Chapter VII: Part 7

The Federal columns pushed rapidly forward, Colonel Steedman’s Fourteenth Ohio in front, and as they approached the teams their drivers called out that they would surrender. The position, and the conduct of the teamsters, however, excited the suspicions of the regiment, and the men were disposed in order, with skirmishers thrown out towards the ford, the line moving down after them in the finest order. Just as the advance were approaching the stream, and only about two hundred yards from the steep bluff on the other side, an officer rose from the bushes and gave the order to fire. Immediately a volley of musketry was followed by a discharge of artillery. The Fourteenth Ohio and Seventh Indiana were directly under the fire, and returned it, doing good execution, while that of the enemy flew harmlessly over their heads. The Fourteenth Ohio, being nearest the ford, were almost exclusively aimed at, and for a time the storm of war was frightful. The roar of cannon, the crashing of trees, the bursting of the shells, and quick volleys of musketry made the wild scene of terrible and appalling havoc. Amid it all our men stood undaunted, and returned the fire with great rapidity, and in superior order. Burnett’s artillery then came up, and opened, and under cover of their fire the Seventh Indiana was directed to cross the river and climb the bluff on the enemy’s left. They made the attempt, and two companies had already reached the top, when they were directed to descend and make the ascent so as to turn the enemy’s right. Colonel Dumont led his men down the stream with such dispatch, that the enemy could not turn his pieces upon them until they were concealed from view by the smoke, and beyond the guns on the bluff. During this movement the Fourteenth Ohio, and Colonel Milroy’s Ninth Indiana, with our artillery, kept up a brisk fire in front, until suddenly Colonel Dumont’s men, having scaled the bluff, appeared on the right, and poured in a volley. The appearance of our troops there was the signal for a retreat, and the enemy instantly broke up in rout and disorder, precipitately flying from the field.

Our regiments and artillery then crossed the river in hot pursuit. At a distance of a quarter of a mile the road again crosses the stream, and General Garnett sought in vain to rally his troops at this point. Major Gordon of the Seventh Indiana led the advance, and soon reached the spot where General Garnett, on the opposite side of the river, was endeavoring to rally his forces around him. Gordon called upon Captain Ferry’s company, and ordered them to fire. The rebels greeted Major Gordon with one volley and fled. General Garnett turned to call his men, and motioned them back, but all in vain. At this moment, Sergeant Burlingame, of Captain Ferry’s company, raised his piece, took aim, and fired. General Garnett fell backward, his head lying towards our forces, and with open mouth, as though gasping for breath. He uttered not a groan, and when Major Gordon reached him, a few moments afterwards, he was just expiring. The Major stooped down, tenderly closed his eyes, disposed his limbs, and left a guard of loyal soldiers around him to protect all that remained of the chivalrous and honored, but mistaken leader of Western Virginia.

Every Virginian among the followers of this gallant man fled, and left him to fall and expire alone. But a young soldier wearing the Georgia uniform and button, sprang to his side, only to share his fate, for a musket shot answered this devotion with death, and he fell side by side with his commander. The Federal troops, even in the glow of victory, stopped to pay a tribute of respect to this generous youth. They placed a board at his grave and cut rudely upon it, “A brave fellow, who shared his General’s fate and fell fighting by his side. Name unknown.”

The loss of our troops was killed, two; wounded, twelve. The enemy lost eight on the field, three died in hospital, and ten others were wounded. A large number of prisoners were taken, including six Georgia captains and lieutenants, a surgeon, and a number of non-commissioned officers. Beside prisoners, there were also captured two stands of colors, one rifled cannon, forty loaded wagons, hundreds of muskets and side arms, with other effects of various kinds.

This action is honorable in the highest degree to all engaged in it. They had pursued and overtaken an enemy who had twelve hours advance; they had made a forced march of nearly thirty miles in less than twenty-four hours, over the worst of roads, and with scarcely any food, some of the men having been without nourishment for thirty-six hours. They then fought a battle, cut off the enemy’s baggage train, captured their cannon, routed their army, and found themselves in full possession of the field. The day and the event will ever be memorable, and Ohio and Indiana may well be proud of their sons.

The remainder of General Garnett’s army effected their escape through the Cheat Mountain Gap, which was seized and fortified by General McClellan. In these two engagements 150 of the enemy were killed, 300 wounded, upwards of 1000 prisoners were taken, and nearly all their war material fell into the hands of the victors.

The loyal troops were too much exhausted by the incessant labors and privations of their three days’ struggle to pursue the scattered and dispirited enemy any further through the mountains, and went into camp at Huttonville and Laurel Hill, to await the next call to duty. General McClellan closed his dispatch of July 14th, with the words, “I firmly believe that secession is killed in this section of the country.”

During the battle an incident illustrating the coolness, bravery and generosity of Colonel Lander towards a brave foeman occurred, that deserves honorable mention. The horse of the Colonel had been shot from under him, and he, dismounted, had taken his stand upon a rock directly in front of a rebel gun. Discharging musket after musket, as fast as they could be loaded for him, he remained a noted mark for the enemy to shoot at. At a short distance, all the men belonging to a cannon of the Confederates had been shot down or fled, and their Lieutenant was undauntedly serving and firing it, single-handed. Three times had it belched forth flame and ball, when Colonel Lander, noticing the bravery of the man, called out to him—

“If you fire that gun again you are a dead man!”

“Sir, I shall fire it as long as I have life in my body!” was the cool, fearless and curt reply.

This was an instance of noble courage well calculated to be appreciated by a true soldier, and the Union Colonel, leaping from the rock, shouted to his men—

“Boys, that is too brave a man for me to kill.”

* * * * *

On the 21st of July the Federal army under General McDowell, having suffered severely, and retreated from Manassas, General McClellan, who by his achievements had earned a brilliant prestige, was ordered, on the 22d, to Washington, to take command of the Department of the Potomac, and General Rosecranz was appointed to succeed him in the Department of the Ohio.

THE WEST.

Comprehended within the boundaries of that noble portion of our country called “The West,” is a people who can justly claim to be not only of the best muscle and nerve of the land, but second to none in intellectual vigor and sterling integrity of character. A single thought tells us how just this claim is. The West was settled by the picked men and women of the old States. When the sloping-roofed farmhouses of New England became too circumscribed for the sons and daughters that filled them, the most enterprising members of a household left the rest to till the homestead acres while they went forth into the wilderness to cut the forest trees away, and let sunshine into the shadowy bosom of the woods, to build their log cabins in the first clearing, and so work out a sure independence for themselves, as they became benefactors to the world.

In the end both position and wealth followed these daring pioneers. As the roving Indian slowly retreated from the frontier which was stretching westward every hour, sweeping the wilderness away with it, he found the rich earth lavish of her returns for his self-sacrifice and his labor. He drank in enlargement of thought and purpose from amid the luxuriant prairies and vast wilderness which spread its untrodden bosom between his home and the Rocky Mountains. He watched the Father of Rivers cleaving the best portions of a continent with his broad waters, and drank in lessons of true freedom which will never lose their value to his descendants. With a rifle for his companion and an axe for his best friend, the backwoodsman of America learned the art of border warfare, and trained himself in a school of hardship that made his sinews firm as iron and capable of resisting any fatigue.

With hearts and minds expanding with the boundless scenes around them, these adventurous men grew so careless of danger that the word fear was blotted from their lexicon long before the present generation came into existence.

Is it strange that the descendants of such men should be open-handed, grand-hearted and brave, as we have found them in this war for our common Union? The enthusiasm of the old men who have dropped quietly away into their western graves, has broken forth anew in this younger generation. Like a spark of fire dropped upon a prairie in the autumn, their enthusiasm is easily enkindled. A single word against the old flag, one sacrilegious touch upon its flagstaff, was enough to rouse them into action. Nowhere on earth is the stars and stripes held more sacred than in the West. The first ball that cut through the flag at Fort Sumter aroused the old pioneer blood into determined and terrible resistance.

The history of the Mexican war is a record of what western men can do on the battle-field—charges at which even their countrymen who knew them wondered—sufferings patiently endured, marches that taxed the strongest—all these things have proved of what true metal the West is made. With war-wreaths dyed in blood at Cerro Gordo, baptized in fire at Chapultepec, and rendered immortal at Buena Vista, these men were not likely to see their own Government turned upon without rising as one man to defend it.

Through the golden grain and the rustling cornfields of the West, the news of the bombardment of Sumter, the attack at Baltimore, and the call of the President, rushed like one of its own tornadoes from city to village, from farm-house to cabin. The news ran and the answer came thunder-toned. The old man took down his rifle from the antler bracket on the cabin wall. His son left the plow in its furrow, and all classes and conditions of men came forward with brave hearts and ready hands, and laid them on the altar of their country.

The watchfires of freedom were kindled, and on every hill and through the valleys poured a tide of armed men, unconquerable and resistless. These western men took the field, ready at once for the deadly strife. Their entire lives had been one incessant training for the hardships and dangers of war. They had but one regret—that their march was against brothers armed against the nation—all else was merged in the glorious thought that they, the very children of liberty, had the power to yield up everything, even life, and home, that a great country should be maintained in every inch of its soil and every right of its people.

Long had the great West toiled to feed the starving nations of the earth. Long had she poured from her overflowing storehouses countless millions of food into the waiting lap of the needy manufacturing countries. From her great wealth of food she had always been ready to feed the world. When the war-cry aroused her, she was just as strong and just as prompt to fight the world. The national honor was hers to reverence and avenge. The old flag—its emblem and its glory—who should spring to its rescue if not the West? Did not a chain of crystal lakes crown her at the north, clasped together by the eternal emeralds of Niagara? Was not the Mississippi, her great highway to the gulf, a mighty thoroughfare, which no force should wrest from her while she had power to hold its banks with serried walls of steel? Was this river, the pathway of her greatness, one source of her renown, to be blocked up while she could cleave her own mountains asunder, and force them to give forth iron for gunboats, or gather lead from her bosom to mould into bullets? Not while these people could turn their workshops into manufactories of war-missiles, and their prairie steeds into chargers, should an enemy—brother or stranger—take one right from the West by force. This was the stern resolve of our pioneer men when the war-trumpet rang over the prairies of the West, and quick to act as prompt to resolve, her people arose as one man. There was no cavil about trifles then. Her fertile fields were stripped of their wealth, and her prairies of their cattle to furnish food—not alone to furnish food for themselves, but for the armies of the East. Soon her rivers swarmed with iron-clad gunboats, and her railways became military roads—her cities tented fields, her palaces recruiting offices, her cabins free homes for soldiers when their faces turned toward the war.

The West was impatient of nothing but delay—but she chafed wildly at any obstacle that impeded the progress of her armies.

How well these men have fought, and with what heroism they have suffered, let the record we are about to make of Henry, Donelson, Pittsburgh Landing, and many another bravely contested point, answer. Let the noble hearts stilled in death, and countless graves upon which the tender grass is now springing, answer.

With battle songs on their lips they marched away from their homes, with battle cries upon their lips many of them fell gloriously, never to see those homes again. If the West has been brave in war, so will she prove generous when Peace shall come. The nation they have helped to save, and those in revolt, when true brotherhood comes back, will yet give the West a monument worthy of its fame.

MISSOURI.

The geographical position of Missouri is such, that if thrown into the scale, she would weigh heavily either for or against the Union. When the war broke out her people were divided, though the majority were believed to be loyal to the Constitution; and when the Governor refused to meet the requisition of the President for troops to sustain the national flag, Hon. Frank P. Blair and other prominent citizens of the State, replied, on their personal responsibility, that the quota of four regiments should be raised, without either the aid of the Governor or his consent. In order to give character and legality to their proceedings, and to guard against the power of the State rulers, Captain Nathaniel Lyon, of the United States army, then in command of the Arsenal at St. Louis, was directed by the Government, on the 30th of April, to enrol in the military service of the United States, from the loyal citizens of the city and vicinity, 10,000 men, for the purpose of maintaining the authority of the Government—for the protection of the peaceable inhabitants of Missouri, and to guard against any attempt on the part of the secessionists to gain military possession of the city of St. Louis. Captain Lyon was also instructed that this force should be disbanded when the emergency ceased to exist.

Recruiting offices were opened, under his direction, the loyal citizens were prompt in their response, and on the 2d of May, Colonel F. B. Blair announced that the four regiments called for from that State had been enrolled, equipped, and mustered into service.

The Police Commissioners of St. Louis had called upon Captain Lyon, on the opening of recruiting stations, and demanded the removal of the United States troops from all places and buildings occupied by them in the city outside of the Arsenal grounds, but he declined compliance, and the Commissioners referred the matter to the Governor and the Legislature, alleging that such occupancy was derogatory to the Constitution of the United States—that Missouri had “sovereign and exclusive jurisdiction over her entire territory,” and had delegated a portion of that territory only (the Arsenals, etc.,) to the United States for military purposes.

CAPTURE OF CAMP JACKSON.

In response to Governor Jackson’s order directing the military in certain districts to go into encampments for the purpose of improvement in the tactics of war, a camp had been formed at Lindell’s Grove, in the suburbs of St. Louis, called “Camp Jackson.” On the 4th of May it was inaugurated, under the charge of General D. M. Frost, and within a week numbered 800 men. Having received intelligence that it was the purpose of Captain Lyon to break up this encampment, General Frost addressed him a letter, dissuasive in its tone—disclaiming any intention on the part of himself and men of hostility to the Government, and containing an offer to preserve the public peace and guard the property of the United States.

The answer to this, was the surrounding of the camp by 5,000 Federal troops, and the following notice from Captain Lyon:

“SIR,—Your command is regarded as hostile towards the Government of the United States. It is, for the most part, made up of those who have avowed their hostility to the General Government, and have been plotting for the seizure 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 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 purpose, recently communicated to the Legislature, has just been responded to by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostilities to the General Government and co-operation with its enemies.”

Actuated by these considerations, and also by the failure to break up the camp, in obedience to the Presidential Proclamation of April 15th, Captain Lyon demanded its immediate surrender. After a hasty consultation with his officers, General Frost complied, and the place was surrendered unconditionally. But when the result was announced to the troops, it was received with the wildest yells, curses and groans. Some railed out against treachery, but the more loyal were rejoiced at the prospect of escaping from what they denominated a school of secession. Numbers of outsiders, also, when the news became known, rushed into the camp and gave loud voice to their feelings of indignation. The camp had in reality become a vast mob. Hurrahs for Jeff. Davis were given—many of the now disarmed soldiers joining in them. The United States troops were insulted in every possible manner, and rowdyism ruled the hour triumphantly. Officers had broken their swords and privates their guns before surrendering them. The task of marching the men out was a work of great difficulty, but at last it was accomplished, and the prisoners surrounded by two files of loyal troops. This act brought the fury of the mob to a climax, and when most of the troops had left, the few German soldiers that brought up the rear were attacked by the crowd, and showers of stones rattled upon them. The Federals presented their muskets, for the purpose of intimidating the mob, but without avail. The order to fire at length became necessary. It was given and executed with terrible effect, and the swiftly retreating mob left behind them from thirty to forty of their number, either dead or lying on the ground weltering in blood.

Many of the prisoners took the oath of fidelity to the Constitution and the laws, and were set free. A large amount of arms, ammunition, stores, camp equipage and stock was seized.

The event roused the secessionists in the city of St. Louis to the highest fury, and the night was made hideous by bloody encounters, in which several lives were lost.

The Legislature, then in session at Jefferson City, alarmed by these vigorous measures on the part of the Government, passed, the same afternoon, a “Military Bill,” authorizing the Governor to call out and equip the State militia, and appropriating all the available funds of the State for that purpose, in addition to the issuing of bonds to the amount of $1,000,000, and authority to borrow $500,000 from the State banks. The bill also gave to the Governor supreme authority in all military matters, and subjected every able-bodied man in the State to such authority, under penalty of $150 fine. The telegraph was seized by order of Governor Jackson, and the bridges on roads leading from St. Louis destroyed, from fear that Federal troops might reach Jefferson City by railroad and arrest the conspirators.

The loyal citizens of St. Louis trembled for their safety—fearful alike of an uprising of the secessionists in their midst and invasion from without. The “Home Guard” was organized—a reserve of volunteers proceeded to the arsenal for arms, and to take the oath of fealty, and other measures adopted for defence. On the afternoon of the 11th, a body composed mostly of Germans was assailed by a mob on their return from the arsenal. A fierce struggled ensued, and several were killed on either side.

The following day Brigadier-General Harney, of the regular army, reached St. Louis, and assumed command of the Military Department. Being himself a citizen of Missouri, and enjoying the confidence of the people in a very large degree, his presence produced a marked and salutary effect. By proclamation he demonstrated the madness and futility of any attempt to withdraw the State from her allegiance, and gave warning that any disturbance would be promptly suppressed. On the 14th he issued a second proclamation, declaring the “Military Bill” in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United States, and therefore a nullity—equivalent to an ordinance of secession, and cautioned all good citizens against obeying it. The geographical position of the State, and her best interests, he asserted, rendered it absolutely necessary that she should remain in the Union, no matter what might be the position of the cotton States; and he emphatically declared that the whole power of the United States would be exerted, if necessary, to keep her within the national domain.

But secession influences were exceedingly active in almost all parts of the State, and the fact that the Governor and members of the Legislature were disorganizers, occasioned great apprehension in regard to her future destiny. The neighboring States of Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas made tender of liberal aid to the loyal men of Missouri, whenever required, to maintain their rights and their freedom. The secessionists now threw off their disguise, and resorted to violent aggressions and bitter persecutions of Union men. Many loyal citizens of Potosi, Washington county, seventy miles from St. Louis, were driven from the town, and their property injured or appropriated by the rebels.

Previous to the arrival of General Harney at St. Louis, Captain Nathaniel Lyon was commissioned a brigadier-general, having command of all the troops at St. Louis. On Tuesday, the 14th of May, he sent Captain Cole, of the Fifth Missouri Volunteers, with one hundred and fifty men, to Potosi, who surrounded the town before daylight, and arrested about one hundred and fifty persons. They were marched to the court-house, and fifty of them required to give parole not to take up arms against the Government. Nine of the leaders were taken to the St. Louis arsenal. On his return to St. Louis, Captain Cole led his troop through De Soto, Jefferson county, where a body of secession cavalry was collected, who fled at his approach. Thirty of their horses were captured by Captain Cole, and a large secession flag seized, which they had just raised on a pole in the town, and the stars and stripes elevated in its place.

On the 21st of May, General Harney was induced by Price to enter into an arrangement which was professedly designed to “allay excitement,” and “restore peace;” and for this common object, the “general officers of the Federal and State Governments were to be respected.” Price was recognized as “having by commission full authority over the militia of the State,” to direct the whole power of the State officers, and to maintain order. General Harney admitted that this, faithfully performed, was all he required; and that he had no wish to make any “military movements” on his part. This was all that Price desired. Having by these plausible pretences tied the hands of General Harney, knowing that he would regard his obligations, the secession leaders continued their plots, and took measures for consummating the rebellion in the State. Loyal men in Missouri, as well as in other States, soon perceived the situation of affairs. The General Government became cognizant of the embarrassment in which General Harney was placed, and to release him from his engagements with General Price, as well as to secure the most efficient action at this stage of the rebellion, relieved him and appointed General Lyon to the command. Under his administration, vigorous, all-observant, prompt, and decisive, General Price found himself under a pressure very different from what he had anticipated.

SECTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

SHOWING THE DISTANCES FROM NEW ORLEANS, AND THE ISLANDS BY THEIR
NUMBERS.
]

SECTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

SHOWING THE DISTANCES FROM NEW ORLEANS, AND THE ISLANDS BY THEIR
NUMBERS.
]

CAIRO.

The most important strategic point in the West at this time was the city of Cairo, situated at the extreme southern point of the State of Illinois, at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, where the latter river separates it from Missouri, and the former from Kentucky. It completely commands both streams, and in a military point of view may be properly considered as the key to what is usually denominated “the Great North-west.”

The Illinois Central railroad connects it with Chicago, the greatest grain city of the world—with Lake Michigan, and the chain of lakes, and with the vast net work of railroads that branch from thence eastward. On the Missouri bank of the Mississippi river, two miles distant, is Ohio city, the initial point of the Cairo and Fulton railroad, designed to be extended to the Red river, in Arkansas, and thence to Galveston, in Texas. Twenty miles below, on the Kentucky side of the same giant river, is Columbus, which was soon after occupied and fortified by the rebel troops.

As soon as General Lyon was vested with supreme command in Missouri, one of his first steps was to order a body of Federal troops to take possession of Cairo, under General Prentiss, who immediately proceeded thither, with 6,000 men, and commenced fortifying the place.

On the 28th of May, Bird’s Point, on the Missouri side of the river, a commanding position, was also occupied, by direction of General Lyon, by the Fourth Missouri Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Schuttner.

On the 11th of June, Governor Jackson, at his own instance, accompanied by General Price, had an interview with General Lyon and Colonel Blair at St. Louis, when he requested that the United States troops should be withdrawn from the soil of Missouri. General Lyon, as well as Colonel Blair, were equally blind to the advantages of this movement, and could not be made to see how the Government or the State of Missouri could be benefitted by a surrender of the field to the secessionists. Jackson and Price, finding their negotiations altogether vain, and under a previous arrangement that they were not to be arrested or interfered with before the 12th, returned to Jefferson City on the same night, and prepared for an immediate hostile demonstration. General Lyon, convinced that the only effective treatment demanded by the occasion consisted in an instant arrest of the conspirators, if possible, started up the river, and occupied Jefferson City on the 15th, the place having been abandoned by the rebels. On the 16th, he started in pursuit of Price and Jackson, and on the 17th landed about four miles below Booneville, where their forces were collected, and had resolved to make a stand.

BATTLE OF BOONEVILLE.

JUNE 17, 1861.

The enemy were exceedingly well posted, having had every advantage in the selection of their position. They occupied the summit of the ground, which rises upward from the river in a long slope, and were prepared to give the loyal troops a warm reception. General Lyon opened a heavy cannonade against the rebels, who retreated and dispersed into the adjacent wood, where, hidden by bushes and trees, they opened a brisk fire on his troops.

Arriving at the brow of the ascent, Captain Totten renewed the engagement by throwing a few nine-pounder explosives into their ranks, while the infantry filed oblique right and left and commenced a terrible volley of musketry, which was, for a short time, well replied to. The enemy were posted in a lane running towards the river from the road along which the army of the United States were advancing, and in a brick house on the north-east corner of the junction of the two roads. A couple of bombs were thrown through the east wall of that house, scattering the rebels in all directions. The well-directed fire of the German infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Schaeffer, on the right, and General Lyon’s company of regulars and part of Colonel Blair’s regiment on the left of the road, soon compelled the enemy to seek a safer position. They clambered over the fence into a field of wheat, and again formed in line just on the brow of the hill. They then advanced some twenty steps to meet the Federal troops, and for a short time the artillery was worked with great rapidity and effect. Just at this time the enemy opened fire from a grove on the left of Lyon’s centre, and from a shed beyond and still further to the left.

General Lyon halted, faced his troops about, and bringing his artillery to bear, opened fire on the rebels, and after a short engagement, killed thirty-five and took thirty prisoners, while the remainder fled in all directions, leaving many of their guns on the field. This accomplished, the General moved forward and took possession of the town. Neither General Price nor Governor Jackson were on the field of battle, though the latter was a spectator, and took an early opportunity to withdraw.

On the 17th of June, Colonel Boernstein was appointed Military Governor at Jefferson City, including Cole and the adjoining counties, the Governor and officers of the State having fled. Colonel Boernstein, on being questioned as to how long he should remain, replied, “I don’t know, perhaps a year; so long as the Governor chooses to stay away. I am Governor now, you see, till he comes back!” His idea of freedom of speech and the press he expressed freely, like this: “All people zall speak vot dey tink, write vot dey pleazhe, and be free to do any tink dey pleazhe—_only dey zall speak and write no treason_!”

The loyal people of the State now entered with zeal into the work of defence. Union Home Guards were organized at Hannibal, Herman, Rolla, Potosi, and many other places, and troops stationed at various points, of which two thousand five hundred kept guard over the Hannibal and St. Joseph, and one thousand over the North Missouri railroad; three thousand took their position also at Rolla, on the south-west branch of the Pacific railroad.

At Booneville, on the 18th, General Lyon issued a proclamation, in which he exposed the misrepresentations of the conspirators. The views they had endeavored to inculcate, that the United States would overrun the State with “military despotism,” and “destroy State rights,” were pronounced false—the glaring inconsistencies of the secessionists exposed,—and all malcontents solicited to return to their allegiance to the old flag.

On the same day, eight hundred Union Home Guards, under Captain Cooke, at Camp Cole, were surprised and routed by a body of rebels from Warsaw. Twenty-five were killed, fifty-two wounded, and twenty-three taken prisoners. The rebel loss was forty-five killed and wounded. At this time, Colonel Siegel, General Sweeney, and Colonel Brown, with their commands, were in the south-western part of the State, keeping the insurgents at bay.

General Price and Jackson were employed in raising all the turbulent elements of the State, and rallying followers to their standard. They were also greatly inspirited in their labors by the rumor that Ben. McCulloch was approaching with eight or ten thousand men to aid them in the overthrow of the government. On the 3d of July, General Lyon left Booneville with two thousand men, for the south-west. General Sweeney, who was in command of the south-west expedition, at Springfield, published a proclamation to the people, inviting them to remain loyal, and warning all rebels to disperse, take the oath of allegiance, and escape the penalties of their lawless career.

BATTLE OF CARTHAGE.

JULY 4, 1861.

Colonel Siegel arrived at Springfield on the 23d of June, and there learned that the rebel troops, under Jackson, were making their way southwardly through Cedar county. He immediately proceeded with his command, numbering over a thousand men, and a small field battery, towards Mount Vernon, for the purpose of intercepting him. On arriving at that point, he learned that General Price, in command of one thousand two hundred of the State troops, was encamped at Neosho, the county seat of Newton county, situated in the south-west corner of the State. His object there was to prevent Jackson going south, or Price going north. He appears to have decided to move southwardly and capture Price if possible, and afterwards attend to the Governor.

As he neared Neosho, on the 30th, the reports began to come in of the strength of Price, until his force was swelled to thirty-five hundred men, including Arkansas volunteers. The inhabitants expressed their welcome for Colonel Siegel, and detailed the most pitiable accounts of the oppression of the rebel soldiers.

On the 1st of July, the entire force entered the town without opposition, and encamped there, the enemy having retreated.

On the 2d, Colonel Siegel, learning that the forces of Price, Rains and Jackson had united at Dry Fork Creek, eight miles from Carthage, and having communicated with and received orders from Brig.-Gen. Sweeney, proceeded at once to attack them. He took up his line of march on the 3d, and on the morning of the 4th came upon the enemy, who were in great force.

The Federal command was about one thousand two hundred strong, including part of Colonel Salomon’s regiment. They met the enemy in camp on an open prairie, three miles beyond Dry Fork, and after approaching within eight hundred yards, took position. The artillery was placed in the front; two six-pounders on the left, two six and two twelve-pounders in the centre, and two six-pounders on the right.

The fight commenced about half-past nine, the balls and shells of the enemy flying over the Union troops, and exploding in the open prairie.

At eleven o’clock the rebel twelve-pounders were silenced, and much disorder visible. About two o’clock the enemy’s cavalry having attempted to outflank the Federal troops, they fell back upon their baggage trains to prevent their capture, Colonel Siegel changing his front. Proceeding in their retreat without serious casualty, they reached Dry Fork Creek, where eight hundred rebel cavalry had concentrated to cut them off; but a cross-fire of canister and shrapnell soon broke their ranks, and they fell into wild confusion. Thence the Federal troops proceeded toward Carthage. Just before entering the town, Siegel posted three companies at Buck Creek, while the residue, in two columns, made a circuit around the town, the artillery pouring in a well-directed fire on the pursuing enemy. Night was approaching as the retreating army passed through Carthage, while the rebel horsemen withdrew to the woods on the Mount Vernon road.

Colonel Sigel, notwithstanding the great fatigue of the day—his men having been in action nearly twelve hours, and suffering severely from the heat and from lack of water—ordered his men to press on in retreat from Carthage. A forced march was made to Sarcoxie, in the south-east corner of Jasper county, (Carthage being the county seat,) a distance of twelve or fourteen miles. There they went into camp at three o’clock Saturday morning. In the afternoon of the next day, the retreat was continued to Mount Vernon, in Lawrence county, sixteen or eighteen miles east of Sarcoxie, where Siegel took a stand, and where his headquarters were located.

The Union loss was thirteen killed and thirty-one wounded; while, according to the most reliable accounts, the loss of the enemy could not have been less than three hundred in killed and wounded, and forty-five prisoners.

BATTLE AT MONROE, MO.

JULY 10, 1861.

Before daylight, on the morning of the 10th, Colonel Smith, with about six hundred men of the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, while encamped near Monroe Station, thirty miles west of Hannibal, was attacked by one thousand six hundred rebels under the command of Governor Harris. After a successful skirmish with the enemy, Colonel Smith retired to the Academy buildings for greater security. Here he was again attacked by an increased force of the rebels, and again succeeded in repulsing them. Determined on keeping them at bay, he sent messengers to Hannibal and other places for reinforcements, while the long-range rifles of his men told with fearful effect on his besiegers, and rendered two inferior pieces of artillery which they had brought to bear on him of but little use.

Three companies from Hannibal arrived first to the rescue, with two pieces of cannon of superior power to that of the enemy, and Colonel Smith immediately assumed the offensive. Toward evening, a body of cavalry under the command of Governor Wood, of Illinois, arrived and fell upon the rear of the enemy, when the struggle soon ended, and the rebel besiegers fled, with a loss of thirty killed and wounded, seventy-five prisoners, one gun, and a large number of horses. Of the Union troops, but four or five were severely wounded—none killed.

GUERRILLA BANDS IN MISSOURI.

In consequence of the disorganized condition of society in this State, bands of armed rebels took occasion to commit depredations upon the loyal citizens. Skirmishes became frequent, terror took the place of security, and distrust that of confidence. Men once high in public opinion and the councils of the nation became leaders in revolt, and encouraged by their example, the rabble threw off all restraint, and boldly became banditti.

Brigadier-General Pope was assigned command in northern Missouri, and from his headquarters at St. Charles, issued a proclamation, assuring loyal citizens of protection, and threatening disorganizers and secessionists with severe punishment. The State Convention assembled on the 22d of July, at Jefferson City, and passed an ordinance on the 23d by a vote of sixty-five to twenty-one, declaring the office of President of their body, held by General Sterling Price, to be vacant, and elected General Robert Wilson, a firm Union man, in his place. A committee of seven—one from each Congressional district, was appointed to report what action was necessary for the State to take in the crisis, and prepare an address to the people. The report was made, Union in all its bearings, and the Convention adjourned.

Major-General Fremont arrived at St. Louis on Sunday the 25th, and assumed military command.

The month of July was prolific in proclamations from the commanders of the rebel forces as well as of the Federal troops. On the 30th of July, rebel regiments from Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky, occupied New Madrid, on the Mississippi river, in the southern extremity of the State, and fortified it, and General Gideon J. Pillow issued a manifesto, in which he called upon the men of Missouri to enter his ranks. On the 1st of August, Jefferson Thompson, not to be outdone in the declamatory department, also issued a fiery proclamation.

Depredations had become so numerous and troublesome on the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph’s railroad, that General Pope appointed General S. A. Hurlbut to guard it, and divided it into sections, notifying the people that all who had property and interests at stake, would be expected to take an active part in their own protection and security. Citizens were appointed district superintendents.

The Address of the State Convention was published on the 31st of the month, and presented the question before the people in a masterly and able manner. The rebel Lieutenant-Governor, Thomas C. Reynolds, found refuge under the protection of General Pillow, at New Madrid, and on the same day, in the absence of Governor Jackson, issued a treasonable proclamation to the people of the State.

While these events were transpiring in other parts of the State, General Lyon had concentrated his forces at Springfield. Although he had perfect confidence in the bravery and discipline of his troops, he yet felt his inability to cope successfully with the superior numbers that he was warned were marching against him, and appealed to General Fremont to reinforce him. This General Fremont declined to do, alleging as a reason that his best regiments had been withdrawn to Washington and Cairo—to important points in the vicinity of St. Louis and the district under General Pope, that required to be guarded; and General Lyon and his little handful of brave men were left to meet, as best they might, the fast accumulating forces of the enemy who were bent on their destruction.

BATTLE OF DUG SPRINGS.

AUGUST 2, 1861.

General Lyon being thus compelled to act, and relying upon the steadiness and efficiency of his army and superior artillery, decided to meet the advancing foe with his small force, rather than retreat and leave a large district of country exposed to secession ravages. In order to meet the enemy on an open field he led his army as far south as Crane Creek, 10 miles below Springfield. The march commenced at 5 o’clock, on the afternoon of August 1st. The weather was intensely hot—the baggage wagons were scattered over a distance of three miles—the march slow, and one of great fatigue; and it was not until 10 o’clock that the camping ground was reached and the march ended, only to be resumed on the following morning, under a burning sun and with but a very scanty supply of water. Slight skirmishes occurred during the day, but the shells of Captain Totten’s battery caused a hasty retreat on the part of the rebels. On the arrival at Dug Springs the advance continued on, while the skirmishers maintained a brisk fire with the retreating pickets of the enemy; Captain Steele’s regular infantry taking the lead to the left, supported by a company of cavalry, the rest of the column being some distance in the rear. A body of rebel infantry were now seen approaching from the woods with the design of cutting off the Union forces. Captain Stanley drew up his cavalry, and opened upon them with Sharp’s carbines. It was a desperate undertaking to keep the rebels in check—scarce one hundred Union cavalry against more than five times that number of the enemy. The rebel infantry kept up the firing for some minutes, when an enthusiastic lieutenant, giving the order to “charge,” some twenty-five of the gallant regulars rushed forward upon the enemy’s lines, and, dashing aside the threatening bayonets of the sturdy rebels, hewed down the ranks with fearful slaughter. Captain Stanley, who was amazed at the temerity of the little band, was obliged to sustain the order, but before he could reach his company they had broken the ranks of the enemy, who outnumbered them as twenty to one. Some of the rebels who were wounded asked, in utter astonishment, “whether these were men or devils—they fight so?”

The ground was left in possession of the Unionists, strewed with arms, and the men were seizing the horses and mules that had been left, when a large force of the enemy’s cavalry were seen approaching—some three hundred or more. At the instant when they had formed, in an angle, Captain Totten, who had mounted a six and twelve-pounder upon the overlooking hill, sent a shell directly over them; in another minute, the second, a twelve-pound shell, landed at their feet, exploding, and scattering the whole body in disorder. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth were sent into their midst. The horsemen could not control their horses, and in a minute not an enemy was to be seen anywhere.

The Union loss was four killed and five wounded, one of whom subsequently died, while that of the enemy was very heavy, fully forty killed and an hundred wounded.

Having routed the enemy, General Lyon continued his march until he arrived at Curran, in Stone county, twenty-six miles from Springfield, where he encamped in order to avail himself of a choice of position. Here, from information that had been obtained of the opposing force and movements, a consultation was held with Generals Sweeney and Sigel, and Majors Schofield, Shepherd, Conant and Sturgis, and Captains Totten and Schaeffer, when it was determined to retire towards Springfield. The enemy was threatening a flank movement, and the necessity of keeping a communication open with Springfield was apparent to all the officers, and induced General Lyon to return to that point. An important consideration was, their provisions had to be transported one hundred miles—the depot being at Rolla—and the men were exhausted with the excessive heat, labors and privations of the campaign.

On the 5th of August they encamped at and near Springfield, and awaited the expected encounter with firm hearts, resolute bearing, and a determination to do or die.

SKIRMISH AT ATHENS, MISSOURI.

AUGUST 5, 1861.

While General Lyon and his noble associates were preparing to repel the anticipated attack of the forces of McCullough and Price, another event occurred that demands attention, and we turn to the town of Athens, situated on the Des Moines river, twenty-five or thirty miles from Keokuk, Iowa.

For three or four weeks that portion of Missouri had been in a state of anarchy. There had been no security for life or property, nor any effectual efforts made to enforce the laws and restore order. Actual force had not as yet been resorted to, but the secessionists, determining to drive the Unionists out of the country, had visited their houses in squads—insulted the women, and threatened death, both by the rifle and rope, unless their orders to leave the country were complied with. Union men and their families, thus kept in a state of perpetual alarm, in many instances abandoned their homes and possessions, and obeying the cruel command, left the State. Some determined men, however, resolved not to be trampled to the earth without resistance, and formed companies of “Home Guards;” but they were powerless to protect themselves or friends from assassination, and being scattered far apart, were almost useless in a sudden emergency. Day by day the rebels became more bold, until finally the Unionists went into camp, at the town of Cahokia, eighteen miles from the Mississippi, in Clarke county, about six hundred strong, with a brave commander who had seen service in Mexico. They soon received two hundred and forty stand of arms from St. Louis, and thus became, in a measure, prepared to protect themselves and sustain their country’s honor.

In the mean time, the rebels had formed a camp at Monticello, the county seat of Lewis county, about thirty miles south of Cahokia, under Martin Green, a brother of the ex-Senator.

A few days subsequently the Unionists received word that Green was about to attack them with eight hundred men, and sent to Keokuk and Warsaw for assistance. Keokuk did not respond, but the Warsaw Grays, Captain Coster, fifty in number, went over to the Union camp, though with the intention of acting only on the defensive; but no enemy appearing, Colonel Moore determined to rout the prowling bands of secessionists who were hovering around him, and for three days his men searched in vain to find an enemy to give them battle. Numerous secessionists were arrested, but liberated on taking the required oath, and Moore finally marched his command to Athens. A peace in the vicinity was proposed by the enemy, with the object of lulling the suspicions of the Union men, and inducing them to disperse; and through these influences the Colonel soon found his forces dwindled down to one-half their original number.

But Green had not been idle. Constant recruiting had increased his force to nearly fifteen hundred men, and he visited Scotland and Knox counties, driving out the loyal citizens, insulting and abusing their families, and committing fearful depredations upon them. At length it was evident that he was about to attack the Unionists at Athens, and again they sent to Keokuk for assistance. Seventy of the militia from that place went up to Croton, a small town on the Iowa side of the Des Moines river, opposite Athens, but refused to cross. Moore, however, received reinforcements until his command reached four hundred, and encamped in the town, awaiting the moment of action, with his main force stationed on a street parallel to, and his right and left wings extending to the river.

There and in this order the Federalists were attacked by a force of from twelve to fifteen hundred men, with no chance of retreat, except by fording a stream fully three hundred yards in width, and exposed to a murderous fire. They were without artillery, while the enemy had an eight-pounder, which was placed on the brow of the hill, in a position to rake the principal street, while two imitation guns were placed in sight, intended to inspire a fear, which few men of that little band were capable of experiencing. The attack opened between five and six o’clock in the morning. At its very commencement, Lieutenant-Colonel Callahan, who commanded a company of cavalry in the rebel ranks, retired across the river and continued his flight until he reached the Mississippi river at Montrose.

A portion of Moore’s infantry were also seized with a momentary panic, and fled across the river; but on seeing their companions stand firm, many returned and took part in the action. About three hundred only of the Unionists bore the brunt, and firm as regulars, delivered their fire with coolness and precision.

The fight, regular and irregular, lasted about an hour and a half, and then Colonel Moore led his centre to a charge, which routed the enemy, and left him and his brave associates undisputed masters of the field. The loss of the Unionists was ten killed and the same number wounded, and that of the rebels fourteen killed and forty wounded.

BATTLE OF WILSON’S CREEK.

AUGUST 10, 1861.

General Lyon having returned to Springfield after his expedition to Curran, found himself greatly embarrassed by his position, and was forced by circumstances to determine the question whether he should, with his inferior force, give battle to the enemy now pressing upon him, or attempt a retreat to Rolla, encumbered with an immense train, and exposed to the probability of being compelled to defend himself at any point on the route where they might see fit to attack him. Their cavalry force was large, and with this they could by their celerity of movement cut off his communication and flank him whenever disposed. His appeals for reinforcements had not been granted, yet he was daily indulging the hope that he would soon be furnished a sufficient force to enable him to meet the enemy with a reasonable prospect of success. The days were passing on, the enemy was drawing nearer, and General Lyon was compelled to make his decision. The alternative was before him, either to retreat and leave the finest section of the State open to the ravages of the enemy, or make the attempt to expel the foe, even though he might sacrifice his own army in the effort. On the afternoon of the ninth of August, he held a consultation with his officers, when after a full discussion of the question, it was deemed advisable to attack the enemy in his camp at Wilson’s Creek, nine miles south of Springfield. The attack was to be made simultaneously by two columns, at daylight on the following morning, Saturday the 10th; the first under command of General Lyon and the second under General Sigel.