Cooper County, Missouri - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read), 1876

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read)

The late "War of the Eebellion" in Cooper County. - Battle below Boonville. - Movements of the "Home Guards" in Cooper County. - Defeat of Captain Parks by Wm. Anderson. - .*>helby's Eaid into Cooper Count}^ and his Engagements with the Federal Troops. - Price's Raid into Cooper County, and the Battles. Fought near Boonville. - Bitter Partisan Feeling Engendered During the TVar, &c.

We would like to pass the history of this war, and leave it to be recorded by future historians, when the passions and bitter feelings engendered shall have passed away and been forgotten ; but it is certain that it is not wise for the recorder of events to omit to tell the simple truth for fear that it may grate harshly upon the ear of some one. He must, impartially, write the facts as they occurred, without showing favor to either side. It is not intended here to give a detailed accoimt of all that transpired during the unhappy conflict of the late war ; but the following pages only profess to give, without any comment, some of the main facts as they occurred :

Cooper county suffered a great deal during the late war. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied either by one party or the other, and her citizens were called upen to contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. The first of the actions which took place within Cooper county, and indeed the second engagement of the war, was the slon, sought an interview with Gens. Lyon and Blair, and made propositions for a compromise, on the basis of neutralit3% &c. The two last mentioned Generals refused to make any compromise whatever, but claimed the "unrestricted right to move and station the troops of the United States throughout the State, whenever and wherever that might, in the opinion of the officers, be necessary, either for the protection of loyal citizens of the federal government, or for the repelling of an invasion."

Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price, after this unsuccessful endeavor to bring about peace, returned to Jefferson City, and the governor issued a proclamation, calling into the active service of the State, 50,000 men. Gen. Lyon, a few days afterwards issued a counter proclamation, in justification of his course in refusing to compromise with Gov. Jackson and Gen. Price.

Gen. Lyon then moved his troops to Jefferson City, and on his arrival at that place, he found that Gov. Jackson had moved his forces fifty miles above, to Boonville, cutting the telegraph lines, and destro3'ing the bridges on the railway as he proceeded. Gen. Lyon, leaving Col. Boemstein in command of a small force at the capitol, on the afternoon of the i6th day of June, 1861, embarked his forces on three steamers, and ascending the Missouri river, they arrived at Rocheport about six o'clock on the following morning. There he ascertained that the State troops, under General Marmaduke, Price at that time being sick, were in full force a few miles below Boonville, and that resistance might be expected from them, should he attempt to reach Boonville by that road. Leaving this place and taking the steam ferry boat, Paul Wilcox with them. Gen. Lyon's command ascended the river, to the island, eight miles below Boonville, which they reached at about seven o'clock, A. M., and on the southern shore of which they disembarked.

No enemy being in sight, and the scouts reporting no signs of any, the troops at once marched up the Missouri river towards Boonville, and followed the road about a mile and a half, to the place where it ascends the bluffs, from the river bottom. At this place several shots from Gen. Lyon's scouts announced the driving in of Col. Marmaduke's pickets. Gen. Lyon then advanced for nearly a mile, and found Gen. Marmaduke well posted at the brow of the ascent. Capt. Totten opened the engagement by throwing a few nine pound bombshells into the entrenchments of the State troops, while the infantry commenced a heavy volley of musketry, which was well replied to, the balls flying thick and fast among the ranks of the troops and wounded several on both sides.

The State troops, under the command of Col. Marmaduke, were posted in a lane running from the Rocheport road in the direction of the river, and west of the residence of Wm. M. Adams, on the north-east corner of the junction of the two roads. During the fight, a couple of bombs were thrown through the east wall of Mr. Adams' house, causing the inmates to retreat to the cellar for protection. A heavy fire from Col. Shaefer's German infantry. Gen. Lyon's company of regulars, and part of Col. Blair's regiment, which were stationed on the left of the road, compelled the troops of Col. Marmaduke to retreat.

His force then 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 of Capt. Totten was worked with great rapidity. Just at this time the State troops opened a galling fire from a grove just on the left of the federal center, and from a shed from beyond and still further to the left.

magnitude of a battle, which continued only about one half of an hour. The State troops findinor the federals too strong and too well armed and drilled to be successfully opposed by raw recruits, most of whom had never been under fire, and having no artillery with which to return the fire from Gen- Lyon's batteries, abandoned the fight and retreated. Captains Cole and Miller took possession of **Camp Bacon," where the State troops for two days had been encamped.

Gen. Lyon continued his march towards Boonville. He was met on the hill near the residence of T. W. Nelson, by James H. O'Bryan, acting mayor of Boonville, Judge G. W. Miller and other prominent citizens, who formally surrendered the town to him, and he immediately marched into and took possession of it.

Col. Marmaduke commanded the State troops on this occasion, Gen. Price was in ill health, and on the da}^ on which the battle occurred he left Boonville on a steamboat for Lexington. Governor Jackson was on the battle-ground in the forenoon, but left Boonville on the Georgetown road about eleven o'clock of that day. In this engagement two of Lyon's men were killed and nine wounded. Among the State troops three were killed and several wounded, but the number of these is unknown.

Kelly's was the only well organized and well drilled company under the command of Col. Marmaduke, and it did not participate in the battle. It was said that General Price was opposed to making a stand against Gen. Lyon at that time, as all of his troops, except Kelly's company, were raw recruits, and very poorly armed and drilled, having rallied at Boonville during the preceding three days. There was considerable controversy among the officers and men, whether considering the circumstances a stand or retreat should be made ; but some of the most enthusiastic, whose counsel prevailed, said, that the\^ had come to fight, and they intended to do so There were several prisoners taken by Gen. Lyon, but they were afterwards released on parole.

The next day after the battle Gen. Lyon issued a proclamation offering full pardon to Till who would lay down their arms, return to their homes, and relinquish their hostility to the United States government ; and persons who did this were assured that they would not be molested for past occurrences. Many who had taken part in the battle, availed themselvesof the opportunity offered by Gen. Lyon, and some of them never took up arms again during the war.

Gen. Lyon remained at Boonville for several weeks, during which time he purchased a large outfit of wagons, horses and mules, paying fair prices for them, no pressing or forced sales being made ; he also captured ever}' steamboat that passed down the river. On the third day of July, having received reinforcements of an Iowa regiment, he took his departure for the south-west, his objective point being Springfield. A short time before, Gen. Blair left for Washinorton, to take his seat in Concjress, he havino^ been elected a representative from St. Louis.

This being the first battle of the rebellion which was fought on land, the taking of Fort Sumpter having occurred only a short time before, produced great excitement throughout the United States, and Gen. Blair, on his way to Washington, was met by ^I'eat crowds of his friends, and lionized, feasted and toasted, as the "hero of the hour."

Gen. Lyon, before he left Boonville, organized two companies of home guards, composed entirely of Germans, commanded by Major Joseph A. Eppstein, and threw up strong fortifications at the "Old Fair Grounds." When he moved to Springfield, he left Maj. Cully, who was shortly

Dr. Quarles was among the killed of the State troops. His body w^as found in the wheat field late in the evening after the battle, he having been severely wounded in the thigh, and not being discovered, he had bled to death. Young McCutchen was also wounded in the thigh, and was properly cared for, though all their eflbrts could not save him, and he died in a few days after the battle. The death of these two gentlemen, so young, so promising and kind-hearted, cast a gloom over the entire community, and their loss was universally regretted by all parties. The other gentleman killed, who was from Pettis county, was shot in the head, and his name is not recollected.

Gen. Parsons, with the artillery belonging to the State troops, arrived too late to engage in the battle. He came in on the Boonville and Tipton road, via Wilkins' bridge, and halted at the top of the hill, south of Boonville, near Dr. Wm. H. Trigg's present residence, where, learning the result of the battle, that Col. Marmaduke had been defeated and was retreating, took the road leading from Boonville to Prairie Lick, in a south-west direction, and soon formed a junction with Gov. Jackson's State troops.

Gen. Lyon, two days after the battle of Boonville, sent a detachment of his force south-west, by way of Syracuse, as far as Florence, Morgan county, in pursuit of Gov. Jackson. But finding that the State troops had moved still farther south, the command returned to Boonville without meeting any of Jackson's command.

Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, on the twentieth day of June, 1861, oro-anized and mustered into service a company of German f'Home Guards," consisting of 135 m.en, Of this company

Joseph A. Eppstein was elected captain, Emil Haas, ist lieutenant; Ernest Roeschel, 2nd lieutenant, and John AHain, orderly sergeant. This company was, on the fourth day of August, ordered to Jtfferson City for the purpose of aiding in the protection of the capitol. The3S together with Col. Brown's 7th Missouri regiment, were, a short time afterwards, ordered to Otterville. They went by rail to Syracuse, and marched on foot the balance of the way to Otterville, which they immediately occupied.

A large number of southern men living in the vicinity had organized a company, and under the command of Capt. Alexander, James B. Harris, and others, were camped near bv. These two commands, not, for some reason wishing to attack each other, made the following compromise which had been suggested by the southern commanders, and after some parley, accepted by Col. Brown. It was agreed, that if the federal troops would withdraw from Otterville, Capt. x\lexander would disband his forces, and Col. Brown ordered his command back to J t fie r son City.

Afterwards, the home guards, with part of Col. Worthington's command, were ordered to Boonville. They ascended the Missouri river in a steamboat, and arrived at Boonville very early on the morning of the day following their start from Jtfferson City. The morning was very fogy, so that the boat could hardly be seen from the shore. It passed Boonville under cover of the darkness and the foef, and landed at Haas' brewery, situated about one-half of a mile west of the city. Here the "home guards" disembarked, and from thence marched around and surrounded the town before the citizens were aware of their presence. Col. Worthington, with the men of his command, dropped down on the steamboat to the landing at the foot of Main street, and marched up into the town. He then took a number of prominent citizens prisoners, and confiscated the con- tents of two tin stores .ind one shoe store, the owners of which were charged with selling goods to the Confederates ; he also took possession of the ^^z^rr/Zsrr printing estabhshment, then owned by Messrs. Caldwell & Stahl, and had the presses, type, &c., boxed up and shipped to JtfTcrson City. This was all done under the orders of Col. U. S. Grant, now president of the United States, who was then in command at Jefferson City. The "home guards," together with Col. Worthington's command, on the afternoon of the same day, taking with them the prisoners and the property which they had confiscated. The prisoners were afterwards released, and returned home ; but most of the property, except that belonging to the printing establishment, was never again seen by its owners.

On the twenty-eighth day of August, in the same year, the "home guards" were ordered to reinforce Col. Mulligan at Lexington, Missouri. Two days before, the I2th Illinois regiment of cavalry had been ordered to the same place, and had started. When Col. Eppstein, tlie commander of the "home guards" arrived at Tipton, he heard that a part of the I2ih Illinois cavalry were at Boonville, and concluded to go there also, and reported to headquarters, that if they had any orders for him, to forward them to him at that place.

Col. Eppstein was ordered by Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, then stationed at Jefferson City, to remain at Boonville, and occupy the breastworks, which he did.

On the first day of September, i85i, the troops around Boonville formed themselves into a battalion, consisting of two and one-half companies; companies "A" and "B," infantry, and one-half of a compan}^ of cavalr}'. The officers of the battalion were Joseph A. Eppstein, Major; Emil Haas, Surgeon, and John A. Ilayne, Adjutant; of company "A" infantry, were John B. Keiser, captain; John

Reatherd, ist Lieutenant, and Charles Kock, 2nd Lieutenant; of company *'B" infantry, were Charles Beihle, captain; Joseph Weber, ist Lieutenant ; John Fessler, 2nd Lieutenant. The half company of cavalry was commanded by Peter Ostermeyer.

About four days afterwards, this battalion received information that they would be attacked by -the confederates from several surrounding counties. Col. Eppstein immediately arrested a number of the most prominent southern men in Boonville, viz : H. N. Ells, Rev. Painter, Wm. E. Burr and J. W. Draffen, and held them as hostages, hoping thereby to prevent the contemplated attack. But about six o'clock on the morning of the 13th day of September, 1861, while Eppstein's command was at breakfast, the pickets having all come in, the breastworks were attacked by a force of about eight hundred men under the command of Col. Brown, of Saline county. The fortifications were attacked on the west, southwest and southeast sides. The first attack was from the southwest, the next through Lilly's field on the south-east, and finally extended around to the west side. At the first the firing was very rapid from the southwest and southeast, and soon afterwards from the west side of the fortifications, the balls falling thick on every side. Col. Brown led the attack on the southeast, and made two charges upon the breastworks, but was compelled to fall back each time under the heavy fire from the intrenchments. In the second attack Col. Brown was mortally wounded, and fell within fifty feet of the breastworks ; a short time afterwards, his brother, Capt. Brown, was also mortally wounded, and fell about ten feet behind him. The Browns were both brave men, and fought with desperation, and with utter disregard of their own safety. After the two Browns had fallen mortally wounded, and Major Poindexter been left in command of the confederates, Mr. Burr, who was one of the prisoners at the breastworks, having become satisfied that the intrenchments could not be taken, asked, and was granted permission to visit the confederates, under a flag of truce, in order to see what arrangements could be made so as to hnncr about a cessation of hostilities. The two commanders finally agreed upon an armistice for six days, Major Poindexter's troops to be withdrawn from the breastworks and city.

The home guards numbered about one hundred and forty effective men. Their loss was two killed and seven wounded. The names of the killed w^ere John A. Hayne, adjutant, and Kimball, a private. The number of Colonel Brown's command who were killed and wounded is not known. Col. and Capt. Brown, were, after the battle, taken to hospital at Boonville. The Colonel died of his wounds the same evening ; the Captain lingered until the next day, when he too died. Their bodies were taken to Saline county for burial.

At the commencement of the battle, messengers were dispatched by three different routes, viz : by wa}^ of Tipton, Jefferson City road, and down the river in a skiff, asking for reinforcements. Of these m.essengers, none reached Jefferson City except Joseph Read and Joseph Reavis, who went down the river. Those who went by the way of Tipton and the Jefferson City road, were captured by Col. Brown's men while they were on the way.

On the 14th, at ten o'clock, p. m., the force at Boonville was reinforced by the 5th Iowa regiment, under the command of Col. Worthington, which came up the river on a steamboat. After the armistice had expired. Major Poindexter drew off his men, and marched up the river to join Gen. Price at Lexington.

I06 History Of Cooper County

tion in regard to a band of bushwhackers, who were thought to have their headquarters somewhere in Clark's Fork township, in this county. While approaching the house of William George, in said township, they were fired upon from the house, and one of their number killed. The scouts then retreated to Tipton, and having obtained reinforcements, returned and burnt William George's house.

On the i6lh day of September, 1861, Col. Eppstein's battalion was commanded by Col. Worthington to take possession of and guard the bridge across the Lamine river on the road from Boonville to Arrow Rock. Before their arrival at the bridge, they heard the firing of several minute guns behind them, which were intended to w^arn the St.ite troops of the approach of Col. Eppstein's men. Thvy reached the bridge in the night, and were fired upon from the opposite side of the river by the State troops, "who seemed to have taken possession of the bridge. Col. Eppstein returned the fire, and mortally wounded a vounfj man named Herndon, who lived in Lamine township, in this county. He was taken to the house of Mr. Wm. Iliggerson, where he soon afterwards expired. The State troops soon retreated and lefi Col. Eppstein's troops in possession of the bridge, where they remained until the 19th day of September, when they were ordered to return to Boonville.

Soon afterwards. Col. Worthington ordered Col. Eppstein to take his command "with him and burn this same bridge, it having been reported that Gen. Price's army was marching towards Boonville from that direction, and would probably cross the Lamine at that point. Col. Eppstein endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, by telling him that this would only delay Price a single day, as he could cross a short distance above ; but Col. Worthington replied that it must be done, as he deemed it to be a military necessity. So the bridge was burned in accordance with his order. Yet this proved to be a false alarm, as Price was not on his v\\'iy to Boonville, and did not attempt to march in that direction.

Under a speci-il hiw of Congress, passed on account of a general dissatisfaction among the "home guards" all over the State, Col. Eppstein's battalion was reorganized, and became a part of the Missouri State militia. Six companies were raised and organized at Boonville, and to these were added two companies from St. Louis, thus forming the 13th regiment of the Missouri State militia cavalry. The company of infantry wliich was commanded by Capt. Charles Beihle, joined the ist Missouri State militia infantry. Afterwards, the 13th regiment was consolidated with four companies of the I2th'regiment, and Skofield's "Bazars," and from that time formed the 5th regiment, the old 5th having previously been disbanded.

The officers of this regiment were, Albert Seigel, Col., Joseph A. Eppstein, Lieut. Col., John B. Kaiser, Major, and John Felzer, Surgeon. This regiment after being first thoroughly organized and fully drilled and equipped, was ordered to Waynesville, in the Rolla district, where they remained and from whence they mostly operated during the war. Part ot tliis reuiment was under the cnmmand of Col. Brown, during his pursuit of Shelby, when in October, 1863, he made his raid through the State in the direction of Boonville.

Six companies of the 5th regiment, under the command of Col. Eppstein, composed a portion of the forces of Gen. Sanborn during his operations against Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri in the fall of 1864. Gen. Sanborn at first supposing that Gen. Price would march in the direction of Rolla, concentrated his forces at that place, but finding that Gen. Price was making for Jefferson City, he moved his command to the latter place ; on the way, marching nearly parallel with the confederates, for while he was crossing the Osage river at Castle Rock, General Price was crossing the same stream eight miles below. Col. Eppstein's command had a slight skirmish with the confederate advance guard, between the Osage and the Moreau Creek, but he succeeded in reaching Jefferson City first.

Gen. Sanborn had concentrated at that place, 3,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry, most of them regulars, and all of them well-armed and drilled. Gen. Price's army numbered about 20,000 men, yet there were thousands of them who had no arms, and had never seen anything like a battle. Neither had his troops been organized and placed under commanders, as many of them had flocked to his standard as he marched through the State, and as he was continually on the march, he had no opportunity to effect organization in the ranks at this time, though shortly afterwards he had them under perfect control.

Price only made a slight attack on Jefferson City with a small portion of his forces, then withdrew without a general battle, and marched across the country in the direction of Boonville- Gen. Sanborn, as soon as he learned the true state of affairs, started his cavalry in pursuit of the confederates. The cavalry had skirmishes with the confederate rear guard, which was commanded by Gen. Fagan, at Stringtown, Russelville and California, on the loth day of October, 1864. During these skirmishes, three of Colonel Eppstein's men were killed and thirteen wounded. The loss of the confederates is unknown. Price camped, on the night of the loth, on the Moniteau Creek, just within the limits of Cooper county, and on the next day marched to Boonville.

ton road, about eleven miles south of Boonville, at Crenshaw's farm. On the i2th of October, Col. Graveley, with about four hundred mounted men of Sanborn's command, advanced by way of the upper Tipton road to within about one-half of a mile of Boonville, to test the strength, and if possible, to find out the contemplated movements of Gen. Price's command. At what is known as the Vollrath Place, about one-half of a mile south of Boonville, Col. Graveley came upon some confederate companies in camp, and some lively fighting ensued, but finding the confederates too strong for them, the federals retreated to the main army.

On the i2th. Col. Eppstein, with about three hundred and fifty men of his command, moved towards Boonville, and camped at Bohannon's farm, about seven miles south of Boonville. Early on the morning of the 13th, he was ordered to advance as far as he could in the direction of Boonville, and reconnoitre Gen. Price's position. Immediately upon receiving this order, he commenced his march with the above mentioned number of men and two mountain howitzers, and on arriving at Wilkin's bridge, across the Petite Saline creek, his command was fired upon by a band of about four hundred men under the command of General Fagan, w^ho were guarding the bridge. Col. Eppstein returned the fire, and ordered four mounted companies to dismount and deploy as skirmishers. After some little skirmishing, along the banks of the creek. Gen. Fagan leisurely retreated towards Boonville. After going north about one half of a mile, to where a lane crosses the main road south of Mrs. McCarty's house. Col. Eppstein, who w^as in pursuit, found that Gen. Fagan had barricaded the road with trees, &c. Here Miller's and Murphy's companies had a close fight with the confederates, even using swords and bayonets. These two companies were surrounded at one time and ordered by the confederates to surrender; but the other two companies of Col. Eppstein's command coming up to their aid, Gen. Fagan again fell back. At this place two of the federals were w^ounded, but none hurt upon the other side.

Gen. Fagan next made a stand at Anderson's branch, and here they had a more severe battle. Three of the federals wevQ killed and seven wounded. The killed were, Fred. Hoecher, a man named Jones, and the name of the other is not known. The loss of the confederates, as was afterwards learned, was considerable.

Gen. Fagan by this time had brought up four pieces of artillery, and commenced shelling the woods along Anderson's branch in which Col. Eppstein was stationed. The federals then received orders to fall back, and retreated to California, Moniteau county, and there to obtain supplies. They soon afterwards returned to Crenshaw's farm, and there halted and took dinner. There Gen. Sanborn learned that Price had left Boonville, so marching west he camped for the night at New Nebo church. The next morning he continued his march in the direction of Georgetown.

In Augusts 1864, Capt. Parks, wdth two companies, of which Franklin Swap was ist Lieutenant and Provost Marshall, being a part of the Iowa cavalry, had command at of the post at Boonville. Finding but little to do on this side of the river, they crossed over into Howard county, in search of * 'Anderson's bushwhackers," passed through New Franklin, and took the road east leading to Rocheport. Although warned by the citizens of his danger, as Anderson was known to be in full force in the neighborhood, Capt. Parks marched on.

When about one mile east of New Franklin, his company was suddenly attacked by Anderson's men, and cut into two parts, seven of them being killed by the first fire. The greater part of the command retreated to a house in the Missouri river bottom, and kept Anderson at bay by firing through the cracks of the house. Capt. Parks, at the outset, became separated from his men, and retreated towards Fayette until he met Major Leonard's command, which happened to be marching in that direction. With this he returned to the relief of his company, and Anderson having learned of his approach, drew off his men and retired.

The part of Capt. Parks' company which had been besieged in the house, finding that Anderson had drawn off his men, mounted horses, came back to Old Franklin in the night, and crossed the river in safety, although several men were missing. This part of the company knew nothing of Capt. Parks until the next day, when he made his appearance. They then recrossed the river, and having recovered the bodies of their companions who had been killed, buried them in one grave at the city cemetery in the southwest part of Boonville.

In the winter of 1862 and 1863, Col. Pope was the commander of several companies of home militia, with headquarters at the fair grounds at Boonville. They disbanded in 1863, and Col. D. W. Wear formed a battalion, and was commander of the post at Boonville. The battalion did considerable scouting, the details of which are not sufficiently known to be given.

Lieut. Col. Reavis, while under Col. Pope, learning that some confederate recruiting forces had crossed the river, making their way in a southern direction, he immediately started in pursuit, and overtook them while in camp in the brush, near Thomas Tucker's house, about two miles east of Bunceton, in Cooper county. He fired upon them, killing two men and wounding one. The recruits then separated, and made their way out of the country by different routes. The names of the confederates who were killed, were Joshua Lampton and Jones, from 'Boone county. They were buried at the "Vine" or "Concord" church. The wounded man, after recovering, was paroled by Col. Pope, and returned to his home in Boone county.

Gen. Joseph Shelby, of the confederate army, made a raid into Cooper county during the month of October, 1863. He passq,d through Ottervilie on the night of the 9th of* said month, and burned the Pacific railroad bridge near that town. On the night of the loth he camped near Bell Air, in a pasture belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Leonard, and on the next day he marched to Boonville. His movements becoming known in Boonville the night before, a meeting of the citizens was called by Mayor McDearmon. After some delay, the conclusion was reached, that the only alternative was to surrender the city to Gen. Shelby. Citizens were sent out to meet him, who returned without being able to gain any information as to his whereabouts, and conveyed the impression that he would not pay his compliments to the city during this expedition.

Therefore his arrival at Boonville on the nth day of October was quite a surprise to the citizens. Several of the citizens had crossed the river into Howard county the night before, having concluded that discretion was the better part of valor, that their presence in Boonville would accomplish no good, and that there would be more safety in making themselves scarce.

Just as Gen. Shelby marched into Boonville from the south, Major Leonard, with about two hundred and fifty federal troops, appeared on the north side of the river, and commenced crossing his men. The first boat load had almost reached the Boonville shore, when some one called to those in the boat that the town was full of confederates, and that they had better retreat. The pilots immediately turned the boat around and made for the Howard shore. At this time some of Shelby's men appeared and commenced firing upon the boat with muskets. But the boat having gotten out of reach of this fire, the confederates brought up some artillery and opened fire upon the boat, two shots striking it before it reached the shore. As soon as Maj. Leonard landed his forces, the artillery was turned upon them, and they were soon forced to retire beyond the reach of the shells.

At the same time. Col. Crittenden, with about one hundred men, was seen steaming up the river in a boat, but on learning the situation of afl:airs at Boonville, he dropped back down the river, and landed a short distance below, in Howard countv.

Gen. Shelby remained in Boonville the balance of the afternoon of that day, and encamped for the night west of the city on the Georgetown road. He came here to obtain supplies, such as clothing and provisions, which they found in great abundance, and which they took, wherever found. M. J. Werthumer, and Messrs. Lamy &: McFadden were the greatest sufferers, each losing about $4,000 in clothing. The confederate troops did not molest any person during their stay, not a single m^an was killed or wounded, and they were very polite and gentlemanly to every person.

While the confederates were in Boonville, the federals, under Gen. Brown, were close behind them, and on the nth day of October, were within eight miles of Boonville, on the Bell Air road. On that day Gen. Brown moved a portion of his troops west to the junction of the Sulphur Springs and the Boonville and Georgetown roads, which is about seven miles southwest of Boonville. But during the night he marched his command back again to the Bell Air road, and camped near Bellingsville. The next morning after Gen. Shelby had left, the federals passed through

Boonville in pursuit, their advance just behind the confederate rear guard. Two of Gen. Shelby's men who had stopped at Mr. Labbo's house, about one and one-half miles west of Boonville to get their breakfast, v^^ere killed by some federal scouts as they appeared at the front door, in order to make their escape.

A running fight was kept up at intervals, all along the route from Boonville to Marshall. The fight became pretty spirited between the Sulphur Springs and Dug Ford ; and at Dug Ford two federals were killed and fell from their horses into the water. During this long running fight there was quite a number killed on each side, but the number is not known.

At Marshall, a lively battle took place, in which a number were killed and wounded on both sides. But General Shelby succeeded in escaping from his pursuers with the loss of only a small portion of the stores which he had obtained at Boonville.

This raid, of course, produced great excitement, and in the heat of passion, considerable censure was heaped upon the commanding officer, whether justly or unjustly, is left the reader to determine. Gen. Shelby succeeded in getting back to his lines without any great loss, but whether his entire anticipations in regard to obtaining supplies and reinforcements were fully realized, is not known. Major Leonard and Col. Crittenden crossed their commands over the river to Boonville about ten o'clock on the morning of the I2lh, and after stopping for dinner, they started in the direction of Marshall. Boonville, then, was once more clear of troops, and the citizens had time to gather together provisions to ieed the next lot ©f hungr\' soldiers who happened to land there, whether they were federals or confederates. Thus ended the famous "Shelbv's Raid," as far as Cooper county was concerned.

The fed>?ral troops, in the fall of 1864, having all abandoned Boonville, three companies of "home guards" were organized for the protection of the city against what were known as the "bushwhackers." One company was commanded by Capt. Horace vShoemaker, another by Capt.

last mentioned companies were composed of men belonging to both parties, who had joined these companies with the understanding that they would only be required to protect the city against "bushwhackers and plunderers," and would not be compelled, against their wills, to fight against the regular southern troops.

Although there were frequent alarms, the "bushwhackers" never attacked Boonville, but often during the war made raids through the county, in which many citizens were killed. They always took anything they wished, no matter in whose hands it was found. There were also bands of robbers moving continually through the count}', who cared nothing for either party, and who robbed and killed without discrimination or regard to party. During the year 1864, many good citizens belonging to each side, were shot down, first by one party and then by another, and many citizens abandoned their homes, seeking places of more securitv. The details of these murders and robberies are too disgraceful and sickening to enumerate in this brief history.

On the nth day of October, 1864, scouts brought information that a large hostile force was approaching Boonville. These three companies being under the impression that these were "Anderson's bushwhackers," immediately erected a strong barricade across Fifth street, at the Thespian Hall, in Boonville. They were strengthened in the belief that thes^ were "bushwhackers," from the fact that they had received a dispatch that afternoon from Mexico, Missouri, stating that Gen. Price had been repulsed at Jefferson City, and was retreating by way of Tipton.

So these companies of home guards expecting no quarter from Anderson's men, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as they could, thinking anyway that it would be certain death to fall into the hands of "Bill Anderson." Soon afterwards, Shelby's command entered the town with a dash, killing a German scout near Mrs. Muir's residence, about one mile east of Boonville. The "home guards" fired one round at the advance guard of Shelb} 's command as they advanced along Vine street near the Baptist church, but their fire injured no one.

But learning that this was but the advance guard of Gen. Price's large army, and that resistance w^ould be useless, the home guards surrendered as prisoners of war. These prisoners were quartered at the court house and closel}'* guarded, but the commissioned ofhcers were paroled. Gen. Shelb\s w'ith his command, entered about sundown on the above mentioned day. Gen. Price and his staff made their headquarters at the city hotel, on Morgan street. On Tuesday, the 13th day of October, . the prisoners w^ere marched in front of the city hall, ranged in line, and Gen. Price made them a speech, and gave orders for their parole, on the condition, that if they were ever found with arms ao-ainst the south, thev would be shot.

Price had about 20,000 men, many of them late Missouri recruits, without arms. Some of his command were well armed and drilled, but the greater part were very poorly armed. Their general conduct towards the citizens during their stay in Boonville, was good.

On the night of the 13th, while Capt. Shoemaker, who was on parole, was going from Capt. John Porter's house to his residence, on the corner of Central avenue and

Sixth Streets, he was captured by some men, who were afterwards discovered to be Anderson's men, taken to the fair grounds, killed, and his body thrown into the river. Two men, named Neef and Boiler, were killed near their homes, about four miles west of Boonville ; also a negro man who was concealed in a cornshock on the farm of J. M. Nelson, situated two miles west of Boonville. These were all the persons killed in this part of the country, who were not slain in battle, whose names are now recollected. Thousands of volunteers in Missouri flocked to the standard of Gen. Price, believing that he would be able to hold the State. The rear guard of Gen. Price's armjs and the advance guard of Gen. Sanborn's command, skirmished, at intervals, from Jefl'erson City to Boonville. Gen. Sanborn's command consisted of about 4.000 mounted men. The infantry command, under Gen. A. J. Smith, was also in pursuit, but never came within fighting distance of the confederates.

There was considerable skirmishing and some hard fighting, south and southeast of Boonville, during Price's three day's sojourn at that place, in which a number were killed and wounded on both sides. The Arkansas militia, under the command of Gen. Fagan, who were left to protect the rear of Gen. Price's army, were the greatest sufferers among the confederates.

A dash was made upon Gen. Price's out-posts, by a {qw companies of federals, who came so near Boonville, that the firino- could be heard, and the smoke of the battle seen from the city. Gen. Price's artillery was brought into requisition, and soon compelled the federals to retire. The greater part of Price's regulars was then called out, and a general charge having, been made all along the line, the federal army fell back on the road leading from Jefferson City to Georgetown, via, Bell Air, and following that road,

Price's army left Boonville during the night of the 14th day of October, having remained there three days. His army took all the horses in the northern part, and the federal troops in the southern part of the count3'. Both parties foraged upon the people of the county for the support of their respective armies, and left the county pretty destitute, especially of horses, hardly a good one being left. This was virtually the end of the war, as far as Cooper county was concerned, no more battles being fought in it between organized armies.

The partisan warfare in Cooper county became pretty bloody during the summer and fall of 1864. The details of these occurrences, the writers must be excused from recording, leaving the task to some future historian, although they believe that they could give the particulars without partiality or prejudice, but others might not so consider them.