The following story is true and was put together from four reports of October 24 & 26, and November 11, & 12, 1864, these reports were taken from the Official Records of the Rebellion.
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It was November, 1864, and Thomas Berry had just finish a letter telling him his brother had been killed at the prison at Helena Ark. Thomas just couldn’t believe it, not after all Ben had been through. Ben had been a member of Colonel Neely's regiment, he had been captured at Abbeville, some eighteen months ago, was taken North, and after some months was released from prison upon a sick parole. He was later taken to Vicksburg to be exchanged, but while going down the Mississippi River he jumped overboard and made his escape. Ben’s health being very bad, he made his way to our father's, in Crittenden County, Ark. On the 3rd of this month he was arrested while sick in bed, and taken to Helena.
While Ben was going from the boat to the prison the lieutenant in charge of the guard accused him of belonging to Colonel Dobbin's regiment; Ben said he did not. The lieutenant then said, "Do you dispute my word?" Ben replied, "I dispute any one's word who says that I belong to Colonel Dobbin's regiment." Then the cowardly lieutenant took a gun from one of the guard and struck at ben several times with the bayonet. Ben stood up, and when he did the lieutenant fired upon him, shooting Ben through the breast, killing him instantly.
Thomas Quarles, John Smith, and Arthur Thompson, also one Tannehill, were prisoners along with Ben and witnessed the whole affair, This occurred on the 7th [4th] of this month. The Federal lieutenant says his justification was that Ben was running from him, trying to make his escape. The witnesses said this occurred in open daylight in the streets of Helena, and he was surrounded by Federal soldiers, and no sane man under the circumstances would have attempted an escape. The witnesses all stated that the ball entered his breast, showing that he had his face to the Lieutenant and was not running at the time he was shot. In light of what Thomas knew and read the evidence shows this was nothing less the murder,
Thomas took pen in hand and wrote to Major General N. B. Forrest, at Austin Mississippi, asking for a investigation into the death of his brother. The letter reached General Forrest while in the field who in turn sent a report to Major General C. C. Washburn, commanding U. S. forces at Memphis, with the request that he will cause this affair to be thoroughly investigated, and if the officer be guilty of the murder, as within alleged, that he be punished accordingly.
General Washburn wrote to General N. B. Buford who was at the Headquarters for the Eastern District of Arkansas, which was at Helena Arkansas. Buford made his investigation in his finish report it was stated:
That at the time of the shooting of Ben. A. Berry, a prisoner of war, the fact was reported to me a few minutes after it occurred, and I caused an immediate investigation to be made. The facts were, that three prisoners of war, of whom Berry was one, were delivered to the provost marshal on the 4th of October last, and were sent by him to the military prison in charge of the privates of the guard. As they were on their way two of the prisoners were allowed to stop at a store to purchase some necessary articles. Berry passed on in charge of one only of the guard, Private Allen Robertson, Company F, Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers. The time was about sunset. When within about 200 yards of the prison, on the corduroy road, which is elevated about four feet above the land adjoining, Berry started to run.
The guard instantly leveled his gun and shot him. At the instant he was turning round, and seeing the gun pointed at him, exclaimed, "For God's sake don't shoot me." The fire and exclamation were about simultaneous. The guard is a good soldier, only nineteen years old. Had he not shot the prisoner would have escaped. No altercation occurred. Captain Edwin Bancroft, Battery E, Second U. S. Colored Artillery, was on the spot in one minute after it occurred. Berry was running so fast that his hat fell off twenty feet from the place where his body lay. Berry had escaped twice before, but not as related in this letter. I append below the certificates of two of the citizens referred to. The other two are prisoners of war; they did not witness the affair.
There was a follow up to this report by Arthur Thompson and John C. O. Smith, Helena Arkansas who stated, We certify that we have given no one the information upon which Thomas Berry could base the statements contained in his letter above in reference to the death of his brother, neither have we any evidence that the statements are true.
Thomas had read all the reports of his brothers death and even thought they called it a justified shooting in his heart he knew it was murder.
This site deals with surnames of the wars of the United States, up to the Civil War, and the civilians of the same era. It will also cover the surnames of the Colonial era. This site is to help all searchers find a lead to their family lines (including Native American ancestors). This site will cover the years from 1700’s to the early 1900’s.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Civil War Secret Societies.
These page is on the secret societies at the time of the civil war, as the information is so large I will not give any information on them. As this site is all about surnames I will limit my research to the men or women that belong to these societies. When any person is arrested or put on trial I will tell you. There may be more information on some of this manes, so if you see a name of interest let me know and I will be glad to look him or her up.
Important note. I have thousands of names at this site, when asking about a name from this page or any other pages at this site, please give the ( Title of the page ), for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
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Secret Societies of the Civil War.
1. American Knights.
2. Sons of Liberty.
3. Heroes of America.
4. Southern Independence Association.
5. Knights of the Black Cross.
6. Knights of the Golden Circle.
7. Union Relief Society.
8. Order of the Star.
9. Mutual Protection Society.
10. Circle of Honor.
11. Circle or Knights of the Mighty Host.
12. Sons of the South.
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American Knights and or of the Sons of Liberty.
The American Knights would later be known as the Sons of Liberty.
1. William A. Bowles, State of Indiana.
2. Lambdin P. Millian, State of Indiana.
3. Stephen Horsey, State of Indiana.
4. Harrison H. Dodd, of Indiana.
5. Joshua F. Bullitt, of Kentucky.
6. J. A. Barrett, of Missouri.
These six men along with others were arrested and charged with conspiracy against the Government of the United States, these men faced 16, counts and were all found guilty and were sentence to hung.
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The secret society of the Heroes of America.
1. Henry Questine, worked at a forage.
2. Daniel H. Hoge, a lawyer living on the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
3. William Harman and Captain Callahan, of the policy.
4. Captain John Francis, formerly of French's battery, now sheriff-elect of the county of Montgomery.
5. Horace Dean, the organization was first formed in the county by him.
6. William Burnett, a cabinetmaker.
7. Randall Cardin, and initiating officer, who lives on the Pepper's Ferry road.
8. Captain John Francis.
9. David P. Hall.
10. William Childress.
11. Tom Childress was a justice of the peace and brother to William Childress.
12. Stephen Childress brother of William and Tom Childress.
13. Tom W. Terry a cooper and a violent Union man.
14. James Hight.
15. James Thompson was a violent Union man; said to be keeper of the poorhouse.
16. A. J. Crane.
17. H. K. Ellyson.
18. George Fellows.
19. John Camper.
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Secret order, "Knights of the Golden Circle. "
St. Louis Mo.
1. John Taylor kept the Montgomery House on Broadway.
2. Green B. Smith, doing business at Numbers 64 North Main street.
3. Robert St. Clair, known as "Bob St. Clair."
4. Martin Clark brother-in-law, to Robert St. Clair.
5. Buck Carr.
6. Dr. W. T. Thornton, at the corner of Eighth near Broadway, Louisville, Ky.
7. David Brooks, a minister of the gospel, was president of Lodge No. ?
8. Abraham N. McGuire, vice president of Lodge No. ?
9. John Wallingford was secretary of Lodge No. ?
10. Doctor Beaumont.
11. John Ragsdale.
12. Doctor Bishop.
13. Rufus Maggot.
14. William Downing.
15. Cicero Downing, near New Markek, Platte County.
16. Hiram Hurst.
17. William Phelan.
18. Thomas Roberts, Buchanan County.
19. Lieutenant John Martin, Paw, Buchanan County, Mo.
20. Charles Spencer.
21. George Roberts, first.
22. Joseph White, Buchanan County.
23. E. Downing, Platte County.
24 George Rector
25. Esquire Willis.
Subordinates: Franklin Spencer, Thomas Squires, Alfred Squires, John Hendricks, William Wallingford, George Roberts, second, Calbert Brown, all living in Buchanan County; William Sharp, Roderick Sharp, John Lewis, Erastys Carter, Guy Brown, Green Thompson, second, John Brown, first, John Brown, second, John Brown, third, all living in Platte County; Samuel King, James Lane, John Ross, George Boatwright, John Lykins, first near the line of Platte and Buchanan Counties; J. Pepper, Luke West, John Lykins, second, Green Hackett, George Goldsberry, Georg Grantt, Platte County, John Gannt, Tuntz Miller, William Moore, John Moore.
Influential: Robert Thomas, first, Robert Thomas, second, John Whittington and brother, Buchanan County; William Allen, James Allen, Platte County.
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Secret society Knights of the Golden Circle in Boston and other parts of New England.
1. Parker H. French, alias Carlisle Murray, alias Charles Maxy
2nd of November, 1861, an order was issued for his arrest, which was executed on or about the 6th of November, 1861, at Branford, Conn.
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Secret society, name unknown at this time, it is a secret society organized between the Northern and Southern armies, the object of which is to deplete our ranks by desertion.
1. Private E. D. Meroney, Company D, Third Confederate Cavalry.
2. Lieutenant John F. Musgrove, conscripting officer, lives 5 miles from Blountsville, Ala. he gives passes to deserters good for twelve months.
3. Lieutenant Wilkerson, commanding rendezvous at Blountsville, gave Meroney three passes at pleasure.
3. Clark Livingston, enrolling officer, lives in Winston Country, Ala.;
4. James Ooten, enrolling officer, who belong to this league in North Alabama.
The following citizens and deserters from our army are numbers of the society.
1. Allen Reive (citizen), lives in Walker Country, Ala..
2. J. Martin (deserter), lives in Blount Country, Ala.
3. William Chamble (deserter, postmaster at Sapp's Cross-Roads, Walker Country, Ala.
4. K. Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country Ala.
5. John Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala.
6. Wesley Prentice (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala.
7. Joe Crutcher (conscript), Blount Country, Ala..
8. Polk Hillman (deserter) Winston Country, Ala.
9. George Baker (deserter), Winston Country, Ala.
10. Mrs. Murphy (Yankee rendezvous), Winston Country, Ala.
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Mr. H. M. HOXIE, U. S. Marshal, Des Moines, Iowa: States that the Knights of the Golden Circle, is now entitled Union Relief Society, it is said they have 42,000 members.
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A restoration of the (Golden Circle) called Knights of America are rapidly and extensively being formed all over the State, the grand commander from Missouri is Charles L. Hunt, of Saint Louis. His office is at No. 46 North Fifth street, second floor.
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Adolphe Mazureau is the president and leading man of a secret society known as the Southern Independence Association.
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1862, Mr. Pierre Soule, ex-Member of Congress and former Minister to Spain, has been and still is engaged in plotting treason against the United States Government I ordered him to be arrested on the 28th day of the present month and to be held in safe confinement until such time as he could be safely transferred to Fort Warren, Mass., as a political prisoner. Pierre Soule is a member and the leader of a secret society known as the Southern Independence Association.
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Joseph R. Flanders and F. D. Flanders, of Malone, in Franklin County, be longed to a secret society name unknown.
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Secret society of rebels known as "The Sons of the South," "Sons of Liberty," "Knights of the Black Cross," &c.
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Secret society of the Sons of Liberty.
1. Jacob Thompson is the rebel agent in Canada.
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List of names of prominent members of Sons of Liberty in the several counties of the State of Illinois.
1. James W. Adams.
Singleton.
2. Thomas P. Bent. Bond.
3. Henry Wilton Do.
4. Thomas Hunter Do.
Armstrong.
5. Martin Brooks Brown.
6. O. H. Atwood Do.
7. Fred Riauch Cass.
8. Allen J. Hill Do.
9. David Eplen Do.
10. James A. Dick Do.
11. Samuel Christy Do.
Barrett.
12. F. J. Clark Champaign.
13. James Morrow Do.
Smith.
14. H. M. Vandin Christian.
15. William S. Do.
Moore.
16. J. H. Clark Do.
17. S. S. Whitehead Clark.
18. H. H. Peyton Do.
19. Philip Do.
Dougherty.
20. A. M. Christian Clay.
21. Stephen B. Coles.
Moore.
22. Doctor Cook.
Wickersham Sweeny.
23. G. S. Kimberly Do.
24. B. S. Morris Do.
25. W. C. Wilson Crawford.
26. L. W. Odell Do.
27.--- Dickens Cumberland.
28. J. C. De Witt.
29. C. H. Polrun Do.
30. B. F. Williams Douglas.
31. Amos Green Edgar.
32. R. N. Bishop Do.
33. W. D. Litshan Edwards.
34. Levi Eckles Fayette.
35. Doctor Do.
36. T. Greathouse Do.
37. Charles T. Do.
38. N. Simis Ford.
39. Ed. Gill Do.
40. A. D. Duff Franklin.
41. B. F. Pope Do.
42. W. B. Kelly Do.
43. A. Perry Fulton.
44. J. H. Peilsal Do.
45. Corning Judd Do.
46. Charles Do.
47. L. Walker. Hamilton.
48. M. Conchman Hancock.
49. M. M. Monn Hancock
Lanning.
50. J. M. Finch Do.
Holloway.
51. W. C. Hooker Do
52. Dennis Smith Do.
53. J. S. Ramsdale Henderson.
54. A. Johnson Do.
55. Ira. R. Wells Henry.
McMillin.
56. Charles Durham Do.
57. Morrison Do.
Francis Kellar.
58. J. B. Carpenter Do.
59. J. Osburn Jackson.
60. J. W. Jeffries Jasper.
61. G. H. Varnell Jefferson.
62. William Dodds Do.
63. J. M. Pace Do.
64. James Sample Jersey.
65. O. N. Powell Do.
66. M. Y. Johnson Jo Davies.
67. David Sheam Do.
68. M. Simmens Do.
Barnes.
69. Louis Sheiler Do.
70. Thomas M. Ker Knox.
71. E. D. Helen Do.
72. J. M. Mihelow Do.
73. James Delhrage Do.
74. E. Elsworth Do.
75. D. H. Morgan Lawrence.
Springer.
76. E. D Norton Logan.
77. A. M. Miller Do.
Campbell.
78. R. J. Hously Macoupin.
Montgomery.
79. Dr. T. M. Hope Madison.
80. H. K. S. O. Marion.
Melvery.
81. S. R. Carrigan.
82. John Burns Marshall.
Thompson.
83. P. M. Janney Do.
Russeler.
84. C. M. Baker Do.
Richardson.
85. R. Smithson Do.
Shallenberger.
86. J. R. Taggart Do.
87. J. Haringhoost Mason.
88. J. S. Chamblin Do.
89. J. W. Mathews McDonough.
90. J. C. Thompson Do.
91. Thomas A. Do.
Martain McCartney.
92. William H. Do.
Neece.
93. R. Cassell McLean.
Hama.
94. J. E. Springer Do.
95. J. F. Morrell Do.
96. E. D. Wright Menard.
Richardson
97. Edward Menard
98. Robert Mercer.
99. Robert Davis Montgomery.
100. Thomas Grey Do.
101. W. J. Latham Morgan.
102. J. O. S Hays Do.
103. J. W. Do.
104. D. Patterson Moultrie.
105. Doctor Do.
106. G. D. Read Ogle.
107. W. W. O'Brien Peoria.
108. Peter Saut Do.
109. Jacob Gale Do.
110. P. W. Dume Do.
111. John Fuller Do.
112. John Francis Do.
113. C. H. Wright Putnam.
114. John Ong Do.
115. T. Alexander Do.
116. W. H. G. Do.
117. H. B. Keys Do.
118. E. S. Wilson Richland.
119. J. W. Barrett Sangamon.
120. W. T. Barrett Do.
121. Jacob Epler Do.
122. B. B. Piper Do.
123. W. M. Do
124. E. Edmonston Schuyler.
125. P. L. Do.
126. J. Do.
127. J. C. Fox Do.
128. J. N. Ward Do.
129. G. W. Metz Do.
130. F. B. Shelby.
131. Reuben Do.
132. M. Do.
133. M. Stark.
134. J. B. Smith Stephenson.
135. J. L. Carr Vermilion.
136. John Doulen Do.
137. W. Friend Wabash
138. C. Z. Landis Do.
139. J. B. Warren.
140. N. K. Poofer Do.
141. JNO. Do.
142. G. W. Aiken Williamson.
143. R. M. Hundley Do.
144. C. R. Woodford.
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Harrison H. Dodd, citizen of Indiana, was tried in September, 1864.
Charges: 1. Conspiracy against the United States, 2. Affording aid and comfort to rebels against the authority of the United States. 3. Inciting insurrection. 4. Disloyal practices.
5. Violation of the laws of war.
He was grand commander of the Sons of Liberty in Indiana.
On the 7th of October, 1864, the eleventh day of the trial, it was announced by the judge-advocate that the accused had made his escape from the mitigated confinement which he had given his word to respect, and could not be found. The judge-advocate moved the court to proceed at once to judgment in prisoner's absence, and rested his case on the evidence already in. The counsel for the accused opposed the motion, but the commission overruled his objection, and having first convicted Dodd on all the charges and specifications, in which the evidence fully supported them, sentenced him to be hung.
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November 7, 1864.
Arrested Buck Morris, treasurer of the Sons of Liberty.
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On the night of Monday, November 14, the following-named persons members of the Sons of Liberty, were arrested, viz; Obadiah Jackson, grand senior; Charles W. Patten, member of State council; William Felton, tyler of door-keeper; James Gearry, a dangerous member; Richard T. Semmes, nephew to Pirate Semmes; Dr. E. W. Edwards, who harbored Colonel Marmaduke; all of whom remain in custody. On the 15th instant a young Englishman from Canada, under British protection papers, named Mongham, was arrested, who proved to be a messenger between Jacob Thompson, Captain Hines, Brigadier-General Walsh, and the guerrilla, Colonel Jessee, of Kentucky.
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1864, arrests were made during that night: Brigadier General Charles Walsh, of the Sons of Liberty, Judge Buckner S. Morris, treasurer of the Sons of Liberty at his house, Numbers 6. Washington street. Patrick Dooley, secretary of the Temple, in this city, was arrested
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Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi Secretary, of the Sons of Liberty.
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June 6, 1865, tried, jointly with Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, Charles T. Daniel, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson, for conspiring with one Captain Hines, alias Doctor Hunter, of the Confederate Army.
All of the Sons of Liberty.
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CHICAGO, November 14, 1864.
Last night arrested Patrick Dooley, secretary of Sons of Liberty
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Members of the Order of Heroes of America.
1. John Gardner.
2. John Hamilton, the sheriff of the county, was a member of the order.
3. Harrison Bowman.
4. William Dorton
5. E. B. Petrie, from Forsyth
6. Linville Price, deserter from the Thirty-fourth North Carolina Regiment, from Ashe County, N. C.
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John C. Brain was arrested at Michigan City, Ind., early in September, 1861, charged with being a spy in the service of the rebels, a member of the disloyal secret of organization known as the Knights of the Golden Circle and an officer in the rebel army.
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Originally known in certain localities as the Mutual Protection Society, the Circle of Honor, or the Circle or Knights of the Mighty Host, but more widely as the Knights of the Golden Circle.
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Knights of the Golden Circle.
The first supreme commander of the order was P. C. Wright, of New York, editor of the New York News, who was in May last placed in arrest and confined in Fort Lafayette. His successor in office was Vallandigham, who was elected at the annual meeting of the supreme council in February last. Robert Holloway, of Illinois, is represented to have acted as lieutenant-general, or deputy supreme commander, during the absence of Vallandigham from the country. The secretary of state chosen at the last election was Doctor Massey, of Ohio. In Missouri the principal officers were Charles L. Hunt, grand commander; Charles E. Dunn, deputy grand commander, and Green B. Smith, grand secretary. Since the arrest of these three persons (all of whom have made confessions which will be presently alluded to) James A. Barrett has, as it is understood, officiated as grand commander. He is stated to occupy also the position of chief of staff to the supreme commander. The general commander in Indiana, H. H. Dodd, is now on trial at Indianapolis by a military commission for "conspiracy against the Government," "violation of the laws of war," and other charges. The deputy grand commander in that State is Horace Heffren, and the grand secretary, W. M. Harrison. The major-generals are W. A. Bowles, John C. Walker, L. P. Milligan, and Andrew Humphreys.
The other leading members of the order in that State are Doctor Athon, state secretary, and Joseph Ristine, state auditor. The grand commander in Illinois is --- Judd, of Lewistown; and b. B. Piper, of Springfield, who is entitled grand missionary of the State, and designated also as a member of Vallandigham's staff, is one of the most active members, having been busily engaged throughout the summer in establishing temples and initiating members. In Kentucky, Judge Bullitt, of the court of appeals, is grand commander, and, with Dr. U. F. Kalfus and W. R. Thomas, jailer in Louisville, two other of the most prominent members, has been arrested and confined by the military authorities. In New York, Dr. R. F. Stevens, the chief secretary of the McClellan Minute Guard, is the most active ostensible representative of the order.
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Members of the Knights of the golden circle.
1. William Douglas.
2. Charles L. Hunt.
3. Isaiah Butler.
4. David C. Wattles.
5. Nelson Yarber, charged with being the secretary and treasurer of the organization of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
6. J. H. Edwards.
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Important note. I have thousands of names at this site, when asking about a name from this page or any other pages at this site, please give the ( Title of the page ), for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
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Secret Societies of the Civil War.
1. American Knights.
2. Sons of Liberty.
3. Heroes of America.
4. Southern Independence Association.
5. Knights of the Black Cross.
6. Knights of the Golden Circle.
7. Union Relief Society.
8. Order of the Star.
9. Mutual Protection Society.
10. Circle of Honor.
11. Circle or Knights of the Mighty Host.
12. Sons of the South.
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American Knights and or of the Sons of Liberty.
The American Knights would later be known as the Sons of Liberty.
1. William A. Bowles, State of Indiana.
2. Lambdin P. Millian, State of Indiana.
3. Stephen Horsey, State of Indiana.
4. Harrison H. Dodd, of Indiana.
5. Joshua F. Bullitt, of Kentucky.
6. J. A. Barrett, of Missouri.
These six men along with others were arrested and charged with conspiracy against the Government of the United States, these men faced 16, counts and were all found guilty and were sentence to hung.
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The secret society of the Heroes of America.
1. Henry Questine, worked at a forage.
2. Daniel H. Hoge, a lawyer living on the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
3. William Harman and Captain Callahan, of the policy.
4. Captain John Francis, formerly of French's battery, now sheriff-elect of the county of Montgomery.
5. Horace Dean, the organization was first formed in the county by him.
6. William Burnett, a cabinetmaker.
7. Randall Cardin, and initiating officer, who lives on the Pepper's Ferry road.
8. Captain John Francis.
9. David P. Hall.
10. William Childress.
11. Tom Childress was a justice of the peace and brother to William Childress.
12. Stephen Childress brother of William and Tom Childress.
13. Tom W. Terry a cooper and a violent Union man.
14. James Hight.
15. James Thompson was a violent Union man; said to be keeper of the poorhouse.
16. A. J. Crane.
17. H. K. Ellyson.
18. George Fellows.
19. John Camper.
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Secret order, "Knights of the Golden Circle. "
St. Louis Mo.
1. John Taylor kept the Montgomery House on Broadway.
2. Green B. Smith, doing business at Numbers 64 North Main street.
3. Robert St. Clair, known as "Bob St. Clair."
4. Martin Clark brother-in-law, to Robert St. Clair.
5. Buck Carr.
6. Dr. W. T. Thornton, at the corner of Eighth near Broadway, Louisville, Ky.
7. David Brooks, a minister of the gospel, was president of Lodge No. ?
8. Abraham N. McGuire, vice president of Lodge No. ?
9. John Wallingford was secretary of Lodge No. ?
10. Doctor Beaumont.
11. John Ragsdale.
12. Doctor Bishop.
13. Rufus Maggot.
14. William Downing.
15. Cicero Downing, near New Markek, Platte County.
16. Hiram Hurst.
17. William Phelan.
18. Thomas Roberts, Buchanan County.
19. Lieutenant John Martin, Paw, Buchanan County, Mo.
20. Charles Spencer.
21. George Roberts, first.
22. Joseph White, Buchanan County.
23. E. Downing, Platte County.
24 George Rector
25. Esquire Willis.
Subordinates: Franklin Spencer, Thomas Squires, Alfred Squires, John Hendricks, William Wallingford, George Roberts, second, Calbert Brown, all living in Buchanan County; William Sharp, Roderick Sharp, John Lewis, Erastys Carter, Guy Brown, Green Thompson, second, John Brown, first, John Brown, second, John Brown, third, all living in Platte County; Samuel King, James Lane, John Ross, George Boatwright, John Lykins, first near the line of Platte and Buchanan Counties; J. Pepper, Luke West, John Lykins, second, Green Hackett, George Goldsberry, Georg Grantt, Platte County, John Gannt, Tuntz Miller, William Moore, John Moore.
Influential: Robert Thomas, first, Robert Thomas, second, John Whittington and brother, Buchanan County; William Allen, James Allen, Platte County.
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Secret society Knights of the Golden Circle in Boston and other parts of New England.
1. Parker H. French, alias Carlisle Murray, alias Charles Maxy
2nd of November, 1861, an order was issued for his arrest, which was executed on or about the 6th of November, 1861, at Branford, Conn.
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Secret society, name unknown at this time, it is a secret society organized between the Northern and Southern armies, the object of which is to deplete our ranks by desertion.
1. Private E. D. Meroney, Company D, Third Confederate Cavalry.
2. Lieutenant John F. Musgrove, conscripting officer, lives 5 miles from Blountsville, Ala. he gives passes to deserters good for twelve months.
3. Lieutenant Wilkerson, commanding rendezvous at Blountsville, gave Meroney three passes at pleasure.
3. Clark Livingston, enrolling officer, lives in Winston Country, Ala.;
4. James Ooten, enrolling officer, who belong to this league in North Alabama.
The following citizens and deserters from our army are numbers of the society.
1. Allen Reive (citizen), lives in Walker Country, Ala..
2. J. Martin (deserter), lives in Blount Country, Ala.
3. William Chamble (deserter, postmaster at Sapp's Cross-Roads, Walker Country, Ala.
4. K. Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country Ala.
5. John Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala.
6. Wesley Prentice (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala.
7. Joe Crutcher (conscript), Blount Country, Ala..
8. Polk Hillman (deserter) Winston Country, Ala.
9. George Baker (deserter), Winston Country, Ala.
10. Mrs. Murphy (Yankee rendezvous), Winston Country, Ala.
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Mr. H. M. HOXIE, U. S. Marshal, Des Moines, Iowa: States that the Knights of the Golden Circle, is now entitled Union Relief Society, it is said they have 42,000 members.
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A restoration of the (Golden Circle) called Knights of America are rapidly and extensively being formed all over the State, the grand commander from Missouri is Charles L. Hunt, of Saint Louis. His office is at No. 46 North Fifth street, second floor.
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Adolphe Mazureau is the president and leading man of a secret society known as the Southern Independence Association.
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1862, Mr. Pierre Soule, ex-Member of Congress and former Minister to Spain, has been and still is engaged in plotting treason against the United States Government I ordered him to be arrested on the 28th day of the present month and to be held in safe confinement until such time as he could be safely transferred to Fort Warren, Mass., as a political prisoner. Pierre Soule is a member and the leader of a secret society known as the Southern Independence Association.
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Joseph R. Flanders and F. D. Flanders, of Malone, in Franklin County, be longed to a secret society name unknown.
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Secret society of rebels known as "The Sons of the South," "Sons of Liberty," "Knights of the Black Cross," &c.
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Secret society of the Sons of Liberty.
1. Jacob Thompson is the rebel agent in Canada.
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List of names of prominent members of Sons of Liberty in the several counties of the State of Illinois.
1. James W. Adams.
Singleton.
2. Thomas P. Bent. Bond.
3. Henry Wilton Do.
4. Thomas Hunter Do.
Armstrong.
5. Martin Brooks Brown.
6. O. H. Atwood Do.
7. Fred Riauch Cass.
8. Allen J. Hill Do.
9. David Eplen Do.
10. James A. Dick Do.
11. Samuel Christy Do.
Barrett.
12. F. J. Clark Champaign.
13. James Morrow Do.
Smith.
14. H. M. Vandin Christian.
15. William S. Do.
Moore.
16. J. H. Clark Do.
17. S. S. Whitehead Clark.
18. H. H. Peyton Do.
19. Philip Do.
Dougherty.
20. A. M. Christian Clay.
21. Stephen B. Coles.
Moore.
22. Doctor Cook.
Wickersham Sweeny.
23. G. S. Kimberly Do.
24. B. S. Morris Do.
25. W. C. Wilson Crawford.
26. L. W. Odell Do.
27.--- Dickens Cumberland.
28. J. C. De Witt.
29. C. H. Polrun Do.
30. B. F. Williams Douglas.
31. Amos Green Edgar.
32. R. N. Bishop Do.
33. W. D. Litshan Edwards.
34. Levi Eckles Fayette.
35. Doctor Do.
36. T. Greathouse Do.
37. Charles T. Do.
38. N. Simis Ford.
39. Ed. Gill Do.
40. A. D. Duff Franklin.
41. B. F. Pope Do.
42. W. B. Kelly Do.
43. A. Perry Fulton.
44. J. H. Peilsal Do.
45. Corning Judd Do.
46. Charles Do.
47. L. Walker. Hamilton.
48. M. Conchman Hancock.
49. M. M. Monn Hancock
Lanning.
50. J. M. Finch Do.
Holloway.
51. W. C. Hooker Do
52. Dennis Smith Do.
53. J. S. Ramsdale Henderson.
54. A. Johnson Do.
55. Ira. R. Wells Henry.
McMillin.
56. Charles Durham Do.
57. Morrison Do.
Francis Kellar.
58. J. B. Carpenter Do.
59. J. Osburn Jackson.
60. J. W. Jeffries Jasper.
61. G. H. Varnell Jefferson.
62. William Dodds Do.
63. J. M. Pace Do.
64. James Sample Jersey.
65. O. N. Powell Do.
66. M. Y. Johnson Jo Davies.
67. David Sheam Do.
68. M. Simmens Do.
Barnes.
69. Louis Sheiler Do.
70. Thomas M. Ker Knox.
71. E. D. Helen Do.
72. J. M. Mihelow Do.
73. James Delhrage Do.
74. E. Elsworth Do.
75. D. H. Morgan Lawrence.
Springer.
76. E. D Norton Logan.
77. A. M. Miller Do.
Campbell.
78. R. J. Hously Macoupin.
Montgomery.
79. Dr. T. M. Hope Madison.
80. H. K. S. O. Marion.
Melvery.
81. S. R. Carrigan.
82. John Burns Marshall.
Thompson.
83. P. M. Janney Do.
Russeler.
84. C. M. Baker Do.
Richardson.
85. R. Smithson Do.
Shallenberger.
86. J. R. Taggart Do.
87. J. Haringhoost Mason.
88. J. S. Chamblin Do.
89. J. W. Mathews McDonough.
90. J. C. Thompson Do.
91. Thomas A. Do.
Martain McCartney.
92. William H. Do.
Neece.
93. R. Cassell McLean.
Hama.
94. J. E. Springer Do.
95. J. F. Morrell Do.
96. E. D. Wright Menard.
Richardson
97. Edward Menard
98. Robert Mercer.
99. Robert Davis Montgomery.
100. Thomas Grey Do.
101. W. J. Latham Morgan.
102. J. O. S Hays Do.
103. J. W. Do.
104. D. Patterson Moultrie.
105. Doctor Do.
106. G. D. Read Ogle.
107. W. W. O'Brien Peoria.
108. Peter Saut Do.
109. Jacob Gale Do.
110. P. W. Dume Do.
111. John Fuller Do.
112. John Francis Do.
113. C. H. Wright Putnam.
114. John Ong Do.
115. T. Alexander Do.
116. W. H. G. Do.
117. H. B. Keys Do.
118. E. S. Wilson Richland.
119. J. W. Barrett Sangamon.
120. W. T. Barrett Do.
121. Jacob Epler Do.
122. B. B. Piper Do.
123. W. M. Do
124. E. Edmonston Schuyler.
125. P. L. Do.
126. J. Do.
127. J. C. Fox Do.
128. J. N. Ward Do.
129. G. W. Metz Do.
130. F. B. Shelby.
131. Reuben Do.
132. M. Do.
133. M. Stark.
134. J. B. Smith Stephenson.
135. J. L. Carr Vermilion.
136. John Doulen Do.
137. W. Friend Wabash
138. C. Z. Landis Do.
139. J. B. Warren.
140. N. K. Poofer Do.
141. JNO. Do.
142. G. W. Aiken Williamson.
143. R. M. Hundley Do.
144. C. R. Woodford.
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Harrison H. Dodd, citizen of Indiana, was tried in September, 1864.
Charges: 1. Conspiracy against the United States, 2. Affording aid and comfort to rebels against the authority of the United States. 3. Inciting insurrection. 4. Disloyal practices.
5. Violation of the laws of war.
He was grand commander of the Sons of Liberty in Indiana.
On the 7th of October, 1864, the eleventh day of the trial, it was announced by the judge-advocate that the accused had made his escape from the mitigated confinement which he had given his word to respect, and could not be found. The judge-advocate moved the court to proceed at once to judgment in prisoner's absence, and rested his case on the evidence already in. The counsel for the accused opposed the motion, but the commission overruled his objection, and having first convicted Dodd on all the charges and specifications, in which the evidence fully supported them, sentenced him to be hung.
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November 7, 1864.
Arrested Buck Morris, treasurer of the Sons of Liberty.
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On the night of Monday, November 14, the following-named persons members of the Sons of Liberty, were arrested, viz; Obadiah Jackson, grand senior; Charles W. Patten, member of State council; William Felton, tyler of door-keeper; James Gearry, a dangerous member; Richard T. Semmes, nephew to Pirate Semmes; Dr. E. W. Edwards, who harbored Colonel Marmaduke; all of whom remain in custody. On the 15th instant a young Englishman from Canada, under British protection papers, named Mongham, was arrested, who proved to be a messenger between Jacob Thompson, Captain Hines, Brigadier-General Walsh, and the guerrilla, Colonel Jessee, of Kentucky.
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1864, arrests were made during that night: Brigadier General Charles Walsh, of the Sons of Liberty, Judge Buckner S. Morris, treasurer of the Sons of Liberty at his house, Numbers 6. Washington street. Patrick Dooley, secretary of the Temple, in this city, was arrested
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Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi Secretary, of the Sons of Liberty.
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June 6, 1865, tried, jointly with Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, Charles T. Daniel, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson, for conspiring with one Captain Hines, alias Doctor Hunter, of the Confederate Army.
All of the Sons of Liberty.
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CHICAGO, November 14, 1864.
Last night arrested Patrick Dooley, secretary of Sons of Liberty
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Members of the Order of Heroes of America.
1. John Gardner.
2. John Hamilton, the sheriff of the county, was a member of the order.
3. Harrison Bowman.
4. William Dorton
5. E. B. Petrie, from Forsyth
6. Linville Price, deserter from the Thirty-fourth North Carolina Regiment, from Ashe County, N. C.
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John C. Brain was arrested at Michigan City, Ind., early in September, 1861, charged with being a spy in the service of the rebels, a member of the disloyal secret of organization known as the Knights of the Golden Circle and an officer in the rebel army.
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Originally known in certain localities as the Mutual Protection Society, the Circle of Honor, or the Circle or Knights of the Mighty Host, but more widely as the Knights of the Golden Circle.
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Knights of the Golden Circle.
The first supreme commander of the order was P. C. Wright, of New York, editor of the New York News, who was in May last placed in arrest and confined in Fort Lafayette. His successor in office was Vallandigham, who was elected at the annual meeting of the supreme council in February last. Robert Holloway, of Illinois, is represented to have acted as lieutenant-general, or deputy supreme commander, during the absence of Vallandigham from the country. The secretary of state chosen at the last election was Doctor Massey, of Ohio. In Missouri the principal officers were Charles L. Hunt, grand commander; Charles E. Dunn, deputy grand commander, and Green B. Smith, grand secretary. Since the arrest of these three persons (all of whom have made confessions which will be presently alluded to) James A. Barrett has, as it is understood, officiated as grand commander. He is stated to occupy also the position of chief of staff to the supreme commander. The general commander in Indiana, H. H. Dodd, is now on trial at Indianapolis by a military commission for "conspiracy against the Government," "violation of the laws of war," and other charges. The deputy grand commander in that State is Horace Heffren, and the grand secretary, W. M. Harrison. The major-generals are W. A. Bowles, John C. Walker, L. P. Milligan, and Andrew Humphreys.
The other leading members of the order in that State are Doctor Athon, state secretary, and Joseph Ristine, state auditor. The grand commander in Illinois is --- Judd, of Lewistown; and b. B. Piper, of Springfield, who is entitled grand missionary of the State, and designated also as a member of Vallandigham's staff, is one of the most active members, having been busily engaged throughout the summer in establishing temples and initiating members. In Kentucky, Judge Bullitt, of the court of appeals, is grand commander, and, with Dr. U. F. Kalfus and W. R. Thomas, jailer in Louisville, two other of the most prominent members, has been arrested and confined by the military authorities. In New York, Dr. R. F. Stevens, the chief secretary of the McClellan Minute Guard, is the most active ostensible representative of the order.
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Members of the Knights of the golden circle.
1. William Douglas.
2. Charles L. Hunt.
3. Isaiah Butler.
4. David C. Wattles.
5. Nelson Yarber, charged with being the secretary and treasurer of the organization of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
6. J. H. Edwards.
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Updated September 16, 2010.
I received this information from Anneliese, Kennedy, who I would like to thank for a interesting look into the family.
Mr. Segelquist, I was interested to find the above-titled website. In it you mention a "Secret society, name unknown at this time, it is a secret society organized between the Northern and Southern armies, the object of which is to deplete our ranks by desertion." One of the names mentioned is James Ooten, enrolling officer. I had found the reference in Confederate papers to this society a few years ago, and I believe this James Ooten is actually James M. Wooten, my great-grandfather. It was always family tradition that James had been a spy for the Union during the Civil War. He was a resident of Winston County at the opening of the war, and lived later in Blount Co., in and near Blountsville. His obituary stated that he had been a member of the Republican party from its inception, "because he truly believed in the principles of the party". Also, there were no Ootens or Hootens in Winston, Walker or Blount counties in 1860 or 1870, and my grandfather and his mother were the only Wootens in those counties until his children grew up. Following the war, James was appointed US postmaster, and held that position in Blountsville and other towns in northern Alabama until just prior to his death. (His wife and mother also served as postmasters.) There was also a town named for him, but Wooten, Alabama now no longer exists except for one kudzu-covered building, which the family visited during a reunion two years ago. James was able to swear to his mother-in-law's (Nancy McPherson) loyalty to the Union in the 1870s when she applied for an 1812 widow's pension based on her husband's service in the War of 1812. For these reasons, I believe he is the individual named in that secret society.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bushwhacker Bill [ Jim ] Jackson.
Here are seventeen report on how the militia tried to catch the notorious bushwhacker Jim Jackson also known as Bill Jackson. Jackson was notorious for killing unarmed men and the hanging of Negro’s, he wasn’t hard to follow as he left dead men where ever he went. But catching him was a another matter.
I know many of you are looking for the names of bushwhackers, for this reason I will high light only the names of bushwhackers and those thought to be bushwhackers, these names will be in red. These reports cover the months of December 1864 through May 1865.
Note. This page is very long and will take a while to read.
Important note. I have thousands of names at this site, when asking about a name from this page or any other pages at this site, please give the ( Title of the page ), for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
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HEADQUARTERS, Brunswick, Mo., November 18, 1864.
General CLINTON B. FISK,
Commanding District of North Missouri, Macon City, Mo.:
GENERAL: I am still at this post, and think I could find business enough to do for the next six months if I had authority in hunting up and collecting the forfeited bonds of this section of the country. I find that Captain Hawkins, of the bushwhacking fraternity, and Captain Ryder and Jim Anderson and a notorious thief by the name of Jim Harris, are all in the vicinity of this place, circulating on the south side of the river in Saline County. The first-named captain has fifty-three men, and his family lives in the vicinity of the river some ten miles southeast, on south side of Missouri River. Ryder has twenty-five men and lives only eight miles from Brunswick, in Saline County, five men and lives only eight miles from Brunswick, in Saline County, making headquarters with his farther and other rebels in that locality. He comes up to the river daily to make observations. Jim Anderson lives or makes headquarters farther from the river, and this Jim Harris operates with Ryder. Jim Jackson is on this side the river, and I think I will be able to make his hiding place known in a few days. Ryder's men last night captured two boxes of shoes, one box of boots, and one box of ready-made clothing, shipped from Saint Louis by Judge McDaniels, a noted rebel of Saline County, and shipped to Mitchell Bell, rebel preacher of Miami. The boat landed and left the goods and Ryder and Harris took them. This is their plan for shoeing and clothing the bushwhacking whelps. The money robbed from Union men is taken to pay for these things. I would like authority to go into Saline County and clean up a small portion of that territory. I know I could prepare it for a new installment of settlers.
The whole rebel element seems to have taken a sudden fit in the way of moving. They have hardly any men, but the women are now on the move with bag and baggage. Bushwhackers are said to be concentrating now for a raid this side, and yesterday 150 were in a body at a place four miles from the ferry. I have men enough to operate well if you say go ahead. I will keep my men in good discipline and straight, but they are anxious for a muss, and I am somewhat in that fix. I shall give the country east and west on the river a good discipline and straight, but they are anxious for a muss, and I am somewhat in that fix. I shall give the country east and west on the river a good raking over, and may get tempted over the river if I see game. I can imagine that Saline County is in the District of North Missouri. What shall I do with conscripts? Lots of them are making their appearance; all of them noted rebels.
Before they went into the service of their beloved Confederacy they were certain that Price would hold the State, but after finding out their mistake they, knowing that their property would be liable to confiscation, return and express themselves willing to be forgiven. All the old king rebels have gone to Saint Louis and Illinois, and their families are now preparing to follow. I will move from here to-morrow and will leave a force here, and will make some point on the North Missouri Railroad and report to you in person. I will report to you from Keytesville and Glasgow by letter.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. J. CRANDALL,
Captain, Commanding Forces in Lewis and Chariton Counties, Mo.
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MACON, December 25, 1864.
Brigadier-General FISK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:
Matters are getting in bad shape in Chariton County. Captain Stanley telegraphs that Jim Jackson's band are roving at pleasure and killing indiscriminately. Several men living near Westville were killed by the gang yesterday. They go in squads of six or seven men. Have you any orders?
G. A. HOLLOWAY,
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SAINT LOUIS, December 26, 1864.
Captain G. A. HOLLOWAY, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Send out from Macon fifty of the best mounted men you can muster, under an officer who will not rest day or night until Jim Jackson and his infernal clan are exterminated. Send officer who will give the bushwhackers' friends to understand that they will share the same fate. Captain Glaze is the best man to take hold of this matter if he can possibly be spared. Captain Benecke don't seem to be rendering the service he should.
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, January 7, 1865.
Major General G. M. DODGE, Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that a comparative quiet prevails throughout the District of North Missouri. The elements of trouble yet remain in many localities. In nearly all the River counties from Buchanan to Montgomery there are more or less of guerrillas. We hear of them in squads of five and three and single ones moving about. All the mounted troops we have are on the move constantly day and night, and many of the villains are found and killed. The notorious Jim Jackson, of Chariton County, was doubtless mortally wounded near Bynumville, Chariton County, last week. Every effort is being made to discover his place of concealment. Hines, a lieutenant in Holtzclaw's guerrillas, was captured and killed near Rocheport a few days since, and one Campbell, a desperado of much notoriety, was found in a cave, two miles from Fayette, in Howard County, and killed on the spot, by a detachment of the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
Others of the bushwhacking rank and file are being gathered up and mustered out. I have five companies of the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, at Glasgow, Fayette, and Rocheport, and one company Forty-ninth Infantry at Columbia. They are well located for the winter duty. It would be pleasant for certain politicians at Columbia to have a company of cavalry stationed at that point to act as escort to said politicians to and from the railroad. With the limited number of troops at my command I am unable to furnish body guards for the distinguished gentleman, hence their cry out in the Democrat of the 5th instant. The rebel register is being rapidly completed, and I will soon be able to furnish you a list of the parties who ought no to remain among us. I trust our legislature will not lose any time in giving us the right kind of militia law, for we need to hasten the organization of every man who can load and fire a gun and be ready before the leaves come. I go to Hannibal to-day to give personal attention to some irregularities in the northeast.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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GLASGOW, January 11, 1865.
Brigadier-General FISK:
Lieutenant Gannon has returned. Run Jim Jackson out of his boots. Followed him eleven miles south of Fayette. Stopped at dark and went to Fayette. Lieutenant Williams with thirteen men started on his trial this morning. Jackson has been wounded in both thighs. Left his boots at the house where Gannon first came up with him. Lieutenant thinks he cannot ride all night, and wherever he stops he will be compelled to remain. Robinson had six revolvers. Had emptied two when he was shot through the head.
THOS. B. REED,
Captain, Commanding Post.
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Lieutenant and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
LEXINGTON, January 11, 1865.
Colonel JAMES McFERRAN:
We have just had a fight with bushwhackers near town. There seems to be a consolidated force said to be commanded by Jackson. Send me some ammunition, as we are nearly out.
WM. MEREDITH,
Captain, Commanding.
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COLUMBIA, MO., February 22, 1865.
[Lieutenant W. T. CLARKE, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, District of North Missouri:]
LIEUTENANT: I in close you a note written by Jim Jackson and pinned to the coat of an old negro man he hung night before last. I can't tell the object of this move, unless it is for the interest of the substitute brokers, a great number of whom have made their appearance here since this occurrence. Of course the negroes have been coming into town in droves. This negro was hung about six miles east of this place. Jackson had three men with him. I still hear of a few other bushwhackers in this county, and am trying to plan some way to get some of them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. N. COOK, Captain Company F, Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
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ALLEN, February 27, 1865.
Lieutenant W. T. CLARKE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Bill [Jim?] Jackson passed through Milton, six miles east of here, this morning, going toward Renick. They hung one negro and carried off Doctor Hall, of Milton.
H. S. GLAZE,
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., February 27, 1865.
Jim Jackson is making south from Renick, killing and hanging on his way; probably making for Perche Hills. Move a scout of twenty or twenty-five men toward Centralia.
By order of Brigadier-General Fisk:
W. T. CLARKE,
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MEXICO, MO., March 4, 1865.
Honorable I. H. STURGEON,
DEAR SIR AND FRIEND: Well knowing your wishes and desires, as often expressed to me, for the future welfare and interests of Missouri, particularly Northeast Missouri, I now write you, hoping that you may be able to lay some matters before General Pope in such a manner as will be to our future advantage as a people and State. I find on my arrival at home that the people of my county and the adjoining counties [are] in a great state of excitement, and many good citizens leaving the State, leaving their farms, making such dispositions of their personal effects as they can, in some instances selling their farms for what they can get, and others leaving their farms and lands and either moving into town or leaving the State-and in most cases leaving the State-many of whom are good, loyal citizens, who have ever been friends of the Government.
This present increased excitement has been produced by the raids of a few notorious thieves and bushwhackers, not more than ten in number. As I am informed, five or six of them made a raid into the west end of this county the day before I left home and killed one man and beat and robbed others, which occurred on or about the 25th of February, and afterward some ten, claiming to be the same gang led by the notorious Jim Jackson, of Texas, as he claims, made a raid through the northwestern part of Boone and Randolph and to Jackson Station, killing some two or three persons and robbing others. These raids have been made and these brutal outrages committed upon Union men generally and such Southern sympathizers as have manifested a disposition to favor the Union cause, and in no case have any notorious rebels been molested. Such seems to be the programme, that all Union men are to be driven out of the State by such fiends, and the disloyal element of the country sit quietly down and fold their arms and rejoice over the result thus brought about.
I am satisfied in my own mind that many of the Southern men are willing to see the work of death go on as inaugurated by such fiends claiming to be Confederate guerrillas, &c., until every Union man shall be driven out of the State.
During the fall and winter the rebel element of the country was the restless element, and were wishing to sell and leave the State for fear of the reaction to follow the raid of Price; but as that was about to subside these raids have caused them to become more quiet, and many of them seem satisfied to remain, as the loyal men are thus to be either killed or run out of the State. Cannot some plan be set on foot to relieve Union men and retain our population in the State, especially the Union element? I have herein given you a few facts in a very broken manner, and hope you may thereby get the idea intended to be conveyed by me of the necessity of some action to retain our population protect Union men and produce quiet in our State as speedily as possible. You can judge of the wants of the country people, and General Pope can fully appreciate the case as presented by you, and I hope will be able to devise some means for our future and immediate quiet and safety. I dislike very much to call on you for any part of your valuable time, but duty to our country requires ucan for protection.
I am, very truly, yours.
J. P. CLARK.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS SUB-DISTRICT OF HOWARD,
Numbers 16.
Glasgow, Mo., March 7, 1865.
Captain Meredith, Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, with twenty men, will, in accordance telegraphic dispatch from Brigadier-General Fisk, proceed forthwith to hunt down the notorious guerrilla Jim Jackson and his nefarious band, and all other bushwhackers. Will be particular to have good order and discipline observed by his command, returning as soon as pursuit proves fruitless.
By order of:
ED. A. KUTZNER,
Colonel, Commanding.
Captain JOHN D. MEREDITH, Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers.
In obedience to the above order, with Lieutenant Self and twenty men of my company and two citizens as guides, I started on the morning of the 7th instant on search of guerrillas, moving in the direction of what is known as the Perche Hills, in Howard and Boone Counties. After scouting the country for two days without gaining any information of importance, I sent Lieutenant Self with several men to the house of Mr. Lewis Barnes, the only loyal man I could learn of in that part of the country, to ask him to accompany us as guide. The men whom I had with me for that purpose I found did not know the country thoroughly. The lieutenant found Mr. Barnes at home, too unwell to go with us, but willing to do all he could. He gave him the names of parties in the neighborhood most likely to harbor guerrillas, and consequently most likely to be cognizant of their haunts and hiding places. In order to gain the desired information, I ordered Lieutenant Self and four men to disguise themselves as bushwhackers, visit the houses indicated, receive any aid voluntarily offered, and learn if possible the camp (if any of the bona fide guerrillas, I with the remainder of the command stopping in camp to give the lieutenant time to perform his mission.
After waiting two or three hours I followed the lieutenant until, coming to the house of Anthony Drane, I stopped to feed and make inquires. After asking about feed I asked Mr. Drane if he had seen or head of any troops being in the neighborhood. He answered Numbers Had he seen or heard of any bushwhackers? Numbers Had he seen any strange men passing about? Numbers I then told him I thought I had seen tracks leading to the house, but the ground was frozen and I could not tell positively. He said, "There have been no men here, and I have not seen any passing. " At this time one of my men came and whispered to me that Lieutenant Self was outside the house and wished to see me. I went out, and the lieutenant told me he had ssquad at the house in the morning; that he had asked Mr. Drane if he knew of any Federals being about, and was answered, "no. "
The lieutenant then asked him if he knew where any of the boys were, as he wished to get with them. Mr. Drane told him he did not but that he himself was a 'southern man from the ground up,' and that he wanted the lieutenant and his men to come in and get dinner. The lieutenant told him he was afraid to stop for it, but if he had any eggs his (self's) men would like to have a few. Mr. Drane told him he should have them, and going into the house soon had a large number of eggs cooked and brought to the boys. He (Drane) then asked Lieutenant Self of he could do anything more for him. Self told him that one of his men needed a pair of socks, and if he (Drane) could give him a pair he (Self) would be obliged to him. Drane went in the house and got a pair of socks and gave them to Lieutenant Self, remarking as he did so that he wished they were better (they had been worn and washed), as when ha gave he liked to give the best. Lieutenant Self then took his leave, Mr. Drane telling him the best roads to travel to avoid Federal scouts, should any be out.
After my conversation with Lieutenant Self I re-entered the house, and in the presence of several of my men questioned Mr. Drane closely. He persisted in saying he had seen or hear of no one. I ordered my men to mount, and detailed a corporal and two men to set fire to the premises, which was done. Lieutenant Self and his men (Still in disguise) had visited several other houses in the neighborhood, the residents of which professed to be Southern men. They did not seem so particularly anxious to assist, but told Lieutenant Self he might rest assured they never would report on him. I let it be known that I had burned Mr., Anthony Drane's house and why I did it; that I considered parties who would willingly harbor whackers (or men supposed to be such) equally guilty with outlaws themselves, and that they must either take every opportunity of reporting to the proper authorities or leave the country.
If they did not, I would, as far as in my power, treat them with the same severity I would a guerrilla. This was in the eastern part of Howard County. From this point I moved down on to Perche Creek, scouting the brush on the creek and its tributaries, but without success, as I could get no information from any of the citizens as to bushwhackers, roads, localities, or anything else, and I became satisfied that a large majority of the citizens of this region would harbor guerrillas. After camping at night I sent a sergeant with twelve men to the residence of Joseph Graves, in Boone County, to feed. On his return the sergeant told me he thought Mr. Graves was a bad man, and that he had expressed himself in the most disloyal manner. On starting in the morning, wishing a guide to a place known as Dripping Spring Meeting-House, I sent a corporal to bring Graves along to pilot us to said place.
After they had overtaken the column (which they did after we had moved a short distance) Lieutenant Self had a conversation with Graves, in which he (Graves) told the lieutenant that he had always been a Southern man, and that he had no cause to change his principles. The lieutenant asked Graves if he has seen any bushwhackers lately. He answered that he had not. Lieutenant Self then asked him if he would have reported on them if he had. Graves answered, "No," as it might get him into trouble. Lieutenant Self then asked him the question, "Would you feed guerrillas and not report than to the authorities?" Graves answered, "I would not report on anybody.
" I asked Graves a number of questions and received the same answers, The conversation took place in the presence of the lieutenant, myself, and several others who were riding with the advance. I had one or two other men, whom I had arrested for uttering disloyal sentiments, with me at the time. The plainly and boldly said they had been Southern men at the beginning of the war, and were so yet that they had no reason to change their principles. I told them such men could not live in that country, that they must leave either the State or go to some military post and remain. If they did not, they must the take the consequences. Graves I retained, and after more conversation with him ordered his execution. I considered him a quiet, determined, and dangerous man; a man of some influence and one who could and do more harm by his acquiescence and aid (unarmed though he was) than if he were in the brush with his revolvers belted around him. "Desperate diseases require desperate remedies," and the disease is getting desperate when the number of guerrillas is rapidly increasing in a country, and a large proportion of the citizens are ready and willing to harbor and aid them.
The killing of a few such men will do more good than anything else for a country like the Perche and Blackfoot Hills, for it will deter others. Where guerrillas cannot be fed without being reported they cannot remain. We were in sight of the bushwhackers several times, and I did my best to come up with them, chasing them for two days, but found it impossible to come up with them, as the citizens would almost invariably put me upon the wrong trail.
There is but one Union family in the Blackfoot Hills, and this is the family of a Federal soldier (named Schwabe, I think). This family told me the guerrillas were harbored in the neighborhood; that they had seen them several times within a few days riding about, accompanies by three or four young women. After scouting about for a day or two I concluded to divide my squad, and did so, sending Lieutenant Self with ten men and one of the guides up the east side of Perche Creek to meet me at a given at the expiration of two days. With the other ten men and one guide I started up the west side of Perche, but after going some distance, hearing of some bushwhackers (through negroes), I divided my men again, taking four men again, taking four men with me and sending the remainder to scout the Franklin Hills. About this time, receiving information from a most reliable citizen that a sister of Bill Hines was staying at a house in the neighborhood, and that I would probably find Hines and his brother (both notorious bushwhackers) about there, I started in search of them.
On arriving at the house mentioned the family denied to ms had been there, but finally admitted it, and I knowing that the Hines; had been at the house a number of times to visit her, I burned the house and ordered the owner (Mrs. ---) to either leave the State or go to a military post to live. Here I got on the trail of two men, whom from description I thought to be Lewis Hoard and Younger Grubbs (bushwhackers), and followed it to Brick Chapel Meting-House, but not being able to find Hoard and Grubbs, and losing all trace of them, I started on my return to Perche Creek. In the vicinity of the Brick Chapel resided who had a son in the brush (I have forgotten the name, as I have lost my memoranda).
They had harbored and fed him for months. My informations here were negroes, but I questioned them closely, and was perfectly satisfied of the truth of their statements. I had a conversation with the lady of the house, and she expressed herself in the most disloyal; manner. I burned the house, as it was harboring place for guerrillas. Lieutenant Self found no guerrillas, nor did he destroyed any property on his route, but reported to me that he saw a squad of the Ninth Missouri State Militia (a lieutenant and seventeen men), who were reporting themselves to the citizens as a portion of the "Thirty-ninth Missouri, from Glasgow, under command of Lieutenant Johnson. " The other squad of my command burned the residence of Bas. Maxwell, and ordered him to leave that part of the country.
Maxwell is notoriously one of the worst men in the country. Doctor Holman, surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, sometime ago gave me his name and a statement of his deeds and doings, all proving him a dangerous man. The squad who burned his house, however, did it on information received at the time in the neighborhood. with the three squads we scouted the country thoroughly, but it raining and the roads becoming almost impassable, I decided on returning to camp, which I did, arriving at Glasgow on the 15th instant. Though the order headquarters this report is the only written one I received, my verbal instructions from Colonel Kutzner were not to stop at county or district lines, and to treat aiders and abettors with the same severity I would armed bushwhackers. On my return the colonel told me I need not make any report to him, and he therefore does now know what I did. I maintained good order and discipline in my command.
Respectfully submitted.
Your obedient servant, JOHN D. MEREDITH, Captain Company D, Thirty-ninth Infantry Missouri Volunteers.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 11, 1865.
Major J. W. BARNES, Asst. Adjt. General, Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:
MAJOR: I have the honor to state, for the information of the general commanding, that the troops of the district have been and are now actively pursuing the bushwhacking enemy. We have not been able to find and fall upon any band of the villains during the week ending this day. I am well persuaded, however, that int he Perche Hills and what is termed the "Blackfoot country," in Boone County, there are quite a number of Jim Jackson's and Bill Anderson's old gang of murderous outlaws. The geography of the country is to them well known, and the topography of that section, as well as the topography of the hearts of the people is most admirably adapted to bushwhacking purposes.
I have ordered the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia detachments on duty at this post to move to Sturgeon and organize a most through and vigorous campaign throughout Boone, Howard, Randolph, and Audrain Counties. Sturgeon, you will discover, is an admirable point to operate from we shall doubtless stir up the snakes and drive them into Chariton and Carroll, where I am also preparing to meet and bang them out. The citizens of the district are generally fearful of a repetition of the troubles of last summer. It remains with them principally to prevent such a lamentable state of affairs. I am exerting all the influence I possess to unite the people in vigorous war against the outlaws. I think at no time have the sympathizing rascals been so determined to put down the guerrillas as now. They shall be encouraged in good works even at this eleventh hour. The people need assurance and confidence in each other. They truly honest, loyal, earnest men of the State must lay aside all petty differences and shoulder to shoulder unite in the extermination of all outlaws, and in securing protection, security, and peace for our waiting, suffering, struggling loyalists oft he rural district.
I have the honor to be, major, your respectful and obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 13, 1865.
Captain H. N. COOK,
Company F, Ninth Cav. Missouri State Militia, Columbia, Mo:
CAPTAIN: Your have this day been ordered to Sturgeon to assume command of your regiment. I have sent al of the Ninth that was at this post to Sturgeon. ; not to do post duty at Sturgeon or anywhere else, but to he sent into the brush forthwith on a vigorous, continued, and protracted hunt after Jim Jackson and company. We must take the offensive and take it early against these outlaws. Until Major Leonard returns to the command, you will give director to the movement. Parcel out your men in squads and put them at the work. When they strike a track tell time to follow it day and night until Christmas, if necessary, so that they succeed in the end. Your knowledge of the geography of the country and the topography of the hearts and consciences of the people in the Perche Hills and the Blackfoot country ought to enable you to make a very successful campaign against the villains. You can at the same time push on the organization of the Boone County Rangers, of which I would like You to be made commander. Let You operations extend to Grand River. Stop not short of Jim Jackson's grave, if possibly You can reach it. Keep me posted of all Your movements and mortality list.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,
Macon, Mo., March 21, 1865.
General D. M. DRAPER, Mexico, Mo.:
GENERAL: It seems a burning shame that Jim Jackson and company are permitted to roam leisurely through Boone, Randolph, Howard, and Chariton Counties, shooting and hanging citizens. Can you not organize a half dozen scouts and follow the villain until he is dead? I know it is not an easy thing to do, but if with the force we now have and the limited number of bushwhackers yet on duty, and before the leaves come out we can't exterminate this gang, what will become of us when the bushwhacking campaign fairly opens? I am fearful the Ninth are too indolent; too little inclined to pitch into hard work or hard fighting. Stir up their pure minds.
Don't allow them to rot away at posts or to spend their time foraging. Let supplies be furnished from here, and keep every able bodied soldier in the brush. I have ordered Captain Reed to move from Brunswick to Salisbury, where he can devote the remainder of his term of service to the vigorous muster out of his bushwhacking neighbors. You can keep at least 200 men on the constant move. A scout out for a few hours or a day and a night accomplish but little. Occupy and possess the Perche Hills country back and forth until the friends of Jim Jackson wish he would die to relieve them of the presence of your troops.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,
Macon, Mo., March 22, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that with but slight exception all is quiet in this district. What troops I have are kept busily employed scouting through the river counties. Jim Jackson and company are roaming through Boone, Callaway, and Howard Counties. They are chiefly engaged in plundering and murdering negroes. They have hung two negroes in Boone and one in Callaway County within the last few days. I have 200 men on the move day and night after the fiends. We have killed two of the gang of late. It seems strange, I know, that this villain should go so long without being caught, but did the general commanding know the country and the people as well as Jim Jackson does, he would readily discover how it is that a small party can thus elude the strictest vigilance. I am now organizing a Jim Jackson exterminating corps, and hope to muster out a few of the rascals by that means. A few brave, determined soldiers, stimulated by private rewards offered by citizens, go into the Blackfoot country to-morrow, sworn not to return without the head of the monster in a charger.
The volunteer militia companies being organized under the governor's General Orders, Numbers 3, are in some localities progressing very well, but in others only moderately. The volunteer force of the district is now very small and altogether too limited for the safety of the public property, thoroughfares and their appointments, and the duty of killing bushwhackers required at my hands. The people generally in that portion of the district south of the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad are apprehensive of more serious trouble than they have ever experienced before, and I can but advise the most thorough preparation for trouble there by insuring quiet. The civil authorities are generally endeavoring to discharge their duty. I have advised judges that I am simply their aide-de-camp; that we will catch and guard thieves if necessary, while they must try and punish. We don't mean to have bushwhackers brought in for trial at all.
I have the honor to be, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 25, 1865.
JAMES E. YEATMAN, Esq.,
Law Commissioner, Saint Louis, Mo.:
DEAR SIR: I have yours of the 22nd instant, and will cheerfully do all I can to restore the family circle of the Monroe County freedwomen. Slavery dies hard. I hear it s expiring agonies and witness its contortions in death in every quarter of my district. In Boone, Howard, Randolph, and Cavalry the emancipation ordinance has caused disruption of society equal to anything I saw in Arkansas or Mississippi in the year 1863. I blush for my race when I discover the wicked barbarity of the late masters and mistresses of the recently freed persons of the counties heretofore named. I have no doubt but that the monster, Jim Jackson, is instigated by the late slave owners to hang or shoot every negro he can find absent from the old plantations. Some few have driven their black people away from them with nothing to eat or scarcely to wear.
The consequence is, between Jim Jackson and his collaborators among the first families, the poor blacks are rapidly concentrating in the towns and especially at garrisoned places. My hands and heart are full. I am finding homes for them in Northwest Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa. There is much sickness and suffering among them; many need help. Is there any fund that you can appropriate a small sum from to aid me in the deportation of the families I can't provide for in Missouri? I am retaining all in Missouri that I can get work for in quiet localities. We ought not to spare a single pound of our industrial element. We need to import rather than deport manual labor. I hope the waters will soon grow still, and Missouri in peace be permitted to pursue her way in the golden path of freedom and empire. It looks well all around the rapidly-concentrating lines. Sherman's conquering legions are marching on; redemption draweth night. All hail the Republic!
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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MAY 24, 1865. -Skirmish near Rocheport, Mo.
Report of Captain Warren W. Harris, Howard County Company Volunteer Missouri Militia.
HEADQUARTERS,
Post Fayette, May 25, 1865.
I have the honor to report to you that Sergt. Robert Digges, with a detachment of my company, had a fight with eleven bushwhackers, supposed to be under Jim Anderson, yesterday morning at 7. 30 o'clock. The bushwhackers were at the house of Elias Thompson, in this county, about six miles from Rocheport. We killed 4 bushwhackers and captured 4 horses and equipments, several pistols, overcoats, &c. Sergeant Digges is satisfied that there were several wounded who escaped. Our loss was Private Ben. Reeves, severely wounded in the shoulder; we also had two horses killed. The names of the bushwhackers killed, as obtained from a rebel deserter just from Price's army, are Theodore Cassell, of Jackson County; --- Kelly, of Saint Louis (right arm off); John Chapman, of Clay, and Thomas Maupin, of Callaway. The last named has the forefinger off his right hand. I inclose you two letters taken off the body of Cassell. Sergeant Digges was on the trail of Jim Jackson the evening before. He started it in Boone County, and was following in up when he heard of Anderson's gang.
We heard of Jackson yesterday at 10 a. m., with six other men near Boonsborough, in this county, going west. One citizen reports that Rider was along, and another reports that he recognized a man by the name of Finley with them. Finley was bushwhacking in this county last summer. I regret very much that there could not be a scout sent up after these last-mentioned bushwhackers. All my men who had serviceable horses were out, either with Sergeant Digges, with myself, who went out as soon as the fight was reported to me by a citizen, or with Lieutenant Davis, who had started from here the night before with forty men, under orders from Colonel Denny to proceed to Brunswick. I have been informed that Captain Meredith, with his command and a detachment of the Ninth Missouri State Militia, under Lieutenant Thompson, are out in the Boon's Lick country after Jackson. Lieutenant Davis returned this evening from Brunswick. I hope that it will not be deemed necessary again to have my men ordered so far from home, especially when I have my hands full in my own county.
The affair of yesterday is the third fight that my men have had with the bushwhackers. The first two came off in Boone County. Lieutenant Davis had a fight with Jim Jackson at the house of the Widow Cornelius, in Boone County, a week or ten days [ago]. Only his advance guard of seven men were engaged. The rebels fought desperately, but ran off before the main body of our men came up. No casualties on either side. Lieutenant Davis was on the trail of four or six men who had crossed the Missouri River at the mouth of the La Mine when he came across the trail of Jackson. Jackson had five men with him. I do not think, general, that there are any bushwhackers who stay habitually in this county. Jim Jackson and his gang make their home in Blackfoot, in Boone, and make a raid occasionally into this county. I believe that Holtzclaw is with Jackson. In every instance, except the last of yesterday, where we have got after bushwhackers we have followed them into or came across them in Boone. The gang we fought yesterday had just arrived in this county the day before. I hope the warm welcome they received will admonish them to stay away.
I am, general, your most obedient servant,
WARREN W. HARRIS.
Commanding Howard County Company Volunteer Missouri Militia.
I know many of you are looking for the names of bushwhackers, for this reason I will high light only the names of bushwhackers and those thought to be bushwhackers, these names will be in red. These reports cover the months of December 1864 through May 1865.
Note. This page is very long and will take a while to read.
Important note. I have thousands of names at this site, when asking about a name from this page or any other pages at this site, please give the ( Title of the page ), for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
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HEADQUARTERS, Brunswick, Mo., November 18, 1864.
General CLINTON B. FISK,
Commanding District of North Missouri, Macon City, Mo.:
GENERAL: I am still at this post, and think I could find business enough to do for the next six months if I had authority in hunting up and collecting the forfeited bonds of this section of the country. I find that Captain Hawkins, of the bushwhacking fraternity, and Captain Ryder and Jim Anderson and a notorious thief by the name of Jim Harris, are all in the vicinity of this place, circulating on the south side of the river in Saline County. The first-named captain has fifty-three men, and his family lives in the vicinity of the river some ten miles southeast, on south side of Missouri River. Ryder has twenty-five men and lives only eight miles from Brunswick, in Saline County, five men and lives only eight miles from Brunswick, in Saline County, making headquarters with his farther and other rebels in that locality. He comes up to the river daily to make observations. Jim Anderson lives or makes headquarters farther from the river, and this Jim Harris operates with Ryder. Jim Jackson is on this side the river, and I think I will be able to make his hiding place known in a few days. Ryder's men last night captured two boxes of shoes, one box of boots, and one box of ready-made clothing, shipped from Saint Louis by Judge McDaniels, a noted rebel of Saline County, and shipped to Mitchell Bell, rebel preacher of Miami. The boat landed and left the goods and Ryder and Harris took them. This is their plan for shoeing and clothing the bushwhacking whelps. The money robbed from Union men is taken to pay for these things. I would like authority to go into Saline County and clean up a small portion of that territory. I know I could prepare it for a new installment of settlers.
The whole rebel element seems to have taken a sudden fit in the way of moving. They have hardly any men, but the women are now on the move with bag and baggage. Bushwhackers are said to be concentrating now for a raid this side, and yesterday 150 were in a body at a place four miles from the ferry. I have men enough to operate well if you say go ahead. I will keep my men in good discipline and straight, but they are anxious for a muss, and I am somewhat in that fix. I shall give the country east and west on the river a good discipline and straight, but they are anxious for a muss, and I am somewhat in that fix. I shall give the country east and west on the river a good raking over, and may get tempted over the river if I see game. I can imagine that Saline County is in the District of North Missouri. What shall I do with conscripts? Lots of them are making their appearance; all of them noted rebels.
Before they went into the service of their beloved Confederacy they were certain that Price would hold the State, but after finding out their mistake they, knowing that their property would be liable to confiscation, return and express themselves willing to be forgiven. All the old king rebels have gone to Saint Louis and Illinois, and their families are now preparing to follow. I will move from here to-morrow and will leave a force here, and will make some point on the North Missouri Railroad and report to you in person. I will report to you from Keytesville and Glasgow by letter.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. J. CRANDALL,
Captain, Commanding Forces in Lewis and Chariton Counties, Mo.
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MACON, December 25, 1864.
Brigadier-General FISK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:
Matters are getting in bad shape in Chariton County. Captain Stanley telegraphs that Jim Jackson's band are roving at pleasure and killing indiscriminately. Several men living near Westville were killed by the gang yesterday. They go in squads of six or seven men. Have you any orders?
G. A. HOLLOWAY,
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SAINT LOUIS, December 26, 1864.
Captain G. A. HOLLOWAY, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Send out from Macon fifty of the best mounted men you can muster, under an officer who will not rest day or night until Jim Jackson and his infernal clan are exterminated. Send officer who will give the bushwhackers' friends to understand that they will share the same fate. Captain Glaze is the best man to take hold of this matter if he can possibly be spared. Captain Benecke don't seem to be rendering the service he should.
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, January 7, 1865.
Major General G. M. DODGE, Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis:
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that a comparative quiet prevails throughout the District of North Missouri. The elements of trouble yet remain in many localities. In nearly all the River counties from Buchanan to Montgomery there are more or less of guerrillas. We hear of them in squads of five and three and single ones moving about. All the mounted troops we have are on the move constantly day and night, and many of the villains are found and killed. The notorious Jim Jackson, of Chariton County, was doubtless mortally wounded near Bynumville, Chariton County, last week. Every effort is being made to discover his place of concealment. Hines, a lieutenant in Holtzclaw's guerrillas, was captured and killed near Rocheport a few days since, and one Campbell, a desperado of much notoriety, was found in a cave, two miles from Fayette, in Howard County, and killed on the spot, by a detachment of the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
Others of the bushwhacking rank and file are being gathered up and mustered out. I have five companies of the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, at Glasgow, Fayette, and Rocheport, and one company Forty-ninth Infantry at Columbia. They are well located for the winter duty. It would be pleasant for certain politicians at Columbia to have a company of cavalry stationed at that point to act as escort to said politicians to and from the railroad. With the limited number of troops at my command I am unable to furnish body guards for the distinguished gentleman, hence their cry out in the Democrat of the 5th instant. The rebel register is being rapidly completed, and I will soon be able to furnish you a list of the parties who ought no to remain among us. I trust our legislature will not lose any time in giving us the right kind of militia law, for we need to hasten the organization of every man who can load and fire a gun and be ready before the leaves come. I go to Hannibal to-day to give personal attention to some irregularities in the northeast.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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GLASGOW, January 11, 1865.
Brigadier-General FISK:
Lieutenant Gannon has returned. Run Jim Jackson out of his boots. Followed him eleven miles south of Fayette. Stopped at dark and went to Fayette. Lieutenant Williams with thirteen men started on his trial this morning. Jackson has been wounded in both thighs. Left his boots at the house where Gannon first came up with him. Lieutenant thinks he cannot ride all night, and wherever he stops he will be compelled to remain. Robinson had six revolvers. Had emptied two when he was shot through the head.
THOS. B. REED,
Captain, Commanding Post.
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Lieutenant and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
LEXINGTON, January 11, 1865.
Colonel JAMES McFERRAN:
We have just had a fight with bushwhackers near town. There seems to be a consolidated force said to be commanded by Jackson. Send me some ammunition, as we are nearly out.
WM. MEREDITH,
Captain, Commanding.
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COLUMBIA, MO., February 22, 1865.
[Lieutenant W. T. CLARKE, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, District of North Missouri:]
LIEUTENANT: I in close you a note written by Jim Jackson and pinned to the coat of an old negro man he hung night before last. I can't tell the object of this move, unless it is for the interest of the substitute brokers, a great number of whom have made their appearance here since this occurrence. Of course the negroes have been coming into town in droves. This negro was hung about six miles east of this place. Jackson had three men with him. I still hear of a few other bushwhackers in this county, and am trying to plan some way to get some of them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. N. COOK, Captain Company F, Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia.
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ALLEN, February 27, 1865.
Lieutenant W. T. CLARKE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Bill [Jim?] Jackson passed through Milton, six miles east of here, this morning, going toward Renick. They hung one negro and carried off Doctor Hall, of Milton.
H. S. GLAZE,
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., February 27, 1865.
Jim Jackson is making south from Renick, killing and hanging on his way; probably making for Perche Hills. Move a scout of twenty or twenty-five men toward Centralia.
By order of Brigadier-General Fisk:
W. T. CLARKE,
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MEXICO, MO., March 4, 1865.
Honorable I. H. STURGEON,
DEAR SIR AND FRIEND: Well knowing your wishes and desires, as often expressed to me, for the future welfare and interests of Missouri, particularly Northeast Missouri, I now write you, hoping that you may be able to lay some matters before General Pope in such a manner as will be to our future advantage as a people and State. I find on my arrival at home that the people of my county and the adjoining counties [are] in a great state of excitement, and many good citizens leaving the State, leaving their farms, making such dispositions of their personal effects as they can, in some instances selling their farms for what they can get, and others leaving their farms and lands and either moving into town or leaving the State-and in most cases leaving the State-many of whom are good, loyal citizens, who have ever been friends of the Government.
This present increased excitement has been produced by the raids of a few notorious thieves and bushwhackers, not more than ten in number. As I am informed, five or six of them made a raid into the west end of this county the day before I left home and killed one man and beat and robbed others, which occurred on or about the 25th of February, and afterward some ten, claiming to be the same gang led by the notorious Jim Jackson, of Texas, as he claims, made a raid through the northwestern part of Boone and Randolph and to Jackson Station, killing some two or three persons and robbing others. These raids have been made and these brutal outrages committed upon Union men generally and such Southern sympathizers as have manifested a disposition to favor the Union cause, and in no case have any notorious rebels been molested. Such seems to be the programme, that all Union men are to be driven out of the State by such fiends, and the disloyal element of the country sit quietly down and fold their arms and rejoice over the result thus brought about.
I am satisfied in my own mind that many of the Southern men are willing to see the work of death go on as inaugurated by such fiends claiming to be Confederate guerrillas, &c., until every Union man shall be driven out of the State.
During the fall and winter the rebel element of the country was the restless element, and were wishing to sell and leave the State for fear of the reaction to follow the raid of Price; but as that was about to subside these raids have caused them to become more quiet, and many of them seem satisfied to remain, as the loyal men are thus to be either killed or run out of the State. Cannot some plan be set on foot to relieve Union men and retain our population in the State, especially the Union element? I have herein given you a few facts in a very broken manner, and hope you may thereby get the idea intended to be conveyed by me of the necessity of some action to retain our population protect Union men and produce quiet in our State as speedily as possible. You can judge of the wants of the country people, and General Pope can fully appreciate the case as presented by you, and I hope will be able to devise some means for our future and immediate quiet and safety. I dislike very much to call on you for any part of your valuable time, but duty to our country requires ucan for protection.
I am, very truly, yours.
J. P. CLARK.
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SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS SUB-DISTRICT OF HOWARD,
Numbers 16.
Glasgow, Mo., March 7, 1865.
Captain Meredith, Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, with twenty men, will, in accordance telegraphic dispatch from Brigadier-General Fisk, proceed forthwith to hunt down the notorious guerrilla Jim Jackson and his nefarious band, and all other bushwhackers. Will be particular to have good order and discipline observed by his command, returning as soon as pursuit proves fruitless.
By order of:
ED. A. KUTZNER,
Colonel, Commanding.
Captain JOHN D. MEREDITH, Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers.
In obedience to the above order, with Lieutenant Self and twenty men of my company and two citizens as guides, I started on the morning of the 7th instant on search of guerrillas, moving in the direction of what is known as the Perche Hills, in Howard and Boone Counties. After scouting the country for two days without gaining any information of importance, I sent Lieutenant Self with several men to the house of Mr. Lewis Barnes, the only loyal man I could learn of in that part of the country, to ask him to accompany us as guide. The men whom I had with me for that purpose I found did not know the country thoroughly. The lieutenant found Mr. Barnes at home, too unwell to go with us, but willing to do all he could. He gave him the names of parties in the neighborhood most likely to harbor guerrillas, and consequently most likely to be cognizant of their haunts and hiding places. In order to gain the desired information, I ordered Lieutenant Self and four men to disguise themselves as bushwhackers, visit the houses indicated, receive any aid voluntarily offered, and learn if possible the camp (if any of the bona fide guerrillas, I with the remainder of the command stopping in camp to give the lieutenant time to perform his mission.
After waiting two or three hours I followed the lieutenant until, coming to the house of Anthony Drane, I stopped to feed and make inquires. After asking about feed I asked Mr. Drane if he had seen or head of any troops being in the neighborhood. He answered Numbers Had he seen or heard of any bushwhackers? Numbers Had he seen any strange men passing about? Numbers I then told him I thought I had seen tracks leading to the house, but the ground was frozen and I could not tell positively. He said, "There have been no men here, and I have not seen any passing. " At this time one of my men came and whispered to me that Lieutenant Self was outside the house and wished to see me. I went out, and the lieutenant told me he had ssquad at the house in the morning; that he had asked Mr. Drane if he knew of any Federals being about, and was answered, "no. "
The lieutenant then asked him if he knew where any of the boys were, as he wished to get with them. Mr. Drane told him he did not but that he himself was a 'southern man from the ground up,' and that he wanted the lieutenant and his men to come in and get dinner. The lieutenant told him he was afraid to stop for it, but if he had any eggs his (self's) men would like to have a few. Mr. Drane told him he should have them, and going into the house soon had a large number of eggs cooked and brought to the boys. He (Drane) then asked Lieutenant Self of he could do anything more for him. Self told him that one of his men needed a pair of socks, and if he (Drane) could give him a pair he (Self) would be obliged to him. Drane went in the house and got a pair of socks and gave them to Lieutenant Self, remarking as he did so that he wished they were better (they had been worn and washed), as when ha gave he liked to give the best. Lieutenant Self then took his leave, Mr. Drane telling him the best roads to travel to avoid Federal scouts, should any be out.
After my conversation with Lieutenant Self I re-entered the house, and in the presence of several of my men questioned Mr. Drane closely. He persisted in saying he had seen or hear of no one. I ordered my men to mount, and detailed a corporal and two men to set fire to the premises, which was done. Lieutenant Self and his men (Still in disguise) had visited several other houses in the neighborhood, the residents of which professed to be Southern men. They did not seem so particularly anxious to assist, but told Lieutenant Self he might rest assured they never would report on him. I let it be known that I had burned Mr., Anthony Drane's house and why I did it; that I considered parties who would willingly harbor whackers (or men supposed to be such) equally guilty with outlaws themselves, and that they must either take every opportunity of reporting to the proper authorities or leave the country.
If they did not, I would, as far as in my power, treat them with the same severity I would a guerrilla. This was in the eastern part of Howard County. From this point I moved down on to Perche Creek, scouting the brush on the creek and its tributaries, but without success, as I could get no information from any of the citizens as to bushwhackers, roads, localities, or anything else, and I became satisfied that a large majority of the citizens of this region would harbor guerrillas. After camping at night I sent a sergeant with twelve men to the residence of Joseph Graves, in Boone County, to feed. On his return the sergeant told me he thought Mr. Graves was a bad man, and that he had expressed himself in the most disloyal manner. On starting in the morning, wishing a guide to a place known as Dripping Spring Meeting-House, I sent a corporal to bring Graves along to pilot us to said place.
After they had overtaken the column (which they did after we had moved a short distance) Lieutenant Self had a conversation with Graves, in which he (Graves) told the lieutenant that he had always been a Southern man, and that he had no cause to change his principles. The lieutenant asked Graves if he has seen any bushwhackers lately. He answered that he had not. Lieutenant Self then asked him if he would have reported on them if he had. Graves answered, "No," as it might get him into trouble. Lieutenant Self then asked him the question, "Would you feed guerrillas and not report than to the authorities?" Graves answered, "I would not report on anybody.
" I asked Graves a number of questions and received the same answers, The conversation took place in the presence of the lieutenant, myself, and several others who were riding with the advance. I had one or two other men, whom I had arrested for uttering disloyal sentiments, with me at the time. The plainly and boldly said they had been Southern men at the beginning of the war, and were so yet that they had no reason to change their principles. I told them such men could not live in that country, that they must leave either the State or go to some military post and remain. If they did not, they must the take the consequences. Graves I retained, and after more conversation with him ordered his execution. I considered him a quiet, determined, and dangerous man; a man of some influence and one who could and do more harm by his acquiescence and aid (unarmed though he was) than if he were in the brush with his revolvers belted around him. "Desperate diseases require desperate remedies," and the disease is getting desperate when the number of guerrillas is rapidly increasing in a country, and a large proportion of the citizens are ready and willing to harbor and aid them.
The killing of a few such men will do more good than anything else for a country like the Perche and Blackfoot Hills, for it will deter others. Where guerrillas cannot be fed without being reported they cannot remain. We were in sight of the bushwhackers several times, and I did my best to come up with them, chasing them for two days, but found it impossible to come up with them, as the citizens would almost invariably put me upon the wrong trail.
There is but one Union family in the Blackfoot Hills, and this is the family of a Federal soldier (named Schwabe, I think). This family told me the guerrillas were harbored in the neighborhood; that they had seen them several times within a few days riding about, accompanies by three or four young women. After scouting about for a day or two I concluded to divide my squad, and did so, sending Lieutenant Self with ten men and one of the guides up the east side of Perche Creek to meet me at a given at the expiration of two days. With the other ten men and one guide I started up the west side of Perche, but after going some distance, hearing of some bushwhackers (through negroes), I divided my men again, taking four men again, taking four men with me and sending the remainder to scout the Franklin Hills. About this time, receiving information from a most reliable citizen that a sister of Bill Hines was staying at a house in the neighborhood, and that I would probably find Hines and his brother (both notorious bushwhackers) about there, I started in search of them.
On arriving at the house mentioned the family denied to ms had been there, but finally admitted it, and I knowing that the Hines; had been at the house a number of times to visit her, I burned the house and ordered the owner (Mrs. ---) to either leave the State or go to a military post to live. Here I got on the trail of two men, whom from description I thought to be Lewis Hoard and Younger Grubbs (bushwhackers), and followed it to Brick Chapel Meting-House, but not being able to find Hoard and Grubbs, and losing all trace of them, I started on my return to Perche Creek. In the vicinity of the Brick Chapel resided who had a son in the brush (I have forgotten the name, as I have lost my memoranda).
They had harbored and fed him for months. My informations here were negroes, but I questioned them closely, and was perfectly satisfied of the truth of their statements. I had a conversation with the lady of the house, and she expressed herself in the most disloyal; manner. I burned the house, as it was harboring place for guerrillas. Lieutenant Self found no guerrillas, nor did he destroyed any property on his route, but reported to me that he saw a squad of the Ninth Missouri State Militia (a lieutenant and seventeen men), who were reporting themselves to the citizens as a portion of the "Thirty-ninth Missouri, from Glasgow, under command of Lieutenant Johnson. " The other squad of my command burned the residence of Bas. Maxwell, and ordered him to leave that part of the country.
Maxwell is notoriously one of the worst men in the country. Doctor Holman, surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, sometime ago gave me his name and a statement of his deeds and doings, all proving him a dangerous man. The squad who burned his house, however, did it on information received at the time in the neighborhood. with the three squads we scouted the country thoroughly, but it raining and the roads becoming almost impassable, I decided on returning to camp, which I did, arriving at Glasgow on the 15th instant. Though the order headquarters this report is the only written one I received, my verbal instructions from Colonel Kutzner were not to stop at county or district lines, and to treat aiders and abettors with the same severity I would armed bushwhackers. On my return the colonel told me I need not make any report to him, and he therefore does now know what I did. I maintained good order and discipline in my command.
Respectfully submitted.
Your obedient servant, JOHN D. MEREDITH, Captain Company D, Thirty-ninth Infantry Missouri Volunteers.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 11, 1865.
Major J. W. BARNES, Asst. Adjt. General, Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:
MAJOR: I have the honor to state, for the information of the general commanding, that the troops of the district have been and are now actively pursuing the bushwhacking enemy. We have not been able to find and fall upon any band of the villains during the week ending this day. I am well persuaded, however, that int he Perche Hills and what is termed the "Blackfoot country," in Boone County, there are quite a number of Jim Jackson's and Bill Anderson's old gang of murderous outlaws. The geography of the country is to them well known, and the topography of that section, as well as the topography of the hearts of the people is most admirably adapted to bushwhacking purposes.
I have ordered the Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia detachments on duty at this post to move to Sturgeon and organize a most through and vigorous campaign throughout Boone, Howard, Randolph, and Audrain Counties. Sturgeon, you will discover, is an admirable point to operate from we shall doubtless stir up the snakes and drive them into Chariton and Carroll, where I am also preparing to meet and bang them out. The citizens of the district are generally fearful of a repetition of the troubles of last summer. It remains with them principally to prevent such a lamentable state of affairs. I am exerting all the influence I possess to unite the people in vigorous war against the outlaws. I think at no time have the sympathizing rascals been so determined to put down the guerrillas as now. They shall be encouraged in good works even at this eleventh hour. The people need assurance and confidence in each other. They truly honest, loyal, earnest men of the State must lay aside all petty differences and shoulder to shoulder unite in the extermination of all outlaws, and in securing protection, security, and peace for our waiting, suffering, struggling loyalists oft he rural district.
I have the honor to be, major, your respectful and obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 13, 1865.
Captain H. N. COOK,
Company F, Ninth Cav. Missouri State Militia, Columbia, Mo:
CAPTAIN: Your have this day been ordered to Sturgeon to assume command of your regiment. I have sent al of the Ninth that was at this post to Sturgeon. ; not to do post duty at Sturgeon or anywhere else, but to he sent into the brush forthwith on a vigorous, continued, and protracted hunt after Jim Jackson and company. We must take the offensive and take it early against these outlaws. Until Major Leonard returns to the command, you will give director to the movement. Parcel out your men in squads and put them at the work. When they strike a track tell time to follow it day and night until Christmas, if necessary, so that they succeed in the end. Your knowledge of the geography of the country and the topography of the hearts and consciences of the people in the Perche Hills and the Blackfoot country ought to enable you to make a very successful campaign against the villains. You can at the same time push on the organization of the Boone County Rangers, of which I would like You to be made commander. Let You operations extend to Grand River. Stop not short of Jim Jackson's grave, if possibly You can reach it. Keep me posted of all Your movements and mortality list.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,
Macon, Mo., March 21, 1865.
General D. M. DRAPER, Mexico, Mo.:
GENERAL: It seems a burning shame that Jim Jackson and company are permitted to roam leisurely through Boone, Randolph, Howard, and Chariton Counties, shooting and hanging citizens. Can you not organize a half dozen scouts and follow the villain until he is dead? I know it is not an easy thing to do, but if with the force we now have and the limited number of bushwhackers yet on duty, and before the leaves come out we can't exterminate this gang, what will become of us when the bushwhacking campaign fairly opens? I am fearful the Ninth are too indolent; too little inclined to pitch into hard work or hard fighting. Stir up their pure minds.
Don't allow them to rot away at posts or to spend their time foraging. Let supplies be furnished from here, and keep every able bodied soldier in the brush. I have ordered Captain Reed to move from Brunswick to Salisbury, where he can devote the remainder of his term of service to the vigorous muster out of his bushwhacking neighbors. You can keep at least 200 men on the constant move. A scout out for a few hours or a day and a night accomplish but little. Occupy and possess the Perche Hills country back and forth until the friends of Jim Jackson wish he would die to relieve them of the presence of your troops.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,
Macon, Mo., March 22, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that with but slight exception all is quiet in this district. What troops I have are kept busily employed scouting through the river counties. Jim Jackson and company are roaming through Boone, Callaway, and Howard Counties. They are chiefly engaged in plundering and murdering negroes. They have hung two negroes in Boone and one in Callaway County within the last few days. I have 200 men on the move day and night after the fiends. We have killed two of the gang of late. It seems strange, I know, that this villain should go so long without being caught, but did the general commanding know the country and the people as well as Jim Jackson does, he would readily discover how it is that a small party can thus elude the strictest vigilance. I am now organizing a Jim Jackson exterminating corps, and hope to muster out a few of the rascals by that means. A few brave, determined soldiers, stimulated by private rewards offered by citizens, go into the Blackfoot country to-morrow, sworn not to return without the head of the monster in a charger.
The volunteer militia companies being organized under the governor's General Orders, Numbers 3, are in some localities progressing very well, but in others only moderately. The volunteer force of the district is now very small and altogether too limited for the safety of the public property, thoroughfares and their appointments, and the duty of killing bushwhackers required at my hands. The people generally in that portion of the district south of the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad are apprehensive of more serious trouble than they have ever experienced before, and I can but advise the most thorough preparation for trouble there by insuring quiet. The civil authorities are generally endeavoring to discharge their duty. I have advised judges that I am simply their aide-de-camp; that we will catch and guard thieves if necessary, while they must try and punish. We don't mean to have bushwhackers brought in for trial at all.
I have the honor to be, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Macon, Mo., March 25, 1865.
JAMES E. YEATMAN, Esq.,
Law Commissioner, Saint Louis, Mo.:
DEAR SIR: I have yours of the 22nd instant, and will cheerfully do all I can to restore the family circle of the Monroe County freedwomen. Slavery dies hard. I hear it s expiring agonies and witness its contortions in death in every quarter of my district. In Boone, Howard, Randolph, and Cavalry the emancipation ordinance has caused disruption of society equal to anything I saw in Arkansas or Mississippi in the year 1863. I blush for my race when I discover the wicked barbarity of the late masters and mistresses of the recently freed persons of the counties heretofore named. I have no doubt but that the monster, Jim Jackson, is instigated by the late slave owners to hang or shoot every negro he can find absent from the old plantations. Some few have driven their black people away from them with nothing to eat or scarcely to wear.
The consequence is, between Jim Jackson and his collaborators among the first families, the poor blacks are rapidly concentrating in the towns and especially at garrisoned places. My hands and heart are full. I am finding homes for them in Northwest Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa. There is much sickness and suffering among them; many need help. Is there any fund that you can appropriate a small sum from to aid me in the deportation of the families I can't provide for in Missouri? I am retaining all in Missouri that I can get work for in quiet localities. We ought not to spare a single pound of our industrial element. We need to import rather than deport manual labor. I hope the waters will soon grow still, and Missouri in peace be permitted to pursue her way in the golden path of freedom and empire. It looks well all around the rapidly-concentrating lines. Sherman's conquering legions are marching on; redemption draweth night. All hail the Republic!
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
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MAY 24, 1865. -Skirmish near Rocheport, Mo.
Report of Captain Warren W. Harris, Howard County Company Volunteer Missouri Militia.
HEADQUARTERS,
Post Fayette, May 25, 1865.
I have the honor to report to you that Sergt. Robert Digges, with a detachment of my company, had a fight with eleven bushwhackers, supposed to be under Jim Anderson, yesterday morning at 7. 30 o'clock. The bushwhackers were at the house of Elias Thompson, in this county, about six miles from Rocheport. We killed 4 bushwhackers and captured 4 horses and equipments, several pistols, overcoats, &c. Sergeant Digges is satisfied that there were several wounded who escaped. Our loss was Private Ben. Reeves, severely wounded in the shoulder; we also had two horses killed. The names of the bushwhackers killed, as obtained from a rebel deserter just from Price's army, are Theodore Cassell, of Jackson County; --- Kelly, of Saint Louis (right arm off); John Chapman, of Clay, and Thomas Maupin, of Callaway. The last named has the forefinger off his right hand. I inclose you two letters taken off the body of Cassell. Sergeant Digges was on the trail of Jim Jackson the evening before. He started it in Boone County, and was following in up when he heard of Anderson's gang.
We heard of Jackson yesterday at 10 a. m., with six other men near Boonsborough, in this county, going west. One citizen reports that Rider was along, and another reports that he recognized a man by the name of Finley with them. Finley was bushwhacking in this county last summer. I regret very much that there could not be a scout sent up after these last-mentioned bushwhackers. All my men who had serviceable horses were out, either with Sergeant Digges, with myself, who went out as soon as the fight was reported to me by a citizen, or with Lieutenant Davis, who had started from here the night before with forty men, under orders from Colonel Denny to proceed to Brunswick. I have been informed that Captain Meredith, with his command and a detachment of the Ninth Missouri State Militia, under Lieutenant Thompson, are out in the Boon's Lick country after Jackson. Lieutenant Davis returned this evening from Brunswick. I hope that it will not be deemed necessary again to have my men ordered so far from home, especially when I have my hands full in my own county.
The affair of yesterday is the third fight that my men have had with the bushwhackers. The first two came off in Boone County. Lieutenant Davis had a fight with Jim Jackson at the house of the Widow Cornelius, in Boone County, a week or ten days [ago]. Only his advance guard of seven men were engaged. The rebels fought desperately, but ran off before the main body of our men came up. No casualties on either side. Lieutenant Davis was on the trail of four or six men who had crossed the Missouri River at the mouth of the La Mine when he came across the trail of Jackson. Jackson had five men with him. I do not think, general, that there are any bushwhackers who stay habitually in this county. Jim Jackson and his gang make their home in Blackfoot, in Boone, and make a raid occasionally into this county. I believe that Holtzclaw is with Jackson. In every instance, except the last of yesterday, where we have got after bushwhackers we have followed them into or came across them in Boone. The gang we fought yesterday had just arrived in this county the day before. I hope the warm welcome they received will admonish them to stay away.
I am, general, your most obedient servant,
WARREN W. HARRIS.
Commanding Howard County Company Volunteer Missouri Militia.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Surname Of Miller Through History.
This page is for those of you looking for a Miller ancestor, there will be information on all these names some information will be long and others will be short, this page is divided in three sections.
1.The Civil War.
2. Miscellaneous years.
3. Pension rolls of the United States.
Important note. As there are many millers with the same first names, I will need the title of this page and what section you took it from, or I may not be able to help you, My address can be found in my profile.
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Civil War.
Note. This infotmation somes from the offical records of the war of rhe rebellion.
1. John F. Miller, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry
2. Peter Miller. -Was born in Canton, State of New York; removed to Ohio when young. Came to Virginia first as a volunteer last spring with the Northern army. Says he was only a three months' volunteer. At the expiration of his time went back to Ohio and returned to Virginia to avoid being called into service. Came to Point Pleasant, and went up to Charleston, Kanawha, while Lee's army was there Staid there a week. Boarded part of the time with one Snyder; the rest of the time with a man whose name he does not know. Paid no board. No bill was asked for or presented. Did nothing there. From Charleston he says he went to Peytona in Boone County. Staid there two weeks. Boarded with a man named Sam Allie; did nothing; paid no board. Says no, there were no Northern troops at Peytona. From Peytona went with the Northern troops to Raleigh. From Raleigh went to Wyoming County. Staid there some time with Jasper Workman. Did nothing there; paid no board; was not charged any. There he borrowed a horse to go to Peytona to get a pair of boots and was arrested by a party of militia on the road going there. Does not know for what.
I examined Colonel Coleman and Mr. McDoandl. They testified Peytona was a town in Boone settled by Yankees and Germans in which a company was raised for the Northern army just before the Northern troops went to Raleigh, and that jasper Workman had the character of a disaffected and dangerous man. Mr. McDonald further testified that he was informed by Captain Pach that he had arrested a Captain or Lieutenant Miller. Miller was raising a company of volunteers for the Northern [army], and they were surprised while forming. Miller attempted to escape up a mountain and was shot while making this attempt. Was captured, and a valuable pistol taken from him, [and] a very valuable black horse borrowed in Wyoming. A quantity of letter paper and envelopes were found on his person. On re-examination Miller admitted he was wounded in the side, and admitted some envelopes and paper and a black horse were taken from him. Colonel Coleman and Mr. McDonald have both heard that while in Wyoming Miller was attempting to find out the position and strength of our forces. I think this man is certainly a Northern emissary and spy. His manner under examination was confused and his statements contradictory. I recommend he be tried by the military authorities as a spy, and as the testimony can be most easily procured at General Floyd's camp I suggest he be sent there for trial. If not tried or if acquitted I advise he be held as a prisoner.
3. Captain, Merritt B. Miller or M. B. Miller, 3ed., Batt’n Washington Artillery, Louisiana.
4. Mr. Isaac Miller, an employee of the Government at the arsenal in this city New York.
5. Captain Abraham Miller, First Battalion California Mountaineers.
6. Dr. John Miller, a Yankee Presbyterian preacher.
7. Major J. McClelland Miller, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry.
8. Thomas C. Miller, of Company F., First Missouri Cavalry (Militia).
9. Horace H. Miller, or H. H. Miller, Lieutenant Col. H. H. Miller, Twentieth Mississippi Infantry.
10. Clarence Miller, dated March 13, 1864, from Libby Prison, Richmond, where he has been held for over a year, having been captured on the North Carolina coast in January, 1863, in consequence of the wreck of the vessel, the U. S. steamer Columbia, on which he was serving.
11. Colonel William Miller.
12. Captain C. H. Miller.
13. Martin J. Miller, Eighteenth Indiana Battery.
14. Mr. C. C. Miller.
15. Randolph R. Miller or R. R. miller, Company A., 10th., Virginia infantry.
16. Jacob W. Miller, Company I. & K., 15th., Pennsylvania cavalry.
17. John L. Miller, Company B., 12th., South Carolina Infantry.
18. Dr. Montgomery Miller, assistant surgeon.
19. Captain Theodore Miller, Fourth New York Artillery
20. Colonel Madison Miller, Company F. & S., 18th., Missouri infantry.
21. Jonas Miller, a cockswain.
22. John F. Miller, Company B., 52nd., Pennsylvania infantry.
23. Captain Lewis Miller (acting major), Company G., 48th., Tennessee infantry.
24. Colonel John F. Miller, 29th., Indiana infantry.
25. Daniel B. Miller, was a steamboat.
26. Major, Abram O. Miller, 10th., Indiana infantry.
27. Major Thomas G. Miller, 41st., Tennessee infantry.
28. William R. Miller, disloyal member of the Maryland Legislature.
29. FRANK B. MILLER
30. Brigadier General William Miller, Provisional Army, C. S..
31. Adjt. Lieutenant John R. Miller-killed.
32. Ralph P. Miller
33. Lieutenant, William C. Miller, 1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Light Artillery.
34. Andrew J. Miller, private, Company A., 1 North Carolina Cavalry. (9 State Troops).
35. John Miller, of Richmond
36. Daniel E. Miller, steamboat.
37. Captain Ozro Miller, commanded the Tenth Massachusetts Volunteers.
38. Colonel John H. Miller, First Mississippi Cavalry.
39. Isaac F. Miller, Sergeant, Company B., 10th., Indiana Infantry.
40. ABRAHAM MILLER, Captain, First Batt. of Mountaineers, California Vols., Commanding Co. C.
41. BENTON MILLER, First Lieutenant, Commanding Co. A, First Cavalry, M. S. M.
42. Colonel Abram O. Miller, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Second Cavalry Division.
The Miscellaneous years.
Note. This information comes out of The Library of Congress.
1. 1824, Mary Miller, administratix of Amos Miller.
2. 1868, Elizabeth J. Miller, widow of General John Miller.
3. 1872, Miller and Company and Hawkes Miller and Company, of Ohio.
4. 1778, Henry Miller to be Chaplain to the Germans in the Army.
5. 1854, William Miller, of Livingston, State of Maine.
6. 1842, Robert Miller, of Charleston, S. C.
7. 1838, Noah Miller, of Lincolnville, in the State of Maine.
8. 1812, Christopher Miller.
9. 1854, Hezekiah Miller, clerk.
10. 1873, John Miller, postmaster at Newark, Delaware.
11. 1872, Margaret Miller, widow of Cornelius Miller.
12. 1872, Mary A. Miller, mother of Moses G. Miller.
13. 1872, Caroline H. Miller, widow of James F. Miller.
14. 1870, Maggie B. Miller, widow of David R. Miller.
15. 1840, Noah Miller and others a part of the proceeds of the sale of the British sloop Mary, and cargo.
16. 1836, Samuel Miller.
17. 1831, Martin Miller.
18. 1818, Thomas Miller and Stephen Baker, composing the firm of Miller and
Baker, of the city of New York.
19.1868, Captain Thomas W. Miller.
20. 1825, John Miller, clerk of the District Court of West Florida.
21. 1872, James T. Miller, late collector and depositary at Wilmington, North Carolina.
22. 1860, John Miller.
23. 1873, John Miller, of Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana.
24. 1858, Dr. Ferdinand O. Miller.
25. 1824, James Miller, as Governor of the territory of Arkansas
26. 1858, Henry Miller, of the State of Kentucky.
27. 1844, Christopher Miller, of the State of Kentucky.
Pension rolls of the United States.
Note. These rolls are for the Revolutionary War & The War of 1812.
State of Maine.
Lincoln County.
1. Frank Miller.
York County.
1. John Miller.
2. Lemuel Miller.
Waldo County.
1. Asa Miller.
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State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County.
1. Farrar Miller.
Sullivan County.
1. James Miller.
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State of Massachusetts.
Hampden County.
1. Isaac Miller.
2. Ephriam Miller
Hampshire County.
1. John Miller.
2. Jacob Miller.
Middlesex County.
1. John Miller.
2. Job Miller.
Suffolk County.
1. Leonard Miller.
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State of Rhode Island.
Providence County.
1. Consider Miller.
Bristol County.
1. Nelson Miller.
Kent County.
1. James Miller
2. Nathan Miller.
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State of Connecticut.
Hartford County.
1. Charles Miller.
2. Rosewell Miller.
New Haven County.
1. Caleb Miller + p. 159.
Windham County.
1. Benjamin Miller.
Litchfield County.
1. Ebenezer Miller.
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State of Vermont.
Burlington County.
1. Richard Miller.
Heirs + p. 20.
1. Robert Miller.
Windham County.
1. Thaddeus Miller
2. Robert Miller.
Chittenden County.
1. Solomon Miller.
Franklin County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Orange County.
1. David Miller.
Rutland County.
1. John V. Miller.
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State of New York.
Albany County.
1. John Miller.
Alleghany County.
1. Smith Miller.
Broome County.
Hires + p.96.
1. Francis Miller.
Cayuga County.
1. Benjamin Miller.
Colombia County.
1. Jeremiah Miller.
2. William C. Miller.
Courtland County.
1. William Miller.
Delaware County.
1. Peleg Miller.
Erie County.
1. John Miller.
Essex County.
1. Nathaniel Miller.
Greene County.
1. Thomas Miller.
2. William Miller 2nd.
3. Eleazer Miller.
Herkimer County.
1. Caleb Miller.
2. John Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Nathaniel Miller.
2. Noah Miller.
Lewis County.
1. David B. Miller.
2. William Miller.
Madison County.
1. Joseph Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. John P. Miller.
2. Adam Miller.
Onondaga County.
1. Peter Miller.
Orange County.
1. James Miller.
2. John Miller 1st.
Otsego County.
1. Levi Miller.
2. John Miller 2nd.
Rockland County.
1. Jesse Miller.
Rensselaer County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Saratogd County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Steuben County.
1. Peter Miller.
Tiogo County.
1. Alexander Miller.
2. John Miller.
Tompkins County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Ulster County.
1. Abner Miller.
2. John Miller.
Westchester.
1. Thaddeus Miller.
2. Samuel Miller.
-------------------------------
State of New Jersey.
Essex County.
1. Clark Miller.
Monmouth County.
1. Joseph Miller.
Morris County.
1. Luke Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Pennsylvania.
Berks County.
1. Christian Miller 2nd.
2. Martin Miller 2nd.
Beaver County.
1. Henry Miller.
Bradford County.
1. Peter Miller.
Butler County.
1. Richard Miller.
Center County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Crawford County.
1. Stephen Miller.
Cumberland County.
1. Henry Miller.
2.Ludwick Miller.
Fayette County.
1. Henry Miller.
2. Heirs-p. 56.-Robert Miller.
Greene County.
1. George Miller.
Lancaster County.
1. John Miller 2nd.
2. Peter Miller.
3. Godfrey Miller.
Lehigh County.
1. John Miller.
Luzerne County.
1. John Miller 3rd.
Northampton County.
1. John Miller 1st.
Northumberland County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Philadelphia County.
1. Anthony Miller.
2. Hires-p. 61-Henry Miller.
Susquehannah County.
1. Nicholas Miller.
Union County.
1. George Miller.
Washington County.
1. Philip Miller.
York County.
1. Philip Miller.
-----------------------------
State of Maryland.
1. No county-p. 21., William Miller.
Baltimore County.
1. George Miller.
State of Virginia.
Frederick County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Patrick County.
1. James Miller.
Shenandoah County.
1. Lewis Miller.
2. Christian Miller.
Brook County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Morongalia County.
1. Peter Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Morgan County.
1. John Miller.
Rockbridge County.
1. William Miller.
---------------------------
State North Carolina.
Lincoln County.
1. David Miller.
Ashe County.
1. John Miller.
Cabarrus County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Davidson County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Rowan County.
Philip Miller.
--------------------------
State South Carolina.
Pendleton County.
1. Robert Miller.
-------------------------------
State of Georgia.
Jackson County.
1. William Miller.
Ware County.
1. William Miller.
-----------------------------
State of Kentucky.
Adair County.
1. John Miller.
2. Joseph Miller Sr.
Bourbon County.
1. John Miller.
Nicholas County.
1. Nicholas Miller.
Breckenridge County.
1. Barney Miller.
Bullit County.
1. John Miller.
Clark County.
1. George Miller.
Cumberland County.
1. John Miller
Fleming County.
1. John Miller.
2. William.
Harrison County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Frederick Miller.
Jessamine County.
1. Francis Miller.
Scott County.
1. John Miller.
Spencer County.
1. Edward Miller.
Wayne County.
1. Frederick Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Tennessee.
No county, Samuel Miller-p. 12.
Carroll County.
1. Frederick Miller.
Carter County.
1. John Miller.
Claiborne County.
1. Martin Miller.
2. James Miller.
Gibson County.
1. John Miller.
Jackson County.
1. Henry Miller.
Knox County.
1. John H. Miller.
Roane County.
1. Adam Miller.
Sumner County.
1. John Miller.
------------------------------------------
State of Ohio.
Fairfield County.
1. Othias Miller.
Hamilton County.
1. Edward Miller.
Clermont County.
1. Heirs Josiah Miller, p. 36.
Franklin County.
1. Henry Miller.
2. Josias Miller.
Ross County.
1. Thomas Miller.
Butler County.
1. Ichabod Miller.
Trumbull County.
1. John B. Miller.
Wayne County.
1. William Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Louisiana.
St. Helena Parish-p. 6.
1. Lawrence Miller.
---------------------------------------
State of Indiana.
Dearborn County.
1. Noah Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Floyd County.
1. John A. Miller.
Shelby County.
1. Edward Miller.
------------------------------------------
State of Missouri.
Franklin County.
1. George Miller
-------------------------------------------
State of Alabama.
Franklin County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Leonard Miller.
--------------------------------------------
State of Michigan.
Wayne County.
1. Frederick Miller.
2. Miles S. Miller.
3. Jonathan Miller.
1.The Civil War.
2. Miscellaneous years.
3. Pension rolls of the United States.
Important note. As there are many millers with the same first names, I will need the title of this page and what section you took it from, or I may not be able to help you, My address can be found in my profile.
----------------------------------------------------
Civil War.
Note. This infotmation somes from the offical records of the war of rhe rebellion.
1. John F. Miller, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry
2. Peter Miller. -Was born in Canton, State of New York; removed to Ohio when young. Came to Virginia first as a volunteer last spring with the Northern army. Says he was only a three months' volunteer. At the expiration of his time went back to Ohio and returned to Virginia to avoid being called into service. Came to Point Pleasant, and went up to Charleston, Kanawha, while Lee's army was there Staid there a week. Boarded part of the time with one Snyder; the rest of the time with a man whose name he does not know. Paid no board. No bill was asked for or presented. Did nothing there. From Charleston he says he went to Peytona in Boone County. Staid there two weeks. Boarded with a man named Sam Allie; did nothing; paid no board. Says no, there were no Northern troops at Peytona. From Peytona went with the Northern troops to Raleigh. From Raleigh went to Wyoming County. Staid there some time with Jasper Workman. Did nothing there; paid no board; was not charged any. There he borrowed a horse to go to Peytona to get a pair of boots and was arrested by a party of militia on the road going there. Does not know for what.
I examined Colonel Coleman and Mr. McDoandl. They testified Peytona was a town in Boone settled by Yankees and Germans in which a company was raised for the Northern army just before the Northern troops went to Raleigh, and that jasper Workman had the character of a disaffected and dangerous man. Mr. McDonald further testified that he was informed by Captain Pach that he had arrested a Captain or Lieutenant Miller. Miller was raising a company of volunteers for the Northern [army], and they were surprised while forming. Miller attempted to escape up a mountain and was shot while making this attempt. Was captured, and a valuable pistol taken from him, [and] a very valuable black horse borrowed in Wyoming. A quantity of letter paper and envelopes were found on his person. On re-examination Miller admitted he was wounded in the side, and admitted some envelopes and paper and a black horse were taken from him. Colonel Coleman and Mr. McDonald have both heard that while in Wyoming Miller was attempting to find out the position and strength of our forces. I think this man is certainly a Northern emissary and spy. His manner under examination was confused and his statements contradictory. I recommend he be tried by the military authorities as a spy, and as the testimony can be most easily procured at General Floyd's camp I suggest he be sent there for trial. If not tried or if acquitted I advise he be held as a prisoner.
3. Captain, Merritt B. Miller or M. B. Miller, 3ed., Batt’n Washington Artillery, Louisiana.
4. Mr. Isaac Miller, an employee of the Government at the arsenal in this city New York.
5. Captain Abraham Miller, First Battalion California Mountaineers.
6. Dr. John Miller, a Yankee Presbyterian preacher.
7. Major J. McClelland Miller, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry.
8. Thomas C. Miller, of Company F., First Missouri Cavalry (Militia).
9. Horace H. Miller, or H. H. Miller, Lieutenant Col. H. H. Miller, Twentieth Mississippi Infantry.
10. Clarence Miller, dated March 13, 1864, from Libby Prison, Richmond, where he has been held for over a year, having been captured on the North Carolina coast in January, 1863, in consequence of the wreck of the vessel, the U. S. steamer Columbia, on which he was serving.
11. Colonel William Miller.
12. Captain C. H. Miller.
13. Martin J. Miller, Eighteenth Indiana Battery.
14. Mr. C. C. Miller.
15. Randolph R. Miller or R. R. miller, Company A., 10th., Virginia infantry.
16. Jacob W. Miller, Company I. & K., 15th., Pennsylvania cavalry.
17. John L. Miller, Company B., 12th., South Carolina Infantry.
18. Dr. Montgomery Miller, assistant surgeon.
19. Captain Theodore Miller, Fourth New York Artillery
20. Colonel Madison Miller, Company F. & S., 18th., Missouri infantry.
21. Jonas Miller, a cockswain.
22. John F. Miller, Company B., 52nd., Pennsylvania infantry.
23. Captain Lewis Miller (acting major), Company G., 48th., Tennessee infantry.
24. Colonel John F. Miller, 29th., Indiana infantry.
25. Daniel B. Miller, was a steamboat.
26. Major, Abram O. Miller, 10th., Indiana infantry.
27. Major Thomas G. Miller, 41st., Tennessee infantry.
28. William R. Miller, disloyal member of the Maryland Legislature.
29. FRANK B. MILLER
30. Brigadier General William Miller, Provisional Army, C. S..
31. Adjt. Lieutenant John R. Miller-killed.
32. Ralph P. Miller
33. Lieutenant, William C. Miller, 1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Light Artillery.
34. Andrew J. Miller, private, Company A., 1 North Carolina Cavalry. (9 State Troops).
35. John Miller, of Richmond
36. Daniel E. Miller, steamboat.
37. Captain Ozro Miller, commanded the Tenth Massachusetts Volunteers.
38. Colonel John H. Miller, First Mississippi Cavalry.
39. Isaac F. Miller, Sergeant, Company B., 10th., Indiana Infantry.
40. ABRAHAM MILLER, Captain, First Batt. of Mountaineers, California Vols., Commanding Co. C.
41. BENTON MILLER, First Lieutenant, Commanding Co. A, First Cavalry, M. S. M.
42. Colonel Abram O. Miller, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Second Cavalry Division.
The Miscellaneous years.
Note. This information comes out of The Library of Congress.
1. 1824, Mary Miller, administratix of Amos Miller.
2. 1868, Elizabeth J. Miller, widow of General John Miller.
3. 1872, Miller and Company and Hawkes Miller and Company, of Ohio.
4. 1778, Henry Miller to be Chaplain to the Germans in the Army.
5. 1854, William Miller, of Livingston, State of Maine.
6. 1842, Robert Miller, of Charleston, S. C.
7. 1838, Noah Miller, of Lincolnville, in the State of Maine.
8. 1812, Christopher Miller.
9. 1854, Hezekiah Miller, clerk.
10. 1873, John Miller, postmaster at Newark, Delaware.
11. 1872, Margaret Miller, widow of Cornelius Miller.
12. 1872, Mary A. Miller, mother of Moses G. Miller.
13. 1872, Caroline H. Miller, widow of James F. Miller.
14. 1870, Maggie B. Miller, widow of David R. Miller.
15. 1840, Noah Miller and others a part of the proceeds of the sale of the British sloop Mary, and cargo.
16. 1836, Samuel Miller.
17. 1831, Martin Miller.
18. 1818, Thomas Miller and Stephen Baker, composing the firm of Miller and
Baker, of the city of New York.
19.1868, Captain Thomas W. Miller.
20. 1825, John Miller, clerk of the District Court of West Florida.
21. 1872, James T. Miller, late collector and depositary at Wilmington, North Carolina.
22. 1860, John Miller.
23. 1873, John Miller, of Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana.
24. 1858, Dr. Ferdinand O. Miller.
25. 1824, James Miller, as Governor of the territory of Arkansas
26. 1858, Henry Miller, of the State of Kentucky.
27. 1844, Christopher Miller, of the State of Kentucky.
Pension rolls of the United States.
Note. These rolls are for the Revolutionary War & The War of 1812.
State of Maine.
Lincoln County.
1. Frank Miller.
York County.
1. John Miller.
2. Lemuel Miller.
Waldo County.
1. Asa Miller.
------------------------------------------
State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County.
1. Farrar Miller.
Sullivan County.
1. James Miller.
---------------------------------------
State of Massachusetts.
Hampden County.
1. Isaac Miller.
2. Ephriam Miller
Hampshire County.
1. John Miller.
2. Jacob Miller.
Middlesex County.
1. John Miller.
2. Job Miller.
Suffolk County.
1. Leonard Miller.
--------------------------------------
State of Rhode Island.
Providence County.
1. Consider Miller.
Bristol County.
1. Nelson Miller.
Kent County.
1. James Miller
2. Nathan Miller.
-----------------------------------
State of Connecticut.
Hartford County.
1. Charles Miller.
2. Rosewell Miller.
New Haven County.
1. Caleb Miller + p. 159.
Windham County.
1. Benjamin Miller.
Litchfield County.
1. Ebenezer Miller.
------------------------------------
State of Vermont.
Burlington County.
1. Richard Miller.
Heirs + p. 20.
1. Robert Miller.
Windham County.
1. Thaddeus Miller
2. Robert Miller.
Chittenden County.
1. Solomon Miller.
Franklin County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Orange County.
1. David Miller.
Rutland County.
1. John V. Miller.
---------------------------------------
State of New York.
Albany County.
1. John Miller.
Alleghany County.
1. Smith Miller.
Broome County.
Hires + p.96.
1. Francis Miller.
Cayuga County.
1. Benjamin Miller.
Colombia County.
1. Jeremiah Miller.
2. William C. Miller.
Courtland County.
1. William Miller.
Delaware County.
1. Peleg Miller.
Erie County.
1. John Miller.
Essex County.
1. Nathaniel Miller.
Greene County.
1. Thomas Miller.
2. William Miller 2nd.
3. Eleazer Miller.
Herkimer County.
1. Caleb Miller.
2. John Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Nathaniel Miller.
2. Noah Miller.
Lewis County.
1. David B. Miller.
2. William Miller.
Madison County.
1. Joseph Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. John P. Miller.
2. Adam Miller.
Onondaga County.
1. Peter Miller.
Orange County.
1. James Miller.
2. John Miller 1st.
Otsego County.
1. Levi Miller.
2. John Miller 2nd.
Rockland County.
1. Jesse Miller.
Rensselaer County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Saratogd County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Steuben County.
1. Peter Miller.
Tiogo County.
1. Alexander Miller.
2. John Miller.
Tompkins County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Ulster County.
1. Abner Miller.
2. John Miller.
Westchester.
1. Thaddeus Miller.
2. Samuel Miller.
-------------------------------
State of New Jersey.
Essex County.
1. Clark Miller.
Monmouth County.
1. Joseph Miller.
Morris County.
1. Luke Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Pennsylvania.
Berks County.
1. Christian Miller 2nd.
2. Martin Miller 2nd.
Beaver County.
1. Henry Miller.
Bradford County.
1. Peter Miller.
Butler County.
1. Richard Miller.
Center County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Crawford County.
1. Stephen Miller.
Cumberland County.
1. Henry Miller.
2.Ludwick Miller.
Fayette County.
1. Henry Miller.
2. Heirs-p. 56.-Robert Miller.
Greene County.
1. George Miller.
Lancaster County.
1. John Miller 2nd.
2. Peter Miller.
3. Godfrey Miller.
Lehigh County.
1. John Miller.
Luzerne County.
1. John Miller 3rd.
Northampton County.
1. John Miller 1st.
Northumberland County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Philadelphia County.
1. Anthony Miller.
2. Hires-p. 61-Henry Miller.
Susquehannah County.
1. Nicholas Miller.
Union County.
1. George Miller.
Washington County.
1. Philip Miller.
York County.
1. Philip Miller.
-----------------------------
State of Maryland.
1. No county-p. 21., William Miller.
Baltimore County.
1. George Miller.
State of Virginia.
Frederick County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Patrick County.
1. James Miller.
Shenandoah County.
1. Lewis Miller.
2. Christian Miller.
Brook County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Morongalia County.
1. Peter Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. Daniel Miller.
Morgan County.
1. John Miller.
Rockbridge County.
1. William Miller.
---------------------------
State North Carolina.
Lincoln County.
1. David Miller.
Ashe County.
1. John Miller.
Cabarrus County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Davidson County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Rowan County.
Philip Miller.
--------------------------
State South Carolina.
Pendleton County.
1. Robert Miller.
-------------------------------
State of Georgia.
Jackson County.
1. William Miller.
Ware County.
1. William Miller.
-----------------------------
State of Kentucky.
Adair County.
1. John Miller.
2. Joseph Miller Sr.
Bourbon County.
1. John Miller.
Nicholas County.
1. Nicholas Miller.
Breckenridge County.
1. Barney Miller.
Bullit County.
1. John Miller.
Clark County.
1. George Miller.
Cumberland County.
1. John Miller
Fleming County.
1. John Miller.
2. William.
Harrison County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Frederick Miller.
Jessamine County.
1. Francis Miller.
Scott County.
1. John Miller.
Spencer County.
1. Edward Miller.
Wayne County.
1. Frederick Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Tennessee.
No county, Samuel Miller-p. 12.
Carroll County.
1. Frederick Miller.
Carter County.
1. John Miller.
Claiborne County.
1. Martin Miller.
2. James Miller.
Gibson County.
1. John Miller.
Jackson County.
1. Henry Miller.
Knox County.
1. John H. Miller.
Roane County.
1. Adam Miller.
Sumner County.
1. John Miller.
------------------------------------------
State of Ohio.
Fairfield County.
1. Othias Miller.
Hamilton County.
1. Edward Miller.
Clermont County.
1. Heirs Josiah Miller, p. 36.
Franklin County.
1. Henry Miller.
2. Josias Miller.
Ross County.
1. Thomas Miller.
Butler County.
1. Ichabod Miller.
Trumbull County.
1. John B. Miller.
Wayne County.
1. William Miller.
-----------------------------------------
State of Louisiana.
St. Helena Parish-p. 6.
1. Lawrence Miller.
---------------------------------------
State of Indiana.
Dearborn County.
1. Noah Miller.
Montgomery County.
1. Jacob Miller.
Floyd County.
1. John A. Miller.
Shelby County.
1. Edward Miller.
------------------------------------------
State of Missouri.
Franklin County.
1. George Miller
-------------------------------------------
State of Alabama.
Franklin County.
1. Samuel Miller.
Jefferson County.
1. Leonard Miller.
--------------------------------------------
State of Michigan.
Wayne County.
1. Frederick Miller.
2. Miles S. Miller.
3. Jonathan Miller.
Battle At Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation, 1861.
There will be seven reports on this Battle, you will find many surnames in these reports.
Important note. I have thousands of names at this site, when asking about a name from this page or any other pages at this site, please give the ( Title of the page ), for without it I may not be able to help you. My address can be found in my profile.
------------------------------
No. 10. Report of Colonel James McIntosh, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, commanding division,of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation, with letters found in Hopoeithleyohola's camp.
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Van Buren, Ark., January 1, 1862.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the battle of Chustenahlah, which took place in the Cherokee Nation on the 26th of December, 1861:
Before entering upon the details of the battle it is necessary for me to state that I entered the Cherokee Nation with a portion of my division upon the representation of Colonel Cooper, commanding the Indian Department, calling upon me for additional force. This call was based upon the hostile stand taken by the Creek chief Hopoeithleyohola and the dissatisfaction which has sprung up in one of the Cherokee regiments. I hastened to Fort Gibon, with 1,600 men, and had an interview with Colonel Cooper, and entered into arrangements for mutual co-operation. The plan proposed was that Colonel Cooper, with his force strengthened by Major Whitfield's battalion, should move up the Arkansas River and endeavor to get in the rear of Hopoeithleyohola's position on one of the tributaries of the Verdigris River,near the Big Bend of the Arkansas, while my force should march up the Verdigris River opposite the position held by the enemy,and then move directly upon him. On account of the scarcity of forage it was mutually determined that either force should attack the enemy on sight.
I left Fort Gibson at 12 m. on the 22nd ultimo with the following force: Five companies of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lane; the available strength of the Sixth Regiment of Texas Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith; seven companies of the Third [Eleventh] Regiment of Texas Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Young; four companies of my own regiment, Second Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, under Captain Gipson; and Captain Bennett's company of Texans attached to the headquarters of the division. This force amounted to 1,380 men.
On the evening of the 25th ultimo a part of the enemy's force appeared in sight immediately after our arrival in camp. A regiment was sent to observe them. I soon satisfied that this party was endeavoring to lead us on a fruitless chase. I therefore restrained my impatient men and ordered them back to camp. During the evening an express reached me from Colonel Cooper, with the intelligence that it would probably be two or three days before he could make the preconcerted movement, on account of the desertion of his teamsters, and generously stated that if I found it necessary to advance he would give me all the assistance in his power. From this point, knowing it was impossible to move my train farther, I ordered it to remain in charge of Captain Elstner, acting brigade quartermaster, with a guard of 100 men.
With four days' cooked rations I left camp early on the morning of the 26th, and moved cautiously toward the stronghold of the enemy among the mountains running, back into the Big Bend of the Arkansas. Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, with his regiment, moved in advance. A company of his regiment, under Captain Short, was thrown forward as an advance guard, with orders to throw out flankers well to the right and left. Toward 12 m. we approached Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Verdigris.
As soon as Captain Short had crossed the stream a heavy and continuous firing was opened upon him. The company gallantly maintained its position. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Griffith, with his regiment, to move up on the right, and Colonel Young on the left. The center, composed of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane's regiment, Captain Bennett's company, and the detachment of the Second Regiment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, then moved forward and crossed the stream in the face of the enemy in large numbers posted to the right on a high and rugged hill, with its side covered with oak trees.
The enemy continued their fire upon us. Colonel Young promptly crossed the stream and formed upon the left of the center, which was already in line of battle. Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith, with his regiment, was ordered to march up the stream, which flowed at the base of the hill on which the enemy was posted, and, after moving opposite their left flank to dismount, cross the stream, and attack him in the flank. All these orders were promptly and efficiently executed, and the whole force ready for action. The enemy was in a very strong position, and from it observed our actions, in happy innocence of the gallant resolve which animated the hearts of those in the valley below them. The Seminoles, under the celebrated chief Halek Tustenuggee, were in front on foot, posted behind the trees and rocks, while others were in line near the summit of the hill.
Hopoeithleyohola's Creeks were beyond, on horseback. A few representatives of other tribes were also in the battle. The whole force was estimated at 1,700. Between the rough and rugged side of the hill a space of 200 or 300 yards intervened of open ground. Each tree on the hill-side screened a stalwart warrior. It seemed a desperate undertaking to charge a position which appeared almost inaccessible, but the order to charge to the top of the hill met a responsive feeling from each gallant heart in the line, and at 12 m. the charge was sounded, one wild yell from a thousand throats burst upon the air, and the living mass hurled itself upon the foe.
The sharp report of the rifle came from every three and rock, but on our brave men rushed, nor stopped until the summit of the hill was gained and we were mingled with the enemy. The South Kansas-Texas regiment, led by those gallant officers Colonel Lane and Major Chilton, breasted itself for the highest point of the hill, and rushed over its rugged side with the irresistible force of tornado, and swept everything before it. The brave Major Chilton, while approaching the summit of the hill, received a severe wound in the head, but with unabated vigor continued in the fight. Captain Bennett, with his company and the detachment of the Second Regiment Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, under Captain Gipson, gallantly charged side by side. Captain Gipson was ordered to dismount his command and move into a thicket into which he had driven a portion of the enemy, which he did promptly and with great execution.
After charging some distance on the extreme left, the gallant Colonel Young, observing that the enemy were moving to the more rugged part of the field of battle on the right, with ready foresight rapidly moved his regiment to that portion of the field, an succeeded in cutting off many of the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith, having obeyed the first order given him, observing the enemy flying from the hill, rapidly mounted his command, and moved forward up the stream, crossed it some distance above, and gallantly encountered the enemy,who had made a stand near their principal encampment.
The enemy by this time were much scattered and had retreated to the rocky gorges amid the deep recesses of the mountain, where they were pursued by our victorious troops and routed in every instance with great loss. They endeavored to make a stand at their encampment, but their efforts were ineffectual, and we were soon the midst of it. Property of every description was scattered around. The battle lasted until 4 o'clock, when the firing gradually ceased, and we remained victors in the center of Hopoeithleyohola's camp.
The loss sustained by the enemy was very severe. Their killed amounted to upwards of 250. Our loss was 8 killed and 32 wounded. The brave and gallant Lieutenant Fitzhue was shot in the head, and fell while gallantly leading his company. Captain J. D.young, of Young's regiment, and Lieutenant Durham, of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, were both wounded while in the thick of the battle. We captured 160 women and children, 20 negroes, 30 wagons, 70 yoke of oxen, about 500 Indian horses, several hundred head of cattle, 100 sheep, and a great quantity of property of much value to the enemy. The stronghold of Hopoeithleyohola was completely broken up, and his force scattered in every direction, destitute of the simplest elements of subsistence.
At 4 o'clock the rally was sounded, and the different commands went into camp on the battle-field. The dead and wounded were collected and cared for. The officers of the medical department of the different regiments deserve much credit for their promptness in attending to the wounded.
A party of Stand Waties' regiment of Cherokees, numbering 300, under the command of the colonel, although under my orders, came up just as the battle terminated. This regiment had been ordered to join me from its station on Grand River. It was no fault of its commander that it did not reach us sooner. Every effort on his part was made in order to reach us in time.
At early dawn on the day after the battle I again left camp in pursuit of the flying enemy. After a hot pursuit of 25 miles we overtook 2 wagons, which were captured and burned. At this moment sharp firing was heard upon the left, and a messenger came from Colonel Stand Watie with the report that he was engaged with the enemy. I immediately moved in the direction,and upon our arrival I ascertained that Colonel Watie had overtaken a number of the enemy and had gallantly charged them. Major Boudinot, commanding the left flank of the regiment, had rushed into a deep ravine and driven the enemy from it. In the skirmish 15 men of the enemy were killed and a number of women and children taken.
Throughout our rapid march - sometimes an ground covered with snow and at others facing the chilly blasts from the north - the greatest enthusiasm prevailed in anticipation of the coming struggle, and at all times during the march and on the battle field every officer and soldier of the brigade nobly did his duty, and it is with heartfelt pride that I bright them to the notice of the Department. The charge at the commencement of the battle was splendid;none more gallant was ever made. Individual acts of daring and hand-to-hand encounters were of frequent occurrence during the day, it would be impossible to enumerate them. I therefore refer the Department to the troops of regimental and detachment commanders, herewith transmitted.
To Captain Elstner, of the Second Regiment Arkansas Mounted Riflemen,who acted as brigade quartermaster and commissary, my thanks are due for the efficient and able manner in which he conducted the affairs of his department. To my personal staff I am indebted for much valuable service. Both Mr. Frank C. Armstrong and Mr. James S.
Vann, by volunteer aides-de-camp, went gallantly into the fight, and bore themselves with great coolness and courage. Lieutenant G. A. Thornton, the acting assistant adjutant-general, was also active and efficient in carrying various orders, and deserves great credit for his coolness during the battle.
Casualties.-Killed, 9; wounded, 40.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES McINTOSH,
Colonel, Commanding Division.
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No. 11. Report of Colonel W. C. Young, Eleventh Texas Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
SIR: I have the honor to report the action of my regiment in the engagement of the 26th December. I took up my position on the left, according to your instructions, at the commencement of the action. I remained there until the woods were on fire, and being satisfied that the enemy did not intend an attack on our left, I moved my regiment in the direction of the mountains, on the right. On moving up the first mountain I passed Major Chilton, of Colonel Greer's regiment, who was wounded in the head, and learning from him the direction the enemy had taken, I moved my regiment in an oblique direction through the mountains, where after going some 2 miles, we came up with the enemy, strongly posted among the rocks and timber. We immediately charged them, carrying everything before us. After this the enemy, being copletely routed, ran in different directions. My regiment then pursued them in detachment of companies, keeping up a running fight until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The regiment was then rallied, and we proceeded to gather up the killed and wounded, which we succeeded in doing, and reached camp a little after dark.
My regiment killed 211, viz: BY the staff,3; a detachment of 36 men from companies of Captains Twitty, Reeves, and Young, commanded by Captain J. D. Young, killed 34; Captain Harman's company killed 16; Captain Burk's company killed 30; Captain Nicholson's company killed 16; Captain Bound's company killed 26; Captain Featherston's company killed 10; Captain Hill's company killed 26; Captain Wallace's company, 50. Total killed, 211.
Our loss killed on the field was 1 private, William Franklin, Captain Harman's company; mortally wounded, Sergt. W. H. H. Addington, of Captain Young's detachment, and W. S. Proctor, of Captain Wallis' company; and J. N. Robinson, of Captain Wallis' company, severely wounded, left arm broken; slightly wounded, Captain J. D. Young, in the thigh, and Benjamin Clark, private in Captain Featherston's company, wounded in the leg. Total killed and wounded, 6. In Captain Nicholson's company 3 horses shot, and in Captain Harman's company 3 horses shot. Captain Featherston's company lost -; Captain Hill's,1 killed. In Captain Wallis' company 1 horse killed and 1 disabled. In Captain Burk's company 1 horse lost.
We took a great many women, children, and negroes prisoners; also a number of horses and cattle, which were turned over, by your order, to Captain Gipson, of the Arkansas regiment.
In conclusion, I am proud to say that both officers and men of my regiment behaved throughout the engagement as became soldiers and Texans.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. C. YOUNG,
Colonel, Commanding Texas Cavalry.
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No. 12. Report of Lieutenant Colonel John S. Griffith, Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH TEXAS REGIMENT, Camp Homing Creek, Cherokee Nation, December 27, 1861.
COLONEL: On the 26th instant, at 12 m., I was ordered by you to move my command up on the right of and parallel with Colonel Lane's command. This executed brought me to Hominy Creek, when I was further ordered to dismounted my men and form a line. When Colonel Lane made his gallant charge on the enemy I ordered my men to their horses, formed, and rapidly advanced in a flanking movement you intended for me to make up the valley for half a mile, crossed over to the west, or battle side of the creek, proceeded a short distance up, and discovered the enemy upon the opposite bank. I charged across the creek, put the enemy to rout, continued up the valley something like a half mile farther, cutting off all the straggling and then flying Indians in that direction. I then turned to the left in a northwestward direction over the rocky hills and gorges that made into the large gorge that was then in between Colonel Lane's command and mine. Continuing this course, I crossed over five or six rocky hills, on three of which, behind the rocks, the enemy were in position in considerable numbers. My men gallantly charged in succession, putting them completely to rout. It was during these charges that the brave and gallant Lieutenant Fitzhue and Thomas Arnold fell among the foremost in the fight.
After going about 3 miles in this direction I came to the Cross Hollows. There the enemy were collected in large numbers. Dismounting my men, we poured a galling fire on them at about 125 yards distance, which finally dislodged them. From thence I proceeded in a westward direction, cutting off occasionally straggling Indians, until 3.30 o'clock p.m. The loss of the enemy by my command, as near as can be estimated by myself and officers, is 70 killed; that of my own men, 15 killed and wounded, as follows, to wit:
Company C, Lieutenant Smith commanding, E. V. Howell, mortally wounded in the head: John R. West, wounded in the wrist. Company D, Lieutenant Kelly commanding, Bugler J. B. Harris, killed; G. W. Coffman, wounded in breast. Company E, Captain Wharton commanding, William Spencer, wounded in breast; W. P. Wright, wounded in breast and arm. Company F, Sergeant Young commanding, James Green, mortally wounded, shoulder and wrist; Henry Ellis, wounded in leg; George W. Wilson, wounded in chest and arm; Leonard Sheffield, wounded in breast. Company G, Captain Ross commanding, Thomas T. Arnold, killed; J. H. Whittington, wounded in groin. Company H, Lieutenant Whittington commanding, First Sergt. R. H. Baker, wounded slightly in shoulder; A. M. Keller, wounded slightly in hand. Company K, Captain Throckmorton commanding, First Lieutenant G. S. Fitzhue, killed.
At 3.30 o'clock I started back to where the battle commenced, where I arrived at dark, bringing in 75 women and children as prisoners and 3 negroes and 80 horses, which are herewith turned over to you. To the brave and gallant Captains Ross, Hardin, Wharton, and Throckmorton, and Lieutenants Scott, Cummings, Kelley, Smith, and Whittington, and Sergeant Young I am much indebted for the success we had by their fearless charges in the front of their respective commands, which so signally routed the enemy from every point. I ma indebted to Adjutant Gurley and Sergeant-Major Porter for their efficiency in transmitting orders, as well as for good fighting. Lieutenant Truitt, Vance, and Cannon, and every non-commissioned officer and private, for so nobly sustaining their officers, not only deserve my thanks, but the applause of their countrymen. Assistant Surgeon Bradford did good duty as a soldier in the ranks until his presence was required with the wounded, whom he has since constantly and skillfully attended.
Before closing I must return my sincere thanks to Captains Ross, Wharton, and Throckmorton, and Adjutant Gurley for timely assistance when I was in imminent personal peril, and my gratitude to Providence for crowning our arms with victory.
With respect, I am, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. GRIFFITH,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry.
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No. 13. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Walter P. Lane, Third Texas (South Kansas-Texas) Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
REGIMENTAL ENCAMPMENT, South Kansas-Texas Cavalry, December 26, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my command in the battle of the 26th instant: I had with me the greater portion of five companies, to wit, Companies A, B, E, F, and G. To these were attached a few from other companies in the regiment, in all about 350 men. Company A was commanded by Sergt. R. B. Gause, Company B by Lieutenant M. D. Ector, Company E by Captain D. M. Short, Company F by Captain Isham Chisum, and Company G by Lieutenant O. A. Durrum. Our advance guard, in command of Captain Short, being fired upon by the enemy, stood firm until our force came up. It was at once, evident that thee enemy were in force and had taken a very strong position, protected and sheltered to a great extent by trees and rocks, with an open prairie in front of them.
I was ordered to charge the strongest point of the enemy. When the regiments had taken the different positions assigned them the bugle sounded the charge. As we approached the foot of the hill the enemy opened a heavy fire upon us. No confusion was created by it in our advancing columns. Many of the enemy made for their stronghold on the top of the hill, where there was a natural breastwork of rocks, and fired over the rocks at us. Many of my men, without making any halt, gained the heights by the few entrances on the side where it was alone accessible, while others dismounted and scaled the rock, and here for a short time a desperate struggle ensued.
Many shots were fired when the contending parties were only in a few steps of each other, and in some instances they were engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle. Soon the point was cleared by us and the enemy retreated in great confusion, some of them making a stand for a short time in the deep gorges and rocky defiles of the mountains. When we had completely scattered and routed those who had made a stand against us, hearing a heavy firing northeast, I obliqued with my command in that direction, and joined Stone's regiment, with which I co-operated during the remainder of the battle, going where from the firing we would be most likely to come up with the largest bodies of the enemy. We continued in the pursuit until one hour by sun in the evening.
It is due to all those in command of companies to say that they deserve great credit for the manner they led their companies into the charge and for their conduct throughout the battle. The truth is, every officer and private in my command acted gallantly and to my entire satisfaction during the engagement. I am proud indeed that at such a time it was my fortune to command such men. When I consider the position occupied by the enemy, I deem in nothing but due to you to state that the battle was admirably planned, and was executed by the different commands in a manner calculated to reflect great credit on our arms.
Yours, very respectfully,
W. P. LANE,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding South Kansas-Texas Cavalry.
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No. 14. Report of Captain William Gipson, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, of engagement of Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
DECEMBER 28, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the battle of Chustenahlah by the battalion of your regiment under my command, composed of the following companies: My own, commanded by Lieutenant Scott; Captain Parker's, command by Lieutenant Caldwell; Captain King's, command in person; and Captain Flannagan's, command by Lieutenant Callaway. In consequence of the companies being reduced by sickness and leave of absence, the whole number my command amounted to only 130 men.
On the morning of the 26th December, after marching 10 miles, we came in sight of the encampment of the enemy, between whom and our advance guard an animated fire soon ensued. In obedience to your order I took position in the center, Colonels Greer and Stone's regiment on my right and Colonel Young's regiment and Captain Bennett's company on my left. At the command we charged the enemy, who were positioned at a distance of 200 yards in the timber, and firing upon us from the points of the hills and valleys between. After our first fire they fell back among cliffs of rocks. We then dismounted, again attacked them, and again routed them. Finding that we could not overtake them on foot, we returned to our horses and followed up the retreat for 2 miles. Coming in sight of them, we again charged and routed them. We followed up the retreat for 3 miles, shooting and cutting the enemy down all along the route. i estimate that we killed from 80 to 100. I had none killed.
The following is a list of the wounded, viz:
My own company: Private J. G. Humphrey, dangerously; Private W. C. Eppler, dangerously; Private M. G. Blaylock, wounded in the arm; Private Riley Nicholson, slightly.
Captain Parker's company: William McCarthey, wounded in the head. Robert D. Bolton, wounded slightly.
Officers and men under my command fought bravely and did their whole duty.
WM. GIPSON,
Senior Captain, Commanding Bat. Second Ark. Mounted Riflemen.
Colonel McINTOSH, Commanding.
The men of battle.
Captain William Gipson, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 37, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Present in command of the first Bn. December 31, 1861. Not reelected May 8, 1862.
W. C. Eppler or Epler, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 26, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Badly wounded in battle at Chustenolah, C. N., December 26, 1861. Absent sick through June 30, 1862.
James. G. Humphrey, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 19, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Badly wounded in battle at Chustenolah, C. N., December 26, 1861. Captured December 21, 1861 near Nashville, TN. and sent to to Camp Chase, OH.
M. G. BLAYLOCK, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 19, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Wounded in battle at Chustenahlah (Indian Territory) December 26, 1861. Discharged for disability about April 20, 1862.
Riley W. Nicholson, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 26, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. In hospital at Greensboro, NC 5 Mar 1865.
Caption James M. Park or Parker, company G., Enlisted October 9, 1861, age 20. at Camp Holloway, MO. Promoted to Corporal May 12, 1862. Wounded and absent December 31, 1862. Shot through the hand. Severely wounded at Chickamauga, GA., and furloughed to AL., for 30 days. Disabled by G.S.W. September 19, 1863 and retired by medical board for 6 months.
Robert D. Bolton, private, company C., Enlisted November 26, 1861, age 18, at Camp Stephens. Wounded in battle at Chustenahlah (Indian Territory) December 26, 1861. Wounded at Murfreesboro, TN. Appointed First Sergeant March 27, 1863.
First Lieutenant, John T. Scott, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Commanding the company 31 Dec 1861. Not reelected 8 May 1862.
Second Lieutenant, William J. Caldwell, company B., Enlisted July 15, 1861, age 28, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Present, commanding Co B., December 31, 1861. Relieved by reorganization May 8, 1862.
Captain, James M. King, company C., Enlisted July 20, 1861, age 43, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Elected 20 Jul 1861. Dangerously wounded 10 Aug 1861 at Oak Hills, MO. Reorganization 8 May 1862.
First Lieutenant, J. W. Callaway, company E., Enlisted July 27, 1861, age 27, at Camp McRae, AR. Ordered to duty as ACS., March 22, 1862 until about 1 Nov 1862. Was in the Trans-Miss Dept in Apr 1863.
Captain, William G. Flanigan or Flannagan, company G., Enlisted July 27, 1861, age 29, Osage Prairie, AR. Discharged., September 28, 1861 at Camp Cooper, MO on a surgeon's certificate of disability.
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No. 15. Report of Captain H. S. Bennett, Lamar Cavalry Company, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
I beg leave to state that on the day of the battle I had in my command 40 men, and that we formed in line for battle about 12 noon, and in a very short time made a charge on the enemy, then stationed about 300 yards distant, who instantly upon the charge being made fell back upon the opposite side of a ravine, covered with bush and vine, and on our approach to that point we received orders to dismount; but finding the enemy at such a distance, retreating and firing, I immediately ordered my company to remount and charge; but before reaching the base of the mountain the enemy had ascended its top and made a stand, and as we charged to the top a steep and rocky mountain we encountered a very heavy fire from the enemy, about 100 strong.
We ascended the mountain in good order, and made a desperate charge and at once put the enemy to flight. The enemy retreated in disorder. Occasionally from ambush or the cover of trees and rocks we received their deadly shots, and in this manner the conflict continued until we had completely routed them from the mountain, and then the first struggle ended, the company killing some 20 of the enemy and wounding some 9 or 10. The number killed in my company was 2 - Privates F. Lane and H. E. Wilson. One slightly wounded.
A portion of my command, under Lieutenant I. H. Wright - whose gallantry on the occasion deserves praise - continued the pursuit some 7 or 8 miles, killing and wounding several more. It gives me pleasure to states that my small command did battle with a courage and heroism scarcely equaled. The engagement on the 26th continued some three or four hours. For such a signal and glorious victory the highest praise is due our gallant commander.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
H. S. BENNETT,
Captain, Lamar Cavalry.
Colonel McINTOSH, Commanding Forces.
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No. 16. Report of Colonel James McIntosh, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, commanding division, of skirmish with Creeks and Seminoles.
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Fort Smith, Ark., January 10, 1862.
GENERAL: In my report to you in regard to the captured property taken at Chustenahlah I should have stated that 190 sheep were turned over to the commissary, Captain Lanigan, at Fort Gibson.
Since writing that communication I have received a report from Colonel Watie, commanding Cherokee regiment (who I left behind to collect the stock taken from the Indians), stating he brought back with him between 800 and 800 head of cattle and 250 Indian ponies. Colonel Cooper, who marched with his command of Indians over the ground two or three days after the battle, also found a number of cattle, which were secured. All this property is in addition to what I have hitherto reported.
Colonel Watie also reports that on his return to Grand River from the battle-field, he having ascertained that a company of Cherokees numbering 50 or 60 were near his camp,making their way northward, with arms in their hands, sent two companies to arrest them. In endeavoring to accomplish this 1 Cherokee was killed and 7 made prisoners. Their wagons and some of their arms fell into the hands of Colonel Watie. From an officer just in from Colonel Cooper's command I ascertain that Hopoeithleyohola has gone to Kansas, and has not more than 400 or 500 Creeks with him. Many of the Indians who espoused his cause have left him the battle, and are now anxious to come in and make a treaty. As we have made them entirely destitute, I think all but Hopoeithleyohola's immediate followers will come in.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
JAMES McINTOSH,
Colonel, Commanding.
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No. 10. Report of Colonel James McIntosh, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, commanding division,of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation, with letters found in Hopoeithleyohola's camp.
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Van Buren, Ark., January 1, 1862.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the battle of Chustenahlah, which took place in the Cherokee Nation on the 26th of December, 1861:
Before entering upon the details of the battle it is necessary for me to state that I entered the Cherokee Nation with a portion of my division upon the representation of Colonel Cooper, commanding the Indian Department, calling upon me for additional force. This call was based upon the hostile stand taken by the Creek chief Hopoeithleyohola and the dissatisfaction which has sprung up in one of the Cherokee regiments. I hastened to Fort Gibon, with 1,600 men, and had an interview with Colonel Cooper, and entered into arrangements for mutual co-operation. The plan proposed was that Colonel Cooper, with his force strengthened by Major Whitfield's battalion, should move up the Arkansas River and endeavor to get in the rear of Hopoeithleyohola's position on one of the tributaries of the Verdigris River,near the Big Bend of the Arkansas, while my force should march up the Verdigris River opposite the position held by the enemy,and then move directly upon him. On account of the scarcity of forage it was mutually determined that either force should attack the enemy on sight.
I left Fort Gibson at 12 m. on the 22nd ultimo with the following force: Five companies of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lane; the available strength of the Sixth Regiment of Texas Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith; seven companies of the Third [Eleventh] Regiment of Texas Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Young; four companies of my own regiment, Second Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, under Captain Gipson; and Captain Bennett's company of Texans attached to the headquarters of the division. This force amounted to 1,380 men.
On the evening of the 25th ultimo a part of the enemy's force appeared in sight immediately after our arrival in camp. A regiment was sent to observe them. I soon satisfied that this party was endeavoring to lead us on a fruitless chase. I therefore restrained my impatient men and ordered them back to camp. During the evening an express reached me from Colonel Cooper, with the intelligence that it would probably be two or three days before he could make the preconcerted movement, on account of the desertion of his teamsters, and generously stated that if I found it necessary to advance he would give me all the assistance in his power. From this point, knowing it was impossible to move my train farther, I ordered it to remain in charge of Captain Elstner, acting brigade quartermaster, with a guard of 100 men.
With four days' cooked rations I left camp early on the morning of the 26th, and moved cautiously toward the stronghold of the enemy among the mountains running, back into the Big Bend of the Arkansas. Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, with his regiment, moved in advance. A company of his regiment, under Captain Short, was thrown forward as an advance guard, with orders to throw out flankers well to the right and left. Toward 12 m. we approached Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Verdigris.
As soon as Captain Short had crossed the stream a heavy and continuous firing was opened upon him. The company gallantly maintained its position. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Griffith, with his regiment, to move up on the right, and Colonel Young on the left. The center, composed of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane's regiment, Captain Bennett's company, and the detachment of the Second Regiment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, then moved forward and crossed the stream in the face of the enemy in large numbers posted to the right on a high and rugged hill, with its side covered with oak trees.
The enemy continued their fire upon us. Colonel Young promptly crossed the stream and formed upon the left of the center, which was already in line of battle. Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith, with his regiment, was ordered to march up the stream, which flowed at the base of the hill on which the enemy was posted, and, after moving opposite their left flank to dismount, cross the stream, and attack him in the flank. All these orders were promptly and efficiently executed, and the whole force ready for action. The enemy was in a very strong position, and from it observed our actions, in happy innocence of the gallant resolve which animated the hearts of those in the valley below them. The Seminoles, under the celebrated chief Halek Tustenuggee, were in front on foot, posted behind the trees and rocks, while others were in line near the summit of the hill.
Hopoeithleyohola's Creeks were beyond, on horseback. A few representatives of other tribes were also in the battle. The whole force was estimated at 1,700. Between the rough and rugged side of the hill a space of 200 or 300 yards intervened of open ground. Each tree on the hill-side screened a stalwart warrior. It seemed a desperate undertaking to charge a position which appeared almost inaccessible, but the order to charge to the top of the hill met a responsive feeling from each gallant heart in the line, and at 12 m. the charge was sounded, one wild yell from a thousand throats burst upon the air, and the living mass hurled itself upon the foe.
The sharp report of the rifle came from every three and rock, but on our brave men rushed, nor stopped until the summit of the hill was gained and we were mingled with the enemy. The South Kansas-Texas regiment, led by those gallant officers Colonel Lane and Major Chilton, breasted itself for the highest point of the hill, and rushed over its rugged side with the irresistible force of tornado, and swept everything before it. The brave Major Chilton, while approaching the summit of the hill, received a severe wound in the head, but with unabated vigor continued in the fight. Captain Bennett, with his company and the detachment of the Second Regiment Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, under Captain Gipson, gallantly charged side by side. Captain Gipson was ordered to dismount his command and move into a thicket into which he had driven a portion of the enemy, which he did promptly and with great execution.
After charging some distance on the extreme left, the gallant Colonel Young, observing that the enemy were moving to the more rugged part of the field of battle on the right, with ready foresight rapidly moved his regiment to that portion of the field, an succeeded in cutting off many of the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith, having obeyed the first order given him, observing the enemy flying from the hill, rapidly mounted his command, and moved forward up the stream, crossed it some distance above, and gallantly encountered the enemy,who had made a stand near their principal encampment.
The enemy by this time were much scattered and had retreated to the rocky gorges amid the deep recesses of the mountain, where they were pursued by our victorious troops and routed in every instance with great loss. They endeavored to make a stand at their encampment, but their efforts were ineffectual, and we were soon the midst of it. Property of every description was scattered around. The battle lasted until 4 o'clock, when the firing gradually ceased, and we remained victors in the center of Hopoeithleyohola's camp.
The loss sustained by the enemy was very severe. Their killed amounted to upwards of 250. Our loss was 8 killed and 32 wounded. The brave and gallant Lieutenant Fitzhue was shot in the head, and fell while gallantly leading his company. Captain J. D.young, of Young's regiment, and Lieutenant Durham, of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, were both wounded while in the thick of the battle. We captured 160 women and children, 20 negroes, 30 wagons, 70 yoke of oxen, about 500 Indian horses, several hundred head of cattle, 100 sheep, and a great quantity of property of much value to the enemy. The stronghold of Hopoeithleyohola was completely broken up, and his force scattered in every direction, destitute of the simplest elements of subsistence.
At 4 o'clock the rally was sounded, and the different commands went into camp on the battle-field. The dead and wounded were collected and cared for. The officers of the medical department of the different regiments deserve much credit for their promptness in attending to the wounded.
A party of Stand Waties' regiment of Cherokees, numbering 300, under the command of the colonel, although under my orders, came up just as the battle terminated. This regiment had been ordered to join me from its station on Grand River. It was no fault of its commander that it did not reach us sooner. Every effort on his part was made in order to reach us in time.
At early dawn on the day after the battle I again left camp in pursuit of the flying enemy. After a hot pursuit of 25 miles we overtook 2 wagons, which were captured and burned. At this moment sharp firing was heard upon the left, and a messenger came from Colonel Stand Watie with the report that he was engaged with the enemy. I immediately moved in the direction,and upon our arrival I ascertained that Colonel Watie had overtaken a number of the enemy and had gallantly charged them. Major Boudinot, commanding the left flank of the regiment, had rushed into a deep ravine and driven the enemy from it. In the skirmish 15 men of the enemy were killed and a number of women and children taken.
Throughout our rapid march - sometimes an ground covered with snow and at others facing the chilly blasts from the north - the greatest enthusiasm prevailed in anticipation of the coming struggle, and at all times during the march and on the battle field every officer and soldier of the brigade nobly did his duty, and it is with heartfelt pride that I bright them to the notice of the Department. The charge at the commencement of the battle was splendid;none more gallant was ever made. Individual acts of daring and hand-to-hand encounters were of frequent occurrence during the day, it would be impossible to enumerate them. I therefore refer the Department to the troops of regimental and detachment commanders, herewith transmitted.
To Captain Elstner, of the Second Regiment Arkansas Mounted Riflemen,who acted as brigade quartermaster and commissary, my thanks are due for the efficient and able manner in which he conducted the affairs of his department. To my personal staff I am indebted for much valuable service. Both Mr. Frank C. Armstrong and Mr. James S.
Vann, by volunteer aides-de-camp, went gallantly into the fight, and bore themselves with great coolness and courage. Lieutenant G. A. Thornton, the acting assistant adjutant-general, was also active and efficient in carrying various orders, and deserves great credit for his coolness during the battle.
Casualties.-Killed, 9; wounded, 40.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES McINTOSH,
Colonel, Commanding Division.
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No. 11. Report of Colonel W. C. Young, Eleventh Texas Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
SIR: I have the honor to report the action of my regiment in the engagement of the 26th December. I took up my position on the left, according to your instructions, at the commencement of the action. I remained there until the woods were on fire, and being satisfied that the enemy did not intend an attack on our left, I moved my regiment in the direction of the mountains, on the right. On moving up the first mountain I passed Major Chilton, of Colonel Greer's regiment, who was wounded in the head, and learning from him the direction the enemy had taken, I moved my regiment in an oblique direction through the mountains, where after going some 2 miles, we came up with the enemy, strongly posted among the rocks and timber. We immediately charged them, carrying everything before us. After this the enemy, being copletely routed, ran in different directions. My regiment then pursued them in detachment of companies, keeping up a running fight until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The regiment was then rallied, and we proceeded to gather up the killed and wounded, which we succeeded in doing, and reached camp a little after dark.
My regiment killed 211, viz: BY the staff,3; a detachment of 36 men from companies of Captains Twitty, Reeves, and Young, commanded by Captain J. D. Young, killed 34; Captain Harman's company killed 16; Captain Burk's company killed 30; Captain Nicholson's company killed 16; Captain Bound's company killed 26; Captain Featherston's company killed 10; Captain Hill's company killed 26; Captain Wallace's company, 50. Total killed, 211.
Our loss killed on the field was 1 private, William Franklin, Captain Harman's company; mortally wounded, Sergt. W. H. H. Addington, of Captain Young's detachment, and W. S. Proctor, of Captain Wallis' company; and J. N. Robinson, of Captain Wallis' company, severely wounded, left arm broken; slightly wounded, Captain J. D. Young, in the thigh, and Benjamin Clark, private in Captain Featherston's company, wounded in the leg. Total killed and wounded, 6. In Captain Nicholson's company 3 horses shot, and in Captain Harman's company 3 horses shot. Captain Featherston's company lost -; Captain Hill's,1 killed. In Captain Wallis' company 1 horse killed and 1 disabled. In Captain Burk's company 1 horse lost.
We took a great many women, children, and negroes prisoners; also a number of horses and cattle, which were turned over, by your order, to Captain Gipson, of the Arkansas regiment.
In conclusion, I am proud to say that both officers and men of my regiment behaved throughout the engagement as became soldiers and Texans.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. C. YOUNG,
Colonel, Commanding Texas Cavalry.
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No. 12. Report of Lieutenant Colonel John S. Griffith, Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH TEXAS REGIMENT, Camp Homing Creek, Cherokee Nation, December 27, 1861.
COLONEL: On the 26th instant, at 12 m., I was ordered by you to move my command up on the right of and parallel with Colonel Lane's command. This executed brought me to Hominy Creek, when I was further ordered to dismounted my men and form a line. When Colonel Lane made his gallant charge on the enemy I ordered my men to their horses, formed, and rapidly advanced in a flanking movement you intended for me to make up the valley for half a mile, crossed over to the west, or battle side of the creek, proceeded a short distance up, and discovered the enemy upon the opposite bank. I charged across the creek, put the enemy to rout, continued up the valley something like a half mile farther, cutting off all the straggling and then flying Indians in that direction. I then turned to the left in a northwestward direction over the rocky hills and gorges that made into the large gorge that was then in between Colonel Lane's command and mine. Continuing this course, I crossed over five or six rocky hills, on three of which, behind the rocks, the enemy were in position in considerable numbers. My men gallantly charged in succession, putting them completely to rout. It was during these charges that the brave and gallant Lieutenant Fitzhue and Thomas Arnold fell among the foremost in the fight.
After going about 3 miles in this direction I came to the Cross Hollows. There the enemy were collected in large numbers. Dismounting my men, we poured a galling fire on them at about 125 yards distance, which finally dislodged them. From thence I proceeded in a westward direction, cutting off occasionally straggling Indians, until 3.30 o'clock p.m. The loss of the enemy by my command, as near as can be estimated by myself and officers, is 70 killed; that of my own men, 15 killed and wounded, as follows, to wit:
Company C, Lieutenant Smith commanding, E. V. Howell, mortally wounded in the head: John R. West, wounded in the wrist. Company D, Lieutenant Kelly commanding, Bugler J. B. Harris, killed; G. W. Coffman, wounded in breast. Company E, Captain Wharton commanding, William Spencer, wounded in breast; W. P. Wright, wounded in breast and arm. Company F, Sergeant Young commanding, James Green, mortally wounded, shoulder and wrist; Henry Ellis, wounded in leg; George W. Wilson, wounded in chest and arm; Leonard Sheffield, wounded in breast. Company G, Captain Ross commanding, Thomas T. Arnold, killed; J. H. Whittington, wounded in groin. Company H, Lieutenant Whittington commanding, First Sergt. R. H. Baker, wounded slightly in shoulder; A. M. Keller, wounded slightly in hand. Company K, Captain Throckmorton commanding, First Lieutenant G. S. Fitzhue, killed.
At 3.30 o'clock I started back to where the battle commenced, where I arrived at dark, bringing in 75 women and children as prisoners and 3 negroes and 80 horses, which are herewith turned over to you. To the brave and gallant Captains Ross, Hardin, Wharton, and Throckmorton, and Lieutenants Scott, Cummings, Kelley, Smith, and Whittington, and Sergeant Young I am much indebted for the success we had by their fearless charges in the front of their respective commands, which so signally routed the enemy from every point. I ma indebted to Adjutant Gurley and Sergeant-Major Porter for their efficiency in transmitting orders, as well as for good fighting. Lieutenant Truitt, Vance, and Cannon, and every non-commissioned officer and private, for so nobly sustaining their officers, not only deserve my thanks, but the applause of their countrymen. Assistant Surgeon Bradford did good duty as a soldier in the ranks until his presence was required with the wounded, whom he has since constantly and skillfully attended.
Before closing I must return my sincere thanks to Captains Ross, Wharton, and Throckmorton, and Adjutant Gurley for timely assistance when I was in imminent personal peril, and my gratitude to Providence for crowning our arms with victory.
With respect, I am, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. GRIFFITH,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry.
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No. 13. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Walter P. Lane, Third Texas (South Kansas-Texas) Cavalry, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
REGIMENTAL ENCAMPMENT, South Kansas-Texas Cavalry, December 26, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my command in the battle of the 26th instant: I had with me the greater portion of five companies, to wit, Companies A, B, E, F, and G. To these were attached a few from other companies in the regiment, in all about 350 men. Company A was commanded by Sergt. R. B. Gause, Company B by Lieutenant M. D. Ector, Company E by Captain D. M. Short, Company F by Captain Isham Chisum, and Company G by Lieutenant O. A. Durrum. Our advance guard, in command of Captain Short, being fired upon by the enemy, stood firm until our force came up. It was at once, evident that thee enemy were in force and had taken a very strong position, protected and sheltered to a great extent by trees and rocks, with an open prairie in front of them.
I was ordered to charge the strongest point of the enemy. When the regiments had taken the different positions assigned them the bugle sounded the charge. As we approached the foot of the hill the enemy opened a heavy fire upon us. No confusion was created by it in our advancing columns. Many of the enemy made for their stronghold on the top of the hill, where there was a natural breastwork of rocks, and fired over the rocks at us. Many of my men, without making any halt, gained the heights by the few entrances on the side where it was alone accessible, while others dismounted and scaled the rock, and here for a short time a desperate struggle ensued.
Many shots were fired when the contending parties were only in a few steps of each other, and in some instances they were engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle. Soon the point was cleared by us and the enemy retreated in great confusion, some of them making a stand for a short time in the deep gorges and rocky defiles of the mountains. When we had completely scattered and routed those who had made a stand against us, hearing a heavy firing northeast, I obliqued with my command in that direction, and joined Stone's regiment, with which I co-operated during the remainder of the battle, going where from the firing we would be most likely to come up with the largest bodies of the enemy. We continued in the pursuit until one hour by sun in the evening.
It is due to all those in command of companies to say that they deserve great credit for the manner they led their companies into the charge and for their conduct throughout the battle. The truth is, every officer and private in my command acted gallantly and to my entire satisfaction during the engagement. I am proud indeed that at such a time it was my fortune to command such men. When I consider the position occupied by the enemy, I deem in nothing but due to you to state that the battle was admirably planned, and was executed by the different commands in a manner calculated to reflect great credit on our arms.
Yours, very respectfully,
W. P. LANE,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding South Kansas-Texas Cavalry.
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No. 14. Report of Captain William Gipson, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, of engagement of Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
DECEMBER 28, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the battle of Chustenahlah by the battalion of your regiment under my command, composed of the following companies: My own, commanded by Lieutenant Scott; Captain Parker's, command by Lieutenant Caldwell; Captain King's, command in person; and Captain Flannagan's, command by Lieutenant Callaway. In consequence of the companies being reduced by sickness and leave of absence, the whole number my command amounted to only 130 men.
On the morning of the 26th December, after marching 10 miles, we came in sight of the encampment of the enemy, between whom and our advance guard an animated fire soon ensued. In obedience to your order I took position in the center, Colonels Greer and Stone's regiment on my right and Colonel Young's regiment and Captain Bennett's company on my left. At the command we charged the enemy, who were positioned at a distance of 200 yards in the timber, and firing upon us from the points of the hills and valleys between. After our first fire they fell back among cliffs of rocks. We then dismounted, again attacked them, and again routed them. Finding that we could not overtake them on foot, we returned to our horses and followed up the retreat for 2 miles. Coming in sight of them, we again charged and routed them. We followed up the retreat for 3 miles, shooting and cutting the enemy down all along the route. i estimate that we killed from 80 to 100. I had none killed.
The following is a list of the wounded, viz:
My own company: Private J. G. Humphrey, dangerously; Private W. C. Eppler, dangerously; Private M. G. Blaylock, wounded in the arm; Private Riley Nicholson, slightly.
Captain Parker's company: William McCarthey, wounded in the head. Robert D. Bolton, wounded slightly.
Officers and men under my command fought bravely and did their whole duty.
WM. GIPSON,
Senior Captain, Commanding Bat. Second Ark. Mounted Riflemen.
Colonel McINTOSH, Commanding.
The men of battle.
Captain William Gipson, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 37, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Present in command of the first Bn. December 31, 1861. Not reelected May 8, 1862.
W. C. Eppler or Epler, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 26, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Badly wounded in battle at Chustenolah, C. N., December 26, 1861. Absent sick through June 30, 1862.
James. G. Humphrey, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 19, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Badly wounded in battle at Chustenolah, C. N., December 26, 1861. Captured December 21, 1861 near Nashville, TN. and sent to to Camp Chase, OH.
M. G. BLAYLOCK, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 19, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Wounded in battle at Chustenahlah (Indian Territory) December 26, 1861. Discharged for disability about April 20, 1862.
Riley W. Nicholson, private, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, age 26, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. In hospital at Greensboro, NC 5 Mar 1865.
Caption James M. Park or Parker, company G., Enlisted October 9, 1861, age 20. at Camp Holloway, MO. Promoted to Corporal May 12, 1862. Wounded and absent December 31, 1862. Shot through the hand. Severely wounded at Chickamauga, GA., and furloughed to AL., for 30 days. Disabled by G.S.W. September 19, 1863 and retired by medical board for 6 months.
Robert D. Bolton, private, company C., Enlisted November 26, 1861, age 18, at Camp Stephens. Wounded in battle at Chustenahlah (Indian Territory) December 26, 1861. Wounded at Murfreesboro, TN. Appointed First Sergeant March 27, 1863.
First Lieutenant, John T. Scott, company A., Enlisted July 18, 1861, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Commanding the company 31 Dec 1861. Not reelected 8 May 1862.
Second Lieutenant, William J. Caldwell, company B., Enlisted July 15, 1861, age 28, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Present, commanding Co B., December 31, 1861. Relieved by reorganization May 8, 1862.
Captain, James M. King, company C., Enlisted July 20, 1861, age 43, at a camp near Bentonville, AR. Elected 20 Jul 1861. Dangerously wounded 10 Aug 1861 at Oak Hills, MO. Reorganization 8 May 1862.
First Lieutenant, J. W. Callaway, company E., Enlisted July 27, 1861, age 27, at Camp McRae, AR. Ordered to duty as ACS., March 22, 1862 until about 1 Nov 1862. Was in the Trans-Miss Dept in Apr 1863.
Captain, William G. Flanigan or Flannagan, company G., Enlisted July 27, 1861, age 29, Osage Prairie, AR. Discharged., September 28, 1861 at Camp Cooper, MO on a surgeon's certificate of disability.
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No. 15. Report of Captain H. S. Bennett, Lamar Cavalry Company, of engagement at Chustenahlah, Cherokee Nation.
I beg leave to state that on the day of the battle I had in my command 40 men, and that we formed in line for battle about 12 noon, and in a very short time made a charge on the enemy, then stationed about 300 yards distant, who instantly upon the charge being made fell back upon the opposite side of a ravine, covered with bush and vine, and on our approach to that point we received orders to dismount; but finding the enemy at such a distance, retreating and firing, I immediately ordered my company to remount and charge; but before reaching the base of the mountain the enemy had ascended its top and made a stand, and as we charged to the top a steep and rocky mountain we encountered a very heavy fire from the enemy, about 100 strong.
We ascended the mountain in good order, and made a desperate charge and at once put the enemy to flight. The enemy retreated in disorder. Occasionally from ambush or the cover of trees and rocks we received their deadly shots, and in this manner the conflict continued until we had completely routed them from the mountain, and then the first struggle ended, the company killing some 20 of the enemy and wounding some 9 or 10. The number killed in my company was 2 - Privates F. Lane and H. E. Wilson. One slightly wounded.
A portion of my command, under Lieutenant I. H. Wright - whose gallantry on the occasion deserves praise - continued the pursuit some 7 or 8 miles, killing and wounding several more. It gives me pleasure to states that my small command did battle with a courage and heroism scarcely equaled. The engagement on the 26th continued some three or four hours. For such a signal and glorious victory the highest praise is due our gallant commander.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
H. S. BENNETT,
Captain, Lamar Cavalry.
Colonel McINTOSH, Commanding Forces.
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No. 16. Report of Colonel James McIntosh, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, commanding division, of skirmish with Creeks and Seminoles.
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Fort Smith, Ark., January 10, 1862.
GENERAL: In my report to you in regard to the captured property taken at Chustenahlah I should have stated that 190 sheep were turned over to the commissary, Captain Lanigan, at Fort Gibson.
Since writing that communication I have received a report from Colonel Watie, commanding Cherokee regiment (who I left behind to collect the stock taken from the Indians), stating he brought back with him between 800 and 800 head of cattle and 250 Indian ponies. Colonel Cooper, who marched with his command of Indians over the ground two or three days after the battle, also found a number of cattle, which were secured. All this property is in addition to what I have hitherto reported.
Colonel Watie also reports that on his return to Grand River from the battle-field, he having ascertained that a company of Cherokees numbering 50 or 60 were near his camp,making their way northward, with arms in their hands, sent two companies to arrest them. In endeavoring to accomplish this 1 Cherokee was killed and 7 made prisoners. Their wagons and some of their arms fell into the hands of Colonel Watie. From an officer just in from Colonel Cooper's command I ascertain that Hopoeithleyohola has gone to Kansas, and has not more than 400 or 500 Creeks with him. Many of the Indians who espoused his cause have left him the battle, and are now anxious to come in and make a treaty. As we have made them entirely destitute, I think all but Hopoeithleyohola's immediate followers will come in.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
JAMES McINTOSH,
Colonel, Commanding.