The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

July 1861

I have Civil War questions regarding Missouri in the summer of 1861.
I am transcribing a Civil War diary of my gg Uncle (1st Iowa Inf 90-day enlistment, May-Aug 1861), and am confused about one entry.
The 96-page diary is clear, except for the 2nd paragraph of the following. Paragraphs 1 & 3 are provided simply for context. His unit (Gen Lyons) has been chasing Jackson in Missouri, which is ends the following month at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek.
Questions in the entry of July 12, 1861:
· I cannot find or make out the town of Maelvil..Mellvill??
· Who is Yerger?
· What battle is he referring to…between Yeger and Jackson? What major battle took place that early in the War in Missouri?

“Thursday morning (July) 11th we again started on the road, and traveled until about 4 P.M. when we stopped and got our suppers. To day one of the regular soldiers was shot and the man who committed the deed was arested, and will likely be put to death. After having eaten our supper, we started, and traveled until about two o clock in the morning. The utmost exertion is now being put forth, in order to overtake Jackson the Missouria Traitor He is not more than 30 miles ahead. If caught he will suffer severely.

Friday (July) 12th we traveled about five miles to the town of (word unreadable Maelvil?),where we haulted and camped until the next morning. The reason for our haulting so soon, was that Jackson instead of awaiting our arival at Springfield had become much frightened, and had started for Arkansas. The disastrous battle between him and Yerger had so reduced his forces, and so had discouraged him, that he would not dare to meet a greater force. It is reported that there were over 12 thousand of secession troops killed in the battle.

Saturday (July) 13th we traveled fifteen miles and encamped. In the evening I was again detailed as one of the guards. General Lyon passed on to Springfield. A man in the artillery company was to day run over by one of the pieces, and had his left arm and leg broken. The most surprising feature now is the strong union feeling that exists among the people. They are more union here than they were north of the Mo. River. The stars and stripes were floating in many places, and the people turned out in large numbers to greet us. The ladies especialy are strong for the union. May blessings attend them. As it was not necessary to pursue Jackson any farther at present, we were kept in camp here. The place of the encampment, is ten miles from Springfield, on the summit of the Ozark Mountains, which is a large chain if irregular hills. It is open prairie, but unlike Northern ones, is stony.”

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