, and the Slickers ought then to have dis- banded, but they kept up their organization, and, as usual with such bodies, soon began to punish some that were innocent together with the guilty.
In the spring of 1845 reports came to the Slickers that the sons of Mr. James Trumbull were in sympathy with counterfeiters, and were encouraging and abetting them in their unlawful business. The reports were not true, but were made by malicious and evil minded persons, and led to a serious and deadly affray. The boys were or- dered to leave the country, which they positively refused to do. The Slickers therefore determined to enforce their order, and one day about the middle of April, 1845, a party of them went to Trumbull's house for that purpose. They arrived about noon, and found the
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family, who had expected an attack, armed and barricaded in their house. Mr. Trumbull and his daughter Sarah came out to expostu- late with the Slickers and entreat them to go away, declaring that they and their relatives were entirely innocent of the charges made against them. But their appeals were unavailing, and they were told that they must immediately leave the country.
The Slickers at once attacked the house, and John and Malachi Davis endeavored to enter together. The former was wounded on the head by a corn knife in the hands of one of the Trumbull girls, and the latter received two gunshot wounds from one of the boys, named Squire, from the effects of which he died next day. John Davis, though suffering severely from his wound, shot both Squire Trumbull and his brother James, shattering the thigh bone of the for- mer with a rifle ball, from the effects of which he died several weeks later. James Trumbull was shot through the mouth and neck, and fell apparently dead, but finally recovered from his wounds, though he remained paralyzed the rest of his life. He died several years afterward, in Arkansas. Several Slickers were wounded, but not seriously, and they finally withdrew without having accomplished their purpose.
Among the Slickers engaged in this affair was Kinchen Robinson who was a great " blower," and who styled himself the " lamp-lighter of the twelve apostles." When the fight was over he retreated with considerable haste, and just as he sprang over the yard fence one of the Trumbull girls cut the tail of his coat off with a corn knife. His acquaintances enjoyed a good deal of fun at his expense after that adventure.
This unfortunate affair became noised over the entire country, and opposition at once began to manifest itself against the Slickers. Many who had previously been in full sympathy with them now de- nounced them without stint, and demanded that their organization should be broken up, as they had accomplished their object and were now going beyond the bounds of reason, and even becoming outlaws themselves.
A company of anti-Slickers was organized in St. Charles county, in the vicinity of Flint Hill, with the avowed determination of dis- persing the Slickers of Lincoln county. They stationed a guard at Trumbull's house to prevent further bloodshed, and warned the Slick- ers not to cause any more trouble. Mr. James Shelton was elected captain of this company, and among his men were David McFarlane, Robert Sheley, Bob Woolfolk, Joseph Allen, Perry Custer, George
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W. Wright, Sam Carter, Scott Evans, Sam Newland, Benjamin and Oliver Pitts, George M. Coats, Jeff Dyer, George McGregor, Archi- bald M. Wade, John T. Daniels, Elliot Lusby, Lewis and Peter Dan- iels, Dr. William Coleman, S. L. Barker, Thomas, Amos and Joseph Dyer, William A. Abington, John P. Allen, and many other leading men of that part of the county. They were all citizens of St. Charles county, while the Slickers were all citizens of Lincoln, and . on that account considerable enmity arose between the people of the two counties. Both organizations were composed of good men, actuated by honest motives, but through misrepresentations and the excite- ment of the times they were brought into antagonism, and several fights and skirmishes ensued, in which a number were wounded, others were whipped and one or two lives were lost. But the excite- ment finally died away, and both companies were eventually disbanded.
About two years afterward Captain Shelton, while crossing Cuivre river in a skiff, was fired upon by some person concealed in the brush on the Lincoln county side, and his arm was broken. One Jacob Boone, who had been a Slicker during the late trouble, was accused of the crime, arrested, and taken to Troy for trial. When his trial came off he was acquitted, as there was no direct evidence against him, but the friends of Shelton, a few of whom had attended the trial, de- clared that he had escaped justice through the connivance and influ- ence of his friends in Lincoln county, who had been his companions in the Slicker War; and an angry discussion arose in regard to the matter during which the old Slicker and anti-Slicker difficulties were revived and much bitterness was manifested on both sides. That night as Shelton's friends were returning home, several of them were waylaid and fired upon, but fortunately none of them were hurt. The same evening about dusk, two young men, nephews of Mr. Levi Bailey, who had expressed anti-Slicker sentiments, were fired upon by par- ties in ambush just as they were entering the outer gate that led to their uncle's house, where they were going on a visit. One of their horses was shot through the jaw, and several buckshot passed through a shawl that one of the boys wore. These events again aroused the old excitement, which ran high for some time; and several years elapsed,before the matter was forgotten and friendly feelings restored.
And such was the great Slicker War, which threatened for some time to array the citizens of two populous counties in deadly hostility against each other - to bathe their hearthstones in blood and lay waste their farms and homes. It teaches a practical lesson that should not be forgotten, viz. : that good men, with the best intentions, may
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be led into the commission of unjust, unlawful and cruel deeds when they take the law into their own hands and attempt to punish crim- inals and allay crime by summary proceedings.
On the 27th of February, 1845, the authorities of the Republic of Texas, having formally notified the government at Washington of their desire for the admission of Texas into the Union, the Congress of the United States, by a joint resolution, made provision for the admission of the new State. The terms of the admission were assented to by the Texas authorities, and on the 4th of July, 1845, the Lone Star Republic became one in the family of States of the American Union.
Though Texas had asserted and maintained her independence from Mexico for some years, the latter country had not given up all hope of coercing the rebellious young Republic back into the Mexican Union - leastwise had the question of boundary between Mexico and Texas been settled. Immediately following the admission of Texas the United States authorities occupied her territory with troops forits. protection against Mexican aggression and the support of her civil authorities. The Republic of Mexico accepted this as an act of war, claiming Texas as Mexican territory, and at once took steps to main- tain her authority in that State. But the authorities of the United States were quick to meet the issue, and in a short time two opposing armies were encamped on the Rio Grande, the American army under Zachary Taylor and the army of Mexico under Gen. Arista.
A comprehensive plan of operations had been determined upon by the Americans. One squadron of the navy was ordered to join the fleet already in the Pacific for an attack upon the Mexican ports in California ; another was to operate. in the Gulf of Mexico. An army of the West assembled at Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., under Gen. Stephen W. Kearny for the invasion of New Mexico, and, proceeding thence westward, to co-operate with the Pacific fleet. Gen. Wool collected at San Antonio another force which constituted the Army of the Center, and was to invade Mexico from that quarter. Heavy re-enforce- ments were sent to the army under Gen. Taylor at Point Isabel, known as the Army of Occupation. Space here, however, can not be given to enter into the details of the general events of the war. Nor is it necessary or proper, for on these pages only the history of the war in so far as it was participated in or affected by the volunteers from this county is expected to be given. Suffice it, therefore, to say that so far as the general events of the war are concerned, the Americans were almost invariably victorious, and . that it was finally brought to a triumphant close on the 2d of February, 1848, by the
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treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which surrendered to the United States the vast territory west of the Rio Grande from El Paso and northward, aside from recognizing the Rio Grande below El Paso as the boundary between Texas and Mexico.
The volunteers from St. Charles county were intended to become a . part of the command of Gen. Kearny, known as the Army of the West, but owing to unavoidable delay the expedition for the West, of which Col. Doniphan afterwards became the distinguished leader, had left Ft. Leavenworth, Kas., before the company from this county reached that point, so that by this circumstance their service was reserved for another field of activity. Doniphan's men came principally from the counties of Cooper, Howard, Boone, Saline, Callaway, Cole, Osage, Warren, Gasconade, Montgomery and Chariton, and were enlisted under the order of Adj .- Gen. Parsons, directing the enroll- ment of from 50 to 150 men in each of those counties.
The company of volunteers from this county numbered about ninety men, not including the officers, and was organized principally by Dr. Ludwell E. Powell and David McCausland, both prominent citizens of the county, the latter of whom became captain of the company and the former colonel of the regiment of which the company was a part. The names of the other members of the company, or those whose names are remembered by Judge Hollrah, one of its three surviving members, are as follows : Antoine LeFaivre, first lieutenant ; - Jones, second lieutenant ; Samuel Muchatt, third lieutenant ; Charles
- Kenna, orderly sergeant ; Thomas B. Reynolds, who succeeded Kenna as orderly sergeant after the latter's death ; Oliver Pitts, second ser- geant ; John LeFaivre, third sergeant; Louis Thedeau, fourth ser- geant; Barton Audrain, first corporal ; John Janis, second corporal ; Reed, third corporal ; - Murphy, fourth corporal. Privates : John H. Hollrah, Dietrich Mollan, David Mullan, John Norris (the last preceding two buglers), Thomas Amos, George Hunt, Thomas Carter, Thomas Geiger, Chapley Geiger, - Pratt, - Pringle, James Simms, - Chapman, - Kirks, - Kluester, Fritz Beller, Antoine Lubring, Benjamin Oldham, August Betholdes, Wil- helm Mittog, - Zimmerman, Nelson Boyer, Ed. Saucier, Henry LeFaivre, John Carpentier, St. Amie Des Lachou, John Barnum, John Watson, Timothy Hayes, Jacob Taylor, - Watts, Jacob Diehr, -- Avis, and . Moss.
Before leaving the county for the war the company met in St. Charles for drill and final leave-taking. They were there presented with a handsome silk flag made by the ladies of St. Charles, the
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
formal presentation being made by Miss Lee, a young lady of the county of fine accomplishments, and justly popular with all who knew her, not less for her amiable disposition than for her accom- plishments and personal charms. The presentation speech was replied to by Capt. McCausland in one of his happiest efforts, and the brave- hearted volunteers then marched off to the war, buoyant with hope, nobly enthusiastic for the cause of their country, and ambitious to distinguish themselves on the field of action.
Arriving at St. Louis, they were there duly sworn into the service and received their arms and uniforms. After a week spent in quar- ters at what is known as the " Old Prairie House," on the Rock road, in Elleardsville, they then proceeded, under orders to Ft. Leaven- worth, Kas. On reaching that place, as stated above, they found that Col. Doniphan had already started for the plains. Nevertheless, they met a number of other Missouri companies at Ft. Leavenworth, five in all, which were organized into a battalion, known as the Oregon battalion. The companies were respectively commanded by Capt. Sublett, of St. Louis, Capt. Craig, of Holt county, now Gen. Craig ; Capt Stewart, of Buchanan county, afterwards Gov. Stewart, Capt. - -, of -, and Capt. McCausland, of this county. Sublett, of St. Louis, and Dr. Powell, of this county, were sup- ported for colonel, but Dr. Powell was elected by a large majority. The major of the battalion was a West Point graduate, and a mem- ber of the regular army.
After the organization of the battalion all remained at Ft. Leaven- worth for a time, engaged in drilling and garrisoning the fort. But the Indians on the Upper Missouri, principally the Sioux, taking ad- vantage of the absence of troops, were preparing to go on the war path, and were seriously threatening the upper white settlements. A part of the Oregon battalion was therefore sent up the river to pre- vent them from carrying out their designs. Sixty men from each of the five companies were detailed for this service, and Capt. McCausland was placed in command of the detachment. They proceeded at once to Old Ft. Kearny, on the Upper Missouri, near the Missouri and Nebraska line.
Shortly after arriving there, on account of the hostile and threat- ening attitude of the Sioux, who were still further up the river, Capt. McCausland went on an expedition with his men against them. They went up the river as far as Ft. Vermilion, a distance of about 300 miles. The Indians steadily fell back before them, and seeing that on account of the troops it would be impossible to accomplish any-
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