NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
October 1864
After escaping the Confederate encirclement at Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob, Union General Thomas Ewing led his small force north in an attempt to join with General A. J. Smith’s army thought to be near Potosi. Running into Confederate General Jo Shelby’s advance at Caledonia, he turned towards what is now Leasburg, fighting a rearguard action nearly the entire way there.
From The Missouri Democrat, Saturday, October 1, 1864.
THE INVASION.
The Rebels on the Southwest Branch
EWING ATTACKED AT HARRISON’S STATION.
FIGHT PROGRESSING.
Cuba and Bourbon Burned.
ALARM AT FRANKLIN.
ETC., ETC., ETC.
A gentleman who early yesterday morning came over the Southwest Branch of the Pacific railroad from Harrison’s Station, gives us the following items of intelligence.
On Thursday the regular passenger train from Franklin for Rolla was delayed by military orders till late in the evening. It approached Harrison’s Station at about 10 P. M. Firing was then going on between a heavy body of cavalry and General Ewing’s men from Pilot Knob. Citizens said that General Ewing’s main force had a few minutes previously arrived, pursued by the enemy. The artillery first came in and was partly placed in freight cars when the infantry arrived, followed closely by the rebel cavalry, and fighting. The artillery was removed from the “flats,” unlimbered, and began to open upon the rebels. A number of General Ewing’s men had already been killed, and others wounded….
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From The Missouri Democrat, Thursday, October 6, 1864.
ARRIVAL OF EWING.
Himself and Staff Safe at Last!
Narrative of his Unparalleled March from Pilot Knob to Rolla.
A RUNNING FIGHT THE WHOLE WAY.
FULL PARTICULARS OF THEIR SKIRMISHES.
It is with heartfelt satisfaction that we announce the safe arrival of General Ewing in this city, after having passed through one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and cut his way through overwhelming numbers of the enemy. We learn from one of the party the following interesting particulars of the march from Pilot Knob to Rolla, and the trip from Rolla to St. Louis:
On the night of the 26th, Lieutenant Murphy was placed in command of the artillery of the Fort, and the rebels were seen in large numbers on all sides. A counsel [sic] of war was held, at which General Ewing stated that his orders were to evacuate the place in case he ascertained that General Price was in command of the rebels. He was satisfied of the presence of Price, but resolved to give them a taste of his quality before leaving. We have already published detailed accounts of the bloody battle and brilliant victory which ensued, and pass on to the moment when the fort was evacuated….
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After the Battle of Pilot Knob, Price’s army abandoned its objective of St. Louis and struck north and west across Missouri, raiding through Pacific, Washington, Union, and other towns, avoiding battle at Jefferson City, and overwhelming a small force at Glasgow.
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, October 5, 1864.
FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY.
SACKING OF THE PACIFIC.
Copperheads Piloting the Rebels into Town.
Dr. E. S. Detweiler, of Pacific, Franklin County, who was one of the heaviest sufferers by the sacking of that place by the rebels, gives us the following particulars:
The rebels entered the town in the morning, in number about fifteen hundred, and at once went to work plundering and robbing the stores and private houses, and conscripting citizens….
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From The Missouri Democrat, Tuesday, October 4, 1864.
FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY.
CAPTURE OF UNION!
Evacuation of Washington
Col. Gale’s Command Across the Missouri
WITHDRAWAL OF FERRY BOATS WITH PASSENGERS AND STORES.
Boats Fired upon at South Point.
BURNING OF DEPOTS, &c.
INTELLIGENCE OF THE REBELS.
Judge James W. Owens, of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the State, arrived at 5 o’clock yesterday (Monday) morning from Washington, Franklin County, via St. Charles, coming thence over the North Missouri railroad, and furnishes to us the following intelligence:
The rebels came into Union at about 1 P. M. of Saturday, some five or six hundred strong, and there captured a company of about one hundred men, commanded by Captain Fink, mustered under Order No. 107. The company drew up to receive the rebels, who, it is said, opened on them with five pieces of artillery, bringing about a very hasty capitulation. One of the cannon balls is reported to have knocked off Captain Fink’s hat and prostrated him, but without doing further damage. News of the capture of Union soon reached Washington, where it was also learned that a rebel force from Franklin was approaching up the Pacific Road, via South Point, which is about two miles from Washington. They entered South Point Saturday night.
Colonel Gale, commanding at Washington, evacuated that place at eleven o’clock Saturday night, transferring his troops, six hundred, across the Missouri on the ferry boats Wide Awake and Bright Star….
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From The Missouri Democrat, Thursday, October 6, 1864.
FROM FRANKLIN
THE RAID ON THAT PLACE!
Safe Arrival of Gen. Pike’s Command.
THE MILITIA IN FINE SPIRITS.
They Are Highly Complimented by General Smith.
MOVEMENTS OF PRICE.
Review of the Situation.
SACKING OF THE PACIFIC.
ETC., ETC., ETC.
[Special Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
FRANKLIN, October 5.—All quiet at this point. Major-General A. J. Smith is in command of the force here, and Brigadier-General E. C. Pike is in immediate command of the Enrolled Militia.
The rebels came in here by the Southwest branch, burning the bridges as they came. The rolling stock of the road was all saved. As nearly as can be ascertained their number was above seven hundred. Mr. Kirby, the telegraph operator at this point, remained here to the very last moment, and when the rebels approached, made good his escape on the train with his instruments and met the reinforcements on the Meramec. It was thought his vigilance saved a longer continuance here of the rebels….
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From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, October 7, 1864.
THE INVASION.
The Gasconade, Cole Creek and Osage Bridges Burned.
THIRTY CARS AND TWO LOCOMOTIVES DESTROYED.
PRICE TRIES TO CROSS THE OSAGE.
Fighting at Castle Rock.
The anticipated work of destruction by the rebels on the main Pacific railroad has begun in earnest and by this time is probably about completed.
The large and costly bridge over the Gasconade river, near Hermann, is reported to have been burned yesterday. This intelligence, which now surprises no one, reached Department Headquarters last evening. The bridge was one of the most extensive and valuable on the line of the Pacific railroad….
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A few of Price’s troops did come close to St. Louis, reaching an area now located within the St. Louis city limits around Manchester and Hampton Avenues, a place then called Cheltenham.
From The Missouri Democrat, Tuesday, October 5, 1864.
The Cheltenham Affair.
Editors Missouri Democrat:
As the rebels are giving a modified account of this affair, which makes it a very trivial circumstance, at the request of Mr. Mueggs, now confined to his bed, I give a detailed account of all the facts as they occurred.
On last Thursday evening, about eight o’clock, Mr. M. was standing in the door of his store, when he observed four horsemen coming up the road from towards the city. When opposite his store they halted and held a conversation in an undertone, and then turned their horses towards the fence. Two of the men dismounted and gave the reins of their bridles to the other men to hold. They then approached Mr. M., who supposed they wanted something from the store, and stepped back to wait on them. They came in at the door and, and took a survey of the store, and then asked him how far it was to the next military post. He told them about five miles to St. Louis. They then asked him whether there was a military post above, and how far….
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Union forces rushed to catch up to Price from the east, while local Union forces assembled near Kansas City to block his advance. At Westport, Price attacked the western forces under Union General Samuel Curtis, who counterattacked his flank, while simultaneously the eastern forces under Union General Alfred Pleasonton struck Price’s rearguard. Pressed from three directions, Price fled south.
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, October 31, 1864.
BATTLE OF WESTPORT.
Signal Rout of Price!
DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
On Saturday the enemy succeeded in forcing a passage across Big Blue, at the Upper Fords, greatly outnumbering our forces and driving Moonlight and Jennison back to Westport. Our loss was considerable in this day’s operations, the Kansas militia suffering a loss of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty in killed, wounded and prisoners. General Curtis, on Saturday afternoon, moved his headquarters from Big Blue to this city, and Saturday night the whole army was concentrated about this point, the advance being at Westport.
The enemy encamped about three miles beyond Westport, on the Fort Scott road. Price, from all accounts, was himself in command. They were confident of being in Kansas City by Sunday night. Many former residents of Kansas City, were among them, desirous of wreaking vengeance on their former friends and neighbors. Early yesterday morning the battle commenced, the enemy greatly outnumbering our advance, and extending his line west nearly to Shawnee Mission and crowding down in front into the timber South of Westport….
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Union forces continued to pursue Price south along the Kansas border, striking him again at Marais Des Cygnes, Mine Creek, and other points, capturing his trains and many prisoners. Less than 6,000 of Price’s invading army reached Arkansas by November.
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, October 31, 1864.
BY TELEGRAPH.
REGULAR AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.
FROM WARRENSBURG, MO
The Effect of the Victories.
PRICE “WILD WITH DESPERATION.”
MORE UNION TROOPS AWAITING HIM.
Hanging near Harrisonville.
LIST OF THE REBEL OFFICERS CAPTURED.
Rebels in Federal Uniform to be Shot.
REBEL BARBARITIES
[Special dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
WARRENSBURG, October 28, 10 P. M.—The burden has been lifted from all loyal hearts in this region by the continued good news from Kansas. Notwithstanding all the suspense and injury this people have endured, their spirits are buoyant as were those of the Children of Israel on the day of Jubilee. From a thousand hearthstones grateful thanks ascend this night to the Great Giver for the deliverance of the land from its curse—the bandit and outlaw, Sterling Price.
Rosecrans is a name which is mentioned with blessings by this people to-day; for, besides all this victory, glorious as it is in results, there is still a more glorious thing over which loyal men in this part of Missouri rejoice. It is this: That General Rosecrans has decided upon a stern policy for this State henceforth, and is determined that loyal men only shall, from this time on live in Missouri….
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During Price’s raid, the Confederate guerrilla “Bloody Bill” Anderson was reported to have met with Price. After several towns were attacked by his men, Anderson was caught by Union militia in Ray County and killed in a firefight.
From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, October 7, 1864.
Who the Guerrilla Anderson Is.
[From the Leavenworth Bulletin.]
As Anderson is taking the place of Quantrell [sic-Quantrill] in the management of gangs of cut-throats in Missouri, the question is often asked, “Who is this Anderson, who is more bloodthirsty than Quantrell?” From a gentleman who formerly knew him we learn that he was a resident of Coffey county, in this State, before the breaking out of the war. Where he came from to this State we did not learn, but suppose from Missouri or Arkansas. He, with his brother, lived with their father, and the whole family were engaged in horse-stealing. They made a tour to Council Grove and stole some stock; the citizens of that county followed them to the Missouri line, and his father was killed. In revenge, he and about a dozen others went to Morris county and killed Mr. Baker in his store and burned him in the building, as most of our readers remember. The two brothers then joined Quantrell, and Bill was at the sacking of Lawrence. He is more of a fiend, if possible, than Quantrell; is a courageous dare-devil, and will be hard to catch. He is but twenty-two years of age.
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, October 29, 1864.
GOOD NEWS FROM RAY COUNTY.
FIGHT WITH ANDERSON’S GUERRILLAS.
Anderson and Seven of his Men Killed.
The following telegraphic dispatch was received at headquarters last night:
ST. JOSEPH, MO., October 28, 1864—10 P. M.
To Captain Frank Eno, A. A. G.:
Lieutenant Colonel Cox, 33rd E. M. M., with a detachment of that regiment, and some Ray county militia, had a fight with Bill Anderson yesterday, at Albany, Ray county.
Anderson and seven of his men were killed. Four of our men were severely wounded—none killed.
JAS. CRAIG, Brigadier General.
