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diff --git a/old/51118-h/51118-h.htm b/old/51118-h/51118-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 144e179..0000000 --- a/old/51118-h/51118-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8872 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> -<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A History of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas, by William Monks</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -/* Easy Epub/HRs */ - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} - -ul { list-style-type: none; display: inline-block;} -li {text-align: left;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - visibility: hidden; - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption, .caption p {font-weight: bold; - text-align: center;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -#transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size: smaller; - padding: 0.5em; - margin-bottom: 5em; - font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif} - -/* Easy Epub/Headings */ - -.ph2 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } - -.small {font-size: small;} -.medium {font-size: medium;} -.large {font-size: large;} -.xlarge {font-size: x-large;} - -/* Case Study: Title Pages */ - -div#titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} -div#titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} - -div#halftitle -{ - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} -@media screen -{ - #halftitle - { - margin: 6em 0; - } -} -@media print, handheld -{ - #halftitle - { - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; - margin: 0; - padding-top: 6em; - } -} - -/* Easy Epub/Cover */ - -.covercaption {font-weight: bold; font-size: small;} -@media handheld { - .covercaption { display: none; } -} - -div.tnotes {background-color: #eeeeee; border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em;} -.covernote {visibility: hidden; display: none;} -@media handheld { - .covernote {visibility: visible; display: block;} -} - - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, A History of Southern Missouri and Northern -Arkansas, by William Monks</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: A History of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas</p> -<p> Being an Account of the Early Settlements, the Civil War, the Ku-Klux, and Times of Peace</p> -<p>Author: William Monks</p> -<p>Release Date: February 3, 2016 [eBook #51118]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI AND NORTHERN ARKANSAS***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by Richard Tonsing<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/monksmissouri00willrich"> - https://archive.org/details/monksmissouri00willrich</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class="tnotes covernote"> - <p>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a><br /><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="580" height="446" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>COLONEL MONKS AND WIFE.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> -<div id="titlepage"> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h1><span class="xlarge">A HISTORY</span><br /> - -<span class="medium"><em>of</em></span><br /> - -Southern Missouri and -Northern Arkansas<br /> - -<span class="medium p6">Being an Account of the Early Settlements, -the Civil War, the Ku-Klux, and -Times of Peace.</span></h1> - -<p class="p6"><span class="large">By William Monks</span><br /> -West Plains, Mo.</p> - -<p class="small p6">West Plains Journal Co.<br /> -West Plains, Mo.<br /> -1907 -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p class="small p6">Copyright 1907<br /> -by<br /> -William Monks -</p> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<div class="center"> - -<ul><li><a href="#Introduction">Introduction.</a></li> -<li><a href="#EARLY_SETTLEMENTS">EARLY SETTLEMENTS.</a></li> -<li><a href="#MISSOURI_AND_THE_CIVIL_WAR">MISSOURI AND THE CIVIL WAR.</a></li> -<li><a href="#REMINISCENCES">REMINISCENCES.</a></li> -<li><a href="#THE_KUKLUX">THE KUKLUX</a></li> -<li><a href="#TRANSCRIBERS_NOTES">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES</a></li> -</ul> - -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="Introduction" id="Introduction">Introduction.</a></h2> - - -<p>Now the author was born in the state of Alabama, in -Jackson county, on the north side of the Tennessee River, -near Huntsville. He was the son of James Monks and -Nancy Monks. The father of James Monks came over -from Ireland during the Revolutionary War and served in -that war until the independence of the United States was -acknowledged. Afterwards he married a lady of English -descent and settled down in the State of South Carolina. -His father died when he was but an infant. His mother -removed to the state of Tennessee, being left with five children, -James being the youngest. Growing up to manhood -in that state, he removed to the north part of the state of -Alabama and there married Nancy Graham, who was a -daughter of Jesse Graham. They were originally from the -state of Virginia.</p> - -<p>James Monks enlisted in the United States Army and -served in the Indian war that was known as the Seminole -war, in the state of Florida. After his term of service had -expired he returned home and sold his farm and had a flatboat -built and placed in the Tennessee River near Gunters -Landing, with the intention of moving to the state of Florida. -Taking his brother-in-law, a Mr. Phillips, on the -boat with him, they went down the river by Decatur, were -piloted through the Mussell Shoals, and at the foot of the -shoals at what is known as Tuscumbia, the writer remembers -seeing a part of the Cherokee Indians that were being -removed from the state of Alabama to their present location.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -The writer can remember seeing the Cherokee Indians before -they were removed from the state of Alabama.</p> - -<p>On reaching Southern Illinois, eight miles from Paducah, -my father landed his boat and looked over the country -and came to the conclusion that that country was good -enough, and located in what was then Pope County. Afterwards -they cropped a piece off of Pope and a piece off of -Johnson, and created a new county and named it Massack, -after the old government fort, and located the county seat, -named Metropolis. My father resided nine years in that -state, then sold out and started to move to the state of -Texas. On arriving in Fulton county, Arkansas, he concluded -to locate in that county.</p> - -<p>Soon after his arrival, in the latter part of June or July, -1844, the writer was employed to carry the United States -mail from Salem, the county seat of Fulton County, to -Rockbridge, then the county seat of Ozark county, Missouri. -My father and mother taught me to be loyal to my -government from my earliest remembrance, and I don't -think that two persons more honest than they ever lived. -They taught me from my earliest recollection to be honest -and upright, and I have tried, and believe I have lived up -to their teaching to the very letter; and no man or woman -before the war, during the war, nor since the war, can say -anything else and tell the truth. Religiously, my father -and mother were Baptists, and I believe that they were -Christians.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="EARLY_SETTLEMENTS" id="EARLY_SETTLEMENTS">EARLY SETTLEMENTS.</a></h2> - - -<p>In the year 1844 father sold out and in May started -to move to the state of Texas; crossed the Mississippi -river at Green's old ferry, came by the way of Jackson, -Missouri, and traveled the old military road made by the -government troops in removing the Cherokee Indians from -the state of Alabama to their present location—only road -leading west—and in July of the same year (learning that it -was very dangerous for a man to take his family into the state -of Texas on account of the Indians), he concluded to locate -in Fulton county, Arkansas, purchased an improvement -and located on what is known as Bennett's river, about 25 -miles from where West Plains is now located. The family -at that time consisted of six persons, to-wit: father, -mother and four sons, the author then being in his fifteenth -year; father, being a farmer by occupation, went to work -on the farm. The country at that time was very sparsely -settled. The settlements were confined to the creeks and -rivers, where were found plenty of water and springs. No -place at that time was thought worth settling unless it had -a spring upon it. The vegetation was luxuriant, the broom -sedge and blue stem growing as high as a man's head—and -he upon an ordinary horse. The table lands, which were -thought at that time to be worthless, had very little timber -growing on them, but were not prairie. There were what -were known as post oak runners and other brush growing -on the table lands, but the grass turf was very heavy and -in the spring of the year the grass would soon cover the -sprouts and the stranger would have taken all of the table<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -lands, except where it was interspersed with groves, to have -been prairie. The country settled up—some of the settlements -being 15 miles apart—yet the early settlers thought -nothing of neighboring and assisting each other as neighbors -for the distance of 15 miles. At that time Fulton -county contained all of the present territory that now includes -Baxter, Fulton and a part of Sharp counties; and -but a short time previous to the organization of Fulton, all -of the territory that now embraces Fulton, Baxter and Sharp; -Izard belonged to Independence county and Batesville was -the county seat. My father located about five miles from -the state line.</p> - -<p>Ozark county, in Missouri, joined Fulton county on -the state line and all of the territory that now comprises -Ozark, Douglas and the west half of Howell, belonged to -Ozark county and Rockbridge, its county seat, being located -on Bryan's Fork of the North Fork, about 50 miles from -the state line. Oregon county contained all the territory -that now comprises Oregon, Shannon, and the east end of -Howell; and a short time previous all of the territory that -now comprises Ripley, Oregon, Carter and Shannon belonged -to Ripley county; and all of the territory that now -comprises Texas, Dent, Wright and Crawford counties belonged -to Crawford county. The country at that time -abounded in millions of deer, turkeys, bears, wolves and -small animals. I remember as my father was moving west -and after he had crossed White Water near what was known -as Bullinger's old mill, that we could see the deer feeding -on the hills in great herds like cattle, and wild turkeys were -in abundance. Wild meat was so plentiful that the settlers -chiefly subsisted upon the flesh of wild animals until they -could grow some tame stock, such as hogs and cattle. This -country then was almost a "land of honey." Bees abounded -in great number and men hunted them for the profit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -they derived from the beeswax. There was no such thing -known as a bee moth.</p> - -<p>Honeydew fell in such quantities as to completely kill -the tops of the grass where it was open. I have known -young turkeys, after they were large enough for use, to -have their wings so gummed with honeydew that they -could not fly out of the way of a dog—have known lots of -them to be caught with dogs when they wanted to use -them. There was no question in regard to there being -honey when you cut a bee tree, if the hollow and space in -the tree were sufficient and the bees had had time to fill it. -I have known bee trees being cut that had 8 and 10 feet of -solid comb that was candied and grained. When my father -first located, beeswax, peltry and fur skins almost constituted -the currency of the country. I remember that a short -time after my father located, a gentleman came to my father's -house and wanted to buy a horse and offered to pay -him in beeswax and peltry, and as I had been accustomed -to paper currency in the state of Illinois, I asked my father -what kind of money peltry was. He laughed and remarked, -"Well son, it is not money at all; it is deer skins." A -man thought nothing of buying a horse or a yoke of oxen, -or to make any other common debt on the promise of discharging -the same in beeswax and peltry in one month's -time.</p> - -<p>The immigration consisted mostly of farmers and -mechanics. Among the mechanics were coopers who would -make large hogsheads for the purpose of holding the honey -after it was separated from the beeswax, and a man then had -his choice to use either candied honey or fresh honey. I -knew whole hogsheads that were full of candied honey. -When men would make a contract to deliver any amount or -number of pounds of beeswax, and within a given time, -especially in the fall of the year, they would either take a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -yoke of cattle or two horses and a wagon and with their -guns and camp equipage go out from the settlements into -what was then termed the "wilderness," and burn bee comb. -In a short time the bees would be working so strong to the -bait that they could scarcely course them. In the morning -they would hunt deer, take off pelts until the deer would -lie down, then they would hunt bees and mark the trees -until the deer would get up to feed in the afternoon, when -they would again resume their hunt for deer. After they -had found a sufficient number of bee trees and marked -them, the morning following they would go out and kill -nothing but large deer; case-skin them until they had a sufficient -number of hides to contain the honey that they expected -to take from the trees, take the hides to the camp, tie a -knot in the fore legs of the hide, take dressed buckskin and -a big awl, roll the hide of the neck in about three folds, -run two rows of stitches, draw it tight, then go to their -wagons with ridgepole and hooks already prepared, knot -the hind legs of the skins, hang them over the hooks, take -their tub, a knife and spoon, proceed to the trees, stop their -team a sufficient distance from the tree to prevent the bees -from stinging the animals, cut the tree, take out the honey, -place it in the tub, and when the tub was filled carry it -to the wagon where the hides were prepared, empty their -tubs into the deer skins, return again to another tree and -continue cutting until the hides were all filled with honey; -then they would return home, take the hides from the hooks -on the ridge pole on the wagon, hang them on hooks prepared -for the purpose in the smokehouse and then the men's -work was done.</p> - -<p>The labor of the women then commenced. They would -proceed to separate the honey from the beeswax, pouring -the honey into hogsheads, kegs or barrels prepared for -it, and running the beeswax into cakes ready for the mar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>ket, -while the men were stretching and drying the deerskins. -As soon as the deerskins were dried and the honey -was separated from the beeswax, they were ready for the -market and took their place as currency, while the flesh of -the deer, sometimes, when bread was scarce, took the place -of both bread and meat, with a change, whenever the appetite -called for it, to turkey and other wild game.</p> - -<p>At night they would hunt for fur animals, such as raccoon, -fox and mink, and stretch their hides; a first-class -raccoon hide would sell for 40 to 50 cents; fox, 25 and 30 -cents; mink, from 65 to 75c. I have often known the people -to pay their taxes, when the collector came around, -with fur skins, such as raccoon and fox. The collector -would take the hides right at the house and give them a -clear receipt for their taxes, both state and county. I have -seen collectors leading a horse for the purpose of carrying -his fur skins. I have seen the horse completely covered -with fur skins, so you could see no part of him but -his head and his hoofs and tail—one could not have told -there was a horse beneath the load unless he had known it.</p> - -<p>The people then had many advantages that they are deprived -of now, in the way of wild meat, abundance of honey -and fine range. A man could raise all the stock in the -way of horses and cattle that he could possibly look after; -the only expense was salting and caring for them—didn't -have to feed, winter nor summer, except the horses in use -and the cows used for milking purposes. While, on the -other-hand, they labored under a great many disadvantages, -in the way of schools and churches. During the residence -of my father in the state of Illinois, we had a very good -common school system, and we had three months of school -every fall. My father being a farmer, sent me only the -three months' term in the fall. I had acquired a limited -education before his removal to Arkansas, yet he was in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>terested -in giving his children an education. At that time -there were no free schools, only subscription schools; teachers -generally were incompetent and employed through favoritism, -and not upon their qualifications to teach. In a -year or two after my father located, the settlement got together -and located a school-house site, took their teams, -hauled round logs, built them into walls, made a dirt floor, -cut out a large window in the side, split a tree and made a -writing desk, split small trees, hewed them and made -benches for seats, cut a hole in one end of the house, erected -a wooden chimney, what was then known as a stick and -clay chimney, chinked and daubed the cracks, made a -clapboard roof, hung the door with wooden hinges, then -the house was considered ready for the school and had the -name of teaching a three-months' subscription school; and -very often half of the pupils were better scholars than the -teachers. All they gained in their education was by attention -to study. As the country improved in population, the -people improved in the erection of school-houses and -church-houses and constructed, in place of the round log -school-house and dirt floor, hewed log school-houses with -puncheon floors, stick and clay chimneys.</p> - -<p>Those pioneer settlers took a great interest in each -other's welfare, and the different settlements met together -from a distance of 15 to 40 miles and adopted rules and -customs binding each other to aid and assist in helping any -person who met with any misfortune in the way of sickness, -death or other causes that might occur, and I must say -that there was more charity and real religion practiced -among those pioneer settlers, although many of them were -looked upon as being crude and unlettered. There was a -great deal of sickness along the streams, especially chills -and fever. Immigrants came in, generally in sufficient -numbers to form a settlement; and I have known them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -very often, after they had located and opened out 10 to 15 -acres and put it in cultivation and broke the ground and -planted their corn, for the whole family to be taken down -at one time with chills and fever, not able even to help -each other or administer to their wants. As soon as the -information reached the other settlements for a distance of -15 miles or more, the different settlements would set a day -to meet at the place with their horses, plows, hoes, wagons, -etc.; also provisions, such as bread-stuff and salt. On -meeting, they would ascertain the condition of the family -or families and learn what they needed in the way of provision, -medicine, nursing, etc.; they would then and there -agree that the different settlements should divide up the -time, set the day for each one to furnish waiters to wait -upon them in their sickness, such medicine as they needed, -provisions and everything that was necessary to render -comfort, and in the morning before breakfast they would -go out and kill a deer and as many turkeys as they needed, -dress them, prepare them for the cook, who had been -brought with them, go into the field after breakfast, plow -and hoe the corn, clean out the garden, leave the families in -charge of nurses and return again to their respective settlements. -Those families, as soon as they were well, not -being acquainted with the customs and rules, would meet -them and inquire as to what amount they owed them for -what they had done for them during their sickness. They -would be readily informed, "<em>Nothing.</em> You are not acquainted -with our rules and customs. Now, we have obligated -and pledged ourselves together not to let any sick or -other disabled person suffer for the want of necessary attention, -and the only thing we require of you is, if any -other person should move into the country and locate, and -should be taken down and confined through sickness or -any other cause, that you help in furnishing such aid and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -necessaries as they may need until they are able to again -take care of themselves." Now, I have just remarked that -there was more real charity and religion practiced among -pioneers than there is in the present day. The people then -all appeared to be interested in bettering the condition of -society.</p> - -<p>As soon as it was possible, the different settlements -erected church-houses built of hewed timber, floored with -puncheons, hewed seats, size of house generally from 18 by -20 to 22 by 25 feet, chinked and daubed. The churches or -denominations then were Baptists and Methodists. There -didn't appear to be any antagonism or hatred existing between -the denominations; the doors were thrown wide open -for any minister that might travel through and they all -turned out, and you heard nothing said then in regard to -"my church" or "your church." They appeared to recognize -the fact that it was the Lord's church and that they -were the Lord's people. In going to church, sometimes -from 1 to 10 miles, they would see flocks of turkeys and -herds of wild deer, both going and coming. As soon as -the crops were laid by, they would agree among the different -settlements as to where a camp-meeting should be held; -they would then erect camps or huts, make boards to -cover them, erect an arbor, fill the center of it with straw, -and to the distance of 25 to 35 miles they would all turn -out, irrespective of denomination, and all appeared to enjoy -themselves, and the love of Christ appeared to dwell in each -heart, and they appeared to be proud of the privilege of -meeting each other and worshiping together. If any -member belonging to either of the denominations defrauded, -or in any way wronged his brother, he was at once waited -upon and requested to make reparation to his brother and -acknowledge to his brother and to the church, or he was -withdrawn from or turned out of the church. The immi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>gration -was chiefly from the Middle States, some from the -Southern States and very few from the Northeastern States. -They were frugal, energetic, honest, intelligent and industrious. -As the country increased in population, the facilities -of both schools and churches improved.</p> - -<p>The customs and habits were entirely different from -those existing now; the wearing apparel was entirely home-made; -they would raise their cotton, pick it out with their -fingers or a hand gin, women would spin their warp, spin -their filling, get their different colors from different barks -for men's wear; the women used indigo and copperas for -the main colors in manufacturing the cloth for dresses, -wound their stripes on a stick and then wove it into cloth; -you could scarcely visit a house but what you would see a -loom, big spinning-wheel and little wheel; sometimes you -would see three or four wheels at one house. They made -both their every day and Sunday wear; the women appeared -to take great pride in seeing who could weave the nicest -piece of cloth, make it into a dress, make cloth and make it -into what was known as Virginia bonnets, and the men -tanned their own leather, made shoes for the whole family. -When the women were dressed completely in their homespun -they appeared to enjoy themselves, in church, in company -or any other gathering, and felt just as independent -and proud as the king upon his throne; they appeared to -meet each other and greet each other and all appeared to -realize the fact that they were human and they had but one -superior and that was God. The women spun the warp, -spun the wool, wove it into cloth, procured the different -barks from the woods and dyed it, the general color being -brown, made it with their own hands into coats, pants, undershirts; -made overshirts out of homespun cotton and the -whole suit was home-made, and very often a cap, made -either of the raccoon or a fox, was worn on the head.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -When men met each other at any public gathering they -appeared to be proud of meeting each other; appeared to -realize the fact that they were all American citizens and -human, bound together by the ties of love and affection, and -the highest ambition appeared to be to make each other -happy and help one another in time of need.</p> - -<p>I don't believe there was as much dissipation by partaking -of intoxicants, or other wickedness, as exists to-day -among the same number of persons. It is true that then -any man who was able to purchase a little still and had a -spring could erect his own still house and make his own -whiskey without paying any tax or duty upon the same, and -anyone of his neighbors who wanted a gallon of whiskey -could carry a bushel of corn to the still-house and get a -gallon of whiskey in exchange for it. And if men became -drunk on the whiskey it did not appear to make them wild -and crazy as the whiskey of to-day does.</p> - -<p>Men then, as well as now, would have disagreements -and fall out and fight, but the custom that prevailed among -that class would not tolerate nor allow a man to use weapons, -and if two men had a disagreement, one of them being -a large, stout man physically, the other being a small man, -not equal in strength—if they were together in a public -place and the large one would challenge the weaker to fight -him, before he could hardly open his mouth, some man -present who considered himself to be his equal in physical -strength, would just say to him "now then, if you want to -fight, that man is not your equal, but I am; get your second -and walk out and I will do the fighting for this other man." -I have, on different occasions, seen the large man who was -challenging the weaker for a fight reply to the challenge and -say, "My friend, I have nothing against you; this other -man hasn't treated me right," or set out some other reason -that he ought to whip him; the man in reply would say, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -don't want to hear another word from you in regard to -wanting to fight this other man, and if I do you have got -me to fight." Very often I have seen the man shut his -mouth and turn away and say nothing more. On the -other hand, I have heard a man say to another, "If you -want to fight, I am your man; the other man is unable to -fight you," and in an instant the other would reply. -"Well, sir, I am your man; just as leave fight you as -anybody else." They would select their seconds, take a -drink of whiskey together, enter into an agreement that -whenever the seconds said either one was whipped, that -they were to abide by it, unless they found out before their -seconds did that they were whipped, and if so, they would -manifest it by holloing "enough," when the other person -was to stop at once and inflict no more injury. I have often -seen them fight until they were both as bloody as butchers -and in the end the seconds would have to hollo for one -or the other. As soon as they were separated they would -go to the same pool or place where there was water and -wash themselves, and walk arm-in-arm, laughing and talking -and drinking together and remark, "We are now fast -friends and we have settled the matter as to which was the -best man." And if a man would produce a weapon on -either side his own friends would turn against him and he -would be forced to put it up at once. Men then appeared -to be governed by that higher inspiration, that a man -should not use anything that would permanently disable or -take the life of his fellow-man; but if one man became -pregnant with fight or desire to maim his fellow-man, in -order that he should not be disappointed, some man would -readily volunteer, who believed that he was his equal -physically, and deliver him of all his fighting propensities.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Dow Bryant and a Gallon of Whisky</h3> - -<p>I will here relate an instance that I well remember. A -man by the name of Bridges lived just above where Bakersfield -is now located, owned a little mill at the same place -where they still continue the work of the mill just above -Bakersfield. The mill ground from twelve to fifteen bushels -per day; most of us carried our sacks on horseback, -and ground by turns. Bridges had employed a man by the -name of Math Shipman to run the mill. He was a small -man weighing only about 135 pounds, and there was a -man by the name of Dow Bryant, lately from the state of -Tennessee, quite a large man, weighing 225 pounds, who -delighted in fighting under the old style, and claimed that -he had whipped two of the best men in Tennessee at the -same time. Shipman had made some statement that reflected -upon Bryant; so Bryant procured a gallon of whiskey, -and, taking two men with him, went from Bennett's -river over to the mill and informed Shipman of what he -had heard he had said in regard to him, and said to Shipman -that if he had said it and didn't take it back, he would -have to whip him, and the only thing he hated about it -would be the whipping of as little a man as he was. Shipman -replied that he need not take that matter into consideration, -and that his father had always taught him that if -he told anything and it was the truth, not to take it back -under any consideration, and that what he had said was -true; and as to his whipping him, his father had always -taught him never to admit anything until he knew it was -true; and "I have my doubts about you being able to whip -me; but if you will get your second ready, as soon as the -corn that is in the hopper is ground out and I refill the -hopper I will get my second and we will go out into the -mill yard so you can test it." They accordingly got their -seconds, went into the mill yard, formed a ring, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -the word was given by the seconds, they went together. -Shipman bit every finger on the right hand and three fingers -on the left hand to the bone; and Bryant's friends, -seeing he was going to be whipped, proposed parting them. -Bryant returned home, and when his neighbors would -meet him with his fingers all bound up, they would say, -"Hello there! What's the matter?" His reply would be, -"I went over into the wilderness and got hold of a wildcat, -and it like to have eaten me up before I could get -loose from it." He would further say that Shipman -was all mouth, and that he could not put his hands anywhere -about his head unless he got them in his mouth.</p> - -<p>I will give another instance touching the same man -(Bryant). He went over to Salem during circuit court. -The sheriff of the county was a man by the name of Dick -Benton, quite a small man, and the constable of the township -was named Moore and a very small man. Bryant was -drinking some, and wanted to fight as usual, and became -noisy. The judge ordered the constable to arrest him; -but when Bryant saw the constable coming, he backed behind -an old building, and ordered the constable not to -rush upon him. When the constable came in reach, he -knocked him down, came walking around, and remarked -that no tickey officer could arrest him. The judge then -ordered the sheriff to arrest him. When the sheriff came -within reach, he knocked him down, came walking back, -and remarked, "I thought they understood me when I told -them that a tickey set of officers could not arrest me." -During the time the father-in-law of the sheriff had come -out. Bryant walked up to him, and with a d—— said: -"I want to know what you are doing here." Without any -more words being passed, the sheriff's father-in-law knocked -Bryant down, jumped onto him, but he holloed, and -they took him off. Bryant straightened himself up right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -into his face again and remarked, "I have told a lie, I am -not whipped." Without any more words he knocked him -down again and gave him a considerable pelting. Bryant -holloed again, and after they had taken him off, he -straightened up and walked off about ten steps distant, -turned around, and remarked, "I have told a lie, I am not -whipped; but I am not going to say it within reach of that -old man any more." On the same day some men knocked -him down, taking a common clapboard, hit him three licks -while he was running on all fours, then got a piece of -chalk and wrote on it, "Dow's board," and nailed it up -on the corner of the square.</p> - -<p>The drinking class for years used all manner of -language and obscenity in the streets, and even in the -hearing of the court. There was a man by the name of -Neeley who became a candidate for circuit judge, and one -of the main reasons he urged for his election was that, if -elected, he would punish all offenders of the public peace, -and force all persons to respect the court, and he would -discharge the duties with some dignity and respect for -himself and the people. Shortly after he was elected and -during his first court, a man by the name of Smith, who -lived just north of Salem on the South Fork, and who had -worked for his election, came into the court room after the -court was in session, walked around to the judge, took -him by the hand and remarked, "Judge, I want to congratulate -you on your success, and I hope things will -change." The judge turned to the clerk and remarked, -"Mr. Clerk, assess a fine of five dollars against Mr. -Smith." Smith soon retired from the court room and declared -that Neeley was a tyrant, and that if he had his vote -back he would not support him. In the afternoon the -judge ordered the sheriff to bring Mr. Smith into the court -room and said to him, "Mr. Smith, you were a warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -friend of mine in my canvass, worked for my election, and -no doubt contributed much to my success. Now I don't -want to disappoint you in any promises that I made during -the canvass, but after court is convened and the judge on -the bench, it is contempt in any gentleman to come up and -take him by the hand and congratulate him on his success; -and now I hope that you, with all others of my friends, and -those who are not, will support and protect me in enforcing -the dignity of the court." Mr. Smith at once became -pacified, and said that the judge was right.</p> - -<p>We remember another instance that occurred during -the same court. There was a young lawyer, who came -into court, wearing a very fine pair of boots, and, standing -on his feet, he would occasionally raise onto his toes, and -you could hear his boots creak all over the court room. -The judge turned to him and remarked, "Mr., what did -those boots cost you?" The lawyer quickly replied, "Ten -dollars, sir." The judge remarked to him, "I think you -got the boots too cheap. I think they ought to be worth -twenty dollars. Mr. Clerk, assess a fine of ten dollars -against this man."</p> - -<p>On the next day a man by the name of Cage Hogan, a -man who was widely known, in company with others, got -on the public square, near the saloon, and began to curse -and swear, and use all manner of obscenity. The judge -ordered the sheriff to go down and see who was making -the disturbance. The sheriff went out to the place and -stated to the crowd that the judge had ordered him to see -who was creating that disturbance, and to arrest the party. -Hogan remarked, with an oath, "You go back and tell the -old judge that it is Cage Hogan, and that I suppose he has -heard of me before, and I don't allow sheriffs to arrest me -until I get ready." The sheriff came back and reported to -the court, and the judge made an order for him to proceed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -at once and arrest Mr. Hogan and all others that he might -find acting in a boisterous manner, and if necessary to -take the power of the county, and if he didn't immediately -bring him into the court room he would assess a fine -against him of $100. The sheriff returned and informed -Mr. Hogan of what the court had said, and that he would -be bound to arrest him and take him by force if he didn't -go without it. Hogan remarked that if it would be any -pleasure and consolation to the old tyrant he was the man -who could go into the court room. When he came into -the court room, the sheriff said, "Here is Mr. Hogan." -Mr. Hogan remarked, with an oath, "I am here, judge, -and I would like to know what you want." The judge replied -that there were some parties creating a disturbance in -the hearing of the court and that he had ordered them arrested -and brought in. "Do you know who the parties -are?" Hogan, with an oath, replied, "I am the man; -and, judge, I want you to understand that I am a horse, -and if you hain't become acquainted with old Cage Hogan, -you will." The judge remarked to him that they had -a stable and that was the place for horses, and that he -would assess a fine of $50 against him, and ordered the -sheriff to take him to jail until it was paid. Hogan, remarking, -"I always carry the money to pay my way, and -you need not put yourself to any trouble to have the sheriff -carry me to jail," pulled out his pocket book, took out -$50, and said, with an oath, "Here is the money, and I -want you to understand that I am no jail bird, and you -can't stick me in your old jail." The judge then said, -"Mr. Hogan seems to have plenty of money; Mr. Clerk -assess another $50 fine against him." At that Hogan appeared -to hesitate and reflect, and, pulling out a quart bottle -of whiskey from his pocket, started to approach the -judge, who was on the bench, saying with an oath, "Here,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -judge, let's drink together and be friends and stop this -foolishness." The judge turned to the clerk and said: -"Mr. Clerk, assess another fine of $50 against him," and -ordered the sheriff to take him forthwith to jail and keep -him there until further orders, for he considered him an -unlawful horse, and he did not think it safe for society -for him to run at large. The sheriff, with a considerable -posse, carried him to the jail, and with considerable -trouble put him in and shut him up. He remained in jail -two days, and at the evening session of the second day the -sheriff came into court and said that Mr. Hogan was very -desirous of seeing the court. The court then ordered him -brought in. On his being brought in, the court asked him -if he still thought he was a horse. Hogan replied, "No, -sir; I am not anything now but Cage Hogan." The judge -said: "As you have now arrived at the conclusion that you -are human and not animal, are you willing to respect the -laws of your land and the dignity of this court?" Hogan -replied: "I am, judge, with all my heart." The judge -then said to him, "What about that money of yours; are -you able to pay the $150 fine?" Hogan said, "No, judge, -I don't feel like I could pay $150 this evening; I don't -feel as rich and as brave as I did when you first brought -me into court, and I want you to be as lenient with me as -possible." The court said, "Mr. Hogan, if you will promise -me that you will neither disturb the dignity of this -court nor incite others to do so, I will remit all of your -fine except $50." Mr. Hogan then and there paid the $50 -fine and was released. From that time up to the end of -his term there never was any disturbance of any nature in -the hearing of the court, and if you went into the court -room everything was so quiet that you could almost hear a -pin drop.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>The Tutt and Evert War.</h3> - -<p>My memory is that it was in the year 1846 that an incident -occurred in Marion county that I will now relate. -It was known as the Tutt and Evert war. They were once -fast friends. They met in Yellville, the county seat, and -while there one of the Everts purchased a set of silver -spoons at the store of one of the Tutts. Afterwards a misunderstanding -grew up between them as to the payment -for the spoons, which led them into a fight. Afterwards, -which was often, when they would meet in Yellville, they -would hardly ever get away without some fighting taking -place between the parties. There was a large gathering -and a public demonstration to take place within a few -weeks. The Tutts declared, backed by the Kings, that if -the Everts came into town that day they would kill them -outright. Both parties came in early in the day, heavily -armed. After coming under the influence of intoxicants to -some extent, Evert went into the public square and stated -what he had heard from the Tutts, and said that if they, -the Tutts and Kings, were ready for the conflict, there -never was a better time than then, and that they, the Everts, -were fully ready. Both parties, in short range, opened -fire. One of the Kings shot Simm Evert during the fight, -supposed to be through the heart. One of the Kings, just -previous to the shooting of Evert, had been shot through -the hips and so disabled that he could not stand upon his -feet. After Simm Evert had received the wound, he -turned around, and, within a few steps of the wounded -King, picked up a large stone, raised it in both hands, -and, stepping up to King, came down on King's head with -the stone with all the force possible, completely crushing -King's head. Then, turning around and walking about -three steps, he remarked, "I am a dead man," and fell to -the ground and expired within a few minutes. When the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -smoke cleared away and the fighting ceased, an examination -showed that there were eight or ten left dead on the -ground. The stoutest men afterwards went to the stone, -but there wasn't one of them that could raise it from the -ground. The surviving Kings made arrangements and attempted -to leave the country. At that time the sheriff of -the county was a man by the name of Mooney. A writ -was placed in his hands and he arrested them. Shortly after -the arrest, the Everts and their friends came upon the -sheriff and his posse and demanded the prisoners. The -sheriff gave them up, and they were all shot. The sheriff -then appealed to the governor for aid; he sent the militia, -who aided the sheriff in the arrest of the Everts, a man by -the name of Stratton, and some others of their friends. -The governor ordered them to be taken to Lawrence county -and placed in the Lawrence county jail at Smithville, -the county seat of that county. I saw the militia in charge -of the prisoners pass my father's house on their way to -Smithville.</p> - -<p>In about ten days after they were put in prison, late -one evening, strange men commenced dropping into the -town, who were unknown to the citizens, until they reached -to about the number of sixty-five. Somewhere near -midnight they paraded the streets, and the jail being a log -jail, they prepared levers and pried it up and let the prisoners -all out, and they all left together, Evert, Stratton, -and their friends proceeding directly to Texas. After their -families had reached them and everything had quieted -down, they sent in and notified Hamp Tutt, whom they -charged with being the inciter and leader in bringing on -the original trouble, that if he would "hull out" and leave -the state they would not kill him. Tutt was a man of considerable -wealth and declared he would not leave the state. -He at once hired a young doctor, who claimed to be a very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -brave man, to act as his body guard, and kept himself very -close to the town for about the space of two years. One -day, however, he declared that he was going to take a ride -out on the main public road for his health. He, in company -with the young doctor, then rode out about one mile. -On returning, not more than a quarter of a mile from the -town, after they had passed the place where they were -concealed, they, (the Everts) discharged a volley. Two -balls entered the back of Tutt, and his horse made but a -few leaps when he fell to the ground. The young doctor -ran for dear life, reached the town, and gave the alarm. -Parties immediately went out to the place, but found that -Tutt was dead. On examining the place where the parties -had lain in ambush, they found that they had lain -there for months watching for the opportunity. So ended -the Tutt and Evert war.</p> - - -<h3>Indians Chase a Sheriff Ten Miles.</h3> - -<p>Now the author will relate another incident that occurred -in Marion county, Arkansas, in the early settling of -this country. There was a large relation of the Coker -family who lived in that county. One of the Cokers raised -two families, one by a white woman and the other by an -Indian woman. The Indian family, after they had grown -up and become men, resided a part of the time in the Nation, -where the mother lived, and a part of the time they -remained in Marion county where their father and other -relatives lived. They were very dangerous men when -drinking, and the whole country feared them. They had -been in different troubles, and had killed three or four -men, and if the authorities attempted to arrest them, they -defied them, and would go to the Nation and remain -awhile. There was a deputy sheriff in the county by the -name of Stinnett, who claimed to be very brave, who said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -he would arrest them if he found their whereabouts. The -Cokers learned what Stinnett had said, and that the warrant -for their arrest was in his possession, so they got some -good tow strings and vowed that whenever they met him -they would arrest him and take him to Yellville and put -him in jail. A short time afterwards they met him in the -public road. As soon as Stinnett recognized them, -and having heard of the threats they had made, he -wheeled his horse and put spurs to him. They drew their -revolvers and put spurs to their horses in pursuit, commanding -him to halt. But Stinnett spurred his horse the -harder. They pursued him a distance of about ten miles; -but Stinnett's horse proved to be the best, and he made -his escape. They again returned to the Nation.</p> - -<p>The good people, generally, of the county were terrorized -and afraid to raise their voices against them, and it -became a question as to whether they had a man in the -county who had the courage to attempt their arrest. They -made it a question in the next election, to elect a man that -would make the arrest, if such a man could be found in the -county. There was a man living in the county by the -name of Brown, who was a cousin of the Cokers, and he -told the people that if they would elect him, he would arrest -them or they would kill him. He was elected by a -large majority, and, after he had qualified, took charge of -the office. The first time the Cokers came into the settlement, -he summoned two men, thought to be brave, who -pledged themselves that if it became necessary they would -die for him. He then went to the house of one of the -Coker family where the Cokers were staying, and on his -arrival found the two Coker brothers sitting in chairs in -the yard. He was within some thirty feet of them before -they saw him. Their guns were sitting near them, and -they seized them; but before they could present them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -Brown had his revolver cocked and leveled at one of their -heads, and told him not to attempt to raise his gun or he -would kill him. Coker turned his back to him with his -gun on his shoulder, secretly cocked it, and leveled it upon -Brown as near as possible without taking it from his shoulder -and fired, missing his aim. About the same time -Brown discharged his revolver at Coker and made a slight -scalp wound. The other Coker threw his gun upon Brown -and fired, killing him instantly. The two men who were -acting as a posse for the sheriff turned and fled, leaving -Brown lying dead on the ground. After the shooting the -Cokers fled to the Nation and remained there.</p> - -<p>The author will now relate another incident that occurred -in the same county. For years the Cokers and Hogans -had been intimate friends, and drank, gambled, and -horseraced together a great deal. There came up a trouble -between Coker and one of his brothers-in-law, and one -evening Coker, in company with Hogan, went to the house -of this brother-in-law. Both had been drinking. Coker -swore that he would ride onto the porch of his brother-in-law, -and made the attempt. His brother-in-law caught -the horse by the bridle and warned him not to ride onto -porch, and that if he did he would kill him. Coker drew -his revolver, spurred his horse, but as he entered the porch -his brother-in-law shot him dead. Coker being a cousin -of the Indian Cokers, they charged Hogan with inducing -him, while drinking, to go to his brother-in-law's house, -so as to give him a chance to kill him, and that Hogan's -life should pay the penalty. Shortly afterwards Hogan -was traveling on an old trail that led along the bluff of -White river. The river here made a bend in horseshoe -shape, following the bluff all around. The Cokers learned -that Hogan was going to pass through this gap, and they -lay in wait for him, cutting off all avenues of escape possi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>ble -so he would be forced into the horseshoe for his escape. -When he came in sight they raised the Indian war-whoop, -and drew their revolvers. Hogan looked around and saw -that his pursuers were in about a hundred yards of him. -He saw his predicament, as for a quarter of a mile he confronted -the bluff, and that there was only one avenue of -escape. He went to the edge of the precipice and looked -over. There, under the bluff, lay the deep, blue waters -of White river, 150 feet below. Again he turned his eyes -toward his pursuers. He knew it meant death if they -caught him; so he made the fearful leap over the bluff, -striking the water where it was about twenty-five feet deep. -Hogan was a wicked man and cursed a great deal. He -swore it didn't take him long to reach the water, but that -he thought considerable time intervened from the time he -struck the water until he reached the top again. He swam -to the bank which was but a few feet distant. His pursuers -came to the precipice, looked over, and said that they -had made Hogan do something they had intended to do, -and that was, to take his own life, as they supposed no human -being could make the leap and live. After cutting -his saddle and bridle to pieces, they turned his horse loose, -and reported that Hogan was killed. Hogan traveled -around under the bluff for about two miles, made his way -home, wound up his business, sold his farm, and moved -into Fulton county, Arkansas, which ended the trouble between -them.</p> - -<p>The author will relate another incident that occurred -in Marion county, Arkansas. There was a widow residing -in that county, who was left with a family of children, -among them a boy about twelve years of age. Her horse -ran away, and she sent her boy in pursuit of it. After he -had found it and was returning home, leading the horse, -Hogan and one of his friends met him in the road. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -had both been drinking, and seeing the boy, concluded to -have some fun out of him. Hogan, with an oath, said, -"What are you doing with my horse?" The boy replied, -"It is not your horse, it is mother's horse." Hogan -sprang off his horse, and, thinking to scare the boy and -have some fun with him, said: "Here, you know it's my -horse; give him up." The boy pulled a barlow knife out -of his pocket, and, opening it, said, "You attempt to come -near me, and I will stick this knife into you." Hogan -stepped up to him and said, "You little rascal, would you -attempt to cut me with a knife?" The boy, without any -further words, made a stroke at him with the knife, and -the blade entered his body near the left breast. Hogan -declared afterward that he jumped about ten feet high. -He turned to his friend and remarked: "I believe our fun -with the little bugger has caused my death, or at least a -serious wound." He went to a physician, had the wound -probed, and found the knife had penetrated a rib and -reached the inside. The physician informed him that had -it passed between the ribs it would have killed him instantly. -Hogan remarked to the boy, after he stabbed -him, "My son, you are made out of the right kind of -stuff. I had no intention of hurting you or taking your -mother's horse from you, I merely wanted to have some -fun; but I see I have struck the wrong boy this time. Go -on and take your horse to your mother."</p> - -<p>The author will refer to another incident that occurred -in Howell county, Missouri. In the year 1860 there was a -man who resided in West Plains by the name of Jack McDaniel, -who was a blacksmith by trade. This same Hogan -came to town, soon became under the influence of -whiskey, went down to McDaniel's shop with a horse, and -ordered him to shoe him. McDaniel had two other horses -in the shop at the time to be shod, and said to Hogan that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -as soon as he had shod those two horses, he would shoe -his. Hogan said, "I am in a hurry, and I want you to -shoe mine now." McDaniel told him that he could not -shoe his horse until he had shod the other two horses. -Hogan said, "If you don't shoe him at once, I will whip -you." McDaniel then pulled a barlow knife out of his -pocket, and, opening it, said: "Yes; and if you fool with -me, I will cut your throat from ear to ear." At this remark, -Hogan moved right up to him and said, "Just smell -of my neck." McDaniel struck at him with the knife, -and the blade entered just under the ear, cutting to the -bone all the way around into the mouth. Hogan went to a -physician in West Plains and had the wound dressed. He -then went to a glass, looked in, and said that he had lived -a long time, been in many tight places, but he had never -had such a mouth as he had now, and remarked, "My -mouth looks as if it was spread from ear to ear."</p> - -<p>The people then generally gave their time to growing -stock, especially horses and cattle, as hogs and sheep had -to be kept close around the farms and penned of a night, especially -the pigs, on account of wolves and other wild animals. -I have known the wolves to kill 2 and 3 year old -cattle. Farmers fed their corn chiefly to cattle, horses and -mules. They always commanded fair prices. Cattle, at the -age of four years and upwards were driven to Jacksonport, -Arkansas and from there shipped to New Orleans. Horses -and mules were driven to Louisiana, Mississippi and some -to the Southern part of Arkansas and there put upon the -market. Prices generally ranging from $75 to $150. All -of our groceries were purchased in New Orleans, shipped -to Jacksonport, from there they were conveyed by wagons. -Our dry goods were mostly purchased at Lynn Creek, Missouri -and brought through by wagon, but in the early settling -of the country they hauled dry goods all the way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -from St. Louis except what were brought into the country -by peddlers. The peddlers would go to St. Louis on horse -back with one and sometimes two led horses, buy the -goods, pack them, place them on their horses and peddle -all the way from St. Louis and still further west and take in -exchange all kinds of fur skins.</p> - -<p>I have seen peddlers with one horse still loaded with -goods and the other covered with fur skins, and I have -seen them again after they had disposed of all their goods -with all three horses completely covered with fur skins and -sometimes so heavily loaded that the peddler would either -be walking and leading or driving.</p> - -<p>Money was scarce but the people spent very little -money, were not in debt and lived much better and easier -than they do now. Their counties were out debt and the -county warrants were always at par.</p> - -<p>When my father first located here, there were about four -or five settlers in all of the territory that now belongs to -Howell County; there were but three men that resided upon -what is known as the middle bayou, William McCarty and -his sons, Green and Willis.</p> - -<p>In about three years after my father settled here, McCarties -sold out and located on the bayou above Bakersfield. -In 1844 there was a man by the name of Thomas -Hall who resided about 10 miles southwest of West Plains, -a man by the name of Cyrus Newberry resided about 10 -miles from where West Plains now is, and a man by the -name of Braudwaters resided near where Moody is now located.</p> - -<p>There was not a settlement in all the territory that -now includes Howell valley. There had been a settlement, -by a man who was a hunter, made at what is now termed -the town spring at West Plains who had cleared five or -six acres, but had left it. All the valleys in Howell coun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>ty -were considered worthless on account of there being no -water.</p> - -<p>When the country commenced settling, there was no -attention paid to congressional lines. As they settled on -the streams, they would make conditional lines—blaze -across the bottom until they would strike the table-lands; -and the next men who might come in and settle would -blaze his conditional line across, and for years there was -but little land entered. Men only sold their improvements, -and there was a fixed law, or custom, that prevailed among -them—that no man should enter the land and take another -man's improvements without paying him for them. A few -such instances occurred to my knowledge. The man was -at once waited upon, and informed of the rules and customs -of the country; and besides the rules and customs, it -was not right nor honest to take a man's labor without -paying him for it; and that it was the intention and purpose -of the people to see that justice was done every man; -and he was therefore notified to proceed to the late owner -of the improvements and pay him the value of the improvements; -and if they couldn't agree upon the value, submit -it to two disinterested neighbors; and if they couldn't -agree let the third man be brought in, which finding would -be final. In every instance if the man who had made the -entry failed to comply with the terms, he was at once notified -that his absence from the settlement and a speedy departure -from the country would be satisfactory to the settlement; -and that if he failed to comply, he would have to -submit to the punishments that would be inflicted upon -him. If the improvements, which were always reasonable, -were paid for, the party would move off, blaze out another -claim, and go to work to improve it; but if he didn't receive -pay for his improvements, he remained on the land -and the other fellow's whereabouts would soon be un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>known; -and when the land was sold for taxes, the man -owning the improvements would buy it in by paying the -amount of taxes and costs without an opposing bid.</p> - -<p>When my father first located in this country, a large -portion of the territory had never been sectionized. What -was known as the old survey, including range seven and a -part of range eight (now in this county) formed a part of -the old survey. Congress passed a law graduating the -price of land according to the length of time it had been -upon the market. The government price was $1.25 per -acre. The first reduction was twenty-five cents upon the -acre; then they reduced the purchase price every few -years until all the land included in the old survey went -down to a bit an acre. The graduation law allowed each -man to take up 320 acres by making actual settlement and -cultivating it. But the land speculators took advantage of -the law and hired men to go upon the land and make a few -brush-heaps, and in the name of some man apply for the -entry, until all of the graduated lands were taken up, and -there was not a bona fide settler who had complied with -the law in one out of every hundred.</p> - -<p>Most of the land in Howell, Gunters, Peace, and -Hutton valleys, and the land where West Plains is now -situated, were entered at a bit per acre. After the entries, -the valley lands commenced settling rapidly. When the -time came to procure a patent to the land, speculators went -to Washington and engineered a bill through Congress to -allow the parties to prove up without making proof of actual -settlement, and in that way fraudulently obtained patents -to two-thirds of all the land above referred to. The -next thing, the speculators went East, sold their lands (or -mortgaged them) by representing that all of the table lands -were bottom lands and covered with walnut, hackberry,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -box elder, and other bottom growths. They let the mortgages -all be foreclosed.</p> - -<p>The merchants, who procured title to the lands, sent -out agents to examine the land, who went back and reported -that the lands were valueless and were not worth the taxes -and refused to pay taxes on them. With some few exceptions -the lands were offered time and again for taxes, -would not sell for the amount of the taxes and thousands -of acres remained in that condition until a short time before -the building of the Kansas City & Memphis railroad. -All of the table lands were looked upon by the people as -being entirely worthless and fit for nothing but range.</p> - -<p>My father in the year 1849 sold out and removed from -Bennett's river, Fulton county, to the North Fork of White -river, in Fulton County but two miles from the State line, -dividing Missouri and Arkansas. In the year 1852 father -took the winter fever, died and was buried in the cemetery, -three miles above the State line, known as the Teverbauch -cemetery.</p> - -<p>In the year 1854 my mother and one brother died with -the bloody flux, leaving three sons of the family, William, -the oldest one living, F. M. and James I. Monks. The -author was married on the 10th day of April 1853 to Martha -A. Rice, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Rice. He -continued to reside upon the old homestead and was a farmer -by occupation. The country commenced settling up -rapidly. All the land on the streams was settled, with very -few exceptions, with a frugal and intelligent class of people, -mostly from the middle states. In the year 1856 Howell -county was created by taking a part of the territory of -Ozark and a part of the territory of Oregon, to-wit: Ranges -7 and 8 and a small part of 9 were taken from Oregon -county and the remainder of 9 and 10 was taken from -Ozark county. Andrew V. Taber, —— Johnson (and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -name of the other commissioner we have forgotten at the -present time) proceeded to locate the county seat and purchased -40 acres near the West Plains spring and laid it out -into lots, got the county seat near the center, as a sufficient -amount of water was necessary, taking into consideration -the town spring and then what was known as the Bingiman -spring. The lots sold rapidly and the town grew beyond -any expectation and the country was improving and -settling up with the town.</p> - -<p>In 1858 the author sold out on the North Fork of -White river and moved into Howell county and located 11 -miles southwest of West Plains upon sections 2 and 11, -range 9, was appointed constable of Benton township and -in the year 1860 was elected constable of Benton township, -commenced reading law in the year 1858. In the year -1860 West Plains was said to be the best, neatest, prettiest -town in South Missouri and contained about 200 inhabitants; -had a neat frame court house in the center -of the square, a first-class hewed log jail, had four first-class -stores (for the country at that time) which kept continually -on hand a general assortment of merchandise, had -two saloons, tan yard and the county was out of debt, with -money in the treasury; a county warrant then was good for -its face value in gold, and the country was prosperous in -every respect. The people generally were fast friends and -their chief interest was to develop the resources of the -country and aid and help each other.</p> - - -<h3>How a Mob Was Prevented</h3> - -<p>In 1860, a man resided about three miles below West -Plains by the name of Collins Coffey on the farm recently -owned by Thomas Bolin and some men by the name of -Griffiths and Boles—(some of them resided in West Plains -and some of them resided in Thomasville, Oregon county)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> -and they and Coffey had a falling out with each other and -the enmity between them became very great. So the Griffiths, -who lived at West Plains went down to Thomasville -and they and the Boles with a few other friends declared -that they would come up to Coffey's and mob him.</p> - -<p>They went to work and made for themselves a uniform, -procured a bugle, fife and snare drum, procured a hack, -made them a place for a candle and aimed to come up in -the night.</p> - -<p>Coffey owned considerable stock among which was a -bull about four years old. The range then was luxuriant -and there was a pond near the side of the road that led -from Thomasville and West Plains and the bull with other -cattle had lain down on the edge of the road about one -mile from Coffey's residence. They armed themselves, -procured their musicians, got into their hack, drawn by -two horses and started off to the scene of action with a -bright light, with a flag flying and the music playing. -When they reached the place near where the male -was laying, he rose to his feet, squared himself and fetched -a keen bellow as though (although he was animal) he -might have some information as to their mission. They -paid no attention to the action of the bull and on their driving -within about ten feet of him he made a desperate lunge -forward; they supposed that he intended to gore the horses, -but missed his aim, struck the hack near the coupling, broke -the coupling pole and turned head over heels, and fell -right between the horses. The horses became frightened, -made a desperate lunge to extricate themselves, and the -bull at the same time was scuffling to extricate himself. -Both horses fell, the bull and horses were all piled into a -heap, grunting and scuffling. The occupants of the hack -were all piled out in a heap, almost in an instant, and before -they could extricate themselves and get onto their feet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -the bull had gotten up and was moving in the direction of -his master's house bellowing every step as if to say, "I -dare you to come any further." As soon as the posse got -to their feet, having prepared, before they started, with -plenty of whiskey, and being pretty well filled at the time -of the occurrence, Boles got to his feet, drew his pistol, -cocked it and swore he could whip any bull he ever saw, -especially a one horned Coffey bull.</p> - -<p>The hack was almost demolished and the occupants -considerably bruised, both horses crippled, and after consultation, -they concluded that as the Coffey bull had proved -so successful they had better abandon their trip and retreat -"in good order" to Thomasville, leaving their horses -hitched by the roadside and the shattered hack piled up at -one side of the road.</p> - -<p>The next morning they sent out a team and brought -the horses and hack back to Thomasville, and they were -wiser and perhaps better men, as they never again attempted -to mob Coffey.</p> - -<p>The strange feature about this matter is that the bull -was never known to be cross before this occasion, when -his master was to be mobbed.</p> - -<p>The society of the country had increased with the -population, and school houses and churches were erected -all over the country, nice farms were opened up, the dwellings -changed from round log to hewed log and frame, the -people all manifested a great deal of interest in schools and -churches and the general development of the country.</p> - - -<h3>Religion and Politics.</h3> - -<p>The prominent religious denominations from 1849 to -1860 consisted chiefly of Methodists, Baptists and the -Christian order; but all appeared to recognize each other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -as Christians and would very often work together, as they -had in the early pioneer days.</p> - -<p>Everything had the appearance of pointing to the day -when Howell county would become the garden spot of -South Missouri.</p> - -<p>Politically, the country was largely Democratic. In -political campaigns the Whig and Democratic candidates -would canvass the country together, and while on the -stump speaking they would assail each other's platforms in -most bitter terms. After the speaking was over they would -go to the same hotel or boarding place and laugh and talk -together as though they belonged to the same political party, -and after the election was over the successful party -would be recognized by the people as the officers of the -whole people. You would see no partisan line drawn by -the different courts between political parties, but the appointments -of all local officers were made according to the -qualifications of the man and not as to what party he belonged. -The author, having been born and raised by -Democratic parents, was a Democrat and acted with the -Democratic party, his first vote for president having been -cast for James Buchanan. In 1860 a great political question -of the nation began to be agitated and a very bitter -feeling was manifested from the stump between the Republican -and Democratic parties.</p> - -<p>After the Democratic party divided and the bolters -nominated Breckenridge for president, the author took part -in the canvas and was a strong advocate of Stephen A. -Douglas, the regular nominee of the Democratic party, and -at the election cast his vote for Stephen A. Douglas for -president.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="MISSOURI_AND_THE_CIVIL_WAR" id="MISSOURI_AND_THE_CIVIL_WAR">MISSOURI AND THE CIVIL WAR.</a></h2> - - -<p>Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United -States. Soon after the election they began to discuss the -question of seceding from the Government. The author -again took the field in opposition to secession, and delivered -a number of speeches.</p> - -<p>In a short time the people that had been the closest of -friends and trusted a neighbor with the most sacred thing -they possessed became bitter enemies and arrayed themselves -against one another and as the discussion of the great -question of war continued to grow more bitter the people -appeared to align themselves for and against secession. -The people soon grew so bitter that they often talked of -fighting each other.</p> - -<p>Before the firing on Ft. Sumpter and after several of -the states had actually seceded the Union sentiment prevailed -so strongly in the state of Missouri that Clabourn -Jackson, the then acting Governor, was compelled to order -an election in the state of Missouri to settle the matter by a -vote, of the people as to whether Missouri should secede or -remain in the Union. The author then took the stump and -advocated that the state remain in the Union and manifest -her loyalty to the preservation of the Union. In this campaign -the feeling of the war grew more bitter. The result, -however, of the election was that the state remained in the -Union. In the mean time, Ft. Sumpter had been fired upon -by the rebels.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>Clabe Jackson, the Governor, appeared to be determined -upon the state seceding either by fair or foul means. -Without regarding a majority vote of the people of the -state, Clabe Jackson, the then acting Governor, issued his -proclamation convening the Legislature in extra session for -the purpose of passing ordinances of secession.</p> - -<p>At that time Gen. Frost was in the command of the -militia and some state troops stationed in St. Louis Barracks -but he was in heart and sympathy a rebel. Everything appeared -to have been greased and prepared for the occasion.</p> - -<p>As the Governor had the whole machinery of the state -completely under his control he believed that it would be -an easy matter for the legislature to pass ordinances of secession -and carry the state out of the Union, but the Government -authorities at Washington learned of the critical -condition and deep laid scheme of the Governor to carry -the state out of the Union and at once ordered Capt. Lyons -of the Regular Army, (who afterward became General of -the volunteer forces and fought the battle at Wilson Creek, -Missouri) to come to St. Louis; he, being a captain in the -Regular Army, outranked Gen. Frost, took possession of -the troops, arms and amunitions, etc., reorganized and rapidly -increased the army by volunteers.</p> - -<p>On information reaching Gen. Lyons that the legislature -had been convened in extra session he at once took his -available troops and left St. Louis with the intention of -surrounding the Capitol and taking the members of both -houses, the Governor, with all his state officers, prisoners; -when the Governor learned that the Government troops were -en route for Jefferson City and their purpose, he ordered the -bridge to be burned across the Gasconade river near its -mouth, on what was then known as the North Pacific R. R. -This delayed the troops for several hours. On their approach -to Jefferson City the Governor and state officers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -the members of both houses of the legislature and all the -troops that had been ordered to the Capital by the Governor -retreated to Boonville, Missouri.</p> - -<p>I heard our representative in a speech delivered a -short time afterwards, say they came so near getting him -while he was getting out of Jefferson City that he lost -his umbrella. Lyons pursued them and at Boonville they -made a stand and on Lyon's arrival with his troops he -attacked them and they fought for a short time. They -again retreated, went into the extreme west part of the -state to a place known as Lone Jack. There they made -a stand again, Lyons still pursuing. He again attacked -then at Lone Jack and after a short fight they retreated -again into the State of Arkansas, and there Governor -Jackson convened the legislature and they passed ordinances -of secession declaring the State of Missouri out of -the Union and that she was attached to the compact forming -the Confederate States.</p> - -<p>General Lyon returned to St. Louis, increasing his -force considerably, several regiments being attached to his -command from other states. The government ordered him -to prepare his troops and move west to Springfield. -The terminus of the South Missouri Pacific R. R., at -that time was at Rolla, Missouri. While Lyon was massing -his troops and preparing to march to Springfield the -most intense excitement prevailed in the entire State of -Missouri.</p> - - -<h3>A Big Confederate Meeting at West Plains.</h3> - -<p>The Confederate authorities at once commenced recruiting -for the Confederate service and the Confederate -recruiting officers published a public meeting at West -Plains about the first or tenth of July and while the Confederate -authorities were moving, the union or loyal ele<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>ment -of the country was not idle, but was watching every -move, openly and secretly preparing for the conflict.</p> - -<p>A few days before the meeting was to be held at West -Plains the Confederates sent to the pinery and procured -a long pine pole, hoisted it at the corner of Durham's store -at the northwest corner of the public square and swung -to the breeze the stars and bars. At the same time, or -near the same time, the Union men sent to the pinery -and procured a pole. They hoisted it on the northeast -corner of East Main street by the corner of McGinty's -store where the S. J. Langston Mercantile Co., building -now stands and swung to the breeze the stars and stripes.</p> - -<p>It was freely published throughout the county by the -Rebels that if any Union man attempted to open his mouth -on that day he would be shot as full of holes as a sifter -bottom. There was a beautiful grove then growing just -east of the branch on East Main street running from the -town spring. Large preparations were made by the Rebels -for the occasion. It was published that there would be -leading Confederates from all over the state and different -other states to speak on that day and one of the main -features of the day would be recruiting for Confederate -service. A big speaker's stand was erected with hundreds -of seats. When the day arrived the town was crowded -with people and the friends of both parties were armed -and appeared to be ready for the conflict. The stars and -bars attracted a great deal of attention, being the first -flag that had ever been seen by the people that antagonized -the stars and stripes and threatened to destroy the -United States Government.</p> - -<p>There was soon a number of determined men gathered -under each flag. A number of their prominent speakers -were on hand, among them Judge Price, of Springfield, -known as "Wild Bill" Price. They readily took in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -situation and saw that a conflict was imminent, and -as they were not ready for it they met together in -council and agreed that their men should not bring on -the conflict on that day. Quite a number of the parties -prepared themselves at the speaker's stand. When different -speakers were introduced to address the people, many -of the men would sit, either with their guns in their hands -or with their guns near to them, and the most fiery and -extreme speeches were made that I ever heard.</p> - -<p>The author well remembers the speech of Judge William -Price. He told them that the lopeared Dutch had -reached Rolla, Missouri, the terminus of the railroad, and -that they were complete heathens; that Abraham Lincoln -had given the state of Missouri to them, if they would send -enough lopeared Dutch to conquer the state, and that to -his knowledge they had gone out into the country and -taken men's wives and daughters and brought them into -the camps, and that he saw them, in the presence of the -mothers, run bayonets through their infant children and -hoist them up and carry them around on their bayonets; -that Abraham Lincoln had offered a reward for all of the -preachers that were in favor of the South. He bursted -into tears and asked the question, "I want to know who -the man is, and the color of his hair, that won't enlist in -the interest of his home, his wife, his children and everything -that is sacred and good, to drive out lopeared Dutch, -a certain class of Hessians, from our land." He urged -them to come forward and place their names upon the rolls. -Nearly all the preachers present placed their names on the -recruiting list first.</p> - -<p>The excitement grew still more bitter. In the afternoon -they began to threaten openly that the stars and -stripes should be hauled down; that no flag should be allowed -to float in West Plains that countenances and toler<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>ates -heathen in our land. The Union men declared that -the stars and stripes should not be lowered unless it was -done over their dead bodies. Quite a number of Union -men had assembled under the flag. The Union men were -led by a man named Captain Lyle. He had been warned -and cautioned by his friends not to open his mouth, for the -reason that he would be shot full of holes. Late in the -evening there was a lull in the speaking. The author -walked up into the speaker's stand, called the attention of -the people, saw a number of rifles grasped in their hands, -and announced to them that they had been sitting all day -listening to Confederate speeches, but on the next Saturday, -if they would meet him at Black's store, about ten -miles west of West Plains, they could hear Union speeches -and the constitution of the United States would be read; -thanked the crowd and stepped down. Quite a number of -guns were raised in the hands of parties and a shower of -groans and hisses, and remarks openly from a number that -"We ought to shoot his black heart out now."</p> - -<p>It appeared for a while that it would be impossible to -evade a conflict of arms. A number of orders being sent -to the Union men to draw down their flag or they would -fire on it and the men who supported it, an answer was returned -that the rebels were requested to draw down their -flag as it was a stranger in the land and unless they lowered -their flag the stars and stripes wouldn't be lowered an -inch, unless it was done over their dead bodies. At last a -proposition came that they would agree for the sake of -averting bloodshed to commence lowering both flags at the -same time which proposition was accepted; so wound up -that day's proceedings.</p> - -<p>On the Saturday following, the author, with several -other Union speakers, met at Black's store where there -were several rebel captains and lieutenants. The author<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> -made a speech in favor of remaining in the Union and -stated that the attempt to secede by some of the states -would eventually result in sad disaster, besides bringing -untold suffering upon the people. Several other Union -speeches were made after which the author read the constitution -of the United States and urged that all lovers of -republican form of government would comply with the demand -of the supreme law of the land and, if necessary, sacrifice -property and life in defence of the same; so ended that -day's proceedings.</p> - - -<h3>McBride Establishes Military Law.</h3> - -<p>As the organization of the confederates proceeded they -still grew more bitter against the Union men and declared, -by meeting and passing resolutions, that every Union man -should show his colors in favor of the South or be hung as -high as Hamen. In the meantime the Union men had secretly -organized and met together, to take into consideration -as to the time when they should act.</p> - -<p>The prevailing sentiment was, that they should remain -dormant and let the rebels shed the first blood, while the -minority thought the time had come for action, and that -they ought to act before the rebels crippled them and tied -them up in such a manner that, when the time did come, -they would be entirely helpless and at their mercy.</p> - -<p>McBride, who had been elected judge of the 18th Judicial -circuit, which included Howell county, whose home -was in Texas county, was made Brigadier General of the -Confederate forces and commenced organizing and massing -his troops. On the arrival of the federal troops at Rolla, -Missouri, he became fearful that they would attack him, -rout him and destroy his forces, so he concluded to march -south to West Plains and make his headquarters at that -place until he could organize his forces and prepare for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> -marching west, where he intended to join the forces of Gen. -Sterling Price and Gen. McCullough who then were massing -their forces to march on Springfield, Missouri, to attack -the federal forces who were then stationed at Springfield -under the command of Gen. Lyon and Gen. Seigle. -On his arrival at West Plains he opened up headquarters, -issued his proclamation that all Union men or any men -that were unfriendly to the Confederate cause should come -in and take the oath and the civil law was declared to be -suspended and the military law completely in force.</p> - -<p>Then was when the dark day and trouble began to -hang over the Union people. As soon as it was known -that the civil law was suspended little bunches of rebels organized -all over the country and also in the state of Arkansas. -In a short time after Gen. McBride's arrival in West -Plains a man who was a door neighbor to the author came -into his field where he was cutting wheat, asked him if he -had seen the order of McBride. My answer was "No." -He remarked, "Well, he has made a general order, requiring -all Union men, especially those who have been -open and active in behalf of the Union, to come in and take -the oath, and unless they do they are going to hang them -as high as Hamen." The author replied to him that he -was a Union man and he knew it; he had been open and -outspoken for the Union and had voted for McBride when -he was elected Judge, but now he thought he was acting -outside of the law and humanity.</p> - -<p>I had neither violated the law of my land nor harmed -any man and I didn't consider that McBride had any right -to order me to take an oath to take up arms against my -country or support those who had taken up arms. If this -did become a general war, I thought they were making a -blunder, for the Government, or the lopeared Dutch, as -they termed them, would have the advantage in the way of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -transporting forage and commissaries and amunitions of -war, while the Confederates would have to rely mostly for -their resources upon the county; that I was a peace officer -and while I was a strong Union man wasn't taking up arms -and I thought that those who wanted to fight, if there had -to be a fight, should go out into the open fields, and not -force the war onto non-combatants, and that the country -would suffer enough at best. Now you know I am a Union -man, and I know that you are in favor of the Confederate -cause, and I think this is the course that ought to be -pursued at the present time. The Confederates are in -control of the country, and they will come around and say -they must have forage for the support of the army, and ask -you if you know of any Union men; you could tell them, -"My neighbor right here is a Union man, but he is not -disposed to take up arms and go into the fight; take as little -from him as you can possibly do with, and as little from -myself; in return, if this war goes on, and the Federal authorities -extend their jurisdiction, they would be out hunting -rebels for the purpose of getting forage and commissaries, -and I could say to them that my neighbor here is a -rebel but take just as little as possible from him, and as -little as possible from me, as we are going to have a hard -time to get through the war any way. But if you pursue -the policy you say has been adopted by the Confederates, -you will force all non-combatants into arms or drive -them from the country and completely depopulate it." He -burst into a big laugh and remarked, "Your promises are -like a broken stick, you will never see the lopeared Dutch -in this country." I said to him, "My friend, if this war -goes on, before the end of it you will see what you call -lopeared Dutch as thick as blackbirds;" and we separated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>General Lyons Drives Rebels from Rolla.</h3> - -<p>About June 10, 1851, the rebels were having a big -meeting at Rolla, Phelps county, Missouri, for the purpose -of recruiting. General Lyons at St. Louis, learned of the -meeting, and at once placed quite a force in the cars, -well armed and closed them up so they would not be detected -and started for Rolla with the intention of capturing -the whole outfit.</p> - -<p>On the day set for the rebel meeting, quite a number -of them had assembled and a certain young lawyer was -delivering an address, telling them that one southern man -could whip five lopeared Dutch and all they wanted was -just an opportunity; in the meantime Lyon's forces had -reached Dillon, the next station east of Rolla about five -miles distant. There the forces were taken from the cars -and divided, some marching southwest and the others -northwest, making a flank movement for the purpose of -surrounding the whole place. While they were marching -some person, who was a rebel, went with all the speed -possible and informed the meeting that the Dutch were -right upon them; that the woods were full of them and to -get out of there as quick as possible, if they wanted to -save their lives.</p> - -<p>The lawyer who was addressing them sprang from the -speakers stand and holloing at the top of his voice as he -went, "Get away from here, the Dutch are upon us." It -was said that the lawyer ran so fast that if a glass of water -had been sat upon his coat tail it would not have spilled. -They scattered to the woods in all directions. The Federal -force came in; but their birds had all flown and left the -citizens who had remained to tell the sad tale.</p> - -<p>The rebel forces at once retreated to Salem, Missouri, -where they again concentrated their force. The Federal -scout, in a few days followed them to Salem, and there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -again routed them and they retreated directly to West -Plains, joining the command of McBride at that place. -The rebels, hurriedly, concentrated their forces from all -the south and southeastern counties of Missouri and from -the northern counties of Arkansas.</p> - -<p>General McBride made an order to gather all the arms, -amunitions, and horses that were fit for the service, as -speedily as possible and the report was put in circulation -that he had given the county over to the leading rebels, -who resided in it, whose action, whatever they did touching -the Union men, would be indorsed and carried out by -General McBride. The leading rebels of the county at -once sent out word that they were going to take all the -arms, amunition and available horses from the Union men -and that McBride required each and every one of them to -report and take the oath at once, and if they failed to comply -with said order, speedy action would be taken against -them.</p> - -<p>They would either be arrested, imprisoned or forced -into the Confederate army to fight and their leaders would -be hung.</p> - -<p>On the issuing of the said order the wildest excitement -prevailed among the Union men. They immediately met -for the purpose of consultation as to what their final action -would be. There were divers opinions among them; some -of them were for acting at once; others (and a majority of -them) were in favor of waiting until the rebels shed the -first blood. Those who refused to report and take the oath -had to place themselves in hiding at once. The rebels -made a general move to raid, harass and capture the Union -men. Then real danger confronted a man who claimed to -be a Union man. The rebels had made a general amnesty, -upon the condition that they would join the Confederate -army and become loyal to the Confederate States. About<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -two-thirds of the men who had been open and avowed -Union men saw the danger that confronted them, and -joined the Confederate army and claimed that they would -be loyal to its cause. The remainder of the Union men -were disarmed at once, except those who kept themselves -concealed in the mountains and hills.</p> - -<p>After they had completely disarmed them and forced -many of them to join the Confederate service, had taken -most of their horses, cattle and hogs for the use of the -army, the leading rebels in the county claimed that they -had organized for the purpose of ridding the country of all -Union men who had refused to join the Confederate forces; -that when McBride moved west he was going to leave the -whole matter in their hands, and they intended to string up -the Union men to limbs and shoot them, so they would -soon be rid of the class of men who were friends of the -lopeared Dutch and were nigger lovers.</p> - - -<h3>The Testing of Loyal Hearts.</h3> - -<p>Small bunches of rebel troops came in from Arkansas -and joined the bands that were raiding the country, and -the Union men were hunted like wild beasts. Then set in -the darkest day that ever any class of patriots, true to their -government, had to confront.</p> - -<p>The author remembers well when the Union men -would meet together, that they took the proposition made -by McBride into consideration, and it was discussed pro -and con. Some men would say, "While I am a Union -man and for the government, all that I have in the world -is here in Howell county; my little home, my property -and, above all, my wife and children. They have promised -us protection provided we will join the rebel army. -Had we not better accept the proposition and wait for results?" -Others would arise, with tears dripping from their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -eyes, and remark that this state of affairs is hard indeed. -"Can I afford to abandon my wife and children that I love -so well and leave them unprotected in the midst of an open -state of war, at the mercy of a mad and distracted people, -who are thirsting for the loyal blood of the nation, and be -alienated from them, perhaps, never more to see them?" -Others would arise and remark that "We have seen this -danger coming for months and we are satisfied that the -worst has not come, and I know that I love my wife, my -family, my little children, as I love my own heart; I love -to meet them around my fireside and enjoy their sweet -company, and I have delighted in laboring to furnish them -food and raiment and shelter while they were growing into -manhood and womanhood, but I have read and heard read -that my highest duty was to God and my second duty was -to my country; and the organic law of the nation requires -at my hands that whenever it becomes necessary to preserve -my government, that I owe to it my life, my honor -and the welfare of my family; and the trying ordeal is now -at hand and I don't know what the final result will be—if I -am forced away from my family, I know they will be left -at the mercy of an intolerant and unrelenting enemy, but -I now and here lay my life, my family, my property and -my future happiness upon the altar of my country, and let -come what will, weal or woe, I intend, with all my feeble -effort, to defend the stars and stripes, and stand up openly -and courageously in defense of and for the preservation of -the Union." That proposition prevailed and was unanimously -adopted by the Union men.</p> - -<p>At this time there was no government aid in reach of -these loyal hearts, that were controlled by nothing but love -of country. Uncle Sam could do nothing for them. They -were completely surrounded in an enemy's country, and -while they (the men), with what arms they had preserved,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -could by strategy evade the arrest and slaughter of themselves, -their families were completely at the mercy of a mad -and howling mob, thirsting for the blood of Union men.</p> - -<p>While the loyal men in the North were enlisting in the -interest of their country, Uncle Sam paid them $13.00 per -month, clothed them, and their families were left in the -care of friends; they knew nothing about the war, except -what they read; but not so with the Union men who were -surrounded in an enemy's country. They, without a single -word of protection or comfort from the government for -themselves or their families, but their love and devotion to -their country led them to furnish themselves, to leave their -families as best they could, at the mercy of a howling mob, -for the defense of their country.</p> - - -<h3>Rebels Defeated in Douglas County.</h3> - -<p>The loyal men in Douglas county and the north part -of the county of Ozark were in the ascendency. A rebel -force organized from the county of Howell, Missouri, and -Fulton county, Arkansas, wanting to have some fun hunting -Union men, learned that on Bryant's Fork on the north -fork of White river in Ozark county there was a bunch of -Union men. So they armed and equipped themselves, -furnished themselves ropes, and marched to hunt the place -these men were said to be. The Union men hearing of -their intention hurriedly prepared a temporary barricade -around the house, and about sixty of them gathered together -with their squirrel rifles in readiness to repel the attack -in case it was made. The rebel scout consisted of -two hundred and fifty men.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning reliable information reached the -Union men that the rebel forces were well under way and -would reach them some time in the afternoon. One of the -Union men, who had always borne the reputation of being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -a brave man and would fight anything, became impatient -as the time drew near that they were to be attacked. He -had been a great hunter and was considered a first-class -shot, and he remarked to the Union men, "I can't wait for -the rebels to attack us, I want to get a shot at one so bad -with Old Betsy (his gun). I know of a bald knob, about -a quarter of a mile from here, where the rebel force is -bound to pass. I am going there; place yourselves in -waiting, and when you hear 'Old Betsey' belch, you may -know there is one dead rebel, and be certain that they are -coming." In about an hour after the man referred to had -left, the rebel advance came in sight, but they never heard -"Old Betsy" belch. They vigorously attacked the Union -men inside their fortifications, and after fighting for about -an hour, they retreated, leaving one man dead upon the -field and one wounded. The Union men received no injury -whatever. They became very uneasy in regard to -their friend and "Old Betsy," supposing he had fallen into -the hands of the enemy and they had used the rope on -him. Search was made all along the line of march of the -rebels for the missing man, but no information could be -learned of his whereabouts. However, in about one week, -news came from Douglas county that their friend and "Old -Betsy" arrived safely at another rendezvous of Union men -in Douglas county, about forty miles distant, and reported -that the Union men had had a fight with the rebels, and -they were all captured or killed, with the exception of himself, -and he had made his escape after the fight.</p> - -<p>Just before McBride broke camps to march west to -join Gen. Price and Gen. McCullough, he made a general -order that they arrest and seize every Union man possible, -and after he left the country, that the committee who had -been organized to take charge of the county, would at once -exterminate every Union man who had failed to take the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -oath or to join the Confederate army, giving them full -power as to what disposition they would make of them.</p> - - -<h3>Rebels Capture Col. Monks.</h3> - -<p>On the 7th of July, 1861, one of my neighbors came -to me and informed me that the time had come that every -Union man had to show his colors and unless they reported -and took the oath or joined the Confederate army, they -would hang as high as Haman. While the Union men -were on their guard and watching their movements, once in -a while they would slip in home to see how the family was -getting along. My family at that time consisted of a wife -and four children, three girls and one boy. My wife had -never been accustomed to staying alone and I came in -home late on the evening of the 7th, thinking that I would -leave the next morning before daylight. Sometime after -the family had retired, not far from 11 o'clock in the night, -I was awakened by a rapping on the door. My wife, suspecting -who the parties were, answered them, and demanded -to know what was wanted; one of them, who claimed to -be an orderly sergeant, remarked that he wanted to know -if Monks was at home. She replied that he was not. A -man by the name of William Biffle, whom the author had -been acquainted with for years, replied, "He is here, I -know, for I coursed him into this house late yesterday evening." -The author at once arose to his feet and remarked, -"I am here, what is wanted?" A man by the name of -Garrett Weaver, who claimed to be an orderly sergeant -and in charge of the squad, also a neighbor to the author -said, "I have been ordered by Gen. McBride to arrest -you, bring you in and make you take the oath." I owned -at that time a first-class rifle and there was also another -rifle gun in the house. I took my gun into my hands -and my wife took hold of the other gun. I told them that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -a general order had gone forth, so I was informed, that they -wanted to hang all the leading Union men and "if that is -your intention I will die before I surrender." Weaver replied -they were not going to hang me, but they were just -going to take me to McBride to take the oath and I should -be protected. Upon those terms I agreed to surrender, -made a light in the house and found that the house was surrounded -by a posse of twenty-five rebels. As soon as the -light was made, a part of them rushed into the house, took -my gun and jerked the one my wife had in her hand out -of her possession, almost throwing her to the floor, began a -general search of the house for other arms and such things -as they said the army needed.</p> - -<p>As soon as I dressed, they ordered me to move. They -didn't even give me time to say good-bye to my wife, nor -to imprint a kiss upon the cheeks of my loving children. -Closely surrounding me, they marched me about 250 yards, -came to their horses, where two more of their posse guarded -the horses, they having dismounted, to approach the -house on foot so they might not be heard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i057.jpg" width="580" height="396" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>COL. MONKS ARRESTED AND TAKEN FROM HOME</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>"Billy, You Ought Not to be So Saucy."</h3> - -<p>When within a few feet of the horses the author was -halted. It was just starlight. I noticed a man by the -name of Wilburn Baker, a man with whom the author had -been acquainted from a boy, go to the horn of one of the -saddles, lift therefrom a coiled rope and move toward the -author. The author quickly arrived at the conclusion that -the time had come to enforce the order of hanging. Baker -ordered the author seized by the arms, drew them behind -him and securely tied him. The author asked, just -as they had completed the tying, "What do you mean? -Are you going to cage me?" Baker replied, "Billy, you -ought not to be so saucy, for you don't know the danger -you are in." I was at once ordered placed on a horse. -One of the posse rode up to my side and placed the other -end of the rope around his body and the posse moved west. -A short time before daylight they arrived at the house of -William Nicks, who was a rebel lieutenant. They dismounted -and took the author into the house. There appeared -to be a general rejoicing among them. Nicks said, -"You have got him, have you? We had become uneasy -about you, and thought it might have been possible that he -had his Union forces around him and that you had met -with disaster; but I feel satisfied that we have now captured -the leader and the counselor of the Union forces and the -remainder will be easily extinguished." Gen. McBride in -the meantime, being uneasy for fear the Federal troops -would attack him, had removed his forces from West Plains -to the south part of Howell county, camping at what was -known as the Flag pond.</p> - -<p>I was closely guarded until daylight. McBride's forces -had broken camp at the Flag pond on the morning -of July 8th and were marching west with the intention of -joining the forces of Gen. Price and Gen. McCullough, who -were then moving in the direction of Springfield, Missouri, -with the intention of attacking the Federal forces at that -place, commanded by Gen. Lyon and Gen. Siegel. Very -early on the morning of the 8th the party started in a southwest -direction, with the author closely guarded. On -coming near the head of Bennett's river, Fulton county, -Arkansas, the posse commenced cheering and remarked: -"Listen! Do you hear the drums and the fife? That is -Gen. McBride's command moving west to kill them lopeared -Dutch that you Union men have brought into the -state of Missouri. Do you know what we are going to -do with such men as you are? Those of you that we don't -hang, the first fight that we get into with the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>lopeared -Dutch, we will make breastworks out of to keep the -bullets off of good men."</p> - -<p>About one mile further we came in sight of the moving -column. We rode along the line, when there was general -cheering until we reached a company that was organized -in Oregon county and commanded by Capt. Simpson. -Simpson said, "Why have you brought a Union man in -here alive! If my company had possession of him, he -could not live ten minutes."</p> - -<p>We soon reached a company commanded by Capt. -Forshee which was organized in this county to whom the -whole posse that made the arrest, belonged. The author -was well acquainted with all of them and over half of them -resided in the same settlement and were his neighbors. -On reaching the company Captain Forshee walked out of -the line and remarked to them "Why have you brought -him in here alive?" Some of the posse remarked, that -he had been a neighbor and they had all been friends up to -the war and they hated to kill him. Forshee said "When -I saw him at West Plains at the speaking when he got up -and contended that there was a union and the government -ought to be preserved, I wanted to shoot his black heart -out of him and I feel the same way yet."</p> - -<p>The author was kept in close confinement and on the -night of the 8th the command went into camp near what -is known as the old Steve Thompson farm. The author, -with several other prisoners, was placed in the guard house -and orders were given that he be closely guarded.</p> - -<p>After they had taken their suppers, men that the -author had been acquainted with from his boyhood, and -men who had been acquainted with his relatives, came to -the guard house in considerable numbers and remarked, -"Hello, Monks?" "I never expected to see you under -arrest." "What have you been doing that they have ar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>rested -you? I thought you was a good Democrat." "Have -you left your party." "The Democratic party is in favor of -the South." The author replied to them that when they -thought he was a good Democrat they were right. But that -he was not a slave to party and that he held country higher -than party and if Democracy meant secession and nullification, -that was one part of the principals of Democracy that -he had never learned; that true Democracy, as understood -by the author, taught every man that in case his country -was invaded either externally or internally that he owed -his honor and property in the support of it and for those -reasons he was for the preservation of the Union at all -hazards. Some remarked that "We ought to hang him -right now without waiting any longer" Others remarked -that "We have been acquainted with his people both -on his mother's and father's side and they were all southern -people and Democrats and they are all of them, almost, -in favor of the South. It is strange indeed to see -the course that he has taken." The author remarked that -"There were always some shabby sheep in a flock and I -suppose from your reasoning that I am one of them." -They all retired, the officers giving orders that the most -vigilant watch be kept over the prisoner. After he had -retired a gentleman by the name of Joseph Teverbaugh -who resided in Ozark county, a merchant and the owner -of about twenty negroes, who had been well acquainted -with the author from his boyhood, brought up the conversation -as to what disposition they thought ought to be -made of the author. The author could easily hear all the -conversation inside of the guard line. Many opinions were -expressed. Quite a number said, "Hang him outright." -That was the only way to get shut of the Union men, to -make short work of it, and forever rid the country of that -element.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - -<p>Others said that appeared to be too harsh, that they -were in favor of taking him to Little Rock and confining -him in the penitentiary until the war was over, for it wouldn't -take but a short time to rid the country of the lopeared -Dutch and those who were friends to them. Others remarked -that "that would be too easy for a man who was in -favor of the lopeared Dutch; that we are in favor of taking -all like him right into the army and making them fight and -if they won't fight, the first engagement we get into, pile -them up and make breastworks out of them, so that they -will catch bullets off of good men." At this juncture Teverbaugh -remarked, "I have been acquainted with Billy from -a boy and you never can force him to fight against what he -believes to be right, that he was a good boy and since he -has grown up to be a man he has been an honorable and -straightforward man and quite an active man politically and -my advice would be to confine him in the State Penitentiary -until the war is over, for I tell you now if he ever gains his -liberty you are going to have him to fight."</p> - - -<h3>Sold as a Beef Cow.</h3> - -<p>On the morning of the 9th they broke camp and marched -near the mouth of Bennett's river and went into camp at -what was then known as Talbert's mill. A short time after -we had been in camp Capt. Forshee, who had charge of the -prisoners, came to the guard house and the author requested -him that he be allowed to take the oath and return -home, as his wife and children were almost scared to death -owing to the reports that were currently circulated all -through the country, his wife would believe they had hung -him. The captain replied that they were not going to allow -him to take the oath. They had plenty of proof against -him, that he had been communicating to the lopeared Dutch -and as soon as they had formed a junction with Price and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -McCullough he would be tried as a spy. He gave orders -to the guard to see that he was kept in close confinement, -and about 11 o'clock in the night as near as the author can -guess, it being starlight, the Captain came down to the -guard house in company with one of his men, Frank Morrison.</p> - -<p>The author was lying on the ground pretending to be -asleep. The Captain came inside of the guard, called out, -"Monks, are you asleep?" The author raised up in a sitting -position and said, "Captain what is wanted"? The -Captain remarked, "I want you to go up to my camp fire," -which was about 75 yards distance from the guard house. -The author said, "Captain, this is a strange time of night to -come down and order me to your camp fire." He said; -"Not another word out of you, rise to your feet." He -ordered Morrison to step behind him with the same gun -that he had recently taken from the author and cock it and -"if he makes a crooked step from here up to the camp fire -shoot him through." The author heard Morrison cock -the gun and about half way between the guard house and -the camp fire the Captain remarked to the author, "Do you -know Kasinger?" The author, suspecting that he was -going to be delivered to a mob, said "I know him very -well; we have grown up together from boys." The Captain -said, "I thought he was a mighty nice man. I have -sold you to him for a beef cow." The author remarked -there was but one thing he was sorry for; that if he had -known he was going to be delivered to a mob he never -would have surrendered and had some satisfaction for his -life. The Captain said, "I thought I was doing mighty -well to sell a black Republican or a Union man for a beef -cow where we have as many good men to feed, as we have -here."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<p>His camp fire was under a gum tree with a large top. -The fires had all died down, it being in July and nothing -but the stars were giving the light. On coming within -two or three feet of the tree the Captain ordered the author -to halt. He and Morrison walked about ten paces -and said, "I have brought you up here to liberate you. -We have got plenty of good men here to feed without feeding -men who are friends to the lopeared Dutch." The -author replied to the Captain, "you may think you are dealing -with a fool. I have neither violated the civil nor military -law; have demanded a trial and you refuse to give it -to me. You can't bring me up here at this time of night -and pretend to turn me loose for the purpose of escaping the -responsibility of an officer and deliver me into the hands -of a mob."</p> - - -<h3>The Confederate Army or Hell.</h3> - -<p>The author was satisfied that he could then see a -bunch of men standing in readiness. The Captain replied, -"Sit down or you will be shot in half a minute." The -author sat down and leaned against the tree. He had on -strong summer clothing, wearing an alpaca vest and coat. -In an instant, about twenty-five men, led by Kasinger, and -a man by the name of William Sap, approached the author; -Kasinger, holding a rope in his hand with a noose in it, -walked up to the author, held the noose of the rope -above his head and said, "Monks, you have half a minute -to say you will join the army and fight, or go to hell, just -which you please." The author replied that it was said -that "hell was a hot place," but he had never been there, -and that he had always been counted a truthful man until -he had been arrested, and since his arrest he had been -asked divers questions of the whereabouts of the lopeared -Dutch, and that he had told them in every instance he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -knew nothing of them and had been cursed for a liar. "If -I was to say that I would join the army and fight, I might -have a cowardly set of legs and they might carry me away; -and in the next place, I am a Union man, first, last and all -the time. I suppose your intention is to hang me, and -there is only one thing I am sorry for, and that is that I -ever surrendered; but there is one consolation left, when -you kill me you won't kill them all, and you will meet -plenty of them that won't be disarmed as I am now."</p> - -<p>Kasinger replied, "No damn foolishness, we mean -business," and made an attempt to drop the noose over my -head, which was warded off with my arms.</p> - -<p>At this juncture the author appealed to the Captain for -protection from the mob, saying that he was a prisoner, -unarmed and helpless, and if he suffered him to be murdered -by a mob his blood would be upon the Captain's -head. No reply being made by the Captain, all of the parties -being considerably under the influence of whiskey, Sap -raised his left hand, pushed Kasinger back and remarked, -"I have been shooting and wounding some of these black -Republicans who are friends of the lopeared Dutch, but I -intend to shoot the balance of them dead." At the same -time he drew a pistol from his right-hand pocket, cocked -it, stooped over, ran his fingers under the author's clothing, -gave them a twist and commenced punching him around -the chest with the muzzle of the revolver, and after, as the -author thought, he had punched him some fifty or sixty -times with the revolver, the author said to him, "William -Sap, there is no question but that your intentions are to -kill me, and you want to torture me to death. You know -that if I was armed and on equal footing with you, you -would not do this." He made a quick jerk with his left -hand, intending to jerk the author upon his face, remarking -to the Captain at the same time, "Captain, you promised -him to us and we are going to take him." The author, -with all force possible, leant against the tree, Sap's -hold broke loose, tearing off all the buttons that were on -the vest and coat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i065.jpg" width="580" height="409" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>A NARROW ESCAPE FOR COL. MONKS.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>The author again appealed to the Captain for protection -from the mob. The Captain then remarked to Sap, -"Hold on for a moment, I will take a vote of my company -as to whether we will hang him or not." The company at -that time was lying on the ground, most of them apparently -asleep. The Captain called out aloud to his company, -"Gentlemen, I am going now to take a vote of my -company as to whether we will hang Monks or not. All -in favor of it vote, aye; all opposed, no." He then took -the affirmative vote and the negative vote. They appeared, -to the author, to be almost evenly divided. Sap again -remarked to the Captain "You promised him to us, we -have bought him and paid for him and he is ours."</p> - -<p>The author again appealed to the Captain for protection. -The Captain replied to Sap, "He claims protection -and as I am an officer and he a prisoner I reckon -we had better keep him until we reach McCullough and -Price and then we will try him for a spy and there is plenty -of evidence against him to prove that he has been -writing to the lopeared Dutch and after he is convicted -will turn him over and you men can take charge of him." -At this juncture a brother in-law of the Captain said, -"Captain, I have one request to make of you. I want -you to take Monks in the morning and tie him hard and -fast, with his face to a tree, and let me shoot with a rest -sixty yards and show you how I can spoil a black Republican's -pate." The Captain replied, "As soon as he is -convicted you can have the gratification of shooting him -just as often as you please."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Captain and Morrison again took charge of the -author, carried him back and delivered him to the guard -with instructions to the guard to be diligent in keeping -him closely confined so that he would have no possible -chance of escape. On the morning of the 10th we -broke camp and went into camp that night just beyond -where Mountain Home now stands. Dr. Emmons, of West -Plains, who was a strong Union man and who afterwards -became captain in the 6th Missouri Cavalry, attempted to -go through to the Federal forces but was pursued by the -rebels, captured somewhere in Texas county and brought -back to the camp. He was also a prisoner at the same time; -but being a master mason, was paroled to the limits of the -camp and on the night of the 10th made his escape and -got through to the Federal lines, enlisted and was made -captain. Of him we will speak later.</p> - - -<h3>In Camp at Yellville.</h3> - -<p>On July 11th they broke camp and reached Yellville, -Marion county, and on the 13th reached Carrolton, a small -town in Arkansas, and went into camp. The author well -remembers the spring. It ran out of the steep, rocky gulch -and the branch ran a little south of west and a beautiful -grove of timber surrounded the spring. The prisoners were -marched down within a few feet of the spring and there -placed under guard. As usual, the abuse that had been -continually heaped upon the prisoners during the march was -renewed and in a short time a man who was said to be from -one of the counties north of Rolla, Mo., commenced making -a speech and inciting and encouraging the soldiers to mob -the prisoners at once; that he had disguised himself and entered -the camps of the lopeared Dutch at Rolla, and that to -his own personal knowledge they had men's wives and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> -daughters inside of their camps, committing all manner of -offenses possible, and that they were heathens; didn't resemble -American people at all and that he would not guard -nor feed any man who was a friend to them; that they -ought to be killed outright.</p> - -<p>The men who enlisted in the Confederate army from -Howell and adjoining counties, before starting, went to the -blacksmith shops and had them large butcher knives -made; made a belt and scabbard and buckled them around -them, and said that they were going to scalp lopeared Dutch. -In a short time the tenor of the above mentioned speech -had incited over 400 men and it had become necessary to -double the guard. The grove of timber was filled with -men and boys looking over, expecting to see the prisoners -mobbed every minute. There was a man who drew his -pistol, others drew knives and made different attempts -to break lines and mob the prisoners. The man in possession -of the pistol declared that he intended to shoot them. -He was on an elevated place and they called him "Red," -and there were three or four men holding him to prevent -his firing. The author remarked to him that: "The time -will soon come when you will meet men who are not disarmed. -You had better save your bravery until you meet -them, and my opinion is that you won't need any man to -hold you then." Just about this time on the north side of -the spring—the land dropped toward the spring, on a descent -of about 45 degrees—the author heard the voice of a -man ordering the guard to "open the lines and let these -ladies come in." The author at once arose to his feet and -spoke out in an audible voice to the guard to give away and -let the ladies come in and see a Northern monkey exhibited, -that the monkeys grew a great deal larger in the north than -they did in the south. At this juncture it appeared to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -one more man to hold Red who said that "he would kill -the saucy scoundrel if it took him a week to do it."</p> - -<p>When the posse came in we saw that the ladies were -accompanied by eight or ten Confederate officers with -about fifteen ladies. All the ladies carried small Confederate -flags, the first ones that the author had ever seen. On -coming very close to the prisoners they halted and one of -the officers remarked, "These are the Union men that are -friends to the lopeared Dutch. Couldn't you tie the knot -upon them to hang them?" I think almost everyone spoke -out and said "we could." After heaping other epithets -and abuse upon the prisoners they and the officers retired -outside of the line. The speaker was still talking, urging -and insisting that the prisoners should be mobbed at once, -that they should not be permitted to live.</p> - -<p>At about this stage of the proceedings a man's voice -was heard on top of the bank saying, "Men, I believe -your intentions are to kill these prisoners. You have all -started out to fight and you don't know how soon you -might be taken prisoner and you would not like to be treated -in any such manner; I know Billy, (referring to the -author) and all you have against him is the political side -that he has taken and I order the orderly sergeant to double -the guard around the prisoners so there will be no possible -chance for the mob to get through, and move with the -prisoners south to a large hewed log house and place the -prisoners therein, and place a guard around the walls and -suffer no man to approach the house without an order -from the officers."</p> - -<p>As the prisoner began to move, the excited soldiers, -who were wanting to mob them, brought out an Indian yell, -and it appeared to the author he could almost feel the -ground shake. After they were put into the houses, -among the prisoners were some who were deserters,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -the author whispered to the Union men and told them to -lie down close to them so that they could not distinguish -from the outside one from another. The author was informed -by Maj. William Kelley, of the Confederate army, -who resides at Rolla, Phelps county, Missouri, at the present -time, that he was the officer who made the order to -remove the prisoners into the house and place a heavy -guard around them to prevent their being mobbed. This -ended the excitement for the evening.</p> - -<p>The author had always been a believer in the realities -of religion. About one-tenth of the officers appeared -to be Baptist and Methodist preachers, and frequently -when they would go into camp would call a large number -of the men together and very often take the prisoners and -place them near by under a heavy guard, and then convene -religious services. They always took for a text some -subject in the Bible and the author remembers well of the -taking of the subjects in the book of Joshua, where -Joshua was commanded to pass around the fortifications of -the enemy and blow the ram's horn and the fortifications -fell, and, the God of Joshua was the same God that existed -to-day and there was no question but that God was -on the side of the South and all they had to do was to -have faith and move on, attack the lopeared Dutch and -God was sure to deliver them into their hands.</p> - -<p>The author could not help but add, in his own mind, -that when the attack is made that God set the earth to -shaking and all around where the lopeared Dutch are standing -that the earth will open and swallow them up just -leave their heads above the surface; so that those Confederates -who were so furious could take their big knives -and scalp the Dutch as they had said on divers occasions -they intended to do.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Makes His Escape.</h3> - -<p>The author was determined to make his escape whenever -the opportunity offered; and he could learn all about -the whereabouts of the Federal soldiers from the excited -Confederate scouts who would ride along the lines and say -that the lopeared Dutch were as thick as rats at Springfield, -Missouri, moving around in every direction and they -might be attacked at any time and General McBride was -looking every day to be attacked by the Federal forces to -cut off his forming a junction with Generals Price and -McCullough.</p> - -<p>In about four or five days they reached Berryville, near -where the Eureka Springs are, and went into camp just -west of Berryville right at the spurs of the Boston mountain. -The prisoners were placed in the guard house near a -little creek that was then dry. Captain Forshee's company -went into camp next to the company commanded by -Captain Galloway of Howell county. As the weather was -very hot and dry and the author had been marched barefooted -(one of his shoes having worn out) until his feet -were badly blistered, he was lying down, feigning sickness. -The guard has become a little careless. Just about sundown -heavy thunder set in the west. The clouds continued to -increase, the elements grew very dark. In the mean time -they had put out a chain guard all around the encampment -and said guard was about thirty steps from guard -house. The low lands were all bottom, covered with -heavy timber and a large oak had fallen across the creek -and reached from bank to bank and the bark had all slipped -off. About thirty feet from the top of the tree the foot -of a steep mountain set in. The guard fire was about sixty -yards south of the guardhouse. The clouds soon came -up and a heavy rain set in, with terrific thunder and light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>ning, -and as the army had temporary tents the guards all -crawled in under the tents and left the author by the fire. -The rain soon quenched the fire.</p> - -<p>The chain guard were walking up and down the dry -creek and they met at the log referred to. The author -thought now was his time to make his escape, if ever; knowing -that he would have to have a shoe, slipped to one of the -tents, got hold of a shoe, and then the thought struck him -that he would like to have a revolver, but on further examination -found their revolvers to be placed in such a position -that it was impossible to get one without waking the -men. He then slipped to the butt of the log and heard the -guard meet at the log and turn again on their beat. He at -once crossed on the log on the other side, walked into -the brush, reached the foot of the mountain about twenty -steps distant and halted. Everything appeared to be quiet, -the release around the guard fire were singing, whooping -and holloing.</p> - -<p>The author then took the mountain which was about -one quarter of a mile high, and it always has appeared to -the author that he crossed the log and went up the mountain -as light as a cat. On reaching the top, still raining -heavily, the thought came into his mind that "I am once -more a free man, but I am in an enemy's country, without -friends," and at once determined in my mind to reach -Springfield, Missouri, if possible. I sat down, pulled on -the shoe that I had taken and it just fitted without a sock; -I then procured a dead stick for the purpose of holding -before me as I traveled for fear I would walk off of some -steep cliff or bluff, as it was very mountainous.</p> - -<p>Having the guard fire for a criterion I moved northwest, -soon struck the leading road west that the army was -marching on, traveled the road for about one mile, came -onto the pickets, surrounded the pickets, struck the road<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -again, traveled all night until just gray day, directly west -or nearly so. A slow rain continued all night. As soon -as it became light enough to see I found myself in a country -completely covered with pine timber. I turned square -from the road, went about 350 yards up to the top of a -high knob, found about one quarter of an acre level bench. -A large pine had turned out by the roots and the hole was -partially filled with old leaves. The author always had -been afraid of a snake but the time had come when he had -more fear of a man than a snake, so he rolled himself -down into the hole in the leaves and at the time had become -chilled with the steady rain. About 9 or 10 o'clock, -as well as the author could guess, he heard the beat of the -drum which told that the army was marching on the same -road that he had traveled in the night. In a short time -the army passed where the author was lying in the sink. -The author could have raised himself up and have seen the -procession pass but he had seen them just as often as he -wanted to and he remained still. Late in the evening a -company of about 65 men passed. The author was informed -afterwards that they had been detailed to make search -for the prisoner, with orders if they found him, to shoot -him at once. The author was further informed by Confederates -who belonged to the command that as soon next -morning as it was reported that the author had made his -escape that the chain guard declared that no man could -have passed between them and they were satisfied that -the author was still inside of the lines.</p> - -<p>They at once made a large detail and commenced -searching. There were quite a large number of box elders -with very heavy, bushy tops. They said every single tree, -every drift and possible place of hiding, was examined. -Orders were at once issued by the commander, who sent -word back to the home of the author, that he had made his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -escape and to watch for him and as soon as he came in home -to arrest him and either shoot him or hang him at once.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon of the same day it cleared off and just -as soon as dark came, the author was determined to try to -reach Springfield, being in a strange country and knowing -that if he was re-captured it would be certain death. He -knew somewhere about the distance he had traveled west. -He located the north star which he used as his pilot or guide -and set out for Springfield, having no arms of any kind, not -even a pocket knife and had become very hungry. He came -to a slippery-elm tree, took a rock, knocked off some of the -bark, ate it and proceeded on his journey, traveling all -night. When gray day appeared again, he went to a hickory -grub, broke the grub off with a rock, cut the top off -with a sharp edged rock, to be used for a weapon, placed -himself in hiding, remained all day. As soon as night came, -again he proceeded on his journey, traveled no roads except -when they run in direction of the north star. On the second -morning he went into a small cave surrounded by a -thicket, about 10 o'clock in the day he found that he was -near enough to some rebel command to hear the drilling. -As soon as dark came on he proceeded on his journey. -The nights were dark and only star light until the after part -of the night. He went near a spring house, but when he -got to it, there wasn't a drop of milk in it. He passed -through an Irish potato patch, grabbed two or three small -Irish potatoes and ate them; passed through a wheat field, -rubbed out some dry wheat in his hand, ate that; ate a few -leaves off of a cabbage. On the third morning, went into -hiding, remained until the darkness came again and resumed -the journey.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 4th at daylight I had reached an -old trace, pulled off my clothes and wrung them and put -them on again as the dew was very heavy and every morn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>ing -my clothes would be wet. I went about 30 or 40 yards -from the old trace and thought to myself, if I saw any person -passing that was not armed, that I would approach -and learn where I was. Hadn't been there more than -a half hour when I heard a wagon coming. As soon as the -wagon came in sight I saw that there was a lady driving, -accompanied by a small girl and boy, I got up and moved -into the road, walked on, and met the wagon, spoke to the -lady. She stopped the wagon and I asked her if she would -be kind enough to tell me where I was, that I had got lost, -traveled all night and didn't know where I was. She told -the author that he was in Stone county, Missouri, and -asked him where he was from. I told her that I was from -the state of Arkansas. She wanted to know if there was -much excitement there. I told her that there was; that -men were enlisting and going into the Confederate service -and the people were generally excited over the prospect of -war. I asked her if there was any excitement in this country. -She replied that there was—that the rebels a day or -two ago had run in, on White River, and killed four Union -men and drove out about 40 head of cattle and "that's why -I am going out here in this wagon. My husband belongs -to the home guards and has come in home on a furlough -and is afraid to knock around the place for fear he will be -waylaid and shot by the rebels."</p> - -<p>I then asked her if she would allow me to ask her a -civil question. She replied that she would. I asked her -what her politics were, and she told me that she was a -Union woman. I told her, then, that I would tell her the -truth; that the rebels had had me prisoner and that I had -made my escape from them and had been traveling only in -the night time; that this was the fourth morning since I -had made my escape, and I asked her how far it was to the -house; that she was the first person I had spoken to since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -I had made my escape. She said it was about 350 yards -around the point, to go on down to the house, and as soon -as she got some light wood she would be back. I went to -the house, halloed at the fence, a man came to the door -and invited me in. I walked in, and at once I began to -look for arms, and to my great delight I saw a Springfield -musket lying in the gun rack, with a cartridge box with -the letters U. S. on it. O! the thrill of joy that passed -through my mind. I had often heard the old adage quoted, -that "a friend in need is a friend indeed," but had never -before realized its full meaning. In a short time the lady -returned. She went to work cooking, soon had me something -to eat, but I had almost lost my appetite, having -fasted so long.</p> - -<p>After I ate something and while she was preparing -provisions to carry with me the man told me there was -but one place that we could cross White river without -being placed in great danger of being captured by the -rebels, for they were patrolling up and down the river -every day. I told him I never had attempted to travel -a foot in daylight since I had made my escape. He told -me he thought if we could get safely across the river, he -knew of an old trace that led across the mountains -and intersected Taney county and as soon as we reached -that settlement they all belonged to home guards and a -man would be in no danger in making himself known.</p> - -<p>The woman baked enough biscuit and tied up bacon -and red onions with them, the author thought, to have -lasted a hungry man three days, for him to carry with -him and we at once, after taking leave of the good -woman followed by her best wishes that I would get -through to the Federal lines safely, started for White river, -about two miles distant. Just before reaching the river -he left the author standing in the road, went into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> -house near by and soon came out with two other men in -company with him. On reaching the river where there -was a canoe tied to the bank they stepped aside by themselves, -held a short consultation; then all got into the canoe, -carried me across the river, piloted me across the river -bottom to where the old trace left the bottom; there we -separated, they hoping that I would get through to the -Federal lines safely. They didn't think there was any -danger in traveling in daylight, because there wasn't a -single settlement for the entire distance of 25 miles.</p> - -<p>The author traveled on until dark had overtaken him. -The moon gave no light until the after part of the night. -The author laid down by the side of the road, took a nap, -after the moon came up proceeded on his journey and in -about two miles came to a house. Hallooing at the gate, a -lady came to the door and said: "Come in." They appeared -to have a very savage dog. I remarked to the -lady that I believed the dog would bite me and noticed at -the same time that she stood off to one side of the door. -She remarked: "Go in; that dog will not bite you." -As I stepped into the door I was confronted by a man -standing in the middle of the floor in his night clothes -with his old Springfield musket cocked and presented and -he called out, "Halt!" The author halted, of course, and -the next remark was, "Who are you and where is the balance -of your crowd?" The author replied: "There is no -balance of them and there is not much of myself left. The -Confederates have had me prisoner and I have made my -escape from them and I am now trying to reach Springfield, -Missouri."</p> - -<p>The man ordered his wife to strike a light, and after -viewing the author critically, placed his Springfield musket -near the bed and invited the author to take a seat, while -he dressed himself. Being not more than two hours until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -daylight, his wife asked me to go to bed and rest. I told -her that I wasn't fit to lie in bed; that I had lain on the -ground like a hog ever since I had been arrested. She -said that it didn't matter how dirty a Union man was, he -was welcome to sleep in her bed, and to lie down and she -would proceed at once to get breakfast; that there were -some refugee wagons, about two miles distant, making their -way to Springfield, and that she would have me up in time -to reach them. Accordingly, after eating breakfast before -daylight, and starting with the purpose to reach the wagons -before they broke camp, the man remarked to the author, -"My captain lives just this side of where the wagons are -camped and I know he would love to see you and learn about -the movements of the rebels."</p> - -<p>When we got to the house, he hallooed and the captain -came out, asked the author his name, where he lived and -when he was taken prisoner. The author gave him his -name and place of residence, and on learning that he was -from Howell county, asked him if he was acquainted with -a man by the name of Washington Galloway. The author -informed him that he was well acquainted with him. He -inquired as to which side he was on, the Confederate or -Union. The author informed him that he was on the rebel -side and was a captain commanding one of the rebel companies; -that I saw him and had had a conversation with -him on the evening before I made my escape. He said, -"He is an own brother of mine. My name is Jesse Galloway;" -and the tears ran from his eyes like a whipped -child. He said, "Get down; you are not in a condition to -travel any further at the present time." He gave me a -change of clothing and had my clothes washed and sent me -through to Springfield by one of his men on horseback.</p> - -<p>About three weeks after I left him the rebels slipped -up near his house, lay in ambush, and when he came out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -into the yard they shot him to death while he was holding -an innocent child in his arms.</p> - - -<h3>Arrives at Springfield.</h3> - -<p>On reaching Springfield, I was conducted directly to -the head quarters of Gen. Lyon, gave him all the information -in my possession and told him I had been entirely -stripped, had no means with me for support and I would -like to join the army. He remarked to me, "I don't want -you to join the army; we intend to move south next -spring and you are one of the men that will be in great demand. -We have a position for you and the Government -will pay you good wages."</p> - -<p>A short time after I arrived I met a man by the name -of Percy, a lawyer, who resided at West Plains, a bitter -rebel, who was in there as a spy. I was alone and there -were very few persons that I was acquainted with living in -Springfield. Percy had been posing as a Union man and -offered that if I would go with him, he would carry -me safely through home; tried to get me to agree to go outside -the lines with him after dark, but knowing that he -was a bitter rebel and had been taking an active part in -the rebel movement I discarded him as quick as possible. -In a day or two Benjamin Alsup, who resided on Hutton -Valley, Howell county, happened to meet him in town, -and he being acquainted in and about Springfield, had him -arrested at once. A man by the name of Moore, who -was a strong Union man, lived about two miles from -Springfield on the Wilson creek road took me home with -him for the purpose of resting up. He was the owner of a -fine dapple gray gelding four years old. He made Gen. -Lyon a present of him. About five days before the Wilson -Creek battle it was reported that the Rebels were on Cane -creek, west of Springfield, in considerable force. Gen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -Lyon moved out with a considerable force, riding the same -horse, but on seeing the federal forces approaching they -retreated. On the 8th day of August the rebels appeared -in large force, being commanded by Gen. Price and Gen. -McCullough.</p> - - -<h3>General Lyon Killed at Wilson Creek.</h3> - -<p>Gen. Lyon sent out scouts with glasses for the purpose, -if possible, of ascertaining their number. The rebels -had gone into camp about ten miles from Springfield, -with the avowed purpose of attacking Gen. Lyon the next -day at Springfield, and as the scouts were not able with -their glasses to see the largest force of rebels, which was -encamped around a point out of sight, reported as to -what they thought the number was. Lyon and Siegel -came to the conclusion that by strategy they could easily -whip them, so on the morning of the 10th, about midnight, -they broke camp at Springfield, taking all of their available -men. The morning being very foggy and misty, they easily -surrounded the pickets and took them prisoners without -the firing of a gun, then drew up and fired the artillery -into them before they knew they were there.</p> - -<p>So the memorable fight known as the battle of Wilson -Creek was begun. Gen. Lyon rode the horse above referred -to at the time he fell on the battlefield. Both the -Confederate and Union side were founding all their future -hopes upon the result of that battle, as to settling the question -in Missouri. The author heard the artillery all day. -Late in the evening word came to the Union men that Gen. -Lyon had been killed and that the Federal army was retreating -in the direction of Rolla, Missouri, and that all the -Union men and the home guard would fall in and meet -them at once. O! the scene that followed. Men would -hurriedly ride around, meet their wives and children, tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -them that the battle was lost and they were then retreating -and they had only time to come around and bid them good-bye, -and to do the best they could; that they didn't know -that they would ever be permitted to see them again. We -could hear the wife and children crying and sending up -the most pitiful petitions to God to have mercy.</p> - -<p>Everything on the Union side appeared to be dark, -although it was a drawn battle and the rebels commenced -retreating at the same time, and retreated about twenty-five -miles west, but on learning that the Federal troops -were retreating, they faced about, taking possession of the -battle-ground and all of the southern and western portion of -the state; and then the rebels, being encouraged by the -late victory, determined to rid the country of all Union -men at once.</p> - -<p>About that time about 350 men mostly from Oregon -county commanded by two very prominent men, made a -scout into Ozark county, Missouri. On reaching the North -fork of White river they went into camp at what was known -as Jesse James' mill. The owner, a man of about 55 or 60 -years of age, as good a man as resided in Ozark county, -was charged with grinding grain for Union men and their -families; at the time he, and a man by the name of Brown, -were cutting sawlogs about two miles from home in the -pinery. They went out and arrested them, arrested an old -man by the name of Russell and several others, carried them -to a man's house, who was a Union man, and had fled to -prevent arrest. They took Brown and James about 300 -yards from the house, procured a rope, hunted a long limb -of a tree, rolled a big rock up to the first rope where it was -tied to the limb, placed the noose around James' neck, -stood him on the rock, rolled the rock from under him and -left him swinging, rolled the rock to the next rope, stood -Brown on it, placed the noose around his neck, rolled the -rock out and left Brown swinging in the air, went to the -third rope, placed Russell on the rock, and just as they -aimed to adjust the noose, word came that the home guards -and Federals were right upon them in considerable force. -They fled, leaving Russell standing upon the rock and both -Brown and James dangling in the air.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i082.jpg" width="580" height="391" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>HANGING JESSE JAMES AND MR. BROWN.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Their Wives and Other Women Bury Them.</h3> - -<p>Every Union man now having fled in fear of his life, -the next day the wives of Brown and James, with the help -of a few other women, buried them as best they could. -They dug graves underneath the swinging bodies, laid bed -clothing in the graves and cut them loose. The bodies fell -into the coffinless graves and the earth was replaced. -So the author is satisfied that the bones of these men -still remain in the lonely earth underneath where they met -their untimely death with no charge against them except -that they had been feeding Union men, with no one to bury -them but their wives and a few other women who aided.</p> - -<p>Some of the men who were in the scout and present -when the hanging was done are still living in the counties -of Howell and Oregon.</p> - - -<h3>A General Jackson Soldier Shot Down.</h3> - -<p>A short time after this hanging there was a man by the -name of Rhodes, who resided on the head of Bennett's -Bayou in Howell county. He was about eighty years of age -and had been a soldier under General Jackson. His head -was perfectly white and he was very feeble. When he -heard of the hanging of Brown and James he said openly -that there was no civil war in that, and that the men who -did it were guilty of murder.</p> - -<p>Some two weeks from the date of the hanging of Brown -and James, about twenty-five men, hearing of what he -had said, organized themselves and commanded by Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -Nunly and William Sapp, proceeded to the house of -Rhodes, where he and his aged wife resided alone, called -him out and told him they wanted him to go with them. -His aged wife came out, and being acquainted with a part -of the men, and knowing that they had participated in the -hanging and shooting of a number of Union men, talked -with them and asked: "You are not going to hurt my old -man?" They said: "We just want him to go a piece -with us over here." Ordering the old man to come along, -they went over to a point about one quarter from the house -and informed him of what he had said. There they shot -him, cut his ears off and his heart out. Dr. Nunly remarked -that he was going to take the heart home with -him, pickle it and keep it so people could see how a black -republican's heart looked.</p> - -<p>They left him lying on the ground, proceeded directly -to Joseph Spears', who resided about six miles west of town -on the Yellville road, declaring that they were going to treat -him the same way. They reached his house about two hours -in the night, all full of whiskey. When they arrived there -Spears was sick in bed. They dismounted, came in, ordered -their suppers and their horses fed. Spears at that -time owned a negro man, and he ordered him to put up the -horses and feed them, and his wife to get them supper. -After supper, they concluded to remain until morning. -During the night they became sober, and concluded, since -Spears owned a "nigger," that it could not be possible -that he was a Union man, and the reports that they had -heard that he was a Union man might be untrue, and they -would let him alone until they could investigate further.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i085.jpg" width="580" height="412" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>CUTTING OUT RHODES' HEART.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the meantime, Rhodes not having returned home, -and not a single Union man left in the country that Mrs. -Rhodes could get to look after him, and having heard -when they reached Joseph Spears' that the old man was -not with them, although very feeble, she still continued the -search; on the second day, about fifty yards from the road -and about a quarter of a mile from home, while she was -looking for him, she heard hogs squealing and grunting as -though they were eating something. She proceeded to the -place and found the hogs were just about to commence eating -the remains of her husband. The Union men having -fled, she notified some of the neighbors, and the women -came in and helped dress the body and buried him the best -they could; and neither at the taking down or burial of -Brown and James and the burial of the old man Rhodes did -a single rebel put in an appearance.</p> - -<p>There never was a man arrested by the Confederate -authorities, or a single word of condemnation uttered, but -as far as could be heard there was general approval. It was -said that the means used were desperate, but that was the -only way to get rid of the men and strike terror to them so -they could neither give aid nor countenance to the lopeared -Dutch.</p> - - -<h3>Benjamin Alsup Taken to Little Rock.</h3> - -<p>In a few days following they proceeded to arrest Benjamin -Alsup, residing in Hutton Valley, who was a strong -Union man, took him to Little Rock, placed him in the -state penitentiary, and kept him there until after Little -Rock fell into the hands of the Federals, when they exchanged -him with other prisoners. While they had him in -prison they worked him in a bark mill by the side of an -old mule, with a strap around his breast and two leather -hand holds. He pulled so much in the mill that his little -finger was calloused and he almost entirely lost the use of it.</p> - -<p>After they had hung, shot, captured and driven -from the country all of the Union men, they called a public -meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -should be done with the families of the Union men, which -meeting had a number of preachers in it. After discussing -the premises, they arrived at the conclusion that if they -let the families of the Union men, who had escaped and -gone into the Federal lines, remain, they would return and -bring in the lopeared Dutch. They didn't believe that -both parties could ever live together, and as they now had -the country completely rid of the Union men, they would -force their families to leave. They at once appointed men, -among whom were several preachers, to go to each one of -the Union families and notify them that they would not be -allowed to remain; because if they let them stay, their men -would be trying to come back, and they didn't believe both -parties could live together. They stated at the same time -that they were really sorry for the women and children, but -nobody was to blame but their husbands and sons, who -had cast their lot with the lopeared Dutch. Also, as they -had taken up arms against the Confederate states, all the -property they had, both real and personal, was subject to -confiscation and belonged to the Confederate authorities; -but they would allow them to take enough of the property -to carry them inside of the lines of the lopeared Dutch, -where they supposed their men were and where they then -could care for them.</p> - - -<h3>Loyal Women Driven From Their Homes.</h3> - -<p>They said they might have a reasonable time to make -preparations to leave the country, and if they didn't leave, -they would be forced to do so, if they had to arrest them -and carry them out.</p> - -<p>The wildest excitement then prevailed among the -women and children. They had no men to transact their -business and make preparations to leave. Little had they -thought, while they were chasing, arresting, hanging and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -shooting their men, that they, too, would become victims -of the rebel hatred and be forced to leave house and home, -not knowing where their men were or whether they were -dead or alive. All they knew of their whereabouts was, -that those who escaped arrest had left their homes, aiming -to reach the nearest Federal lines.</p> - -<p>Women were at once dispatched to reach the nearest -Federal lines, if possible, and inform them of the Confederate -order, and procure help to take them out. Their -homes and houses were being continually raided by small -bands of Confederates roaming over the country, claiming -that they were hunting Union men, taking all classes of -property that they might see proper to take, without any -restraint whatever.</p> - -<p>When the Union men heard that an order had been -made requiring their families to leave, not thinking that a -thing of that kind would ever occur, having left them with -comfortable homes and plenty to eat, the wildest consternation -reigned amongst them.</p> - -<p>The Federal authorities were willing to give them aid, -but were placed in such a condition that they needed every -man in the field, and for that reason couldn't give them -any help in getting out. The women had to speedily fit -up as best they could, close their doors and start for the -Federal lines, leaving the most of their property in the -hands of the rebels. The rebels proceeded at once to take -possession of and occupy most of the homes.</p> - -<p>The suffering that followed the women and children is -indescribable. They had to drive their own teams, take -care of the little ones, travel through the storms, exposed -to it all without a man to help them, nor could they hear a -single word of comfort spoken by husband, son or friend. -On reaching the Federal lines, all vacant houses and places -of shelter were soon filled, and they were known and styled -as refugees. Many of them went into soldier huts, where -the soldiers had wintered and covered the tops of their huts -with earth. They had to leave home with a small amount -of rations, and on the road the rebels would stop them and -make them divide up the little they had started with, and -reaching the Federal lines they would be almost destitute -of food and many of them very scantily clothed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i089.jpg" width="580" height="382" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>MRS. MONKS AND CHILDREN BEING DRIVEN FROM HOME.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>They would at once commence inquiring for their husbands -and sons. Numbers of them never found them, as -they had been captured, killed and imprisoned while -attempting to reach the Federal lines. O! The untold -misery that then confronted them! After they had traveled -and half starved and suffered from cold and exposure, -promising themselves that when they reached the Federal -lines they would again meet their loved ones who could -again care for them, they were doomed to disappointment, -in a large number of instances.</p> - -<p>Those who did meet their husbands and sons were also -disappointed; they had either joined the service or been -employed by the government as guides and scouts, and the -small amount of pay they received from the government, -wouldn't provide food and raiment for their families. They -were compelled to still be absent from their families, -although they were suffering greatly for all of the -necessaries of life and for clothing and shelter. The -women's task of caring for and looking after the family and -the little ones was just as great after they had reached the -Federal lines as before. The government ordered that -wherever aid could be given, rations should be issued to the -families, and while the government did all it could in this -way, it was not able to furnish shelter and houses for their -comfort. Winter came on and they underwent untold suffering; -disease set in from exposure, besides the contagious -diseases of smallpox and measles, and hundreds of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -died for want of proper attention, while their men were in -the lines of the service of the government.</p> - -<p>Here let the author speak a word in behalf of the devotion -and patriotism manifested by those loyal women who -had given their husbands and their sons to be placed upon -the altar of the country, and sacrificed their homes and -their firesides, had become exiles and wanderers, without -home or shelter, had undergone untold suffering, had faced -disease and death, had seen the little ones die, calling for -papa, shivering with cold, suffering with hunger—all for -the love of their country. Yet when they would see the -Federal troops move by, with the stars and stripes unfurled, -they would cheer the boys in blue as they would -pass, and urge them to save the country they loved so well -and had made so many sacrifices for and were still willing -to suffer and wrestle with all the ills that a desperate war -had brought upon the country, and wanted to live to once -more be returned to their own hearthstones and be permitted -to live under their own vine and fig tree, where no man -dare molest them or make them afraid, to again enjoy all -the sweet comforts of life.</p> - -<p>We revere and honor every Federal soldier who enlisted -in the interest of his country from the Northern States, -where they knew nothing about war except what they read, -their families being left in comfortable circumstances, -with plenty to eat and wear and friends to speak works of -comfort to them, while their husbands and sons had gone to -the front and were willing to sacrifice themselves on the -altar of their country, if it became necessary. But O! the -comparison between the sacrifices made by the loyal element -in those portions of the country where they were -completely surrounded by the enemy.</p> - -<p>Those who were willing to lay upon the altar of their -country, their fathers and sons, their wives and children,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -their property and their sacred honor in support of the -government they loved so well, with no protection from -the government; no arms, amunitions, rations, clothing or -pay from the government, was thought of for a moment. -The only question that prompted, ruled and controlled them -was their patriotism to their God and their country. When -we come to compare the sacrifices, privations, suffering -and services between the two classes of loyalists the first -referred to, sink into insignificance.</p> - -<p>O! never let us forget to honor and revere patriotism -and sacrifices that were made by the loyal men and women -that were surrounded in the enemy's country and continual -fighting without and within. Their husbands and -sons were shot and hung and imprisoned all over this -country, whose bodies never were even honored -with a burial. Orders being made by the rebels that they -should not be buried; but yet they live and speak in -thunder tones to the living. Let us plead with the living -to revere and honor the stars and stripes that were maintained -and supported by the blood and lives and sacrifices -of the loyal men and women of the South.</p> - -<p>After the rebels had completely driven all the loyal -element out of the country and had but one political party -left they exclaimed, "Now the means that we have been -forced to use are very harsh but the line has been drawn and -all of the parties who are giving aid and comfort to the lopeared -Dutch are all outside of the Confederate line and we -will never be troubled with them and the lopeared Dutch -any more."</p> - -<p>The author went back in retreat with General Siegel, -after the Wilson Creek battle. On reaching Rolla, Missouri, -Siegel went into quarters for the winter. The author -was almost worn out with exposure and traveling, and as -General Siegel informed him that there would be no ad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>vance -made south until the spring of 1862, and as his family -had been left in comfortable circumstances, with plenty -to eat and wear, and he, being acquainted with some men -by the name of Cope, who lived near Jerseyville in Jersey -county, Illinois, went to that place, remained a month, and -being taken sick with lung fever, came very near dying. -He told his friends where he was staying that if he died, he -would die dissatisfied; that he wanted to live and be able -to move with the Federal command in the spring of 1862 -when it moved south. After he had partially recovered he -learned that a Mr. Cope, who was living neighbor to -him at the time of his arrest and capture, had moved -into Randolph county, Illinois. He visited the family -at once, hoping to hear from his family at home, and -remained there about a month. His wife, among many -others, being notified to leave, had been informed that the -author had made his escape, reached Springfield, and had -gone back with Siegel in his retreat to Rolla. She was -permitted to dispose of just enough of the property, at the -rebels' own prices, to enable her to move, the family consisting -of herself and five small children. She was followed -on the road and her wagons searched for arms, and -the rebels threatened to take her to Little Rock, Arkansas, -but to enable her to reach Rolla, Missouri, she posed as -the wife of a rebel who had gone into the Confederate service, -and said she was trying to reach her father, who resided -near Rolla. By making that impression, her wagons -were not disturbed any more. On reaching Rolla, she -went to Colonel Phelps, who was afterwards governor of -the state, and inquired if he knew anything of the whereabouts -of the author. He informed her that he had no -knowledge of his whereabouts at that time, but he -would take her name, place an advertisement of her arrival<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -at Rolla, in the paper, and if he was alive it might reach -him.</p> - -<p>Every house and cabin was full, it being in the dead -of winter, and a deep snow upon the ground, but through -the aid and assistance of one Cyrus Newberry, who had -escaped through the lines in Howell county, she procured -a shelter about three miles north of Rolla, which was very -uncomfortable; her clothes were partially frozen on her at -that time. In a short time the advertisement reached the -author in Randolph county, Illinois. He at once set out -for Rolla, Missouri, to meet his family. The house that -she had first got into was used by her but a short time, and -she had been forced to go into one of the huts that had -lately been occupied by the soldiers and had been made -vacant by their moving west to Springfield.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the author, O! the horror and the -joy that were intermingled! I was proud to once more -meet my wife and children, but in a moment the thought -would pass through my mind, "I left you in a comfortable -home, with plenty to eat, and now to see you here in this -'dug-out,' suffering for food and shelter! O! the war, -the horrible war! What is it that men won't do?" I set -out at once to procure a comfortable shelter for my family -and to get in readiness to move south with the army. -Gen. Curtis, then in command of the western department, -was preparing to make a general move south. I was employed -by the government as a guide, receiving $1.50 per -day, with rations and clothing.</p> - - -<h3>Establishing a Federal Post at West Plains.</h3> - -<p>The army soon broke camp and moved southward. On -arriving at West Plains, the Federal army located a post -there. Capt. McNulty, of the First Illinois cavalry, who -had been wounded in a battle with Gen. Mulligan, was made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -Provost Marshal. The author was at once detailed and -placed in the Provost Marshal's office as assistant, as he was -well acquainted with all of the people in the surrounding -country. The Provost Marshal would order the author to -be seated in a conspicuous place in the office, and as a general -order had gone forth from Curtis requiring all rebels -and rebel sympathizers to come in and take the oath, and -as hundreds of them were daily coming into the office for -that purpose, the Provost Marshal ordered the author to -watch every person who entered the office and whenever -any person entered who had been taking an active part in -committing depredations, just to put his hand upon his -forehead and move it down over his face, and he would -order them to the guard house for further examination, -without any further words being said at the time.</p> - -<p>Many of the rebels who were taking the oath couldn't -see how he could draw a line between the different persons; -let some take the oath and be released at once, and others -ordered to the guard house without a word being spoken. -Among the persons who came in and took the oath and -were released, was the man who was present at the time -Capt. Forshee attempted to deliver the author to the mob, -who asked the Captain at the time to tie the author with -his face to a tree, and let him shoot him in the back of the -head, to show him how he could spoil a black Republican's -pate.</p> - -<p>The author remembers one incident that occurred during -the stay at West Plains. A man named Lusk, who was -constable of Howell township, and resided in West Plains, -was a strong Union man at the beginning of the war; when -the general order was made that every man who had been -a Union man had to join the Confederate service and show -his colors or be hung, Lusk enlisted in the Confederate -army and went out with McBride's command.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>Three or four days after the capture of the author by -the rebels, Lusk came up to him in a braggadocio manner -and says, "You ought to have your black heart shot out of -you." Lusk had taken the oath and been released before -the author reached West Plains. The author met him in -West Plains and remarked to him: "Hallo, Lusk! How -are you getting along? And what are you doing here?" -He replied that he had taken the oath; that he was tired of -fighting. The author asked him if he felt like he did when -he wanted to shoot his black heart out. Lusk replied: -"Captain, I am sorry for what I did, and Captain Emmons -so maltreated me the other day that I could scarcely sit in -my saddle." The author remarked to him: "I will just -give your face three good slaps with my hand." After -giving him three raps, the author let him pass.</p> - - -<h3>Lusk Sees Some Lopeared Dutch.</h3> - -<p>Soon meeting Captain Emmons, who belonged to the -6th Missouri Cavalry, had asked him what the trouble was -between him and Lusk. He said that while he was -prisoner Lusk came to him with his big knife belted -around him, and said that he was just equal to ten lopeared -Dutch and he had that knife for the purpose of taking -ten Dutch scalps before he returned home, and otherwise -abused him for being a Union man and a friend to the -Dutch.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of the troops in West Plains he inquired -of the citizens if Lusk had returned home. They informed -him that he had and was residing on Spring Creek, -about six miles from town. About half of Emmons' company -were Germans. He went immediately to his company, -ordered the Orderly Sergeant to make detail of ten -men and he wanted them all to be Germans. He ordered -them to be mounted and ready for a scout at once. Tak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>ing -charge of them in person he proceeded to the house of -Lusk, about six miles west of West Plains at the head of -Spring Creek, rode up to the house and holloed. Lusk -immediately came out into the yard and recognized Dr. -Emmons and said "O! Doctor! Is that you? I am proud -to see you." The Doctor said to him, "I am proud to see you, -too." The Doctor at once informed him of what he had -said to him when he was a prisoner in regard to being -equal to ten lopeared Dutchmen and how he had his knife -prepared to take that number of scalps before he came -back home, and wanted to know if he got the scalps before -he came home. Lusk replied that if he killed a single -Dutchmen he didn't know it and that he got all of the -fighting that he wanted, didn't want to fight any more.</p> - -<p>The Doctor wanted to know if he ever saw any lopeared -Dutch and Lusk replied that he "didn't know that he -had." The Doctor replied, "I have selected ten of the -smallest sized of the full stock and I want you to step over -the fence and view them." He then ordered the scouts to -dismount and form in line. Lusk told the Doctor he -didn't want anything to do with them whatever. After -they had formed a line the Doctor made him step in front -and view them; asked him what he thought of them. He -said "They are good looking men." The Doctor said to -him, "If you didn't get the chance when you were out in -the service to fight ten of them, and you say you didn't -get any scalps, I have brought these ten down and intend -that you shall fight them." Lusk pleaded with the Doctor -that he didn't want to fight them and for God's sake not to -let them hurt him. Emmons said to him "Why Lusk! -you said you were equal to ten of them and intended to -bring back ten of their scalps and there will be nothing -now unfair about this fight. I intend to give you a fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -show." He ordered Lusk to get his horse and get onto it -and get ready to march.</p> - -<p>There were some four-foot clapboards stacked up near -Lusk's house, and Emmons ordered six of the Germans to -get a board apiece. They were all soon mounted and moving -toward West Plains, soon coming to a "horsen" log. -Emmons ordered them to dismount and form a line, placing -the men about ten paces from Lusk, then said to Lusk, -"Now, prepare yourself, and if you can whip these ten lopeared -Dutch I will let you go back home and give you a -chromo." Lusk pleaded pitifully to not let the Dutch -abuse him. Emmons ordered the six who had the clapboards -to move one pace in the rear, leaving four of the -number to attack Lusk; he then ordered the four men -to seize Lusk, take him to the "horsen" log and take -down his clothes. Two of them were to take him by the -hands and two by the legs and buck him tight against the -log; if they succeeded, the six would proceed, one at a -time, and strike him three licks across that part of the body -that he generally used for sitting on.</p> - -<p>He then turned to Lusk, saying, "Prepare to meet -them; if you are a better man than they are, down them -and pile them up." At the command of Capt. Emmons, -the four men advanced on Lusk, who did not attempt to -move, seized him by the arms, led him to the log, bucked -him over it, two holding him by the arms and two by the -legs, ordered the six men to advance, one at a time, strike -three licks with the flat side of the board, march on a few -paces and give room for the next.</p> - -<p>After the performance had been completely carried out -as commanded, the Captain declared that he could have -heard Lusk holloing a mile distant every time the clapboard -hit him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<p>After he had received the boarding, Emmons said that -Lusk's setter was blistered where the boards had hit him, -and that he never saw ten Germans enjoy themselves as -much in his life. He then asked Lusk, in their presence, -how he felt now in regard to fighting lopeared Dutch. -Lusk declared that he had nothing against the Dutch and -that he never would want to fight another one as long as -he lived, and he hoped that Dr. Emmons would not -let them do him any more harm. He dressed himself, they -were all mounted, formed a line, and Lusk was brought -into West Plains and took the oath, under the promise that -he never would fight another lopeared Dutchman.</p> - - -<h3>Goes to Washington City.</h3> - -<p>After the post was discontinued at West Plains, the -author was again ordered back to Rolla. The state had -made a proposition to the Federal authorities that if the -government would arm, feed and clothe the troops, it could -place a number of regiments of state troops in the service, -and they would be able to send some of their regular troops -to the front. A delegation was appointed by the state to -visit Washington City, wait upon the President and see -what the government could do for the state. The author -was appointed as one of the delegates, and on the night -following the departure of the delegation for Washington -City, a rebel scout appeared at the house where the author's -family was living and demanded the author. His wife -replied that he was not at home, that he was one of the -delegation that had left that morning for Washington City. -She distinctly heard one man remark: "I expect that is -so, for there was a delegation left this morning for Washington -City." The house wasn't more than a quarter of a -mile from the picket posts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<p>After parleying for some little time, they left the house, -marched west about a mile, where some refugees were located -in a house, and demanded their surrender. The house -was full of women and children, there being also one boy -and two men, to-wit: Peter Shriver and a man named -Johnson. They ordered the doors opened; the inmates -refused; then the rebels knocked down the door, and fired -a volley right into the house. Shriver and Johnson being -armed, returned the fire, killed one of the rebels on the -spot, and fleeing through the rear part of the house, made -their escape. The rebels killed one boy and severely -wounded a girl and young Johnson, and retreated south, -leaving their comrade dead.</p> - -<p>It was learned afterwards that most of the scout -were men from Howell county who had learned that the -author had placed his family just outside of the Federal -lines and had marched all the way there, with the avowed -purpose of capturing the author and either shooting or -hanging him.</p> - -<p>On arrival of the delegation at Washington City they -organized the delegation and made Chas. D. Drake their -spokesman. He was afterwards elected to the United -States Senate. Soon after the arrival President Lincoln -informed us that he would be prepared to meet the delegation -in a large hall, near the mansion, at which time and -place he desired to be introduced to the whole delegation. -When the delegation entered the hall the President and -his secretary were seated together.</p> - - -<h3>The Delegation Meets the President.</h3> - -<p>The delegation entered the hall in a single file. Chas. -D. Drake approached the President and when within a few -feet of the President and secretary, they arose to their -feet and as the delegation marched by each one was intro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>duced -to them. Afterwards they were seated, and the -petition and address of the people of the State of Missouri -was delivered in an audible voice by Chas. D. -Drake. In the opening of the address we addressed the -President and called ourselves his friends.</p> - -<p>As soon as the address was read the President rose to -his feet and proceeded to deliver an address to the delegation -and the author never will forget the impression that -was made upon his mind in a part of that address. He -said: "You should not address me as your friend; I am -the President of the whole people and nation and while -I am President, I expect to try to enforce the law against -all violators of law and in the interest of the whole people -of the nation; but if I have any friends in Missouri I suspect -you men compose a part of them. I listened to your -petition and offers, which make me proud for the patriotism -that you manifest, in offering your services to your -country in the darkest hour of her peril and I would be -glad if the government was able to grant every request -that you have made. The government at the present -time is not in a condition to furnish clothing and commissaries -for the number of men that you propose to put -in the field, but the government will furnish all the arms -that they can possibly spare, amunitions and commissaries -and authorize the state to organize and put in the field any -number of state troops, not to exceed sixty regiments." -He said he would do all in his power to feed them but in -the present condition of the government the state would -have to pay them.</p> - -<p>The delegation returned and informed the state of -what promises the government had made and at once went -to organizing and putting state troops into the field. The -author was commissioned as lieutenant of Company H. and -the regiment was ordered into active service for the period<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> -of sixty days. At the expiration of the term of service, the -government ordered that a company of scouts be organized -and that the author be made Captain of the company, -to receive first lieutenant's pay and be clothed and fed by -the government, be ordered on duty at once and placed -under the direct command of Captain Murphy, who was -then commanding the post at Houston.</p> - -<p>The company scarcely saw an idle day, it was kept -continuously scouting and fighting. The counties of -Texas, Dent, Wright, Crawford, LaClede and Phelps, -outside of the post, being completely under the -control of the rebels. Not a single Union man nor his -family could remain at home outside of the post.</p> - - -<h3>Incidents of 1863.</h3> - -<p>In the fall of 1863, Colonel Livingston, who was acting -in the capacity of Brigadier General, was ordered to -proceed to Batesville, Arkansas, and there erect a post. -The author was transferred, by order of the government, -and made chief of scouts receiving Captain's pay and ordered -to move with the command of Colonel Livingston -and be under his command and control until further -orders. On or about December 15, 1863, Colonel Livingston, -who was Colonel of the 1st Nebraska regiment and -the 11th Missouri Cavalry regiment, broke camp at Rolla, -and marched in the direction of Batesville, Arkansas. -Colonel Livingston, on leaving Rolla, issued a general -order and sent the same in all directions, that all rebels, -or "bushwhackers," who were captured wearing Federal -uniform, would be court-martialed and shot; or all persons -who were captured in robbing or plundering houses -would be court-martialed and shot.</p> - -<p>On our arrival at West Plains the advance of the command -captured three Confederates dressed in Federal uni<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>forms, -near what was known as the Johnson farm. One of -them broke from custody and escaped; the other two were -court-martialed and shot, while the command was camped -at West Plains. After those men were shot, some of the -Confederates, dressed in Federal uniforms, came inside the -Federal lines, while in camp at West Plains, just after dark, -and took nine black cavalry horses from the line and made -their escape. The soldiers saw them take the horses, but -thought it was their own men taking them to water.</p> - -<p>The command, breaking camp at West Plains, marched -in the direction of Batesville, passed through Salem, Ark., -and on Big Strawberry encountered the rebels and had quite -an engagement. The weather was quite cold. I remember -that after the fighting ceased, some of the soldiers had -been fighting with their revolvers, and their hands had become -so benumbed that they had lost the use of their fingers, -and couldn't return their revolvers to their scabbards, -and the revolvers had to be taken from their hands; the -hands of some of them were badly frostbitten.</p> - -<p>The command again renewed its march for Batesville. -Small bands of bushwhackers and rebels kept up a continuous -fire every day on the advance, and committed depredations -by pillaging; claiming they were Federal forces, -most of them being dressed in Federal uniforms. The pillaging -grew so annoying that Col. Livingston, just before -breaking camp, divided the advance into two columns, -marching from a mile to two and a half miles apart. Late -in the afternoon, one wing came onto a number of those irregular -Confederates, or bushwhackers, robbing the house -of a Union woman whose husband was in the Federal army. -Nearly all of them were dressed in Federal uniforms, claiming -to the woman to be Federal soldiers. They had all -dismounted and gone into the house to plunder it, except -their captain, Elliott, whom they had left on guard. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> -road came around in a short bend and concealed the approach -of the Federals until they were within a hundred -yards of the house. There was a large gate in front of the -house. The woman was standing in the yard about ten -steps from the gate. She saw the troops coming before -they were discovered by the captain, and supposed them -to be of the same command. They were all cavalry. As -soon as they saw the captain, they put spurs to their -horses, and with revolvers in hand, charged upon them. -The captain gave the alarm, and fled as rapidly as possible -on horseback, a part of the Federals in hot pursuit after -him.</p> - -<p>Every avenue of escape was cut off from those who -were in the house, and they were forced to retreat through -a ten-acre open field, before they could reach the timber. -The woman of the house, seeing them flee, knew at once -that they didn't belong to the same command. While the -Federals were approaching the gate at full speed, she ran -to it and threw it open, so that they would not be checked -in their pursuit. They overtook them about two-thirds of -the way across the field, as the rebels were cut off from -their horses and were on foot. Three of the rebels were -killed, and three taken prisoners. They had everything in -their possession—bed clothing, domestic, knives and forks, -and even axes, that they had been taking from Confederates -as well as from Unionists; also a number of women's dresses. -All of the dresses were given to the woman whose house they -were robbing at the time of their capture. The soldiers -had a fine time after they reached camp, by turning the -domestic into new towels.</p> - -<p>Just after supper, the author was notified to appear at -the provost marshal's office, to see whether or not he could -identify the prisoners. On his appearing and entering into -conversation with the prisoners and inquiring their names,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -one claimed to be named Smith, another Taylor and the -other Johnson. One of them lisped a little when talking. -The author soon recognized one of them and said to him: -"Your name is not Smith. You had just as well give your -proper name, for I know you." The Provost Marshal -asked him if he knew the author. He hesitated to answer. -On the Provost Marshal urging him to answer, he said: -"I ought to know him, as he was one of my near neighbors -when the war commenced. My name is Calvin Hawkins." -The author replied, "That is correct," and turning to the -other prisoner for a second look, recognized him. He remarked, -"Taylor is not your proper name." The Provost -Marshal asked him if he knew the author. He hesitatingly -replied that he did. His proper name was then demanded, -which he gave as Jacob Bridges. The other was a boy -named Hankins, 13 years of age.</p> - - -<h3>Court-Martialed and Shot.</h3> - -<p>The Provost Marshal asked them if they had ever read -or heard of the general order that had been issued by Col. -Livingston. They replied that they had. He said to -them: "You have violated the order in every particular; -you are wearing Federal uniforms, and have been caught -robbing and pillaging citizens' houses. Tonight your cases -will be submitted to a court martial, except the boy's." He -then ordered the author to take them to a room and inform -them that they would certainly be convicted by the court -martial, and the only way they could escape death would -be to give the rendezvous and names of all irregular troops -in their knowledge, and agree to pilot a scout to the different -places of resort.</p> - -<p>The author informed them of what the Provost Marshal -had said, and further informed them that Col. Livingston, -then acting in the capacity of Brigadier General,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -would have the only power to commute their sentences, -after they were convicted. They refused to give any information -that would aid the authorities in capturing the -different irregular roving bands. The author bade them -good-bye, told them he was sorry for them, that they were -in a bad condition, but had brought it upon themselves and -each of them had better prepare for death, for they were -certain to be court-martialed that night. He then left the -prisoners, the guard taking charge of them. The court-martial -convened that night; charges and specifications -were preferred before the Judge Advocate of violating both -orders. They were accordingly convicted, and the next -morning, before we broke camp, the author saw the detail -that had been selected to execute them; saw the prisoners -under guard moving out to the place selected for the -execution, heard the discharge of the guns, and soon -learned that they both had been shot. Somewhere on the -head of Big Strawberry, in Izard county, the boy's mother -came to us, and he was turned over to her.</p> - -<p>The command broke camp and proceeded on the way -towards Batesville, with more or less skirmishing with the -rebels every day; and on the 25th of December, 1863, we -had come to within about three miles of Batesville, Independence -county, the rebels in considerable force then -being in possession of the city. They had a strong picket -about a quarter of a mile from the main city, leading right -down Poke bayou. Another road turned to the right and -entered the lower part of the city. The commander halted -and threw out a considerable force in advance. The author -was placed right in the front of the advance, with orders to -charge the pickets, and on their retreat, to charge the enemy, -and if they found them in too strong a force to fall -back on the main command.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - -<p>The rebel ladies had procured a large hall in the city, -situated upon High street, leading west through the city. -They were all dressed in gray, and had any amount of egg -nog and other delicious drinks in the hall and all through -the public parts of the city. A large number of the Confederate -soldiers were in the hall dancing, a number of -them belonging to Col. Freeman's command. On reaching -the rebel pickets, they fired, and the commander ordered a -charge with revolver and saber, and we followed close upon -their heels. On reaching the city, the firing became promiscuous. -The rebels retreated south, a number of them -retreating in the direction of White river, and swam the -river with their horses, while many of them abandoned -their horses and swam the river. One part of the rebel -command filed to the right, thinking that it was a Federal -scout, and attempted to retreat upon the lower road. The -Federals saw them coming, and knew from their actions -that they were retreating. They at once deployed two lines -in front of the command, one on each side of the road. Before -the rebels found out their real condition they were -completely into the trap, and they surrendered without -the firing of a gun.</p> - - -<h3>How Received by the Batesville Ladies.</h3> - -<p>After the fighting had subsided, the author, with a -part of the command, rode up High street to the hall where -they had just been dancing. There must have been as -many as two hundred and fifty or three hundred ladies in -the hall and on the roof. Some of the boys dismounted, -went up into the hall and drank some of their eggnog, -although there were strict orders against it.</p> - -<p>The main command reached the east end of High -street, marching in a solid column of two, with a brass band -and drums and fifes playing, and striking up the tune of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> -"Yankee Doodle," they came marching down High street, -in the direction of the hall. The women began to use the -strongest epithets possible in their vocabulary against the -Union soldiers, calling them "nigger lovers," "lopeared -Dutch," "thieves" and "murderers." The author spoke -to them saying, "You are mistaken. These men are gentlemen, -sent here by the government to establish a military -post, and if you treat them nicely you will receive the same -kind of treatment."</p> - -<p>About this time the front of the command had moved -up to the hall. At once a number of the ladies began to -make mouths at them and spit over the banisters toward -them, calling them vile names. The soldiers then began -to hallo at the top of their voices: "O, yonder is my -Dixie girl, the one that I marched away from the north to -greet." "God bless their little souls, ain't they sweet; -sugar wouldn't melt in their mouths." "I am going to get -my bandbox and cage up one of the sweet little morsels and -take her home for a pet."</p> - -<p>The voices of the soldiers completely drowned the -hearing of anything the women were saying. In a little -while the women hushed. As the column was passing by, -one of the women remarked, "I believe that gentleman -gave us good advice; I think we had better stop our abuse -and we will be treated better." We marched down to the -west end of High street, marched across to the next main -street, then the head of the column turned east again up -Main street, and striking up the tune of "Hail, Columbia, -My Happy Land," marched up to the east end of Main -street, and ordered a guard placed around the whole town, -to prevent the escape of the rebel soldiers that were concealed -in the town. The author never saw as much confusion -as there was there, for a short time, among the citizens, -especially the women. Some were laughing, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -were abusing the soldiers, some crying, and some cursing.</p> - -<p>After things had quieted down the soldiers went into -camp. Colonel Livingston began to hunt suitable buildings -for his head quarters and for an office for the Provost -Marshall and Judge Advocate. It became a fixed fact -with the citizens of the city that the Federals were going -to locate a permanent post at that place.</p> - -<p>While they were in pursuit of the rebels the author -remembered an incident that attracted his attention. -There were four or five negro men standing upon the street -corner and one of the officers holloed out to the negroes; -"Which way did the rebels go?" On one corner of the -street there was a bunch of rebel citizens standing and as -soon as the corner was turned and they were out of sight -of the rebel citizens they answered the officer, "Massa, -we don't know which way the rebels went;" one of them -dodged around the corner in an instant, and in a low tone -of voice, and with a motion of his hand, said, "Massa dey -went right dat way," almost in an instant came back -around the corner and said in hearing of the rebel citizens -"Massa, I declare I don't know the way dem rebels went."</p> - -<p>The next morning Livingston issued a general order -for all persons who claimed protection from the Federal -army to come in and report and take the oath. The author -remembers an incident that occurred on the evening of the -fight. There had been two or three men killed just across -the bridge and they placed a guard there with orders to let -no person cross it without a pass. Shortly after dark -a young lady who had secreted around her waist under -her clothes, two pistols, a belt and scabbard which belonged -to a Confederate soldier, just after dark came to -the bridge and wanted to cross. The sergeant of the guard -ask her if she had a pass, to which she replied that she -had not. He informed her that he could not let her go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -over. Among the guards was an Irishman and the young -lady remarked to the sergeant that "it was very hard" -that she "had a relative that was killed just across the -bridge and she wanted to go over and see him and that a -woman couldn't do any harm and they might let her go -over without a pass."</p> - -<p>The Irishman sprang to his feet and remarked "Be -Jasus, women can do a divil of a sight of harm, can convey -more information, can carry more intelligence through -the lines to the rebels than twenty men and there are so -many of our officers, if she happens to be good looking, -would let her pass through." The sergeant believing -that she was a near relative of one of the men that was -killed a short distance from the bridge, let her pass over, -and that night she delivered the pistols to the Confederate -soldiers. She afterwards admitted this when she was arrested -for refusing to take the oath.</p> - - -<h3>If You Will Grease and Butter Him.</h3> - -<p>She declared that she "wouldn't swallow old Lincoln," -and the commander ordered all persons who refused to take -the oath, either men or women, arrested and sent to -Little Rock. When she found that she had to take the -oath or go to Little Rock, she said to them that "if they -would grease and butter the oath she would try to swallow -it." Afterwards she became very intimate with one of the -young Federals, married him and when the command -broke up left the post, left the country and went with him.</p> - -<p>The author remained there all that winter, being in -active service almost every day, capturing some of the -worst men that there were in the country. In a short -time after the post was located the west side of the river -was all in the control of the rebels. The rebels began to -boast and brag that those Northern Yankees could stay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -around the open field and around cities but whenever they -crossed the river they would show them just how rebel -bullets would fly. Colonel Freeman's head quarters were -near the head of Silamore creek, they would get on the -mountains, on each side (as the Yankees knew nothing -about mountains) and roll rocks down on them and what -they didn't kill with rocks and bullets would be glad to -get back across the river to Batesville.</p> - -<p>There were no ferry boats on the river, they had all -been sunk or run out by the rebels.</p> - -<p>The weather was very cold. White river froze over -solid. The old residents there said it was the first time -they ever knew of the river freezing over solid. The ice -was so thick that it would hold the weight of horses and -wagons. Col. Livingston ordered lumber hauled and laid -the planks flat on the ice. He then sent some men who -resided in Nebraska when at home, to make a test. They -reported that the ice was safe for a command to pass over. -The commander at once organized a force, crossed the -river on the ice, and took up the line of march for the purpose -of attacking Freeman's forces, which were distant -about ten or twelve miles. As soon as the rebel forces -found that they were moving up Silamore creek in the direction -of Freeman's headquarters, they placed men on the -hills on each side of the creek, and as soon as the Federal -forces came within reach, they opened fire, and commenced -rolling stones. The commander halted, deployed skirmishers, -ordered them to fall back, march on foot and flank the -rebels, while they would continue the march up the creek -and attract their attention until they would have them completely -flanked, and then close in on them. While the -main force moved up the creek slowly, under almost continuous -fire, all at once a general fire opened up on both -sides of the hills. I never before saw rebels running and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> -dodging in all directions, trying to make their escape, as -they did then. A number of them were killed and wounded, -and the others taken prisoners. The remainder got -down from the hills, wiser men, and made a hasty retreat -up the creek. Upon the Federal column reaching the -headquarters of Freeman, it was so unexpected that he had -to retreat, leaving all his camp equipage, his trunk and -clothing, and about $5,000 in Confederate money.</p> - -<p>They retreated in an almost northerly direction. Our -force returned to Batesville. The scouts, with a small -force of troops, were sent up White river to find where the -line of march of the rebels was. They found that they had -crossed White river near the mouth of the north fork and -were moving in the direction of Pocahontas. There had -been two Federal companies detailed and sent out northeast -in the direction of Spring river. Freeman's command -surrounded them and made prisoners of one of the companies. -The other company, commanded by Capt. Majors, -made a charge on the lines and cut their way through.</p> - -<p>Reinforcements were at once dispatched in the direction -of the moving columns of rebels. In the meantime, the -rebels had reached Pocahontas, on Black river, and had -effected a crossing onto the east side of Black river, except -the rear guard, which were in their boat about midway of -the river, when the Federal forces reached the west side of -the river. They fired on the parties in the boat, wounding -some of them, but they succeeded in reaching the bank, -and turned their boat loose. A strong line of rebels was -drawn up on the east bank of Black river, and opened fire -on the Federal forces on the west side. After considerable -firing, both sides ceased. The rebels appeared to move -east; the Federal forces again countermarched and returned -to Batesville.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<p>The country on the west side of White river was still -under the control of a strong force of rebels commanded by -Col. Weatherford and three or four other Confederate commanders. -About three weeks after their return, an order -was issued for two wagon trains with six mule teams and a -detail of two companies, to escort it. The train moved -out, for the purpose of getting corn and other forage, about -fifteen miles distant on White river. After they had arrived -at their destination and were loading their wagons, a -large force of rebels surrounded them, charged on them, -and made prisoners of about half of the escort. The Federal -captain, who belonged to one of the 11th Missouri -companies, surrendered, handed his pistol, about half -shot out, to a rebel soldier, who turned his own pistol -on him and shot him dead. The scouts who escaped capture, -retreated with all possible haste to Batesville.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the rebel forces cut the wagons -down, piled them in heaps and set them on fire; while the -mules, with all their gear and breeching on were put into -White river and swam across to the other side. As soon -as the news reached headquarters, a force was speedily -organized, and started on a forced march. Upon reaching -the scene of action the rebels were all safely across on -the other side of the river, harness and wagons were just -about completely burned up. No chance of any boats to -cross the river and the river being full, they countermarched -and returned to Batesville again.</p> - -<p>The whole winter was taken up in scouting and -fighting small bands of rebels. Sometime in the latter -part of the winter the commissaries and forage were becoming -scarce and the nearest Federal post down White -river was at Duvall's bluff. The commander called on -the author, who was Captain of scouts, for a detail of two -men who could procure a canoe and try, if possible, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -reach Duvall's Bluff and inform the Federal authorities -there of the conditions of the post. The author detailed a -man by the name of Johardy Ware and a man by the -name of Simon Mason. They were to procure a canoe -and travel in the night, drawing it, when daylight came, -into thick brush, and in that way, if possible, reach the -Federal post. They succeeded in reaching the post and -in a short time commissaries and provisions, with forage, -were forwarded up the river on two small transports, with -a number of troops to force its passage up the river. Sometime -in the latter part of the winter the boats reached -Batesville and supplied all of the wants and short rations -of the soldiers and again made everything merry and -happy.</p> - - -<h3>Give an Oyster Supper</h3> - -<p>In April, 1864, the author had promised to return to -Rolla for the purpose of aiding and recruiting a regiment, -known as the 16th Missouri Cavalry Volunteer. He informed -the commander and asked for his recommendation -which was granted. He wanted to know when I wanted to -start so that he could make preparations to send me around -by water. The author informed him that he intended to -march through by land. The commander thought it was -a thing impossible, that scouting bands of rebels had possession -of the country, from a short distance outside of -Batesville almost to Rolla, Missouri. The commander -and Provost Marshall gave the author an innovation, made -an oyster supper for him and his company of scouts, said -they were loath to give them up, that they had performed -so much valuable service, and he didn't know where he -could get any other men to take their places.</p> - -<p>After taking leave of the officers and soldiers, the author -took a small flag, fastened upon a staff, fastened it to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -the browband of the bridle and remarked to the officers -as he bid them good bye, that the stars and stripes should -float from Batesville to Rolla or the author would die in -the attempt. The company then set out for Rolla, Missouri. -Colonel Woods of the 11th Missouri cavalry had -been on detached service and Lieutenant Colonel Stevens -had been commanding the regiment. He had received -orders to join his regiment at Batesville, Arkansas, and, -with a considerable force of men, reached the state line -about 12 o'clock, and came in sight of the command.</p> - -<p>They saw our company approaching, at once drew up -in line of battle, and as many of the rebels had procured -Federal uniforms, both parties sent out couriers to ascertain -who the forces were. On learning that both sides were -Federals, we marched up and went into camp with them. -The author was immediately taken to Col. Wood's headquarters. -He informed him that he had camped near West -Plains the night before, and that the bushwhackers had kept -up a continuous fire until after they got a considerable distance -down South Fork; and he believed it impossible for -as small a force as I had to reach Rolla without great disaster -and perhaps annihilation. He said that the author -and his company of scouts were the very men he wanted, -and offered to increase his salary to $7.00 per day if he -would go back with him and remain with his command. -The author told him that he was honor bound to return to -Missouri and assist in organizing a regiment of cavalry for -the United States service, and if the bushwhackers didn't -keep clear, he would give some of them a furlough before -he reached Rolla.</p> - -<p>After dinner Woods broke camp and moved in the -direction of Batesville, and we in the direction of Rolla. -Near where the last firing was done they had arrested a -man named Craws, who really was a Union man, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -author had been well acquainted with him before the war -commenced, but Woods' soldiers could with difficulty be -restrained from shooting him. On my informing the Colonel -that I was well acquainted with the man and that there -was no harm in him, he agreed to turn him over to the -author and let him bring him back home with him. After -we had started, Craws informed the author that he -knew the parties who had been firing on the Federal troops; -that their headquarters were about two miles from where he -then resided; and that he was satisfied from the last firing -he had heard, that they had turned off from the main road -and gone up what was called the Newberry hollow. After -passing the old Newberry farm, they had a plain trail that -turned to the right and led directly to the camp. They -were commanded by two men named Hawkins and Yates.</p> - -<p>On reaching his house he agreed to continue with us -to the road he thought they had gone, and then return -home. I think he was the happiest man I ever saw when -he found he had been turned over to my care, believing -that Woods' command intended to shoot him.</p> - -<p>On reaching the road, we found a fresh rebel trail -leading right up the creek; we moved on until near the -Newberry residence, which we had been informed by Craws -was occupied by Hawkins' wife. We turned from the road -and halted, and the author, with two or three of his men, -being familiar with the country, reached a high point from -which we could distinctly see one horse standing at the -door. Supposing the rebel scouts were all there, we went -back to the company, moved cautiously toward the house, -and gave orders to charge upon them as soon as our approach -was discovered. On coming within fifty yards of -the house, which was unenclosed, a woman stepped outside -the door, looked toward us, and then wheeled for the house, -and we charged. Hawkins' horse was hitched to a half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -of a horse shoe driven in at the side of the door, the bridle -rein looped over it, his halter rein being already tied over -the saddle horn. The author had ordered all to charge -with pistols in hand. As Hawkins reached the door and -made an attempt to take his bridle rein, he saw that it was -impossible. The author demanding his surrender, he attempted -to draw his pistol and had it half way out of its -holster and cocked, when the author fired upon him. He -fell back, still holding his pistol. The author, supposing -more of the enemy were inside the house, dismounted, and -rushing to the door, demanded the surrender of every person -that might be in the house. As the author entered the -door, he heard Hawkins, still holding his pistol, remark: -"Monks, you have killed me." The author replied -that that was what he intended to do, and he must let go -of that pistol or he would be shot again. He took his hand -loose from the pistol and in a short time was dead. His -wife asked the author to lay him out, which request was -complied with.</p> - -<p>We mounted and again took the rebel trail and by -this time it had grown so dark that we lost it and went on -to the residence of Captain Howard, dismounted, fed our -horses and got our supper.</p> - -<p>Captain Howard afterwards informed the author that -he had just been home and started back to the rebel camp -and heard the horses feet, stepped behind a tree and that -we passed within fifteen feet of him; said if it hadn't been -dark we would have been certain to have found the rebel -camp; that that day some one of the rebel soldiers had -killed a deer, stretched the skin and had it hanging up and -the camp wasn't more than two hundred yards from the -main road. After we ate our suppers and fed our horses -we again resumed our march and reached Rolla, Missouri, -on the second day afterwards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Another Meeting With Captain Forshee</h3> - -<p>In the spring of 1863 General Davidson was ordered -to move from Rolla, Missouri, directly south to Little -Rock. On breaking camp and marching in the direction of -West Plains the author, with his company of scouts, -was ordered to report to him for service. On reaching -West Plains he went into camp. West Plains and vicinity -were completely covered with tents and troops. -All of the hills adjoining West Plains were literally covered -with tents, Davidson's headquarters being inside of the -town. The author being sent out on a scout, came to the -home of a man named Barnett residing in Gunter's Valley -and not being able to reach town, went into camp near -Barnett's. In a short time Barnett came in home. He had -been a lieutenant in the company where the author was -prisoner. He informed the author that he had been to -Thomasville Mill and that Captain Forshee, who lived -about one mile below, had also returned with him.</p> - -<p>The author at once placed a guard around Barnett's -house (Barnett being the father-in-law of the Captain) detailed -two men to accompany him, prepared, mounted, and -started to the residence of Forshee fully determined to kill -him. The author instructed his men that if Forshee remained -in the house and didn't attempt to run, to play off and -tell him that they belonged to Colonel Woods, a Confederate -officer on White river. The author then being -clothed in Federal uniform and having but a limited acquaintance -with Forshee before the war did not think that -he would recognize him. On reaching the house we repaired -to the door, hallooed, and his wife invited us in. The -author had his pistol under the cape of his coat still determined -upon killing him. On entering the house, found -him in bed with one of his children, his wife did not have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -the supper on the table. The author asked him if -he had ever been in the Confederate service; he answered -that he had, went out in the six months provisional -Confederate service; didn't stay his time out, -resigned and came home. The author asked him if they -had taken any prisoners while they were in service; he -hesitated a moment and replied that they did. The author -asked him if he remembered the names of any of -them; he said he remembered the names of two of them -well. The author asked him if he knew what became of -them; he said that Black enlisted in the Confederate -service, served his time out and then substituted himself -and was now in the eastern Confederate army; he -again hesitated. The author asked him if he knew what -became of the other man; he said that he didn't; that he -made his escape from the Confederate army and he had -heard that he was a captain in the Northern army. The -author said with an oath "How would you like to see -him;" he replied "I would not like to see him very well." -The author then said, with an oath, "I am here, look at me -and see whether you think I am worth a beef cow or not." -At this his wife sprang between him and the author and he -said to the author, "Captain, there ain't one man out of -ninety-nine but what would kill me for the treatment you -received while a prisoner but I have always thought that if -I ever met you and you would give me the time to explain -the cause of it, you wouldn't kill me, and I want to live -to raise my children."</p> - -<p>The thought passed through the mind of the author -that he could not kill him in the lap of his family; but he -would take him to Barnett's house where he had some -more prisoners and on the next day he would kill him on -the way; ordered him to get out of that bed; Forshee -again appealed and said that he would like to know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -whether the author was going to kill him or not; that he -wanted to live to raise his children. The author replied -to him with an oath that "you ought to have thought of -these things when you was pulling me away from the -bosom of my family, never gave me time to bid them good-bye; -get out of that bed." There was about a six months -old child in the cradle. He slid out of the bed, kneeled -down by the cradle, and was in the act of praying, his -wife still standing close by. The author ordered him -to get up; that it was too late to pray after the devil came; -that I had been appointed by the devil to send him up at -once and lie had the coals hot and ready to receive him -and that I didn't want to disappoint the devil. He arose -to his feet and again asked the author if he was going to -kill him; said he wanted time to give me the whole truth -of the matter; went on to say Hawkins, Sapp, Kaiser and -others were the cause of all the mistreatment, but would -admit that he done wrong in agreeing to deliver the author -to them for the purpose of having him mobbed and for -abusing him, himself.</p> - -<p>His wife had hot coffee on the table and she asked that -he be allowed to sit down, saying that she wanted to see -him sup coffee once more. The author told her that they -never gave him time to bid his wife good-bye, let alone to -sup coffee with her. After taking a few sups of coffee, the -author said that he couldn't fool any longer with him; that -he must strike a line and move out. His wife said that she -was going with him, but her husband told her she had no -business going, as it was then snowing and the ground was -considerably frozen. The author told her that if she was -determined to go, the boys could take her and the children -behind them, but the Captain would have to walk right in -front of the author, and if he made a crooked step from -there until he reached Barnett's, he would shoot him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -through. The boys took his wife and children on the -horses, and the author started the Captain in front of him. -He had thought that he would be compelled to shoot him -on the way, but he could not shoot him in the presence of -his family; so he thought he would take him to the guard -house and keep him until morning, and then on the -way to West Plains he would make a pretext to kill -him, for he thought he must kill him.</p> - -<p>In the morning, after breakfast, we broke camp and -moved in the direction of West Plains. The author had -now become cool, and while he believed he ought to kill -him for what he had done, he could not afford to shoot, or -cause a prisoner to be shot, while he was in his charge; so -on reaching West Plains, the prisoner was turned over to -the guard house.</p> - -<p>The morning following was very cool, and the ground -was covered with snow. Gen. Davidson had ordered out -a large scout for the purpose of marching towards Batesville -and White river, to feel the strength of the enemy, and -the author's company composed a part of the detail. After -the command was mounted and waiting for orders to move, -the sergeant of the guard came out and inquired if there was -a Captain Monks in that command. The Colonel informed -him that there was. He said there was a prisoner in the -guard house who wanted to see him. The author got permission -to ride to the guard house, and on reaching the -door, who should meet him but Capt. Forshee, who told the -author that he had almost frozen the night before, and -wanted to know if the author couldn't loan him a blanket. -He was told that he was the last man who should ask the -author for the use of a blanket. Forshee replied: "That's -so, Captain; but I believe that you are a good man, and -don't want to see a man, while he is a prisoner, suffer from -cold." The author asked him if they had any gray backs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -in the guard house. He said he had none on himself, but -didn't know in what condition the others were.</p> - -<p>The author had two new government blankets that he -had paid $5 apiece for a short time previous, on the back -of his saddle. He told Forshee that he didn't know as he -would need them both until he had gotten back from the -scout, and would loan him a blanket until he returned. -Forshee replied: "I will never forget the favor." The -author handed him one of the blankets, and immediately -started on the scout. While the scout was south reconnoitering -with the enemy, Gen. Davidson received orders -from headquarters countermanding the order to march to -Little Rock by land, and that he would march his forces to -Ironton, Missouri, and there await further orders. He at -once broke camp and resumed his march in the direction -of Ironton, carrying the prisoners with him, with orders for -the scout on its return to move up and overtake him, as -they were all cavalry. So the author never saw Capt. -Forshee nor his blanket any more, but was informed that -he was paroled at Ironton, took the oath, returned to Oregon -county, and died shortly after the close of the war.</p> - -<p>Upon the return of the scout to West Plains, a part of -the command that belonged to Gen. Davidson's forces -moved on after the army, while the author, with two companies, -remained in West Plains about half a day for the -purpose of resting up. While in West Plains a rebel that -the author was well acquainted with, came to him and told -him he had better be getting out of West Plains, for a force -of five hundred rebels was liable to come into West Plains -at any moment. The author pretended to become considerably -alarmed, and reported that he was going to march -directly to Rolla with the two companies then under his -command. After marching about fifteen miles in the direction -of Rolla, he made a flank movement, marched into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -corner of Douglass county, was there reinforced, and the -next day marched directly to the west end of Howell county. -The rebels, believing that the Federal troops had all left the -county, came in small bunches from all over the county. -The author made a forced march and reached the west -end of the county about dark, turned directly toward West -Plains, took the rebels completely by surprise, had a number -of skirmishes with them, reaching West Plains with -more rebel prisoners than he had men of his own. On the -next day we turned in the direction of Rolla, and by forced -march reached Texas county. On the next morning we -reached the Federal post at Houston, in Texas county, -and turned over the prisoners, among whom were several -prominent officers. Capt. Nicks was one of them. On -the night of his capture the author said to him: "It appears -to me that it is about the same time of night that they -brought me prisoner to your house." He answered: "I -declare I believe it is." After the rebels found the small -number of the force that had made the scout, they declared -that it was a shame to let Monks run right into the -very heart of the rebels and carry out more prisoners than -he had men.</p> - - -<h3>Murdering Federal Soldiers.</h3> - -<p>Some time in June, 1863, a rebel scout and a Federal -scout had a fight about twenty miles northwest of Rolla. -The rebels were forced to abandon a number of wagons and -mules, and the Federals, owing to the emergency that confronted -them at the time, did not wish to be encumbered -with them, so they employed a farmer to keep the mules in -his pasture until the government should send for them. -The Federal scouts from Rolla and Jefferson City would -meet occasionally while scouting. On the scout's arrival -at Rolla, another scout composed of about one company of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -Federals was sent out to bring in the wagons and teams. -Just before reaching the place where the wagons and teams -had been left, they saw a command of about two hundred -and fifty men, all dressed in Federal uniforms, and they at -once took them to be a Federal scout from Jefferson City. -On approaching each other, they passed the army salute, -and marched right down the Federal line; they, being unsuspecting, -believed them to be Federal troops. As soon -as they were in position each man had his man covered -with a pistol. The rebel scout outnumbering the Federal -scout more than two to one, they demanded their surrender. -The Federals, seeing their condition, at once surrendered. -They were marched about a quarter of a mile, near where -the wagons and teams were left, dismounted and went into -camp, as the rebels claimed, for dinner. Several citizens -were present. They marched the Federal company together, -surrounded them in a hollow square, brought some -old ragged clothing, and ordered them to strip. After they -were all stripped completely naked, and while some were -attempting to put on the old clothing, all their uniforms -having been removed a short distance from them, at a certain -signal the rebels fired a deadly volley into them. Then -followed one of the most desperate scenes ever witnessed by -the eye of man. The men saw their doom, and those who -were not killed by the first volley rushed at the rebels, -caught them, tried to wrest their arms from them, and a -desperate struggle took place; men wrestling, as it were, -for their very lives.</p> - -<p>A number of the Federals had their throats cut with -knives. After the rebels had completed the slaughter and -hadn't left a man alive to tell the tale, they ate their dinner, -and taking the mules and wagons, moved southwest with -them. The citizens at once reported the affair to the commander -of the post at Rolla.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<p>The men who were killed belonged to an Iowa regiment, -and the author believes it was the 3rd Iowa, but will -not be positive. A strong detail was made and sent at once -to the scene of the late tragedy, with wagons and teams to -bring the dead back to Rolla. On their arrival with them, -it was the most horrible scene that the author ever looked -upon. After they were buried, the regiment to which they -belonged declared and avowed that they intended to take -the same number of rebel lives. The commander, knowing -their determination, and being satisfied that they would -carry it into effect if the opportunity offered, transferred -them to another part of the country.</p> - - -<h3>A Rebel Raid.</h3> - -<p>Some time in the fall of 1863 the Federal authorities -at Rolla learned that the rebels were organizing a strong -force in Arkansas, for the purpose of making a raid into -Missouri. The rebels were under the command of Gen. -Burbrage. The author, being still the commander of the -scouts, was ordered to take one man and go south, for the -purpose of learning, if possible, the movements of the -rebels. The author left Rolla, came by way of Houston, -where there was a post, thence to Hutton Valley, where -there was living a man named Andy Smith, who was a -Union man, but had made the rebels believe he was in -favor of the south. The author approached Smith's house -after dark, got something to eat and to feed his horses, -and learned from Smith that the rebels were about prepared -to make the raid into Missouri. On the next day the -author was informed by Smith that Burbrage was then -moving with his full force in the direction of Missouri. -The author at once started, intending to reach the nearest -Federal force, which was in Douglas county. In the -meantime, Gen. Burbrage, with his whole force, reached<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -the Missouri line, leaving West Plains a little to the right, -taking an old trace that ran on the divide between the -waters of the North fork of White river and of Eleven -Points river, this being afterwards known as "the old -Burbrage trail." The author, expecting they would march -by way of West Plains and on through Hutton Valley, -thought he would be able to keep ahead of them and make -his report; but owing to their marching an entirely different -route, the author crossed their trail. He found that a -large force of men had just passed and he, in company with -a man named Long, examined the horse tracks, found that -the shoes contained three nails in each side, and knew at -once that it must be Burbrage's command. They had -passed not more than three hours before this time. Making -a forced march, the author and Long followed on the -same trail, and soon came to a house, holloed, and a lady -coming out, we inquired how far the command was ahead. -The lady informed us that they hadn't been gone more than -three hours, and she exclaimed: "Hurrah for Gen. Burbrage -and his brave men! The Yankees and lopeared -Dutch are goin' to ketch it now, and they intend to clean -them out of the country!" We then became satisfied as -to whose command it was, and their destination. We rode -on about two hundred yards from the house, turned to the -left, and started with all possible speed, intending, if possible, -to go around them and get the word in ahead of -them. On striking the road at the head of the North Fork -of White river, we looked ahead of us about a hundred -yards and saw twenty-five men, about fifty yards from the -road, all in citizen's dress, wearing white hat bands. -The state had ordered all the state militia to wear white -hat bands, so that they might be designated from the -rebels. The author remarked to Long: "I guess the -men are militia, but we will ride slowly along the road and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -pass them, for fear they are rebels." They remained still -on their horses until after we had passed them, then -they moved forward and came riding up and halted us, and -wanted to know who we were. The author told them his -name was Williams and Long told them his name was -Tucker. They asked us if we had ever heard of the Alsups, -and we told them we had. Then they wanted to -know where we were going. We told them we were going -into Arkansas, near Yellville; that a general order had -been made in the state of Missouri that all able-bodied men -must come and enroll their names and those who were not -in the state service would have to be taxed; that we didn't -want to fight nor pay a tax to support those who were -fighting. They ordered us to dismount, surrounded us, -with cocked pistols, and ordered us to crawl out of our -clothes and give up our arms. We commenced to strip. -Long had on a very fine pair of boots, for which he had -just paid $5.00, and while the author didn't know at what -moment they would be shot, he could not help but be -tickled at the conduct of Long when they ordered him to -take off his boots. He crossed his legs and commenced -pulling, with the remark: "My boots are tight." The -pistols were cocked and presented right on him, not more -than six feet away, and they told him to hurry up or they -would shoot his brains out. While he was pulling at his -boots he appeared to be looking right down the muzzles of -the revolvers. As soon as he had pulled off his boots and -pitched them over, they remarked: "Hell, a right brand -new pair of socks on. Pull them off quick and throw them -over." A part of these men were dressed in the dirtiest, -most ragged clothes the author had ever seen—old wool -hats, with strings tied under their chins, old shoes with -the toes worn out, and old socks that were mostly legs; -but claiming all the time to be militia. They ordered us to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -get into their old clothes and shoes, and placed their old -hats upon us. Our clothing and hats all being new, the -author thought that was one of the hardest things they had -ordered him to do; that he was just as apt to get out of -the garments as to get into them. After we were dressed -in their old clothing, one of them asked: "What did you -say your name was?" Long replied, "Tucker." One -that was standing a little back came running up with his -pistol cocked, and remarked that if he was a certain Tucker -(naming the Tucker): "I am going to kill him right -here." Another of the number said: "Hold on, this man -is not the Tucker that you are thinking of." Then their -leader said, with an oath: "We belong to Gen. Burbrage's -command. He is just ahead. Do you want us to -take you up to headquarters?" We told him we had heard -of Gen. Burbrage, and expected that he was a good man, -so if they wanted to take us to his headquarters all right: -but we did not want to fall into the hands of the militia, as -we wanted to get through to Yellville while Gen. Burbrage -was in the country. One of the men looked at the horses -we were riding and remarked: "Let's take the horses. -We have orders to take all horses that are fit for the service." -Another said the horses were rather small for the -service, and as we would have a great deal of water to cross -between there and Yellville, it would be a pity to make us -wade it. Then their leader remarked: "We are Confederate -soldiers, out fighting for our country, and you men -are too damned cowardly to fight. We have got to have -clothing, and as we suppose you are good southern men, -when you get to Yellville you can work for more clothes." -They then ordered us to take the road and move on, and -tell the Alsups that the country was full of rebels.</p> - -<p>We mounted our horses and rode away, feeling happy -on account of our escape. They remained in the road and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> -watched us until we were out of their sight. The author -looked over at Long's feet and saw his toes sticking out of -his old shoes; could see his naked skin in several places -through his raiment. He hardly looked natural—didn't -look like the same man. We hadn't gone more than a -mile until we struck a farm and a road leading between the -farm on one side and the bluff and river on the other, and -looking in front, saw about fifteen men coming. The -author said to Long: "What shall we do? Shall we attempt -to run, or had we better pass them?" We concluded -that it was impossible to get away by running; the only -chance left being to try to pass through them without -being recognized.</p> - -<p>We rode up to meet them, and they halted us and -wanted to know where we were going. We told them we -were going to Marion county, Arkansas, near Yellville. -They asked us our names and we again gave the names of -Williams and Tucker. A man named Charley Durham -who had resided at West Plains and had met me several -times, rode up near us and asked me; "What did you say -your name was?" I replied, "Williams." He asked: -"Did you ever live down here about the state line?" I -told him I never did, but I might have had relatives who -lived on the state line. He said: "I am satisfied that I -have seen you somewhere." One of the crowd asked us -if we had met about twenty-five soldiers just ahead, and -when we informed them that we had, they remarked: -"Bully for the boys; we had better be moving on or we -will be late." They moved on, and we continued down -the road. As soon as we were out of sight I said to Long; -"We will not risk our chances in passing any more of -them; there are too many men down here that are acquainted -with us. If it hadn't been for my old clothes, -Charley Durham would have recognized me beyond a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -doubt." We then left the road and took to the woods, -reaching the Federal forces about midnight. They had not -heard a thing regarding the approach of the rebels. They -hurriedly began to gather in all the forces, and at once set -out to find, if possible, the destination of Gen. Burbrage. -It was learned that he had completely cut us off from reaching -either Houston or Rolla. On the next day the Federal -forces met Gen. Burbrage at Hearstville, Wright county, -Missouri, and there fought a battle with him. The commander -of the post at Houston, who was in command of -the Federals, was killed on the first fire from the artillery -of Gen. Burbrage. Col McDonald, during the engagement, -was shot dead at the head of the town spring. -Burbrage retreated on the same route that he had come up -on. His command was separated into several divisions, to -get food.</p> - -<p>Long and I had been furnished clothes and arms. -Capt. Alsup being in command, moved near the road that -leads down Fox Creek, saw a rebel scout moving down Fox -Creek, composed of a part of the same men we had met the -day before. Capt. Alsup said he thought that by striking -the road and taking the rebels by surprise we could rout -them. On marching about a mile we came in sight of -them, dismounted for dinner at the house of a man -named Ferris. I proposed to Capt. Alsup that we charge -them. He thought it might be too dangerous; that they -would have the benefit of the house, and might outnumber -us, and we would be compelled to retreat and might be cut -off from our horses. He ordered us to dismount, formed a -line, left men to hold the horses, and on moving about ten -steps, the rebel picket, who was placed just outside of the -line, discovered us. They opened fire from each side of the -house, and along a picket fence which enclosed the house. -We returned the fire. The first volley that was fired, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -ball passed near my ear, and wounded the horse that I -was riding. The firing continued for some time. We had -them cut off from their horses, unless they came outside -and faced the continual firing. One man attempted to -leave the house and reach his horse, but about ten feet from -the door he received a wound in the face and fell to the -ground. In a moment he arose to his feet, and he and several -others again retreated into the house. The firing continued -for fifteen or twenty minutes, when the rebels retreated -on foot, by taking advantage of the house, except -one man, who reached his horse, cut the halter, sprang -into the saddle, turned his horse down the lane, leaning -close to the horn of the saddle, put spurs and made his escape. -In the meantime the wounded man attempted to -make his escape by taking advantage of the house and retreating. -Capt. Alsup, when he saw the rebels were retreating, -ordered a charge. The wounded man was again -wounded, and fell to the ground, helpless. All the other -rebels reached the woods, and made their escape.</p> - -<p>Farris, the man who owned the house where the rebels -were stopping, received a serious wound in the breast. -They left sixteen horses with their rigs, saddle-riders filled -with new clothing, in our possession. Gen. Burbrage retreated -from the state, and the author reported to his command -at Rolla.</p> - - -<h3>Rescuing Union Families.</h3> - -<p>In the fall of 1862 some of the Union men whose families -were still residing in Ozark and Howell counties went -to the Federal post and were promised arms and ammunition -in order to return and try to get their families out, as -it had become almost impossible for their families to get -through alone, on account of being robbed. About fifty of -them procured arms and started for Howell county, from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> -outpost of the Federal authorities. They marched at night -and lay by in the day, and on reaching the western part of -Howell county, informed their families to get ready to move, -still keeping themselves in hiding. About twenty families -prepared for moving, and had assembled on the bayou, near -where Friend's old mill was located. Just about the time -they were ready to start, a bunch of rebels came up and -opened fire on them. They returned the fire and held the -rebels at a distance while they moved all their wagons up -close together, and started in the direction of Ozark county. -One of the men who had come to assist in the escort became -excited upon the first fire from the rebels and ran, -never stopping until he reached the Federal lines. The remainder -of the men bravely repelled the rebels, while their -families kept their teams steadily moving. On reaching -the big North Fork of White River, and while the families -in their wagons were in mid-stream, the rebels reached the -bluff and opened fire on them. The Union men vigorously -returned the fire. They all reached the opposite side of -the river without one of their number being killed; some of -the women and children had received slight wounds, but -nothing serious. The rebels still continued to fire upon -them until they reached the northern part of Ozark county, -when further pursuit was abandoned, and about twenty -families were enabled to reach the Federal lines. In a -short time the Union men attempted to again reach their -homes, for the purpose of helping destitute families to get -out. They traveled only at night, keeping themselves concealed -in day time. In this way they reached Fulton -county, Arkansas, when the rebels found out that some of -the Union men were in the country. The rebel forces at -once became so strong that the Federals had to retreat -without getting any of their families, passing back through -the western part of Howell county, over into Ozark, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -went into camp on the head of Lick Creek. Shortly after -they got into camp the rebels slipped up on them and -opened fire, mortally wounding a man named Fox and -slightly wounding several others. They had to scatter at -once to avoid being captured, and when they reached the -Federal lines they were almost worn out. At this time all -of the Federal posts had numbers of refugee families stationed -near them, entirely destitute of food and raiment, -and relying entirely for their preservation upon the small -amount of help they received from the government.</p> - - -<h3>General Price's Raid.</h3> - -<p>Upon my return from Batesville, Arkansas, in the -spring of 1864, I commenced recruiting for the 16th Missouri -Cavalry Volunteers, the most of the regiment being -composed of men who had been in the state service. The -required number to form the regiment was soon procured, -and the regiment was organized, electing for their Colonel, -John Mahan. The author was elected Captain of Co. K. -The regiment was at once placed in active service, being -quartered at Springfield, Missouri, up to the time of Gen. -Price's raid. Then the regiment was divided, one half of -it being sent in pursuit of Price. The other half, which -was known as the second battalion, was placed under my -command and held at Springfield, it being expected that -Gen. Price would change his line of march and attack the -city. As soon as the fact was ascertained that Price was -marching north and west of Springfield, orders were made -to send every available man that could be spared from the -post. Among the troops sent out was the author's battalion. -We were ordered on a forced march in the direction -of Utony, for the purpose of cutting off Price's retreat. We -reached Utony about 10 o'clock at night, where they had a -strong Federal garrison. Two thousand rebels of Price's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -command had just marched across the road before we -reached the garrison, and gone into camp in sight of the -town. Strong pickets were thrown out on each side. -About daylight the Federal forces broke camp and moved -on the rebel camp, soon coming in sight of the rebel forces, -and fire was opened on both sides. The rebels commenced -retreating, the Federals pursuing, and continuous firing and -fighting was kept up until we came near the Arkansas line. -A number of rebel prisoners were taken, besides some of -their commissary wagons falling into the possession of the -Federals. The Federal commander then ordered a retreat -back to Springfield. Price's forces had torn up all the -railroads as they passed over them, cutting off all supplies, -and the soldiers and prisoners had been placed on quarter -rations. The prisoners, numbering about three hundred -and fifty, were ordered to be taken to Rolla, Missouri. -After the first day's march from Springfield they met a -Federal train carrying commissaries to Springfield and -other western points. The men being then on quarter rations, -the Colonel took possession of some of the commissaries -and issued them to the soldiers and prisoners, for -which he was afterward arrested and court-martialed. On -reaching Lebanon, Missouri, I saw the quartermaster haul -in about five or six loads of shucked corn, which was distributed -to the soldiers and prisoners. I well remember -that while they were distributing the corn to the prisoners, -a general rush, which appeared to be almost uncontrollable, -was made around the wagon. The corn was thrown out -on the ground among them, they picked it up in their arms, -and at once retired to their camp fires, so that they might -parch and eat it. After leaving Lebanon, the prisoners -were all placed in charge of the author. He remembers -one rebel prisoner who had on a fine dress coat, with a -bullet hole right in the center of the back, and the soldiers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -had to be watched closely to prevent them from shooting -him, as they believed it to be a coat that had been taken -from the body of some Union man, after he had been shot.</p> - -<p>On reaching Rolla, the author turned over all the prisoners -to the commander of the post, and they were sent -directly to Rock Island, there to be held as prisoners until -such time as they might be exchanged. I again returned -to Springfield and reported to my regiment. A short time -thereafter, the loyal men of the counties of Howell, Dent, -Texas, Phelps, Ozark and Douglas, in Missouri, and of -Fulton, Izard and Independence counties, in Arkansas, -with a number of the officers and soldiers, including the -commander at Rolla, petitioned Gen. Schofield, who was -then in command of the western district, to have the author -detached from his regiment, then at Springfield, and sent -south of Rolla to some convenient place, and given command -of a post, as it was almost impossible to send commissaries -through from Rolla to Springfield, on what was -known as the wire road, on account of the roving bands of -rebels, who had complete control of the country, a short -distance from the military post.</p> - - -<h3>Capt. Monks Establishes a Post at Licking.</h3> - -<p>Gen. Schofield at once made an order that Capt. Monks -be detached from his regiment and report at Rolla, with his -company, for further orders. Gen. Sanborn, then in command -at Springfield, informed the author of his final destination; -that on reaching Rolla, he would be ordered by -Gen. Schofield to Licking, Missouri, to establish a post.</p> - -<p>It soon leaked out, and the rebels swore openly that if -he established a post at Licking or at any other southern -point, they would soon drive the post into the ground and -annihilate him and his men. I went to Gen. Sanborn and -requested that he send a telegram to Gen. Schofield, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -ask him to countermand that part of the order that required -Capt. Monks to report at Rolla for further orders, and order -him to move directly from Springfield to Licking. The -General hesitated for sometime, as to whether it would be -good policy, owing to the large numbers of rebels in the -country through which I had to pass. He didn't believe -that I would be able to reach Licking with the one company, -but he finally decided that if I was willing to risk it, -he would ask Gen. Schofield to change his order. On Gen. -Schofield's receiving the telegram, he made an order that I -be detached from my regiment, be furnished two company -wagons, be well supplied with arms, and proceed directly -to Licking. On reaching Licking I was to report by courier -to headquarters for further orders; and in obedience to said -order, two company wagons, with tents, commissaries, arms -and ammunition were at once furnished, and I set out for -Licking, Texas county; passed Hartville, the county seat -of Wright county, and struck the waters of Big Piney. -There was considerable snow on the ground at the time. I -took the rebels by complete surprise. While they were -expecting me from Rolla to Licking, I struck them from -the direction they least expected. On reaching Piney, I -encountered a rebel force of about sixty men. We had a -fight, two or three rebels were killed, and the rest retreated -south. From that time until we reached Licking, we had -more or less fighting every day. We would strike trails of -rebels in the snow, where there appeared to be over one -hundred men, but they were so sure that it was a large -scout from Springfield that they did not take time to ascertain, -but retreated south at once. On reaching Licking, I -sent a dispatch to Gen. Schofield, telling of my arrival, -and immediately received orders to establish a post and -erect a stockade fort, and to issue such orders as I believed -would rid the country of those irregular bands of rebels and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -bushwhackers and protect all in their person and property, -especially the loyal men. I immediately selected a frame -building for my headquarters, with an office near by for the -man acting as provost marshal; issued my order requiring -all persons who claimed protection from the Federal authorities -to come in and take the oath, and bring with them -axes, shovels, picks and spades, with their teams, for -the purpose of erecting a stockade fort. And further -setting out in said order, requiring all persons who -knew of any irregular bands of rebels or bushwhackers -roaming or passing through the country, to report -them at once; and if they failed to report them, they -would be taken as bushwhackers and treated as such. In -a short time I had erected a complete stockade fort with -port-holes, and room enough inside to place all the cavalry -horses in case of an attack by the rebels. I had these orders -printed and sent out all over the country. In a short -time, a man who had been known to be a rebel, but had -stayed at home unmolested, but who had been giving aid -and comfort to the rebels, came into the office and said: -"Captain, I want to see you in your private room." On -entering the room he said: "I have read that order of -yours. You don't intend to enforce it, do you, Captain?" -I said to him that I did or I wouldn't have made it; that -the rebels and I could not both stay in that country. He -said to me, "Captain, of all the post commanders we have -had here, there never was one of them issued such an order -as that. You know if I were to report those rebel -bands they would kill me." I replied, "Very well; you -have read my order, and I have said to you and all others -that if you fail to report them I will kill you; and you say -if you do report them, they will kill you; now, if you are -more afraid of them than you are of me, you will have to -risk the consequences; for, by the eternal God! if you fail<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -to report them, I have said to you that I would treat you -as a bushwhacker, and you well know how I treat them." -He dropped his head for a few minutes, then raised it and -said: "Well, it is mighty hard, Captain." I replied that -there were a great many hard things now; asked him -where all of his Union neighbors were. He said that they -had been forced to leave their homes and were around the -Federal posts for the reason that they claimed to be Union -men. I told him that "a lot of you rebels have lain here -in the country and made more money than you ever made -before in your lives, and at the same time you have been -giving aid, comfort and encouragement to all of these irregular -bands—giving them all the information that they -wanted, so that they might know just when to make their -raids, and now I propose to break it up and stop it, unless -they are able to rout me and drive me away. The government -proposes to protect all of you who will come in and -take the oath and comply with every requirement set out -in the order. All I ask of you men is to give me information -of these irregular rebel bands and their whereabouts, -and you can again return home and your information will -be kept a secret; but this much you are required to do." -In a short time a large number of them had come in and -enrolled their names, took the oath and went to work on -the fort like heroes.</p> - -<p>Occasionally one would come in and say "Captain, I -want to procure a pass for me and my family through the -Federal lines; I want to leave." I would ask him; -"What's the matter now? You have stayed here all -through the war, up to the present time, and now I have -come among you, and offered to protect every one of you -who will take the oath and comply with orders." He -would reply with a long sigh, "Yes, Captain but that -order that you have made." I would ask him "what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -order." "You require all citizens, especially we people who -have been rebels, and stayed at home, to report all of the -roving bands of rebels and bushwhackers; if we don't do it, -you will treat us like bushwhackers; if we were to report -them, they would kill us." I said, "Now, you must chose -between the two powers; and if you are more afraid of the -rebels than you are of me, you will have to risk your -chances. You say if you report them, they will kill you. -Now, by the Eternal, I am determined to enforce everything -that I have set out in that order. This day you -must settle in your own mind whom you will obey. As -soon as the first roving bands of rebels and guerrillas -reached the country for the purpose of raiding the wire -road between Rolla and Springfield, the night never was -too dark but that this same class of men would come in -and report them. I would at once make a detail, send -these men right out with them. As soon as they would -get near to the rebels, they would dismiss these men and -let them go home."</p> - -<p>The rebels, for several years, had been sending out a -large scout from North Arkansas and the border counties -of Missouri and when they would reach Texas and Pulaski -counties they would divide into small squads and travel the -byways and ridges; on reaching the wire road they would -then concentrate and lay in wait until the wagon trains and -non-combatants who were merchants, were moving through -from Rolla to Springfield under the protection of an escort; -and all at once they would make a charge upon them -from their hiding places, rout the escort, capture the train -and all others that might be in company with it, cut the -mules loose from the wagon, take all the goods that was -not cumbersome, especially coffee, sugar, salt and dry -goods, place them on the backs of the mules, travel a -short distance, divide up again into small parties, take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> -byways and mountains, travel fifteen or twenty miles, go -into camp; on reaching the counties of Oregon and Shannon, -Fulton and Lawrence, of Arkansas, they would concentrate -their forces, go into camp, eat, drink, and be -merry. As soon as their supplies would run short, they -would make another scout of a similar nature. The -commanders of the post, as soon as they would attack the -trains, would order out a scout to pursue them. They -would strike their trail and follow them a short distance -to where they would separate and take to the mountains. -They would abandon the pursuit, return and swear -that the country wasn't worth protecting. In that way -they completely outgeneraled the Federal forces and held -complete possession of the country almost in sight of the -post.</p> - -<p>On one occasion, when the weather was very cold and -bleak, I knew of their capturing some of the Federal soldiers -within one mile of the fort, kept them until the coldest -part of the night, just before day, stripped them naked, -turned them loose, and they were compelled to travel a -mile before they could reach a fire, and they were almost -frostbitten. Every Union man was driven away from his -home and moved his family to different posts.</p> - -<p>The author had declared that he and the rebels could -not both remain in the country together; that he would -either rout them or they would have to rout him, and for -that reason every man that remained in the country would -have to aid him in the work. So, in every instance, when -he would send a force in pursuit of those raiding bands, he -would order the scout to follow them, and when they divided -to still continue pursuit of the most visible trail, and -when they came in sight to not take time to count noses, -but charge them and pursue them until they were completely -annihilated. They would go into camp and move<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> -at their leisure, but not so when my scouts got in pursuit -of them. In a number of instances they would overtake -them from twenty to twenty-five miles from the wire road, -in camp, having a jolly good time, and the first intimation -they would have would be the boys in blue charging in -amongst them, shooting right and left, and they would -scatter in all directions.</p> - -<p>It was but a short time until they remarked to some of -the rebel sympathizers that they had never seen such a -change in the movements of the Federal scouts; that they -used to consider themselves safe from a Federal scout as -soon as they left the main road and divided into small -squads; but now they were in as much danger in the most -secluded spot in the mountains as they were in the traveled -roads; therefore, their commanders would have to change -their tactics in regard to the scouts, and abandon that part -of the country, as almost every scout that they had made -to the wire road had proved disastrous since "Old Monks" -had been placed in command of the post. In a short time, -the Union men, who had been driven from the country, -began to return and go onto their farms, and about five -months after I had been placed in command of the post, -the civil authorities came and held circuit court, Judge -Waddle, of Springfield, then being circuit judge.</p> - - -<h3>Skirmishes with the Rebels.</h3> - -<p>Some time in the summer, Col. Freeman, who was -commanding the rebels in northeastern Arkansas, whose -headquarters were near the Spring River mill, made a raid -and threatened to capture the Federal forces that were then -at the Licking post. I soon gained information of his intention, -made every preparation to repel the attack, also -informed the commander at Rolla of the intended raid. -Col. Freeman, accompanied by other rebel commanders,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -concentrated all of the available rebel force then at his command, -raided the country, came within about five miles of -the post, learned that reinforcements had been sent to the -post, countermarched and retreated to his headquarters near -the head of Spring river.</p> - -<p>A regiment of Federal troops, known as the Fifteenth -Veterans, was sent as a reinforcement, with a part of the -Fifth Missouri State Militia that was then stationed at Salem, -with orders to remain at the post. I received orders -to organize all of the available troops and pursue the rebel -forces, and, if possible, to reach the Spring River mill, in -Fulton county, Arkansas, and destroy the mill, which -Freeman was using at that time for grinding meal. The -Federal force composing the scout, aggregating about three -hundred and fifty men, moved from the post at Licking. -The author divided his forces, ordering one wing of them -to move through Spring Valley, in Texas county; the other -wing to move directly in the direction of Thomasville, with -orders to form a junction about seven miles from Thomasville, -where there was a rebel force stationed. On reaching -the Wallace farm, in Oregon county, we came onto a -force of rebels, commanded by James Jamison, who had -met for the purpose of receiving ammunition which had -been smuggled through from Ironton. After an engagement, -the rebels fled, leaving one man dead; James Jamison -received a flesh wound in the thigh. The Federal -force which had been ordered through Spring Valley had -had an engagement near the head of the valley, which had -delayed them. The plans of the author had been frustrated -by coming in contact with the rebels sooner than he expected. -As they had retreated in the direction of Thomasville, -where the main force was said to be stationed, I continued -my march, and in about one mile came onto a rebel -camp, where the rebels had cabins erected for quarters;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -here another spirited engagement took place, the rebels -retreating in the direction of Thomasville, the Federal -forces still pursuing.</p> - -<p>Just above Thomasville the command encountered a -strong picket force, fired upon the command, intending to -halt it, but being satisfied that there was a trap laid I ordered -a charge. The picket force retreated to the left, up a -steep hill, and at once the whole rebel force opened fire -from the side of the mountain; the bullets flew just above -our heads like hail, one ball passing through my hat. -We still continued the charge and on reaching the top of -the hill, routed the whole rebel force and they again retreated. -The author marched into Thomasville, selected -his camping ground inside of Captain Olds' barn lot, giving -us the advantage of the barn, in case we were attacked -by a superior rebel force. I at once dispatched a forage -train with strong escort to gather in all the forage -possible, as it was very scarce in the country. After we -had been in camp about an hour I inquired of Captain -Olds if he knew of any corn. He said he did not. In -about a half hour my attention was called by one of -the captains pointing to a large smokehouse, and on -looking, saw the soldiers taking down any amount of -first-class corn. I informed the captain that Captain -Olds had claimed that he had no corn; to take the quartermaster -and let him place a guard over the corn, to -see that it was not wasted, and that it was properly -apportioned. In a short time the author saw Captain -Olds coming. He went to one of the other captains -and inquired who the commander was. He was informed -that it was Capt. Monks. He came to the author -laughing and remarked: "You found my corn, did -you? I told you that I had none; I had to secrete -it in that building to keep it so that the rebels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -could not find it." I just remarked to Captain Olds: -"You needn't try to hide anything from these lopeared -Dutch, for I don't care where you put it they will -find it." The men who discovered the corn were all -Germans and belonged to a German company. He asked -us to feed just as sparingly as possible and leave him a -part of the corn, which we did. He then attempted to -warn the author of his danger and asked him if he -intended to camp there for the night; said that Colonel -Freeman had over one thousand men which he could concentrate -within five or six hours and that he would -cut the author's command all to pieces. The author -replied to the captain that that was his business, that Freeman -had come up on the scout and claimed that he was -wanting a fight; the author prepared for him and expected -to accommodate him but he changed his notion and retreated, -devastating the country as he went, and now the -author was hunting him and his forces and wanted to fight. -If he came up that night and attacked the author's command -that it would save any more trouble hunting him.</p> - -<p>Just about that time the author saw the other part of -the command approaching and called the attention of -Captain Olds and asked him if he thought that was a part -of Freeman's command. After looking a few minutes he -said to the author: "They are Federal troops." I -asked him if he thought we would be able to remain there -until morning? He said that he thought we would and -invited me to come into his house and eat supper. While -at supper asked if we intended to march any further south. -The author informed him that if his information was correct -in regard to Freeman's forces we were about as -far away from home as we ought to get and that we had -better move back in the direction of the post. The author -ordered the command to be ready to march by early day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>light, -next morning broke camp and moved in the direction -of Spring river. On reaching the head of Warm -fork of Spring river, we encountered another rebel force; -had a short engagement, and they again retreated. On -reaching the head of Spring river about the middle of the -afternoon, we again met a rebel force; after considerable -firing they retreated.</p> - -<p>The author moved up near the mill and went into -camp. The mill was grinding corn with quite a lot of -corn on hand, but the miller left and retreated with the -rebels. The author soon placed a substitute in his place -and the boys had a fine time baking corn cakes.</p> - -<p>After supper, some of the men had just retired to rest, -when the rebels again made a fierce attack; after fighting -for twenty or twenty-five minutes they retreated a short -distance and went into camp, the river dividing the two -forces. During the night the two pickets would dare each -other to cross the river. During the night there came a -heavy rain and made the Warm fork of Spring river swimming; -there was no way to cross except on the mill dam.</p> - -<p>The next morning about daylight the author ordered -them to take the millstones and break them up and destroy -the machinery so it would be impossible to grind; dismounted -about one hundred men, placed them in hiding -and marched away a short distance, thinking the rebels -would cross over and we would surprise and capture them. -But on seeing the Federals break camp and marching up -on the west side of the river, they broke camp and marched -up on the east side of the river. The author then mounted -his men and marched up the Warm fork to where he effected -a crossing, marched about ten miles, went into camp for -the purpose of getting breakfast. Just after breakfast, the -author noticed the advance of a rebel force march out on -another road; as soon as they discovered that the Federals<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -were in camp, they fell back and the author at once -mounted his men. On the other road, as there was a considerable -hill that hid them from sight, he formed his men -in two lines in a V; detailed a strong advance force, ordered -them to move onto the rebels and charge them, and -in case they found that they were too strong, to retreat -back between the lines for the purpose of drawing the rebel -forces in between the lines. After a fierce conflict, lasting -but a few minutes, the rebels again retreated, leaving a -rebel Major dead upon the ground. We then marched into -Thomasville and had another running fight with the rebels, -went into camp and the next morning marched back in the -direction of the post at Licking, reaching the post about 10 -o'clock that night. The author again took command at -the post and the Fifteenth Veterans returned to Rolla.</p> - - -<h3>Ridding the Country of Bushwhackers.</h3> - -<p>It soon became very rare to hear of a rebel scout north -of the mountain. Both rebel and Union men who claimed -protection by the Federal authorities began to repair and -improve their farms again. During the time that the -author was in command of the post, which continued up to -the time that peace was made, his command had routed -and completely driven from the country all irregular and -roving bands of rebels and bushwhackers and had had -numbers of small engagements in which there had been -from eighty to ninety of the most desperate class of men -that ever lived, killed, which was shown in the adjutant -general's report. After they had been driven out of the -county, they located in the counties of Oregon, Shannon -and Dent, and at once commenced pillaging and robbing -all classes of citizens, irrespective of their political adherence. -Col. Freeman sent a courier through the lines with -a dispatch, stating the condition of affairs, and asking that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -an armistice be entered into between Col, Freeman's scouts -and the scouts which might be sent out from the post, with -an understanding that they were going to aid each other in -routing and driving out these irregular bands.</p> - -<p>While engaged in that work they were not to fire on -each other, but to co-operate. The author was to enter -into the agreement if it could be effected. Col. Freeman -sent Capt. Cook into Oregon and Shannon counties to locate -those roving guerrilla bands, and in some way, unknown -to either Col. Freeman or myself, they gained the -information, and while Capt. Cook was in Oregon county -locating them, they waylaid him and killed him. Col. -Freeman, realizing the fact that they had come into possession -of the whole scheme, came to the conclusion that we -had better abandon the agreement. He organized scouts -and captured and shot some of the most desperate characters -that were leaders, while the author kept a vigilant -watch to keep them from crossing over into Texas or adjoining -counties. At the time peace was made, it was admitted -by the law-abiding people, irrespective of party, -that the command of Col. Monks had completely rid the -country of all irregular bands of rebels and had made it -safe, in a short time after he had taken command of the -post, for forage trains and all other classes of citizens to -pass on the wire road from Rolla to Springfield unmolested, -and that very often they passed through without an escort.</p> - - -<h3>Battle at Mammoth Spring.</h3> - -<p>Col. Wood, commanding the Sixth Missouri cavalry, -left Rolla on the 7th day of March, 1862, with about two -hundred and fifty men, for the purpose of making a scout -south into the counties of Oregon and Howell and Fulton -county, Arkansas, to ascertain the strength of the rebel -forces in that portion of the country; reached Licking and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -went into camp. The next morning he broke camp and -marched to Jack's fork, in Shannon county, and on the -morning of the 9th marched to Thomasville; on the 10th -he marched to Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. On reaching -Mammoth Spring they learned that there was a rebel force -in camp on the south fork of Spring river, just below Salem, -and on the morning of the 11th they broke camp and -marched upon the rebels. On reaching the rebel encampment -they found they had cut timber and blockaded the -road, so that it was impossible to reach the forces, except -on foot. In coming within a few hundred yards of the -rebels, lying concealed behind the timbers, they opened -fire upon the advance of the Federal forces. The Federal -forces had two small pieces of artillery that they unlimbered -and brought into use. The rebels having no artillery, -were soon dislodged from the first line of works, and they -stubbornly fell back about one quarter of a mile, and went -in behind the second fortifications that had been hurriedly -erected. After fighting for an hour and a half or two hours -the Federal force being greatly outnumbered, and the rebels -having themselves so obstructed, Col. Woods saw that -it was useless to further continue the fight and retreated. -On the next night he reached Howell Valley just below -West Plains and went into camp and on the morning of -the 13th they broke camp and marched in the direction of -Houston, Missouri, reaching Houston sometime after night. -The Federal loss in the battle referred to was seven killed -and wounded. The Confederate loss was said to be -twenty-five or thirty killed and wounded. Colonels Coleman -and Woodside were commanding the Confederates.</p> - -<p>Col. Woods being in command of the post at Houston, -learning that there was considerable of a rebel force, standing -at West Plains, Missouri, under the command of Coleman -and others, organized a scout and on the 24th day of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -February, 1862, broke camp and marched in the direction -of West Plains, for the purpose of attacking the rebel forces -stationed at that place, taking two small mounted -howitzers strapped on mules, made a forced march, and in -the early part of the day on the 25th reached West Plains. -West Plains had a frame court house in the center of the -square where the present court house is located. The road at -that time led due north where Washington avenue is located -until it struck the hill; also there was a road which led east -where East main street is now located and on passing what -was known as the Thomas Howell farm, turned directly -north in the direction of Gunters Valley. The rebels had -a strong picket thrown out on both roads; a part of the -rebel command was quartered in the court house. Woods -being advised of the condition of the rebels and where -they were all quartered, supposing that they would take -advantage of the court house when the attack was made, -selected a high position where the road first struck the -hill, planted his artillery, divided his forces and made a -flank movement, ordered them to strike the lower road and -advance on the pickets and as soon as they were fired upon, -to charge them, while he would remain with the other -part of the force in readiness to dislodge them with his artillery -in case they used the court house as a fortification. -On the advance coming in sight of the rebel pickets, they -fired and retreated with the Federal forces pursuing. The -rebel forces at once rallied their forces and took possession -of the courthouse. As soon as Col. Woods saw them file -into the house he leveled his cannon and fired a shell which -struck the house near its center and passed clear through; -that was the first artillery that the rebel command ever had -heard. They filed out of the house faster than they went -into it; then Col. Woods moved with his forces directly upon -the forces near the court house when a general engage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>ment -ensued. The rebels retreated west on the road near -where West Main street is now located and a running fight -was continued for about one mile, when Woods abandoned -the pursuit, marched back into West Plains, and again returned -to Houston. The losses on both sides were light, -several, however, being killed or wounded.</p> - - -<h3>"Uncle Tommy" and His Crutches.</h3> - -<p>I will relate an incident which occurred during the fight. -Old "Uncle Tommy" Howell as he was familiarly known, -resided just below the town spring a short distance from the -road; he had a sister living with him who was an old maid, -and was known as "Aunt Polly". Howell being one -among the early settlers of Howell Valley, had taken an -active part in organizing Howell county, which took its -name from him and he had been once representative of the -county. The author heard him relate the circumstance in -a speech delivered in West Plains after the war was over. -He said when the fight came up that he was sitting on his -front porch: all at once he heard firing commence, and -heard horses feet and saw the rebel pickets coming on full -gallop horseback, with the Federals close onto them with -pistols in hand firing on them; he had been afflicted with -rheumatism for years and one of his legs was drawn crooked -and he hadn't attempted to walk without a crutch for -several years; when he saw the men coming and the others -shooting at them, he supposed that every shot was killing -a man; he said they came right by his door and he never -became excited while they were passing; as soon as they -got near the court house they then made a stand, where it -appeared to him that there were thousands of shots being -exchanged every minute. They had all passed his house -and he was sitting there unmolested, when his sister, who -was known as "Aunt Polly" ran out on the porch and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> -cried out at the top of her voice "Lord a massy, Uncle -Tommy, run for your life; you have been a public man and -they will kill you, sure." He said it so excited him -that he sprang to his feet. All below his house the valley -was covered with hazel brush and snow was lying on the -ground. He first looked toward where the firing was -going on and said "My God! they certainly have got -them very near all killed in this time" for he was under -the impression that every shot killed a man. He started -southwest from his house, ran about a quarter of a mile, -jumped over behind a log; he had hardly gotten still when -he imagined he heard the horses feet of the Federals in pursuit -of him; he raised up and looked, could not see any -person, so ran about another quarter, jumped over behind -another log and as soon as he got still, the first thought -came into his mind that they were still in pursuit, for he -could hear the horses' feet, but on reflecting a moment he -found that it was his heart beating; he said he could still -hear the firing and he thought they intended to kill them -all before they quit. He had a son-in-law by the name of -Hardin Brown living on the Warm fork of Spring river, -about twenty miles distant, and he started on foot and -never stopped traveling until he reached his house. On -reaching the house, his daughter asked him how, in the -name of God, he ever got there without his crutches. He -said that was the first time that he had thought of his -crutches. He began to notice his legs and the crooked leg -was just as straight as the well leg. He said that it completely -cured him of his rheumatism and he had the use of -that leg just the same as he ever did the other leg, and -never used a crutch afterwards. After the war he removed -to Oregon county and was elected to the legislature, and -died a member of the legislature.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Disposing of Union Men.</h3> - -<p>In the spring of 1862 there was a man by the name -of Mawhinney, living about six miles below West Plains, -in Howell valley, a Union man, but who had taken no part -either way, except to express an opinion. About fifteen -men belonging to a rebel scout went to his house, called -for their dinners, some of them had him shoe their horses, -and after they had their horses shod and got their dinner, -they told him that they wanted him to go with them. His -wife said to them "It ain't possible that after you have -been treated as kindly as you have been you are going to -take Mr. Mawhinney prisoner; you men certainly -will not hurt him." They made no reply, carried him -about one half mile from his home, shot him off of -his horse, took the horse and went on, leaving the -body on the side of the road. His wife with what other -help she could get brought him in and had him buried.</p> - -<p>About two weeks afterwards, in the spring of 1862, -there was a man by the name of Bacon who lived near West -Plains, who has some relatives living in this county at the -present time. He was a Union man but had taken no part -either way, except to express himself openly in favor of -the Union. There came a scout of about twenty men and -arrested him, started west with him in the direction of -South Fork, and on reaching the vicinity where Homeland -is located, left the road a short distance, shot him off of his -horse. Went on to a house about one mile distant, called -for their dinner. The woman in preparing dinner fried -some bacon; after they were seated at the table she passed -the bacon to them; several of them remarked that they -didn't want any, that they had had some bacon, but had -just disposed of it a short time before they reached the house. -After Bacon had laid where he fell dead for two or three -days he was found and being considerably decomposed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -hole was dug and the body placed into it and covered up, -where his dust remains until the present day.</p> - - -<h3>Union Supplies Captured by Rebels.</h3> - -<p>In the spring of 1862, the department commander reestablished -the military post at Springfield. All of the -commissaries and forage had to be conveyed from Rolla to -Springfield, as the terminus of the railroad was at Rolla, -by wagon trains, a distance of one hundred and twenty -miles. It required a large escort of soldiers to guard the -trains to prevent the rebels from capturing them. All of -the country south of the wire road was in possession of -the rebels. There was scarcely a wagon train that passed -on the road without being attacked by the rebels. They -made their attacks generally on the front and rear of -the trains, and before the wagon masters could corral the -trains, they would capture some of the wagons, make the -teamsters drive into the woods, cut the mules loose from -the wagons, take sacks of coffee, salt, sugar and other -commissaries, tie them on the backs of the mules, divide -into small bunches and retreat into the hills. Very often -the escort would have to send back to Rolla for reinforcements. -The train would be tied up from twelve to fifteen -hours before it could move on. It became a mystery to -the Federal commanders how the Confederates could concentrate -a force of men numbering from fifty to three hundred, -and the first intimation the escort would have, they, -the rebels, would come out of the brush at some secluded -spot, yelling, whooping and shooting, and charge upon the -wagon train. They would generally capture more or less -of the loaded wagons with the above results, and it became -a question with the military authorities at Rolla and Springfield -how to capture or rout these bands, and as to how -they managed to keep that number of men near to the wire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -road and yet the Federals were unable to discover their -hiding places.</p> - -<p>About the 15th day of August, the department commander -ordered Capt. Murphy to take five hundred men -and two pieces of artillery and move south from Rolla; to -go as far south as he thought it would be safe, without -placing his men so far inside of the Confederate lines that -they might be captured; and, if possible, to learn the rebel -movements and location of their troops. Capt. Murphy -broke camp at Rolla and moved south about fifteen miles, -was fired on by the rebels from the brush, marched about -twenty-five miles, went into camp; on the next morning -resumed the march, hadn't marched more than five miles -until they were fired on from the brush; they were fired -on four or five times that day, and went into camp near -Thomasville. The next day he threw out skirmish lines -on each side of his command, and resumed the march down -the Warm fork of Spring river. There was more or less -skirmishing all day. He camped on the Warm fork and -the next morning marched over to the Myatt, where we -had quite a skirmish. The rebels again retreated in the -direction of the Spring River mill, where they were said to -have a thousand men.</p> - -<p>Here the command countermarched back to Rolla, -having captured fifty or sixty prisoners; the Federals had -a few men wounded.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1862, the Federal troops advanced -on Springfield from Rolla. The rebels retreated west and -the Federals again established a military post at Springfield. -The rebels continued to retreat west until they -reached Prairie Grove, where they concentrated their -forces and the memorable battle of that name was fought, -the Federal troops being victorious. The Confederates retreated -from the state.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> - -<p>The military post at Springfield being over one hundred -miles west of Rolla, the terminus of the South Pacific railroad, -three-fourths of the distance being in possession of -the rebels, all the forage and commissaries had to be conveyed -by wagon train. The main rebel forces having been -driven from the state, and all of the country south of the -wire road, with few exceptions, being in possession of the -rebels, the Union men with their families having been -driven from their homes. The leading Confederate officers -met and held a council of war and decided to change their -tactics. The first thing was to place two or three hundred -well-armed Confederate soldiers south of and near -the wire road leading from Rolla to Springfield, and so -harass the wagon trains that the government wouldn't be -able to get forage and commissaries through to Springfield, -and thus force the Federals to abandon the post. In furtherance -of this move, they ordered their soldiers to be -taken near to the line of the road and divided into squads -of from five to twenty-five men, conceal their arms and -claim to be private citizens, live off the country and be so -arranged that when a wagon train was about to leave Rolla, -they could be called together on short notice; and when -they wanted to make a more extensive raid, Confederate -soldiers from as far south as the head of Spring river would -march up and meet them and make a general raid.</p> - -<p>The government had considerable trouble to learn the -hiding places of these men, but they finally got officers who -were acquainted with the country and men who were bona -fide citizens, and knew who were citizens and who were -not, and broke up their hiding places and drove them further -south. It was learned that a part of this Confederate -force was composed of men who claimed to be citizens -when they were not making their raids.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Bravery of Captain Alsup.</h3> - -<p>In the summer of 1863, the Federal authorities established -a military post at Clark's mill, in Douglas county, -Missouri, on Bryant's fork of White river, erected a post -and stationed some Illinois troops under the command of a -Colonel, with Capt. Alsup's company, which was composed -entirely of Douglas county citizens, in all about two hundred -and fifty or three hundred men. Gen. Joe Shelby, a -Confederate, with about five hundred troops, made a forced -march from Arkansas and during the night time surrounded -the fort, and the next morning had his artillery in readiness -to open fire. He ordered a complete surrender of the -garrison. The captain of the fort asked for a few minutes -to consider the matter; at the expiration of the time, the -Colonel in command agreed to surrender, stack up the -guns and side arms in the fort, march his men outside and -make an unconditional surrender. When the commander -of the fort ordered his men and officers to stack their arms -and march out, Capt. Lock Alsup and his company refused, -and being cavalry, ordered his men to arm themselves and -be ready to move whenever he ordered. While the commander -of the fort was having the remainder of the garrison -stack their arms, Capt. Alsup and his company made a -bold dash for liberty, came out of the fort shooting right -and left, took the rebels by surprise, broke the rebel line, -went through, being mounted on good horses, retreated up -Bryant's fork with the rebels in pursuit. While going -through an old field that had grown up to burrs about as -high as a man's head, Fritz Krause, father of the assistant -postmaster at West Plains, was thrown from his horse, -rolled under the burrs, the rebels passed by and never saw -him. He laid in the burrs until dark, then made his escape -and rejoined his company at Springfield. The rebels -pursued them for about two miles, then returned to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -command. Gen. Shelby paroled the prisoners, and such -things as he could not carry with him he destroyed, the -fort being burned. He resumed his march in the direction -of Springfield and was reinforced by about five hundred -troops. During this time, Capt. Alsup and his men had -reached Springfield and, strange to say, hadn't lost a man; -had a few slightly wounded. Gen. Brown, who was in -command of the post at Springfield, was said to be a -brother-in-law of Gen. Shelby, and on Shelby's arrival at -Springfield he demanded the surrender of the garrison. -The Federal troops held a consultation and concluded to -fight. After a brief engagement, Gen. Shelby drew his -troops off and moved north; there were several killed and -wounded on both sides. Gen. Brown's arm was broken -by a piece from a shell. Gen. Shelby continued his raid -towards the Missouri river, had several small engagements -and then retreated from the state. Capt. Alsup and his -brave men should be held in memory by all comrades, especially -by the loyal people of Douglas and Ozark counties, -for their heroic action in charging through the rebel lines -and making their escape after the post commander had attempted -to deliver them into the hands of the rebels.</p> - -<p>The fort at Clark's mill was never rebuilt. Capt. Alsup -and the loyal men of Douglas and Ozark counties and -part of Wright county built a temporary fort near the center -of Douglas county, and old and young organized themselves -into companies and armed themselves. With the -help of Capt. Alsup's company, they appointed a few of their -men as scouts, while the others worked in their fields. -The scouts were out night and day along the state line and -if a rebel scout attempted to raid the counties, notice was -given all along the line and the men were all up in arms -and ready to meet the raiders. It reminds one of reading -the history of the early settlements along the Indian bor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>der. -The settlers would build forts and put out sentinels; -if the Indians were seen advancing, word was given and -the families would hurry to the fort and the men arm themselves -to drive the invaders back. So this organization, -with some assistance from the post at Springfield, held -Douglas and a part of Ozark and Wright counties during -the remainder of the Civil War, and after the war was -over, Douglas county gained the title of "Old Loyal Douglas -County." These old soldiers and comrades are fast -falling and very soon there will be none left to tell of the -heroisms and sacrifices they made for the country they -loved. Will these comrades and their sons and daughters -be so ungrateful that they will let their heroism and sacrifices -die with them and be forgotten, never to be written in -history? The answer will be no, a thousand times no. -The history of their heroism and sacrifices shall be written -and go down to their children and their children's children, -and may "Old Glory" ever wave over the country that they -love so well and for which they made so many sacrifices.</p> - - -<h3>Bushwhacking in Howell County.</h3> - -<p>The writer wants to say that there was not a Union -man nor a single Union family left at home, from Batesville, -Ark. to Rolla, Mo., a distance of two-hundred miles. The -writer especially wants to speak for Howell County, Mo. -The rebels took quite a number of Union men from their -homes and shot them, some of them being old men. I -will name a few of them that were shot: Morton R. Langston, -the father of T. J. and S. J. Langston, while he was -hauling wood; Jeff Langston, one of the firm of Langston -Bros, was riding on the wood at the time his father was -shot. I asked a leading rebel after the war, why they shot -Langston. His reply was: "He talked too much." Shot -Mawhinney, Bacon and a number of others. Now I want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -to say right here, notwithstanding the treatment the Union -men received from the rebels, not a single Confederate -was ever taken from his home and shot or otherwise injured -during the whole Civil War and no truthful Confederate -will say to the contrary. There never was but one -Confederate hurt after being taken prisoner in Howell -County and he wasn't a citizen of Howell County; was -said to be a north Missouri bushwhacker, charged with -being one of the parties that shot old Mr. Langston, Mawhinney -and Bacon. A Federal scout in the year 1864 -captured him below West Plains and the next morning -they hung him to a smokehouse rafter. Notwithstanding -a few of the friends of the bushwackers will tell to -strangers that the writer shot a man in this county, by -the name of Hawkins, in the lap of his family, which is a -positive lie; the facts are these; Hawkins was one of the -worst bushwhackers and murderers that ever lived in -Howell County and was commanding a company of bushwackers -at the time he was shot. A short time before -he was shot he had captured one of his cousins, by the -name of Washington Hawkins, a Federal soldier, and taken -from him a fine mare with his saddle and rig complete.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1864, a battalion of the 11th Missouri -Cavalry, commanded by Col. Woods, had been -ordered to report to Col. Livingston at Batesville, Ark. -The writer had been ordered to report at Rolla, Mo., with -his command. Col. Woods had camped near West Plains -the previous night, the next morning resumed his march -towards Batesville; after he had passed West Plains a few -miles, Hawkins and his bushwhackers fired on them from -the brush and they continued to fire on them every few -miles for sixteen miles. Our force met the force of Col. -Woods at the state line where Col. Woods informed me -how they had been firing upon his men all morning. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -had taken a man prisoner by the name of William Krause, -whom he turned over to me. Both forces resumed the -march, he in the direction of Batesville, Ark., and I in the -direction of Rolla, Mo. The prisoner told the writer that -he knew the parties who had been firing on Col. Woods' -command; that they had a camp by a pond in a secluded -place, and were commanded by Hawkins and Yates; that -it was about four miles almost west. I told Krause if he -would place me on trail he could then go home. He -did so and I then released him. Krause said there were -about fifty rebels in the command.</p> - -<p>We trailed them about two miles and came in sight -of a house that belonged to old Mr. Newberry, a Union -man. He and his family had been run off from home. -I saw a horse hitched to the side of the door, and supposed -there were more inside of the house; there was a skirt -of timber that enabled us to get within about sixty yards of -the house. I ordered my men, when we reached a given -point, to charge upon the house, dismount and reach the -wall of the house and demand the surrender of all persons -that might be within. We were about fifteen feet from -the door when Hawkins came out and attempted to mount -his horse. The author demanded his surrender, but he -drew his pistol to fire, the author having his pistol already -in hand and presented, fired on him; the author was sitting -in his saddle when he fired on him.</p> - -<p>The men examined the house and found he was the -only man in it. The horse he was riding was the one he -had taken from his cousin, Washington Hawkins, a short -time previous, with a government rig complete. Washington -Hawkins resided at Bakersfield, Mo., and got his horse -and rig again. We took the trail again, but dark came on us -and we lost it. These are the facts surrounding the whole -case, the killing of Hawkins, one of the worst bandits and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -guerrillas that ever roamed through South Missouri and led -the worst band of men in the state. I had previously taken -him prisoner and he took the oath of allegiance, went -right back and joined his command and, if possible, he -was worse than before. I must say that there are few men -in Howell county that claim to be Confederates, who -tell strangers that Monks shot Hawkins down in the lap -of his family and that he, Hawkins, was a good man. -The writer wants to say that no truthful Confederate will -tell any such a thing; they will tell you that Hawkins -was a bad man. Ask such Confederates as Capt. Howard, -Mark Cooper, Judge Dryer, John Ledsinger, Harvey -Kelow, Daniel Galloway, P. N. Gulley and a number of -others, if Hawkins was a good man.</p> - -<p>The writer wants to say that he don't believe all the -Confederates were in favor of killing and driving out -the families of Union men, but the most bitter element -got in power and being backed by the order of Gen. -McBride, to force all the Union men to join the Confederate -service, or hang them, those Confederates who -were opposed to such treatment were afraid to open -their mouths for fear they would receive the same treatment. -You don't hear these same men, that talked about -Monks shooting Hawkins, say a word about Hawkins -and his bushwhackers shooting Union men all over Howell -county. There never were but two houses burned in -Howell county by the Union men during the Civil war, -and houses owned by these men had been previously -burned by the Confederates. The town of West Plains -was burned by the Confederates to keep the Federals -from holding a post at West Plains.</p> - -<p>The writer wants to say that on his return after the -war, in the spring of 1866, he met the rebels, both those that -had been officers and soldiers, and never spoke a harsh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -word to them, asked them if they thought both parties -could now live together; their answer was, that they -thought they could. All that they asked was that -they be protected. The writer assured them that both -Federal and Confederates would be protected by the civil -laws and all they would be asked to do would be to aid -in a strict enforcement of civil laws, which they readily -promised to do. The Union men who had returned to -their homes and the late Confederates joined together -and went to building and repairing old church houses and -school-houses and soon were found worshiping together -in the same church and sending their children to the -same school-houses and the old ties that had existed before -the war were being re-united. The country appeared -to be prosperous and the old war spirit appeared to -be fast dying out among the people.</p> - -<p>I suppose the writer holds more commissions than -any other man in the state, both military and civil and -there never was a charge preferred against the writer of any -failure to discharge his duties by the government or -state. While in the military service thousands of dollars -passed through the hands of the writer for forage -and commissaries and ordinance stores and clothing, -every dollar was accounted for and all contraband property -was turned over to the government. I never converted, -to my own private use, five cents of any man's -property or money, before or after the war, in the war, -nor since the war.</p> - -<p>The writer is now residing within about twenty-five -miles of where his father located in the year 1844 and -there are several persons yet living that have been intimately -acquainted with the writer since his boyhood up -to the present time, namely James Kellett, Sr., Marion -Kellett, present county treasury of Howell county, Wash<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>ington -Hawkins of Bakersfield, Mo., and quite a number -of others that have been acquainted with the writer -from forty to fifty years. The writer wants to say right -here that he is not ashamed of anything he did before -the war, in the war, nor since the war, and on his return -home to Howell county on meeting the late rebels; -he never spoke a harsh word to one of them, but received -them kindly and said to them that the civil laws -should be strictly enforced against all alike, Confederate -and Federal.</p> - -<p>In the year 1861, sometime in the month of September, -after the Federals retreated from Springfield, Mo. and the -Confederates had taken possession of Springfield, there was -one Capt. Brixey who was captain of a company of home -guards residing in the edge of Webster County, Mo.; soon -after the Confederates took possession of the post, they -ordered a captain belonging to a Texas regiment to detail -one company and proceed to the residence of Capt. Brixey -and arrest him. Capt. Brixey having no notice of the -approach of the scouts, he and one of his men were sitting -in the house; the first they knew they had a line within -thirty yards of his door, hailed them and presented their -guns and demanded their surrender. Capt. Brixey said, -"The —— you say." Both parties fired on each other -about the same time, the man with Brixey fell dead, -Brixey shot and killed the Confederate captain and wounded -one or two other Confederates; he retreated through his -house and into his orchard and made his escape; one of -his arms was broken by the shot from the rebels from -which he entirely recovered and lived many years afterwards, -and has a son residing in this county at the present -time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Colonel Freeman's Second Raid.</h3> - -<p>Sometime in the Spring of 1862 Col. Freeman, not being -satisfied with his first raid on the Federal troops at -Salem, planned the second raid to attack the troops then -stationed at Salem, Missouri; he organized his scout and -compelled one Robert Bolin, who now resides in Howell -County, to pilot him through the lines, as he, Bolin, had -lived near Salem before the war. On reaching Salem, Col. -Freeman halted his troops and planned his attack.</p> - -<p>The Federal troops had no knowledge of the approach -of any rebel forces; they were in squads around Salem. -Freeman divided his forces and gave them a countersign -and selected a spot near a deep ditch in the road and instructed -them, if they were defeated and got scattered to -concentrate at that ditch which was beyond the Federal -lines a distance of some miles; on reaching the ditch -they were to remain until they all were collected. After -the first ones reached the place, it being dark, if they saw -others approaching they would halt them and demand the -countersign, and if they couldn't give it they were to fire on -them without any further delay, knowing they were enemies. -On reaching the public square they encountered a -bunch of the Federal troops in a building; fired on them, -wounded a few, a man by the name of Jacob Shoffler now -residing in Howell County was in the house at the time, -and they cut his clothes in about twenty different places -with bullets and never drew blood; Maj. Santee was commanding, -with one other officer. After they had rallied, -all being in disorder, Maj. Santee ordered a charge on the -rebels. Armed with an old pistol he met Col. Freeman of -the Confederate side. Freeman had just shot out; Maj. -Santee ordered his surrender. Col. Freeman started to -run, Maj. Santee in close pursuit, snapped his old pistol, -which failed to fire. He then threw the pistol at Col.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -Freeman, struck him somewhere between the shoulders, -drew his sabre, and still continued the pursuit. There -was a creek near by and a stone fence had been built along -the side of it; the creek had been frozen over and a skiff -of snow on it at the time. Just as Freeman reached the -stone fence Maj. Santee made a thrust at him with his -sabre, inflicting a slight wound; about that time, for the -purpose of escaping, Col. Freeman sprang over the stone -fence and lit into the creek. Maj. Santee, being on -horseback, could not pursue any further. The rebels by -this time were scattered in all directions, started to retreat. -It being very dark, the first ones fifty or sixty in number -reached the ditch, halted to wait for the remainder of them -to collect. In a short time about thirty or forty more of -them appeared in sight, retreating with considerable speed; -they were halted, the countersign demanded. They had -become so excited in the fight they had forgotten the -countersign and failed to give it. So those who arrived -first opened fire and wounded several of them, scattering -them to the woods. They failed to concentrate until they -had retreated south about 30 miles where they learned of -the mistake they had made and that they had fired upon -their own men. Maj. Santee being of the opinion that he -had seriously wounded Freeman with his sabre, concluded -to investigate. On reaching the stone fence where he made -his leap they looked over into the creek on the ice and -(Col. Freeman being a large man) it looked like a large ox -had been thrown over from the hole that he made in the -ice. They saw that he had crossed the creek and reached -the other side and saw no signs of blood. In the engagement -there were about five or six wounded and killed.</p> - -<p>In the summer of 1863 there was a Federal scout organized -at Springfield, commanded by Col. Holland. It -was ordered to move by way of Douglas county, get rein<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>forcements -then stationed at the fort, and from there march -through the county of Ozark. They entered the county of -Fulton, Ark., where they had several small engagements. -After considerable fighting and capturing a number of prisoners, -they returned to Springfield; loss, killed and -wounded, very small.</p> - -<p>In the fall of 1863, Col. Tracy, with a force of rebels, -made a raid from Fulton county, marched up through -Ozark county, and on reaching the Union settlement in -Douglas county, he shot and killed nearly every man he -captured, robbed houses, took everything in the house and -out of doors, and burned the houses as he went. After -raiding and pillaging a number of houses, he came to a -house where a Union man by the name of Mahan and one -by the name of McCarty were working in the blacksmith -shop, with their arms near them. They were members of -the home guard. The rebels demanded the surrender of -the two men, and as it was generally believed that if a man -surrendered to those irregular forces that it was sure death, -they refused to surrender. When the forces of Col. Tracy -commenced firing through the cracks of the shop, the men -returned the fire. Mahan killed one rebel, and they -wounded two or three others. The rebels shot McCarty -down, shooting him eight or ten times after he fell, knocked -the door down and rushed upon Mahan, disarmed him, took -him prisoner and then continued their retreat. After reaching -Fulton county, near the bayou, they took Mahan into -the woods, stripped him naked and shot him, leaving his -body lying on the ground unburied. Strange to say, in -regard to McCarty, after he had been shot eight or ten -times and left for dead, he recovered from the wounds and -became hearty and stout.</p> - -<p>Some time in the early part of the spring of 1864, a -man by the name of Mahan deserted from the 11th Missouri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -cavalry, stationed at Batesville, and on reaching Howell -county, about two miles from where Valley Star school -house is now located, a bunch of bushwhackers commanded -by B. F. Hawkins and Thomas Yates captured him, -took him into the woods a short distance, stripped him -naked and shot him, leaving his body lying on the ground, -unburied. After he had lain there nearly a week, a man -now residing in Howell county took a hoe and shovel and -raked up some rocks and pitched them upon the decomposed -body and threw a few shovels of dirt on him. As it -was but a short distance from the road, the stench from the -decomposing body was offensive to persons who traveled -by.</p> - - -<h3>Col. Monks Enforces the Civil Law.</h3> - -<p>In the month of July, 1865, the author was ordered to -declare the civil law in force in the counties of Texas, Dent, -Shannon, Oregon, Howell, Ozark and Douglas and report -to his regiment again at Springfield for the purpose of being -discharged. The long-looked-for and final result of the -war had come with victory couched upon every man who -had borne his flag to the breeze of his country, and to those -who had lain themselves on the altar of their country and -died that it might live.</p> - -<p>There was general rejoicing among the loyal people, -that there was not a foot of territory on American soil but -where the stars and stripes once more floated unmolested, -either by foreign or domestic enemies, and while the Confederates -had fought manfully for what they conceived to -be right, and had laid many of their sons on the altar and -sacrificed them to a cause that they believed to be right, -yet a large majority of them rejoiced when they learned -that the cruel war was over. Although their cause was -forever lost, yet the country that they had loved so well -and the flag still floated and invited them back as erring sons.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>The 16th regiment, with a large number of other regiments, -was discharged at Springfield. Then a scene ensued -that Americans had never witnessed before; the blue -and the grey began to meet and greet each other as friends -and seemed to forget that just a few months previous they -had been meeting each other armed, for the purpose of -slaying one another. A general amnesty proclamation had -been granted by Gen. Grant to all the rebels who had surrendered. -Their officers and commanders should discharge -them and they should be allowed to retain their side arms -for their own protection and return home for the purpose -of again building up and establishing their homes; again -meet their wives, their children, fathers and mothers, -neighbors and friends, and once more be united in all the -ties of love; to again reinstate churches, and instead of -studying and practicing the art of war, they should beat -their swords into pruning hooks and aid in establishing and -building up society and good government.</p> - -<p>But, lo! one of the most sad and heartrending scenes -confronted many Confederates and Federals on returning to -the places where they had once had happy homes and -sweet families, they were not found. During the terrible -war, many of the loved ones that they had left behind had -been called from time to eternity. The home had disappeared -and nothing was left but the soil; all of the improvements -being entirely destroyed. But they, with the -courage of heroes, gathered the fragments of their families, -went to work improving and building houses, refencing -their farms, reerecting church houses and school houses, -and in a short time the men who had lately been enemies -and borne arms against each other, were again neighbors -and friends, associating together, sending their children to -the same school, becoming members of the same church; -all experienced the difference between a civil war and peace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -and fraternity. Many of them expressed themselves that -they had read of civil wars, but never realized the effect of -civil war until after they had passed through the present -one: but they could not understand why they called it -"civil" war, for if there was anything civil about the war -they never experienced that part of it.</p> - -<p>The author's family had been residing at Rolla during -most of the time of the war. He commenced making preparations -to return to his home in Howell county in the fall -of 1865. He began to organize an immigration party of -men who wanted to locate in Howell county and a number -of men who had left their homes in that county. Just a -short time before the parties were ready to leave Rolla for -Howell county, he was met by several men who asked: -"Why, Monks, ain't you afraid to go back to Howell county? -You have fought the rebels so bitterly and contested -every inch of ground during the whole war, and some of -them hate you so badly, that I would be afraid that they -would kill me." The author replied that he felt like Gen. -Putnam, when the British attempted to bribe him and said -that the colonies never could succeed in gaining their independence, -and that he had better return and renew his -allegiance to the Crown. The General's reply was, "D—n -a man that is not for his country." Now, my reply to you -is, that I have forfeited almost all of my means and shattered -the happiness of my family in contending and fighting -for the preservation of the government; besides, myself -and family have been exiled and banished from our -home, and if the rebels had succeeded, all would have been -gone. But now the government has been victorious in -crushing the rebellion, liberty and protection have been once -more guaranteed to every citizen, high or low, rich or poor, -and, in the language of Gen. Putnam, I say, "D—n a man -that is afraid to go back and enjoy the fruits of his victory."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<p>Within a few days about twenty-five families left Rolla -for West Plains, and on arriving at West Plains, went -into camp. There was not a single building left in West -Plains, as the Confederates had burned the whole town in -time of the war, with the exception of one store building, -which was burned by the Federal troops. The Confederates' -object in burning the town was to prevent the Federals -from establishing a post. The author procured some -clapboards, built an addition to an old stable about two -hundred yards south of where James' livery stable is now -located.</p> - -<p>Soon after we had reached West Plains and gone into -camp, Capt. Howard, Capt. Nicks and a number of other -rebels who were residing in the county, came in, met the -author and said to him: "Captain. I am proud to meet -you." The author replied, "I am proud to meet you. -What do think now in regard to the two parties living together?" -They said that they were satisfied that both parties -could live together, that all they wanted was protection. -The author remarked that the rebels had been in control of -the country for several years, but the loyal men were going -to take charge of it and run it now, and as the loyal -men had been contending for the enforcement of the law -and claimed that every American citizen was entitled to -the protection of the law, the author could promise them -that, if they would fall into line and help enforce the law, -they should receive equal protection with any other class -of citizens; to which they replied that they were willing to -do so, but there were roving bands of rebels and guerrillas -which had not been subject to the control of the Confederate -authorities, and still refused to lay down their arms, -and might yet cause some trouble.</p> - -<p>The author was appointed sheriff of Howell county, -W. Z. Buck circuit and county clerk and Peter Lem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>ons, -Judge Alsup and —— were appointed county judges. -There had been an old school house about a quarter of a -mile east of West Plains that was still standing. They -met at that school house, organized and set the civil government -of the county in working order. Soon after, Governor -Fletcher ordered an election and the author was -elected to the state legislature, tendered his resignation as -sheriff, which was accepted and W. D. Mustion was appointed -to the vacancy. In a few weeks the author went -to Jefferson City, tendered his credentials and was sworn -in and became a member of the legislature.</p> - -<p>Everything, so far as Howell county was concerned, -appeared to move off quietly, while the counties of Oregon -and Shannon, with a few of the border counties, were entirely -controlled by irregular bands of late rebels, who -openly declared that the civil law should not be enforced -in those counties; that the Confederacy was whipped, but -they were not and they intended to live off the government; -they were armed to the teeth.</p> - -<p>During the winter of 1865 and the year 1866, Howell -county settled up faster than ever it had at any period before -the war; the men who had homes in it and had been -forced away on account of the war, mostly returned and -commenced to improve their farms. Their houses, outhouses -and improvements, generally, having been destroyed, -the soil was the only thing left. The town also built up -rapidly and in the year 1866 the inhabitants had increased -to six or eight hundred.</p> - -<p>In the fall of 1866 at the general election the author -was re-elected to the legislature and Capt. Alley, who -had been a Confederate all through the war, was elected -to the legislature from Oregon county. The author again -qualified and was present in the legislature during the -whole time, when the great question was brought up be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>fore -the legislature, as to what disposition the State would -make of the first liens held by the state on the different -railroads for aid that had been given to the railroad -corporations in the way of state bonds in 1850. In 1855 -the state issued her bonds, delivered them to the companies -and they went east and put them upon the market -in New York and Boston to procure money to construct -roads, and the bonds with all the accruing interest, were -due the state.</p> - -<p>Then for the first time the author learned that many -of the men who had been selected to represent the people's -interest in the State Legislature, failed to discharge -the duties that their constituents had imposed upon them, -betrayed their trust, and, through money, were entirely -controlled in the interest of the railroad corporations. The -author believing that it was one among the greatest duties -that were imposed upon men of a representative government, -to strictly contend and do all in his power to enact -legislation in the interest of the people, therefore took a -strong stand in favor of closing out all of the state liens -against the different roads, held by the state. During the -session of the winter of 1866 what was then known as the -South Missouri Pacific, which terminated at Rolla, Missouri, -was ordered to be closed out and the road declared -forfeited. A resolution passed through both houses of the -legislature ordering the Governor to seize it, and that said -road be run by the state. In the meantime the Governor -was to advertise and sell it. The Governor by authority -of law advertised it and sold it for $550,000. Sometime in -April the legislature adjourned, to meet in an adjourned -session in December, 1867. The author returned home.</p> - -<p>The immigration into the country rapidly increasing, -prosperity appeared to be on every side; people had -plenty of money, good crops, wheat was worth $1 to $1.50<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -per bushel, stock of all kinds brought first-class prices, -peace so far as Howell county was concerned, prosperity -and the bettering of the condition of society were moving -hand in hand, and the author felt thankful that the war -was over.</p> - - -<h3>Outlaw Rule in Oregon and Shannon.</h3> - -<p>In the fall of 1867, the counties of Oregon and Shannon, -were still controlled by those roving bands of outlaws -who ruled the counties with an iron hand. A despotism, -unequalled at any stage of the war, existed there. There -was a public gathering in the fall of 1867 in Thomasville. -Col. Jamison, one of the leaders of these outlawed -bands rode into town at the head of about fifty men, well -armed, shot two men's brains out, paraded the streets and -swore that any man that attempted to enforce the civil law -against them, would fare the same; rode out unmolested -and there was not a single attempt made by the civil authorities -to arrest one of them. In a few days Jamison with -some of his men rode into town and a man by the name of -Philip Arbogast, the father-in-law of Mr. Hill, one of the -firm of Hill-Whitmire Mercantile Co., now doing business -in West Plains, who had been a Confederate all -through the war, remarked in the hearing of Jamison, -that the war was over, and he believed that the civil law -ought to be enforced. Jamison at once dismounted, cocked -his pistol, approached Arbogast and commenced punching -him with the muzzle of it until he inflicted some wounds -remarking to him that if he ever heard of him uttering a -word again in favor of the civil law being enforced that he -would hunt him up and shoot his brains out.</p> - -<p>Some time previous to that occurrence, two men who -had been discharged from the Federal army and had once -resided in Oregon county, came into the county to look at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -their old homes. Col. Jamison, with about forty men, arrested -them, took them to the house of the sheriff, informed -the sheriff that no "Feds" could ever reside in Oregon -county, and no damn Black Republicans could ever cast a -vote at any election that was held in the county; that they -were going to make an example of the men, that others -might take warning; that they were going to take them out -far enough away that their stench would not annoy good -Confederates. Accordingly, they started from the house, -took them about one-half mile, stripped them naked, shot -them to pieces, returned to the sheriff's house with the -clothing, which was the uniform they had worn in the service, -horse and mule and saddles which they had been riding; -gave the mule to the sheriff, took the horse with -them, published what they had done, and said that those -men shouldn't be buried and that if any Confederate buried -them, they would share the same fate.</p> - -<p>Capt. Alley, who had been a Confederate all through -the war, but was an honest man and wanted to see the law -enforced, informed Governor Fletcher of the condition of -the county. Governor Fletcher at once appointed him an -enrolling officer, ordering him to enroll and organize the -county into militia companies, to form a posse-comitatus to -aid the sheriff in enforcing the law. As soon as he received -his commission, he rode into the different townships, put -up his notices requesting the people to meet him for the -purpose of enrolling. Jamison, with about forty men, rode -into the township where his first meeting was to be, posted -another written notice on the same tree, the purport of -which was that if Capt. Alley, the old, white-headed -scoundrel, appeared on the day to carry out the orders of -the Governor, he would meet him and shoot his old head -off his shoulders. Alley, being satisfied that he would -carry out his threat, went to the place before daylight and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -concealed himself nearby. About 10 o'clock on the day -appointed, Jamison and about forty followers came charging -in on their horses, revolvers in hand, cursing and declaring -that they would like to see the old white-headed -scoundrel put in an appearance so they could make an example -of him; that they didn't intend to let any man enforce -the law against them. As soon as they retired Alley -returned home and wrote to the Governor again, stating -the acts, conduct and threats that Jamison had openly -made, and that troops would have to be sent into the counties -to aid him and others in organizing, so the civil law -could be enforced. He asked the Governor to appoint -Capt. Monks to command the troops which he might send.</p> - -<p>The author received a letter from the Governor informing -him of the condition; also stated in the letter that -while Howell county was peaceable and law abiding, -that her citizens were not safe, by any means, while such -a desperate band of outlaws were right at their very door, -bidding defiance to the civil law, committing all manner of -crimes from murder down and begging the author to consent -to his being appointed Major of State troops; that he -would make an order for the author to organize the men -in the county of Howell and include Howell county in his -order, declaring them to be under martial law especially -when it had been requested by Capt. Alley, who had been -a life-long Confederate. The author took the matter -under advisement, and as Jamison, with his band of men, -had threatened time and again to raid Howell county and -kill the author with other Union men, he decided to give -his consent to the Governor, wrote him while he reluctantly -would consent to accept the appointment he had thought -that he had discharged his duty in the late war and would -not be required to take part in any further military operation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Colonel Monks Commissioned by the Governor.</h3> - -<p>The governor at once appointed and commissioned the -author Major of state troops and ordered him to at once -proceed and organize a company of militia, and at the same -time sent one hundred Springfield rifles and one hundred -rounds of amunition for each gun. And soon as it was -organized, he was to proceed to Oregon county, for the -purpose of aiding and supporting Captain Alley who had -been appointed enrolling officer of Oregon county, to enroll -and form companies for the purpose of aiding the -sheriff in enforcing the civil law. He was to pursue, arrest -and drive out those roving bands of murderers from -the counties of Oregon, Shannon and Dent. The author -at once organized a company in Howell county, composed -of men who had been in the Confederate and Federal -service. On Jamison and others in Oregon county -learning that the author had been appointed Major and that -he was organizing, and the state was arming the men -with orders to enter the counties of Oregon, Shannon -and Dent to drive out the murdering bands and aid -Captain Alley in organizing a posse comitatus to aid the -sheriff in enforcing the civil law, they publicly declared -that "old Monks might get into Oregon county but that -he would never get out alive."</p> - -<p>At that time there was a secret order in the counties of -Oregon and Shannon known as the Sons of Liberty. The -author was informed that on a certain night they would -hold a meeting on Warm fork of Spring river. The author -made a forced march and, on reaching the place where -they had assembled, surrounded the house and took all the -inmates prisoners, among them being the sheriff of the -county and a few other prominent men. The next morning -Capt. Alley met the author, put up his notices ordering -every man to come in and enroll his name. The auth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>or -remained over the next day near the place, got in possession -of their papers, with a secret oath placed upon -them, and the aims and objects, binding themselves together -to prevent the enforcement of the civil law, and further -binding themselves to capture or take property from -any man who had been in the Federal army, and, when it -became necessary to enforce it, to shoot men down. They -claimed to have lawyers connected with it, so that if they -should be arrested they were to make a pretense of a trial -and allow no man to go onto the jury except those who belonged -to the order.</p> - -<p>Capt. Greer, who had been a Captain in the Confederate -service all through the war, and afterwards was elected -to the state legislature, remarked that, "I can soon tell -whether those grips, obligations and oaths were in the organization -known as the Sons of Liberty;" said that "Old -Uncle Dickey" Boles, a short time previous, came to him -and informed him that the Sons of Liberty were going to -hold a meeting in a big sink on the mountain and they -wanted him to come and join it; that he was looked upon -as a business man and he didn't know anything about what -was going on right at his door; that if he would come and -join it, in a few years he would be a rich man. Capt. -Greer said he replied to him, "Uncle Dickey, I have always -been an honest man and have worked hard, and if a -man can get rich in two or three years by joining that order, -there must be something dishonest in it." Old Uncle -Dickey replied: "You won't be in a bit of danger in -joining it, for we are so organized that the civil law can't -reach us." Capt. Greer said he had a son-in-law who was -requested, at the same time he was, to attend the meeting, -and that after the meeting he saw him and asked him what -kind of an organization it was. He said his brother-in-law -told him, "I dare not tell you; I took the bitterest oath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -that I have ever taken in my life not to reveal the workings -of the order on penalty of death. But I will tell you -enough; Captain, I know that you are an honest man and -that that organization is a damn jay-hawking institution, -and you want nothing to do with it." Captain Greer at -once sent for his brother-in law; he came, and the signs, -grips and by-laws that were captured at the place of the -meeting were submitted to him and he said he believed they -were word for word the same, and contained the very same -oath that they swore him to on the night that he went to -their meeting.</p> - -<p>The author was informed that Jamison was then lying -in wait on the road that led from Warm Fork to Frederick -Fork township, the next place where Alley had notified -them to meet, waiting for the author to pass with his men, -so that he might fire on them from the brush. Then the -hardest task confronted the author that he ever had had to -meet, to study out a plan to prevent Jamison firing on his -men from the brush as he marched by. He held four men -as prisoners, whom he knew were Jamison's right-hand -bowers; he had just been informed that Jamison had a spy -then on the ground to learn the time the author would -break camp and move in the direction of Fredericks Fork. -He ordered a wagon brought up with three spring seats, -took the four prisoners and set them in the two front seats, -tied a small rope around their bodies and around each seat, -with two guards in the back seat; then arrested Jamison's -spy, informed him what his business was, which he admitted -and said that Jamison was lying in wait to learn what -time I would move out, and that he intended to fire on me -as soon as I came within reach. I took him to the wagon -and asked him if he was acquainted with the prisoners. -He said that he was. "Well," said I, "I am going to release -you and I want you to go and tell Jamison that, just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -as certain as he fires from the brush and kills one of my -men, I will retaliate by killing these four men, whom I -know are his right-hand bowers." The author also wrote -a letter containing the same statement, and sent another -man, who was a Confederate, with Jamison's spy, to see -that the message was delivered.</p> - -<p>On reaching Jamison, they delivered the message and -informed him of what I had said, and told him that there -was no possible chance for these men to escape, for there -was a rope tied around each man's body and fastened to -the spring seat, and they were also under a strong guard. -The man who went to carry the dispatch said that after -Jamison read it, he appeared to be in trouble and remarked: -"Well, we will have to desist and not fire, for just as certain -as we fire on him and kill some of his men, he is sure -to kill our men." One of the prisoners, after he was placed -in the wagon and heard the message sent to Jamison, remarked -to the other prisoners: "We are dead men, for -Jamison is sure to fire on them." We soon broke camp, -and on reaching the place where Jamison had been waiting, -saw the camp fire and where their horses had been tied and -fed, but there was not a man to be seen, neither was there -a gun fired.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i180.jpg" width="580" height="579" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>COL. AND MRS. MONKS AT CLOSE OF WAR.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>On reaching Fredericks Fork township, Capt. Alley -made a speech to the people and said, among other things, -that the counties of Oregon and Shannon had been controlled -by one of the most desperate class of men that ever -lived. That they had ridden through the country on -horseback, heavily armed, defying the enforcement of the -civil law, intimidating the people, both Federal and Confederate -alike, and committing all manner of crimes, robbing -and murdering the people and boasting openly that the -damn Confederacy was whipped, but that they were not -and intended to live off the damn "Feds." Now the war -is over and all good citizens, be they Federal or Confederate, -should be in favor of the enforcement of the civil law. "I -am ordered by the governor of the state to enroll all able-bodied -men in the county to form a posse to aid the sheriff -in enforcing the law in Oregon county; I am to organize -companies to enforce the civil law. These bushwhackers -and thieves have terrorized this county long enough. The -governor has sent Capt. Monks, a man who is not afraid -of bushwhackers and thieves, into this county to arrest -these bushwhackers, thieves and murderers and bring them -to justice. If the people of this county want the civil law -enforced, they should aid Capt. Monks and his men to -hunt these fellows down and either arrest them or drive -them from the county. Our people have been present and -saw these men commit all manner of crimes, from murder -down to the smallest crime known to the criminal code. -They have done this openly and the people were afraid to -open their mouths or say a word against it, on penalty of -death. I wrote the governor, stating the condition of affairs -in this county, that neither person nor property were -safe, and to send Capt. Monks to this county. And he has -sent him and we have got the right man in the right -place."</p> - -<p>One of the prominent men of Oregon county went to -Jefferson City to see the governor to procure the removal -of the writer and have Col. A. J. Sea appointed in his -place. He said to the governor that Capt. Monks was -arresting some of the best men in Oregon county and had -them prisoners. The governor showed him some of Capt. -Alley's letters that he had written to the governor. The -letters stated among other things that persons and property -were at the mercy of these desperadoes and the county -was being terrorized by James Jamison and his men; that -they were robbing whom they pleased openly; that a day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -or two before he, Alley, wrote the letter, that Jamison -shot a man's brains out in Thomasville, and dared any -man to say he was in favor of the enforcement of the civil -law, that he would serve him the same way. The governor -asked him if those things were true, and he replied that -they were; the governor said to him: "You are a leading -man in that county and a citizen of Thomasville and never a -word have you written to me that such terror and lawlessness -existed in your county." He replied "Governor, I -was afraid to." The governor replied to him, "when I -send a man down there that is not afraid to handle those -men without gloves, then here you come with a howl. Now -I expected when I sent Capt. Monks down there, if he did -his duty, that there would be a howl raised; I am satisfied -that he is doing his duty. I am responsible for his -acts and you men want to get rid of him; go home and -tell your people to organize companies under Captain Alley -and aid Captain Monks and his men in arresting and -driving those bushwhackers and bandits out of your country -and whenever Captain Monks reports to me that the -person and property of your citizens are secure and that -the civil law is being enforced, he will be removed, and -not before."</p> - -<p>They then employed Colonel A. J. Sea as an attorney. -Some time during the night, while we were encamped on -Fredericks Fork, some of the soldiers took the sheriff out -and put a rope around his neck to make him tell where -the bones of two soldiers were, who were murdered by Jamison -and his men. He admitted that he knew where the -bones of the two Federal soldiers were; that after they -shot them Jamison gave him the mule and saddle that -one man was riding; that he was afraid not to take them -and promised as soon as the command reached Thomasville -to go and show the bones. On the next morning after our -arrival at Thomasville I procured a big box and placed it -in a wagon and brought the sheriff from the guard house -and set him on a box under a strong guard. About that -time Colonel A. J. Sea came up and asked what we -were going to do with that man. I told him "That -is my business; when you was in the military service -did you inform the civilians of your object and aims? -You are a civilian now and I will give you five minutes -to get outside of the lines or you will go into the guard -house." He took me at my word and left at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i183.jpg" width="580" height="408" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>COLLECTING BONES OF TWO FEDERAL SOLDIERS SHOT BY COL. JAMISON AND MEN IN OREGON COUNTY.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>The sheriff piloted the scout to the bones of the -men that had been murdered, and the sheriff, aided by the -scout, picked up the bones and placed them in the box. -On examination it was found that three bullets had -passed through one of the skulls, and the other skull -appeared to have been shot all to pieces. I brought the -bones in and caused them to be buried in a cemetery, -about one mile west of Thomasville.</p> - -<p>Captain Alley had completed the organization of two -companies, one commanded by Captain Lasley and the -other by Captain Bledsaw. The companies were mostly -composed of men who had been late Confederates, as -there were very few Union men in the county. They -immediately fell in with my soldiers and a vigorous -search was at once made for Jamison and his men. Being -aided by men who were thoroughly acquainted with -the county and knew just where to look for Jamison -and his cut-throats, they agreed to keep on Jamison's track -and arrest him and his men if possible, in Oregon county. -I moved my troops up into Shannon county to prevent -Jamison and his men from crossing over into Shannon -and scouted that county to keep them from hiding there. -The Oregon county companies shot and killed some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -them and arrested others. Jameson and the others left the -county and never have returned to it since.</p> - -<p>But they left some of their sympathizers in the county, -and the only weapons left them were their tongues; having -no conscience or principle, and instigated by the wicked -one, they began lying and preferring all manner of charges -against the writer and his men who went into the county -and, by the aid of the law-abiding citizens, drove out and -arrested one of the worst set of men that ever lived, the -savage not excepted, and restored the civil law, so that -every citizen was secure in person and property.</p> - -<p>The writer informed the governor that a large majority -of the citizens, both Confederate and Federal, had nobly -responded to his call, had organized two companies of militia -to aid the sheriff in the enforcement of the civil law; -Jamison and his bushwhackers had either been arrested, -killed or driven from the county, and the strong arm of the -military law was not needed any longer.</p> - -<p>On December 25, 1867, the writer was ordered by the -governor to withdraw his forces from the counties that had -been placed under martial law and declare the civil law to -be in full force and effect. I accordingly returned to Howell -county and disbanded my soldiers.</p> - -<p>During my march and stay in the counties of Oregon -and Shannon, it was admitted by all honorable Confederates -that I had enforced a strict discipline over my men -and protected all classes of citizens in person and property, -had paid the people for all forage and commissaries that were -required for the soldiers, and had driven out the worst set -of bushwhackers, thieves and murderers that ever lived.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="REMINISCENCES" id="REMINISCENCES">REMINISCENCES.</a></h2> - - -<p>In the spring of 1866 the loyal men had mostly returned -to their homes; among them, Benjamin Alsup, who -had been taken prisoner by the rebels in 1861 and confined -in the penitentiary at Little Rock, Ark. He was released -in 1865, when peace was made. There was but one house -left in West Plains, an old school house about one-quarter -of a mile east of the town spring, which was used for a -court house. Judge Van Wormer, who resided at Rolla, -was judge of the circuit court and Mr. Perry was circuit -attorney. A short time after the return of Mr. Alsup, a -public meeting of the loyal men was called, signed by several -loyal men. At the date set the writer was present. -The meeting was called to order and Mr. Alsup was elected -chairman. He stated the object of the meeting, and among -other things said: "The rebels have hung, murdered, -imprisoned and driven all the Union men from their homes, -and <em>by the living</em>, they didn't intend that a single rebel -should live inside the limits of Howell county." He was -in favor of giving them ten days' notice to leave the county, -and if they were not gone by that time, to shoot them -down wherever found. Someone introduced a resolution -that the rebels be notified to leave with their families inside -of ten days or they would force them to leave. The resolution -was seconded, I got the floor and spoke as follows: -"If that course is pursued, it will ruin the county; peace -has been made and Gen. Grant has ordered the rebels to -return home and become good citizens. Admitting that -everything Mr. Alsup has said is true and we were to turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -around and do the same that they did, we would be just as -guilty as they were, and it would be a question of might -and not of right; and I want to say here now, if any man -injures a late rebel, except in self-defense or in defense of -his family or property, I will prosecute him to the bitter -end of the law." Mr. Alsup called another man to the -chair and replied to what I had said, saying: "<em>By the living</em>, -I am surprised at Captain Monks, a man who has been -treated by the rebels as he has, who now gets up here and -says he will defend the rebels; <em>by the living</em>, I want Capt. -Monks to understand right here, now, that if any loyal man -kills a rebel and has to leave the country, and has no horse -to ride, I will furnish him a good horse to ride off on; and -<em>by the living</em>, let him prosecute me; he will have a sweet -time of it." The next man that took the floor was a Mr. -Hall, who resided about eight miles south of West Plains. -He said: "I am just like Uncle Ben; if any loyal man -kills a rebel and has to leave the country, I will furnish -him a good horse to ride off on, and let Captain Monks -prosecute me if he wants to; I don't think it would be -healthy for him to prosecute me for killing a rebel or helping -a man who did kill one." The resolution was put to a -vote and lost by a good majority.</p> - -<p>Later in the spring, there was a man by the name of -Finley living seven or eight miles south of West Plains; -the family was composed of husband and wife, both of them -about sixty-five years of age, a daughter of twenty-two -years and a son of about eleven. They had been rebels, -but were very quiet and peaceable citizens; they were residing -on government land, had good improvements and a -good orchard. There was a man by the name of Frederick -Baker who had homesteaded the land Mr. Finley was -living on. Baker notified Finley to leave in ten days; if -not out in that time, they would be killed. Mr. Finley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -wanted pay for his improvements before giving possession. -At the expiration of ten days, very early in the morning -Mrs. Finley went into the lot to milk the cows; Baker -slipped up to the lot and with a Colt's revolver shot the old -lady dead. The daughter saw her mother fall, ran to her, -and he shot her; she fell by the side of her mother. The -old man ran to the door, reached up to get his gun out of -the rack, when Baker placed his pistol against his body and -shot him dead. The pistol was so close to Finley when -discharged that the powder set his clothes on fire. The -boy was the only one of the family left; he ran to the nearest -neighbor for help and when they got back to the house -they found the old man and his wife dead and the daughter -shot through the breast, maimed for life. The old man's -clothes were still on fire when the neighbors arrived.</p> - -<p>Hall made his words good for he furnished Baker -with a first-class horse, saddle and bridle, to leave the -country on and aided Baker in making his escape. As -soon as the writer learned of the murder he caused an -affidavit to be made and procured a warrant for the arrest -of Baker and had it put into the hands of the sheriff and -did all in his power to cause Baker's arrest, but by the -aid given him by Hall and others he made his escape. -The writer reported the murder to the Governor and the -Governor offered a reward of three hundred dollars for -Baker's body, dead or alive. Baker never was arrested.</p> - -<p>The writer was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney -by Mr. Perry, who was Circuit Attorney at that time. -After I qualified I caused an affidavit to be made -against Mr. Hall charging him with being an accessory to -the murder before the fact and caused his arrest. I was -at once notified that if I attempted to prosecute Hall I -would meet the same fate as the Finley family. Hall -was arrested, and the day set for his preliminary trial at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -the school-house east of town. On the day set for trial -there were quite a number of persons present; the writer -appeared, armed with a good pistol, laid it by his side -during the progress of the trial; it was proven by the state -that he, Hall, was guilty as charged. The justice held -him over to wait the action of the grand jury and ordered -him to enter into a recognizance of two thousand dollars -for his appearance at the next term of the Howell county -circuit court, which he readily filled and was released. -Soon after his release he took the fever and died. Baker -never was captured. It was one among the dirtiest murders -that ever was committed in Howell county.</p> - -<p>Gen. McBride, before the war, resided in Texas county, -on a farm, and was circuit judge of the 18th judicial -circuit, which included Howell county. He enlisted in the -Confederate army and was placed in command of the Confederate -troops at West Plains. The Union men well remember -his famous order, given in the spring of 1861, that -all Union men join the Confederate service, and if they -didn't join the Confederate army he would hang them as -high as Haman. After his term of service expired, he -moved his family to near Batesville, Ark., where he resided -up to near the close of the war. He was taken sick and -died in the spring of 1866. Some of the friends of the -widow in Texas county sent after her and her family to -bring them back to her farm. Reaching West Plains on -their return, they were out of money and provisions. They -asked the people to help them and a donation was taken up -for her in West Plains; I donated five dollars to help her -back to her home in Texas county.</p> - -<p>After the loyal men had returned to their homes and -the civil law had been fully restored I brought suits by -attachment against the following persons, to-wit: William -Nicks, N. Barnett, for aiding the parties in arresting and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> -taking me from my home and abusing me while a prisoner. -I attached their real estate which was well improved -and valuable; procured a judgement of $8,000.00 against -said real estate, procured an execution and ordered the -sale of said real estate. Before the time for the sale Barnett -and William Nicks came to me and admitted that -Barnett was 1st Lieutenant and Nicks 2nd Lieutenant of -Capt. Forshee's Confederate company, while I was held -prisoner by said company and that I was shamefully and -cruelly treated while a prisoner, but they were sorry for -what they had done and hoped I would forgive them. -Nicks further said to me, that he had saved my life; that -while I was a prisoner, he overheard some of the Confederate -soldiers agree that on the next night while I was -asleep they would slip up and shoot me in the head, -and he got his blankets and came and slept with me. -I knew that Nicks brought his blanket and slept with me -one night, but did not know why he did it.</p> - -<p>Nicks and Barnett further said, "Captain you have -us completely at your mercy; we believe you are a good -man and we were friends before the war. You have a -judgement against our homes and if you sell them you -will turn us and our families out of doors and leave -us destitute without any homes for our wives and children." -I said, "I know it is hard, for my wife and -children were driven from their homes because they were -loyal to their government; but children shouldn't be held -responsible for the acts of their parents and I will say -to you now that I won't sell your homes, I will give -them to your wives and children; we are commanded in -the best book of all books to do good for evil; you men -can each one pay me a small sum for expenses and I will -satisfy judgement." Barnett paid me $150. Nicks made -a deed to some tax lands and I entered satisfaction on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> -judgements. They both said to me that they ever would -be grateful for what I had done for them.</p> - -<p>The country began to settle up and the people, irrespective -of past associations, formed new ones, especially -the sons and daughters of those who wore the blue and -the gray, and seemed to forget that they had ever -been enemies. As time sped on these attachments ripened -into love. I had but two daughters living. Nancy E. -Monks, the oldest, married V. P. Renfrow, the son of a -Confederate; they have two children, a son, Charles, and -a daughter, Mattie M., now grown. Mary M. Monks, who -married H. D. Green, whose father, a Confederate colonel, -died in the service. They have five children living and -one dead, one girl and four boys. Their children are Mattie -E., now Mattie E. Bugg; Will H. D., Frank, Russell -and Dick. Adeline Turner, whom I had raised, married -Jacob Schoffler, a Union soldier, and has ten children, four -boys and six girls. Abraham Roach, a boy who had made -his home with me since infancy, married Mattie Hunt, a -daughter of Jesse Hunt, a Union soldier, has three children -living, two girls and one boy, Maggie, Frank and Bernice. -I don't believe that there is any person that loves their -children better than I do, and I don't see any difference -between my grandchildren and my own children. I love -my sons-in-law as well as my own children; I love the -girl and boy that I raised, and their families feel as near to -me as my own. They are flesh of our flesh and bone of -our bone, and our highest duty to God and them is to teach -them patriotism and loyalty to their government and that -their first duty is to God and their second duty to their -country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 372px;"> -<img src="images/i192.jpg" width="372" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>FRANK GREEN AND CHARLES RENFROW.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> - -<p>God forbid that we ever have any more civil war. -War is the enemy of good society, degrades the morals of -the people, causes rapine and murder, destroys thousands -of lives, brings misery and trouble upon the whole people, -creates a government debt that our children will not see -paid, makes friends enemies. God forbid that any more -sectional strife ever may grow up among the people; may -there be no North, no South, no East, no West, but let it -be a government of the whole people, for the people and -by the people. May the time speedily come when the civilized -nations of the earth will know war no more; when -the civilized nations meet in an international congress, pass -an international law that all differences between nations -shall be settled by arbitration. May this nation in truth -and in deed become a Christian nation and every man speak -the truth to his neighbor and adopt the Golden Rule, "Do -unto others as you would have them do unto you."</p> - -<p>I take pleasure in giving the names of some of the -loyal men who resided in Howell county in 1861, at the -commencement of the Civil war, who stood for the Union -in the dark hour when patriotism and loyalty to country -were tested: John McDaniel, sr., John McDaniel, jr., -Jonathan Youngblood, George Youngblood, David Nicholass, -Thomas Wallace, Martin Keel, Thomas Nicholass, -Newton Bond, William Hardcastle, Siras Newberry, -William Newberry, David Henson, John Black, sr., -Daniel Black, Peter Lamons, John Lamons, Solomon -Lamons, Thomas Lamons, Thomas Brisco, Morton Langston, -Stephen Woodward, Seth P. Woodward, Dr. D. D. -Emmons, Alfred Mustion, W. D. Mustion, John Mustion, -Wesley Cordell, Hugh Cordell, William Maroney, Henry -Maroney, Collins Coffey, John Coffey, William Coffey, -John Chapin, Silas Chapin, Benjamin Alsup, Andrew -Smith, Andrew V. Tabor, Josiah Carrico, Josephus Carrico, -John Dent, Esau Fox, Thomas O. Brown, Jacob Shoffler, -Thomas Rice, sr., Thomas Rice, jr., John W. Rice, -Nathaniel Briggs, Captain Lyle, —— Rhodes, Jesse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -Hunt, Joseph Spears, James West, Jesse West, Dent -West, Thomas Kelley.</p> - -<p>I will give the names of a few of the men of Douglas -county who remained loyal to their country in 1861: Joseph -Wheat, John Wheat, Ervin King, John Coats, Locke -Alsup, William Alsup, Thomas Alsup, Jack Alsup, Shelt -Alsup, Aaron Collins, William Collins, Toodie Collins, -Doc Huffman, Jariah Huffman, Madison Huffman, William -Huffman.</p> - -<p>I will give the names of a few of the men who resided -in Ozark county, at the commencement of the war, who remained -loyal to their country in the dark days when it -tried men's souls to be loyal: James Kellet, sr., Marion -Kellett, Washington Hawkins. Jesse James, William James, —— -Brown, R. R. Gilliland, Nace Turley, Washington -Webster, Dick Webster, Macajar Foster, Jacob Foster, -Henry Saunders, Stephen Saunders, Allan Saunders, Alexander -Huffman, James Hall, Bennett James.</p> - -<p>I would love to have space to tell of the patriotism, -heroism and devotion to their country, besides their good -citizenship, of the men of Howell, Douglas and Ozark -counties, but suffice it to say that there never was the same -number of men, at any time, who made more sacrifices for -the preservation of their country than did these men in its -darkest hour. These patriots are growing old and will -soon be gone and their lips closed in death, and there will -not be one left to tell of their sacrifices and the services -they rendered to their country in its extreme need. History -only will tell of the hardships, privations and service that -they rendered to the government. Will there be no history -left to tell of the heroism and devotion to their country -in its darkest hour? The answer will come from ten -thousand tongues that their history shall be written and go -down to our children's children, that they may learn of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> -heroism, privation and sacrifice that was made by those -brave men and women, that their country might live and -not a star be dropped from its banner. While history is -being written and monuments being erected to the Confederate -soldiers for heroism, shall we be so ungrateful to the -loyal men and women, after they are dead and gone, and -not tell the rising generation of the heroism and sacrifice -they have made, that their country might live? The answer -will come from every loyal heart: No; a thousand -times no; it shall be written and perpetuated for generations -not yet born.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Has Known Col. Monks Thirty Years.</h3> - -<p>I have known William Monks for thirty years or more. -I have been in court with him and a more kind and obliging -man I never knew or had dealings with. He is very -considerate in regard to the feelings of others, always willing -to help those who need help. In later life he joined -the church and preached; since he began the Christian life, -I have never heard of any conduct that was not in conformity -to his profession of Christianity. Had he had the -school advantages that others have had, he would have -been a power in the community where he lived.</p> - -<p>The writer of this was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, -April first, 1824. His father immigrated west -and landed in Pittsburg in 1837. Then the writer of this -migrated southwest and finally landed in Tennessee. At -Springfield he met Catherine Ebbert, or Abbott, as they -now call it, and married her March 20, 1856. She was -born in Reeseville, Kentucky, and is still living, aged 76 -years last January.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">J. B. WINGER</span>,</p> - -<p class="right">West Plains, Mo.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 429px;"> -<img src="images/i197.jpg" width="429" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>MR. AND MRS. J. B. WINGER.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Dr. Dixon's Long Acquaintance.</h3> - -<p>I will state that I came to Howell county in the year -1866 and settled on Hutton Valley near where the town of -Willow Springs now is. The present townsite was then a -small field without a fence and one small log cabin. I followed -the practice of medicine up to the present date. I -was 83 years old the 20th of August, 1906, and the picture I -send you was taken when I was 81 years old. I was -born in McMinn county, East Tennessee, and remained -there until I was eleven years old when I left there and -have gone through many changes and experiences since -then. I served in the Mexican war. I married near -Louisville, Ky., in 1849. My wife is still living and is -nearly eighty-five years of age and in pretty fair health.</p> - -<p>I will state that I have known Col. Wm. Monks and -wife for over forty years and know them to be good and -true people. I will further state that there were said to be -but seventy-eight families in the entire county of Howell, -and four families in the town of West Plains in May, 1866 -and Col. Wm. Monks was one of the four. Now I believe -there is a population in West Plains of over 4,000 and there -is room for many more. This is an educational town, fine -colleges and high schools besides quite a number of ward -schools houses, almost entirely built of brick. Schools -last about nine months in the year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">Respectfully yours,</p> - -<p style="margin-left:50%" class="center"><span class="smcap">Dr. J. C. B. Dixon</span>,</p> - -<p class="right">West Plains, Mo.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 361px;"> -<img src="images/i199.jpg" width="361" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>DR. J. C. B. DIXON.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Union Woman Leaves Arkansas for Missouri.</h3> - -<p>Mrs. Giddens, a widow, before the war resided in Conway -county, Arkansas. She had two sons, Brad and John, -who were about grown at the commencement of the war. -This was a Union family and these two boys, with others, -kept themselves hid until the Confederates issued a general -order to hunt down all Union men and either force them -to join the Confederate army or hang them. The boys at -once saw that they would be arrested and forced into the -Confederate service. They held a consultation with their -mother and decided to try to reach the Federal lines near -Rolla.</p> - -<p>Their mother took a couple of wagons with a large -yoke of oxen to each wagon, and loaded them with her -household goods, wearing apparel and provisions to last -them through. In the spring of 1864 they started for -Rolla. The boys traveled at night until they reached Missouri, -and on reaching Taney county they met some Federal -troops and made their way to Rolla, where they enlisted -and joined the 16th U. S. Cavalry Volunteers, and were -attached to company K, commanded by Capt. Monks, and -served until peace was made and they were honorably discharged -at Springfield. Both of them are still living and -are active ministers of the church of Christ.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i201.jpg" width="580" height="455" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>S. B. GIDDENS AND WIFE, MARY DEWETT AND STILLEN STELLMAN.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> - -<p>Their mother aimed to reach Rolla by way of West -Plains, and on reaching Howell county, near what is -known as the Newt Bond farm, the bushwhackers stopped -her wagons and robbed her, and ordered her to exchange -her large cattle for smaller ones and her large wagon for a -small, light wagon, so that the small cattle could pull it. -Finally, after being stopped several times by the Confederate -authorities, she reached Rolla and found that her sons -had enlisted in the Federal army. She saw the stars and -stripes unfurled and it appeared like a complete change of -country. Here she located and remained until her sons -were discharged from the United States service.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Samuel B. Giddens.</span></p> - -<p class="right">Summerville, Mo.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>All Union families were forced to leave Texas county. -The illustration contains the pictures of S. B. Giddens and -wife, who were driven out; also Mrs. Mary Dewett, now -over seventy years of age, who was forced to leave all she -had and flee for her life; Mrs. Stillen Stellman, whose -father went to Rolla and got the Federal soldiers to guard -him while he removed his family.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Union Men Killed in Izard County, Ark.</h3> - -<p class="right">Moody, Mo., September 26, 1906.</p> - -<p>Prior to and when the war of the rebellion broke out -the writer of this article was a citizen of Izard county, -Arkansas; the few loyal people that lived in North Arkansas, -had a hope that war would be averted and when Ft. -Sumter was fired upon they realized the awful condition -and consequences of war at their very doors; those who -favored a dissolution of the states had given notice in no -uncertain way. And when the news was flashed over the -country that there had been a clash of arms, the persecution -of the loyal people began in the South and Central states -by those that favored secession. They organized themselves -into companies and went from house to house notifying -all those that seemed not to take sides either way, -that the time had come when the sheep and goats had to -be separated. The Union element was arrested and many -were sent to the penitentiary at Little Rock, Arkansas, -from the counties of Izard, Fulton and Independence. -Those people were robbed and plundered as long as there -was anything worth taking and some of them, after they -had got all the Union people had, commenced arresting -and hanging the Union men. They arrested a young man -and placed a halter around his neck to hang him; he -broke loose from them and he was run one mile before -he was caught; then he was taken to a stooping ash tree -and hung. The writer was creditably informed that a man -who was a prominent member of the Baptist church, -scratched the dirt from under his toes in order that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -might hang clear of the ground. I have seen the tree he -was hanged on many times.</p> - -<p>Another brutal murder was perpetrated upon the -person of Rube Hudson, a Union man who had been run -from home and returned home in the winter of 1865; from -an exposure, he took sick with pneumonia; his wife had -secreted him under the floor near the chimney and fire -place; the news got out that he was at home, the rebels -raided his house; every thing in the way of beds and -what little they had left was turned upside down and -they gave up the hunt and started away; a spell of -coughing came on him, for he was very ill and he was -heard coughing by them and they came back and tore -up the floor and found him; they dragged him out and -took him about one hundred yards from the house; -there he was beaten and hung to make him tell of -others who might have come with him; finally he was -hung and shot to death, where the family could hear -him pleading for his life; he made a special appeal to -one of his near neighbors calling his name and asking -him to intercede for him and save him. The only consolation -he got was "you are a goner, Rube; you are -a goner, Rube," he was left hanging for the family to -cut down and bury. He met his death for no other -cause than that of being a staunch Union man.</p> - -<p>Another bloodcurdling murder was perpetrated upon -the person of Minor White, for no other cause than that of -being loyal to his country. He was honest and upright in -his dealings with his fellowmen, but he was arrested, taken -to the county seat of Izard county, tried and was released. -Before he started home a friend told him not to go the road -for they would follow him and kill him, he said: "I have -always been free to speak my sentiments; I have done -nothing that I have to slip back home through the woods.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> -I am going to take the public highway, if I am killed." -He was overtaken about a mile out by the mob that took -him there; he was shot and otherwise mutilated and left -hanging to a tree.</p> - -<p>I could mention many things that were done to the -Union men and women in Northern Arkansas that make -me shudder to think of, and if I were to undertake to relate -all that came under my own observation, and many incidents -that took place in the counties mentioned that were -related to me by others who are entitled to credit for honor -and truth. There was not a Union family left at home in -the counties above referred to.</p> - -<p>I am opposed to war on general principles: first, it -never settles the issue; second, it is always a poor man's -fight and a rich man's fuss; third, if the poor soldier is -fortunate enough to get back alive, the debt is his to pay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">J. M. Dixon.</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i206.jpg" width="580" height="412" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>ADMINISTERING KUKLUX OATH.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="THE_KUKLUX" id="THE_KUKLUX">THE KUKLUX</a></h2> - - -<p>The lawless bands that had been roving through the -counties of Howell, Oregon, Shannon and Dent had been -captured, killed or driven out of these counties by the -officers of the law, aided by the militia forces of the state. -All classes of persons and men of every political faith were -secure in their person and property. The civil law was -enforced to the letter and the people generally looked to -the bright future of Missouri.</p> - -<p>In the fall of 1868, in the month of September during -a political campaign that was being made in Howell -county, while a political speaking was going on at Black's -store in Benton township in the southwest part of the -county, a courier came with a dispatch stating that -Captain Simpson Mason, registering officer of Fulton -county, Arkansas, had been shot and killed from ambush, -near the state line adjoining Howell county, by men -who styled themselves Kuklux, and had ordered all -Union men, and especially the officers of the law, to -keep inside of their doors and to tender their resignations -as such officers or they would fare the same as Mason -had. It was stated that the law-abiding citizens were -without arms and that the Kuklux were raiding the -whole country; the whole country was being terrorized -by said men and in God's name asked us to come and -bring men and arms to aid the civil officers to enforce the -law. The writer advised the people to be cool; that if -there was an organization in the state of Arkansas to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -overturn the state government and the loyal people of -said state were helpless, since the rebels at the commencement -of the Civil war had had no regard for state lines I -thought that we would have the same right to go down and -help our loyal brethern to enforce the civil law.</p> - -<p>A committee of twelve men was selected to say what -action we would take; among the committee were Benjamin -Alsup, Rev. Adam Wright, Rev. John Collins, David -Nicholass. Old men were placed on the committee. The -committee retired to deliberate upon the matter, and in a -short time returned and made the following report: -"That we, the loyal people of Howell county, go at once -with all available men and arms." The writer had in his -possession at that time one hundred Springfield rifles, with -one thousand rounds of cartridges for each gun. During -the night and the next day about seventy-five men were -organized into a temporary company and were placed under -the command of Uncle Benjamin Alsup. On the night -following we made a forced march reaching the Widow -Pickrum's farm, situated on Bennet's river, in Fulton -county, Arkansas, the next morning. We found Captain -Richardson, with one company of state guards, fortified in -a barn. On our arrival we offered our services to Captain -Richardson, which were readily accepted. They were looking -for an attack to be made by the Kuklux at any moment, -as Colonel Tracy was said to be at Jackson Port with three -hundred and fifty well armed Kuklux.</p> - -<p>While waiting for further orders from Governor Clayton -a vigorous search was commenced for the murderers of -Captain Mason. We soon learned that on the day previous -to the murder of Mason he was registering the voters -on the Big North Fork, at what was known as the Calhoun -mill, and on the next day he was to meet the people -at the Harbor Precinct for registration. And on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -previous night the Kuklux, according to a general move -that was to be made throughout the state, met at Colonel -Tracy's, at the Widow Pickrum farm. Among them -were Colonel Tracy, Dow Bryant, U. R. Bush, and -about forty others; they selected about twenty men to do -the shooting and divided them into three bunches and -erected three blinds, as they did not know which road -Captain Mason might travel. They placed about seven -well armed men in each blind, who had been sworn by -the Kuklux and after they had been placed in their -blinds one of the men who did the shooting said, "Let him -come; I am sure to get him for I can hit an old gobbler's -neck that distance." The blind was erected where the -road made a short curve with very thick brush on the left -side of the road. When Captain Mason and posse had approached -within about thirty yards of the blind they fired -a volley, five of the shots taking effect in Mason's body. -Captain Mason fell from his horse and expired in a few -moments. The assassins fled through a thick bottom -growth. Bryant, Bush, and two or three others were arrested, -charged with being a part of the men who did -the shooting. They were arrested by the state guards, as -the civil officers were afraid to issue a single warrant on -account of the threats of the Kuklux. On an investigation -it was proven that Tracy, Bryant, Bush and about forty -others were present the night before Mason's murder. -And that Bush was the man who remarked after he had -gone into the blind "Let him come. I can get him. I -can hit an old gobbler's neck that far."</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the governor had gotten a dispatch -through to Capt. Richardson that the Kuklux in large numbers -were organizing and threatening to attack the state -officers; that he and the state officers were barricaded in -the state house and that he was organizing the state guards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -as fast as possible. Capt. Richardson was ordered to recruit -every available man and protect the civil officers as -far as possible; that he had made arrangements to send -arms and ammunition up White river on a boat. I suggested -to Benjamin Alsup and others who had come down -from Missouri that the only way we could make our acts -legal would be to join the state guards and be mustered -into the state service, to which proposition my old friend -Alsup objected and remarked: "That's the way with -Monks; he is afraid he will hurt some rebel, contrary to -law. Now, by the living, I came down here to hang some -of these old rebels and murderers to the first limb we come -to, and if we have to join the state guards and wait on the -civil and military law to punish them, they never will be -punished. I am going back to Missouri." About two-thirds -of the men who came down enlisted in the state service; -Alsup and others returned to Missouri.</p> - -<p>As soon as Governor Clayton learned that the writer -had come into the state with men and arms, he sent another -dispatch stating that he and all the law-abiding people of -the state would ever be grateful to him for furnishing men -and arms at a time when they were entirely helpless and at -the mercy of a secret and bloodthirsty enemy, bent on overthrowing -the state government; that if I would remain in -the state with my men and arms he would make me lieutenant-colonel -of the seventh regiment of state guards.</p> - -<p>We were watching the movements of the Kuklux, and -in about eight or ten days after the murder of Capt. Mason, -late one evening, the deputy sheriff of the county came to -headquarters and informed Capt. Richardson that there -were three hundred and fifty Kuklux, well armed, in camp -at Salem, the county seat of Fulton county, and intended -to attack Capt. Richardson before day, the next morning; -they had ordered him, the deputy sheriff, under penalty of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -death, to bring Bush and turn him over to them. A brief -consultation was held by the officers, and being satisfied -that they were not able to meet the force of Kuklux then -marching upon them, it was agreed that the writer should -take the men from Missouri and recruit men for the service -and get all the arms and ammunition that were left at home -and return with all possible speed. In the meantime, they -would retreat to some secluded place and watch the movements -of the Kuklux. They turned Bush over to the deputy -sheriff and he started in the direction of Salem, and -Capt. Richardson broke camp and retreated. The deputy -sheriff had not traveled more than two miles when a posse -of armed men met him and demanded Bush, and he, supposing -that they were a part of the Kuklux command, -turned him over. They took him about two hundred yards -and shot him to death. The next morning, before daylight, -Col. Tracy charged upon the late camp of Capt. Richardson, -but found it had been vacated.</p> - -<p>The Kuklux began a regular, organized system of raiding -the Union men's houses, especially the officers of the -civil law, posting written notices, ordering their resignations -at once, and if they attempted the arrest of any Kuklux, -death would be the penalty. They posted a picture -of a coffin with the notice, at the same time ordering all influential -Union men to leave the state at once, under the -penalty of death. In about two weeks the governor ordered -a part of the seventh regiment of state guards to -Fulton county, to be stationed on Bennett's river, and to -complete the organization of the regiment with all possible -speed; Col. Dail was placed in command.</p> - -<p>After my return home, I organized three companies, -commanded by Capt. F. M. Monks, Capt. Nicolas and -Capt. Rice. About three days after the regiment reached -Fulton county, the writer rejoined his regiment with three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -companies, one hundred Springfield rifles and one thousand -rounds of cartridges for each gun, and soon completed -the organization of the regiment; he was commissioned -lieutenant-colonel of the regiment.</p> - -<p>The governor had sent arms and ammunition up White -river, but the Kuklux captured and sunk the boat with all -the arms and ammunition. The governor said that my arrival -saved the north part of the state from the control -of the Kuklux, as he would not have been able to procure -arms for months. The regiment began an active campaign -at once, by which they came into possession of the -intentions, aims, secrets and oaths of the order; found that -the order extended up into Missouri, along the state line. -It was a complete military organization. The intention -was to overturn the state government by intimidating the -civil officers of the state, and with this purpose in view -they procured a human skull and two thigh bones, and -while the member was looking on these bones the following -oath was administered by the grand cyclops:</p> - -<p>"We (or I, as the case might be) do solemnly swear -before Almighty God and these witnesses, and looking upon -these human bones, that I will obey and carry into effect -every order made by any cyclops or assistant cyclops, -and if I fail to strictly conform and execute every order -made as above required of me, unless I am prevented from -some cause which shall be no fault of mine, or if I shall -give any information to any person or persons except members -of this order, that the doom of all traitors shall be -meted out to me, and that my bones may become as naked -and dry as the bones I am looking upon. And I take this -oath voluntarily, without any mental reservation or evasion -whatever, for the causes set out in said order, so help me -God."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the oath had been taken the persons taking said -oath were ready for duty. The intentions and aims of -this organization were to intimidate the civil officers and, -if necessary to the accomplishment of their aims, to kill -and murder all officers of the state by assassination or drive -them from the state. All civil officers of the state were -at once notified to tender their resignations and to cease to -discharge their official duties as peace officers, and if they -failed to comply with said order, death would be the penalty -The governor and all the state officers received the -same order; all Union men that were influential in the -state were ordered to keep themselves in doors or be driven -from the state, or be murdered by assassination. The -following words, with pictures of coffins, were attached to -said notices:</p> - -<p>"If you fail to comply with this notice, this coffin will -be your final resting place."</p> - -<p>The Kuklux organization, having but one object and -aim, to turn the state government over to the control of -the late rebels or Democratic party of the state, was a -complete secret military organization with the most desperate -means to-wit: Murder, by assassination whenever -ordered by a cyclops or assistant cyclops.</p> - -<p>A grand cyclops took the place of a colonel. An assistant -cyclops lieutenant-colonel. An order from one -of these officers to shoot any man was final, from which -there was no appeal; and men were selected to execute -said order by the most desperate oath known to man -or history. This kind of warfare, being inaugurated -throughout the whole state, with a thorough understanding -that their organization would revolt against the civil -authorities of the state government, and had the day set -throughout the whole state.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the same day that Captain Simson Mason was assassinated -in Fulton county, Kuklux attempted to assassinate -Governor Clayton in Little Rock. They were seen -in considerable numbers near the state capitol, after night, -all wearing masks. They notified the governor, that they -intended to capture and take possession of the state capitol -by a force, if he did not resign his office as governor; -the danger became so great that he barricaded the state -house, as he had but few state troops. The whole -state was invaded by the Kuklux at the same time and -they commenced raiding the state in bands of from -twenty-five to two hundred and fifty men; all wore -masks and large rubber pouches concealed by a cover. -They visited the Union men and colored men's -houses and raided the whole country generally, proclaiming -that they were dead rebels who had been shot on -the different battlefields during the civil war and that -they had come back to rid the state of black republicans -and carpet-baggers.</p> - -<p>They would claim that they were very thirsty, that -they never had a drink of water since they had -been killed at the battles of Gettysburg, Corinth, Vicksburg, -and other big battles. They would call on the -colored people to bring them a bucketful and one of -their number would pour the whole bucketful into his -pouch and called for more water, making the colored -people believe that they drank the water; then they -would give the colored people orders not to be caught -off their plantations, and if so caught, the penalty of -death would be inflicted; many of the influential colored -people were shot down. The author saw a number of -fresh graves of the colored people that had been shot -by the Kuklux; saw holes in windows in houses in -towns and villages that had been shot through after night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -while men were reading, who had been notified to resign -their offices or stop using their influence in favor -of the enforcement of the civil law.</p> - -<p>The author remembers passing some colored people -on the side of the road; one old colored woman cried out -at the top of her voice "Lawd, massa, massa are you -men hunting dem dar Kuklux? Wi, da told us dat bullets -wouldn't kill them. I fought we could fight live -men but when it come to fightin dead men, don't know -what to tink about it. Wi dey come to our house, rode -up to de fence called for water; said they hadn't any -water since the battle of Shiloh. Wi, one man drank a -bucketful, and den call for mo. I thought to my soul -that they would never get enuf water." The author replied, -"Auntie, when these rebels are killed, they never -get back here; the bad man keeps them to build fires for -him. These Kuklux are the men that ran away from the -battle of Shiloh and have just crawled out of their dens. -That's why they are masked." The old woman said, -"Dat what I thought bout it." While the Kuklux -were raiding the country they visited an old darkie's house -and gave him three day's notice to leave the country; -and if he failed to leave they would visit him again and -death would be his penalty. In about three or four day, -twenty-five or thirty Kuklux rode up to his cabin in the -night and called for him; he was armed with an old U. S. -musket; he fired into the crowd and killed one of the band -and then ran and made his escape.</p> - -<p>Part of the regiment received orders to report to General -Upham, who was stationed at Cottonplant, on White -river, leaving Captain Richardson in charge of the forces -in Fulton county and Captain Toney in charge of the -troops in Izard and Sharp counties. The regiment broke -camp and marched by way of Jacksonport and on their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -arrival went into camp on the Wadel farm, two miles below -Jacksonport. The Kuklux had declared that we should -not march through Jacksonport. A brother-in-law of Mr. -Wadel from North Missouri invited the writer to supper; -the writer believing that a trap had been fixed to decoy -him outside of the lines took one lieutenant and a posse -of men and went to his house; on our arrival, we found a -bountiful supper; had every thing that a hungry man -could wish; had eggnog served in silver cups with silver -spoons. The residence was about forty-two by twenty -feet; two large rooms with a ten-foot hall between, -with kitchen on west side, fine portico, with about ten -or twelve negro cabins, about sixty to one hundred -feet from the dwelling-house. Just before supper I -noticed eight or ten men come in on foot dressed in gray -clothing. I at once ordered my men to be ready at any -moment and to not let them get the drop on them. Just -about the time that most of my men were through eating -supper, I noticed that some of the men that came in -to the supper table had arms on their persons and noticed -that the negroes were excited. I stepped out at a back -door and just as I entered the hall door I saw the landlord -approaching the room where my men were seated at -the table with a navy pistol cocked in his right hand, -holding it behind his back. Just as he attempted to -open the door where my men were seated at the supper -table, I sprang forward and grabbed his pistol and -wrenched it out of his hand, and said to him, "Don't -you dare to attempt to shoot one of my men." He turned -around facing me and said "I went all through the -Civil war and you are the first men that ever disarmed -me." In a moment my men had pistols in hand ready for -action, and I noticed some of the men that came dressed -in gray had pistols in their pockets. I remarked to them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -"I came here on an invitation; I am here as a guest, I wish -to treat all persons as gentlemen, especially the landlord -and his family; but this hostile move made upon the -part of the landlord and the presence of these armed men -shows me that there is something wrong." I ordered -my men to fall in line and return to the camp. His wife -appeared to be a perfect lady and her husband appeared -to be under the influence of whiskey. He agreed that if -I would release him, he would go into his room and stay -there until my men had all returned to the camp. -After he had gone into his room, I gave his revolver to -his wife on her promising not to give it to him until the -next morning.</p> - -<p>I learned from Mr. Wadel's brother-in-law that he -came from northern Missouri at the commencement of the -war and at about the close of the war he married his sister; -that he was a cyclops and came to Fulton county in the -Kuklux raid, and that the men who came that evening were -all Kuklux, that if I had gone alone to his supper, I -would have been killed.</p> - -<p>The next morning we broke camp and resumed our -march. On the regiment arriving at Cottonplant, Col. Dail -reported to Gen. Upham and we were ordered into camp. -As soon as the citizens of the city learned of my arrival, -they requested Gen. Upham that I be invited to deliver a -speech in the city hall; that they had heard and read of -Col. Monks and they wanted him to deliver an address to -the people at early candle-light on the present condition of -the state. There were about seven or eight hundred men -stationed at the post. After supper, the adjutant sent an -order by an orderly to detail about fifty men for a patrol -guard; that the soldiers had broken into the warehouse and -were taking out whiskey and other articles. I ordered the -detail to be made and report at headquarters for further or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>ders. -Our headquarters were not more than forty yards -from the warehouse. I spoke in an audible voice, "Now, -we claim that our mission as soldiers is to protect persons -and property. I want you to see that your guns and pistols -are well loaded, and go direct to the warehouse first -and arrest all soldiers that you find in or about the warehouse -and take them to the guardhouse and there keep -them safe until further orders, and patrol the city closely. -Order all soldiers and officers who have not passes to be -inside of their quarters in thirty minutes, and if you find -any soldiers on the street after thirty minutes, arrest them -and take them to the guardhouse; if they resist you, shoot -them; and if you have to shoot, shoot to kill." About -that time some man near the warehouse called out: "Who -in hell are you? This whiskey is Kuklux whiskey, and -we will take what we please." I replied, "If we cannot -enforce discipline over the soldiers, we will go back home -and send others; you will find out who I am if you wait -until the patrol gets there."</p> - -<p>I ordered the officer to sound the reveille. Inside of -thirty minutes every soldier was inside of his quarters. -The citizens said that such a thing had not occurred since -the post had been established. Capt. Sharp was reckless -when drinking; he had mutinied and the men that were -disposed to be wild had terrorized the people of the city. -Gen. Upham had failed to enforce discipline over Capt. -Sharp and his company. Capt. Sharp had ridden up -and down the streets before the regiment had arrived and -proclaimed, "when Colonel Monks arrives we will clean -all the Kuklux up." The citizens were considerably -frightened on my arrival in August, but after they saw how -completely I enforced discipline everything became quiet, -they appeared to be perfectly secure in person and property.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the next night, at early candle light, the large -hall was filled. After being introduced by Gen. Upham, I -spoke in part as follows:</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen and fellow citizens of Arkansas: I am -from your sister state, Missouri, and I am very sorry to -find you people in the state of war. War is not very -pleasant; it has its effects upon society; demoralizes the -morals of the people, besides the great sacrifice of life and -property. Besides this, it alienates those who should be -brethern and makes them bitter enemies. Your people may -ask the question, what right have you Missourians to come -down into our state? My first answer will be, Captain -Simpson Mason was but recently assassinated in Fulton -county, near the state line, while in the discharge of his -official duty. At the commencement of the civil war he -was a citizen of Fulton county, Arkansas, and I was a -citizen of Howell county, Missouri. Both of us were unconditional -Union men. Both of us were driven from our -homes and posses of men from your state, regardless of -the state lines, scouted our county, murdering and driving -out Union men, women and children and hung -and shot down loyal men. Captain Mason and I met in -the early part of the war of the rebellion and soon become -fast friends. Served together during the war. When -peace was made we determined to go back home. Men -would meet us and say "If you men go back among the -old rebels who hate you so badly they will kill you." -Our reply would be, "Damn a man that is afraid to go -back and enjoy the fruits of his victory." We met -and pledged our sacred honor to each other that if, after -our return to our old homes, either one of us was killed -by the late rebels, the other would do all in his power to -bring the guilty parties to justice. A better and truer -man never lived than Captain Simpson Mason. Each of -us came back with the olive leaf in his mouth. Now I -don't say that all rebels are Kuklux, but I will say all -Kuklux have been late rebels and have organized -a secret organization, the objects and aims of which are -to overturn the civil government of your state by murder -and intimidations, through the most vile and desperate -means known to man, the savage not excepted. -Besides your organization extends into the border counties -of Missouri and as the rebels thought right to cross -the state line during the Civil war, we think it right to -cross it now to help our loyal brethern, and these are the -causes that brought us to your state. We don't want -booty. We want to see the civil law enforced, and we -ask your cooperation, and promise you, that all law abiding -citizens, be they Union or rebel, shall be protected in person -and property during our stay in your state and we intend -to enforce the very strictest discipline among our -troops. I hope by the cooperation of the people of your -state this unholy war will soon cease." At the conclusion -of the speech they gave three cheers for Missouri troops.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 407px;"> -<img src="images/i220.jpg" width="407" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>MAKING A PLEDGE—Col. Wm. Monks and Capt. Simpson Mason.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the third day after our arrival at Cottonplant, -Captain J. B. Nicholas' and Captain Sharp's companies -were ordered to be detached from the regiment and placed -under the command of the author and ordered to march at -once and report at Marion, the county seat of Crittenden -county for further orders. On our arrival at Marion we were -ordered to proceed directly to Osceola, the county seat of -Mississippi county, Arkansas and to erect a military post and -issue an order ordering all the persons that were armed to -come in and take the oath. On our arrival at that place to -report the same to the Governor of the state. I issued -the following general order:</p> - -<p>"To the people of the state of Arkansas, especially -the citizens of Mississippi county; greeting; whereas a part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -of the people, disregarding their duties as good law-abiding -citizens, have by and through a secret organization -known as Kuklux revolted against the civil government of -the state of Arkansas and are now armed and attempting -by murder and intimidations to overthrow the civil government -of the state, now therefore, by the authority in me -vested and as commander of said post, do order all persons -who may be in armed hostility to the present government -and those who may be by act or deed aiding or encouraging -those who are in arms against the legal constituted -laws of the state to return to their allegiance and aid in -enforcing the civil law. And any person who may be -found from and after this date armed or aiding or abetting -those who are in arms against the civil law of the state -will be promptly arrested and punished to the extent of the -law.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Wm. Monks</span>, commanding the post."</p> - -<p>When I arrived there was not a single civil officer in -this county. They had either resigned or had kept themselves -indoors. I at once commenced a vigorous campaign -and soon learned that there were two men charged with -being cyclops; one of them resided about thirty miles -down the river on an island; he was charged with killing -eight or ten colored people. I made a detail of about fifty -men and placed them in charge of Captain Sharp and ordered -him to go down and arrest both and bring them up to -headquarters. The second day after the scouts started -they returned by steamboat with both men, as well as -several other prisoners. After the boat arrived Captain -Sharp came to headquarters and suggested the release of one -of the men as he didn't think he was guilty. I ordered the -prisoners brought to headquarters at once. There was a -man by the name of Edington who resided in Osceola, one -of the wealthiest men in the county; he was well acquainted -with one of the men, as he had been sheriff of the coun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>ty -in which he resided and a colonel in the Confederate -army. He asked me to parole him to the limits of the -city and he would go on his bond for one thousand dollars -until said charges could be investigated. In a few days -after he was paroled Mr. Edington came into the office and -informed me that after his arrest and while on the boat -coming up the river Cap. Sharp came to him in the presence -of the captain of the steamboat and remarked. "Well, -colonel, you have got a hard man holt of you now; if -you will pay me one hundred and fifty dollars I can use -my influence with Col. Monks and have you released." -The colonel said to Captain Sharp that he didn't have -the money with him. The captain of the steamboat -said to the colonel, "I have the money, I will loan it to -you." The colonel paid Captain Sharp one hundred -and fifty dollars. Captain Sharp agreed to have him -released and let him go back on the boat. Mr. Edington -said he had watched all my proceedings since I took command -of the post and had become satisfied that my -highest aim was to protect every person in his person and -property.</p> - -<p>I ordered the orderly to arrest the colonel and bring -him to headquarters. I told him that I had been informed -that after his arrest and while in custody of -Captain Sharp on the steamboat he paid Captain Sharp -one hundred and fifty dollars and Captain Sharp was to -release him and let him return home on the boat. He -admitted that he paid the money and made a full statement -of all the facts that caused him to pay the money. -I notified Captain Sharp to appear at headquarters at -once. Informed him of what I had just learned, that -while he had the colonel prisoner, coming up on the -steamboat, that he, the prisoner, paid him one hundred -and fifty dollars to procure his release. Captain Sharp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> -admitted that it was true; I asked the captain if he had -the money. He said he had. I asked the colonel if he -had a friend that he could pay the money to; that I could -not pay the money to him, that he might bribe another -one of my officers. He said that I could pay the money -to Mr. Edington. Captain Sharp paid the money to Mr. -Edington by the order of the colonel. I ordered the colonel -to the guardhouse for bribing my officers. I ordered -Captain Sharp to report at headquarters the next day -at ten o'clock. The Captain promptly appeared at the -hour set. We went into the back room of my office -alone. The captain and myself took seats. I said to the -captain, "I am very sorry that this thing occurred; that -you have allowed one of your prisoners to bribe you and -you have betrayed that confidence imposed in you by the -state. It become my painful duty to place you under -arrest and of all crimes known to the criminal calender -the worst is that one of treason. We claim that -we are hunting violaters of the law and if we become -violaters of the law then it will devolve on the state to -place a new set of men in the service so that all violaters -of the law can be arrested and brought to justice. Now -I have been informed that while you composed a part of -the command stationed at Cottonplant under General -Upham you was arrested for disorderly conduct and you -caused your company to mutinize. Now I want to say -to you that I am going to put you under arrest and disarm -you and I will parole you to the limits of the city -and your first lieutenant will be placed in command of -the company and if you cause your men to mutinize I will -arrest the whole company and send them to Little -Rock."</p> - -<p>I ordered the whole company to appear at headquarters -and informed them of what I had done. I then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -sent the orderly and brought out the colonel and -paroled him to the limits of the city under one thousand -dollar bond. I never had a more obedient set of -soldiers in all my service than Captain Sharp's company -and they were as true and as brave men as ever lived. -Captain Sharp said he was sorry for what he had done -and I had done my duty and in about one week I returned -his arms and placed him in command of his company. -And during the remainder of service Captain -Sharp discharged every duty with honor to himself and -his state. While I was in command of the post I made a -vigorous campaign. Arrested or drove out all the armed -Kuklux and had the civil law fully put in force and -the ministers of the gospel reorganized their churches -and business of all kinds was resumed. Intimidations of -the people, of the civil officers, and of the county by the -Kuklux was a thing of the past. I received orders from -the adjutant general at Little Rock to declare the civil -law enforced in Mississippi county and to report with -my command to the commander of the post at Marion, -Crittendon county, Arkansas, for further orders. My command -was conveyed by steamboat to Hopefield and from -Hopefield we marched to Marion.</p> - -<p>And in obedience to said orders I issued the following -order: "To all whom it may concern, especially -to the citizens of Mississippi county, Arkansas, I send -greeting. It affords me great pleasure to say to the people -of Mississippi county that the Kuklux organization is -completely broken up and there is no armed opposition to -the enforcement of the civil law. Therefore, by the power -in me vested I declare the civil law from this date in full -force and effect in said county. And I invite all good -citizens to aid in the enforcement of the civil law.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Wm. Monks</span>, Commander of the post."</p> - -<p>And when the people of the city learned that my command -had been ordered to leave the city they at once -presented the writer with a new suit of clothes. And on -the arrival of the boat and while we were loading our -camp equipage, arms and amunition, about three or four -hundred persons composed of men, women, and children -assembled on the bank of the river to bid us good-bye. -And as the boat moved out they waved their handkerchiefs -and hats and gave three cheers for the soldier boys -and their commanders.</p> - -<p>On our arrival at Marion we turned over our guns, amunition -and camp equipage and were ordered by the adjutant -general to proceed to Jacksonport for further orders -and on our arrival at Jacksonport the writer was -ordered to leave his command at Jacksonport and to report -in person to the governor at Little Rock. On my arrival -at Little Rock I was informed by the adjutant general -that the governor was dangerously sick and confined to -his room. The legislature of the state being in session I -was invited by both houses to deliver an address to the -legislature. Both bodies met in the lower house. The -writer was introduced by the speaker. Spoke as follows:</p> - -<p>"Mr. President of the General Assembly of the State -of Arkansas, it affords me great pleasure to have the -honor of addressing this august body of men assembled in -this hall. Men who have been elected by the people of -the whole state. Men who have the interest of the people -at heart. Men who have the confidence of the people. -Men who are intelligent and know what kind of laws the -people need. Men who are determined to do your whole -duty; men who have the courage, patriotism and love of -country at heart, who have stood by your post while one -of the most secret organizations, known as Kuklux, bound -by one of the most desperate oaths to overturn your state<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> -government by intimidation and murder of all the civil officers -of the state and to kill and murder the loyal citizens -of your state. The intention of said organization was to -overturn the legally constituted laws of the state, but -through the untiring effort of your governor and his subordinate -officers and the loyal people of your state and -the valor and patriotism of your soldiers, this organization -has been completely routed and broken up and the civil law -is again declared to be enforced in your state. Now may -your wisdom as legislators guide you and your successors -in all duties that you may be called upon to perform in the -legislative capacity. And may you always have the interest -of the whole people at heart. And may all the -laws that may be enacted by this legislature or your successors -be in the interest of the whole people. And may -patriotism and the love of both state and nation grow in the -hearts of your people and may they become so united that -nothing can sever that cord of love for their state and -nation. May God's blessing guide and direct every one -of your public acts, and go with you to your homes and -families and now that your state is once more at peace and -the civil law is being enforced, and your people are secure -both in person and property, I therefore will return -to Missouri to the bosom of my family. I bid you all -good bye."</p> - -<p>The whole house rose to its feet and gave three cheers -and pressed forward to give the writer a good, parting -handshake.</p> - -<p>The governor continued to grow worse. The doctors -would not admit any person to his sick room. The -adjutant general informed me that the governor wanted to -see me in person. That I had come to the rescue of -the people with men and arms, when the loyal people -were completely overpowered and saved the northern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -part of the state from the control of the Kuklux. He said -the governor was well pleased with my services while -in the State; that even the rebels spoke in the highest -terms in regard to the discipline that I enforced over -my men; that I had protected the person and property of -both Union and rebel, and that I had given general -satisfaction to all classes of persons that were favorable to -the enforcement of the civil law and that it was the desire -of the governor to promote me to a brigadier-general for -the valuable services that I had rendered in the state, -and place me in command of the northern district. I -said "You can tell the governor when he gets well that I -was very sorry to find him sick, that it would have been -a pleasure to me to have met him in person. And the -offer that he has made to me to promote me to brigadier-general -for the meritorious services that I have -rendered to the state places me under many obligations to -his honor for the high esteem and confidence he imposes -in me, as touching my military service, and as a -private citizen while in this state. And while I thank -him for his offer to promote me to the rank of brigadier-general -and place me in command of the northern district -of Arkansas, I must decline the offer and return to Missouri -for I love the people of my state, I love my home and -my desire is to become a private citizen. The only thing -that impelled me to come into your state was to aid the -state in enforcing the civil law and protect your people -from assassination and murder and to do all in my power -to aid in bringing violaters of law to justice. This being -accomplished and civil law again being enforced in -every part of the state, my services as a soldier and an -officer not being needed any longer I will ask you -again to give my respects to the governor and will ever -hold his memory sacred, and may God's blessing rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -upon the people of your state and your chief executive. -So I will bid you good-bye."</p> - -<p>I returned to Jacksonport and rejoined my command -and marched directly to West Plains. There my -men bid each other good-bye and returned to their -homes, hoping that this thing of war would be over -forever.</p> - -<p>On my arrival home I found, to my great surprise, a -new political organization, composed of men who styled -themselves Liberal Republicans, and democrats and rebels; -and through some of the most vicious and unprincipled -rebels, they charged me with being a thief and a murderer. -My friends came to me and requested that I at -once institute suits of slander against them, for they -knew that it was false from beginning to end. During -the intervening time they had called an indignation -meeting and publicly denounced me as a thief and murderer. -I instituted a civil suit for slander against all -persons who took part in said indignation meeting. I -also instituted suit against one other man on the same -charge. The county of Howell at that time, especially -the judicial circuit, was presided over by a judge, who -was an extreme democrat. The defence made application -to the judge for a change of venue from this judicial -circuit; he ordered the change sent to Laclede county, -to the city of Lebanon, before Judge Fian. The defence -then set about taking depositions. I was notified to meet -them in Sharp county at Evening Shade for the purpose of -taking depositions. When we met at Evening Shade -they commenced hunting around for witnesses to prove -their charges, but failed to find a single one. But every -person they interviewed touching the charges declared -that they were false and that Colonel Monks enforced -discipline over his men while he was in their state and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -protected every one in person and property and that -all classes of persons regarded him as being perfectly -honest and a good military officer; they failed to procure a -single witness at that place. I next was notified to meet -them in Oregon county, at the court house, for the purpose -of taking depositions. I accordingly armed myself -with two good navy revolvers and went to Alton, the -county seat of Oregon county; the circuit court being in -session at that time, on my arrival I put up at a boarding -house conducted by Alfred Harris, who still resides in that -county. Circuit court being in session I went into the -court room and remained until recess. Just after recess -the judge came and told me that he had been informed -that a mob then had the court house surrounded and was -going to mob me whenever I entered the square, and to -remain in the court room for a few minutes and he would -try and have the mob removed; in eight or ten minutes -the deputy sheriff returned and informed me that the mob -had been removed, and that I could go down and go to -my hotel. As I passed down I saw about fifty or sixty men -in front of the saloons, swearing at the top of their voices -"He fought us during the civil war and he shall not be -allowed to come into this county and live." After reaching -the hotel, Mr. Harris with several other friends urged -me not to meet the parties, who were going to take depositions -in one of the rooms of the court house, for they -believed the mob would kill me. I laughed and told -them that I reckoned not and that I thought the war was -over and that they couldn't play that game on me, to notify -me to meet them to take the depositions and then prepare -a mob to prevent me from appearing, so that they -would be able to manufacture evidence in the case. And -I would either be present at one o'clock, the time I was -notified to meet them, or I would die in the attempt. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> -I appeared promptly at one o'clock, the time set, but not -one of the opposite party, either attorney or client put in -an appearance. I remained there until four o'clock and -still no appearance had been entered by the defendants or -their attorneys, and I again returned to my hotel, after -circuit court had adjourned for the day.</p> - -<p>While we were seated at the table eating supper, a -man rapped at the hotel door and called to Mr. Harris, the -landlord, that he wanted to see him privately for a few -moments. Mr. Harris soon returned and remarked to the -writer that he had been ordered to deliver a message; that -he had just been informed that a mob of about one hundred -men then had the hotel surrounded and they -would give me ten minutes to get out of town or I would -be shot to death. I replied to Mr. Harris, "In the first -place, I am too old to run; and in the second place, if these -bushwhackers have not shed enough innocent blood, they -will have the best opportunity now that they will ever get; -tell them that I don't intend to leave or run." Mr. Harris -said that he would deliver the message to the bearer.</p> - -<p>There were two Confederates seated at the table, -eating. They said, "What does this mean? We thought -the war was over." They got up and left the table. After -the writer finished his supper, he retired to the sitting -room, which adjoined Mr. Harris' library. Mr. Harris -immediately came in and offered to barricade the doors -and windows. I objected. He then remarked that the -mob would shoot in through the windows, that he would -blind the windows. I consented to his putting blinds on -the windows, but that the doors shouldn't be interfered -with. There was but one door entering the sitting room -except the door that came through the library. I took -my seat on a bench where I could reach the knob of the -door with my left hand and hold my revolver in my right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -hand. Mr. Harris proposed to blow out the lights, to -which I objected. I told him that if the mob came I -wanted the light so that I could see how to shoot. He -then took his seat and entered into conversation. In a -few moments some person took hold of the knob of the -door. I rose to my feet with my revolver cocked, in my -right hand and let the door open just so that one man could -enter at a time. Mr. Maxey, of Howell county, an attorney-at-law, -had come in to get a book out of the library, -not knowing that there was any trouble up. As -he came inside of the room I had my pistol cocked and -presented on his left breast. When I recognized Mr. -Maxey I lowered my pistol and remarked to him, "Your -face has saved your life." Mr. Maxey became very much -excited, walked across the floor once or twice, and inquired -what was up. I informed him of the notice of the -mob and the time that I had been given to leave the -hotel and that the time had then expired, and that when -I heard him take hold of the door, I supposed the mob -was coming. Mr. Maxey remarked that "This thing -will never do, I'm going to see if it can't be stopped." -I requested him to say to every person that might be disposed -to come into the house to make themselves known -outside of the door before entering the house.</p> - -<p>In a short time the circuit judge and deputy sheriff, -with two or three others, came to the door and made themselves -known and came in. The circuit judge said: -"Colonel, I have been informed that you have been notified -by a mob to leave the town in ten minutes or you -would be shot to death, and I have come to see if you -wanted a guard." I replied that I didn't. "If these God -damn bushwhackers haven't shed enough innocent blood -and are still bloodthirsty, they will never have a better -opportunity; so just let them come." The judge and -sheriff and those who came with them left the room. I remained -in the room until the usual bedtime. I heard them -cursing outside and declare that they would take me out -before daylight. I thought of my horse that was in the -stable, a few yards away. I remarked to Mr. Harris that I -was going to the stable to look at my horse. He begged -me not to go out, that I would be shot down. I said to -him that it was a game that two or more could work at.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> -<img src="images/i233.jpg" width="580" height="419" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>LOYAL WOMEN OF HOWELL COUNTY.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> - -<p>On reaching the stable, I heard the men quarreling on -the public square. A man by the name of Jones, who had -been a Confederate and then was prosecuting attorney of -the county, and another citizen, who appeared to be leading -the mob, were having an altercation. Jones remarked -to the other man that he had never met Col. Monks -until to-day and that he appeared to be a perfect -gentleman, that the war was over, and that he had the -same right to come here and transact business as any other -man; to which the other declared, with an oath, that a man -who had fought them through the war shouldn't come -there, and they intended to take him out and shoot him -before daylight; and further charged that Jones was not a -good Confederate. Jones then gave him the lie. The -two appeared to be about to come together, but others interfered -to keep them separated. I returned to the hotel -and said to Mr. Harris that the seat of war had moved up -onto the square.</p> - -<p>Mr. Maxey informed me that just outside of the door -of the hotel he met the mob, and they declared that they -intended to take Monks out and shoot him before daylight. -He replied to them that they might do it, but they had better -take their stretchers along, for some other persons would -have to bring some of them out; that he had just been in -the house and in a moment he was confronted by Col. -Monks with a revolver presented at his left breast and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -very devil was in his eye, and if they entered the room he -would shoot as long as he could move a finger.</p> - -<p>When bedtime came, I was placed in an upper room -and locked the door, expecting that if they located my room -they would shoot through the windows. I could still hear -them cursing and threatening to take me out until late in -the night. The next morning everything was quiet. I -went to the stable and took my horse down to the spring to -water; a number of men were standing at the side of the -street, and one said: "Where do you suppose the captain -and his men are?" I remarked to them that they were -just like a pack of wolves; they were in the brush this -morning, waiting for night to again renew their howling. -There was one, Capt. Wagoner, who resided in town, who -remarked to me the next morning that he never was as -proud of anything in his life; that if they could have scared -me and I had attempted to leave town in the night, they -intended to murder me.</p> - -<p>After circuit court convened, I went into court, and at -noon of that day the court adjourned. And I, with a number -of others, went to Thomasville, put up at the hotel, had -my horse fed and took supper. While on the road, the -man that led the mob passed me on his way to Thomasville, -where he resided. The defendants and their attorneys -failed to produce a single witness to testify in the -case. I returned home to West Plains.</p> - -<p>I was notified to meet them at other places in the country, -to take depositions in said cause. The political feeling -was strong then between the parties, and they sent the -suits to a county over a hundred miles distant from where -the suits were instituted; this county, at that time, was -completely controlled by the democratic party.</p> - -<p>When the suits came up to be tried, over half of the -jury had been late rebels, yet they failed to introduce a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -single witness to support their charges, and I recovered a -verdict in each case. Judge Fian, who tried the case, said -that he was never so surprised in his life; that he opened -up the floodgates and let them bring in all their evidence -from the beginning of the war up to the time of the trial. -Judge Fian had been a colonel on the Federal side in the -Civil war.</p> - -<p>On the account of failure to get any proof the juries -were compelled to give a verdict in both cases for Col. -Monks, although it was against the will and feeling of -them. It cost the defendants between five and seven -hundred dollars. After the trials, all parties returned to -Howell county. The defendants, after they had procured -a change of venue to Laclede county, boasted openly before -trials, that they were going to beat both cases, that they -had got them into a democratic county. The defendants -being beaten at all points, returned, but not being satisfied, -and being backed by the late bushwhackers and -Kuklux (the most desperate set of men that ever lived,) -at the next term of the Howell county circuit court they -procured the appointment of a special prosecution attorney, -who had been a late rebel and selected a jury of -men composed of liberal Republicans and so-called -democrats, with the express purpose of indicting the -writer for killing one of the most desperate bushwhackers -and rebel desperadoes that ever was in South Missouri. The -men who composed the jury knew well that he was killed -in an open hand to hand fight during the Civil war. The -writer soon found out that they were trying to get a bill -of indictment against the writer, so the writer watched the -proceedings of the grand jury. On Saturday the grand -jury came into court and turned in their indictments and -reported to the court that they had no more business. -The court discharged them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the same moment the writer asked the court if -there was any bill of indictment preferred against him. -He ran over the indictments and informed the writer that -there was an indictment against him, for murder in the -first degree. The Judge said that he was sorry that I -had called it out for he wanted to go home until Monday. -I told him "Just adjourn your court and go home. The -sheriff is here." I remarked to the jury that they needn't -have put the county to any cost hunting witnesses; if they -had come to me, I could have told them that I killed him -and the only thing that I was sorry for, was that I -hadn't killed a lot more of the bushwhackers. I would -love to ask this jury if they have indicted any of the -bushwhackers and rebels who have hung and murdered -Union men all over Howell county, irrespective of age; -the most of those men were killed at their homes or taken -from their homes and afterwards killed. A part of the -men who did these things are still living in Howell county -and that jury knows it.</p> - -<p>The sheriff and the judge stepped out of the court -house and in a few minutes returned, and the judge remarked -"I will turn you over to the sheriff." He then ordered -the sheriff to adjourn the court until the next Monday. -The sheriff remarked to the writer "You can go -where you please and report to the court at ten o'clock -next Monday." The writer remarked, in the presence of -the judge and sheriff, "I did not know that a man indicted -for murder in the first degree could be paroled." -The sheriff adjourned the court and he and the judge left -the court house together. When I met a number of my -friends (as there was a political meeting going on that -day) and informed them that I had been indicted and -paroled until next Monday, I couldn't make some of them -believe it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 391px;"> -<img src="images/i238.jpg" width="391" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>CAPT. WILL H. D. GREEN, GRANDSON.</p> - -<p class="right">LIEUT. MARK SPRINGER, CO. K.</p> - -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p>I appeared at ten o'clock the next Monday morning -and before court was convened, Edward Seay, an attorney-at-law, -one among the ablest lawyers at the bar, a strong -rebel sympathizer, came to the writer and said, "It is a -shame that you have been indicted. It has been done for -political purpose and I want your consent to file a motion -to quash the indictment." I remarked to him that I -would rather have it tried before a jury of my country so -that I could show the intention and aims of those who -caused said indictments to be procured. He still plead -with me to let him file a motion to quash it, that it would -not cost me one cent. I at last told him to use his own -pleasure in regard to it, so he filed a motion to quash it, -and submitted the motion to the court without any argument, -and the court sustained the motion and quashed the -indictment. So ended that charge of murder against the -writer. They saw they were beaten again and their -schemes were again exposed to the whole people and they -fell back sullen and became desperate.</p> - -<p>In a short time the writer was informed that they were -threatening to assassinate him and to be continually on the -watch. I put men on their trails. Several attempts were -made to decoy the writer into their nets, but they failed. -They then employed one Dr. Beldon, who made an attempt -to shoot the author in his own dooryard, but the writer saw -him in time to prevent his shooting, and he left the county -at once. Shortly after, the author was again warned to be -on the watch, that they were still making threats.</p> - -<p>There was a man by the name of W. H. McCowen, -who had been a Confederate colonel, living in West Plains. -He was known to be a very dangerous man when drinking -and was an uncompromising rebel. The writer then resided -in the house south of the town spring, known as the West -Plains House, and the street ran within a few feet of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> -gate, which opened into a hall between the house and -kitchen. There was a saloon about forty yards west of the -house, on the same street, run by a man by the name of -Jackson, another uncompromising rebel. This saloon appeared -to be headquarters for these would-be assassins. -I had just brought my horse from the stable and tied him -by the gate, with the intention of going to my farm. Mrs. -Lasater, who still resides in West Plains, had just come -over to my house and was there at the time of the shooting. -Mrs. McCowen, the wife of Col. McCowen, came -to my house that morning, came in the back way, and appeared -to be very much excited, and informed me that certain -men were going to assassinate me that morning; that -to her knowledge they had been plotting for three days. -They had been using every inducement, making her husband -drunk and trying to work him into it. She had shut -him up and locked the doors to keep them away from her -husband, but they would raise the windows and come in. -She had done all she could to keep her husband out of it, -and she thought it was her duty to come and let me know -that they had agreed to shoot me that morning. I thanked -her for the information and said to her that I would ever be -grateful to her. I further said to her that I did not want -to hurt the colonel or any other person, but they must not -come to my house on that kind of business if they didn't -want to get hurt. In a few moments she returned home, -going around the back way.</p> - -<p>I at once sent to S. P. Woodworth, a merchant who -resided in West Plains and a strong Union man, for his -double-barrelled shotgun. I had two good navy pistols. -He sent me his gun and said it was well loaded with buckshot -and was sure to fire. I advised the women, if they -came, to keep cool and go into the back room so they -would be out of danger. I raised the two front windows of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -the sitting-room about two or three inches, so I could -shoot under them, keeping a close watch on the saloon. -In about thirty minutes after Mrs. McCowen left, I saw two -of the men leave the saloon and come in the direction of my -house. They came to the gate, opened it and stepped onto -the porch. My wife went to the door and begged them to -leave. One of the men said that he wanted to see the -colonel. He was armed with two first-class pistols, one of -the pistols belonging to Col. McCowen. I cocked both -barrels of my shotgun and stepped out on the porch with -my gun presented and ordered him to turn around and -leave my premises in one minute. Just at that moment -my youngest daughter, now the wife of Mr. Green, sprang -forward and caught my gun. I said to her; "For God's -sake keep away from me." But she stood by my side. -During this time he had passed outside of the gate and had -gotten behind a tree; had his pistol cocked and presented -at me and in a moment I had him covered with my shotgun. -He would attempt to get sight on me and would dodge his -head back behind the tree. Not knowing where the other -man was, I watched his head and when he attempted to take -sight I fired at his head; at the crack of the gun he fell. Then -six or seven men commenced jumping out at the door of -the saloon. The first thing I thought of was, "They will -pretend to arrest me and give the mob a chance to shoot -me after I am disarmed." I sprang on my horse and rode -east and in a few moments five or six men came to my -door and asked my wife who shot first. She ordered them to -leave the house. They soon found that one of the would-be -assassins was shot. On an examination it was found that -one of the shot had struck him in the right side of the -forehead, the right side of the brim of his hat was torn -into fragments and the tree had caught a part of the -load. The tree is still standing in the yard. Immediate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>ly -afterward I sent them word that they had again opened -the ball and I was ready to fight it out. I never saw men -begin to plead for peace as hard in my life. The sheriff -and others would come to me and say: "Colonel, why -didn't you shoot some of those fellows long ago? That is -just what they needed." I asked them why they hadn't -arrested some of the assassins long ago.</p> - -<p>When the Union men learned that an attempt had -been made by these would-be assassins to assassinate me -about two hundred and fifty of them headed by such men -as J. F. Reiley, Esau Fox, Andrew V. Tabor, David B. -Nicholass, John B. Nicholass, Josiah Carico, Chas. Long, -J. Youngblood, and Geo. Youngblood rode into town -well armed and publicly notified these assassins and those -who were aiding and abetting them, that if another attempt -was made to assassinate Colonel Monks, or if they did -assassinate him it would take ten of their leaders to pay -the debt and they knew just who they were. On an -investigation, it was proven that on the night before they -attempted the assassination about ten or twelve of these -would-be assassins met together in the town of West -Plains, and one of their leaders set out among other causes -why Colonel Monks would have to be killed; that they had -tried to scare him away from the country but found they -couldn't scare him and the only way to keep the republican -party from going into power again in this county was -to kill Colonel Monks. Some of the men that were present -were hired to do the shooting next morning and paid -the money. They drank a health to each other on the -death of Colonel Monks next morning. The man who -advised and instructed them and paid them a part of the -money is still living in Howell county. This failure -in their attempt to assassinate me and the action taken by -the loyal men appeared to put a quietus on their idea of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -assassination; if they ever made any further effort the -writer never learned about it. They had been defeated in -every attempt made either to slander or murder me.</p> - -<p>I want to say here that I shall ever hold sacred the -memory of Mrs. McCowen, for I owe to her the preservation -of my life, and may God's blessing ever follow her -and rest upon her.</p> - -<p>The bushwhackers and the Kuklux element were not -yet satisfied and had but one way to vent their spleen -against me. That was to get right down to hard lying. -Having failed to prove a single one of their charges against -me in the courts they were bent on injuring me and -damaging my character. With no regard for the truth -they would go around secretly and tell strangers who -knew nothing about me that I was a murderer -and a thief. The better element among those who had -been Confederates declared openly that these statements -were false from beginning to end. Many of them have said -that I was an honest man, and that if any one wished to -employ an honest lawyer Monks was the man to go to, -for no one could buy him.</p> - -<p>Sometimes I would be informed that a late Confederate -would say: "I believe Col. Monks was a good man -and an honest one. But I dislike him because he fought -us so hard during the war." I would reply: "Tell him -that I couldn't please them in any way at the commencement -of the war; I didn't want to take up -arms. I was an unconditional Union man, and they, -the rebels, came to my home and arrested me, took -me into their command and swore that I should fight; that -they would make me fight and attempted to force me into -the Confederate lines, and when I found that nothing -else would do them but to fight, and I went to fighting, -then they turn about and curse me for fighting."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<p>Again I would be informed that some of those persons, -who had no regard for the truth, would secretly -charge me with being a murderer. In reply I would inform -them that every part of the country where I had performed -military service was now in the control of the -Democratic party and there was no limitation to the crime -of murder.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>Henry Dixon Green.</h3> - -<p>Henry Dixon Green was born in Henderson county -Ky., in the year 1851. His father, H. D. Green, was a -colonel in the Confederate army, and died while in the -service. In 1876, the younger Green left his native state, -taking Horace Greeley's advice, and went west to grow -up with the country. He located at West Plains, Mo., -and soon began reading law in the office of Hon. A. H. -Livingston. He was admitted to the bar, and formed a -co-partnership with Mr. Livingston in the practice of law, -which continued for several years. Afterwards he formed -a partnership with Judge B. F. Olden. This firm was for -years the local legal representative for the Kansas City, Fort -Scott and Memphis Railroad Company, now part of the -Frisco System. Mr. Green acted as claim agent for this -railroad, and afterwards had charge of the claim department -of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company for the -territory of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Indian Territory, -but resigned to resume the general practice of law -at West Plains, Mo. He has served as Probate Judge of -Howell county.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 342px;"> -<img src="images/i246.jpg" width="342" height="580" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"><p>RUSSELL GREEN AND DIXON GREEN.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Green was married in 1878 at West Plains to Miss -Mary M. Monks, daughter of Col. Wm. Monks. Mrs. -Green is a strong republican while Mr. Green is a strong -supporter of the principles of the democratic party; but -their home life is perfectly peaceful and happy. Five -children have brightened this home, a daughter, now -Mrs. Arch Bugg, and four sons, Will H. D., Frank, Russell -and Dixon. The children all take their politics from -their mother. The oldest son, Will, has been admitted to -the Howell county bar and is now practicing law with his -father. He is also Captain of Company K, the local military -company of West Plains. The second and third sons -are also members of the company. Frank works and -studies at present in his father's law office, and the other -boys are in school.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p> </p> -<div id="transnote"> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<h2><a name="TRANSCRIBERS_NOTES" id="TRANSCRIBERS_NOTES">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</a></h2> - -<p>Added table of contents.</p> - -<p>Changed a few instances of Ku-Klux (excepting the title page) to Kuklux as the author clearly preferred the latter spelling.</p> - -<p>Changed lop-eard, lopeard, and lop-eared to lopeared as that spelling was somewhat dominant.</p> - -<p>Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.</p> - -<p>Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.</p> - -</div> - -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI AND NORTHERN ARKANSAS***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 51118-h.htm or 51118-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/1/1/1/51118">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/1/1/51118</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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