Shelby County, Missouri - Chapter 8, 1911

Chapter 8

Many Join Porter's Command - Federals Hold the County - Bill Anderson Visits Shelby - Fifty-one Killed at Centralia, Missouri - The 1864 Election.

Col. Joseph C. Porter, whose home was in Lewis county, near Newark, was about the only Confederate leader now engaged in northeast Missouri. Porter had seen considerable service, having been a lieutenant colonel of Green's Missouri State Guards, and had participated in the battles at Athens, Shelbina, Lexington, Pea Eidge and elsewhere. He was a brave soldier and man of courage, and did not deserve the term of guerrilla as ajiplied to him by many of the Federalists. In the spring of 1862 he was sent to northeast Missouri by General Pice for recruits and succeeded in enlisting hundreds from Shelby county.

Capt. Tom Stacy joined Porter and accompanied him on his trip through northeast Missouri. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Pierce's Mill, near Memphis, on July 18th. He was shot through the bowels and died several days after the battle. His family lived in Shelby county at this time.

About this time, or perhaps a little later, a com]iany of eighty men was raised in the western part of the county, near Hager's Grove, by Capt. J. Q. A. Clements, who started out to do actual service for the Confederacy. The company was raised in less than twenty-four hours and set out to join Porter. They rendezvoused at Snowder's bridge, which was then known as Snowder's ford, and crossed the railroad bridge east of Clarence and joined Porter at Paris. A large number of Shelby countians also joined the Confederate troops by enlisting under Captain Head, a Monroe county man.

Porter once more touched Shelby county soil in crossing from Paris to New Market with a thousand men. He passed between Monroe City and Hunnewell, and was receiving recruits by the hundreds. Capt. J. Q. A. Clements was killed in battle at Newark, which took place July 31, 1862. He was shot through the brain and died instantly. After his death Capt. Samuel S. Patton took command of the company from the western ])art of the county, which was now with Porter. Lieut. Tom "West, of the same company, also had his leg crushed by a rainie ball in the same battle and died a few days later, after having had his leg amputated. In this same battle two Shelby county men were also killed who were with Captain Head's Monroe county company. The two killed were Anderson Tobin, who lived in the southwest part of the county and who was shot through the head, and a Mr. Kesterson, who lived near AValkersville. He was shot through the body.

Leaving Porter now, we find that Colonel McNeil had left Palmyra and moved his men to Hunuewell in order that he might watch Porter and intercept him when he should attempt to cross the railroad at his old crossing near that town. After reaching this point, McNeil heard of Porter's moves in Monroe conntj' and set out for Paris, having heard that Porter had occupied that towm. On reaching Paris, however, he found his man had departed and, goingnorth, had crossed the road which he had intended to guard. McNeil hastened back to Hunnewell. The colonel felt rather humiliated and set out to run Captain Porter down or kill his horses and men in the attempt. McNeil pursued northward, crossing Shelby county. At Bethel he was reinforced by Col. John F. Benjamin with a detachment of the 11th M. S. M., who left a small garrison to defend the town. McNeil was also strengthened by the addition of Mayne's Company B of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, Leonard's and Garth's companies of the 9th M. S. M. and Merrill's Horse and two brass pieces of artillery of Robb's 3d Lidiana Battery, sent up from Jefferson City under Colonel Armington. Porter was pursued to Kirksville, where perhaps was fought the most memorable battle of north Missouri. Porter arrived in the city on August 6th with the Federals close upon his heels. The result of this battle is known to all. Porter was completely routed. Among the Shelby county Confederates killed were Timothy Hayes and John Eichardson, of Patton's company. The battle of Kirksville took place on Wednesday, and the day following a number of the Confederate prisoners were tried and convicted of breaking their oath not to take up arms against the Union, and for violations of their parols, and were sentenced to be shot. The order was executed and the following Shelby county Confederate prisoners were shot: James Christian, David Wood, Jesse Wood and Bennett Hayden. These four unfortunate Confederates all lived in the southwest part of the county. Christian lived east of Clarence. David and Jesse Wood lived west of Shelbina, and Hayden lived near the present site of Lentner. All were married except David AVood. After the Kirksville battle Colonel McNeil moved over to Old Bloomington, Macon county, and from there to Shelbyville and then to his old stand at Hunnewell. Porter had also found his way back to Monroe county with some 150 men, who were again reported to McNeil as occupying Paris. The Federal commander again resolved to march against him, and accordingly set out for the Monroe county seat with all of his available force, some 800 men. On the day before. Majors Rogers and Dodson with three companies of the 11th M. S. M. set out for Shelbyville to join McNeil. They reinforced him on Wednesday, September 10th, and on the same day they set out from Hunnewell for Paris. Porter had, however, again gone north and was in Lewis and northern Marion county, and on Friday, September 12th, with only 400 men, captured Palmyra and held it for two hours. They canned away a Union citizen named Andrew Alsman, whom they killed and for whose life two of Porter's men later paid a forfeit, constituting what is known as the Palmyra massacre.

myra, Company A of the 11th M. S. M., stationed at Shelbyville, set out to intercept Porter. They went to the eastex-n part of the county. It is said that the two companies camped within a mile of each other, each being wholly unconscious of the presence of the other. After l^ursuing Porter's men for some days. Colonel McNeil with his company came to Bragg 's school-house, in the northeast part of the county, and Colonel Mc- Neil spent Sunday at Judge S. I. Bragg 's and left the next day for Palmyra. Two Shelby county Confederates were captured near Bragg 's schoolhouse by McNeil. They were John Holmes and Henry Latimer. They were taken into Bragg 's meadow and shot. Kemp Glasscock was also taken prisoner while out hunting cows, but was released. John Lear, another of Porter's men, was shot near the Bragg residence. The Federals lost two men. They were a man named Scanlon and Corporal Stephens. Both were from Knox county. Porter now decided to leave Shelby county on his way to the South. He captured and paroled Captain Bishop near Hunnewell. Colonel Porter was wounded at Hartville, Mo., but made his way into Arkansas. He died at Batesville. Ark., February 18, 1863.

The Missouri State Militia held Shelby county during the year of 1863 and nothing of importance happened in the county during that year. Colonel Porter had gone south and was in Arkansas during the early part of the year. Porter and Gen. John S. ]\rarmaduke united at Marshfield and after the Springfield battle retreated into Arkansas. At Hartville, in Wright county, they encountered a considerable force of Federal troops, which they defeated. The Confederate loss, however, was heavy. Colonel Porter was mortally wounded in this battle, which took place January 11, 1863. Colonel Porter followed the army into Arkansas and died at Batesville, February 18th.

During the year of 1863 Shelby county was securely in the possession of the B^edera] authorities. The M. S. M. held Shelbyville and Shel])ina continuously and guarded the railroad bridge near Lakenan. They at intervals sent detachments to Clarence and Hunnewell.

In the spring of the year. Companies I and L of the 2d M. S. M., composed of Shelby countians mostly, were sent to assist the Federals in southeast Missouri, where there was much more fighting than in their own counties. On April 26th they took part in the Cape Girardeau battle and assisted in repulsing an attack on that city made by Gen. John S. Marmaduke.

At the close of the year of 1863 Shelby county had 504 men in the regular militia service of the United States. The records in the adjutant general's office show that of this number there was one Shelby county men in the 25th Infantry, one in the 26th, four in the 30th, forty-five in the 3d Cavalry, one in the 7tli Cavalry, thirty-four in the lltli Cavalry, 182 in the 2d Cavalry, and 236 in the llth Cavalry before consideration. In regiments from other states there were thirty-six men from Shelby, and there were at least sixty men from Shelby who belonged to these regiments, whose names were unreported, thus bringing the number of troops furnished the Union by Shelby

Bill Anderson Visits Shelby

By far the most exciting period during the Civil war in Shelby county was in 1862, during Porter's and Stacy's activities. Indeed, war matters became quite dull in the county during the year of 1863, except Federal forage and scouting parties, who helped themselves to corn, horses, and relieved chicken roosts and many a smoke-house of a deliciously cured piece of ham or side meat. In

Along the latter part of July, 1864, Col. Bill Anderson, of Centralia fame, and one of the most desperate fighters and boldest men on the southern side, paid Sliel))y county a visit. Many thrilling incidents took j^lace during the year in Shelby, but none so rapidly and thrilling as the Anderson visit. The twenty-three men under Anderson (called liy some the Confederate guerrilla) in July of 1864 crossed the Missouri river, coming north at Waverlj^ in Carroll county. They shot several Union soldiers here and proceeded into Eandolph county, the home of the chief of the company. At Huntsville over $30,000 was taken from the county treasury and the citizens of the town. After this haul they pressed eastward through Moberly and entered Monroe, and, crossing this county, came to Shelbina. Anderson and his thirty-four trained riders and expert shots (he had added eleven men to his company) reached Shelbina on July 27tli early in the morning. They entered from the south by the Paris road, and were dressed in blue uniforms, so that the citizens were used to seeing the blue suits. The dismount was made at the park just south of the dejiot, and the first man Anderson spoke to was banker Taylor, who he commanded to hold his (Anderson's) hoi-se. Taylor accepted the invitation after glancing into the muzzle of Bill's six-shooter. Anderson's men set out in squads of two or three and took captive many of the male citizens who chanced to be upon the streets. These prisoners were "lined up" and relieved of all valuables. It is related by some of the old-timers that when one of Anderson's men called on Charley King, then a well-dressed young man, King threw them a dollar. The man asked if that was all he had, and on being assured that it was he tossed it back to King. No question was asked as to whether the victim was a Unionist or Confederate, all met the same fate. After this they began a systematic ]ilunder of the business part of the town. The stores were entered, and after emptying the money drawers they took whatever they wanted in the way of clothes, boots, shoes, silks, dry goods and jewelry. Bolts of fancy dress goods were taken for saddle blankets, and laces and riljbons were taken, with which the hats and clothing of the men were decorated and the manes and tails of the horses were elaboratelj^ festooned.

The Anderson men, while relieving the citizens of their cash and the merchants of both cash and merchandise, did not harm a hair upon the head of a single person. Several, however, would, more

Those who lost heaviest were "\V. A. Reid, who was relieved of $550 in cash and over $1,000 in merchandise. He kicked $500 under the counter and covered it with rubbish and saved it.

J. W. Ford, the city druggist, was loser $157 in cash and quite an amount of goods. The turpentine and oil used in the burning of the depot and cars and the Salt river bridge were taken from his store.

There was also some tobacco in the cars that were burned, but the owners, Sparks, Hill & Co., were allowed to remove it. After it had been removed the Anderson men helped themselves to a liberal supply. The stores of S. G. Lewis and List & Taylor were looted.

After setting fire to the depot and the cars on the track, the thirty-four men disappeared as rapidly as they entered. They mounted their steeds and left town, going east. The town was all excitement. Some citizens even wanted to organize a jiosse and pursue; others thought it best to let them go. The advice of the latter, which perhaps was the wisest, was accepted, and Anderson and his men were allowed to go on their way unmolested. At Lakenan the station building was fired, and then the bridge was made for and soon was in flames. Here the band dismounted and put out pickets to the east and south. They left as soon as they thought the destruction of the bridge was assured, and rode south. Thev took dinner with Mr.

Saunders just south of the bridge, and here one of the men killed one of his comrades in a quarrel over a watch that had been taken at Shelbina. Saunders was forced to bury the body.

Only one end of the bridge was burned, as citizens collected and put the fire out. "Cabe" Wood had a peculiar experience at this time. He received two severe kickings over the affair. He was at work trying to put out the fire before the Anderson men had all departed, whereupon one of the men kicked him off the grade. The next day the militia came up from Hannibal and one of the soldiers asked AVood why he did not put out the fire, and kicked him off the grade again for not extinguishing the flames. It was "be damned if you do and be damned if you don't" with Wood.

The Hannibal militia arrived the next day, under Col. J. T. K. Hayward. They consisted of a portion of the 38th regiment enrolled militia, known as the Railroad Brigade. From the bridges they marched to Lakenan on foot.

A few under Meredith went out to John Henry Saunder's home, where Anderson's men had taken dinner the day before, and demanded Saunder's gun. The latter could not find it, as a nephew had misplaced it the day before ; whereupon one of the militiamen struck Mr. Saunders a severe blow over the head with the butt of his musket. The blow knocked him senseless.

The bridge over Salt river and the depots at Shelbina and Lakenan were soon rebuilt. Trains ran regularly. The merchants at Shelbina restocked and in the course of time recovered from the shock. They, however, learned a lesson. That was to keep money and valuables

Anderson declared he would like mighty well to go over to Shelbyville and shoot up the militia, but he learned the town was well fortified behind a stockade, and more than likely it was well he did not go. It would not have been as easy picking as Shelbina, at any rate. After leaving Shelby, Anderson returned to Howard county.

Fifty-One Killed At Centealia, Mo

The only object we have in referring to this event in the history of the Civil war is the fact that Company G, 39th Missouri Infantry, which was annihilated, all being killed except three, were nearly all from Shelby county.

The names of these Union soldiers who lost their lives at Centralia, according to the adjutant-general's office, are as follows: Sergeants David N. Dunn, John Donahoe, William Lair, George W. Miller; corporals Leander P. Burt, James S. Gunby, AVilliam Lear, David Riggs, L. D. Sherwood, Jacob R. Wexler ; privates George "W. Adams, Charles M. Jenkins, Charles Bishop, William Knepper, Samuel Bell, Anthony Labus, Philip - Christian, Louis F. Marquette, William Christian, Charles Master son, Oscar Collier, John Moore, John J. Christine, John C. Montgomery, Horner ]\L Dunbar, William A. Ross, AVilliam Drennan, Robert E. Spires, Sylvester H. Dean, J. G. Sellers, James S. Edwards, Edward Strachan, Eleasor Evans, James Stalcup, Robert P. Elston, William T. Smith, William G. Floor, Peter T. Simmernon,

Only three of the bodies were returned to the county for burial. They were the remains of Louis Marquette, David N. Dunn and William Lair, whose bodies were identified by James C. Hale at Sturgeon the following day and sent home for interment. Mr. Hale went to Sturgeon for the purpose of identifying the bodies and had the remains shi])ped home to relatives. The other unfortunate Union soldiers who met death at this time were buried in a trench by the citizens of Centralia. B. F. Dunn and other citizens of Shelby county made a trip to Centralia for the purpose of identifying others and bringing home the remains, but they were unable to recognize any of them and left them buried in the trench.

It would not be proper in writing a history of Shelby county to pass this incident without a brief review of the manner in which these fifty-one men met so horrible a death and how these Shelby county Federal troops came to be identified with the incident.

The horril)le affair took place just two months after the raid of Bill Anderson upon Shelbina. Much had been the talk on this affair, and the Unionists of the county were somewhat anxious to get after Anderson and his noted followers. As usual, many feared him ; others pro-

Histoey Of Shelby Cofxty

Word had been sent to the county that Anderson had crossed the North Missouri railroad (now the Wabash) at a point near Moberly. He was thought to be headed northeast, and the people began to prepare for an attack, or rather to defend themselves. The Confederates were commanded by Maj. John Thrailkill and were divided into squads and companies. These squads or companies, which varied in number, were commanded by George Todd, Bill Anderson, Dave Poole, Tom Todd and Si Gordon. Tom Todd was a Baptist preacher. The Confederates numbered about 400. George Todd was the man who planned all movements, and the daring Bill Anderson was relied upon to execute all plans. Ater crossing the North Missouri, as stated, the Confederates learned that Paris was strongly fortified by Union soldiers, and they therefore resolved to turn south and join Price, who was known to be in southern Missouri. They therefore recrossed the railroad just three miles east of Centra lia and went into camp on the farm of Major Singleton, in the edge of the timber some three miles east of Centralia. Bill Anderson with some seventyfive or a hundred men was sent into Centralia on the morning of September 27th by Todd to do some reconnoitering.

It was found there was a Federal detachment at Sturgeon and another at Columbia, only sixteen miles away. Before departing, Anderson set fire to the depot, burned some freight cars on the sidetrack, and looted a passenger train that was passing through. On this train were twenty-two Federal soldiers, chiefly from the 1st Iowa Cavalry, on their way home after being furloughed and discharged. These soldiers were taken from the train and all executed except one, Sergt. Tom Goodman, who was spared by the express order of Anderson ; why, no one knows to this day. An old German who chanced to be on the train, and who unfortunately for himself wore a blue blouse uniform, was executed alongside the unfortunate soldiers. After the execution Anderson and his men returned to camp and re] sorted.

The 39th Missouri, under Col. E. A. Kutzner, a regiment which had seen perhaps thirty days' service, mostly camp service, was stationed at Paris. They were armed with Enfield mu.skets and bayonets and were inexperienced and poorly mounted.

As soon as the news reached them that the Confederates had crossed the railroad and were headed towards them, Maj. A. V. E. Johnson with the detachments of Company A, G and H set out to meet them and engage them in battle. Johnson had, officers and all, about 200 men. Company G, from Shelby county, was commanded by Lieuts. Thomas Jaynes and Isaiah Gill. The captain of this company, William Glover, was sick at his home in Shelbyville. Lieut. Thomas Jaynes is still living at Hunnewell, and is one of the three men who made the hairbreadth escape from Anderson's men. Company IT, from Lewis and Marion counties, was connnanded by Capt. Adam Theis, who died only a couple of years ago, and who was for many years and up to the time of his death grand treasurer of the Grand

Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Missouri. Compauy A, from Adair county, was commanded by Capt. James A. Smith. The men, as stated, were poorly armed and still more poorly mounted. They rode upon mules, mares and plow horses. In fact, any kind of an animal that could be pressed into service from the citizens for the occasion. Johnson was soon upon a warm trail and followed the Confederates to where they had crossed the railroad the day before. Here they saw the smoke from the Imrning depot in Centralia and marched up to the town, of then some twenty-tive houses. Here they heard the story of what Bill Anderson had done, which set their blood to boiling. Johnson reached Centralia about three o'clock in the afternoon of Se]itember 27th, and after listening to the story of Anderson's raid that morning, in company with Dr. A. G. Sneed, a citizen of Centralia, repaired to the loft or garret of the town hotel to gain as good a view as possible of the Confederates under Todd, Anderson and others. They had not been long in the garret until they saw a squad of Anderson's men galloping pell mell toward the city. Johnson, followed by Sneed, hastened down to inform his men and to prepare to withstand the attack of the Confederates. He informed his men of what he had beheld with his own eyes. He also warned them of the peril in front of them and told them of the des- ]ierate foe they were about to encounter ; but his men wore eager to measure steel with Anderson, and, after detaching Captain Theis with his comj^any of thirty-six Marion and Lewis county soldiers to guard the town, he mounted and

The Confederates did not come into Centralia, as was expected, but wheeled about and dashed across the prairie in full view of the Federals returning to their cover, crossing a fallow field to the southeast, on the farm of one by the name of Captain Fullenwider. The Confederates had laid a trap for Johnson, and he with his 110 men were soon within the jaws of the trap. Johnson mounted and gave his men orders to follow. He rode south into the field and then turned to the east to face the enemy. Here he stood with 110 men between the setting sun and 400 of the bravest and most skilled marksmen of the time. Here he halted, dismounted and detailed every fourth man to hold horses. The remainder advanced on foot until within something like thirty rods of Anderson's men, who had retired to the edge of the woods. Behind Anderson's company were Poole's men, and behind the fallow cornfield was a ravine densely filled with underbrush. Johnson could not see the position of the enemy. Thrailkill occupied a position on the north with Gordon and Tom Todd ; on the south was George Todd, in the center was Bill Anderson, and to his rear was Poole. Johnson could see only Anderson and Poole. After the Federals has dismounted and marched down the slope of the field toward their foes, Johnson, who remained mounted, halted his men and advanced alone some twenty yards. Here he halted and for a few moments sat motionless upon his steed. The trap had been set, the prey had entered, and all that was left now to be done was to spring the trigger. As planned when George Todd had arranged his men, he lifted his hat to Anderson, which was the signal to charge the enemy. No sooner was Todd's hat in the air than Anderson led his men up the hill before the enemy. The dash which carried death to so many Federals was made with one foot in the stirrup and the body swinging to the side of the horse. The Confederates were going up a hill, so the volley fired by Johnson's men passed over them without a single shot taking effect. Not so, however, with Anderson's shots. His men were the best-trained pistol-shots in America, and perhai)s in the world, and as they dashed toward the enemy a Federal fell at nearly every crack of the pistol, until not a one remained of those who had left their horses and marclied with Johnson toward the timber. Following Anderson up the hill came Todd, Thrailkill, Gordon and Poole. In a moment - in less time than it takes to relate the story - the sad event in the field of battle had closed. Johnson had led his men into the trap over the protests and advice of the citizens of Centralia, and every man, excepting three, who had followed him out of Centralia lay dead or dying upon the , withered September grass of Boone county. Major Johnson fired three shots from his revolver and fell dead from his horse, being shot through the head. Captain Smith, of the Adair county company, was killed, and the only three to escape were Lieutenants Jaynes, Gill and Moore, who were mounted. Anderson and Poole went on for the fourth men detailed to hold the horses, and had soon annihilated the entire number. They still kept on and swept into Centralia, where thej^ completed the mission of destruction by completely routing the men who were left by Captain Theis to guard the town. Those who remained in Theis 's company set out for Sturgeon, but fifteen lost their lives in trying to escape.

It is said Johnson left Paris with 147 men, of whom but 23 escaped. Company A from Adair county, lost 56 men ; Company G, from Shelliy, 51 ; and Company H, 15. The remains of Colonel Johnson were sent to Marion county and buried near his home.

Frank James was with Anderson in the Centralia massacre, as it is termed, and told the writer the story as written above as near as we can remember. The figures and names of the Federals, of course, were obtained from the adjutantgeneral 's office.

The 1864 Election

Abraham Lincoln carried Shelby county for president in 1864 by 150 majority over MeClellan. The vote was Lincoln 366, MeClellan 216. At this election John F. Benjamin, of Shelbina, was elected to congress on the Eepublican ticket. He was the first man ever elected to congress from the countj% and was reelected at two successive elections, serving three terms. He served in congress from 1865 to 1871. The honor of furnishing a congressman was not again conferred ujjon Shelby county until 1896, twenty-five years later, when Richard P. Giles was elected, but died before he was inducted into office. Mr. Giles was a great favorite in the countv, which stood by him loyally in three successive campaigns for the nomination, and there was universal grief and sadness over his untimely death just as he realized the ambition of his life. As a successor to this distinguished son of Shelby county,

James T. Lloyd, the present incumbent, was selected by the Democi'ats and was re-elected by a large majority. A fuller account of the lives and incidents to the election of each will appear later, in the political history of the county.