NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
June 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, June 19, 1861.
THE WAR IN MISSOURI.
The Latest from Jefferson City.
THE CITY QUIET.
FORMATION OF THE HOME GUARDS.
Arrival of the D. A. January.
Heavy Cannonading Heard Last Night and this Morning in the Direction of Booneville.
[Special Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
JEFFERSON CITY, June 18th.
This city and vicinity still quiet. Col. Boernstein is in command of the place and has already issued his proclamation. All good Union men—even secessionists—are very well pleased with it. There was some little excitement here last night. Jefferson City was to be attacked by the rebels, and Col. Boernstein sent out his men on a scout, who returned this morning without finding anything.
Steamer D. A. January arrived with one battalion of the Fifth Regiment.
Col. Boernstein is organizing Home Guards throughout this part of the State. Two hundred men were sworn in yesterday.
Heavy cannonading was heard last night and this morning in the direction of Boonville.
B.
Late and Important from Jefferson City.
NEWS FROM BOONVILLE.
General Lyon Defeats the Rebels.
300 Reported Killed—600 Prisoners Taken.
GEN. PRICE MORTALLY WOUNDED.
GOVERNOR JACKSON A FUGITIVE.
[Special Dispatch to Missouri Democrat.]
JEFFERSON CITY, June 18, 6 P. M.—Col. Boernstein sends continually scouting parties to the interior of the country in order to disperse the rebels, and seize all arms and contraband of war. One of these parties, Company B, Second Regiment, Capt. Weckerlin, comes just in, and brings a large quantity of powder in kegs taken from one of Ex-Governor Jackson’s secret depots in the interior.
A citizen of this place just arrived in a skiff from six miles below Boonville, and brings the news that General Lyon has attacked the rebels, and routed them completely. Three hundred were killed, and six hundred taken prisoners. General Sterling Price mortally wounded. Our loss only seventeen men.
Col. Boernstein has taken possession of all the ferries along the river, and not even a flatboat nor skiff can cross without his permission.
The secessionists in Boone, Callaway and Howard counties are fleeing in all directions, and Union Home Guards begin to organize in all those counties.
It is reported that Ex-Governor Jackson escaped at the beginning of the battle and is still running as fast as possible. The balance of his men dispersed in all directions.
LATER.
Still more excitement. Five hundred convicts trying to escape from the penitentiary.
Col. Boernstein ordered one company of his regiment, under the command of Capt. Bendel and Lieut. Sawer, and three companies of the Eight Regiment St. Louis Home Guards, under the command of Lieut. Col. White to the penitentiary.
Six convicts shot and many wounded, two of the home guards wounded. It is rumored that General Lyons has shelled Boonville and taken six hundred rebels prisoners.
THIRD DISPATCH.
THE VERY LATEST FROM BOONVILLE.
THE STATE FORCES DRIVEN TO THE BUSH AT THE OUTSET.
Gen. Lyon’s Ruse to Draw Them Out.
THE FEARFUL HAVOC THAT FOLLOWED.
Utter Rout of the Secessionists.
Lamentable Misfortune to Gen. Price at the Opening of the Battle!
CLAIB. PERCHED ON A HILL AFAR OFF.
Rejoicing at Jefferson City.
[Special Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
JEFFERSON CITY, June 18.—Mr. Gordon, from St. Louis, and other gentlemen who arrived to-day from above, give the following version of the battle at Boonville:
General Lyon landed his troops four miles below Boonville and opened a heavy cannonade against the rebel army, who could not long stand the fire, but retreated and took up a position in an adjacent wood, from where, hidden behind the bushes and trees, they opened a heavy skirmishing fire on our troops.
General Lyon then ordered a hasty retreat to the boats; and the rebels, encouraged by this movement, rallied in line of battle and followed the troops into an open wheat field.
General Lyon now halted his troops, faced them about and bringing his whole artillery in front, opened a murderous fire on the rebels. Three hundred of them were killed.
Seeing that there was no possibility of escaping they threw away their arms and ran in all directions, and Gen. Lyon took possession of Boonville.
Gen. Sterling Price fell sick at the beginning of the battle with a violent diarrhea and was brought on board a steamboat, which carried him to Chariton his home.
Ex-Gov. C. F. Jackson assisted as a spectator on a hill two miles from the field of battle; but seeing what happened he took a hasty retreat to parts unknown.
So soon as the telegraphic lines from Boonville to Syracuse shall be re-established I will send you more particulars.
There is a great rejoicing among the Union men here, and the Stars and Stripes were to-day hoisted at the capitol, guns fired, and the Star Spangled Banner played by the regimental band.
To-morrow and the next day scouting parties will be sent out in all directions, to cut the line of retreat of the fleeing rebels.
FOURTH DISPATCH.
The Swon arrived with Artillery. Quiet restored among the Rebels in the Penitentiary. Colonel Boernstein keeps the city in good order. Secessionists take the required Oath. Federal Troops in good spirits.
[Special Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
JEFFERSON CITY, June 18.—The J. C. Swon has just arrived with two cannons, ammunition and necessary artillery men, which have been planted at Henry Boernstein’s head-quarters at the capitol. The rebels at the penitentiary are now quiet, and all citizens are very well pleased with Col. Boernstein’s management. He keeps the city in good order, and there’s no fear of any disturbance of the peace. Some more strong secessionists have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. The federal troops are in good spirits. No further news from the seat of war further up the river.
