Monroe County, Missouri - Chapter 14, 1884

Chapter 14

Mexican War - Call for Volunteers - Monroe County Men - California Emigrants - The Scenes in '49 and '50 - Emigrants From Monroe County - Incident - Death of Emigrants - The Civil War of 1861 - Number of Men Entering Southern Array from the County - The Battle at Monroe City - Capture of Paris - Grant's Expedition V. Harris - Mercury Suspended - Skirmish Near Elliott's Mills - Florida Fight - Bott's Bluff Fight - Lieutenaut Killed by One of His Men.

Mexican War

We have stated elsewhere in this work that the Mexican War began in Maj^ 1846, and during the middle of that month Gov. Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers to join the " Army of the West" in an expedition to Santa Fe. The full complement of companies was made up from the following counties, which composed the first regiment: Jackson, Co. A, 114 men, Capt. Waldo; Lafayette, Co. B, 112 men, Capt. Walton; Clay, Co. C, 113 men, Capt. Moss; Saline, Co. D, 94 men, Capt. Reid ; Franklin, Co. E, 117 men, Capt. Stephenson ; Cole, Co. F, 100 men, Capt. Parsons ; Howard, Co. G, 100 men, Capt. Jackson ; Callaway, Co. H, 104 men, Capt. Rogers.

Monroe county has never been wanting in patriotism, but upon the contrary, her citizens have alwaj^s been among the first to respond to the call of their country when its honor or its liberty were imperilled. Whether they were called to meet the savage Indian at home, or the scarcely less civilized Mexican under the burnins; suns of a foreisfn clime, they have responded with the same alacrity, and gone forth to do battle with an enthusiasm and courage that have ever characterized the true soldier.

The men who buckled on their armor for the distant fields of Mexico, numbered about 44, a few of whom had seen service in the Black Hawk and Florida wars. These men were mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, in July, 1846, and mustered out at the same place in September, 1847. They were in the battles of Taos and Morotown, and sustained a loss of one man killed, Robert Bower. The following (222)

A meeting was held in Paris to make suitable arrangements for the reception of the returning volunteers from Mexico. The barbecue and reception took place September 29, 1847.

On motion, the meeting appointed the following gentlemen a committee of arrangements: Col. Thomas Nelson, William Orr, J. Twyman, John Wright, Thomas Crutcher, John N. Parsons, Massa Tanner, Joel Ma\ipin and J. C. W. McKinny.

On motion, the following gentlemen of the several townships were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions and provisions for the festival : -

On motion, the ^iieeting appointed the following gentlemen as a committee of invitation and correspondence: Hon. P. H. McBride, Maj. William J. Howell and Gen. R. D. Austin.

The Barbecue

A meeting of the committee of arrangements (for the barbecue to be given in honor of the Monroe volunteers) was held on Saturday hist, and made the following appointments: Marshal of the day - Col. Richard D. Austin. Assistant Marshals - Gen. Anderson W. Reid, Gen. William M. Sharp and Maj. Thomas Crutcher. Committee to superintend the cooking department - J. Twyman, William Orr, William Bridgford and Avory Grimes.

California Emigrants

No doubt the desire for gold has been the mainspring of all progress and enterprise in the county from the beginning till the present time, and Avill so continue to remote ages. Generally, however, this desire has been manifested in the usual avenues of thrift and industry. On one occasion it passed the bounds of reason and assumed the character of a mania. The gold fever first broke out in the fVdl of 1848 when stories began to spread about of the wonderful richness of the placer mines in California. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous reports that came from the Pacific slope, and nothing was talked of but the achievements of gold diggers. The papers were replete with the most extravagant stories, and yet the excitement was so orreat that the 2;ravest and most incredulous men were smitten with the contagion and hurriedly left their homes and all that was dear to them on earth to try the dangers, difficulties and uncertainties of hunting gold. Day after day and month after month were the papers filled with glowing accounts of California.

Instead of dying out, the fever rose higher and higher. It was too late in the fall of 1848 to cross the plains, but thousands of people in Missouri began their preparations for starting in the following spring. The one great sul)ject of discussion around the firesides that winter (1848) was the gold of California. It is said at one time the majority of the able-bodied men of the county were unsettled in mind, and were contemplating the trip to California. Even the most thoughtful and sober-minded found it most difficult to resist the infection.

Wonderful sights were seen when the emigrants passed through - sights that may never be seen again in Monroe cou;ity. Some of the emigrant wagons were drawn by cows ; other gold hunters went on foot and hauled their worldly goods in hand-carts. Early in the spring the rush began. It must have been a scene to liego-ar description. There was one continuous line of wagons from the Orient to the Occident, as far as the eye could reach, moving steadih' westward and, like a cyclone, drawing in its course on the right and left many of those along its path. The gold hunters of Monroe crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon trains, bidding farewell to their nearest and dearest friends, many of them never to be seen again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many who went, left quiet and peaceful homes only to find in the " Far West " utter disappointment and death.

Just how many persons went to California in 1849-50 from Monroe county cannot at this date be ascertained. It is supposed that the parties named below composed the majority of the emigrants from this county : -

Incident

While the emigrants were passing through the county the following incident occurred : A large, burly looking fellow was driving an ox team through the principal street in Paris. He was attempting to read all the names of the business men as he passed along, but, being an uneducated man, he had to spell each name out slowlv and then pronounce it. He came to the name of Heitz - Dr. Heitz - and began to spell it - H-e-i-t-z, but before he pronounced the name he exclaimed, "Dutchman, by G - d!" Dr. Heitz happened to be standing in his office door at the time, and it is said enjoyed the matter

We are indebted to Mr. David A. McKamey, who has just returned from California, for the following list of persons who have emigrated from Monroe and died in that country. We truly S3'mpathize with those who have received the sad intelligence of the death of their friends and relatives who have died in the distant region : -

When the first gun was fired upon Fort Sumpter (April 12, 1861), little did the citizens of the remote county of Monroe dream that the war which was then inaugurated would eventually, like the simultaneous disemboguement of a hundred volcanoes, shake this great nation from its center to its circumference.

Little did they then dream that the smoke of the bursting shells, which hurtled and hissed as they sped with lurid glare from rebel batteries upon that fatal morning, foreboded ravaged plains -

"Aad burning towns and ruined homes, And mangled limbs and dying groans, And widows' tears and orphans' moans, And all that misery's hand bestows To fill the catalogue of human woes."

Little did they dream that the war cloud which had risen above the waters of Charleston harbor would increase in size and gloom until its black banners had been unfurled throughout the length and breadth of the land.

Little did they imagine that war, with all its horrors, would invade their quiet homes, and with ruthless hand tear away from their fireside altars their dearest and most cherished idols.

Could the North and the South have foreseen the results of that internecine strife, there would be to-day hundreds of thousands of happier homes in the land, hundreds of thousands less hillocks in our cemeteries, hundreds of thousands less widows, hundreds of thousands less orphans, no unpleasant memories, and no legacies of hatred and bitterness left to rankle in the breasts of the living, who espoused the fortunes of the opposing forces.

All that transpired during that memorable struggle would fill a large volume. Monroe county, as did the State of Missouri generally, suffered much. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied by either one or the other antagonistic elements, and her citizens were called upon to contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. However much we might desire to enter into the details of the war, we could not do so, as the material for such a history is not at hand. Indeed, were it even possible to present the facts as they occurred, we doubt the propriety of doing so, as we would thereby reopen the wounds which have partially been healed by the flight of time and the hope of the future. It were better, perhaps, to let the passions and the deep asperities which were then engendered, and all that serves to remind us of that unhappy period, be forgotten. We have tried in vain to obtain the number and names of the men who entered the Confederate, army from Monroe county. No record of them has ever been preserved", either by the officers who commanded the men or by the Confederate government.

It is supposed about 600 men went into the Southern army. Hon. Theodore Brace raised the first company at Paris for State guards, numbering about 70 men. These men went into camp on Elk fork of Salt rivert six miles south of Paris. After being in the service six months they were discharged, when some of them entered the Southern army at the battle of Lexington.

The Battle At Monroe City

The only engagement that took place in Monroe county du ring the Civil War of 1861 where cannons were used was the fight at Monroe City. The following is a full and true account of the same as given by eye-witnesses, and those who participated in the engagement : -

"The war clouds hovering over North-east Missouri grew blacker and blacker, and the rumblings of the battle thundered louder and louder, and at last the storm broke.

Stiite Guard by Gov. Jackson under the military bill, and had established his headquarters first at Paris, and nex. at Florida, Monroe county, whither all the companies of the State Guard in this district or division (the 2d) were ordered to repair. About the 16th of June Capt. R. E. Dunn's company, near Philadelphia, of this county, took up the line of march for this rendezvous.

Capt. Dunn's men were well organized, disciplined and drilled. They were uniformed and armed with muskets purchased the previous fall from the Palmyra military company, and presented a fine, soldierly appearance. Arriving at Paris, the men from Marion were mistaken for Federal troops, and it is said quite a panic and fright ensued among Harris and his men.

The State Guard companies flocked to Gen. Harris in such numbers that by the 5th of July he had probably 500 men in his camp near Florida. By their scouts and spies the Federal military commanders were informed of his doings, and Col. Chester Harding at St. Louis, under authority from Gen. Lyon, ordered Col. Smith, of the Sixteenth Illinois, to march upon him and his fellow secessionist* and break up their camp. Smith had himself reinforced at Palmyra by four companies of the Third Iowa, one company of the Hannibal Home Guards, a piece of artillery, a six-pounder and got ready for the work.

On Monday evening, July 8, Col. Smith marched from Palmyra against Tom Harris. His force consisted of Companies A, F, H andK, ofthe Third Iowa Infantry ; Companies F and H, of the Sixteenth Illinois ; Capt. Loomis' company of the Hannibal Home Guards ; the sixpounder cannon - in all about 500 men, or not more than 600. The expedition Avent per rail to Monroe City, where it arrived in an hour and disembarked. It was intended to make a night march on Florida, about 12 miles a little west of south of Monroe, and attack Harris' camp at daylight, but a severe storm coming up prevented this plan - as perhaps it should not have done.

Tuesday morning (after his men had informed half the people of their destination) Col. Smith, with his entire command, not leaving even a guard at Monroe City to protect the town, the train and his stores of provision and ammunition, set out towards Florida to encounter Gen. Harris. As Monroe City is situated in the midst of an extensive prairie which stretches miles away in all directions, and as the troops were all infantry and marched slowly, their progress could be noted for hours, and ample preparation made on the part of the secesr^ionists to receive them, especially as 10 hours' notice had been given of their approach. Passing out of the prairie through the " Swinkey Hills " the Federal troops reached the farm of Robert Hagar,^ three or four miles north of Florida. Here in the thick timber and brush, and on the top of an eminence known as Hager's Hill, they encountered perhaps 50 secessionists under Capt. Clay Price, who had been sent out by Gen. Harris to reconnoiter. These at once, and without warning, opened fire from their ambush at close range, severely wounding Capt. McAllister and two privates (one named Prentiss) of the Sixteenth Illinois, slightly wounding a private of the Third Iowa, and killing the horse under Adjt. Woodall, of the Sixteenth.

The fire was returned and the Missourians retreated, leavins: one man mortally wounded, aijd perhaps half a dozen horses. This affair took place about four o'clock in the afternoon. Not caring to go on, and not daring to retreat through certain bodies of timber in the night on his way back to Monroe, Col. Smith went into camp on Hagar's farm, near the scene of the fight.

During the afternoon and night of the 9th, Col. Smith learned that he had stirred up a hornet's nest, and that the secessionists were swarming all about him, - that they had gotten in his rear and were playing havoc at Monroe City, and their numbers were constantly increasing. Early on Wednesday morning, the 10th, he began his retreat to Monroe City. On the " Swinkey Hills" his advance guard was attacked, but no serious damage done. Emers^ino; from the timber north of " Swinkey" or Elizabethtown, and coming in sight of Monroe, the Federals discovered the station-house, out-buildings, six passenger coaches, and ten or a dozen freight cars in flames. The Missourians, Capt. Owen's company, could be seen a mile away to the left, or west, w^atching the fire and the Federals. Col. Smith opened on them with his cannon and fired half a dozen or more round shots at them, one of which, it is said, killed a horse.

The station-house and train had been fired by 100 mounted secessionists, under command of Capt. John L. Owen, of Warren township, Marion county. The value of the cars destroyed was placed by the railroad company at $22,000; the station-house and contents, aside from the government stores, $18,000. The value of government property taken and destroyed was considerable. The same morning the train from Hannibal was fired on a few miles east of Monroe, it is said, by some of Capt. Owen's men and by his orders. The engineer was slightly wounded by a rifle ball in the arm.

Reaching the town, and finding himself surrounded, Col. Smith marched his men into a fine large two-stor}^ brick academy building in the place known as the ".Seminary, " took full possession of it and the grounds adjoining, around which he began throwing up breastworks, having dispatched a messenger to the nearest telegraph office to ask for reinforcements.

Meantime the greatest excitement had arisen in the surrounding c6untry, the news that 500 or 600 Yankees were " holed up " or "treed up" at Monroe spread like wild-fire. Hundreds of persons living within TO or 12 miles of the scene, roused by the messengers that went galloping over the country, by order of Gen. Harris, mounted horses and rode to the "battle," some actuated by mere curiosity, others determined to participate in the fight.

By noon Gen. Harris had collected around him probably 1,000 eflfective men, who were reasonably well armed and were eager to take a pop at the cooped-up Federals. His skirmishers crawled up as close to the academy building as they dared, and fired away at the windows and breastworks very briskly, with but little effect, however. The Union troops returned the fire at every good opportunity. The main portion of Harris' forces were at a safe distance, watching their enemies and taking pains that they should not escape.

The night of the 10th, Gen. Harris sent off for a cannon, the nine pounder which had been cast by Clever & Mitchell, of Hannibal, for Drescher's artillery company, and which was then hidden under a haystack on the farm of Blair Todd, a few miles north of Palmyra. The messengers dispatched for it were George W. Brashears and George Milton, of Owen's company, who had assisted in hiding the piece, as well as another six-pounder and a lot of balls. The six-pounder and the balls were under a pile of cord wood a mile west of Palmyra. The six-pounder was not mounted. The nine-pounder was serviceable, and with this Gen. Harris hoped to compel the Federals to surrender, or else batter down the buildino; and tumble the walls about their ears. That night a close watch was kept on the besieged that they did not make either a bold sortie or a stealthy attempt to escape.

Thursday, the 14th, the cannon came to the great delight of the Secessionists, and the bombardment beo;an about 1 o'clock. A'stranger from Ohio was chief gunner. There were only a few nine-pound balls and these were soon shot away. Nothing was then left for use but the smaller balls, and artillery practice with six-pound balls from a nine-pound gun was not certain to be accurate. Some amusino- incidents were narrated of the cannonading by Capt. Kneisley's o-un.

It was said that the only safe pUice within its range when discharged was only immediately in front of it. One shot, it is stated, struck ill the road 30 feet from the muzzle of the gun, and ricocheted over to the left a quarter of a mile, struck a blacksmith shop and dispersed a crowd of Secessionists, who fled in dismay, declaring they could not stand to be fired on by their own men and the Yankees too ! The academy was struck but a few times and no serious damage done. One shot struck the casing of a window in the upper story, damaging the wall and window and passing on through two brick partitions, knocking holes 10 inches in diameter and finally fiilling on the floor.

Another passed through a door and a partition wall in the lower story ; a third struck the stone foundation ; one shot passed through the breastwork, but did no injury. In the meanwhile the number of Missourians gathered around had increased to 1200 or 1500, many of whom were not warriors pro tern, but mere spectators who had come to see " the fun." Even ladies and children had ridden up in carriages and wagons, and seated in their conveyances under the shade of parasols and umbrellas, watched the battle, the first perhaps ever graced by the presence of the fair sex, out of deference to whose sensibilities it is to be presumed the occasion was made as bloodless as possible.

It was a sort of picnic or holiday and while it lasted nothing occurred to mar the enjoyment of the occasion. Not a man was killed or badly wounded on either side by an enemy's ball. Gen. Harris was a great speech-maker. Where two or three were gathered together and he in the midst, he would, it is declared, mount the nearest elevation and proceed to orate. He could not let this occasion pass without making one of his noblest efl'orts. At noon on Thursday he assembled some of his troops and addressed them. His cannon had not yet arrived he told them and without it he could not take the academy unless at the sacrifice of many noble lives. He further said a large reinforcement for Col. Smith was hourly looked for and he thought the best thing that could be done under the circumstances was to retreat. He then directed his troops to disperse, repair to their encampments and await orders. This, however, they refused to do. Then the cannon came up amid great cheering and the fight was resumed, without a leader really on the part of the Secessionists, every man fighting " on his own hook."

Meanwhile Col. Robert Smith was not a little disturbed at the situation. He had unwisely allowed the greater part of his ammunition to be captured or destroyed and he had but a few cannon balls or shells or other artillery ammunition, and so his six-pounder was not of much service. He saved his ammunition in expectation of an assault, by firing bolt pins gathered from the ashes of the burnt railroad cars. True, his enemies were doinsr him no damage. Out of 25 or more of their cannon shots, only three had hit the building', and the shot-guns and squirrel rifles could avail but little against strong breastworks and brick walls. Yet he feared that another and a more efficient piece of artillery might be brought up, and that Gen. Harris' already large force would be made larger, before his own reinforcements could be brought up. Gen. Harris failed to tear up the railroad track east and west of the town, as thoroughly as he could have done, and as he had no force in either direction, there was nothing to prevent the arrival of reinforcements for Col. Smith from either Quincy, Hannibal or Hudson, at all of which points it was known that Federal troops were stationed. True, Salt river bridge, to the west 10 miles, had been burned, but a transfer could easily be made and the distance soon compassed.

At about half past 4 o'clock, a train was seen slowly approaching from the east, and as it came well in view, it was discovered to be crowded with Federal soldiers and upon a flat car a brass cannon gleamed ominously in the slanting rays of the declining sun. The beleaguered Federals sent up a loud cheer ; the cannon on the car opened with grape and Gen. Harris and his troops, to use an expression common in the Civil War, skedaddled inshort order, or rather in no order at all. Eye-witnesses describe the scene as highly ludicrous. Many of the would-be soldiers hid their guns and sought safety in the carriages with the women and the children. Others galloped wildly away. The prairie was covered with buggies, carriages, wagons, horsemen and footmen - all fleeing for dear life, and becoming more te 'or-stricken every rod they traversed. The majority of the State guards, however, retreated in good order to the westward and northward, carrying off their cannon, which was hidden that night and for some days in the timber a few miles north of the town and west of Santy Calverts. Capt. Owen took off" his company without much confusion and disorder. The Federal reinforcement proved to be Cos. A, B and D of the Sixteenth Illinois, under Maj. Hays of that regiment, accompanied by a nine-pound field piece manned by volunteer artillerists. The whole force numbered about 275 men and had come from Palmyra and Hannibal to relieve their comrades and commander from their predicament. While these events were progressing, the most painful and exaggerated reports and rumors were flying through the country, reaching not only Palmyra and Hannibal, but Quincy, Springfield, Chicago, and even New York and Washington. One report was, that a desperate battle was taking place at Monroe City, and that Col. Smith's regiment had been surrounded and was being cut to pieces. The Fourteenth Illinois, Col. John M. Palmer (afterwards Major-General and subsequently Governor of the State), and the 21st Illinois, Col. U. S. Grant (afterwards Lieutenant-General, etc.), and other Illinois troops, in camp at Springfield and Quincy, were ordered to the rescue. Palmer reached Monroe City on the morning of the 12th and remained two days, returning to Quincy. Grant came up a day later and went to Mexico. By Friday morning 2,000 Union troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, had reached Palmyra on their way to the scene of war.

One body of reinforcements for Col. Smith, under ex-Governor Wood, of Illinois, came from Quincy down the river and landed at Marion City, and thence marched to Palmyra and on to Monroe. The old warehouse at Marion City had been burned a few days before. About 1,200 troops started from St. Joseph on the 11th and were joined at Hudson (or Macon City) by 700 more. These were detained, however, by the burning of Salt river bridge, which locality they reached on the 12th. The evening of the 11th the greater portion of Smith's command, including some of those who had been in the seminary, returned to Palmyra. Federal troops soon scattered. Grant and Palmer went down on the North Missouri. The Iowa troops from St. Joseph returned and Col. Smith remained in this quarter.

Gen. Thomas Harris with a portion of his command went southward in the direction of Jefferson City. Near Fulton, Callaway county, he was dispersed by a regiment of Home Guards, under Col. John McNeil, in an affair that was known as " the Fulton races." In a* "^ew days quiet was restored ; trains were running regularly over the road by the 18th, transferring at Salt river for a few days until the bridge was built. A day or two after the affair at Monroe the Federals burned the residence of Capt. John L. Owen and seized a number of horses and mules and a laro:e lot of bacon belonofins: to him. This was done, as was claimed, in retaliation for his destruction of the railroad property at Monroe.

During the fight at Monroe two or three of Smith's men were slightly wounded. Of the secessionists, one man was killed by the accidental discharge of his own gun, and another had three fingers shot ofl'. Another had a valuable horse killed, and one poor watch-dog, a non-combutaiit, lost his life by a stray shot. After Gen. Harris had ordered the Missoiirians to disperse, the daughter of a prominent citizen of Marion county, living near Marion City, approached within 100 yards of the Federal breastworks, cheered for Jeif Davis, and urged the secessionists to charge the academy and drive " the Hessians " out. Her father and two brothers were in^ the State Guard at the time.

Capt. McAllister and the other men wounded at the " Hagar Hill" fight were taken to Palmyra, and Capt. McAllister was given quarters at George Lane's hotel - the Overton House.

Sir : In accordance with your order, on the 8th of this month I left my headquarters at Palmyra, Mo., with Cos. F and H of the Sixteenth Illinois regiment, and Cos. A, F, Hand K of the Third Iowa regiment, and Co. A of Hannibal Home Guards, and one six-pounder and proceeded to this place. A heavy rain storm coming on retarded our further progress. Early on the morning of the 9th I started out in search of the rebel force under Harris. At 4 o'clock p. m. when about 12 miles south of Monroe, our advance guard was fired into by the enemy, concealed in a clump of timber and brush, the first volley severely wounding Capt. McAllister of Co. G, Fifteenth Illinois regiment, also Private Prentiss of Co. A, same regiment, and slightly wounding a private of an Oliio regiment. I immediately ordered a charge and drove the enemy from their cover. As they were all mounted it was impossible to follow them further with advantage. We found one of their men mortally wounded and have reason to believe several more were shot who were carried off by their friends, and captured several horses, saddles and bridles.

We made camp near this place for the night. On the morning of the 10th, having heard rumors of trouble at Monroe station, moved my command back. On coming in sight of Monroe found the station, out-houses, 17 passenger and freight cars and other railroad property in flames and found the enemy collected to the number of 300 to 400 on our left. On nearing them they began to move off, when I brought forward the field piece and sent a few round shots into their ranks, Scattering them in all directions. The only damage done here that I know of was one horse killed. After coming into Monroe I took possession of a brick building known as the Seminary and enclosed grounds adjoining, its position answering my purpose for defense if necessary and the apartments good quarters for the men who were without tents. During the day we made several advances on the enemy without being able to get near enough to do much damage.

men. At 1 o'clock p. m., they opened fire upon us from one nine and one six-pounder,^ at a distance" of about a mile. Their firing was very inaccurate, only three shots out of the first 27 strikinir the building, and they did very little damage, my men being well covered by a breastwork they had thrown up. After throwing their first six shots, they moved their cannon some 400 yards nearer and opened fire. 1 immediately answered with the six-pounder, dismounting their smaller o-un, (?) which made a general scattering, and caused them to carry their nine-pounder to a safer distance. Their firing from this time had little or no etfect

Much credit is due Capt. Fritz, of Co. F, Sixteenth regiment, for the able manner with which he led his men throughout our little expedition. Also to gunner Fishbourn, who planted his shot among them every time, but who had to deal sparingly, as he was almost out of shot^ when we were relieved. I was much pleased with the officers and men generally, for their coolness and obedience to orders throughout.

At 4 :30 o'clock p. m., of the Uth, a train was seen coming from the east with reinforcements. It proved to be Maj. Hays, of my regiment, with Cos. D,B, and A, of the Sixteenth Illinois, and one ninepounder field piece. The enemy now began to move ofi* and by dark had left the field entirely, since which time they have been skulking about the country in squads, burning wood-piles, small bridges and culverts, when opportunity oflers of doing so without danger. On the morning of the 12th, we were again reinforced by Col. Palmer's Fourteentirregiment, which returned to Quincy to-day, leaving us in a worse position than ever, with the exception that we have more ammunition. Col. Palmer brought two brass field pieces with him which he took away. Something of the kind would be very acceptable here just now, as there is a sUght probability of their being useful.

Capture Of Paris

Wednesday, July 30, 1862, a few days after the battle of Morris Mill in Callaway county, Col. Joseph Porter, coming north into Marion, Lewis and other counties, sent Joseph Thompson with a force of men who captured Paris. The county officials and a few Union citizens were arrested and paroled. Porter came up that night with 400 men, and after remaining a few hours left town, going north.

Grant S Expedition Vs. Col. Tom Harris

The first service in the field (Civil War) performed by Gen. U. S. Grant was from Hunnewell to Florida against Col. Harris. (For particulars, see history of Shelby county.)

During the time of Porter's raid, and while the Federals occupied Paris, the Mercury suspended - the Union soldiers took possession of the office and published (one issue) a red-hot radical paper.

In the early spring of 1862, a band of men under Marion Marmaduke were routed near Elliott's Mills, on Salt river above Stoutsville, by a company of the Eleventh Missouri State Militia, commanded by John F. Benjamin, of Shelby county. The lieutenant and four men were captured. Marmaduke leaped his horse over a high bank, swam Salt river and escaped. Lieut. Rowland Harvey was taken to Shelbyville and in a few days shot in retaliation for some Unionists killed by bushwhackers. (See history of Shelby county.)

Florida Fight

July 22, 1862, 400 Confederates under Col. Joseph Porter met 50 men of the Third Iowa Cavalry, under Col. H. C. Caldwell (now U. S. Judge, Eastern District of Arkansas), at Florida. The Confederates were returning South from Knox county and met the Federal soldiers unexpectedly. A fight ensued. The Federals lost six men, killed and wounded - the Confederates, one killed and three wounded. The Federals retreated to Paris and the Confederates went south.

Botts' Bluff Fight

A few days after the Florida engagement. Col. Porter and the Third Iowa Cavalry met again on the farm of Mr. Botts, near Santa Fe, when another fight ensued, with a loss to the Federals of one killed and three wounded and to the Confederates of one killed and three wounded.

About May 6, 1862, Lieut. Theodore Brooks, Co. F, Ninth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia (Guitar's Regiment), had a scouting party in the southern part of Monroe, near Santa Fe. The party was staying at a house all night. Confederates heard of them, resolved to take them in - capture horses, etc. Made attack ; alarm given ; soldiers ran out at stable lot. Lieut. Brooks was shot by one of his own men (Sergt. W. W. Conger, of Centralia, who was killed in boiler explosion a few weeks ago ) , and died soon after. It was dark and Conger thought that Brooks was a Confederate. Brooks was from Columbia, a gallant and talented fellow.

The Fight At Paris

On the afternoon of October 15, 1864, at about the hour of three o'clock, the Confederate soldiers numbering about 500 men, under the command of Col. McDonald, entered the town of Paris from the west, in hot haste, with whoofDS and yells. Col. McDonald's object was to capture a company of militia, numbering 60 or 70 men, in charge of Capt. William E. Fowkes. Capt. Fowkes and his company were, at the time, quartered at the Glenn House. The Confederates at once attacked the building containing the militia, their fire being returned in a spirited manner. After firing at each other at intervals from three p. m. to six p. m., Capt. Fowkes with his company surrendered. The Confederates had kindled a fire under a frame building, which stood where the Masonic Hall building now stands, and this being connected by other frame buildings with the Glenn House, they thus expected to set fire to the latter. This fact being made known to Capt. Fowkes, and at the same time a flag of truce from Col. McDonald, being borne by Mrs. Fowkes, the Captain's wife, who was ushered into his presence, induced him to surrender. His men were all ^aaroled, only one person in either command was hurt, - a man by the name of Mills, in Capt. Fowkes' company, receiving a slight wound.

Maj. A. V. E. Johnson

It was from Paris that Maj. A. V. E. Johnson started (September 26, 1864,) with detachments of Cos. A, G and H, Thirty-ninth Missouri, in pursuit of Bill Anderson, George Todd, John Thrailkill, et al. The next day, September 27th, the fight occurred near Centralia, where Johnson and 122 of his men were killed.

Confederate Soldiers Union Soldiers

Under calls previous to December 19, 1864, Monroe county furnished 474, being 7 more than her quota. Under call of December 19, 1864, the county furnished 134. There was no deficiency under the draft.