ST. LOUIS, Jan. 29, 1862. – The mail agent by the Pacific
Road represents that Col. Jeff. C. Davis’ (Federal) brigade is en route to
Woodson 3,000 strong.
On Saturday the mail stage between Independence and Kansas
City was stopped by a gang of secessionists.
Eight passengers were made prisoners, and the mail robbed and
burned. On Sunday the same thing was
repeated, although at Kansas City and Independence, only tem miles apart, there
are one thousand troops stationed.
The telegraph to Chicago was down all last night.
Levies to satisfy assessments have been made on Alexander
Kayser, Mrs. Trusten Polk, Mrs. Geer and Andrew Park, whose furniture and
pianos were principally seized. There
was an indignation meeting at Mrs. Polk’s house after the seizure.
A large number of refugees from the south west have returned
here from Illinois, in expectation of returning to Springfield with the army
from Rolla.
Nearly all the officers of the old, or secession, Chamber of
Commerce have taken the oath of allegiance.
They are afraid of losing northwestern consignments on the resumption of
navigation.
From Rolla the Democrat has the following dated yesterday:
A man came in from Webster county last evening, and reports
that Col. John R. Freeman was killed near Bowskin creek, thirty five miles
south east from Springfield, some ten days since under the following
circumstances. Freeman with twenty five
of his men, made an attack on five home guards, posted at a widow Ellison’s
house. Three of the home guards were
captured, but Greeman was shot dead and one of his men was mortally wounded in
the affray. – Two of the home guards captured were brothers by the name of
Bragg, and the other was named Davis.
The man who brings this intelligence saw Freeman’s corpse after it was
laid out. Freeman was formerly a County
Court Justice of Phelps county, and since the outbreak of the rebellion his
name has been a terror to the Union inhabitants of Dent, Crawford and Webster
counties. The numerous attempts made to
capture him have hitherto proved unsuccessful
Great hardship is experienced by Southwestern refugees, at
Rolla, and instances of actual starvation are given.
Twenty two prisoners of war arrived at Boonville last night,
who were captured in Boone and adjoining counties.
Several residents of St. Louis have been arrested lately for
disloyal sentiments publicly expressed.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2
1 comment:
Interesting that the telegraph was cut somewhere between St. Louis and Chicago. One would think that region would be solidly Unionist. Of course, all it takes is one guy with a ladder and a pair of clippers.
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