TRUE OZARK TALES FROM BYGONE DAYS
By: John Jay Chilton
Source: The Current Local Newspaper-Van Buren, Carter Co., Missouri
September 10, 1931
Sixty-nine years ago last week (last week of August 1862), the people of Shannon County were thrown into grief
over the murder of John West,
Mrs. Sam West, Louis
Conway,
James Henry Gaylon, William Chilton, Henry Smith, Sam Herring, Jack
Herring, John Huddleston, John Story and Joshua Chilton. The tragedy was one of
the bloody incidents of the Civil War days and was instance of what man will do when war uncovers the brutal in man.
As the story is told, by relatives of the victims, John Worthington[1]
became an enemy to Joshua Chilton over an imaginary wrong, and Dave Smith[2]
became an enemy to Alexander Chilton over a real wrong. So, they managed to get a company of Federal soldiers[3]
to come over from Rolla to the vicinity where the Chilton’s lived and
the drive on the various homes was made in the dead of the night. They first caught John
Huddleston[4],
then Jack and Sam Herring[5]
and William Chilton[6]. The band next approached the home of A.J.(Andrew Jackson) Chilton[7]
who heard them coming in time to leap out of a window in his night
clothes, and by joining a heard of sheep in the pasture he escaped by
running off with them on all fours. He
thought to run to the West’s home which was nearby, and warn him, but the raiders beat him there, passing close to him. He saved himself from detection by hugging closely
to the opposite side of a tree as they passed him.
When the raiding party reached the West home,[8]
Sam West, whom they were seeking, crawled under a bed and some reason they did not search the house. John West, Sam’s father, stood on the porch and talked to them until
they turned away. Then Sam came to the door and fired a double-barreled shotgun at them, but missed. The
raiders fired back at old man West killing him instantly. Mrs. West thrust Sam back into the house and, as she came between him and the enemy they fired a charge of heavy
shot into her back and hips, from which she died about two weeks later.
Next, they caught Alexander Chilton[9]
then reached the home of Joshua Chilton[10]
while the family was a breakfast. Mr. Chilton and Louis Conway [11]
ran from the house and hid among some weeds in the yard of an old house about a half a mile away. The, the soldiers spied Conway and killed him.
Mr. Chilton slipped away
and would have escaped if he had not been discovered by one of the enemy
who had wandered away from the rest of the party.
James H. Gaylon[12]
had a leg broken some months before this event and, as the prisoners had
to walk, he leg became sore on the first day’s travel and he realized
he would not be able to travel the next day. That
night, the prisoners were placed in a vacant house with two doors. One guard was placed at one door and two guards were placed at the other.
One of the two guards went
to sleep and James H. Gaylon whispered to Alexander Chilton to knock him
down with his boot and he would hold him until the prisoners could
escape.
So, Chilton passed the word on to all the others so they would be ready. But,
Joshua Chilton, was a Free Mason and he whispered
to the others not to attempt to escape, saying that as two of the enemy
were Masons he thought that through their influence he could save the
lives of all the prisoners.
Next
morning, when ready to start, J.H. Gaylon told the guard that he could
not walk any further and, they told him he must go on or they would kill
him.
He sat down against a tree, brushed his hair back and said, “Kill and be damned”. They shot him in the forehead.
Alexander said that it was
then that Joshua Chilton realized the mistake of objecting to them
making an attempt to escape the night before.
The
guards in charge of Henry Smith and William Chilton lagged behind just
until they were out of view of the rest then shot both prisoners.
Then, they caught up with the others and proposed that they kill them all. This, the guards agreed to do.
They ordered the prisoners to take off their shoes. Joshua Chilton appealed to the two Masons and asked them, “Are you going
to shoot me down like a brute?” They answered, “You can’t tell any difference.” Mr.
Chilton said to them, “I have friends that can walk as deep in blood as any of you.” They were shot down and left lying in the road, all but Alexander Chilton, who, seeing
their intention, dodged into a jungle of thick brush and escaped. They
shot at him as long as they saw the brush shake, and then gave chase,
but he ran through the jungle
until he found a stock path, turned at a right angle and followed the
path for a distance, then turned again at a right angle and crossed the
road at the scene of the murder. He
ran on about a mile and came to a spring[13]
where a young woman was washing clothes, and, being thirsty and exhausted, he drank and lay down to rest. The woman threw some unwashed clothes over him and in a few
minutes the enemy came along and asked here if she saw him pass. She pointed in the opposite direction from Chilton, indicating that he had passed in that direction.
When they had gone Chilton took to the woods again, traveling only by night and arriving home after eight days. During that
time he had nothing to eat but apples.
The
raiders had not taken his weapons, so when he had rested up a bit, he
got Charles T. Chilton and Jack Smith, brother of Henry Smith, one of
the murdered men, to go with
him to settle the score with John Worthington, one of the instigators of
the crime. The three went to his home in the vicinity of Round Springs,
in the night, same as the enemy had come to Chilton’s in the night.
Worthington resisted but was wounded. His wife
assisted him onto a bed and both began to beg, but they finished him
after reminding him that their people did not beg when he and his gang
of murderers shot them.
Dave
Smith fled to Rockford, Illinois and was running a ferryboat there when
Chilton located him. He disguised himself and went on the boat
intending to attend to him on
the other side; but Smith recognized him as he left the boat and
escaped. But, it was for a time only, for Chilton finally located him in
Central Texas and told Mrs. Joshua Chilton, the only person he was ever
known to speak to about it, that the last time
he saw Dave Smith he was lying near the door of a saloon with a bucket
hole in his head and two in his breast.
MO State Archives
PO Box 1747
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Record 3rd
Cavalry Company E, Orders 177 J 37 F3
Special Order
U.S.. Military Post Salem MO
No. 11. August 23d 1862
Capt.
Bradway Commanding Co E 3d MO Cavalry is hereby directed to detail 50
men and one Command Officer to proceed tomorrow with daybreak in a
southern direction
to the valley of the Current River and of Jack’s Fork to carry out as
far as possible the following instructions.
The
first object of the expedition is to surprise partisan settlements
where it is supposed that members of Coleman’s Command are hiding. Two
faithful guides
will be added to the Command to prevent that previous information may
reach the Rebels the Command will leave the post in another than the
finally intended direction and take to the woods when advised by the
guides. Armed men have not to be made prisoners but
to be shot on the spot every man in whose possession is found property.
Horses etc. Should be found, has to be arrested and sending them to be
tried by the Provost Marshall. All suspicious Houses have to be
thoroughly searched for weapons of any kind. And such
weapons to be confiscated buildings known to be harboring places for
Rebels have to be destroyed the furniture being removed previously if
possible.
The 2nd
object is to confiscate from secessionists
and rebel sympathizers, such property as May be turned over to the use
of the U.S. as Cattle Forage Horses etc. if it is possible wheat will be
thrashed and ground at the nearest mill. Transportation has
to
be furnished by rebel sympathizers. it is sufficient to leave a family
one milk cow so much provision as is necessary for their support through
the year. Of all confiscated property a correct list has to be kept by
the Commanding Officer to be delivered
to the Provo Marshall of this Post after return, The Command will
provide themselves with five
days rations of Sugar and salt. All other subsistence has to be drawn
through
the country. They will return as soon or before the before mentioned
objects are accomplished as far as it is in their power not before.
To Capt. Bradway J Weydemyer [14]
Comg Co. “E” 3rd Cav
Lt Col Comg Post
OR, Series 1 - Volume 13, Pages 260-261
AUGUST 24-28, 1862.
Scout from Salem to Current River, Mo.
Report of Lieut. Herbert Reed, Third Missouri Cavalry.
Fifty
men in the command. Marched in a southerly direction until noon, then
halted for feed and dinner 20 miles from Salem, on the Barren Fork of
Sinking Creek. Marched
down Sinking Creek in a southwestern direction 5 miles; then changed
course to the south and marched 6 miles, which brought us to the Current
River, and continued 4 miles down Current River in a southeastern
direction and halted for supper. At 11 p. m. resumed
the march in a southern direction 6 miles on the country road, and
halted at the house of a certain Jackson Sugs. Searched the house, but
found nothing. Resumed the march in the same direction for 4 miles, and
halted at Chilton’s Mill. Searched one house; found
no man or contraband goods. Searched the house of one Andrew Chilton. In
doing so was fired upon by some persons inside. The fire was returned,
killing 1 man, supposed to have been wounded; also wounding a woman (who
was standing near the men) slightly. Names
unknown. No contraband goods were found in the house. Resumed the march
in a westerly direction 2 miles, and sur- rounded the house of one
Cedrick(Shadrach)
Chilton. Searched and found 3 men, Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith, James
Gallien. and shortly after William Chilton; also 1 gun, 1 United States
saddle, 2 United States horses, and 2 contraband horses, all which I
placed under guard. Resumed the march. Halted
at the house of one Joshua Chilton. Three men ran from the house and
were fired at. One (Jesse Conaway) was mortally wounded. One (Perry
Chilton) was shot at as he was going into the brush. The result is
unknown. All of them were previous to the fire commanded
to halt. Joshua Chilton was caught, after a pursuit of nearly a mile,
swimming through Jacks Fork. Also found 2 United States mules, a sorrel
mare (claimed by our guide, David B. Smith[15]),
and
one contraband horse (white stallion). The property was placed under
guard. We now unsaddled for feed at 8 p.m. August 25. After resting for
two hours marched in a northerly direction 15 miles (found no rebel or
contraband goods on the march), which brought
us to the residence of D. B. Smith, our guide. Here we encamped for the
night. On the 26th left a part of the men to guard the prisoners.
Marched the remainder 20 miles northeast to Big Creek. Searched a number
of houses on the route. At that of Andrew Marsh
found but 1 estray horse in the woods. (Marsh is said to be with
Coleman’s band.) A bay mare found in the pasture of Daniel Williams[16],
said by his wife to be estray; 1 bay mare found with Benjamin Conway,
contraband, and a bay mare and horse found secreted in the woods at
Jackson Herrings. Took man and horses along. Confiscated several horses
and colts at the house of one Goforth, whose son
is with Coleman. Goforth ran and escaped. Returned to the camp on
Current River. On the march, from the time we left Salem until we
returned, whenever we saw a man run and leave a horse we took the same,
leaving word for them to prove themselves loyal and take
their property, if they wished. On the morning of the 27th we procured a
wagon and oxen of Alfred Deathridge[17],
for transportation of the families of David and Dan Smith, and took our
march for headquarters at Salem. Reached the residence of Joseph Conway,
where we encamped for the night. August 28, at 5 o’clock, reported at
Salem. Delivered prisoners and contraband
property.
HERBERT REED,
Second Lieutenant Company B, Third Missouri Cavalry.
Provost Marshall files, 2 or more citizens, f1587, file #1935
Salem, Dent Co. MO, August 29/62
Sir:
I hereby send to you by Capt. Avery, 3rd
MO Cavalry, six prisoners taken by a detachment of Comp. E, 3rd MO Cavalry under command Lieut. Reed, in Shannon County, MO.
I have had not time enough
to procure all the evidence in their cases but I will be able to do so
by next week when I will forward them to you. The
following is a list of them. Joshua Chilton, Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith, James Gallian, William Chilton, and Heron.
Joshua Chilton has been a State Senator, and is a very Dangerous rebel, and the troops have up to this time never been
able to capture him, though often attempted. Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith and James Gallian are rebels of the deepest dye, murderers and horse thieves.
The last two are rebels but are of a less desperate character. I am awaiting the arrival of two witnesses in their cases,
to draw up regular charges.
I sent requisition for stationary a short time since, but have not yet received any, by attending to it you will
very much oblige me, as I have none on hand.
Closing I remain Your Obedient Servant,
Henry Duncker, Capt. 2nd MO Cav.
Provost Marshall
OR, Series 2 - Volume 4,
Pages 465-466
U. S. MILITARY POST, Salem, Mo.,
August 29, 1862.
Col. J. M. GLOVER, Commanding Rolla Division.
COLONEL:
Your favor of the 28th came to hand last night, also pay-rolls to be
substituted for muster-rolls. Hospital payrolls are yet missing.
Please send them by returning express. Lieut. H. Reed returned yesterday
with his detachment after a very successful expedition down the Currant
River to Jacks Fork. He secured some of the worst and most dangerous
characters in the whole district, among them
the late State Senator Joshua Chilton, the King of Shannon County, as
they call him, who did more to induce men to join the Southern Army than
perhaps any other man in this whole State. The number of prisoners
Lieutenant Reed brought in is six. I will deliver
them tomorrow to the detachment of cavalry returning to Rolla. A good
many contrabands and some U. S. horses were brought in also. Three men
who were met in arms and one who tried to run away when ordered to halt
were killed. Of all those proceedings I will
give you further details in my next letter. The country over which we
traveled, the report winds up, was very destitute of water until we
reached Sinking Creek; after that it was rough and hilly and supplied
with an abundance of the purest of water, plenty
of corn in the field, in the valleys some considerable fruit peaches and
apples not very many sheep, an abundance of cattle, not much small
grain that I saw; found two grist-mills and any quantity of hogs, though
they are all poor. According to the reports
of Lieutenant Reed as well as of the guide it will be easy to secure
from the Currant River Valley alone 1,000 head of good cattle if only a
force of about 300 cavalry be employed to make a clean sweep through it.
To take a part of the cattle at a time would
have the effect to drive the balance into the woods. The news our guide
could collect of the whereabouts of Coleman differ in so far that
according to one (secesh) report he was cashiered and superseded by a
certain Captain White, who was last year connected
with Jeff. Thompson; that according to the other one he is at or near
Batesville, on the south [north] side of the White River. A Union man
who was a prisoner with Coleman when it became known that Colonel Boyd
was after him said that Coleman went then through
the different camps addressing his men in such a way as to impress upon
them that every one had to take care of himself; as they were pursued by
the enemy and every one only provided with two rounds of ammunition. He
is now reported 2,500 strong, but can according
to the best calculations have no more than 1,500 to 1,800, of whom only
400 armed and provided with two rounds each. Certain it is that no
hostile force of any considerable strength is to be found within sixty
miles of this post at present. I was therefore
very much surprised by the sudden appearance of a cavalry detachment
which you were kind enough to send me as a re-enforcement. As this post
is in no way endangered now I told Captain Avery that he might return
to-morrow at his best convenience. I have never
received the order of the War Department regarding the destruction of
buildings. It was not my intention to have other buildings destroyed
[than those] which are of real advantage to the enemy, and have been and
will be used as places of defense and shelter.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. WEYDEMEYER, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Post.
Salem, Dent Co. MO, August 29/62
Sir:
I hereby send to you by Capt. Avery, 3rd
MO Cavalry, six prisoners taken by a detachment of Comp. E, 3rd MO Cavalry under command Lieut. Reed, in Shannon County, MO.
I have had not time enough
to procure all the evidence in their cases but I will be able to do so
by next week when I will forward them to you. The
following is a list of them. Joshua Chilton, Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith, James Gallian, William Chilton, and Heron.
Joshua Chilton has been a State Senator, and is a very Dangerous rebel, and the troops have up to this time never been
able to capture him, though often attempted. Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith and James Gallian are rebels of the deepest dye, murderers and horse thieves.
The last two are rebels but are of a less desperate character. I am awaiting the arrival of two witnesses in their cases,
to draw up regular charges.
I sent requisition for stationary a short time since, but have not yet received any, by attending to it you will
very much oblige me, as I have none on hand.
Closing I remain Your Obedient Servant,
Henry Duncker, Capt. 2nd MO Arty.
Provost Marshall
U. S. MILITARY POST, Salem, MO.,
August 30, 1862.
Col. J. M. GLOVER,
Commanding Rolla Division.
COLONEL: Referring to my communication of yesterday I send enclosed copy of Lieut. Herbert Reeds report.* (Series
1 - Volume 13, Pages 260-261)
The prisoners were delivered this forenoon to Captain Avery for
transportation to Rolla, but soon after they had started report came in
that one of them,
James Gallian, when about a mile distant from town had tried to run and
was shot dead. I ordered the officer of the day to take a couple of men
with pickaxes and spades to the spot to bury the man and ascertain the
facts as far as possible. Very soon after
that Lieutenant Lacy came in and reported that about one mile and a half
farther the balance of the prisoners had found their end in the same
way. I went out myself immediately. Gallian was buried already on the
spot
where
he was found, some twenty-five or thirty yards to the right of the
road, shot through the head. One mile and a half farther I found also to
the right of the road about thirty yards distant
two of the dead prisoners near together; then about sixty yards distant
in the same direction a third one, and last about 200 yards distant in
an opening of the woods the former senator and judge, Joshua Chilton.
The
three mentioned before were Alexander Chilton, William Chilton and Henry
Smith. Jackson Heron, the sixth prisoner, very likely escaped. We could
at least find his body nowhere, and a farmer
living in the neighborhood had seen a man run past his house about the
same time the shots were fired. The examination of the ground convinced
me that the dead were lying on the same places where they were killed, a
small pool of blood under them, no other
traces near, evidence enough that they had not been dragged from one
place to another. In regard to the characters of the prisoners I wrote
you already and nobody doubts that they fully deserved their fate. I
have to say nothing more about Joshua Chilton, the
senator. In the possession of Alexander Chilton a Government saddle and
two Government horses were found. He was known as [a] waylayer; assisted
in robbing trains,
killing
stragglers and continued this trade with more eagerness since he took
the oath of allegiance to the United States. William Chilton served in
Prices army and continued to be a rebel afterwards; never took the oath.
Henry Smith, one of the most desperate
characters, was accused of the murder of Worthington, was a worthy
member of Coleman’s band and robbed twice the store of William Copeland
in Barnesville, Reynolds County, Mo. James Gallian is [was] heard
bragging
of having murdered a man on the road of whom he took horse, equipments
and $80 in money; was a regular horse thief. A more exact report of the
whole affair has reached you undoubtedly
by this time through the mouth of the commanding officer of the
detachment.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. WEYDEMEYER, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Post.
OR, Series 2 - Volume 4, Page 472
CAMP Boyd, Near Rolla, Mo.,
August 30, 1862.
Maj. ROBERT CARRICK,
Commanding Third Cavalry Missouri Volunteers.
SIR:
Pursuant to Special Orders, No. 103, issued at headquarters Rolla
Division, Rolla, Mo., August 28, I took command of the detachment of
Third Missouri Cavalry Volunteers,
composed of 105 men, and proceeded as directed in said order. On
arriving at Salem, Mo, I encamped for the night. Morning August 30
having learned that there was no probability of an attack on that place I
returned to these headquarters, having in charge when
starting six prisoners, one contraband horse and one saddle. The
prisoners were put into the hands of Lieutenant Lacy, who reports that
they endeavored to affect their escape and in consequence thereof were
all killed. The names of the prisoners are the following:
Joshua Chilton, Alexander Chilton, Henry Smith, James Gallian, William
Chilton, Jackson Heron.
GEO. S. AVERY, Captain,
Commanding Detachment.
OR, Series 2 - Volume 4, page 539
HDQRS. ROLLA DIVISION, DISTRICT OF MISSOURI, Rolla,
Mo.,
September 18, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel WEYDEMEVER,
Commanding Post at Salem.
SIR:
Relative to the men you sent me who have been absent down South[18]
I think they are sincere; have been greatly deceived; are ignorant and
hope we can induce them to remain at home and work for us, which I have
some hope they will do when we give them correct instructions as to our
and the Governments purposes. They seem to
have great dread they are to be shot from the examples that we have set.
They say there are many who would return and be valuable friends if
they can only have assurances they would not be injured in their
persons. Relative to that class of men who have been
deceived and induced to leave their homes who did not commit robberies
or other crimes against the Union men they should receive pardon upon
the condition that they act in all things for the maintenance of the
Federal Government and the protection of their
Union neighbors. Those who have stolen horses or committed other crimes
should be held responsible. I
shall have to investigate the killing of those prisoners by Lieutenant Lacy[19].
The more I hear of it the more aggravated the case seems. I hope you
will counteract every impression that seems to indicate that we murder
prisoners or indulge those who do. We may make a very favorable
impression upon such men as those in question who have
turned the other side and have returned to us for forgiveness arid
protection. In such cases let us use the opportunity. They report there
are a large number in their fix who only want assurances
they are not to be shot when they come in to do
so
and cooperate with you then and be useful. Take such precautionary
steps with them as you think best, viz, put them under oaths and bonds
requiring them to report at stated times, giving all the information
they gather from time to time, & c. I would be
indulgent to Hubbs and Nimrod Gaines[20].
Charles H. Smith has not been out-says he has lost a horse. I would
suggest that you return his horse, as he says it is in your possession
or rather that of one of your captains. These people are very ignorant
and we must make much allowance for them where
they seem honest. The wires have just told us we had won another
glorious victory on the Potomac. We have whipped them in a grand battle
in Maryland near Frederick. McClellan is doing the work.
Your friend and obedient servant,
J. M. GLOVER, Colonel, Commanding Division.
[1]
John Worthington was the brother of Emor/Amor Worthington who had
patented land west of Round Springs. According to information in OR (Series 2 - Volume 4, pages 471-472)
Amor Worthington had been killed on Jack’s Fork by Henry Smith in 1861. (Henry Smith, one of the most desperate characters, was accused of the murder of Worthington, was a worthy member of Coleman’s
band and robbed twice the store of William Copeland in Barnesville, Reynolds County, Mo.)
[2] Dave
Smith was a civil engineer who was living in the area. From Ozarkwatch:
Colonel!
..I ordered for to morrow a scouting party of 50 down into the valley
of the Current River. Capt. Bradway reports, that Coleman has been
ordered to Little Rock ....
Please inform me what compensation I am authorized to allow to a guide,
who knows every path through the woods, every meeting and hiding place
of the rebels, and whose services should be secured for the whole time
we have to stay here. It is a very intelligent
man, who lost all his property by this rebellion.....
[3]
The Federal soldiers were members of the 3rd Regiment MO SM, stationed at Licking, Salem and Rolla
[4]
Unidentified, but not completely unknown. The Huddleston family was
quite large and was well represented in Shannon and Oregon Counties.
[5]
Sam Herring is undoubtedly Samuel Herren, b. 1839 in Tennessee to
Jackson Herren and Sarah Hunter-Herren. In 1858 Jackson Herren purchased
property from the US Land office in sections 22 and 23, Township 31,
range 3 west. According to the OR Jackson Herron
was captured, at his home on Big Creek, and killed with Joshua Chilton and the others.
[6]
WILLIAM CHILTON, b. 1840 son of Shadrach and Patsy Harrison Chilton, brother of Alexander Chilton.
[7]
Andrew J Chilton, William and Alexander’s uncle.
[8]
I think we can assume that the West’s were living a in a house owned by
Andrew Chilton. Most likely they lived there and worked at the Chilton
Mill. No census or genealogy records have been found for this family. Series
1 - Volume 13, Pages 260-261 (Resumed the march in the same direction for 4 miles, and halted at Chilton’s Mill. Searched
one house; found no man or contraband goods. Searched the house of one Andrew Chilton. In
doing so was fired upon
by some persons inside. The fire was returned, killing 1 man, supposed
to have been wounded; also wounding a woman (who was standing near the
men) slightly. Names unknown.* No contraband goods were found in the
house.)
[9]
Alexander Chilton was probably in the MO State Guard early during the
war, however we have not found the documents to prove it. We do know
that he enlisted in Co I of the 4th
MO Inf Vol. during the spring of 1862 and that he was captured and in
Federal custody on March 28, 1862. Compiled Service Record file is
included in the addendum.
[10]
Sen. Joshua Chilton
[11]
A “Louis” Conway was not identified. However, a Jesse Conway was living
with the Chilton’s in 1860. Also, the OR identified him as Jesse Conway.
[12]
James R Gallion
[13]
Believed to be somewhere on Spring Creek probably on or near the “present day” golf course in Salem, MO.
[14]
See: Vol. IV, No. 4, Spring 1991 / Vol. V, No. 1, Summer 1991
Outpost: The 1862 Summer of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Weydemeyer
Excerpted from the field reports and edited by Robert Flanders and John F. Bradbury, Jr.
Weydemeyer
was a German immigrant, a "Forty Eighter," whose participation as a
socialist in the losing cause of the 1848 rebellion had forced him to
flee his native land. Settling
in New York City, he was active in the developing labor movement there.
He was a member of the German Communist League, knew both Karl Marx and
Freidrich Engels, and subscribed to their ideals.
Weydemeyer
was a well-educated and literate man. In New York he edited two
German-language journals aimed at working class immigrants, and worked
as a surveyor in the design of Central
Park. Convinced that slavery undercut the cause of free labor, he became
an ardent abolitionist, and adopted the (for the time) radical notion
that blacks and whites should unite against the exploitation of both
slave owners and industrial capitalists. He led
labor opposition to the Kansan-Nebraska Act of 1854 because it tacitly
permitted the expansion of slave territory; and he supported Lincoln for
president in 1860.
With
the outbreak of war Weydemeyer volunteered to General John C. Fremont,
then in New York, who was gathering a staff
to take to St. Louis where he was to become Commander-in-Chief of the
Department of the West, i.e., the trans-Mississippi. St. Louis with its
large German population, almost all Unionist anti-slave, attracted
Weydemeyer. He was appointed Captain of Artillery
in Fremont's staff. When all Fremont's officers were demobilized in
November, 1861, Weydemeyer was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of Missouri
Volunteer Artillery. In the summer of 1862 he took command of an outpost
at Houston, 54 miles south of Rolla (or, as
Weydemeyer put it, "54 miles from civilization"). Shortly the post was
moved to Salem, much nearer to the divisional headquarters at Rolla, and
with a better road.
[15] See:
Ozarkwatch:
Colonel!
...I am not provided...with the right kind of muster rolls, and
therefore cannot muster again, before you take the trouble to furnish
them. I need fifteen, if a staff muster
roll has to be made out, although I am the only staff officer here;
twelve, if no staff rolls are required from here .... The
guide, I spoke of, cannot furnish his own
horse, as it was taken from him by the rebels long ago. His subsistence
will be furnished by secessionists and southern sympathizers, as I will
keep him steady at work; we also will find always contraband horses
enough in the country, not to put the Government
to any expenses. Said guide did already valuable to the country by
bringing information to Col. [Powell] Clayton 5th Kans[as] Cav[alry]
that one of his companies was surrounded by the rebels in the valley of
the Current River and thereby rescuing her. $2.-
is in my opinion not too much for a faithful guide, although he cannot
furnish his own horse and subsistence, and I trust you will not object
to that allowence [sic] under those circumstances.
I have got no news from the south or from rebels lately. Lt. Reed whom I sent to the Current River with 50 men--Capt. Bradway
being sore from the march--did not yet return ....
[16]
Daniel Maxey Williams
[17]
Alfred Deathridge
was born in Stokes Co North Carolina, the son of Lewis Deatherage. Lewis
died in Kentucky and Alfred went to Morgan Co IL , after the Black Hawk
War (in which he served) he left Morgan Co IL with several families and
headed for Missouri. You can first pick
up Alfred in Morgan Co IL on the 1830 census, then Missouri for 1840
through 1880. He is still on the Shannon Co Missouri census page 368c,
widowed and living with his son. He had three wives that I am aware of
Martha Keithly, Amanda Boyd and his final wife
Mary that passed before him.
[18]
I believe this to be in reference to returning members of the Missouri
State Guard who were wanting to quit fighting and return to their homes
and families rather than join the Confederacy or the Union.
[19]
Series 2 - Volume 4, Page 466. “The
prisoners were delivered this forenoon to Captain Avery
for transportation to Rolla, but soon after they had started report came
in that one of them, James Gallian, when about a mile distant from town
had tried to run and was shot dead. I ordered the officer of the day to
take a couple of men with pickaxes and spades
to the spot to bury the man and ascertain the facts as far as possible.
Very soon after that Lieutenant Lacy came in and reported that about one
mile and a half farther the balance of the prisoners had found their
end in the same way.”
[20] Ozarkwatch:
Colonel! ...two men B.F. Hubbes and Nimrod Gains
came in, who both reside about eight miles south of here and were scared
away by stories told them in regard to the destination of the new levy,
which should be sent directly to Virginia etc. They ran south to
Arkansas about six weeks ago to a small place in
the neighborhood of Batesville, Huckrun as they pronounce it, and returned from there Monday before last, after they had been
convinced that they would be impressed the service there as well as here.
