Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck

Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri

Early and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens

 

 

 

 

Painting by Andy Thomas, “The Battle of Carthage” the scene was much the same during the Battle of Springfield

Andy’s web page:  www.andythomas.com

Chapter 11
Military History
Approved by Judge J. J. Gideon and Capt. George M. Jones

Part 8
The Battle of Springfield

When the year 1863 dawned on Greene county it found a quiet and assured people. The Federals had so long occupied Springfield and dominated the entire county and were so well fortified that they felt no apprehension for the immediate future. No Confederates had so much as threatened to molest them. But before the first week of the new year had passed the citizens were again alarmed as a result of rumors of an advancing host under stars and bars from the Arkansas line. In the northwestern corner of that state was encamped the Federal "Army of the Frontier," under Generals Schofield, Herron and Blunt. Springfield was the great military depot for a vast army, but there were comparatively few soldiers defending these valuable stores in Springfield, nearly all the available troops having been sent to the front, the garrison here being composed only of a detachment of companies of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cook, and temporarily located here were ten companies, numbering five hundred men of the Third Missouri State Militia, under Col. Walter King. The hospitals contained about five hundred sick and wounded, in charge of Surgeon S. H. Melcher; and about three hundred furloughed men and convalescents in camp in the north part of town awaiting their pay and transportation. At Ozark and other points nearby were detachments of Missouri State Militia which might be called in if given a few hours' notice. The two regiments of Enrolled Militia, under Colonels Boyd and Sheppard, were scattered about at their homes in Greene and surrounding counties. Egbert B. Brown of the Enrolled Missouri Militia, was in command of the district of Southwest Missouri, and under him was Col. Benjamin of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, who was in command of the post. [345]

“Don’t Yield an Inch”

Painting by Andy Thomas of Gen. Marmaduke leading Missouri troops against Union Forces during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.

To see more of Mr. Thomas’ wonderful paintings, visit his web page at:  www.andythomas.com

 

Gen. John S. Marmaduke, commanding a Confederate army at Louisburg and Pocahontas, Arkansas, learned of the valuable military stores at Springfield and of its weak garrison; in fact, the exact conditions here were laid before him by efficient spies. He believed that if a sudden concentration of forces could be effected and a swift march made, Springfield could be captured, the base of General Schofield's supplies would be broken, General Blunt would be forced to let go his hold on the Arkansas river and both himself and Herron would be compelled to abandon northwestern Arkansas and fall back under disadvantages; heavy reinforcements would have to be sent to this quarter, and it would take months of time and millions of dollars to repair the damage inflicted by this raid, if successful. However, General Marmaduke states in his official report that the object of his expedition into Missouri in January, 1863, was not primarily to capture Springfield, but that the purpose of the invasion was the harassing generally of the rear of the Federal army of the frontier, and to cause General Blunt's wing of that army to let go its hold on the Arkansas river and release a large portion of valuable territory to the Confederates; that an attempt at the capture of Springfield was not determined upon until after the expedition had crossed White river, and upon receipt of a knowledge of its condition from scouts and others, and that thus the attack on the place came up incidentally, or in secondary order. In so far as causing General Blunt to fall back from the Arkansas and effecting the prime object of his expedition, General Marmaduke claims it was a success, as General Blunt did fall back.

Marmaduke divided his little army into two columns. One, under Col. Joseph C. Porter, was to move from Pocahontas, Arkansas, and, coming by way of Hartville and Marshfield, was to be in the neighborhood of Springfield on the east by the evening of January 10th. Porter's forces consisted of the cavalry regiments of Colton Green and Burbridge and a battalion or two, besides eight hundred men in all. The main column, under the immediate command of Marmaduke himself, consisted of Col. Joe Shelby's brigade composed of Shelby's old regiment, then led by Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, of Lafayette county; Col. Gideon Thompson's regiment, Colonel Jeans' regiment, Col. Ben Elliott's battalion, Col. Emmett McDonald's battalion, and Capt. R. A. Collins' battery of two pieces, the entire brigade numbering not far from two thousand men. Shelby's brigade, one of the finest force of soldiers Missouri ever sent out, numbered eighteen hundred men, and McDonald's command numbered two hundred men. All the forces, including Porter's, were mounted. Shelby's brigade was to leave Louisburg, Arkansas, come north into Taney county, Missouri, surprise and attack the Federal forces at Forsyth and Ozark, push them out of the way and join Porter's command south of Springfield on January 10th. [345-346]

SCOUTS WARN GENERAL BROWN.

A scouting party, composed of detachments of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia and of the Seventy-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, all under command of Capt. Milton Burch, of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, returned hastily to Springfield on the evening of January 7th and reported to General Brown that a force of Confederates, perhaps six thousand in number, was fast marching on Springfield from Lawrence Mill, Taney county, and from Dubuque, Arkansas. General Brown sent out swift messengers who called up the Enrolled Militia under Colonel Johnston—the Twenty-sixth regiment, Colonel Sheppard's Seventy-second regiment, and Col. Marcus Boyd's Seventy-fourth regiment, ordering them to concentrate immediately at Springfield. Word was also sent to detached companies in Dade, Lawrence, Webster counties, and to Cassville and Mt. Vernon. Springfield was at once a scene of feverish activity, and every possible preparation was made. Every soldier that could use a weapon was called out, and all of the citizens belonging to the militia were mustered. Even the sick and wounded soldiers who were able to leave their beds were organized into companies by Surgeon Melcher, who distributed muskets to them. They formed what was later frequently called the "Quinne Brigade," service. Capt: C. B. McAfee, of the Third Missouri State Militia, and others organized the transient soldiers. At this time Fort No. 4, on South street, but although far from being "able-bodied" they did efficient and heroic was without artillery. Early in the evening Surgeon Melcher, in charge of the post hospital, and Col. B. O. Carr, chief quartermaster of the Army of the Frontier, called on General Brown and from him first learned of the danger. General Brown, after some solicitation, consented that these men should assist in the defense. Doctor Melcher suggested the importance of supplying artillery to Fort No. 4, and when General Brown said that he had none available, the doctor replied: "There are three old iron guns, two twelve-pounders and a six pounder, lying on the ground down by the Presbyterian church; they can be rigged up and shot off once apiece anyway, and that will help scare, if nothing more." The general finally told him to go ahead and get them in position. Soon afterwards Doctor Melcher went through the hospital and found Lieut. Joseph Hoffman, of Backoff's battery, First Missouri Artillery, and also a sergeant and seven pirates of the same regiment. The nine artillerymen readily volunteered to take charge of the guns and serve them as best they could under the circumstances. Colonel Carr secured the front wheels of three army wagons for gun-carriages. The cannons were fastened to the axles with chains, while carpenters made trail-pieces, blocks and wedges as substitutes for elevating screws and in a few hours the guns were well mounted and in position, supplied with ammunition and manned by the boys from the First Missouri and some other volunteers. Sergt. Christian Mindener, of Battery L, First Missouri Artillery, had charge of one of the guns. Fort No. 1 was occupied by a considerable detachment of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, another detachment was in Fort No. 2. The detachments of the Third, Fourth and Fourteenth Missouri State Militia were stationed west, east and south of the town watching the roads. General Brown did not have enough troops to make a successful defense, and the east part of town along and on both sides of St. Louis street, was almost wholly unprotected. It was believed that the Confederates knew the situation perfectly, that they would swoop down from the eastward and gain the center of the city in a few minutes in the first charge, so there was considerable excitement and apprehension on the part of both citizens and soldiers. It is said that General Brown first wanted to retreat, but in later years he denied that he or anyone else, go far as he knew, desired to retreat, especially after the Confederates had arrived. Other officers, among whom were Colonels Sheppard and Boyd, thought it might be necessary to surrender the town, but they did not wish to do so without first making a fight. Colonel Crabb and Lieutenant-Colonel Cook declared that if it came to the worst all should repair to Fort No. 1 and behind its strong, walls keep up the fight until re-inforcements came. It is no doubt true that General Brown, who was never regarded as a very efficient and courageous officer, was on this occasion especially flustrated and irresolute, and was in very perturbed state of mind throughout the night, declaring one minute that he would retreat, and the next that he would fight. Colonels Sheppard and Boyd, whose homes were here, were determined not to retreat or yield without first having tried in vain to stem the onrush of the dashing Marmaduke and Shelby. In the meantime Surgeon Melcher had made the rounds of the hospitals, calling for volunteers, and about three hundred men were obtained, and they were organized into companies of fifty each and placed under the command of nurses and stewards and disabled commissioned officers. Then they were marched to the arsenal and furnished with arms and ammunition. Doctor Melcher set his cooks preparing provisions, and each of the convalescents was supplied with food in their haversacks, their various medicines, and sent out to the skirmish line. Gen. E. B. Brown was very skeptical of the services of these men, but after the war he made the following statement, in part, regarding the character and importance of Doctor Melcher and his "Quinine Brigade:" [346-348]

During the attack of General Marmaduke, Doctor Melcher organized the convalescents under his control into military companies, who, acting under his direction, did very efficient duty in the battle and greatly assisted in the defense of the post, and thereby saved several millions of dollars to the government of the United States in military stores deposited at Springfield for the use of the Army of the Frontier, then in northwest Arkansas. I have always been and am still of the opinion that, as my command was composed entirely of irregular troops and militia, without the aid and assistance of Doctor Melcher, I could not have defended the post.

All through the night and in the early morning hours the enrolled militia kept coming in many of them, who came from Taney county confirmed the report of the approach of the Confederates. The wild rumors still flew and the citizens of Springfield, especially the Union families, were thrown almost into a panic, for they were led to believe that the town would be captured by the enemy and that those who were Union sympathize would be severely dealt with, and their property seized. On the other hand, the Southern families were much pleased at the prospect of a return of the army that would bring back many Greene county men who were serving under the stars and bars. It will be remembered that the women in those stirring times were practically all violent partisans and were very pronounced in their views, whichever side they favored. Many of the citizens left town, or at least moved from the vicinity of the forts nearest the center of town; some took refuge in their cellars, all hid their money and valuables.  It was one of the worst nights of excitement, alarm and terror that Springfield had yet had. [348]

THE MARSHALLING OF ARMS AT MARMADUKE'S APPROACH.

January 8th dawned on a stirring scene in Springfield, mounted couriers ran their horses through the streets, the commands of officers were heard on the still wintry air small squads of troops were coming in from all sides from the country—everybody was active and most were nervous and foreboding. At daylight there came wildly galloping into town the detachment of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia which had been stationed at Ozark, and reported that Marmaduke, Shelby, Emmett McDonald and other Southern chieftains had attacked them at their post shortly before midnight, drove them out, burned their fort and were still chasing them; they said they had ridden hard half the night and had noted the movements of the enemy and that he was evidently intending to strike Springfield. General Brown now no longer hesitated and began earnestly to prepare for the fight which he knew he must face. He sent Capt. Green B. Philips' Company of Colonel Boyd's Regiment to Fort No. 4, where the "Quinine Brigade" and volunteer artillerymen under Lieutenant Hoffman, had already been stationed. A two-story brick college building stood near Grand avenue and Market street which had been used by the garrison as a military prison. It now contained about fifty Confederates, who were taken out and placed in the county jail, and although General Brown ordered that the building be filled with Soldiers, by some oversight this was not done. The cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Walter King, of the Third State Militia, were stationed in the southeastern part of town. To the right of the cavalry and to the left of the fort was a detachment of the "Quinine Brigade." Most of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry was at Fort No. 1 and as the Seventy-fourth regiment, under Colonel Boyd, came in it was sent to join the Iowa troops, with the exception of Company C, under Captain Phillips. About one hundred men of the Eighteenth Iowa had been sent to Fort No. 2 with part of the "Quinine Brigade." Colonel Sheppard's regiment, the Seventy-second, numbering two hundred and thirty-eight men, were awaiting orders at the public square. Captain McAfee organized some men from the convalescent camps, and volunteers armed them and reported to General Brown for duty, and were assigned to the arsenal—the church building of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, on South street, and which at that time was piled full of tons of ammunition of all kinds, cartridges, shot and shell, and hundreds of stands of arms. General Brown ordered Captain McAfee to prepare oil, shavings and other inflammables, and be ready to set fire to and blow up the arsenal and magazine, when ordered to, if it was seen that the town must fall into the enemy's hands. Only one battalion of the Fourth Missouri State Militia was present, commanded by Col. George H. Hall, of St. Joseph, and under him was Maj. Douglas Dale. According to Doctor Melcher just as the last company of convalescents was being armed, the skirmishing began. Just then a company of citizens, forty-two in number, came running up and asked to be furnished with arms and ammunition. They were quickly supplied, assigned to duty with the "Quinine' Brigade" and fought gallantly throughout the day in Fort No. 4 and in the vicinity of that fort. [349]

It was Marmaduke's plan to make the march in silence and take the Federals by surprise. His movements were unobserved from Louisburg, Arkansas, to the crossing of White river, at Dubuque. Porter was to come in from the eastward and brush away the small Union garrisons at Hartville and elsewhere and prevent their forming in the rear, and, knowing that this would delay his progress, Marmaduke and Sheby were to move leisurely and give the other column plenty of time to reach Springfield at the time agreed upon. But the unexpected happened at Dubuque when a small scouting party was encountered, which preferred to stand its ground and put up stubborn fight rather than run away from the advance of Shelby's brigade, Elliott's battalion, and at the same time ascertained the character and size of the Confederate force and its probable destination, then hurried away to give the alarm, turning about and watching from time to time, all the while keeping swift messengers on the way to Springfield. After the skirmish at the ford, Marmaduke knew that he would be compelled to reach his destination by forced march, reaching Springfield in twenty-four hours if possible. He started messengers across the country to inform Porter of the delay and change in program and to order him to turn squarely across the country by the first road that run eastward and be at Springfield by the evening of the 8th at the latest; but the roads that wound through the mountainous country were little better than rocky trails and the messengers found it difficult to travel swiftly and they failed to find Porter, who passed on with his force unaware of any change in the original plan.

It was Captain Birch, with a detachment of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia from Ozark, to ascertain the truth regarding the rumored invasion, and it was his troops that came upon a Confederate lieutenant and two men near the ford at White river, the Southerners having been left sick in a house by the roadside. From them Birch learned that the Confederates were coming up in formidable numbers, led by such dashing chieftains as the austere Marmaduke, Shelby, of fighting Kentucky blood, and the long-haired, fearless McDonald, and all impatient to fight. Captain Birch lost no time in starting back north to the Federal post at Lawrence Mills, on Beaver creek, in the northwestern part of Taney county, where Major Turner, with seventy-five Taney and Douglas county men, members of the Seventy-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, formed a garrison in a little block-house and fort. Major Turner was warned of his danger by Birch, the latter advising him to evacuate the post and go on to Ozark. Turner was an old man, had been long in the service, but was reluctant to believe that anything larger than a small Confederate force of bushwhackers was in the surrounding country, and he made no efforts to retreat or to fight. He had scarcely delivered his opinion of the true state of affairs regarding the invasion when the Confederate advance began firing on his pickets, and in a few moments Emmett McDonald, with five hundred cavalry, dashed up and assaulted the block-house and everything in it and around it, the invaders yelling like blood-thirsty Comanches. Turner's men made scarcely a show of resistance until they scampered through the woods toward Ozark; five of them were killed, many wounded, among them being Major Turner himself, and very soon nearly all of them were prisoners, but paroled at once and in a few minutes more McDonald was dashing away with his men to rejoin Marmaduke's main column, which had come on the main Yellville road, leaving Forsyth to the left and west, and striking straight for Ozark and Springfield. McDonald had been sent to crush the post on Beaver creek and prevent it from forming and following in the rear. He did his work well. [350-351]

SHELBY REACHES OZARK.

General Shelby's brigade reached Ozark on the evening of the 7th, where a stop of more than an hour was made to rest and eat supper. About midnight the advance galloped into Ozark, where the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia had hastily abandoned the post, and gone on to Springfield. The fort and blockhouse were burned, and a few prisoners taken, and the column moved on with Shelby and Marmaduke at the head, with Elliott's battalion on the main road to Springfield. A few prisoners were gathered along the way, mainly members of the militia. The advance reached the Phelps farm, which the southeastern part of the city now covers, and where still may be seen the historic elm under which General Lyon was first buried. Porter had not come up. A discussion ensued between Marmaduke and Shelby as to whether they should wait for him or attack the town at once, but meanwhile they kept the place closely invested. Marmaduke later stated that his delay in attacking the town was occasioned by his waiting for Emmett McDonald and his battalion more particularly than for Porter, although he incidentally admitted that he might have been waiting for both. But shortly after nine o'clock a line of battle was formed. Some skirmishers from the militia, advancing through some undergrowth, were discovered, fired on and stopped, many being severely wounded. Preparations were at first made to ascertain the Federal strength at the southeast corner of their position on the St. Louis road and Gid Thompson's regiment was swung around to the right. In the edge of the timber, two miles from the public square, Marmaduke formed his line for the attack. Thompson's regiment held the right; Shelby's regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, held the left; Jeans' regiment, commanded by Lieut. Charles Gilkey, and Collins' battery were in the center. These troops were all dismounted. Elliott's and McDonald's battalions continued to operate as cavalry, Elliott to the right, and McDonald to the left. The lines were formed in the open prairie, under fire. Marmaduke evidently made a serious blunder here. General Brown and his staff had been led to believe that the Confederate force numbered between five thousand and six thousand men, and consequently the invaders were greatly feared. Now, Marmaduke came up in sight of the Federals, displaying plainly his whole force, showing that he had but a few hundred men more than the town contained. This gave courage to Brown and his men, who now determined to fight to the last ditch. [351-352]

When General Brown became certain that the Confederate attack was to be made from the south, early in the morning, he ordered a number of houses burned in that section of town which obstructed the range and sweep of the guns of Fort No. 4, on South street. Twelve buildings were destroyed, half of which belonged to Mrs. J. A. Stephens, widow of the Union citizen killed by Zagonyi's men when they rode into Springfield after the fight with Colonel Frazier's force. Another house destroyed belonged to W. P. Davis, who was at the time in the Federal service. The expediency of this action has been questioned, but Brown thought it necessary to prevent a lodgment of the enemy in his immediate front, and the harassment of his best position. But whether the destruction of these houses was a military necessity or not, they should have been paid for by the government, which, so far as can be learned, never were. The flames added to excitement of the citizens, many of whom began packing up and leaving quickly as possible for the sheltering walls of Fort No. 1.

The Third Missouri, under Col. Walter King, and the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, numbering over six hundred men, were to the north and south of St. Louis street. Near the public square a huge steam boiler and other obstructions were placed across the street. [352]

THE BATTLE BEGINS.

A force of Confederate cavalry, Elliott's battalion, had been sent to feel the way and to learn if the route into the city by St. Louis street and down the valley of Jordan creek was practical. This force soon confronted King's regiment and a sharp skirmish ensued, the Confederates falling back. King's force then charged and drove the invaders well back onto the prairie, but fearing he would be cut off, did not follow far. King returned to his original position and began firing at long range upon all Confederates in his front, and finally made another successful charge; however, the forces did not come close together and little damage was done either side. Here Marmaduke made another serious mistake. Had he concentrated his entire force upon the east and southeast and made a determined charge he could have broken King's line easily and gained the public square in a few minutes. The force he sent was entirely too small to be successful. On the other hand, the Federals made a display of all their force in that quarter and fought well, did a great deal of marching and counter-marching which had the desired effect to make the Confederates believe that there was a very powerful force in their front. The entire Confederate force was then formed to the southeast, where the troops waited for the order to advance, which was finally made without first a demand for the surrender of the town, or notification to remove the women and children, a circumstance unfavorably commented upon by the Unionists. General Shelby moved up the two guns belonging to his brigade, and ordered their commander, Capt. R. A. Collins, to open on the town and Fort No. 4. Collins was very soon throwing shells in rapid succession into Fort No. 4 and near the public square with great precision. One shot pierced the Lyon House, later the Southern Hotel, which stood just south of the present Methodist church on South street. Two others struck the old St. Paul's church, just across the street, then occupied as an arsenal and guarded by Captain McAfee's men. It was not long until the old iron guns of Fort No. 4 began replying to those of Collins and for a time there was quite a free interchange of metallic compliments between Lieutenant Hoffman and Dick Collins. Captain Phillips' company of Marcus Boyd's regiment of militia and convalescents in the fort also began firing with their muskets at long range. Collins was throwing solid shot, while Hoffman was throwing shell, as he had howitzers. Then came a lull in the fighting, about eleven-thirty o'clock, and Marmaduke conferred with his officers, who examined the field in front with their field-glasses, and after a great deal of riding about and consultation, they finally agreed to assault the Federal works from the south and southwest. Being near-sighted, General Marmaduke could tell about the position of his enemy, but approved plan of attack, which was at once begun. [353]

Meanwhile the troops had been drawn up in line and dismounted. Depriving his men of their horses at such a moment was another thing for which Marmaduke has been censured, for Shelby's men were true cavalrymen and could give much better account of themselves upon their splendid horses, in which they took great pride, and very reluctantly did they abandon their steeds. During this interval the Federals were also maneuvering. Some of King's men and the Fourth Missouri State Militia were moved out upon the Fayetteville road, and then to the north of that thoroughfare, in the Southwest quarter of town. The Seventy-second regiment of militia was also up from the public square to the Fayetteville road, for General Brown was now fully convinced that an attack was to be made in that quarter. As the troops were hurried from one part of town to another there was a great deal of galloping about on the part of officers and loud commands to the troops as they were shifted about in "double-quick" time. The route from the main part of town to Fort No. 1 was also thronged with fugitives tramping back and forth from their homes carrying over their most valuable articles for safety. Lieutenant Creighton was in charge of the arsenal proper and he issued muskets to many Union citizens organized by Doctor Melcher, who were willing to fight in defense of the town and who had asked for arms. But every man who had an order for a gun had to sign a receipt for it when it was given him. This proceeding required so much time that Captain McAfee interfered, drove Creighton away, after which he gave guns to those who asked for them as fast as he could hand them out. He was of the opinion that with a dangerous foe thundering at the gates of the town and people clamoring for a chance to defend them it was a time to dispense with all red-tape proceedings.

GENERAL BROWN IS WOUNDED.

General Brown was shot from his horse about three o'clock in the afternoon, while at the corner of South and State streets, while standing there with some of his staff, having ridden out for the purpose of encouraging his men. His arm was broken above the elbow, and later a piece of bone was taken out. He immediately went to the rear and Doctor Melcher, dressed his arm and saved it from amputation, the operation being counted one of the most skillful in the surgical annals of the war. By a written order he at once turned over the command of the Federal troops engaged it defending the town to Colonel Crabb. However, he did not leave the service until several months later, and commanded the forces sent against Joe Shelby in his raid the following autumn. Most of the Union officers and men alike had little faith in General Brown's military ability or courage as a fighter, but the Confederates gave him great credit for courage and good conduct at the battle of Springfield. After the war Major Edwards, in his book entitled "Shelby and His Men,"' said of him, in part, as follows: [354]

General Brown made a splendid fight for his town, and exhibited conspicuous courage and ability. He rode the entire length of Shelby's brigade, under a severe fire, clad in bold regimentals, elegantly mounted and ahead of all, so that the fire might be concentrated on him. It was reckless bravado, but General Brown gained by one bold dash the admiration and respect of Shelby's soldiers. As he rode along the front of the brigade two hundred voices were heard above the crashing muskets, "Cease firing—don't shoot that man—let him go—let him go." I take pleasure in paying this tribute to a brave and generous officer.

WHEN THE FIGHTING IS FIERCEST.

The dismounted Confederate troops began moving around to the southwest part of town about two o'clock in the afternoon. One of the guns of Collins' battery was also sent to that quarter, took up a position a little to the west of Market street and opened on the Seventy-second Infantry in its front with grape and canister. Previously Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the Seventy-second, had made a reconnaissance down in the brush by the Fayetteville road but found no enemy. Now Collins' second gun was brought up and placed near the first. It was about two-thirty o'clock when the battle in earnest, the Confederates advancing from the south towards the north and northwest, coming up the little valley at the foot of South and Campbell streets, and sweeping over the ground to the westward. A group of houses in that vicinity was called "Dutchtown," and the invaders soon passed through this quarter, taking the houses and their out-buildings for shelter as they advanced upon the stockaded college building, which had been inadvertently left unguarded, and captured it without losing a man, beating down and driving backward the Seventy-second Infantry pushing on slowly from house to house, from street to street until the Seventy-second was forced back to College street, running west from the public square, and they were along West Walnut street. A portion of Jeans' regiment, under Gilkey, and some of Gordon's troops, in front of Fort No. 4, which they intended storming, when a good opportunity offered, but Lieutenant Hoffman's gunners served their old iron cannon so vigorously, and the "Quinine Brigade" kept up such a continuous musket fire that all attempts to assault the fort was given up, and the Confederates drifted westward and over about the old cemetery, about which some of the hardest fighting of the day took place. Fort No. 4 kept up an incessant fire, as did its supports also, and Sheppard and Jones rallied the Seventy-second regiment and advanced against the enemy, driving them across and a little to the south of Mt. Vernon street. At the same time a squad of volunteers among the convalescents hurried from the arsenal to the corner of Market and Mt. Vernon streets and took possession of the Toney residence, from which point of vantage they opened on the Confederates in front. The house was riddled with bullets and nine of the convalescents were found weltering in their blood about this dwelling when the fight was over. Many dead of both sides were also found lying about the vacant lot just east of the Toney residence. [355]

For more than an hour lively skirmishing was kept up between Shelby's troops—Gordon's and Thompson's regiments—and Sheppard's Seventy-second Infantry and the convalescents, and finally about four o'clock five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry came up from Fort No. 1 and went into position along the Fayetteville road, and opened a galling fire on the enemy in that quarter. Three times a detachment of Shelby's troops, who were trying to get a position to the right or west of the Federal line, were charged and driven back by the cavalry on that flank which had been stationed there early in the day, to prevent the turning of the Federal right. Meanwhile Marmaduke's men in the stockade poured a murderous fire at every blue coat within range, and an attempt to drive them out was soon abandoned, the officers seeing that it would be a useless waste of life.

In Fort No. 1 were two six-pound brass field pieces, one of which was manned and supported by detachments from the Eighteenth Iowa, under Capts. John A. Landis. William R. Blue and Joseph Van Meter, and had been brought over to strengthen the Federal right just before the Confederates made their grand charge, and it went into position on State street, a little east of Campbell, and to the east and south of the cemetery, and opened with canister on Shelby's brigade. It had no sooner done so than a battalion of Gilkey's men, under Maj. John Bowman and a part of Gordon's regiment, under Captain Titsworth, started straight for this gun, bent on capture at any cost, and after a short but hard fight hauled it away in triumph, having driven back its supporters to the fort, through and beyond the cemetery. Here occurred the severest conflict of the day. Major Bowman dashed up and ordered Captain Landis to surrender; the latter refused and ordered Bowman to surrender. The major instantly fired, the ball taking off the captain's shoulder strap. But simultaneously a shot from Landis' revolver struck Major Bowman just below the heart. A fierce fight followed, in which Captains Blue and Van Meter were mortally wounded, several of their men killed, and Captain Landis and a score of Iowans were wounded severely, while Marmaduke lost Captain Titsworth, Lieutenant Buffington and Lieutenant McCoy, five men killed and twenty wounded, including Lieut. Maurice Langhorne. The gunner, with the primers of the piece in his possession, ran to the rear, thus preventing the enemy from using the cannon for some time, and it was hauled off to the rear by hand. When the Confederates started on the charge some of the Iowa troops remarked that they should get away as quickly as possible or they would be captured by the wearers of the gray. At this Captains Blue and Van Meter at once drew their revolvers and threatened to shoot the first men who started to retreat, and so saved their reputation for bravery, but lost their gun and their lives. Captain Blue died bravely, shooting down three of his assailants before he himself fell. Captain Van Meter fought almost as well; in fact, every officer of the Iowans fought until they were stretched upon the ground with fearful bullet wounds. Captain Blue died four days later and Captain Van Meter died six days later. Their remains now repose in the National cemetery here. Maj. John Bowman, the gallant Confederate, died two days after the fight. He was removed by his men to a farm house half a mile east of Phelps homestead, where two of his men vainly tried to save his life, remaining with him until the last. [356-357]

SHELBY LEADS FINAL CHARGE.

General Shelby led a gallant charge on Fort No. 4 at five o'clock, as the winter day twilight was settling down. Jeans' regiment and Elliott's battalian advanced under cover of the houses, fences and hedges to within one hundred yards of the fort, opened a brisk fire and made a desperate effort to fight their way in. But they were just as stubbornly resisted by Captain Phillips' company of militia, the detachments of the Eighteenth Iowa and the convalescents, opened such a rapid and deadly fire of small arms that the Confederates were driven back, and the attempt to take the fort was a disastrous failure. Meantime, Collins' battery continued thundering away at the town until dark, many shot and shell falling into the midst of the town, but did not cause much serious damage. One shot passed through the office of the Missourian, a newspaper published on South street, and a number of residences and other buildings were struck, but the inhabitants had already secreted themselves in Fort No. 1 and no one was injured. As long as daylight lasted the charging and counter-charging, shooting and skirmishing continued, and even after dark there was desultory firing until midnight. From eight o'clock until late at night, Lieutenant Hoffman kept up a cannonade from Fort No. 4 on the different portions of the Confederate position. However, there was no serious fighting after dark. The Confederates were now in two wings, which formed a very obtuse angle, the point of the angle resting on the stockade and the right arm or Confederate left, extended in a southwesterly direction along the Fayetteville road. The left arm of the Confederate right ran in a southeasterly direction across State street, through "Dutchtown," and past a blacksmith shop, out into the open prairie.

In this position Marmaduke decided to wait until morning, hoping that during the night Porter would come in or at least send some word ahead. The skirmishing ceased about midnight, and soon thereafter the Confederate withdrew to the prairie, and at one o'clock on the morning of the 9th a venturesome party of Federals found the stockade abandoned, and they speedily took possession. Some of Sheppard's regiment also advanced about midnight some distance to the southward of Mt. Vernon street, finding no enemy. Details worked all night gathering up the dead and wounded, and bearing the latter to the hospitals. Anticipating a renewal of the attack the next morning the Federals spent the night in preparing for it, but everything was quiet when the day: dawned. Officers, with their field-glasses, mounted to the top of the court house and observed the Confederates in motion to the southeast of town and in the vicinity of Phelps' farm, but the Federals could not determine whether they were preparing for another attack or for retreat. Gradually they moved away, and the Federal line, which had been prepared for either attack or defense, moved forward. They soon decided that the battle was over and they had won the victory and saved the town, with its valuable stores. It was not long until the Union prisoners came in, and a message from Marmaduke was received asking that the wounded of his company be cared for and that the dead be buried. He had released the prisoners on parole. Among them was Judge J. H. Shaw who, with others, had been captured east of town when the early advance was made. There was mingled joy and sadness, for the victory had come at considerable loss to the Federal cause. It was found that besides their commander-in-chief being badly wounded, together with two gallant Iowa captains, Major Graves, of the militia, had been mortally wounded; Lieutenant McCroskey of the Seventy-second regiment, had been killed, and Major Hornbeak, of the same regiment, wounded; in fact, the hospitals were literally filled with the Federal wounded, officers and privates, while the Confederates were piled as thick as they could be in Owens' residence in the south part of town and in other houses. The citizens began to return from Fort No. 1 to their homes, and to come out of their cellars. Colonel Crabb was satisfied with safety of the town and made no attempt to pursue the retreating Confederates, who were now moving away on the "wire road" toward Marshfield. Some feared a renewal of the attack, as the prisoners had learned and reported the presence of Porter's command not far from the eastern outskirts of the town. The cavalry was ready for the order to advance if such a move was deemed best, but only a reconnaissance to the east and south about a mile from town was made. As the morning wore away order was again restored and all felt comparatively safe again.

THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT IN THE BATTLE.

To give a detailed account of the part played by each of the commands in the battle of Springfield would far transcend the purposes of this chapter. [357-358]

However, it is deemed proper to give at some length the part played by the Seventy-second regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia, since it was called the Greene county regiment and was largely officered and composed of Greene county men. Its colonel, Henry Sheppard, and its lieutenant-colonel, Fidelio S. Jones, both of Springfield, led the regiment in person, and they proved efficient and courageous officers. This regiment numbered, all told, officers privates, two hundred and fifty-three men, represented in Companies A, B, D, E, F, G, H, and I, Company C, under Captain Stone and Company K, under Captain Moore, being absent. At daylight on the morning of the 8th, the regiment was formed on the public square. At about eleven o'clock it was on East St. Louis street to repel the expected attack from that quarter. Later it was sent at high speed out on the Fayetteville road. Between two and three o'clock and when Shelby's men made their grand charge it lay along State street, to the right and south of the palisaded college building. The men were hurried from place to place over town until they were nearly exhausted before they had an opportunity to fire a shot. General Brown had but comparatively few troops and these he showed everywhere. When the main fight took place Sheppard's regiment was on the right and a little in front of the Federal line, unsupported by artillery or reserves, with two hundred cavalry to the right and rear, north of the Fayetteville road. The Confederate advance was dismounted and in two lines. It was composed of some of the best fighting men of either army. Shelby's brigade won and deserved an excellent name for its dash, coolness, bravery and gallantry in action.

Col. Henry Sheppard, in his report of the engagement, stated that the Confederates advanced in a line of convex shape, the point nearly opposite Fort No. 4, and the wings were out. The line rapidly concentrated when near State street, advanced with a rush through "Dutchtown" and the brush-wood and the gardens westwardly cheering and shouting and pouring a hot fire upon the Seventy-second regiment, which he had formed along the Fayetteville road, or State street, and behind fences, near the Worley residence. The men were lying down, but their curiosity to see what was coming caused every head to bob up and become a fair target. They now began to return the fire and a spirited fight was soon in progress. In the midst of the rattle of musketry and the duller crack of revolvers and all of the noise of battle, a calf attempted to run the gauntlet of flying bullets, and a loud, piteous bawling when wounded. One of the boys of the Seventy-second sprang up and shouted to the advancing host in gray: "You had better take care of our calf." This caused a shout of laughter, which rose clearly over all the din of the fight. Shelby's men dashed on, using their revolvers with serious effect, and the militia endeavored to move back a little, occasioning considerable disorder, the men losing their numbers and began to mix up. It looked as if they might break and flee to the rear, Colonel Sheppard and Lieutenant-colonel Jones re-formed and renumbered them under fire, and induced them to hold their ground. By this time regiment had lost heavily. Major Hornbeak was wounded Lieutenant Croskey was killed, Lieutenant Lane's leg was shot nearly off, and the and halt and maimed were already thick, and growing thicker every minute. Soon the regiment was again in disorder, wavered a moment and gave way, the men turning to the rear and seeking safer positions. Colonel Sheppard made a desperate effort to stop them, ordered, shouted, threatened them until his voice failed him. Lieutenant-Colonel Jones had lost his horse and was nearly exhausted as a result of his strenuous efforts to hold the men in line. Although badly wounded, Major Hornbeak also struggled vigorously to rally the men. The commander of the militia and his staff came up, and the officers exhorted and threatened with drawn swords and revolvers, but the militiamen paid little heed to any of them and continued to give ground until they got under cover of the little hill that slopes down to the little creek and stopped along College street, re-formed and began loading their muskets. However, one squad, led by a commissioned officer, went on to Fort No. 1, reporting that they were ordered to do so. At this time Maj. A. C. Graves was mortally wounded while trying to rally the men of the Seventy-second. When all was in readiness, Colonel Sheppard and Lieutenant-Colonel Jones ordered the regiment to advance toward the south, from whence it had come. With a shout it moved forward as readily as it had moved to the rear a few minutes previously. Some of the more daring of Shelby's troops had by this time reached Walnut street, firing at whatever they saw. They were driven away by the militia and pushed on up the hill to Mt. Vernon street, where they gained the shelter of the houses, fences, trees and in this position the fight continued until nightfall, the Confederates holding the college building and the line of houses and fences west of it, with Collins' battery in the rear, near the Worley residence. The college building was a strong position, being a substantial brick structure and surrounded on the east, south and west sides with strong palisades of stout logs, driven deep in the ground, and pierced with numerous port holes. Failure to occupy this splendid position in the early stages of the battle was one of the principal blunders of the day on the part of the Federals. [359-360]

COLONEL SHEPPARD'S ACCOUNT.

We quote the following paragraph from an account of the fight by Colonel Sheppard:

When night came on my men were placed in the line of buildings immediately west of the Baptist church in the Hornbeak home—a brick house—also at the Methodist Episcopal church, South (then the arsenal), and in Fort No. 4, to the command of which I was assigned. In the night I had the howitzer in the fort, a twelve-pounder, pepper the rascals in the palisade college building, two hundred and fifty yards away. The moon shone beautifully and the Dutch lieutenant (Lieutenant Hoffman) made splendid practice. The "secesh" vacated it and at one o'clock in the morning I put a company in it. All night my boys, in squads, under careful officers, were crawling over the ground to the front, spying out the land, but daybreak showed only dead and wounded rebels before us. An hour later, with General Brown's field-glass I sat in a bastion and saw the long lines of the enemy working their way eastward from the Goose pond, where they had withdrawn during the night. To only one idea did it seem reasonable to attribute this movement that the attack was to be renewed from the east and north.

My regiment was only two hundred and thirty-eight (privates) strong in the fight. We lost fifty-three killed and wounded. The advance of the enemy from Ozark was so rapid that the members of the regiment living in the country were cut off from town and were unable to join us. We buried fifty-one of the enemy. We brought off the field about eighty of their wounded; they carried away a good many of their wounded in wagons, and, of course, numbers of their slightly wounded rode away on their own horses. Nine prisoners, armed with Enfield rifles, were taken in one house by a squad of the Seventy-second. Bill Frazier was with them, and badly shot; he was sent to the hospital. Lingow was also with them, and so exhausted that he lay down, in one of the little houses in "Dutchtown" and did not wake until morning. Then, supposing the Confederates had possession of the college, he went in and was kindly received by Captain Small, who sent the gentleman over to me. He was a lieutenant of artillery. Everyone is of the opinion that it was my men who saved the town, protected the immense accumulations of government stores for the Army of the Frontier, and preserved the communications of that army and the quiet of the whole Southwest. I doubt not that my gallant boys rendered triple more actual valuable service to the United States government than General Fremont's entire army of magnificent Body Guard. We lacked letter-writers, however, and he had them in abundance.

Colonel Sheppard took the gun and accoutrements from Will Ridgely, sixteen years old, and ordered him out of the fight, but he mounted the colonel's horse, which he had been ordered to lead to the rear, and galloped off and served all day as orderly to the commander of the militia. [361]

Detailed information as to the part taken in the battle by the Seventy-fourth regiment, under Col. Marcus Boyd, is lacking. However, it has been understood that only three companies of the regiment participated in the fight—Captain Redferan's, Captain Small's and Captain Phillips'. The company commanded by the last named was in Fort No. 4, and that commanded by Captain Small occupied the college building at one o'clock in the morning of the 9th after the Confederates had withdrawn from the town. Colonel Boyd himself was present and assisted in directing the movement of the troops and in any way he could. Some of the Confederate sympathizers in Springfield were greatly elated at the prospect of the capture of the town by Marmaduke until Colonel Sheppard informed them that turpentine, oil and gunpowder had been distributed in such quantities that if the town did fall, it would soon be in flames, adding, "I intend to fire my own store with my own hands."

Seven resident printers, belonging to the Enrolled Missouri Militia, took part in the fight. Major Graves, of the Journal, was mortally wounded, and Corporal Boren, of the same paper, was slightly wounded. Capt. W. P. Davis, the veteran publisher, took an active part in the engagement. Four printers from the office of the Missourian participated.

A soldier from the First Iowa Cavalry, who was out on the picket line with Sergeant Garrison, of the Seventy-second regiment of militia, deserted and went over to the Confederates during the fight. He was greeted with a great cheer. The information he gave caused Marmaduke's troops to move away from Fort No. 4 to the west. [362]

THE LOSSES.

The total loss of the Seventy-second Enrolled Missouri Militia in the Battle of Springfield was fifty-three, of which number seven were killed or mortally wounded, forty-five severely and slightly wounded, and one man reported missing. The following are the names by companies:

Field and staff—Maj. A. C. Graves, brigade commissary, mortally wounded; Maj. John Hornbeak, slightly wounded. Company A—Capt. Jackson Ball commanding—Killed, Second Lieut. David J. McCroskey; Private John N. Cox; wounded; Corporal Elisha L. Elam and Privates Stephen Sink, John Davis, Nimrod P. Ginger, Aaron T. Bacon and D. M. Wallace. Company B— Capt. R. K. Hart commanding—wounded, Sergt. John H. Williams, in thigh; Privates Levi F. Grimmitt, in the ankle and Jackson O. Hale, in leg. Company D—Lieut. George S. Patterson commanding—wounded, Sergt. John L. Rainey, in arm, mortally; Corporal J. W. Boren, in head, slightly; Privates Silas Digger, severely; W. J. McDaniel, in hip; S. M. Gresham, in shoulder, Thomas Wilson, in foot, Elisha Painter, in foot, W. R. Russell, in face. H. C. McKee, in hip, N. J. Dyer, in hip, F. M. Chiping. Company — Capt. George A. Dillard commanding—wounded First Lieut. W. F. Lane, leg broken, mortally; Corporals Hiram Vaughn, in shoulder, and John Hissey in arm; Privates Charles Crane, in leg, severely, George W. Townlin, in head, Robert P. Ellison, in head, Josiah M. Cunningham, in arm. Company F—Capt. George T. Beal commanding—wounded, Sergt. W. R. M. Campbell, in head, mortally; P. G. Perkins, in leg; Privates W. H. O'Neal, mortally; W. Braswell, severely; Louis Payne, in knee; J. M. O'Neal, in hand and leg; W. W. Ward, J. A. Hampton, W. R. Norman, Baker Russell and W. A. McCroskey, slightly. Company G—Lieut. Irwin W. Jenkins commanding—Wounded, Privates W. T. Noblett, mortally, and Russell Stokes, slightly. Company H—Capt. Vincent Cummings commanding—wounded, Privates Absalom Wheeler and Henry Goodnight, slightly. Company I—Capt. J. B. Perkins commanding—killed, Sergt. S. Burling; wounded, Privates John Watson, John Mills, James Adams and Joseph Hursh; missing, D. M. Bedell.

According to the official reports the Federals had one thousand, five hundred and sixty-six men, all told in the battle. This included convalescents and the men from the hospitals. The Confederate strength was about two thousand. The Federal loss was eighteen killed outright, twelve mortally wounded, who within sixty days died from wounds, and the wounded numbered one hundred. The total killed and wounded on the Union side, including citizens, convalescents, and all, was about one hundred and twenty-five. The Confederate loss was much greater, but the exact number has never been definitely given; According to the Missourian, in its issue of January 17th, nine days after the battle, thirty-two Confederate dead were up on the battlefield, and further stated that those of their wounded who had since died raised the total in killed to over forty. Dr. S. H. Melcher later said that he knew that altogether eighty Confederates were buried from first to last, and that there were left in charge of four of General Marmaduke's surgeons confederate wounded to the number of sixty, of whom only twenty-eight were alive on January 31st, showing that only the more dangerously wounded were left behind. Some of those who fought under Marmaduke and Shelby said that all of their wounded that could ride away did so. It was ten days after the battle that Colonel Sheppard said that they had buried fifty-one of the enemy. It was reported that twenty-seven dead Confederates were buried on Colonel Phelps' farm; fourteen in the local cemetery and that twelve more died of their wounds ten days after the fight. The Confederate officers killed were Major John Bowman, of Jeans' regiment; Captain Titsworth and Lieut. John Buffington, of Gordon's regiment (originally Shelby's); Lieutenants Steigall and McCoy of Jeans' regiment, which was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Gilkey, Colonel Jeans not being in the fight. It is said that General Marmaduke came near being captured on the morning of the 9th, he having lingered in the rear. He left Colonel Phelps' house about nine o'clock. He had slept there and he found upon arising that his command had nearly all ridden away and left him, and a company of King's Third Missouri State Militia was an a scout in that vicinity at the time, but the Southerner evaded them and dashed away, to safety. An hour later his command was well out on the "wire road," leading to Rolla, seeking to join forces with Colonel Porter. At Sand Springs the advance of Porter was met and a halt was made. Here the prisoners were all paroled and sent back, and the united command began to retreat eastward by way of Marshfield and Hartville. A strong Federal force, under Col. Fitz Henry Warren, of the First Iowa Cavalry was encountered at Hartville, and a hard fight ensued on the 11th. Here Emmett McDonald and Col. John M. Wymer, of St. Louis, were both killed, a Col. Joe Porter mortally wounded, during a week later near Little Rock, Arkansas; Maj. George Kirtley, Capt. Charles Turpin, Captain Garrett, Captain Duprey, Lieutenant Royster, all Confederates, were either killed or mortally wounded. After the fight Marmaduke and Shelby retreated rapidly into Arkansas. [363-364]

BRAVE EMMETT McDONALD.

The death of the brave and chivalrous Emmett McDonald was learned with regret in both the Federal and Confederate lines. He was known to all as a daring and desperate fighter when fighting was to be done, but he was a kind, obliging and generous gentleman when the fight was over. His kind offices to Union wounded and prisoners, and his generous conduct regarding the body of General Lyon, a fellow-hero, though an enemy, had won him great respect among the Federal troops, and the people of Springfield and Greene county admired him for his many commendable attributes.

The day after the battle of Springfield Col. James W. Johnston, with the Twenty-sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia, from Polk county, came into Springfield, he having been unable to get his command together and at the front on the 8th . He had a good force and his arrival made the Federal here feel safer.

The official records show that, in addition to the list of Federal wounded already given, the Second Battalion of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, lost two men killed—E. C. Vanbibber, regimental commissary, and Private S. H. Hyde, Company D—ten wounded, and one missing. The Third Missouri State Militia lost one man killed, Simon McKissick, private of Company B; James T. Harris, of Company D— wounded, and James Pennington and H. S. Rickets were taken prisoners. The Fourth Missouri State Militia had two men killed—Michael Schmidt, private of Company C, and Reuben Parker, private of Company K. The Eighteenth Iowa Infantry had six men killed outright, five mortally wounded and forty-two severely and slightly wounded. Capt. William R. Blue, of Company C, died on the 12th and Capt. Joseph Van Meter, of Company H, died on the 14th. Capt. John A. Landis, of Company D, and Second Lieut. A. B. Conway, of Company C, were severely wounded. These four officers were all of the Eighteenth Iowa. [364]

The Federal dead were buried on Sunday, January 11th, the battle having been fought on Thursday. The ceremonies were held pursuant to the following order from General Brown:

Headquarters Southwest District of Missouri,
Springfield, January 10, 1863.
The general commanding is desirous that the noble dead who have fallen in defense of Springfield should receive in their death, that honor which they have purchased with their lives. It is therefore ordered that the bodies of all officers and men who were killed in the Battle of Springfield be buried on Sunday, the 11th instant, at two o'clock in the afternoon.

Col. Walter King is hereby appointed field marshal of the day and will make the necessary arrangements for the funeral.

Two companies of infantry will be detailed as an escort and will report to Colonel King for orders.

The procession will form at four at Fort No. 4, and move through the Public square and out North street in the following order: Band, escort, the bodies of the dead, the horses ridden by the slain, chaplains, infantry, cavalry, mounted officers, citizens on horseback, citizens in carriages, citizens on foot. Officers and soldiers not detailed on special duty will join the procession; they will carry their arms.
Brig.-Gen. E. B. Brown.
By order of James H. Steger, Asst. Adjt. General.

Besides the honors thus shown the Union soldiers who gave up their lives in defense of Springfield, an appropriate monument, costing five thousand dollars, was erected in the National cemetery here in their memory, by Dr. T. J. Bailey of this place.

As a result of the excitement caused by the battle, Hon. Littleberry Hendricks, who was ill at the time, died at his residence in Springfield two days after the fight. He was at that time circuit judge of this district and aided the Union cause in many ways.

When General Curtis then in command of the military forces for the Union in Missouri received news of the battle of Springfield, he sent the following dispatch to General Brown:

Headquarters, Etc., St. Louis, Jan. 12, 1863.
To Brig.-Gen. E. B. Brown—Dispatch of the 11th, via Sedalia, received.
Your gallant and successful defense of Springfield has added to the glory of the 8th of January. The troops and the people of Springfield who participated in your efforts have given imperishable proof of their loyal devotion to our cause and country, and the state of Missouri will ever cherish your memory.
S. R. Curtis, Major-General. [365-366]

Upon receipt of the news of the attempted capture of Springfield the Federal authorities awoke to the necessity of properly protecting this important post, the base of their supplies. General Herron himself came up from Arkansas a few days after the fight and made plans for the future safety of the place. When news of the battle reached the army in Arkansas on the 10th, the Second Brigade, First Division of the Army of the Frontier, was at once set in motion, Springfield being its destination. This brigade was commanded by Col. William F. Cloud of the Second Kansas, Cavalry and was composed of that regiment, the Tenth and Thirteenth Kansas and Rabb's Second Indiana Battery. The brigade started from near Elm Springs and by a hard forced march reached Springfield on the 13th. The Seventh Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, commanded by Col. John F. Phillips, joined Colonel Cloud at Cassville and came on with the advance, the march from that place was made without stopping but once. After the arrival of reinforcements the citizens of Greene county took up the peaceful pursuits of life again and civil law came into dominion so far as regarding the civil rights of the people. In a short time the courts were in session and a number of cases growing out of the Civil war were disposed of. During the Confederate occupancy of Springfield, many of the Union citizens of the county had their property taken by the Confederates, some of whom were also citizens of this county and owned property. Certain other Unionists were arrested by the Greene county Confederates, who were acting in obedience to orders of their superior officers. When the Confederate army left Greene county, some under Campbell, Lotspeich and others left with it, and after the Federal authority was restored, suit was instituted against them by some of the Unionists living here whom they had arrested or whose property they had taken for military purposes. As personal service could not be had, notice of these suits was given by publication in the newspapers, which of course the defendants never saw until long after judgment had been rendered by default and execution issued and served, and their property levied on and sold.

CONFEDERATES RESENT PROCEEDINGS.

The Confederates always claimed that these proceedings against them were unjust and unfair, inasmuch as they were carried on during their absence when they were prevented from appearing in their own defense and that when executions were levied on their property it was sold ridiculously low and without regard to propriety. After the war all prosecutions growing out of the military acts of either army were dismissed and forever barred by special act of the Legislature. [366]

Col. Benjamin Crabb, of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, was relieved from command of the post at Springfield in February, 1863, and was succeeded by Col. Thomas M. Bowen, of the Thirteenth Kansas Infantry. He eventually became United States senator from Colorado. His administration of the affairs at Springfield did not give general satisfaction, principally because he allowed his troops to do too much foraging in which he seemed unwilling or unable to control them.

About this time smallpox broke out in Springfield which caused considerable excitement, but the disease was prevented from invading the camps of the soldiers.

The Army of the Frontier during February and March was scattered over southwestern Missouri. General Blunt's command of Kansas troops, principally, was stationed in Lawrence county a short distance from Greene. Owing to a great scarcity of forage a wide distribution of the troops was necessary. Everywhere the farmers were called upon to feed the troops and their horses. Citizens from Christian county reported to the commander at Springfield that the Union soldiers were exterminating the hogs in that county, killing them whenever they could find them and carrying them off, contrary to orders. There was little excuse for this lawlessness, for the government provided well for the soldiers in this locality and the citizens had no right to expect that they would be plundered by the troops sent to protect them. By March 1st, the Eighth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, largely composed of Greene county men, was stationed at Finley, about thirty miles from Springfield. The scarcity of forage and the continued hard scouting required of the men had reduced the number of horses to an average of twenty-five to the company. There was great complaint of the want of discipline in the command. Colonel Geiger was absent from the regiment, in command of the Second Brigade of General Herron's Division. Lieutenant-colonel Baldwin was under arrest for having some Confederate prisoners who had violated their paroles taken out and shot without a trial. Major Lisenby was at Springfield the greater portion of the time and Major Rich commanded the regiment.

Long forage trains were often sent up and down the country as far north as Pettis county by the commanders of the posts in southwest Missouri. Joseph Gott was the chief forage-master at Springfield. He made several trips and never lost a train. However, about the middle of February a forage train belonging to the Eighth Missouri State Militia, then stationed in Newton county was captured by a scouting party of Confederates, supposed to be under Standwaite and Jackman and some of the guards killed. A force of cavalry was sent out from Springfield to assist in the capture of those who attacked the train, but returned without accomplishing anything. [367]

An officer of an Iowa regiment, who, disguised as a Confederate, induced Alf. Bolen to come into a house and get breakfast near the Arkansas line, in February, and while seated at the table the officer killed Bolen. The latter was a desperate guerrilla and bushwhacker and was a terror to the Union citizens living in the southern part of Greene county, as well as those of Christian, Taney and Stone. He had killed many men, one of his most atrocious murders being committed in the fall of 1861 when he cut off the ears of a man named Budd, seventy years of age, and tortured him in Indian fashion before finally killing him with a revolver. He was hated by both the Confederates and Federals. The other most atrocious crime was taking Isham Day, a prisoner, tying a rope around his neck and tying rocks to the rope and throwing him into White river and drowning him.

Times were very hard all over southwestern Missouri during the spring of 1863. There were many vicious and unprincipled Federal soldiers who delighted in preying upon the Confederate sympathizers, and the lot of many Union families was but little better. Persons who, up to this time, had struggled bravely to help themselves, now gave up in despair and desperation. Gangs of women and children daily concentrated at the military posts and at the little towns looking for bread which they could find no longer in their own desolated homes. Many of the men had enlisted in the Federal army, in the Twenty-fourth Missouri, in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, the Sixth Missouri, the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia and the First Arkansas, which regiments were chiefly recruited in Greene and other counties of this part of the state and hundreds were in the enrolled Missouri militia, and many of the families of these men were in absolute want, for the Federal government had not paid its soldiers in this quarter for months and no money could be obtained from their natural protectors or honorably earned. In perhaps still more wretched plight were the families of Confederate soldiers. Hundreds of women refugees swarmed about Springfield and other posts of importance and became abandoned and depraved, vice of all sorts prevailing. Homeless wanderers were strolling about begging for food, clothing and shelter. Fortunately the winter was not severe or there would have been the most intense suffering. Many passed night after night out in the open. [368]

 

Return to Top of Page

Return to Main page