Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 26, 1862

Springfield Sept. 26th.

I am in excellent health; am heavier than I ever was before; weigh a hundred and sixty eight lbs. of nice clear meat: have outgrown all my clothes, you see that hard crackers agree with me fine.  I think Springfield is a healthy place, it being situated on the highest peak of the Ozark Mountains. The

[The bottom of the newspaper is torn off and the rest of this letter is missing.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 15, 1862

Sept. 15th

We removed from our camp to Springfield yesterday.  This is a beautiful place for camping.  I really don’t know how many troops we have here, but suppose from eight to ten thousand.  Gen. Brown left here, with 8,000 troops, for Vernon, he was met by the rebels and driven back: he came into town last night about nine o’clock.  About the same time heavy firing was heard at the southwest; and the supposition was that after the Gen. left his troops, they turned on the enemy and had a fight.  The firing was kept up till 12 o’clock, but we have no word from them as yet.  By the way, this Gen. Brown is not well liked. His troops that are in the regular service despise him; they think he is “secesh.”

All the troops, and all the farmers, merchants and mechanics that are inside of the pickets have to work on the entrenchments this morning. The prospect is pretty fair for a fight.  The enemy are said to be approaching in two columns 30,000 strong—our force is much less.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 10, 1862

Sept. 10th

We are camped on Sac River, some four miles from Springfield  It is a beautiful camping place—rive on three sides, that affords us plenty of water, which is a great item in this low land of sorrow  Though we have not seen many rebels, we have been alarmed several times, and as often have formed a line of battle.  Yesterday, I was officer of the day, and after I set the picket last night, I thought there were too many bells ringing in different directions in the woods.  Soon after the pickets on the Springfield road came in, and reported forty or fifty men in that direction.

I took a few of the boys, went out, and they skedaddled; consequently we had no fight.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Captain William M. Duncan to Mary Morgan Duncan, September 7, 1862

Springfield, Sept. 7th.  I never had better health in my life, though we had a hard time[.] While marching from Sedalia to this place—a distance of One Hundred and twenty five miles, which we marched in six days over the most hilly and dusty roads I ever say.  This is doubtless to the poorest country in the west.  The drought has nearly ruined the crops, and it looks little like subsisting a large army here through the winter.

Our troops nearly famished for water on their march, and the roads were so dusty that none could scarcely tell the color of our cloths or even the color of the men.  After crossing the Osage River, we commenced climbing the Ozark Mountains, and had nothing but hills, hollows and rocks from their to Springfield.

Take it, all in all, it is one of the most God-forsaken countries I ever saw.  War has destroyed every thing in its way, houses [tenantless], fences burned, and orchards destroyed.  You can scarcely see a man in a day’s travel, unless it is some old man unable to do any thing.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Captain Luman Harris Tenney: June 21, 1865

Got several papers from home. Report that we move tomorrow for Springfield, Mo. Dislike the thought of going myself. Will try to get my papers through. Read and slept. Wrote One.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 167

The Victory on the Cumberland—The End in Sight

We have reason to believe, if not the certainty, that Fort Donelson has fallen.  After a struggle, desperate on both sides, and, as far as my be judged from the imperfect details which have reached us, creditable to the fighting qualities of both, the post capitulated, and the National colors took the place, on the ramparts, of the rebel rag.  The destruction of life and the lists of wounded are probably largely in excess of those of any previous contest of the war.  It could hardly be otherwise.  The opposing forces were strong in numbers, but while the assailants were more perilously exposed, the defenders, from their very numbers, cooped up as they were in lines where they were helpless to fight, and simply in the way of each other, must have suffered frightfully from the storm of shell and shot hurled upon them from that circumvallation of fire.  It was doubtless the terrible sacrifice of life to which they were subjected within the fort that prompted these daring sorties which the besiegers so gallantly repulsed.

Having this glorious result of the fight, we may well postpone the discussion of details.  With the capture of Fort Donelson, another of those mortal blows recently struck at the heart of the rebellion has been inflicted.  Nor are we to lose sight of the fact that nearly all of these victories come from the command of Gen. HALLECK.  Fort Henry captured, the loyalty of Tennessee brought to light, the surrender if Fort Donelson, the retreat of PRICE, from Springfield, and the report of this morning that CURTIS had overtaken his rear, had seized his baggage-train and more prisoners that he knew what to do with, show with what energy and how victoriously the commander of the Western Department is executing his part of the great programme.  These, with the retreat of JOHNSTON from before BUELL, relieve, practically, both Missouri and Kentucky from the rebel enemy, and lay bare the Tennessee  to the admission of these Union armies which shall bring liberation to its oppressed but loyal people.

While the war in the West is thus drawing to a close, the signs are not less significant in the East.  There is little doubt that in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, our forces are at this moment executing flank movements to the interior, which must effectually isolate the main rebel army in Eastern Virginia from its sources of supply.  It is clearly improbable for the rebels to hold their position at Manassas.  Their retreat must be a question of a few days—perhaps of a few hours.  There is but one reason for the evacuation of Bowling Green that is not valid for the evacuation of Manassas, and it is that no division of the Potomac army has been thrown forward to threaten an attack.  But such a threat is no longer necessary.  The news that Fort Donelson is in National hands; that the Tennessee river is open to our gunboats even to Muscle Shoals in Alabama; that the Cumberland can now be ascended to Nashville; that Memphis is in danger, and that the garrison of Columbus are for all practical purposes prisoners of war, must give that shock to the rebels near Washington which shall leave to its leaders an only alternative of withdrawing their army, or seeing it dissolve.  A retreat will be begun, but where will it end? Nowhere, we conceive short of the Gulf States.  The only pause at Richmond will probably be to witness the gloomy pageant of JEFF. DAVIS inaugurated as President, like a King crowned on his death-bed, or the succession of a Byzantine Emperor, when Byzantium itself was beleaguered and stormed by the Turks.  It will be in the Gulf States that the last stand of the rebels will be attempted.  But there our lines are already drawn tightly about them.  We hold the coast.  The blockade is pinchingly close.  What our gunboats and mortar-boats have done East and West they can do for every river and harbor on the Gulf.  Our troops will escape from the mud and the frosts of the Border States, to a theater of war, where for months to come the temperature is that of our Northern Summer, and where roads are settled, and military movements facile.  Indeed, of the resistance of the desperate traitors can be protracted through the Summer, a campaign in July and August would convey no discomfort to those who have experienced similar heats in our own latitudes; for the steady Southern Summer is far less intolerable that the varying temperatures of the North.

It is no extravagance, therefore, to say the rebellion has culminated.  Its settling must be as the flash of a meteor.  Had the illusory stimulus of the apparent victories of Bull Run and Ball’s Bluff been wanting; and had the certainty of the non-interference of France and England been earlier attained, the result must have been early reached.  After this, it certainly can[no]t be materially postponed.  The monster is already clutched and in his death struggle.

SOURCE: “The Victory on the Cumberland—The End in Sight,” The New York Times, New York, New York, Monday, February 17, 1862, p. 4.

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney, December 26-31, 1862

Received and answered home letters. Kept at my old duties of Com. Sergt., not very arduous. Delos went home, having received a telegram that his presence was needed there. They had a real family gathering of friends from east, south and west. Came back the 31st and made us most homesick. Wrote a letter, a good one too, to Will, intending to send it by C. G. F. but he did not let me know when he left, so I destroyed it, getting too old.

Well, the year as a whole has passed much more rapidly and pleasantly than I anticipated a year ago. To be sure I never could be satisfied to spend a life in such service, still I have rather enjoyed the life I have been leading, because a sense of duty prompted me to it. My sufferings have been light indeed.

Of one thing I am sure. Had I spent the year at home, though I would have enjoyed it much, I would have been a poor, frail, sickly boy longing for death to come quickly and suddenly. Nearly so I felt January last. I hoped that health would come quickly or that by the fate of war my life would be sacrificed. A lingering death I have always had a horror of. Even now did I know that my fate were to die of consumption 8 or 10 years hence or to be shot in battle in six months, I should prefer the latter I believe. In fact, I have no desire to live a frail dependent boy any length of time. I presume this feeling has influenced me greatly in going upon so many expeditions, when I have been where I need not have gone at all. I have felt that this time I can go as well as any one else and if I fall, the world loses nothing, if somebody else fell, the contrary. Still I never went where bullets were flying but I thought seriously of my past life, my preparation to die. Sometimes there would be a hesitation, but only for a minute.

February, Independence.

March, Platte City, Fort Scott.

April, Carthage, Horse Creek, Neosho, Cowskin Prairie.

May, Fort Scott, Tola.

June, On the march to Indian Territory.

July, Cabin Creek.

August, Fort Scott, Lone Jack.

September, Springfield, Mo.

October, Sarcoxie, Grandby, Newtonia, Coalbed.

November, Arkansas, Pea Ridge, Bentonville, Maysville, The Mills, Osage Springs, Jones Mills, Fayetteville, Tannery, Boonsboro, Boston Mountains, Cane 'Hill.

December, Fort Scott, Leavenworth, Ohio.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 51-2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 19, 1863

We have rumors of fighting this morning on the Rappahannock; perhaps the enemy is making another advance upon Richmond.

There was a grand funeral to-day, — Gen. D. R. Jones's; he died of heart disease.

Gen. Bragg dispatches that Brig.-Gen. Wheeler, with his cavalry, got in the rear of Rosecrans a few days ago, and burned a railroad bridge. He then penetrated to the Cumberland River, and destroyed three large transports and bonded a fourth, which took off his paroled prisoners. After this he captured and destroyed a gun-boat and its armament sent in quest of him.

We have taken Springfield, Missouri.

Rosecrans sends our officers, taken at Murfreesborough, to Alton, Ill., to retaliate on us for the doom pronounced in our President's proclamation, and one of his generals has given notice that if we burn a railroad bridge (in our own country) all private property within a mile of it shall be destroyed. The black flag next. We have no news from North Carolina.

Mr. Caperton was elected C. S. Senator by the Virginia Legisture on Saturday, in place of Mr. Preston, deceased.

An intercepted letter from a Mr. Sloane, Charlotte, N. C., to A. T. Stewart & Co., New York, was laid before the Secretary of War yesterday. He urged the New York merchant, who has contributed funds for our subjugation, to send merchandise to the South, now destitute, and he would act as salesman. The Secretary indorsed “conscript him,” and yet the Assistant Secretary has given instructions to Col. Godwin, in the border counties, to wink at the smugglers. This is consistency! And the Assistant Secretary writes “by order of the Secretary of War!”

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 241-2

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Tuesday, September 23, 1862

Up, dressed and work done and off at sunrise. Our course lay mostly through the woods till within nine miles of Springfield. Stopped at a splendid spring and lunched before striking the prairie. Capt. looked for cover and finally we camped there. Found plenty of peaches and hazelnuts. Archie, Chamberlain and I went with the Capt. in to Springfield. The 8 mile prairie looked more like civilization, good farms and farm houses. The highway to town reminded me of the road to Elyria. Enjoyed all well. All sociable. Passed the road from the north where Fremont's bodyguard charged down the lane. It was indeed interesting to be upon and see the ground where the brave fellows charged so nobly. Entered the village, passing encampments and entrenchments upon elevations on both sides of the road. Springfield a gay little place. Hotel full, stopped at a boarding house. Several officers there, music by them and one of their wives. Excellent. Humorous major.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 33

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Friday, September 19, 1862

In the morning went to the post commissary for provisions. Met on my return to camp the poor man we had prisoner, with his wife. I stopped and conversed with them. The woman at first seemed angry but she soon quieted. When I bid them goodbye, they invited me to call, if I ever came that way. At 4 P. M. left with detail of 60 men, Capt. Nettleton, Lieuts. Stewart and Niman for Springfield. Marched to the Drywood and encamped at 8 P. M. Lost the command and passed them and went through the woods.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 32

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: August 25, 1861

I believe the Secretary will resign; but “immediate” still lies on his table.

News of a battle near Springfield, Mo. McCulloch and Price defeat the Federals, killing and wounding thousands. Gen. Lyon killed.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 75

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to John Clark, December 16, 1862

Executive Office,

Davenport, Iowa, Dec. 16. 1862.

John Clark, Esq., State Agent,

Springfield, Mo.

Dear Sir: — I have just seen Col. Gifford, who returned night before last. He gives me a deplorable account of the condition of our boys at Springfield. I want you to stay in Missouri as long as you find it necessary. See the Medical Director, Gen. Curtis, Gen. Herron and every one else until you get our boys cared for. You need not be backward or mealy-mouthed in discussing the state of affairs, and in cursing everyone who wont do his duty. Talk right hard, and have our boys cared for. If hay and straw cannot be had, have Gen. Curtis send cots and mattresses, and call on the Sanitary Association of St. Louis for help and supplies.

Very truly,

SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 235

No Churches nor Schools

Our Excellent correspondent “Diff.” has on several occasions referred to the absence of school houses in the slave States which he has visited, and the consequent illiterate condition of the people.  A correspondent thus alludes to the same subject:

On coming to Rolla I was struck with the fact that there was neither church nor school-house in that town.  From there to Springfield, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, in which there are farming neighborhoods settled over twenty years, I saw but one church – a half finished building commenced by the Southern Methodists, and afterwards abandoned – and not a single school-house. – At Springfield there were indications of moral, religious and intellectual culture, (churches and academies, temporarily abandoned during the possession of the town by the rebels, some of them destroyed,) but from Springfield to Cassville there was not a church or school-house to be seen.  In Cassville, I think, there must have been some obscure place used for religious purposes, but it was not visible, nor distinguishable from the other houses.  From Cassville to this town, no church or school-house has met my eye.  In Galena, the county seat of Stone county, there is no such structure.  In Forsyth there is the same destitution of any outward signs of religion or education.  Is it any wonder that in such a region the rebellion should find adherents among an ignorant and prejudiced population?

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 2

From Missouri

TIPTON, MO., Jan 23.

The division under Gen. Davis has been much retarded by bad roads and swollen streams.  Wagons and artillery have sunk axel deep.  The Big Gravois, a stream ordinarily unimportant, was swollen beyond its banks, and occupied two days in crossing.  A sharp frost having set in on Thursday night the roads will now support teams, and if unimpeded by further obstacles the column will advance rapidly.

Gen. Prentiss with his command is advancing on Labanon, to combine with the forces under Gen. Davis.  Price though formidably menaced shows no signs of falling back, and from present appearances seems determined to give battle.  Should  he maintain his position, within two weeks Springfield will be the theatre of another bloody contest, such as has made that devoted place famous in the history of the war in Missouri.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3.

Advices received last night by train on the Pacific road state that the brigade of Gen. Davis was at Versailles, [Morgan] Co., Wednesday, proceeding, it is conjectured, to join Gen. Curtis at Labanon.

Gen. Palmer’s brigade at Laramie is reported under marching orders of Kentucky.

Gen. Sigel left Rolla yesterday for Lebanon.  The balance of his division will follow.

SEDALIA, Feb. 3.

A commission appointed for that purpose by Gen. Pope, have been sifting regiments at this point and discharging all unfit for service.

A column moved off to-day under Col. J. W. Fuller, of the 27th Ohio.

The telegram announcing the promotion of Col. Frank Steele to the rank of Brigadier General was received with great satisfaction by all troops here.  They believe him prompt, safe, appreciative and brave, and will follow him on the march on in the field with confidence and alacrity.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1

Troops Advancing On Springfield From Rolla And Sedalia

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

From Missouri

ROLLA, Jan. 27. – A gentleman who left his home in Green county, a few miles from Springfield, on Wednesday arrived here yesterday.  He says there are no entrenchments being built at Springfield and but little uneasiness is manifested by Price or his officers.  There is a general cry for reinforcements, and the rebels say they are on their way, but their accounts do not agree as to number.  He met a large number of federal troops at Lebanon, and our pickets were out several miles beyond that place.  A skirmish had taken place near Lebanon on the entrance of our troops and a rebel Captain killed and several men taken prisoners.  Government teams are constantly moving westward, but the roads are almost impassable owing to the depth of the mud.

OTTERVILLE, MO., Jan. 29. – The movement foreshadowed by the reparations for the past week has taken place.  One division, under the command of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis has already taken up its march for the South.  They left Versailles yesterday morning.  Their destination is supposed to be Springfield.

The division consists of five regiments, the 8th and 22d Indiana, the 37th Illinois and 9th Missouri accompanied by two potteries of 24 pieces and three companies of cavalry under command of Major Hubbard.  From the skill and energy of Gen. Davis important results are confidently predicted.

The next division under General Turner is expected to leave to-morrow or Friday.  They will probably cross on a parallel and more western line.

Emissaries from Price, bearing printed commissions, signed by him, are busily recruiting through all this section.  A number have been captured and brought in, upon whom the documents were found.  They are authorized to enlist for three to twelve months or during the war.

There are about fifty prisoners here, awaiting the order of the Provost Marshal General.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

From The Southwest

(Correspondence of the Missouri Republican.)

SPRINGFIELD, MO., March 29, 1862.

In all portions of the country, throughout Southwest Missouri, there is a great change taking place in the sentiments of the people. – The friends of the Federal Union are strengthened in their hopes of its full restoration to power and authority, and are enabled to avow their convictions openly and boldly.  Secession has become a by-word and a reproach among the inhabitants, and a general confidence is felt that the rebel army will never find a way into Missouri again.  Many thoughtless persons who have been in Price’s army are returning home, some of them quietly, hoping that no notice will be taken of their [treason],others coming, and giving themselves up to the military authorities, asking to be permitted to take the oath of allegiance and return to the peaceful avocations to which they were formerly accustomed.  All these returning rebels express their disgust with the rebellion as a future, and are now convinced that the Government of their fathers is a wise and beneficent one, and too powerful to be easily overthrown.

The night before we reached Springfield we stayed with an intelligent farmer, about eight miles from town, by the name of Piper.  He came from Virginia, and settled in this country twenty years ago.  Two of his sons are in the Union army, and one of them was wounded in the battle of Pea Ridge.  The latter is now home, recovering from his wounds, and gave me a few interesting particulars of the battle.  He was in Colonel Phelps’ regiment , Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry.  During the first two days this regiment was constantly in the fight, and many of them were wounded, or met a soldier’s death.  Every Captain in the regiment was either killed or wounded.  Young Piper spoke in terms of great admiration of Capt. John W. Lisenby, of Company D, his own Captain, with whom he stood side by side during the fight.  The first man that fell, Captain L. put his sword in its sheath, and picked up the man’s musket, using it till the cartridges were all gone.  Then waving his cap over his head, he cheered on his men until a ball struck him in the breast, and he fell to the earth.  His wound, however, was not fatal, and he will recover.  He is now in this city, being nursed and cared for by female friends.

Young Piper received a flesh wound in the thigh.  He fought on for some time after he was shot, feeling only a sting in his leg when he was struck, and only desisting when it became painful.  He says he exchanged several shots with his antagonist, both of them having discovered the other’s aim, and that, on his third shot, he saw him fall.

The parents of this young man are proud that their sons are serving the cause of the Union.  The old gentleman is a prosperous farmer, and although he has been repeatedly robbed by the secesh, his home is ever open to the weary soldier, who is never denied refreshment and rest.

At another house where we passed the night we found the mother of one of our wounded soldiers, a Mrs. Benton, rejoicing that her son had been found worthy to suffer for his country, and saying that his scars would be [an honorable] testimony to his loyalty hereafter.

Speaking of the regiment of Col. Phelps.  I forgot to mention the noble conduct of his wife before and during the late battle.  It is related of her that she went down to the headquarters of the army just before the fight, taking with her various articles of comfort, and among other things a lot of bandages, pieces of cotton, cloth, lint, &c., for dressing wounds.  She had not been there more than a few hours when the battle commenced, and very soon her benevolent exertions were called into requisition.

The soldier who related this states that for three days she was untiring in her personal efforts in aid of the surgeons, in dressing wounds and caring for the wounded.  Such noble and heroic conduct shows that we are not without our Florence Nightengales,

“The noblest types of good

Heroic womanhood.”

that can be found in any land.

It was Mrs. Phelps who had the body of Gen. Lyon decently buried on her husband’s farm, after the battle of Wilson’s Creek, when the rebels took possession of Springfield and in the hasty retreat of our little army, the body of the deceased Gen. Lyon was, by a mistake left behind.

Meeting Mr. Plattenburg, the agent of the Western Sanitary Commission, on his return from Cassville, I learned from him that he got safely and promptly through with the forty boxes of hospital stores for the wounded, and that the sheets, pillows, blankets, bandages, lint, jellies, wines, brandies, and other hospital stores were the very things needed, and came like the manna in the wilderness to our wounded men, no provision having been made for such an emergency.  Forty boxes more are now on the way at this point, to be shipped immediately to Cassville, and will all be needed.  It is purposed also to send some washing machines to the hospitals to facilitate the washing of the soiled clothing, for which it is very difficult to procure the requisite labor.  The labors of the Sanitary Commission have proven of immense value in securing better care and in providing necessary comforts for the wounded of our army, in which the rebel wounded have also shared.  Many lives have no doubt been saved through their instrumentality, and their disinterest and humane exertions will not be forgotten by a grateful people.

LEON.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

Rev. Marcus Arrington

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


See Also:

• Among the prisoners taken at Pea Ridge was . . .

Another Rebel Chief Captured

A Special to the Democrat from Rolla, March 12, says: Wild Billy Price, a desperate chief of a guerrilla band of rebels, has been taken prisoner and is now in custody at Springfield, Mo.  No further news from Curtis as yet.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Fidelity of a Contraband -- Story of a Refugee Family

A Union man named Smith has resided about six miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas, the owner of a tract of six hundred acres of land, with comfortable dwelling, stock, &c.  Obnoxious to the secessionists, his property was plundered by their foraging and other parties during the winter, his place being about a mile from McCulloch’s headquarters.  The family consisted of Mr. Smith, his wife and child, his mother-in-law, and also a brother-in-law, James Watkins and wife, married less than a year ago.  Besides these, Charley, the slave of Mr. Smith.

Upon the news of the approach of Curtis’ forces to Springfield, the secessionists began pursuing all the Union men to hang them, and Smith and Watkins fled, hoping to make their way to some of the Federal camps.  The women thus left, in fear of outrage and torture on their husbands’ account – if not death – left their home on the night of the 8th of February, with Charley as their guide and protector, leaving the aged mother and the child, who were unable to move.  On foot they wended their way, sleeping what they did sleep in the open air, upon such straw or litter as Charley could gather for them, and covered by the single blanket which he carried, and subsisting upon the food which he carried in a pair of saddlebags.  He would have been seized as marketable property belonging to a Union man, and the women regard their own jeopardy as something more than that of their lives.  If met or caught by the secessionists.  They traveled, he thinks, about eight miles the first day, (the women being feeble and one of them in a delicate situation,) fording creeks and avoiding the traveled roads.  On one occasion crossing a creek upon a log, one of the ladies fell in, and was with difficulty extracted by Charley, who as he said, “cooned it on de log,” so that his mistress got hold of him, and when she reached the bank he pulled her out.

Thus for nearly a week, foot-sore and with short and painful journeys, having no shelter and not seeing a fire, subsisting on the scant provisions which Charley carried, they slowly made their way until they met the advance guard of the Federal forces at Mudtown.  Here the ladies were at once cared for by the Colonel, while Charley was taken some miles on horseback to “Mister Sigell,” who examined him at great length, comparing his stories with his own maps of the country.  He was satisfied of Charley’s truthfulness, and gave him a pass for himself and the two ladies.

From this point conveyance was given them to Springfield and to Rolla, and they arrived in St. Louis on Friday night by rail – the faithful Charley still their servant, protector and friend.  He exhibited the various passes furnished him.  He speaks of them with the utmost affection.  “I brought dem children up,” said he, though not more than thirty seven years old himself.

Whether Messrs. Smith and Hopkins made their escape or not, the ladies do not know. – One of them fled from his house in his shirt sleeves, and no intelligence has been received from them.

Charley is a preacher, he says, and seems intelligent for his condition, and many in his bearing.  His wife, belonging to another master, was sold off into Louisiana some months ago, when they began to push the slaves off from that section in consequence of the troubles.

Charley is anxious now to get into Illinois, where he can find work to support these two ladies.  Says he is stout and has a good trade – “can lay brick or rock or work on de farm, and airn enough to keep them.”  They are staying at the Refugee Home, on Elm street.  Charley’s narrative is artless and exceedingly interesting.  Speaking of Mr. Smith, in answer to a question, he said, “He was a good master, but I don’t know whether he is alive or dead now.”  The noble friendship and almost heroic devotion of this slave to that family deserves the respect of all right minded persons, though he manifested not the least consciousness of any special merit. – {St. Louis Democrat.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2