Saline County, Missouri - Chapter 8: Events from 1 834 to 184o, 1910

Chapter 8: Events from 1 834 to 184o

1lie winter of 1834 and 1835 was very severe, the intense cold being long remembered. Cattle had their horns frozen off and, in some instances, their feet. Hogs and fowls perished in great numbers, and there was great damage done to the peach trees and other fruit trees. It was probably the most severe winter ever experienced by the early settlers of this county.

The most notable event of 1836 was the ])residential election, the candidates being Martin VanBuren and Richard M. Johnson, of the Democratic partv; ^^'illiam Henry Harrison and Francis Granger, of the Whig party, and Hugh L. AVhite, of Tennessee, of the Independent, the latter being the brother-in-law of Gen. Thomas A. Smith, General Smith having married his sister. Dr. John Sappington was one of the Democratic electors, and his sonin-law, Claiborne F. Jackson, then a resident of Arrow Rock and a rising politician and a promising young canvasser, took an active part as a stump speaker for the Democratic party. The vote of Saline county was, Van- Buren, 178: White, T25: Harrison, 50. The vote of the state was, Van- Buren, 10,995; Harrison, 7,337; White, 3.256. The election resulted in the choice of VanBuren by the electoral college, he receiving one hundred and seventy votes, seventy-three for Harrison and twenty-six for White. South Carolina cast her vote for W. P. Mangum, of North Carolina, Massachuscttes gave her fourteen votes to her favorite son. Daniel \\>bster. There was no choice of Vice-President by the electoral college, no candidate receiving a majoritv of all the votes. The Senate was called upon to elect, and that body, being largelv Democratic, chose Col. R. M. Johnson, who killed Tecumseh.

Cholera appeared again in the county this year, occasioning some excitement, l)ut there were only a few victims. Travel to St. Louis, though, was entirelv cut off and all intercourse suspended with infected places.

In this year, 1837, Colonel Gentry's regiment of volunteers left the state to take part in the Seminole w^ar in Florida. '^^Fhis Seminole war was the most serious one the government ever had with the Indians, lasting for seven years and refjuiring the whole power of the United States to overcome them. There were a few of Saline county citizens from the Big bottom who volunteered for this w^ar, joining Capt. Congreve Jackson's company from Howard county, which was one of the best companies in Gentry's regiment.

At the battle of Okechobee, December 25, 1837, Colonel Gentry and a number of his men were killed amidst the canebrakes in the Florida swamps. Col. James Chiles, of Jackson county, Missouri, was lieutenant-colonel of the regiment and in the midst of the fight when Colonel Gentry was killed. Colonel Chiles told the author of this book, years afterwards, that Gentry was killed in the midst of the battle, and the men falling in every direction around him, while there was not an Indian to be seen, and on being asked how he felt at that time, he said he never wanted to get away from a place as bad in his life. The Indians were entirely hidden from view by the dense canebrakes. Colonel Chiles became distinguished in command of the Missouri troops in the war against the Mormons the next vear.

At that time several settlements of Mormons had congregated in the western part of the state, and the people determined to drive them out, and did so in what was called the Mormon war. A company of men from Saline county, under Captain Wolfskill, took an active part in this war against the Mormons. The members of this company were all well mounted and armed, and at the end of the campaign against the Mormons the latter were driven out of the state, taking refuge for a while in the state of Illinois, and eventually in the valley of the Great Salt lake in Utah.

In 1839 the county seat was removed from Jonesboro, where it had been for eight years past, to Arrow Rock, and from thence it was removed to Alarshall, the permanent county seat.

February 5, 1839, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the removal of the county seat of Saline county to the center of the county, or as near thereto as practicable, naming five commissioners to fix the site for the new county seat. These commissioners were Hugh Barnett, of Lafayette, Amos Home, of Johnson, Joseph Dixon and George McKinney, of Carroll, and Caton Usher, of Chariton. The commissioners met on Thursday, April nth, at the home of David Bailey, and on the 13th made the following report:

"In obedience to an act of the General Assembly, approved Februarv 8, 1839, we, Hugh Barnett, of Lafayette county; Amos Home, of Johnson county; Caton Usher, of Chariton countv, and George McKinnev, of Carroll county, met at the house of David Bailey, in SaHne county, Missouri, on Thursday, the nth day of April, 1839, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions- of said act of the Assembly, and after learning the reasons why Joseph Dixon, of Carroll county, did not appear, we proceed to appoint, in lieu of Joseph Dixon, James Lucas, of said county of Carroll, and after being duly sworn, according to the act of the Assembly, we did proceed to ascertain, as near as possible, or practicable, the center of the county of Saline, according to a map of the said county, furnished us by the register of the land ofifice, at Fayette, Missouri, which we deemed to be in the center of section 10, in township 50, range 21, and not finding it to be a suitable place for the location of a county seat, we proceeded to examine the lands generally around the center of section 10, as aforesaid, and found, as we deemed to be the most suitable place nearest the said center of section 10 to be upon the lands of Jeremiah Odell, in section 15, in township 50, and range 21. Whereupon, the said Jeremiah Odell agreed to give, or donate, to the county of Saline, for the purpose of locating thereupon the permanent seat of justice for Saline county, sixtj^-five acres, to be taken from the north end of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 15, as above described: and upon examining the title papers exhibited, and being satisfied that the said Odell's title was good, we have located the permanent seat of justice for Saline county, according to the act of Assembly aforesaid, upon the sixty-five acres of land, to be taken from, as above stated, the north end of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 15, and in township 50, and off of range 21. donated by Jeremiah Odell, and have received from him a deed of general warranty for the said sixty-five acres of land, which is herewith respectfully submitted." (Signed by the five commissioners serving, April 13, 1839.)

This report of the commissioners was approved by the Hon. ^^^illiam Scott, at that time a judge of this circuit, July 18, 1839. The Hon. William Scott was afterwards for many years a very distinguished judge of the supreme court. Two men, by their attorney, the Hon. David Todd, offered a remonstrance against the confirmation of the report, but their objections were disregarded, being considered trivial, and so the report was approved by the circuit judge. The judge then appointed Cornelius Davis to superintend the survey and platting of the town and sell the lots. The commissioner was ordered to advertise the sale of the lots in the Boone's Lick Democrat, the Howard county paper, which he did, naming September 23d, following, the date for said sale. Notice of the sale as it appeared in the Boone's Lick Democrat gave a very flattering description of the town site and the surrounding country, commending it to the business men as a desirable point at which to locate. One hundred lots were ordered to be sold, and the sale came off as advertised, Thomas M. Davis acting as auctioneer and Horatio S. Chammers was clerk. The first lot, number one, in block four, was sold to William Miller for fifteen dollars. The second, lot eight, in block four, to William Hook for ten dollars. The third lot, number two, in block seven, to Clement Craig for nineteen dollars. The highest price lot was sold to Asa Finley for one hundred and thirty-six dollars, but Governor Marmaduke paid one hundred and eighty-five for lot three, in block nine, and William Lewis paid one hundred and eighty-two for lot two, in block twenty, being lots fronting on the public square.

The judge of the court ordered an election to be held August 5th. for the purpose of allowing the voters of the county to select a temporary seat of government for the county. At the election. Arrow Rock was chosen by the voters, and the county seat was moved there about the middle of August, 1839. Arrow Rock remained the county seat for only a few months until it was removed permanently to ^Marshall, which has remained tlie countv seat ever since.

The first term of county court in Arrow Rock was held November 11. 1839. Gilmore Hayes and William A. W^ilson were the justices present. The first term of the circuit court was held there in November. 1839. William Scott being judge ; John A. Trigg, clerk, and David S. \\'ilson, sheriff'. The house occupied by the courts belonged to Benjamin Huston.

At the session of the court in August, 1840. the new county seat was occupied by the court. The court made an order that the countv seat should be called Marshall in honor of John Marshall, late chief justice of the United States.

At the November term of the court, the commissioner of the countv seat was required and authorized to give notice in the Boone's Lick Democrat that sealed proposals would be recei\'ed by him for the building of a court house in accordance with the plan suljmitted by Henry Hook, said plan ordered to be filed.

- At the same term of court, it was ordered that the sum of twelve thousand dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated for the building of the court house, and in addition thereto, any amount of money, which might be donated by patriotic citizens for that purpose.

At the February term, 1840, the contract for building the court iKuise was awarded to William Hook for the sum of nine thousand dollars, payable in three installments, the building to be completed by November i. 1841. There was one other bid, which amounted to eleven thousand, seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and forty cents. The plan called for a court house of brick, forty-five by forty feet, on a stone foundation, two stories high, the roof to be sufficiently strong to support a cupola, well sheeted and shingled, two staircases to connect the lower and upper floors, to be painted and finished in good style, in a neat and workmanlike manner and with good material.

Early Records

There was nothing very remarkable or peculiar about the early records of Saline county. The first deed to real estate was dated 14th day of January, 1 82 1, it being a deed to a New Madrid claim on the river in the northern part of the county. The next deed recorded was made by Taylor Berry and Fanny Berry, his wife, to Gen. Thomas A. Smith for a New Madrid claim, also, of six hundred and forty acres. The grantor in this deed, Taylor Berry, was a distinguished citizen and a leading man of Franklin, Howard county, and a lawyer of prominence. He and another lawyer, Abiel Leonard of that place, had a difficulty in the court of the justice of the peace, where Berry struck Leonard with a cowhide. For this offense, he was challenged by Leonard, and a duel arranged to be fought several months afterwards on an island in the Mississippi river, opposite the line between Missouri and Arkansas, called Wolf island. This duel proved fatal to Mr. Berry, his antagonist, Leonard, escaping without injury. The date of this deed was March 13, 1821.

There were various other conveyances recorded at that time, bonds, for deeds, deeds of trust, chattel mortgages, etc., and a deed of a gift of a slave in the following language :

"We, the undersigned, do certify that Anthony Thomas, Sr., did, this morning, about nine o'clock, being indisposed in health, though of sound mind and memory, call on us both to bear testimony to his declaration, which, after calling his youngest son, Anthony C, and his slave, George, before his presence, then (spoke) as follows, to-wit : Tn consequence of Anthony having been afflicted with a scrofulous white swelling, and his liability to further afflictions of the kind, I believe him to be constitutionally debilitated, and have, therefore, thought it expedient (to give him) this boy, George.' He then, taking the slave, George, by the hand, delivered him to the said Anthony, saying: 'Before these witnesses, I give, bequeath and deliver to you, Anthony, my son. for yourself, your heirs and assigns, forever, this slave.

George ; but you are not to take full possession of him during your mother's or my lifetime.' In witness of which we have hereto set our hands and seals the day and year above written.

At the November term, 1836, ^^'. B. Xapton, who lived at Jefferson City, presented his commission as attorney general, having been appointed by the governor. Under the law at that time, it was the duty of the attorney general to prosecute all state cases in the trial court in the first circuit, of which this county formed a part. It was also his duty to prosecute all state cases in the supreme court.

At the March term, 1837, William Scott, of Cole county, produced his commission as judge of the circuit court, had the same filed and took his seat as such.

At the same term, Dewitt McNutt was admitted to the bar to practice as an attorney, and some years afterwards represented the county in the Legislature.

At the same term. Gen. George R. Smith was admitted to practice as an attorney. He lived at Georgetown, Pettis county, Missouri, and was the man who afterwards founded Sedalia.

Many of the well-known people were engaged in civil suits pending in the courts at that time. One firm, Jackson & Miller, who kept a store at Arrow Rock, had several suits pending as plaintiffs against some defendant, and also the firm of Darwin, Sappington & Company, who had a store at Jonesboro, were plaintiffs in several suits for the collection of debts.

Affairs From 1 84O To The Mexican War

Tlie presidential campaign of 1840 excited general interest throughout the state of Missouri, and in fact all over the United Steates. The Whig party nominated General Harrison as its candidate for President, with John Tyler of Virginia for Vice-President. The Democrats renominated VanBuren and Johnson. The candidacy excited more interest and enthusiasm than any that had ever taken place in the history of the country. There had been a great stringency in the money market, the financial embarrassment occasioning- hard times throughout the country. In the Western states there was scarcely any currency at all, and the traffic was reduced to an exchange of commodities between the farmer and the merchants. The laboring men were either out of employment altogether or compelled to work for very low wages, and prices of all produce had fallen to the lowest figures, producing general discontent throughout the western country. Very naturally the people contributed the distressing condition of affairs to the administration of VanBuren of the Democratic party. The Whigs took advantage of this situation, conducting their campaign with great ardor and enthusiasm. Mass conventions of great numbers of people were held, converted into regular political campmeetings in many instances, and remaining in session for several days at a time. The object of both parties seemed to be to carry the election by music and banners. At the time General Harrison was clerk of the court of Hamiltfin county. Ohio, living in a house of one room built of logs. A Democratic editor visiting the place observed that in addition to the humble style of the General's dwelling, on the outer walls of the log kitchen a coon skin was nailed up in the process of curing. Returning home, this Democratic editor commented facetiously upon these things, sneering at a party whose candidate sought the exalted office of President living in a log cabin, ornamented with a coon's skin, having nothing better to drink than hard cider. Ihimediately the \\diigs took up the statement of the Democratic editor, acknowledging the facts, of which they were justly proud, and the campaign was thereafter known as the "Log Cabin, Coon Skin and Hard Cider Campaign." Monster \\'hig meetings were held all o\er the country, at which l(^g cabins of all sizes, live coons and veritable hard cider were displayed. Processions were formed miles in lengtli. containing every unique feature that could be conceived. Cannons were fired, bells rung", amid all sorts and kinds of fuss and fustian indulged in by the partisans of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."

To counteract the influence of these great meetings, the Democrats held their great meetings also, which equalled, if they did not surpass, the efforts of the \Miigs. Invoking the name and the prestige of (General Jackson, who ardent!}' supported Mr. VanBuren. they adopted hickory boughs and chicken cocks as their party emblem and defiantly waved the former and caused the latter to crow exultantly in the faces of their opponents.

In this county, for the first time in its history, the campaign was very exciting. One of the oldest and most prominent citizens. M. M. Marmaduke. was the Democratic candidate for lieutenant-governor. He and his friends made extraordinary efiforts to carry the county. Meetings were held at Arrow Rock, Miami, Old Jefiferson and other points, Claiborne F. Jackson leading in the canvass. The Democratic candidate. Thomas Reynolds, made one speech in the county at Marshall. The Whigs were equally as active and determined as the Democrats. They had the majority of the voters of the countv. and they permitted no changes to take place if they could possibly help it. Their organization was very complete and managers very active, carrving the county by the following vote : Harrison and l\vler, three hundred and seventy-five; VanBuren and Johnson, three hundred and twenty-two; leaving fiftv-three majority for the Whigs. At the preceding presidential election, the regular Democratic candidate had carried the county by a pluralitv of forty-three. In this campaign, the Democrats carried the state, however, the governor being elected by seven thousand four hundred and thirteen majority, and the presidential candidate by six thousand, se\-en hundred and eighty-eight.

On September 2 1 St of this year, the first term of the county court was held in Marshall, the new county seat. Gilmore Hayes and W. A. ^^'ilson were present as justices, John A. Trigg was clerk, and Robert Fields, sherifif.

On the morning of the 9th of February, 1844, Governor Thomas Reynolds committed suicide in the governor's room at Jefiferson City by shooting himself in the head with a rifle. Thereupon, M. !\[. ^larmaduke. of this county, became governor. His administration was short comparatively, and the Legislature assembling in November, he sent in his first and only annual message.

In June of this year, 1844, occurred the high water in the Missouri river, in wdiich all the bottoms were overflowed. All the river bottoms in Saline county were overflowed and the people were forced to retreat to higher lands,

In the presidential election of this year, James K. Polk, of Tennessee, and George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, were the Democratic candidates against Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, the nominees of the Whigs. The canvass this year was almost as exciting and conducted with as great an amount of warmth and enthusiasm on either side as it was in the campaign of 1840. The Whigs carried the county by one hundred and forty-five majority. The Democrats, however, carried the state with forty-one thousand three hundred and sixty-nine for Polk, and thirty-one thousand two hundred and fifty-one votes for Clay.

Mexican. War

Our war with Mexico came on in 1846, the annexation of Texas to the United States being declared as the cause of the war by Mexico. The President of the United States announced that war actually existed between Mexico and the United States and called on the Congress to so declare and provide for the declaration of war and the raising of troops.

At this time the army under General Taylor, in what is now southwestern Texas, was found in a somewhat perilous situation, and General Gaines, then in command at New Orleans, being advised of this fact and believing that an action of the authorities at Washington would be too late to afford relief, requested of the different states lying west of the Mississippi to raise volunteers for the service. Edwards, the governor of this state, promptly responded, calling on Saline county for fifty men. Gen. George AV. Lewis, commanding the division of the Missouri militia, appointed May 21st for the meeting of the people for the purpose of raising the requisite number of men by volunteer enlistment if practicable, or by draft if necessary. On the day so appointed, more than the required number volunteered for the war. A company was organized, and John W. Reid, then a lawyer at Marshall, was elected captain, Calvin J. Miller, first lieutenant, and Thomas E. Staples, second lieutenant. At their own expense, the members of this company went down to St. Louis and reported to Col. Robert Campbell for service, but were refused. The government had annulled or disregarded the order of General Gaines and placed him under arrest for issuing it. Mortified at the turn of affairs, the Saline county men came back home. They were joked at l)y their neighbors for a time, but all this soon passed away.

teers to conduct the war. President Polk called on Governor Edwards for a regiment of volunteers to join the Army of the West, then under command of Col. Stephen W. Kearney, of the First United States Regular Dragoons, in an expedition against Santa Fe and other Mexican possessions belonging to the territory of Mexico and known as New Mexico. Then Governor Edwards called on Saline county for a company of eighty men. The response was as prompt and eager as could have been desired, and some of the best men of Saline county prepared to rally for the conduct of the war. The people assembled at Marshall and a company of one hundred men volunteered for the service. On the 30th of May they elected John W. Reid, captain, by acclamation. There were two candidates for the office of first lieutenant, resulting in the election of C. J. Miller, and for second lieutenant, F. A. Bush was elected. Non-commissioned officers were also elected.

The next morning, June 5, 1846, the company was presented with a handsome flag by the ladies of Marshall, which they promised to return unsullied, or not at all, and, with goodbyes and stirring emotions, the company rode away, with the best wishes for success and fervent prayers for safe return by a great concourse of people, who had assembled to witness the departure. They marched off for Fort Leavenworth, to which point the regiment had been ordered to rendezvous.

The company made its first camp upon the fami of John Lewis near Grand Pass, Lewis and Captain Reid having been particular friends of long standing, and the entire company was treated to a bountiful supper and breakfast and their horses furnished abundant forage, receiving very hospitable treatment and a royal welcome. The following day, June 6th, the company arrived at Dover, Lafayette county, where it was received and welcomed by a public meeting of the citizens of the town and surrounding country. Mr. O'Bannon made an eloquent speech on behalf of the people, to which Captain Reid, who was himself a very gallant and gifted man, responded. The members were also treated to several other speeches in addition to mint juleps in abundance to such an extent that both horses and men were too highly elevated to continue the march, camping for the night near Dover.

On Sunday, June 7th, Liberty, Clay county, was reached, where the company was right generously entertained at supper and breakfast at the hotel, and their horses all fed and cared for at the livery stables. The hospitality received at Liberty might have been attributed to some extent to the fact that Hon. A. W. Doniphan, a prominent and leading citizen of that place,

At Fort Leavenworth, before they were mustered into the service of the United States, the men were told if there were any among- them who wished to withdraw, now was their time, for after they were sworn and mustered in, desertion would be punished with death. One man, John Miller, withdrew, and M. A. and Oscar Haynie and William Bartlett were rejected.

The following is the role of the company that was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth June 10, 1846, all of whom were from Saline county except seven, who joined at the fort. The company was styled Company D, First Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers :

The regiment was organized at Fort Leavenworth and designated as First Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and was composed of eight companies. Company A was from Jackson county. Captain Waldo ; Company B, from Lafayette county. Captain Walton ; Company C, from Clay county, Captain Moss ; Company D from Saline county. Captain Reid* ; Company E, from Franklin county, Captain Stephenson ; Company F, from Cole county. Captain Parsons ; Company G, from Howard county. Captain Jackson, and Company H, from Callaway county. Captain Rogers. The field officers were elected by these companies, and commissioned afterwards. There were two

* John W. Rcid, captain of Company D, Saline county, was born at Lynchlnirg, Virginia, June 14, 1820; died suddenly at Lee's Summit, Jackson county, Missouri.

Captain Reid came of patriotic families, and his ancestors fought in the Revolution : one of them founded Liberty Hall Academy, now Washington and Lee University, Virginia. He grew to manhood at La Porte, Indiana, where he was given a classical education. When but little more than twenty, he moved to Alissouri, and lived in Saline count}^ He first taught school, then studied law, and was admitted to the bar; he practiced with considerable success. His record as a soldier in the Mexican war was famed for gallantry and courage. It was claimed that he was put forward on all occasions to enable him to make a great record ; other captains claimed that he was too much favored, and on this account, he was not generally popular in the regiment. He was prominent in the candidates for the colonelcy of the regiment, A. W. Doniphan, from Clay, and Colonel Price, from Howard. Doniphan was chosen colonel by a nearly unanimous vote, and after a spirited contest between C. F. RufT and William T. Gilpin for the office of lieutenant-colonel, the former was elected, Gilpin being chosen major of the regiment.

To the First Missouri Mounted Volunteers were afterwards joined Captain Hudson's company, the Laclede Rangers ; also two companies of artillery from St. Louis in charge of Captains Weightman and Fisher and under command of Major Clarke, and two companies of infantry under Captains Murphy and Augney. Besides these were Kearney's dragoons ; and these commands composed the members of the famed "Doniphan's Expedition."

After a brief period spent in arming, drilling and disciplining the men, the expedition prepared to set out for Santa Fe in New Mexico. Alexander \\\ Doniphan, who had been elected colonel, was a private in the company from Clay county, an eminent lawyer, and a man who had distinguished himself as a brigadier-general in the campaign of 1838, against the Mormons in the far West, and who had also honorably served his countrymen as a member of the state Legislature and the foremost criminal lawyer then living in the state. During his career as a lawyer in Missouri it is said he defended fiftysix men indicted for murder in the first degree, all of whom were acquitted but two, those two receiving penitentiary sentences.

When the column was on the eve of departure for the distant borders of New Mexico, the people in western Missouri collected in crowds at the fort to bid their sons, brothers and relatives adieu before they launched upon the boundless plains of the W^est. The ushering of an army upon the bosom of the great prairie, with flags and pennants gaily streaming in the breeze is a sight no less interesting in its nature, and there can be no less solicitude felt for its safety than is manifested at the departure of a fleet for some distant land when, with spreading sails, the vessels launch upon the restless, heaving deep. Before the expedition set out, the patriotic ladies from the adjacent counties border troubles between i\Jissouri and Kansas prior to the Civil war and commanded the , Missouri forces that burned Osawatomie, Kansas territory. In iS()0 he was elected to Congress, but the coming of the w'ar caused him to resign. He was appointed a commissioner to adjust claims against the Confederate govermncnt, but seems to have done little work in that capacity. He spent a year in the federal military prison at St. Louis, at the end of which time he was released on his parole and agreement to take no further part in the war. In 1865 he located in Kansas City and began the practice of law. He amassed a large estate. He did much for the growth of Kansas City. He was twice married, first, to a Mrs. Flourney, second, to a Miss Magraw, daughter of AI. V. Magraw, a pioneer Santa Fe trader of Independence. Missouri.

came to the fort on several occasions on board the steamboats, which were then almost daily arriving and departing, to present their countrymen with flags wrought by their own hands, - at once the token of their regard, and the star bedecked emblem of their country's liberty. On presentation of these flags, the ladies usually delivered addresses, which inspired every heart with courage and nerved every arm for the dangers of the campaign.

Early in September the regiment reached Santa Fe. their objective point, after suffering many hardships. After they had remained in Santa Fe a week or two. Company D with two other companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, were sent against the Navajo Indians, upon which which expedition they set out on the 21st of September, 1846. On this journey, Bart Gwinn. of Saline county, died. After scouting out among the Navajos and eventually forming a treaty of peace with them. Colonel Doniphan collected his forces for the famous march to Chihuahua, December 12, 1846. On this march, they were engaged in two principal battles, the battle of Bracito and the battle of Sacramento, in both of which they acquitted themselves with great credit, so much so that on the connection of the Missouri Volunteers with the army of Taylor, General Taylor was pleased to say in the following general order:

"The commanding general would at the same time announce another signal success won by the gallantry of our troops on the 28th of February, City of Chihuahua. A column of Missouri Volunteers less than a thousand strong, with a light field battery, attacked the Alexican force many times their superior in numbers in an entrenched position, captured its artillery and baggage and defeated it with great loss.

The vast superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race, though only one to four, carried all before them and the battle was decided, though not finished, in an hour after it was begun. The battle of Sacramento was fought on the 28th of February, 1847. After the battle, Doniphan took possession of the city of Chihauhua, the capital of the state, containing a population of twentyfive thousand.

Remaining in Chihuahua two months, on the 24th of April the regiment was ordered home, the news being joyfully received, and the men beg"an their march for Missouri on the 26th of April, 1847, marching down into Mexico to General Wool's headquarters, where they were discharged, their year's service having expired. Being' mustered out and receiving their pay, they marched (in to the seahoard, to the mouth of the river Rio Grande, or Brazos island, where they found water transportation to Xew Orleans. Before the regiment left Xew Mexico, it receixecl the following \'ery com])limentar)- mention from Brigadier-General \\'oo], commanding' division :

"'I'he general commanding takes great pleasure in expressing the gratification he has received this afternoon in meeting the Missouri Volunteers. Thev are about to close their present term of military service, after having rendered, in the course of the arduous duties they have been called upon to perform, a series of highly important services, crowned by decisive and glorious victories. No troops can point to a more brilliant career than those commanded by Colonel Doniphan and none will ever hear of the battles of Bracito and Sacramento without a feeling of admiration for the men who gained them. The state of Missouri has just cause to be proud of the achievements of the men who represented her in the anny against Mexico, and she will no doubt receive them on their return with all the joy and satisfaction to which a flue appreciation of their merits and services so justly entitle them. In bidding them adieu, the general wishes to Colonel Doniphan, his officers and men, a hajipy return to their families and homes.

The members of the Saline county compau}- did not all return to their homes at the same time. However, all of the survi\ors were at home by the 4th of July, 1847, ^^^^ oi'i tl^3-t *^^'^y tli^ returned volunteers were given a grand reception by the people of the count}-. The place selected was in Walnut Grove, a beautiful, grassy wood on the level ground east of the bridge on the road from Miami to the bottom lands Ijelow. The assemblage, including the soldiers and many people from adjoining counties, was very large. The order of the day was as f(^llows : .\ procession was formed in Miami and regularly marshaled and marched with music and banners to the ground, forming quite an imjiosing pageant. .\ magnificent barbecue was served in the old-fashion style at noon day, the meats being cooked in deep pits dug in the ground and served to the multitude on long tables. Col. John Brown, then the representati\'e in the Legislature, presided at the table W T. Hewitt was the orator of the day, and his address (^f welcome to the Saline a^unty heroes was replete with elo(|uence, cordialitx- and patriotism. After dinner many congratulatory and patriotic speeches were made and offered and cordiall}- responded to. One of the toasts remembered was "This Barl>ecue. a Home Harvest Feast for the Brave Boys Who Have Been Reaping- Laurels on the Field of Bracito and Sacramento." The celebration was closed with a grand ball in a large warehouse at the foot of Main street in Miami, which was largely attended and participated in by the best people of the