USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. I > Part 6
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MEXICAN WAR.
Soon after Mexico declared war against the United States on the 8th and 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought. Great excitement prevailed through- out the country. In none of her sister states, however, did the fires of patriotism burn more intensely than in Missouri. Not waiting for the call for volunteers, the "St. Louis Legion" hastened to the field of conflict. The "Legion" was commanded by Col. A. R. Easton. During the month of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers to join the "Army of the West," an expedition to Santa Fe-under command of Gen. Stephen W. Kearney.
Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volun- teers. By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the first regiment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard and Callaway counties. Of this regiment, A. W. Doniphan was made colonel; C. F. Ruff, lieu-
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
tenant-colonel, and William Gilpin, major. The battalion of light artillery from St. Louis was commanded by Captains R. A. Weightman and A. W. Fischer, with Maj. M. L. Clark as field officer ; battalions of infantry from Platte and Cole counties com- manded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. Augney, respectively, and the "Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Capt. Thomas B. Hudson, aggregating, all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the summer of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in congress and raised one mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion of infantry to reinforce the "Army of the West." Mr. Price was made colonel, and D. D. Mitchell lieutenant-colonel.
In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for 1,000 men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once. John Dougherty, of Clay county, was chosen colonel, but before the regiment marched the president countermanded the order.
A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls county, commanded by Capt. William T. Lafland. Conspicuous among the engagements in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were the battles of Bracito, Sacramento, Cañada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The force from Missouri were mustered out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexican war.
CHAPTER IX.
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI.
Fort Sumter was fired upon April 12, 1861. On April 15th, President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 men, from the milita of the several states, to suppress combinations in the Southern States therein named. Simultaneously therewith, the secretary of war sent a telegram to all the governors of the states, excepting those mentioned in the proclamation, requesting them to detail a certain number of milita to serve for three months, Missouri's quota being four regiments.
In response to this telegram, Governor Jackson sent the fol- lowing answer:
Executive Department of Missouri, Jefferson City, April 17, 1861.
To the Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C .:
Sir : Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been re- ceived. There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the president's army to make war upon the people of the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judg- ment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and can not be complied with. Not one man will the state of Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war.
C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri.
April 21, 1861. U. S. arsenal at Liberty was seized by order of Governor Jackson.
April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation con- vening the legislature of Missouri, on May following, in extra session, to take into consideration the momentous issues which were presented, and the attitude to be assumed by the state in the impending struggle.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
On the 22d of April, 1861, the adjutant-general of Missouri issued the following military order :
Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo., Jefferson City, April 22, 1861. (General Orders No. 7)
I. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organization and discipline, the commanding officers of the several military districts in this state, having four or more legally organ- ized companies therein, whose armories are with fifteen miles of each other, will assemble their respective commands at some place. to be by them severally designated, on the 3d day of May, and to go into an encampment for a period of six days, as provided by law. Captains of companies not organized into battalions will report the strength of their companies immediately to these head- quarters, and await further orders.
II. The quartermaster-general will procure and issue to quar- termasters of district, for these commands not now provided for, all necessary tents and camp equipage, to enable the commanding officers thereof to carry the foregoing orders into effect.
III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Bat- talion, and one company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers belonging to the First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis, and report to Gen. D. M. Frost for duty. The remaining companies of said battalion will be disbanded for the purpose of assisting in the organization of companies upon that frontier. The details in the execution of the foregoing are in- trusted to Lieut .- Col. John S. Bowen, commanding the battalion.
IV. The strength, organization, and equipment of the several companies in the district will be reported at once to these head- quarters, and district inspectors will furnish all information which may be serviceable in ascertaining the condition of the state forces.
By order of the governor. Warwick Hough, Adjutant-General of Missouri.
May 2, 1861. The legislature convened in extra session. Many acts were passed, among which was one to authorize the governor to purchase or lease David Ballentine's foundry at Boonville, for
CHARLES FALOR FARM HOME.
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CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI
the manufacture of arms and munitions of war; to authorize the governor to appoint one major-general; to authorize the governor, when, in his opinion, the security and welfare of the state required it, to take possession of the railroad and telegraph lines of the state; to provide for the organization, government, and support of the military forces; to borrow $1,000,000 to arm and equip. the militia of the state to repel invasion, and protect the lives and property of the people. An act was also passed creating a "Mili- tary Fund," to consist of all the money then in the treasury or that might thereafter be received from the .01 per cent on the $100, levied by act of November, 1857, to complete certain rail- roads; also the proceeds of a tax of 15 cents on the $100 of the assessed value of the taxable property of the several counties in the state, and the proceeds of the 2-mill tax, which has been heretofore appropriated for educational purposes.
May 3, 1861. "Camp Jackson" was organized.
May 10, 1861. Sterling Price appointed major-general of state quard.
May 10, 1861. General Frost, commanding "Camp Jackson," addressed Gen. N. Lyon, as follows :
Headquarters Camp Jackson, Missouri Militia, May 10, 1861. Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding U. S. Troops in and about St. Louis
Arsenal :
Sir : I am constantly in receipt of information that you con- template an attack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed with the idea that an attack upon the arsenal and United States troops is intended on the part of the militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens of the United States, who are in law- ful performance of their duties, devolving upon them under the constitution in organizing and instructing the militia of the state in obedience to her laws, and, therefore, have been disposed to doubt the correctness of the information I have received.
I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any truth in the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So far as regards any hostility being intended toward the United States, or its property or representatives by any por- tion of my command, or, as far as I can learn (and I think I'am fully informed), of any other part of the state forces. I can
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
positively say that the idea has never been entertained. On the contrary, prior to your taking command of the arsenal, I proffered to Major Bell, then in command of the very few troops consti- tuting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, and, if necessary, the whole power of the state, to protect the United States in the full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking command of this department, I made the same proffer of services to him, and authorized his adjutant-general, Captain Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been done to the War Department. I have had no occasion to change any of the views I entertained at the time, neither of my own voli- tion nor through order of my constitutional commander.
I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by fully understanding each other, to keep far from our borders the misfortunes which so unhappily affect our common country.
This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my chief of staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in the foregoing.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson, M. V. M.
May 10, 1861. General Lyon sent the following to General
Frost :
Headquarters United States Troops, St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861.
Gen. D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson :
Sir: Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the government of the United States.
It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have openly avowed their hostility to the general government, and have been plotting at the seizures of its property and the overthrow of its authority. You are openly in communication with the so-called Southern Confederacy, which is now at war with the United States, and you are receiving at your camp, from the said Confederacy and under its flag, large supplies of the material of war, most of which is known to be the property of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plainly indicate none other than the well-known purpose of the governor of this state, under whose orders you are acting, and whose communica-
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CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI
tion to the legislature has just been responded to by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostili- ties to the general government and cooperation with its enemies.
In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in obedience to the proclamation of the president, and of the imminent necessities of state policy and warfare, and the obliga- tions imposed upon me by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do hereby demand of you an im- mediate surrender of your command, with no other conditions than that all persons surrendering under this command shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so will be allowed for your compliance therewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. Lyon,
Captain Second Infantry, Commanding Troops. .
May 10, 1861. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all released excepting Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to sub)- scribe to the parole.
May 12, 1861. Brig .- Gen. William S. Harney issued a procla- mation to the people of Missouri, saying "he would carefully abstain from the exercise of any unnecessary powers," and only use "the military force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve peace."
May 14, 1861. General Harney issued a second proclamation.
May 21, 1861. General Harney held a conference with Gen. Sterling Price, of the Missouri State Guards.
May 31, 1861. General Harney superseded by General Lyon.
June 11, 1861. A second conference was held between the national and state authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing.
June 11, 1861. Governor Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City, burning the railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires.
June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation call- ing into active service 50,000 militia, "to repel invasion, protect life, property," etc.
June 15, 1861. Col. F. P. Blair took possession of the state capital, Governor Jackson, General Price and other officers having
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
:
left on the 13th of June for Boonville.
June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces of General Lyon and Col. John S. Marmaduke.
June 18, 1861. General Lyon issued a proclamation to the people of Missouri.
· July 5, 1861. Battle at Carthage between the forces of General Sigel and Governor Jackson.
July 6, 1861. General Lyon reached Springfield.
July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared the offices of governor, lieutenant-governor and secretary of state vacated.
July 26, 1861. Gen. John C. Fremont assumed command of the Western Department, with headquarters in St. Louis.
July 31, 1861. Lieut .- Gov. Thomas C. Reynolds issued a proc- lamation at New Madrid.
August 1, 1861. Gen. Jeff Thompson issued a proclamation at Bloomfield. .
August 2, 1861. Battle of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's forces and General Rains.
August 5, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New Madrid.
August 5, 1861. Battle of Athens.
August 10, 1861. Battle of Wilson's Creek, between the forces under General Lyon and General McCulloch. In this engagement General Lyon was killed. General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon.
August 12, 1861. McColloch issued a proclamation, and soon left Missouri.
August 20, 1861. General Price issues a proclamation.
August 24, 1861. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation call- ing for 32,000 men for six months to protect the property and lives of the citizens of the state.
August 30, 1861. General Fremont declared martial law, and declared that the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an active part with the enemies of the government should be free.
September 2, 1861. Gen. Jeff Thompson issued a proclamation in response to Fremont's proclamation.
September 7, 1861. Battle at Drywood creek.
September 11, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in General Fremont's declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation of property and liberation of slaves.
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CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI
September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Lex- ington on Colonel Mulligan's forces.
September 20, 1861. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men sur- rendered.
October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield.
October 28, 1861. Passage by Governor Jackson's legislature, at Neosho, of an ordinance of secession.
November 2, 1861. General Fremont succeeded by Gen. David Hunter.
November 7, 1861. General Grant attacked Belmont.
November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck, who took command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in St. Louis.
November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for 50,000 men, at Neosho, Mo.
December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assess- ment upon certain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and clothing Union refugees.
December 23-25. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the country adjacent, and covering all the railroad lines.
March 6, 1862. Battle of Pea Ridge between the forces under Generals Curtis and Van Dorn.
January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the following order in reference to newspapers :
Office of the Provost Marshal, General Department of Missouri,
St. Louis, January 8, 1862. (General Order No. 10.)
It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the pub- lishers of newspapers in the state of Missouri (St. Louis city papers excepted), furnish to this office, immediately upon publi- cation, one copy of each issue, for inspection. A failure to comply with this order will render the newspaper liable to suppression.
Local provost marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of this order, and attend to its immediate enforcement.
Bernard G. Farrar,
Provost Marshal General.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 18) which forbade, among other things, the display of secession flags in the hands of women or on carriages, in the vicinity of the military prison in McDowell's College, the carriages to be con- fiscated and the offending women to be arrested.
February 4, 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to Order No. 18, to railroad companies and to professors and directors of the State University at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the institution to be used "to teach treason or to instruct traitors."
February 20, 1862. Special order No. 120 convened a mili- tary commission, which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Edmund J. Ellis, of Columbia, editor and proprietor of "The Boone County Standard," for the publication of informa- tion for the benefit of the enemy, and encouraging resistance to the United States Government. Ellis was found guilty, was ban- ished during the war from Missouri, and his printing materials confiscated and sold.
April, 1862. General Halleck left for Corinth, Miss., leaving General Schofield in command.
June, 1862. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under · Col. Joseph C. Porter and Col. H. S. Lipscomb.
June, 1862. Battle at Pierce's Mill between the forces under Maj. John Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter.
July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida.
July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore's Mill.
August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville.
August 11, 1862. Battle at Independence.
August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack.
September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia.
September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at Macon, by order of General Merrill.
October 18. 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra, by order of General McNeill.
January 8, 1863. Battle at Springfield between the forces of General Marmaduke and Gen. E. B. Brown.
April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau.
September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia.
September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at Macon, by order of General Merrill.
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CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI
October 18, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra, by order of General McNeill.
August, 1863. Gen. Jeff Thompson captured at Pocahontas, Ark., with his staff.
August 25, 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated. Order No. 11, at Kansas City, Mo., which is as follows :
Headquarters District of the Border,
Kansas City, Mo., August 25, 1863. (General Order No. 11.)
First-All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates counties, Missouri, and in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those living within one mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville, and except those in that part of Kaw township, Jackson county, north of Brush creek and west of the Big Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are hereby ordered to remove from their present places of residence within fifteen days from the date hereof.
Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfaction of the commanding officer of the military station nearest their present place of residence, will receive from him certificates stating the fact of their loyalty, and the names of the witnesses by whom it can be shown. All who receive such certificates will be permitted to remove to any military station in this district, or to any part of the state of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern borders of the state. All others shall remove out of the district. Officers commanding companies and detachments serving in the counties named will see that this para- graph is promptly obeyed.
Second-All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the district from which the inhabitants are required to remove . within reach of military stations, after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to such stations and turned over to the proper officer there, and report of the amount so turned over made to district headquarters, specifying the names of all loyal owners and the amount of such produce taken from them. All grain and hay found in such district after the 9th day of September next, not convenient to such stations, will be destroyed.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Third-The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these headquarters, will at once be vigorously executed by officers com- manding in the parts of the district, and at the stations not subject to the operations of paragraph First of this order-and especially in the towns of Independence, Westport and Kansas City.
Fourth-Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who have borne arms against the government in the district since August 20, 1863.
By order of Brigadier-General Ewing :
H. Hannahs, Adjutant.
October 13. Battle of Marshall.
January, 1864. General Rosecrans takes command of the de- partment ..
September, 1864. Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Moreau river.
October 5, 1864. Battle at Prince's Ford and James Gordon's farm.
October 8, 1864. Battle at Glasgow.
October 20, 1864. Battle at Little Blue Creek.
September 27, 1864. Massacre at Centralia by Capt. Bill Anderson.
October 27, 1864. Capt. Bill Anderson killed.
December, 1864. General Rosecrans relieved and General Dodge appointed to succeed him.
Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the state after December, 1864.
It will be found that the list given below, which has been arranged for convenience, contains the prominent battles and skirmishes which took place within the state :
Potosi, May 14, 1861.
Boonville, June 17, 1861.
Carthage, July 5, 1861.
Monroe Station, July 10, 1861.
Overton's Run, July 17, 1861.
Dug Springs, August 2, 1861. 1 Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861.
Athens, August 5, 1861.
Moreton, August 20, 1861.
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CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI
Bennett's Mills, September, 1861. Drywood Creek, September 7, 1861. Norfolk, September 10, 1861. Lexington, Septemer 12-20, 1861. Blue Mills Landing, September 17, 1861. Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 1861. Osceola, September 25, 1861. Shanghai, October 13, 1861. Lebanon, October 13, 1861. Linn Creek, October 16, 1861. Big River Bridge, October 15, 1861. Fredericktown, October 21, 1861. Springfield, October 25, 1861. Belmont, November 7, 1861. Piketon, November 8, 1861. Little Blue, November 10, 1861. Clark's Station, November 11, 1861. Mt. Zion Church, December 28, 1861. Silver Creek, January 15, 1862. New Madrid, February 28, 1862. Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862. Neosho, April 22, 1862. Rose Hill, July 10, 1862. Charitan River, July 30, 1862. Cherry Grove, June, 1862. Pierce's Mill, June, 1862. Florida, July 22, 1862. Moore's Mill, July 28, 1862. Kirksville, August 6, 1862. Compton's Ferry, August 8, 1862. Yellow Creek, August 13, 1862. Independence, August 11, 1862. Lone Jack, August 16, 1862. Newtonia, September 13, 1862. Springfield, January 8, 1863. Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863. Marshall, October 13, 1863. Pilot Knob, September, 1864. Harrison, September, 1863.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Moreau River, October 7, 1864. Prince's Ford, October 5, 1864. Glasgow, October 8, 1864. Little Blue Creek, October 20, 1864. Albany, October 27, 1864. Near Rocheport, September 23, 1864. Centralia, September 27, 1864.
CHAPTER X.
MISSOURI WEALTH.
FROM THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT MISSOURI RED BOOK.
Missouri, the land of opportunities and boundless resources. is attracting more attention in these days of progress and rapid growth than any other state in the union, chiefly because of the possibilities and inducements it constantly holds out to settlers, homeseekers and investors. With thousands of acres of rich re- claimed bottom lands and extensive stretches of fertile uplands, open for settlement and cultivation, purchasable at a moderate price per acre on the long-payment plan, and the extensive mar- kets of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Memphis, Cin- cinnati, Indianapolis, St. Joseph and Louisville within easy reach, there is no other section of this country which offers better ad- vantages to farmers, horticulturists, stock raisers, dairymen, and last, but not least, manufacturers.
Every year more of the uncultivated and unimproved lands of the state are turned into prosperous farms, and thinly set- tled sections grow more populous. The amount and value of Missouri's products sent to market annually increases, not slowly and steadily, but in regular bounds. The year 1909 was the most prosperous the farmers, stock raisers, dairymen, miners and other producers of Missouri have ever passed through. With the prod- ucts of farms, mines, forests, rivers and streams, quarries, dairies and other similar resources, estimated to be worth $530.456,579, a new total valuation record was established, but, as high as it was, the figures for the same lines for 1910 will easily exceed it. All of the commodities included in this vast value are not sent to market, and therefore all cannot be considered surplus prod- ucts of the state, many being kept on the farm for consumption there, either by the household or used for feed for live stock. The value of live stock kept at home for breeding purposes, is not in-
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