NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
July/August 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, July 31, 1861.
BORDER TROUBLES.
FROM THE IOWA LINE.
Iowa Citizens Called over the Border to Aid Loyal Missourians.
[Correspondence Burlington Hawk Eye.]
LEON, July 23, 1861.
In Gentry and Worth counties, Missouri, there are some six or eight hundred secessionists, most of them a bad class of citizens. They had been holding public meetings at various points for drill; many inflammatory speeches were made to the people, accompanied with violent threats against the Union men. Threats were made to burn the town of Athensville, in Worth county. This town is eight miles south of the Iowa line; the Union sentiment predominates decidedly at that point. The secessionists, numbering perhaps two or three hundred, were reported advancing towards Athensville, with the intention of destroying the town. The Union men dispatched messengers to Iowa for assistance. As is usually the case, as the reports spread they increased in magnitude. The citizens of Iowa immediately flew to the relief of the loyal citizens of Missouri. When all arrived there must have been at least 1,500 men from Iowa, armed in every conceivable manner, and perhaps about 4,000 of the Union men of Missouri acting as soldiers, but poorly armed.
As soon as the Union forces began to arrive, the secessionists disbanded into squads not exceeding a dozen, perhaps, and took to the brush and cornfields. The brush in that region is very thick and difficult to penetrate. Nevertheless the Union forces routed some thirty from their hiding places and captured them. Three or four of the secessionists were shot in attempting to escape. (This is reported by the Union scouts.) Three or four of the worst were taken possession of by the Union men of Missouri, to be conveyed to the United States authorities at St. Joe. The balance took the oath of allegiance and were discharged.
On the part of the Union men, one, a Missourian, was shot by the rebels, and the rebel who shot him is reported to have been captured and was hung. Another Union man of Missouri accidentally shot himself and died. One of Capt. Wainwright’s men, of Leon, was accidentally shot in the leg, which will doubtless require amputation.
The Union citizens of Iowa, at the earnest appeal of their brethren in Missouri to render them assistance against the contemplated attempt of the rebel forces, each citizen went on his own hook, and were most cordially received by the Union citizens of Missouri. They generously threw open their horses and barns and fed men and horses, and for which they would not receive one cent. The determination to protect the stars and stripes animated the loyal men of both States. For three or four days while together not a discordant note was heard in a camp of some two or three thousand soldiers, suddenly thrown together as comparative strangers.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN EDWARDS.
