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pg 326
WHEN THE QUAPAWS WENT TO RED RIVER
A TRANSLATION
By Dallas T. Herndon
This narrative is a free translation of an old faded manuscript recovered some
years ago from a lot of papers thrown out of the governor's office in the old State House. It is written in correct
French, but was evidently done with a goose quill on flimsy paper, so that much of it is barely legible.
It is dated January 1, 1826, and has every appearance of having been written during the journey of the Indians
from the vicinity of Little Rock to some point south of Red river, or it may have been written from notes made
along the way at the end of the journey.
The Author, perhaps a person appointed by the Governor of Arkansas Territory or the President of the United States
to escort the Indians to the reservation given them in Louisiana, does not sign his name. He does record the fact
that the account was written as a report to the Governor.
It is a well-known fact that the Quapaws were removed from Arkansas to a tract of land south of the Red river in
Louisiana about this date, 1825 or 1826, and that they came back to Arkansas not many months later because of the
sickly climate and the hostility of the Caddo Indians. It is very likely that the dates and the account here given
of their journey are correct. The account follows:
The Frenchman's Report
"On leaving the village of Lord Sarrasin I joined the Chief Hekatton at Waditteska Wattishka, in other words
the Bayou of Black Clay. It was there that the beautiful daughter of the Chief Hekatton was delivered of a daughter.
It was necessary that the chief remain there all that day of the 15th in order that a little strength might be
recovered by this remarkable person, for the accouchment had been very terrible. For three days she was in labor,and
if the great doctor of the nation had not been found there they would have thought that nothing ailed her.
This is a manner in which the disease was treated by the said trustworthy doctor, for I was present when he offered
his services.
"The doctor, with an eagle's feather in his hand, seated near the patient, began immediately to hum a song
very softly, at the same time he stroked with a feather the stomach of the woman. In this manner she was instantly
delivered (it is necessary to believe it thus). So they ask our great doctors of the Little Rock if their music
is of the same strength.
"On the 15th I was within six miles of the Bayou of the Saline, where I met a company of fifty savages, who
assembled about my fire in the evening. They wished to know of me whether Sarrasin was yet on the way and why he
delayed, etc.
"The 16th I met with another troop of savages as strong as that of the 15th, which we had journeyed with.
The latter place was ten miles further on from the Bayou de Saline (the savages called this little river Wattishka
Jinka). The evening of the 16th each watch his fire because of the excessive cold.
"The 17th the savages had been to the chase; my interpreter and I had been eight miles further on to a place
which the savages called Jasta Waditta.
"The 18th it rained.
"The 19th the Chief Tomojinka was ill, which required him to ride a horse on the march; all the doctors, sorcerers
and physicians of the nation had been called together for the cure of this respectable good-for-nothing. They used
songs and music about the prince, but Providence made the cure in a few days.
"The evening of the 19th Sarrasin returned to us, while many braves in the party surrounded my fire. In the
conversation with Sarrasin many questions were asked him about the terms of the treaty.
"The 22d we spent on the march.
"The 23d we came to the Bayou of the Marshes. That is where a great many beavers were seen. The snow kept
us there for two days. They had consecrated these two days to the chase and they had not been unlucky.
"These poor savages suffered great misery on their journey (I am speaking of the old men and old women and
also of the little children). Almost all the long evenings, however, beautiful weather prevailed, and they danced
around my fire, which lasted until the morning. In all their journeys these poor savages showed much contentment.
"The surroundings of these bayous and little rivers of which I have spoken already are charming. The earth
is also good. The vines grow luxuriously here on the hills and mountains which are near. To have good vineyards
it is only necessary to plant them and then let them alone; after a little there will come wine flowing in abundance.
"The picture of the journey would have been curious if it had been painted with a good brush, but my best
is very feeble. Nevertheless, I am going to try to give one an idea just as I traveled.
"Picture to yourself first a mass of persons without any order carrying with them all sorts of things without
value, little articles for the human race, but very precious to them, they say. I have noticed in this little nation
three or four kinds of faith in God. There are those who worship the eagle, others a spirit of war which the ancients
had left to them as a thing very sacred. Still others worshiped the pipe in the emblem of an eagle, which they
called the pipe of peace.
"Speaking a little of the manner of their march, one could see a party of women, as they marched, carrying
on their backs, besides the cooking utensils, a child and other things. Some on horses carried kneading troughs,
others riding astride held in their arms mangy dogs. Some rode little ponies, etc. When they camped I placed myself
as near the centre as possible in order to satisfy my curiosity. To be in the center of that company would have
been disrespectful and impudent. Necessity was the only guide of all; order and peace filled all our camp.
"Many times I laughed and at others I was all astonishment, but nothing could surprise the unhappy Quapaws.
If when they returned from the chase they found a piece of cooked meat, they gratified their appetite, and, their
stomach well filled, sleep caused all their cares to disappear.
"Cleanliness was rare in their camp. Imagine three to four hundred dogs; they were not provided for, as you
might know, with the best of food. They certainly did not fail to eat with a great smacking, devouring all they
found. Filth was everywhere. After the savages had thrown food to the ground, the dogs ate, licked their chops
and licked basins and tin plates. They drank and returned again to the agreeable smell of the refuse which had
stuck to the end of their noses, and to their lips. Judge of the rest, for this is not a weak sample. Let us Mere
leave this filth and speak a little more of great Sarrasin.
The Chief and His God.
"Before his departure Sarrasin had set up his God, a little image six inches long, in the earth, and here
is the language that he offered to him in the presence of his children : 'My God, thou art also the God of our
father, as we have been taught to believe. For it is He who speaks to us. He has told us also to abandon this country,
and we are going to that which our friends have given us. I hope thou will follow us and be favorable to us in
that new land, as thou hast been in that which we are leaving Hekatton spoke a few words in the same manner.
"In traveling I have noticed this in the person of the Lord Sarrasin. He carried his God with much care, but
he was much more careful of the seven hundred dollars which he carried with him. 'For said he, 'thieves will not
attempt to steal my God, but I know well that if I do not watch my money they will surely carry it off.' And he
never lay down until he had it in a safe hiding place.
"From the 27th until the 4th of February the savages spent their time in the chase and in finding several
men who had gone astray on account of the dense mist which lasted four days. It was there that I went in advance
with Joseph Bonne, and we waited for the others at Washittaw (Ouach-ita). They had arrived there on the 5th of
February.
There Chief Hekatton rejoined us with all his children. It was in the evening that the savages again assembled
themselves around my campfire. This was where Chief Hekatton told us he had lost three of his horses, and that
he believes that the Chattaws (Choctaws), whom they had met with some days before, had stolen them from him.
"On arriving at the little Bayou of the Bear I had arranged to make the fire near a large cypress. In the
night there had fallen a little rain. It was found that at the foot of this cypress a bear had strayed with her
little ones, and the rain which had fallen in the night led us to discover her. She had been obliged to run and
seek cover in a way which we heard very distinctly. The next morning we set ourselves to cut the tree, and when
it fell, the great noise which the tree made upon the earth frightened this poor animal a little. The terrible
animal and the two little ones, which were no larger than rats, were overpowered to our great joy. It was along
this bayou that the savages had killed many bears.
A Great Indian Sorcerer.
"On the Washittaw we lost a woman. It was there also that I saw a great sorcerer, who did all he could to
save the woman. But his medicine and his incantations were useless. Instead of being helpful to her diseases, they
rather aided her death. After the death of the woman, it was necessary to remain there four days, for the husband
was obliged to stay there to kill deer and get food for his wife. This is the custom of the savages, for they put
food at the head of the dead who are buried, and other savages eat it. It was thus that they fed her.
"We had started on the 8th to Washittaw, and we found ourselves the same day at the bayou which the savages
call Ny Wassa Jinka, that is to say, the Little Bayou of the Bear. The rain detained us there two days. It was
there that I took the lead with Joseph Bonne and we found ourselves on the Red river the 13th. On leaving the
said bayou we crossed a plain, superbly surrounded, ten miles long. If the earth had been a little richer, this
piece of land would have been of great value, but it was a little too sandy. From there almost to the Red river,
in the direction of the place where we had crossed, the ground appeared to be very sandy and not worth much. It
was only on the bayous and creeks that one was able to find any fertile land.
Fear of the Caddo Indians.
"The savages did not start on until the 1st of March, and they had remained a long time upon the Red river
without daring to cross it for fear that the Cadeaus would not grant to them the land which they had promised them
last August. The Chattaws and other nations roaming in that country had made known to them that the chief Cadeau
was going to dispute the treaty. If I had not forced them to go take possession of their place they would have
remained on this side of the Red river.
"I have given information of almost all that passed at the time of the journey of the Quapaws to the land
of the Cadeaux. I am also going to be content with saying only this.
A Rap at Captain Gray
"The Quapaws were already prepared to put themselves in accord with Captain Gray, and with the Cadeaux to
form only one nation. If I have been a little tedious, my project, I believe, is to render a good deed to the government.
The accusation that Captain Gray made to the savages, if he had given me the insult openly, had put the Quapaws
beyond reconciliation. Of the atrocity on the part of this terrible tyrant it was my duty to wholly acquit myself.
Nevertheless, I believe myself still capable of such an action (acquitting myself) if the despotic power of that
fellow Gray had caused him to be reduced to the rank of a private citizen.
"I have written all this in order to satisfy slightly the curiosity of Monsieur the Governor, and to give
him a complete idea of the journey of the Quapaws."
pg. 332
PRICE'S CAMPAIGN OF 1861
By Gen. N. B. Pearce
Writing solely from memory now in 1892 of occurrences in 1861, I may not remember accurately—many things will have
been forgotten and matters that others might remember with clearness and be considered of greatest moment may not
have impressed me then so positively and time may have obliterated nearly every trace—only such facts, as of my
knowledge or based on what I then and now consider reliable sources, will it be my object to mention in my narrative
of those stirring times when men's passions were running riot over the land, and only passion ruled.
The question of secession was not a popular one in Arkansas, where I was at the time. The people loved the Union.
They read Washington's farewell address and prayed that his utterances might be heeded; that Civil War might be
averted. So the people of Arkansas by a large majority refused to secede. And but for the unfortunate call of Mr.
Lincoln for 75,000 men, such action would not have been had then. We had hopes that the border States convention,
led by My. Crittenden of Kentucky, would command the attention of fanatics North and South and that their efforts
would prevent the fratricidal war that was so imminent. But alas, that call for 75,000 men, of which the South
was required to furnish her quota, came, and the result was secession.
The day on which it was received at Bentonville (my county town) the Union party were having a grand speaking at
the courthouse. The Hon. Bob Johnson, United States Senator, was there to deliver a secession speech to his old
Democratic constituents. The feeling was so violent against secession that he was hissed and hooted down. I took
the stand and appealed to the assembly to hear what the honorable Senator had to say with courtesy; give him the
respect and consideration due his position, and, when done, we had speakers to reply. He was heard patiently though
not applaudingly, and when done our gallant Union orator, the Hon. Hugh F. Thomason, made a most excellent and
acceptable response, judging from the uproarious applause, with which he was continually greeted during his address.
We were all in a glorious, good-natured mood, all happy.
The stage drove into town and the driver threw out some of the handbills containing the printed proclamation calling
for 75,000 men. The effect was wonderful. All was changed in a moment. What! call on the Southern people to shoot
down their neighbors; help those from whom we had for years only received injury and wrong! No, never!
That grand and glorious old Union man, Judge David Walker, at the solicitation of all the leading men of the State,
reconvened the convention to meet in Little Rock on the 6th of May. Our ordinance of secession was passed on that
day, showing the universality of the change produced by that call for 75,000 men by Mr. Lincoln. Only one vote
is recorded against that ordinance. Honest old Governor Murphy! I can see him now, as he rises in his place and
hear him say, "I told my constituents that I would suffer my right arm severed before I would ever sign an
ordinance of secession and I will not. But I am a Southern man, and will go as far as the most determined secessionist
in behalf of the South." And he did remain in the convention until its adjournment. He voted for the resolution
creating an army for the State, in which myself, with others, were given commands. He introduced the ordinance
which was passed requiring me "to use the men, means and munitions of war to defend Arkansas against the approach
of any enemy daring to violate her sacred soil" Acting under that ordinance (the convention was the source
of all power then in the State) I proceeded to organize, equip, drill and lead to battle the brave and gallant
first division of the army of Arkansas. History has made Governor Murphy famous as the one man who had the nerve
to vote against secession, and consequently a patriot. While we, who obeyed the orders promulgated by the convention,
at his instance, are classed by certain writers as—no, I am not. I hurl back the foul epithet with contempt.
We of the South were not traitors.
The convention having passed the ordinance of secession, the Rubicon was passed, and having burned our ships we
must prepare to meet the consequences. Troops were called for, and the call responded to with a promptness and
alacrity clearly convincing the most skeptical of the earnestness and enthusiasm that pervaded the whole people.
Companies were rapidly formed, regiments organized, camps of instructions established. Only war was thought of
or talked of. Nor was the enthusiasm alone among the men. Our lovely women were as earnest and patriotic as any
of the sterner sex, and, by their devotion and example, stimulated to exertion their dear ones— fathers, husbands,
lovers and brothers. And when they had sent them off to the field, then by their efforts were they clothed and
fed and nursed in sickness, and encouraged to efforts of greater daring in defense of the land we all love so well.
Can such conduct be called by any other name than patriotism? Our whole South was full of patriots.
A camp of instruction and organization was established in the northwest corner of the State, Camp Walker. There
was organized the troops as they arrived:
The Third Arkansas Regiment of infantry; Col. John R. Gratiot, Lieut. Col. D. Province and Major Ward.
The Fourth Arkansas infantry; Col. David Walker, Lieut, Col. T, M. Gunter and Major Sam W. Peel.
The Fifth Arkansas infantry; Col. T. P. Dockery, Lieut. Col. Neill.
First Regiment of Arkansas Cavalry; Col. De Rosey Carroll, Lieut, Col. Berry and Major Sam W. Pell.
The Little Rock Battery of Artillery, Capt. W. E. Woodruff.
The Fort Smith Battery of Artillery, Capt. James Reed.
Which constituted the first division of the army of Arkansas and was under the command of Brig. Gen. N. B. Pearce.
The famous Indian fighter from Texas, the brave and gallant Ben McCulloch, had been commissioned a brigadier general
by the president of the Confederate States and ordered to Arkansas to raise and organize his army. He also established
his headquarters at Camp Walker, and soon had organized the following regiments, composing his command:
First Regiment Arkansas Mounted Rifles; Col. T. J. Churchill, Lieut. Col. Matlock and Major Harper.
The Texas Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Col. E. Greer, Lieut. Col. Lane and Major Chilton.
The Second Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Col. James Mclntosh (who was also the efficient chief of staff
to General McCulloch); Lieut. Col. Embree.
The Arkansas Battalion of Col. Dandridge McRae.
The Third Louisiana Regiment of infantry, commanded by Col. Louis Hebert, Lieut. Col. Haynes and Major Leonard.
Affairs in Missouri, after the surrender of Camp Jackson, had assumed a warlike nature. Major General Sterling
Price had been made commander of the Missouri State Guards by Gov. Claiborn Jackson, and the following named officers
had been assigned to certain military districts of the State with the rank of brigadiers general: James S. Rains,
W. M. Parsons, James McBride, John B. Clark, Sr., and W. Y. Slack, and authorized to raise troops in their respective
districts for the State Guards.
After the affair at Booneville, the State Guard, under Colonel Marmaduke, accompanied by Governor Jackson, retreated
towards the southwestern part of the State to join General Price and General Rains. General Seigel, commanding
a body of Federal troops, attempted to intercept their march, and near Carthage a sharp fight took place, Seigel
soon retreating. In fact, his whole fight was a retreat. He successfully effected his escape, after considerable
loss, and moved towards Springfield. This was the first engagement of the war in the Southwest, and the result
was to influence the minds of the people and determine them to join the army. War was inevitable. And many who
had heretofore remained out of the service could not stand to see their neighbors shot down by Seigel's Dutch,
and the result was a very great increase of the army under General Price.
Generals McCuIIoch and Pearce with a portion of their respective commands had, at the request of General Price,
advanced into Missouri for the purpose of enabling Governor Jackson and General Price to organize the State Guard,
and had arrived at Neosho, Mo., the day of the Carthage fight. Colonel Mclntosh of McCulloch's staff, with a squadron
of cavalry, captured a company of Seigel's Dutch in Neosho, having completely surprised and captured them without
firing a gun. Here we captured several wagons belonging to Seigel's command, containing an abundant supply of commissary
stores, which we freely distributed and generously consumed by the young soldiers of the Confederacy. Having marched
most of the night and all the day before, they had emptied their haversacks of rations. They rejoiced over their
first capture.
Seigel having been driven back to Springfield, the commands of McCuIIoch and Pearce returned to Camp Walker, in
Benton county, Arkansas, and General Price established his headquarters on Cowskin Prairie in McDonald county,
Missouri, in the southwest corner of the State, and then proceeded to organize the Missouri State Guard. A finer
body of men were never collected together, mostly young or middle-aged men. Smarting under the insults heaped on
them by the Federal element in the State, they had left home, wealth and comfort to join "Old Pap" Price,
to assist him to drive out the invaders of their State and the despoilers of their homes, and, unfortunately, truth
commands me to say, murderers of their beloved and innocent ones at home. These men now demanded to be armed and
led against the enemy. To the Missourians the question of arms was a serious one. He who possessed a double-barrel
shotgun was a happy soul. A Colt's revolver was a prize indeed. And many could only bring a squirrel rifle, but
he knew how to use it effectively.
Col. B. F. Walker had raised as fine a regiment of cavalry as was in the State, but could get no arms. At the
request of General Price, General Pearce loaned Missouri 1,000 flintlock army muskets with bayonets. Well do I
remember what a remarkable appearance this splendid body of men made in the bright moonlight as they marched away
from Camp Walker armed with this unusual cavalry weapon, to join General Price. And more forcibly do I remember
the telling effect these same men and muskets made subsequently on the battlefield.
The country was full of wild rumors of the advance of Federal troops from St. Louis to Springfield, and soon it
was learned that Captain Lyon, made notorious by the conduct of affairs at St. Louis and the Camp Jackson surrender,
now came as commanding general of the Federal forces in Southwest Missouri. General Lyon was a graduate of West
Point and had served several years in the United States army and held the rank of captain at the beginning of the
war. He was a bitter black Republican, and hater of Southern institutions, in fact, fanatical as regard to slavery,
but he was a man of marked military ability and of indomitable perseverance and courage, in full sympathy with
the most advanced abolitionists, and no doubt had he survived the defeat at Oak Hills (Wilson's Creek) would have
been promoted to the command of the western armies of the United States.
About the 20th of July, 1861, a consultation was held between Generals McCulloch, Price and Pearce, which resulted
in an agreement to march on Springfield and give battle to General Lyon. General McCulloch did this reluctantly,
not that he did not want to fight, for then he was in his glory, but President Davis was very scrupulous in his
States' right ideas, and Missouri had not passed an ordinance of secession; had not been admitted into the Confederacy,
and until she asked Southern aid, Mr. Davis hesitated about invading her territory with Southern troops. General
McCulloch had kept the President informed of the situation and was daily expecting orders that would justify his
moving his army into Missouri. The Missourians were clamorous and fretful at the delay. They wanted to drive the
vandals from their homes, which they had been forced to abandon. Believing that the President would approve his
course, on becoming informed of the true situation, General McCulloch assented to General Price's request to make
the advance into Missouri. General Pearce did not hesitate to acquiesce in the movement. By an ordinance of the
State convention, "directing him to defend the State against any enemy," he decided that the best defense
he could give the State was to fight her enemies as far away from her soil as possible, so decided to join Generals
McCulloch and Price in the movement against General Lyon. The three commands were to rendezvous at Cassville, Barry
county, Missouri, which was effected on the 29th of July.
I wish here to state a fact which I know of my own personal knowledge in regard to how General McCulloch became
the commander of the entire force. After having gone into camp at Cassville, on the afternoon of that day, I went
to General Price's tent and told him the object of my visit was to come to some definite understanding as to the
rank and command of the combined forces; that as we were near the enemy and likely to meet him at any moment, I
was not satisfied to have so many separate and independent commanders; that I would willingly serve under either
General Price or General McCulloch, but wanted a head to the army, but that I did not claim any precedence for
myself. General Price said that he was in entire accord with my views, and rising, said, "Let's go to see
General McCulloch." Without further mention of the subject, we repaired to General McCulloch's headquarters
near by, and General Price, addressing General McCulloch in his dignified and courteous manner, informed him of
what I had said, and then voluntarily, before McCulloch replied, proffered in his own name and mine to serve under
General McCulloch, stating that although his commission was higher than General McCulloch's, being major general,
yet, in compliment to the Confederate States, and desirous only of how he could best serve Missouri, he willingly
waived his rank and placed himself and command under the Confederate commander. General McCulloch knew nothing
of any such idea until we entered his tent. He agreed that it was important to success that the army have a head,
and, thanking General Price and myself, accepted the offer in the same kind and earnest manner in which it had
been tendered him. This is the plain truth as to the manner General McCulloch became the general in command of
all the troops.
Under the foregoing agreement, General McCulloch issued an order assuming command of the entire army. In that order
the command was formed into three divisions. The first division was commanded by Brig. Gen. Rains of Missouri.
The second division was commanded by Brig. Gen. N. B. Pearce of Arkansas and the third division by Maj. Gen. Price
of Missouri. Each division was made up of troops as named in the order issued by General McCulloch, without reference
to their former commanders (not having the order before me, I can't name the separate regiments constituting each
division). And in the order named the march began towards Springfield on the 30th of August.
As there were a great many refugees from their homes in Missouri, having been forced to leave or be imprisoned,
as was the case with many at Springfield when the Federal troops took possession of that city, the order of General
McCulloch required that this large body of unarmed men and camp followers remain one day's march in rear of the
army. And although ahead of my narrative, I will here state that as the command camped some four days on Wilson's
creek, and as General Rains' command was mostly from Southwest Missouri, many of these camp followers had friends
in his camp. They disobeyed the order to remain one day's march behind the army and had gone into camp along the
creek, near where General Rains' division was encamped, and when the Federal troops began the attack on our left,
there was a stampede of this unarmed body of men that was fearful and at one time threatened to be serious, as
was the case with Col. McRae's battalion, which was literally run over by this rabble trying to get out of the
way (of harm) that those who wished might have an opportunity to fight. It was estimated that there was no less
than three to five thousand men in this unarmed body accompanying the army. When these were out of the way, the
numerical strength of General McCulloch's command was very naturally diminished. Want of arms, not fear, caused
this mad rush to the rear.
At Cane Creek, some thirty miles from Springfield, the army camped for two days. General Rains with a portion of
his command, on the 2d of August, had reached Dug Spring, where he encountered the advance guard of Lyon's army,
consisting of some United States regulars, and the result was a sprightly skirmish for a short time, as Rains was
always ready for a brush. The Federals lost about half a dozen killed and some thirty wounded. When they fell back
towards Springfield, Rains lost Lieutenant Full-bright from sunstroke and several men slightly wounded, and a few
prisoners. It was ascertained that General Lyon's whole army was advancing to meet us, but this skirmish decided
them to return to Springfield.
General McCulloch moved on to Moody's spring and encamped. Next day the army moved on as far as Wilson's Creek,
where it encamped from the 6th to the 10th of August. General McCulloch was vainly endeavoring, by sending out
scouts and spies, to learn something of the condition and position of Lyon's army. General Price and the Missourians
were urging an immediate advance, but General McCulloch insisted that it was impossible to do so without having
some definite information as to General Lyon's strength and position. This state of affairs lasted the 7th, 8th
and 9th, until about 3 p. m. of the latter date a couple of ladies, in a buggy, drove into General Price's camp,
from Springfield, having obtained a pass through the Federal lines, and then by making a detour by Pond Springs,
succeeded in evading the Federal pickets and entering the Confederate camp. These ladies informed General Price
of the position of General Lyon's troops, about their numbers and also the pieces of artillery. In fact, gave the
information for which General McCulloch had been so anxiously waiting at Wilson's Creek. A council of war was immediately
called by General McCulloch, and General Price, having made known the facts stated above, it was decided to make
an advance on General Lyon at 9 p. m. The necessary orders for the march were issued by General McCulloch, and
immediately every preparation for the movement made. The entire camp became suddenly a scene of commotion, the
anxiously wished for opportunity to meet the invaders of our beloved country was soon to be had. The several commanders
of divisions, brigadiers and regiments busied themselves in superintending the preparations necessary to insure
the prompt advance of their respective commands at the appointed time. And as one of the most fatal obstacles to
be surmounted was the scarcity of ammunition, many a pair of bullet moulds was brought into requisition, and groups
of earnest and anxious men were to be seen all over the camp moulding bullets and making cartridges.
During the time the army encamped on Wilson's Creek, Colonel Weightman of Missouri and myself made a careful reconnaissance
of the grounds around the camp, especially to the east and southeast, thereby obtaining a very general idea of
the character of the topography of the immediate vicinity. General McCulloch had also made several excursions in
the immediate neighborhood, and had on more than one occasion tried the effect of his brush loading rifle on the
advance pickets of the enemy, much to their discomfiture and greatly to his amusement.
The afternoon of the 9th of August, as stated, was de-devoted to making preparations for the advance on Lyon, ordered
for 9 o'clock p. m. Shortly before that time it had begun to rain, and as much of the ammunition was carried in
canvas bags or haversacks, there was great danger that the powder and cartridges would be ruined by the rain, and
instead of the order to march at 9 o'clock, orders were issued by General McCulloch to "rest on our arms"
and remain until further orders. The rain continued and there came no orders for the march, and the troops slept
on their arms. Then occurred one of those unfortunate circumstances that but for the heroic bravery of the Southern
troops, might have resulted disastrously. When the order to march at 9 o'clock, on the night of the 9th was issued,
the pickets, which the cavalry commands had out, by General Rains on the north and by Colonel Churchill on the
south and east, were withdrawn, by whose order I am unable to state, and when the order delaying the movement "until
further orders" was given, these pickets were not sent out, as it was expected the command would move at any
moment.
Owing to the fact that most of the men of the command were in citizen's clothing, many companies having no uniforms,
made it possible for spies to enter the camp, defying detection. They lived in the country and some were Union
in sentiment, and such were utilized by the Federals to get information of the movements and intentions of General
McCulloch and his command, and it is stated that within three hours from the time the order was issued for the
advance on General Lyon, that he had been notified of it.
It is stated that General Lyon, having knowledge of the contemplated attack to be made on Springfield that night,
made his disposition to surprise and attack the Southern army on its night march to Springfield. Before doing so,
however, it is said that a council was held, at which General Lyon and a majority of those present favored the
evacuation of Springfield and retreating on Nalla, or Fort Scott. Gen. Thomas Sweeny, a one-armed soldier of the
Mexican war, who had been commissioned a lieutenant in the regular United States army, and then holding the rank
of brigadier general in the Union St. Louis Home Guards, was so earnest in his opposition to the proposal to retreat,
that he finally prevailed. The contemplated retreat was abandoned and General Lyon issued the orders for the movement
to surprise and attack McCulloch on the march to Springfield.
The plan of attack seems to have been for General Lyon, with three companies of United States regular infantry,
under Captain Plummer, Gilbert and Hoston, all under Captain Plummer, a portion of Missouri volunteers under Major
Asterhaus, B troops, U. S. cavalry, under Lieutenant Canefield, some Kansas mounted volunteers and Captain Latton's
battery of six pieces light artillery, U. S. A., with Major Sturgis, U. S. cavalry, as chief in command. Next came
Blair's regiment Missouri volunteers and some regular army infantry under Capt. Fred Steele, U. S. A., some irregular
troops and Dubois' battery of four pieces. With General Sweeny bringing up the rear with the First and Second Kansas
volunteers, the latter under Colonel Mitchell, the First Iowa infantry and some Missouri militia, constituted the
portion of the Union army which moved to the right or on the north line of march and along the Mount Vernon road
and was under the immediate command of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, U. S. A.
The southern line of march was under command of Gen. Franz Seigel. Under him was the Missouri volunteers (Seigel's
regiment), a portion of Colonel Soloman's regiment, some regular United States cavalry under Captain Curr, U. S.
A., and a battery of six pieces of artillery. His advance was mainly west and south along the "wire"
road leading to Fayetteville, Ark., and continuing on until about daylight on Saturday, August 10, 1861, he turned
the Confederate right. There being no pickets for him to drive in, he planted his artillery on the hills commanding
the valley, where the Confederate cavalry was encamped, and opened fire on Colonel Churchill's regiment in camp.
The first intimation we had of the approach of the enemy was from Sergeant Hite of Captain Carroll's company, General
Pearce's bodyguard, who had gone early to a spring for some water and was challenged by the Federal advance. He
succeeded in escaping, though was fired at, and came at once to General Pearce's headquarters and gave the information
of the presence of the enemy. He was ordered by General Pearce to go to General McCulloch's headquarters and inform
him, but before he reached there the command under General Lyon had reached the left flank of the army and had
attacked General Rains. Thus far the Federal troops had carried out their plan of battle. They had turned both
flanks of the Confederates and had surprised the army in their camps, but never was a body of troops better prepared
for a surprise. The troops were sleeping on their arms and each commander knew the exact position of the several
bodies of troops comprising his command, and while there was no "order of battle," nevertheless there
was perfect concert of action, and promptly did the Southern troops respond to the Federal attack, both left and
right. General Rains disposed his men to resist the advance, and soon General Rains had other Missourian troops
to his assistance, having directed Generals Parsons, Clark, Mc-Bride and Slack to occupy the high grounds to the
west of Wilson's Creek. Supported by Bledsoe's and Guibor's batteries, with the gallant Weightman, they contested
the ground inch by inch. Here was witnessed some of the most heroic valor displayed during this trying war. It
was Western men, accustomed to outdoor life and hardships and to the use of firearms, engaging other Western men
just as brave, just as heroic and just as fearless and determined as themselves. When such men make war they are
in earnest and fatal results follow their meeting.
The possession of these woody heights being the key to the battlefield, here was made the most determined resistance
by both armies. General Lyon, seeing and understanding the importance of this position, concentrated his main efforts
to secure and hold it. Equally did General Price comprehend the situation and manfully did he lead his brave Missourians
against the determined foe.
That portion of General Lyon's command, under Captain Plummer, crossed to the east side of Wilson's Creek into
Ray's field, and there were attacked by General McCulloch with the regiment of Colonel Mclntosh's dismounted riflemen
and Colonel Herbert's Third Louisiana infantry. After a severe fight, in which both sides lost severely, the Federals
retreated across to the west side of the creek and joined the main body of Lyon's army. During this engagement
DuBois' battery was effectively served against the Southern troops in Ray's field. Latten's battery had also been
actively engaged against Price's troops and also at intervals on a portion of General Pearce's command, the Third
Arkansas infantry, under Gratiot, and Woodruff's battery of light artillery. The latter had been paying his compliments
with telling effect on his old drillmaster, Captain Latten, whose old battery, captured at Little Rock, Ark., was
now commanded by Captain Woodruff and did most excellent service in this battle.
We now return to General Seigel. After he opened fire with his battery on Churchill's camp, that regiment hastened
out of the field in which they were encamped into some timber to the southwest, and there Colonel Churchill succeeded
in forming the regiment as infantry and led them to join General Price, in defense of the position for which the
two armies were contending. Churchill's loss was very heavy, but that of the enemy in front of him was also large.
Seigel moved on through the camp and north in Sharp's field near Sharp's house, coming immediately in the rear
of the Confederate center held by General Pearce's command. As soon as the information was received that the enemy
was approaching, General Pearce ordered his Third Arkansas regiment to support Woodruff's battery on the heights,
east of the creek and south of the Fayetteville road. He moved Reed's battery to a hill lower down the creek and
assigned the Fifth Arkansas infantry, Colonel Dockery, to support it.
The Fourth Arkansas infantry he stationed on an eminence still further east and in the direction Seigel was reported
to be seen approaching. These dispositions were promptly and rapidly made, as the commands had slept on their arms,
and had only to be called to "attention" to be ready for action. Then Seigel moved to the rear of the
position assigned to Reed's battery, he ordered his pieces un-limbered, and directed north towards the troops on
the hill, but did not fire. He then limbered up, moved west near Sharp's house and went in, battery facing west.
It was still so dark it was difficult to distinguish what command it was in the field. General Pearce ordered
Captain Jefferson, chief of ordnance, and Emmet McDonald, A. D. C, to go and ascertain to what command these troops
belonged. Captain Jefferson was captured by them, and, before McDonald could return, with his field glass General
Pearce had recognized the flag, as the beam allowed the wind to extend its folds, and, turning to Captain Reed,
ordered him to "open his battery on them as they carried the Stars and Stripes," which order was obeyed
with alacrity and with most telling effect. He literally tore Seigel's command and battery to pieces.
General McCulloch having discovered the approach of Seigel, had taken a portion of the Third Louisiana regiment,
and leading them across the creek and down towards Sharp's house, had, just as Reed's battery opened on Seigel,
attacked him in front with the Louisianians and completely routed the whole command, capturing five pieces of artillery
and many prisoners. Seigel's troops scattering through the woods, were pursued by the Texas and Missouri cavalry
for miles, and a good many were captured. In fact, General Seigel reports that he reached Springfield with only
a single orderly. The discomfiture of Seigel he accounts for by claiming that he mistook the Confederate troops
for a portion of General Lyon's command, which he supposed had succeeded in defeating the Confederates in his front
and was then ready to join Seigel in eliminating the remainder of McCulloch's army; that when Reed's battery commenced
to mow down his "Dutchmen," they cried out in Dutch that their "friends were firing on them,"
and Seigel says refused to fight, and in terror and disgrace threw down their arms and fled.
Seigel also claims that Captain Curr with his cavalry did not render him any protection. He got away. At about
8:30 a. m., General McCulloch found the field favorable to the Confederates. Mclntosh and Hebert had repulsed Plummer
and driven him west of Wilson's Creek. The Arkansas and Louisiana troops had completely defeated Seigel's command.
But matters were not so satisfactory with Price, in front of Lyon. Here had been desperate fighting and over the
same ground, both armies had advanced and retreated repeatedly as the one or the other procured the advantage.
Both armies were worsted, in fact exhausted, and, as if by mutual consent, a cessation of the combat was agreed
to. But this in reality was only the lull before the storm—a recuperation of energy to more effectively strike
the fatal blow, a reserving of power for the final and desperate effort.
An A. D. C. from General Price rode up to General Pearce with the request that he come to the assistance of the
Missourians, who were sorely pressed by the Federals. Colonel Mclntosh, General McCulloch's chief of staff, also
came to me and informed me that General McCulloch wanted me to reinforce General Price and his Missourians, as
they were about to be overpowered by the Union troops. I directed Mclntosh to take a section of Reed's battery
and five companies of Dockery's regiment, and that I would take Gratiot's Third Arkansas regiment and go to Price's
assistance. In crossing the creek, Lieutenant Colonel Neil, commanding the five companies of Dockery's regiment,
was mortally wounded, and Colonel Dockery then lead the command. I immediately gave command to Gratiot's Third
Arkansas to move by the left flank and marched them across the creek and up the slope to the crest of the hill
to the west. When I met General Clark, who pointed out the position held by General Price, I directed the regiment
to where he was and reported that I had come with reinforcements, and asked him for orders. He directed me to move
to the north (left), telling me the enemy held the ground in front. In the meantime the troops of both armies had
recuperated and were preparing for a final struggle. General McCulloch, to meet the preparations being made by
the enemy, who could be plainly seen massing his forces, at once began concentrating the troops on General Price's
command, as there was the key to the position and for which the main struggle had been made. The Missourians occupied
the center of the new line of battle. Colonels Hebert's, Churchill's and Mclntosh's regiments, with McRea's battalion,
constituted the right, and the Third Arkansas, followed by a section of Reed's battery and the five companies of
the Fifth Dockery's regiment, comprised the left. The battle was opened by a charge led by General Pearce, with
the Third Arkansas, and the Second Kansas, Colonel Mitchell. The impetuosity compelled the Kansans to give way,
and,
falling on their second line, created confusion in their ranks, and before they could recover from it Gratiot's
regiment was pressing them so that both lines gave way, and Colonel Mitchell of the Second Kansas, shot through
the thigh with Minie ball, fell from his horse. While this was going on on the left, General Price with his brave
Missourians had charged the enemy's center, and after a severe struggle, succeeded in repulsing the enemy and finally
driving him back with great loss. General McCulloch with the troops on the right made a brilliant charge on the
left of the enemy and drove them, after a hard fight, back on the center, which had been forced to retire by General
Price. The whole line of the enemy had given way, and the Confederates advanced their line over and beyond that
held by the Federals since about 8:30 that morning. And soon the fact was discovered that the enemy was in retreat;
in fact, but little more firing occurred.
During the engagement just described the artillery companies were not idle. The batteries of Latten and Du-Bois
were actively engaged and rendered great assistance by opening on the Confederate advance as they charged the Federal
lines. Guibor and Bledsoe were also conspicuous for the splendid manner in which their batteries were served. The
section of Reed's battery that accompanied the Arkansas troops did gallant service against the Kansas and Iowa
troops.
General McCulloch seeing the Federals driven from the field, held the battlefield until the enemy had retreated
and then directed the troops to return to their camps, after which the necessary details were made for burying
the dead and taking care of the wounded. Temporary hospitals were improvised by the medical staff, and those brave
self-sacrificing men devoted their skill and science to the relief of the unfortunate wounded. Thus terminated
the first battle of the Civil war of any importance in the West.
Many have wondered—and others criticised—General McCulloch for failing to push his success, as there is no doubt
but had the enemy been pursued the whole army would have surrendered. Then why was it not done? For the best of
all reasons—the Confederates were out of ammunition. The bullets they had moulded the evening before the battle
had been expended in the fight, and there was no ordnance department to furnish a fresh supply. I have never
doubted for a moment that, had there been a supply of ammunition, General McCulloch would have captured the entire
Federal army—not having it, he could not.
Some time during the hard fighting on the bloody hill, General Lyon, the commander of the Federal forces, was killed.
It was believed he was shot by one of General Mc-Bride's men with a squirrel rifle, but that such was the case
no one can tell. Colonel Mitchell of the Second Kansas told me, when I visited him in the hospital (courthouse)
at Springfield, where he had been taken for treatment, that when the charge was made on their lines by the Confederates
and they were driven back on their second line, that before they could extricate themselves, the Confederates pressed
them so hard that the second line also broke, and that it was while attempting to rally these troops, General Lyon
received the fatal shot; that he (Mitchell) assisted him from his horse and that he soon expired; and that in a
few moments he received the wound in the thigh that disabled him from further service, and that the command was
assumed by Major Sturgis, U. S. A., who at once ordered a retreat. But of this fact there is no question that a
brave, capable and aggressive officer had fallen, one that possessed the entire confidence of the abolition party,
and was in sentiment far in advance of that of the time. And there is no doubt that had he lived he would have
held high command, as he had the military education and qualifications eminently fitting him for a great general.
Backed as he was by those high in authority, whose entire confidence he enjoyed, would have enabled him to surpass
all competitors for high command and distinction. But the great leveler, death, came, and ambition is laid low.
On the Confederate side was killed Colonel Weightman, commanding a Missouri brigade, a gallant, fearless and accomplished
officer, whose service in the West had made him a popular and noted man. Also Colonel Ben Brown of Ray County,
Missouri, Col. G. W. Allen of Saline County, Missouri, and Major Rogers of St. Louis, and some 150 noncommissioned
officers and privates, belonging to the Missouri State Guard, gave up their lives in this battle in defense of
their homes.
In McCulloch's command were killed Captain McAlexander and Adjutant Harper, Lieutenants Dawson, Chambers and Johnson
of Churchill's regiment, Captain Henson of the Third Louisiana regiment. And in General Pearce's command the following
brave men were killed: Capt. Sam Bell, Captain Brown and Lieutenant Walton of Third Arkansas infantry, and Lieutenant
Weaver, Woodruff's battery. Lieutenant Colonel Neill of the Fifth Arkansas infantry and Major Ward of the Third
Arkansas infantry were mortally wounded; Captain Walker of Carroll's cavalry regiment dangerously wounded, and
Captains Ramsem and Porter and Lieutenants Raney, Hardeth, King, Adams and Mclnn of Churchill's regiment were slightly
wounded. Colonel Mclntosh was hit by a grape shot, but not badly hurt, and Jud Cravens of Clarksville, Ark. (late
M. C.) was wounded severely, having received four or five wounds. The total Southern loss, as ascertained from
the official reports, was about 270 killed and about 950 wounded and 100 prisoners. The loss of the Federals was,
as reported: Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, commanding; Captain Mason of Iowa; also wounded, General Sweeney, Colonel Mitchell,
Second Kansas; Colonel Deitzler, First Kansas; Lieutenant Colonel Merritt, First Iowa; Lieutenant Colonel Andrews,
First Missouri; Adjutant Waldron, First Iowa, and Captain Plummer United States regular infantry, and of the rank
and file about 235 were killed, 750 wounded and 250 prisoners and missing! Colonel Churchill's Arkansas regiment
sustained more losses than any other command in the battle, being 42 killed and 155 wounded out of about a total
of 600 men.
McBride's Missouri brigade sustained a loss of twenty-two killed and 124 wounded; Weightman's brigade, 35 killed
and 110 wounded, and Cawthorn's (both belonging to Rain's division) brigade lost about 25 killed and 75 or 80 wounded.
General Stark lost 40 killed and about 90 wounded.
Gratiot's Third Arkansas regiment lost, in the charge made by General Pearce against the Kansas and Iowa troops,
about 100 men killed and wounded in less than twenty-five minutes, out of a total of about 650 or 700 men.
The First Kansas (Federal) lost heavily, being 77 killed and 200 wounded and missing.
The First Missouri lost 76 killed and over 200 wounded and missing.
The First Iowa lost 13 killed and 136 wounded.
Captain Plummer's battalion lost 19 killed and over 50 wounded.
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