USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 12
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
The news of this defeat started Fremont into action. Apprehending that Gen. Price would move on to Jefferson City, he marched to that place and took possession on September 28. Gen. Fremont's plan was to move immediately upon Price, defeat him before he could be joined by McCulloch, who was collecting forces in Arkansas, march to
-
88
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
Little Rock, and then " on to New Orleans," and assist greatly in rapidly terminating the war.
On the 30th of September, Price abandoned Lexington and moved south. Gen. Fremont took the field, and approached the enemy at Spring- field, where occurred the justly celebrated charge of Zagonyi. An important engagement seemed imminent. Gen. Fremont had determined on a "forward movement " that would engage Gen. Price's army (which having pushed on through Neosho to Pineville, and having been rein- forced by McCulloch, was moving 40,000 strong, it was reported, on Springfield), when the order, November 2, came, relieving him of his command. The result of this was that there was no contest in the south- west, and the Union army fell back toward St. Louis, and Gen. Price established headquarters for the winter at Neosho.
Gen. Fremont had been charged with the losses at Wilson's Creek and Lexington, he having failed to send the proper reinforcements in both cases. He was superseded by Hunter, who five days afterward was superseded by Maj .- Gen. Henry W. Halleck.
On November 1, the following agreement was entered into by Gen- erals Price and Fremont:
To all peaceably disposed Citizens of the State of Missouri, Greeting :
WHEREAS, A solemn agreement has been entered into by and between Major- Generals Freemont and Price respectively commanding antagonistic forces in the state of Missouri, to the effect that in future, arrests or forcible interference by armed or unarmed parties of citizens within the limits of said state, for the mere entertainment or expression of political opinions, shall hereafter cease; that families, now broken up for such causes, may be re-united, and that the war now progressing shall be exclusively confined to armies in the field.
Therefore, be it known to all whom it may concern:
1. No arrests whatever, on account of political opinions, or for the merely private expressions of the same, shall hereafter be made within the limits of the state of Missouri; and all persons who may have been arrested and are held to answer on such charges only, shall be forthwith released. But it is expressly declared, that nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to bar, or interfere with any of the usual and regular proceedings of the established courts under statutes and orders, made and provided for such offenses.
2. All peaceably disposed citizens who may have been driven from their homes because of their political opinions, or who may have left them for fear of force or violence, are hereby advised and permitted to return, upon the faith of our positive assurance, that while so returning, they shall receive protection from both armies in the field whenever it can be given.
3. All bodies of armed men acting without the authority or recognition of the Major-Generals before named, and not legitimately connected with the armies in the field, are hereby ordered at once to disband.
4. Any violation of either of the foregoing articles shall subject the offender to the penalty of military law, according to the nature of the offense.
In testimony whereof, the aforesaid Major-General John C. Fremont, at Spring- field, Mo., on the 1st day of November, A. D. 1861, and Major-General Sterling Price, at Cassville, on this fifth day of November, A. D. 1861, have hereunto set their hands, and hereby mutually pledge their earnest efforts to the enforcement
89
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
of the above articles of agreement, according to their full tenor and effect, to the best of their ability.
JOHN C. FREMONT, Major-General Commanding U. S. A. STERLING PRICE, Major-General Commanding M. S. G.
On the 7th of November, Gen. Hunter, then in command, addressed a letter to Gen. Price, in which he stated that he would " in no manner recog- nize the agreement," and forbade its issuance as a joint proclamation. The main reason assigned for this was, that it would interfere with the enforcement of the martial law.
Near the close of the month of November, from his encampment at Neosho, Gen. Price issued a stirring and famous appeal to the people of Missouri for fifty thousand men to join his standard. As the closing cam- paign document of 1861, it is a wonderful paper. We copy the latter half of it:
We must drive the oppressor from our land. I must have 50,000 men. Now is the crisis of your fate; now the golden opportunity to save the state! Now is the day of your political salvation! The time of enlistment of our brave band is beginning to expire. Do not tax their patience beyond endurance. Do not longer sicken their hearts by hope deferred. They begin to enquire, "Where are our friends?" Who shall give them answer? Boys and small property holders have, in the main, fought the battles for the protection of your property, and when they ask, "Where are the men for whom we are fighting?" how shall I, how can I explain? Citizens of Missouri, I call upon you by every considera- tion of interest, by every desire of safety, by every tie that binds you to home and country, delay no longer. "Let the dead bury the dead." Leave your property to take care of itself; commend your homes to the protection of God, and merit the admiration and love of childhood and womanhood, by showing yourselves MEN, the sons of the brave and free, who bequeathed to us the sacred trust of free institutions. Come to the army of Missouri, not for a week, or & month, but to free your country.
Strike till the last armed foe expires, Strike for your altars and your fires, Strike for the green graves of your sires- God and your native land.
The burning fires of patriotism must inspire and lead you, or all is lost-lost, too, just at the moment when all might be forever saved. Numbers give strength. Numbers intimidate the foe. Numbers save the necessity, often, of fighting battles. Numbers make our arms irresistible. Numbers command universal respect and insure confidence. We must have men; 50,000 men! Let the herdsman leave his folds. Let the farmer leave his fields. Let the mechanic leave his shop. Let the lawyer leave his office till we restore the supremacy of the law. Let the aspirants for office and place, know they will be weighed in the balance of patriotism, and may be found wanting. If there be any craven, crouching spirits, who have not greatness of soul to respond to their country's call for help, let them stay at home, and let only the brave and true come out to join their brethren on the tented field.
Come with supplies of clothing, and with tents, if you can procure them. Come with your guns of any description, that can be made to bring down a foe.
90
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
If you have no arms, come without them, and we will supply you as far as that is possible. Bring cooking untensils, and rations for a few weeks. Bring blankets, and heavy shoes, and extra bed clothing, if you have them. Bring no horses to remain with the army except those necessary for baggage transporta- tion. We must have 50,000 men. Give me these men, and by the help of God, I will drive the hireling bands of thieves and marauders from the state. But if Missourians fail now to rise in their strength, and avail themselves of this pro- pitious moment to strike for honor and liberty, you cannot say that we have not done all we could to save you.
You will be advised in time, at what point to report for organization and active service. Leave your property at home. What if it be taken-all taken. We have $200,000,000 worth of northern means in Missouri which cannot be removed. When we are once free, the amount will indemnify every citizen who may have lost a dollar by adhesion to the cause of his country. We shall have our property, or its value with interest. But in the name of God, and the attributes of manhood, let me appeal to you by considerations infinitely higher than money! Are we a generation of driveling, sniveling, degraded slaves? Or are we men, who dare assert and maintain the right which cannot be sur- rendered, and defend those principles of everlasting rectitude, pure and high, and sacred, like God, their author? Be yours the office to choose between the glory of a free country, and a just government, and the bondage of your children? I will never see the chains fastened upon my country! I will ask for six and a half feet of Missouri soil in which to repose, but I will not live to see my people enslaved!
Do I hear your shouts? Is that your war cry which echoes through the land? Are you coming? Fifty thousand men! Missouri shall move to victory, with the tread of a giant! Come on, my brave boys, fifty thousand heroes, gallant, unconquerable southern men! we await your coming.
STERLING PRICE,
Major-General Commanding.
We copy the following tabular statement of the various engagements in Missouri in 1861 from Appleton's American Cyclopedia, annual vol- ume, 1861, page 496:
FEDERAL LOSS. CONFED'E LOSS
PLACE.
DATE.
Killed.
Wounded.
Prisoners.
Killed.
Wounded.
Prisoners.
Athens
Aug.
5.
43
. . .
Belmont
Nov.
6.
84
288
235
261
427
278
(naval)
Nov.
6. .
Bird's Point ...
July
8.
3
8
·
Bennett's Mills ..
Sept.
1.
2
8
Big Harrison Creek.
Oct.
19.
2
14
14
8
Big River Bridge
Oct.
15.
1
7
52
20
4
Bolivar Heights.
Oct.
16
7
150
Blue Mills Landing
Sept.
17
16
80
10
60
Boonville
June
17
2
50
Camp Talbot
Sept.
16
30
5
Carthage
July
5
13
31
...
300
·
12
30
Sept.
13
1
4
.
.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
STATEMENT OF ENGAGEMENTS-CONTINUED.
FEDERAL LOSS. CONFED'E LOSS.
PLACE.
DATE."
Killed.
Wounded.
Prisoners.
Killed.
Wounded.
Prisoners.
Cass County
Nov.
16.
1
6
40
17
Charlestown
Aug.
18
40
Cole
June 18
15
20
30
Dent County
Sept.
1.
2
7
Dyer's Mills
Oct.
28.
Dug Spring
Aug.
2.
8
30
40
44
...
Dunksburg
Dec.
2.
10
Farmington
July
J
5
·
Floridat
July
8.
Forsyth
July
28
5
Fredericktown
Aug.
16
12
66
Oct.
22
30
200
Fulton
July
17
·
Georgetown
Aug.
11
22
Glasgow
Dec.
ry
25
Greytown
Aug.
29
23
Houston .
Nov.
4
32
Jefferson Cityţ
June
15
1
2
13
Liberty
June
19
35
Lebanon
Oct.
13
1
27
12
36
Linn Creek.
Oct.
14.
37
Lexington
Oct.
16
60
66
Sept.
30
42
108|2500
25
75
Mills' Landing
Sept.
17
12
85
Mariatow
Sept.
17
Neosho
July
3.
94
Osceola
Dec.
17
300
Papinsville
Sept.
21.
17
40
100
Platte City
Nov.
2.
13
30
Potosi. .
Aug.
9.
30
Pilot Knob
Oct.
17
1
10
36
Platte River
Sept.
3.
17
Salem. .
Dec.
3.
3
8
2
16
20
10
Springfield
Oct.
25.
22
60
.
Warsaw
Oct.
16.
3
3
Weston
Nov.
29
3
West Liberty
Oct.
23
2
15
30
Wilson's Creek.
Aug. 10.
223
7211
298|
421/1300 . .
* Compromise.
+ Skirmish.
Į Evacuated by Gen. Jackson.
-
29
1
6
8
20
Aug.
Lancaster
Nov.
24
...
Oct.
1.
91
.
92
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
Such then is the campaign of 1861. It appears before us only in brief, but behold-" a land rent with civil feuds, and drenched in fraternal blood." Nowhere has been attempted a minute description of any of the quick, sharp battles that appalled the peaceful, law-abiding citizens whose arbitrament lay not in the naked sword. The hot breath of the fight touches not the page. Nor is the sudden whistling of the death-speeding bullet heard. But aside from the general movements which have been fully depicted, a thousand acts and thoughts rush past us, worthy a place in history. Ever and anon, there rises a picture of the valorous heroism of an undying patriotism, confined to no belief or party, that robbed death of its sting and rendered martyrdom sublime. The stars and stripes, and the stars and bars alike warp the slumbering forms of those who fought to
"-make their flag a symbol high Of triumph, or a shroud!"
Then, from the chaos of the conflict come the wild weird notes of despair mingled with the exultant cries of victory, mother's sad lament, and father's muttered curse, and over all the soldier-boy's glad shout of triumph. Then, it is night, and hill and valley are lit with the lurid fires of quiet village and solitary home. Often day dawns upon desolated plain and valley where ere the sun went down, waved the rich banners of the ripening corn. Then, come scenes of parting, when weeps the mother as she lays her heart's best love upon her country's altar, red- dripping with the blood of right. Here and there, heaves the turf of the soldier's grave,
-" where no chisel's tracing tells The humble sleeper's name, Nor sordid marble proudly swells The measure of his fame."
Then comes the battle, and is heard the rattle of musketry, and the roar of cannon; the battle, with brilliant charge and graceless flight; the battle, where amid shot and shell and sabre-stroke, death rules the hour.
As the winter of 1861-62 closed down, sad forebodings filled the hearts of the people. The rich promise of the state had been swept away. Desolating war had taken the place of prospering peace. Hordes of armed men filled the land. Trade was no longer, and home commerce was paralyzed. Education had ceased its work, and the culture of the past century seemed fading.
One thought was uppermost-peace could now only be written with the sword. But through the deep gloom gleamed the starlight of hope.
93
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER XVII.
1862-Rigid Execution of the Martial Law-Test Oath for Voters-Movements of the two .. armies under Curtis and Price-Battle of Elk Horn Tavern-The "Gamble Conven- tion " again in Session. Gradual Emancipation-Mass Convention and its Resolu- tions-Guerrilla Warfare-The Palmyra Horror-Fall Elections-State Indebtednes.
The commencement of the year of 1862, as regards military operations, was quiet. Gen. Price's army lay around Springfield, while the main body of the national forces were quartered at St. Louis. The dominant idea of each command was to concentrate a large force and engage the enemy in a decisive battle. The central portion of the state was in the hands of the federals. The northern, save some occasional outbreaks, was never the scene of action. The confederate generals did not imperil their forces by placing them beyond the line of the Missouri river. The south was held by the confederates, while along the western border plun- dering bands of guerrillas did severe damage.
The rigid execution of the martial law around St. Louis, first demands our attention. Opposition was made in some instances to unjust assess- ments levied by officers of the government of the United States on seces- sionists which called forth the following from Gen. Halleck then in com- mand: " Martial law having been declared in this city by authority of the president of the United States, all civil authorities, of whatever name or office, are hereby notified that any attempt on their part to interfere with the execution of any order from these headquarters, or impede, molest, or trouble any officer duly appointed to carry such order into effect, will be regarded as a military offense, and punished accordingly. "
Orders followed this successively by which all newspapers were required to file a copy of each issue with the provost-marshal for inspec- tion; directors and officers of the mercantile library association, and cham- ber of commerce together with the president and officers of the state university were required to take the oath of allegiance under the penalty of having their offices vacated; vehicles and horses bearing the hostile flag were confiscated and persons displaying the same were imprisoned; presidents and managers of railroads were put under bond to employ none but those having expressed "loyalty "; attorneys were debarred from practice unless they had subscribed the oath. The matter culminated in the following:
It is hereby .ordered that at all future elections in this state, whether state, .. municipal, county or town elections, every voter will be required to take the oath of allegiance required by the state convention, October 18, 1861. Officers of polls will see to the execution of this order. If they receive votes of persons not taking the oath, they will be arrested and tried for military offense, and the elections declared null and void.
94
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
The following correspondence which passed between Gens. Price and Halleck about this time, explains itself. Gen. Price in writing says: "I have obtained information that individuals and parties of men specially appointed and instructed by me to destroy railroad culverts and bridges, by tearing them up, burning, etc., have been arrested and subjected to general court martial, for alleged crimes, which all laws of warfare, here- tofore recognized by the civilized world, have regarded as distinctly law- ful and proper. I have learned that such persons, when tried, if convicted of the offense or offenses, as stated, are viewed as lawful subjects for capi- tal punishment. These statements I cannot believe to be correct, but let us understand each other on this subject. * Do you intend to con- tinue the arrest of citizens engaged in their ordinary, peaceful pursuits, and treat them as traitors and rebels? If so, will you make exchange with me for such as I may or will make for similar cases? Do you intend to regard the members of this army as persons deserving death wherever and whenever they may be captured, or will you extend to them the recognized rights of prisoners of war, by the code of civilized warfare? Do you regard the destruction of important roads for transportation facili- ties for military purposes as the legal right of the belligerent power? Do you intend to regard men whom I have especially despatched to destroy roads and burn bridges, tear up culverts, etc., as amenable to the enemy's court martial, or will you have them tried as usual by the proper civil authorities according to the statutes of the states?"
Gen. Halleck replied thus: "Where individuals and parties of men violate the laws of war, they will be tried, and, if found guilty, will cer- tainly be punished, whether acting under your special appointment or not. You must be aware, general, that no orders of yours can save from punish- ·ment, spies, marauders, robbers, incendiaries, guerrilla bands, etc., who vio- late the laws of war. You cannot give immunity to crimes. But let us fully understand each other on this point. If you send armed forces, wearing the garb of soldiers, and duly organized and enrolled as legitimate bellig- erents, to destroy railroad bridges, etc., as a military act, we shall kill, if possible, in open warfare, or if we capture them we will treat them as prisoners of war."
The letter further on separates from this class, those who, acting under Price's orders were not " regularly organized," and were "in citizens garb," but provides for them no punishment. Soon after the correspon- dence some bridge-burners were tried and sentenced to be shot, Halleck approving the sentence. The sentence was, however, countermanded, and the prisoners held to await a further trial by a military commission.
Early in February, Gen. Curtis, in command of the federal forces, moved toward Springfield. Gen. Price, with 12,000 men, retreated February 12 to Cassville, was followed by Curtis, crossed into Arkansas and being
95
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
reinforced by McCulloch February 20, was defeated in a slight engage- ment at " Boston Mountains." Gen. Price retreated still further to Cove Creek where he halted February 25. Occupying a strong position here, Curtis deemed discretion the better part of valor and withdrew from the pursuit into Benton county. On March 2, Price and McCul- loch were reinforced by Gens. Van Dorn and Pike, until the combined forces amounted to about 25,000 men. Van Dorn, who assumed chief command, immediately commenced offensive action, resulting in an engagement called the battle of Pea Ridge (sometimes Elk Horn Tavern), " one of the most skillfully fought, desperate and sanguinary battles of the war." The loss on both sides was large. Three days the carnage lasted, the victory being finally claimed by the union side. In this fight Gens. McIntosh and McCulloch were killed. After the battle the armies sepa- rated, Van Dorn withdrawing to the interior of Arkansas and Curtis retreating into Missouri.
In April Gen. Halleck departed for Mississippi, leaving John M. Scho- field in command, upon whom chief command devolved in June. On April 8, Gen. Sterling Price resigned command of the Missouri state guard.
Gov. Gamble, by proclamation, called the state convention together on Monday, June 2, 1862. Among the prime proceedings of the body were -the declaration of certain of its own offices vacated, and the expulsion of certain members for political opinions and acts-the revocation of the ordinance submitting its action in regard to the state offices to the people and the continuance of the present incumbents in office until 1864-the passage of a bill prohibiting all confederates from holding office or voting except on condition of taking the oath.
The most important proceeding, however, was the introduction on the 7th of June of a bill by Judge Breckinridge for gradual emancipation. We find this synopsis of his speech in support of the measure: "He argued the merits of the bill at length, claiming that it was the only measure at all likely to quiet the agitation rapidly growing in the state. All men agreed that slavery was doomed in Missouri, that secession had ruined it, and it only remained to determine, whether, as wise, careful and conservative men, they would take hold of the subject as a political question, or leave it, to be dealt with by radicals. Pass this ordinance, and there would be nothing left to build up radical men and measures; the whole subject could be acted on by the people, after two years of calm reflection, with peace, quiet, and prosperity restored to the country."
After removing the constitutional objections which would prevent the bill from becoming a part of the constitution, the method of emancipation is thus stated in the second section:
That all negroes and mulattoes who shall be born in slavery in this state, from
96
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSOURI.
and after January 1, 1865, shall be deemed and considered slaves until they arrive at the age of twenty-five years and no longer, unless sooner permanently removed from the state; provided always, that it shall be the duty of the general assem- bly of the state, at its first regular session after this ordinance shall take effect, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, to provide by law for the payment to the owner of those negroes and mulattoes who would, but for this ordinance, have been born slaves for life, a full equivalent for their value at the expiration of their term of s rvice, and also to provide by law for the removal to such place or places beyond the limits of this state, as may be designated by the general assem- . bly, at the expense of the state, of such persons as they arrive at the age of twenty-five years.
The ordinance was, with but a short discussion, laid on the table, by a votes of ayes, 52; noes, 19.
The convention afterward passed a resolution endorsing the action of congress in passing the following resolution:
Resolved, That the United States ought to co-operate with any state which may adopt a gradual emancipation of slavery, giving to such state at its discre- tion compensation for the inconvenience, public and private, by such a change of system,
and adjourned without further action.
On June 16, a mass convention representing twenty-five counties in the state, passed a series of resolutions respecting slavery. Among them were the following:
Resolved, That we are in favor of initiating forthwith, a system of emancipa- tion for the state of Missouri, gradual in its character, and the operation of which shall be so adjusted as not to work injury to the pecuniary interests of any loyal citizens, whose vested property rights may be involved, and not to dis- turb by any violent disruption, present social relations in our community.
Resolved, That it should be the duty of the next general assembly of this state to take measures for securing from the national government the aid pledged by resolution of congress to those states undertaking the establishment. of a system of gradual emancipation, and that the same should be so disposed of, as to insure compensation to such as may be adjudged as entitled to compen- sation for any losses that may be sustained in the inauguration and consumma- tion of such a policy.
The disbanded troops of Gen. Price under the most daring leaders com- menced early in July to seriously harass the national troops. Our limits forbid that we should follow to any great extent the varying fortunes of these wandering bands, and the efforts made to defeat and drive them from the state. The era must be termed " The Reign of Terror," in Mis- souri. The terrible dash and abandon of these leaders of desperate south- erners has made them famous, while brave union men fought valiantly to defeat them. And it must be said in truth that horrible atrocities were committed by both sides. Gen. Scofield issued an order holding "rebels and rebel sympathizers responsible in their property, and, if need be, in their persons, for damages thereafter committed by guerrillas or marauding parties." But nothing but the most absolute defeat could
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.