It is sad to record the following details of suffering
inflicted upon one of the oldest, most useful and honored members of the St.
Louis Conference, M. E. Church, South; a man who for many years has been an
humble, exemplary and influential member of the Conference, who occupied a high
position in the confidence of the Church, and has been intrusted with high and
responsible positions in her courts and councils. No man, perhaps, of any
Church has stood higher in the esteem of all men of all Churches in Southwest
Missouri, where he has so long lived and labored, than Marcus Arrington. Let
him tell in his own-way the story of his sufferings:
“When the troubles commenced, in the spring of 1861, I was
traveling the Springfield Circuit, St. Louis Conference. I was very particular
not to say anything, either publicly or privately, that would indicate that I
was a partisan in the strife. I tried to attend to my legitimate work as a
traveling preacher.
“But after the war commenced, because I did not advocate the
policy of the party in power, I was reported as a secessionist, and in the
midst of the public excitement it was vain to attempt to counteract the report.
“At the earnest solicitation of divers persons, I took the
oath of loyalty to the Government. This, it was thought, would be sufficient.
But we were mistaken.
“Soon after this, my life was threatened by those who were
in the employ of the Federal Government. But they were, as I verily believe,
providentially prevented from executing their threat.
“After the battle of Oak Hills, or Wilson's Creek, July 10,
1861, it became my duty to do all I could for the relief of the sick and
wounded, and because I did this I was assured that I had violated my oath of
allegiance. I was advised by Union men, so-called, that it would be unsafe for
me to fall into the hands of Federal soldiers. Believing this to be true, when
General Fremont came to Springfield, I went to Arkansas, as I think almost any
man would have done under the circumstances.
“While in Arkansas, I met Bro. W. G. Caples, who was acting
Chaplain to General Price. He requested me to take a chaplaincy in the army,
informing me at the time that, by an agreement between Generals Fremont and
Price, all men who had taken the oath of loyalty as I did were released from
its obligations.
“In December, 1861, I was appointed by Gen. McBride Chaplain
of the 7th Brigade, Missouri State Guard. In this capacity I remained with the
army until the battle of Pea Ridge, March 7 and 8, 1862. On the second day of
this battle, while in the discharge of my duty as Chaplain, I was taken
prisoner. Several Chaplains, taken at the same time were released on the field,
but I was retained. , I was made to walk to Springfield, a distance of 80
miles. We remained in Springfield one-day and two nights, and whilst many
prisoners who had previously taken the oath as I had were paroled to visit
their families, I was denied the privilege.
“We were then started off to Rolla, and although I had been
assured that I would be furnished transportation, it was a sad mistake, and I
had to walk until I literally gave out. What I suffered on that trip I can not
describe. When we reached Rolla I was publicly insulted by the Commander of the
Post.
“From Rolla we were sent to St. Louis on the cars, lodged
one night in the old McDowell College, and the next day sent to Alton, Ill.
“Whilst I was in Alton prison a correspondent of the Republican,
writing over the name of ‘Leon,’ represented me as a ‘thief and a perjured
villain!’
“I was kept in Alton prison until Aug. 2, 1862, when I was
released by a General Order for the release of all Chaplains.
“I then went to St. Louis, and thence South, by way of
Memphis, Tenn., into exile. I would have returned to Missouri after the war
closed but for the restrictions put upon ministers of the gospel by the new
Constitution.
“Eternity alone will reveal what I have suffered in exile.
The St. Louis Conference is properly my home, and her preachers have a warm
place in my affections. They are very near my heart. May they ever be
successful.”
Rev. Mr. Arrington pines for his old home and friends, and
few men have a deeper hold upon the hearts of the people in Missouri. Thousands
would welcome him to warm hearts and homes after these calamities are overpast.
SOURCE: William M. Leftwich, Martyrdom in Missouri, Volume 2, p. 287-90
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