Major Andrew Vern Emen Johnston

GLASGOW, September 29, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS, Saint Louis:



Major Andrew Vern Emen Johnston



Major Johnston, Thirty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, left Paris, Monroe County, on the 26th instant, with 150 men, in pursuit of the guerrillas. He arrived at Centralia soon after Anderson had closed his bloody chapter of crime at that station, and discovering the demons in the timber, about two miles distant, he immediately pushed his command after them. On nearing the timber he formed his men in line of battle and dismounted them, each man holding his own horse. The guerrillas rushed from the timber in line of battle, nearly 500 strong, under Thrailkill. Perkins, Todd, Anderson, and Holtzclaw. When within 150 yards of our troops Major Johnston ordered his troops to fire. The fiends were temporarily checked and thrown into disorder, but speedily rallied, re-formed, and charged upon our men before they could fire a second shot. Major Johnston was completely overwhelmed, and himself and command subjected to the most inhuman butchery and barbarities that blacken the pages of history. Major Johnston was murdered and scalped. One hundred and thirty of his officers and men shared his fate. Most of them were shot through the head, then scalped, bayonets thrust in the mouths of the daring.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier-General.

SAINT LOUIS, September 29, 1864-4.15 p. m.