Hdqrs. Marmaduke’s Division,
October 23, 1864.
Price to McLean.
Lieut-Col. McLean.
Colonel: General Marmaduke directs me to inform you that the enemy has attacked his rear giving evidence of a large force.
Very respectfully,
Wm. Price.A.D.C.
Mr Orson Davis Clerk for Maj H W Tracy C.S.
Was duly sworn and testified as follows
On the 26th of October 1864, whilst the army under Maj Genl Sterling Price, P.A.C.S. was on the retreat from Missouri near the Kansas and Missouri line, not far from Carthage Mo. Public funds for which Major H W Tracy C.S. is responsible to the amount of about two hundred and sixty seven thousand two hundred and eighty dollars was put in my possession for transportation, as it was thought the wagons were about to be abandoned and burnt, as the enemy were in close pursuit of Genl Price’s Army, and Major Tracy thought the money might be saved by carrying it out on horseback. It was put in two sacks and one of them tied on my saddle in front. I carried it all day until about dusk. There was a great deal of confusion about the train where I was, and the stragglers were ungovernable. I was trying to get to the front of the train and came to a narrow place where I could not get out of the road. The stragglers were crowding me in the road, my shawl came off me when I laid it over the sack of money on my saddle, and as I got through the stragglers I raised my shawl to put it on when I discovered that the sack of money was gone. The money was not gone to exceed fifteen minutes when I missed it. I went back searched everywhere along the road & then went to camp, got a candle and searched fully for it. And again went back the next morning but the sack could not be found. The sacks which contained the money were both bulky, and could not be carried by one person. One sack of the money was brought through safely. Maj Tracy had about six hundred thousand dollars public funds and he had no other way to carry it except by means of a wagon. The box which contained the money and the money itself weighed about one hundred and fifty pounds. Every effort was made by Major H.W. Tracy C.S. to save the money from capture by the enemy or its destruction, and also to recover it after it was lost. Two wagons in charge of Maj H. W. Tracy C. S. had been burned the night before, on account of the proximity of the enemy. Major Tracy had always been particular to direct me to ride with the wagon with the funds and particularly see that no one interfered with the wagon which contained the funds. I did not sleep a wink the night before on-account of attending to my duties, repacking and destroying the wagons & reducing our transportation, in accordance with orders from Gen Price, and on the day the money was lost by me we marched about sixty miles. I was very much fatigued but made every effort to preserve and recover the funds.
Major S A Maclean A.A.G. & Chief of Staff Gen Price
Was duly sworn & testified as follows
I am the senior adjutant-General, on General Sterling Price’s staff. Major H.W. Tracy CS and Chief Commissary has made every exertion to properly care for his funds and applied to me in the early part of the campaign that the wagon containing his funds should be placed next to Major Brinkers (Chief Quarter Master) in order that it might be in a safer position in the train as both contained public funds and would be nearer the escort. On the retreat of the Army under Gen’l price, about the 25th of October 1864, from Missouri, the wagon train was very large & encumbered in its march by the unarmed men who were straggling with it. These men were generally speaking panic stricken and uncontrolled. They were principally new troops, but interspersed with old one. On the 26th of October 1864 General J.O. Shelby, who with his command was covering the retreat, sent a dispatch to General Price stating that the enemy were pressing the rear, & the wagon train must be hurried on, on receipt of which Gen Price directed me to send an order to Gen Shelby to the effect that if the enemy pressed him too closely, he must destroy all the train, except the ordnance wagons. This order I sent to Gen Shelby in writing by a courier, and as I afterwards learned from him, he received it in due time. On the 25th of October 1864, the following order was issued by order of Maj Gen Price-
Head Quarters Army of Mo
Camp 52. Oct 25th 1864
General Orders No __
II The army train with the following exceptions will be parked under directions from Division Commanders and burned before leaving camp.
1st One half the Army Head Quarters wagons.
2nd There is allowed to each Division Head Quarters one wagon, with ambulance for commanding officers.
3rd One wagon for Brigade Head Quarters.
4th One wagon for each Brigade.
5th One medical wagon for each Division.
6th All the ordnance wagons absolutely required.
7th All the ambulances and carriages (excepting buggies, which are to be burnt) will be turned over to the Division Quarter Masters for the use of the Division Surgeons, to be used only for carrying the sick and wounded.
8th All serviceable stock to be retained by Division and Brigade Quarter Masters for use as may be required.
9th No enlisted man under any circumstances to have a led horse, no white man between the ages of 17 and 50 to be used by officers for this or any other purpose beyond his military duty.
Private families traveling with the army will be allowed such spring vehicles only as are absolutely required for their transportation.
The Inspector General and Chief Quarter Master will inspect the train on the march, and assist in carrying out this order.
By order of Maj Gen Price
(signed) Maclean, Sr Col & A.A.G.
Which orders were executed that night. I was called upon many times by Major Bruckner to Chief Quarter Master, to furnish guards to clear the stragglers from the train, as they caused the train to be scattered.
Major Henry W Tracy C. S. & Chief Commissary was duly & testified as follows.
Two hundred and sixty seven thousand, two hundred and eighty dollars ($26728.00) for which I am accountable to the Confederate States, was lost on the 26th day of October 1864, under the following circumstances. The Army under Major General Sterling Price, P.A.C.S. had on the day previous suffered a disastrous defeat and an order had been issued at Head Quarters of the Army to destroy the entire army train excepting only the wagons containing ordnance stores. Being unwilling to destroy the subsistence funds in my hands, I about 12 oclock on the 26th of October 1864, placed the same in two sacks, and ordered my clerks Mr J Joplin and Mr O Davis to take the same on their horse and in case we were closely pressed by the enemy to endeavour to effect their escape. It was during the hurry and confusion of a precipitate retreat that the sack containing one hundred & fifty thousand dollars ( 150,000$) "two cents per day notes" and one hundred and seventeen thousand two hundred and eighty dollars ($117,280.) in new issue bills in possession of Mr O Davis was lost.
Gen J O Shelby P.A.C.S. was duly sworn and testified as follows-
After the capture of Generals Marmaduke and Cabell, on the Little Osage River, in Kansas on or about the 25th of October 1864, while the Army of General Price was on the retreat from Missouri, my Command being in advance I received orders from Gen Price to countermarch and engage the enemy. We continued fighting the enemy until dark, after that time we withdrew to the Manmeton River, at which point I found the entire Army camped. The rear reached said camp that night about 2 oclock. I there found orders had been issued, which I received for the destruction of a portion of the train. The following day my command was continued in the rear, after moving two or three miles, the column was halted at Dry-Wood Creek. The enemy were reported to be advancing. I sent staff officers to the front to see what was detaining the train, they reported that the ford was blocked up with wagons. I became a little uneasy and went forward to bring the train over the crossing in traveling from the rear to the front of the train I discovered that we still had about three hundred wagons. After succeeding in getting about one half the train over, I received information that the enemy were advancing, which fact I reported to Genl Price as well as the condition and size of the train, which still remained, and requested that the train be moved up more rapidly for the purpose of giving me more room to engage the enemy. Shortly afterwards, I received orders from General price, that in case the enemy should press us to the extent of risking the train falling into their hands to destroy the same with the exception of the ordnance wagons. After the first disaster on the morning of the 25th of October 1864, for three days following, I considered the train liable to be taken by the enemy at any time, from constant marching night and day both men and animals were failing, we were passing continually during a period of three days, wagons that were broken down and abandoned for the want of stock and in my opinion owing to the demoralized state of the troops, as well as the liability of train being captured, that valuables of any character would be safer on horses than in wagons. The steps taken by Major H W Tracy C S in removing his public funds from the wagons was such as I would have taken had I been in his situation.
The Board after mature deliberation on the evidence addressed and circumstances attending the loss of the public funds to the amount of two hundred and sixty thousand, two hundred and eighty dollar ($267,280) for which Major H. W. Tracy CS & Chief Commissary is responsible are of the opinion that every effort was made by Major H. W. Tracy C.S. to save it, that no blame can attach to him, nor should he be held responsible for its loss as in our opinion it was clearly unavoidable.
(signed) Jo O. Shelby, Brig Gen PACS
(signed) C H. Tyler, Col PACS
(signed) Jas R. Shaler Sr Col & AAG
(signed) Manning M. Kimmel, Major PACS & Recorder
The Board having no further business before it adjourned sine die,
M. M. Kimmel Jo O. Shelby, Brig Genl
Maj & PACS Recorder } & Prest Board
65
Oct 30th 1864 1PM
Brig Genl Clark
Learns from one of Shelbys Brig that a heavy column of Fedl Cavalry was passing thru Pinerrllo (?). No other news.
Sr Col Maclean, AAG
Camden Ark. Nov 21st
Maj Gen Price
Allow me to congratulate you on your safe return to Dixie. Your friends very often feared for your safety feared perhaps you might possibly be numbered among the slain wounded or captured. We are most happy to know otherwise. I know that you escaped unharmed. Since your departure I have had many hardships to withstand. The citizens are so selfish so indifferent to refugees. I have not received one line from my husband since you left Dardanell. I am most anxious to see him also to be near him as long as he is in winter quarters. Would it be asking too great a favor Gen Price for a furlough of 20 or 25 days, also for him to bring a wagon to carry my baggage? I trust you will grant this request. I cannot bear the idea of remaining here alone during the winter. Shall I look for him soon. Tancy whispers, Gen Price will not say no.
Present my kind regards to your son also the Cap Price. Hoping to welcome soon my husband I remain
Most Respectfully
T. E. Bricker
Camden Arks
21st Nov 1864
Mrs T. E. Bricker
Congratulations upon safe return from Mo.
Asks for a furlough for her husband
Snead Records
Head Quarters Shelbys Div
Near Tunespert, Dec 7th 1864
Wednesday, 1 oc. P.M.
Colonel
A case has just been brought before me in which one Martin Dixon is claimed by Capt Merrick of Williams Regt. Jackmans Brigade, and Capt Kennedy of Searcys Regt. of your Brigade. It seems that under the order of Genl Price giving 30 days for recruits to select commands to attach themselves to and a promise, said to have been made by Capt Kennedy that Dixon had the right to join Merrick, but as it is impossible to decide these questions fairly, without both parties being heard, I propose that he shall remain with Merrick, until either you or I can investigate the facts and he shall certainly be turned over to Kennedy if he belongs to him. If this were the only case it could easily be determined but there are very many similar that have already been brought to my attention, and we must have some rule or precedent, or we will have a lot of trouble and probably engender hard feelings among the men. I will refer the case to any one you propose, if you have not time to examine into it yourself
Yours most respectfully
M Jeff Thompson, Brig Genl Comd, Shelby Division
To Col Tyler
Comd Brigade
McLean
Head Quarters Shelbys Division
Near Tunespert, Thursday 8th Dec. 64
8 oclock. P.M.
Colonel
I have received a note from Capt Pflager Ast Quartermaster at Head Quarters of Corps, informing me that there is 1500 bushels of corn at Jones Plantation that this Division could use. But the information has come too late, and as Gen’l Gano’s Quartermaster claims all on the Red River above their camp, I have determined to move further down the River as intimated in my notes of the 6th & 7th inst. My Quartermaster Major Lawrence or myself will report in person at your Head Quarters tomorrow, and I hope be able to inform you where we will camp for the night. I will remain up stream from Clarks Division if possible, but even should we be ordered to return to Clarksville Texas my moving below him should not delay me but one day in the march.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt Servt
M. Jeff. Thompson, Brig Genl Comd
Shelbys Division
Col L A Maclean PACS
AAG Prices Corps
Richmond
On the back)
Letter from Brig Genl M. Jeff. Thomson cmdg Shelbys Division
Camp Carr, Dec 10th 1864
~~~~~~~"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upon the subject of recruits who are held by one officer and claimed by another
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snead Records
Head Quarters Shelbys Division
Near Carr’s Plantation, Ark. December 10th 1864
Colonel
There is a great deal of trouble arising between the different regiments in this Division, and between the different Divisions of this Corps upon the subject of recruits that are held by one party and claimed by another. The subject was before you while on our march from Missouri, but there have been no precedents established by which we can be guided in issuing orders for these transfers. It is reported that an order was issued from your Head Quarters giving all recruits thirty days to choose the command in which they would serve. Many availed themselves of this privilege and made a final choice and the parties are satisfied in some instances, but no so in others. Tis contended that your orders only applied to recruiting officers, who had no organized command, and that all who joined regular organized companies have had no choice since. There are nearly a hundred cases in dispute between the commands of Perkins of Tylers Brigade, and Williams of Jackmans Brigade, neither of which is yet organized into a regiment, and these commands were recruited in the same neighborhood, and under similar circumstances these cases will produce bad feeling between the commands unless some explicit General Order decides the cases, and I pray that such an order will be issued. There are three several kinds of cases, viz
Those sworn in by recruiting officers for the service at large. Those sworn in by recruiting officers who desired to raise command and those sworn in by officers of organized commands, who desire to fill up their ranks – and also cases where the men were promised that they might select, and cases where the organizations were understood to be temporary. To fight their way to our army and afterwards held by the officers. There may be other kinds of cases, but it is important that all should be decided, as the present rumors of reorganization and dismounting are producing an uneasiness that had better be quieted. I have the hone to be
Your Obt Servt
M. Jeff. Thompson, Brig Genl., Comdg Shelbys Division
Col L A. Maclean P.A.C.S.
A.A.G. Prices Corps
Richmond, Ark.
Camp of Windsor Guards, near Richmond, Ark., December 15, 1864.
Colonel Maclean,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Price’s Corps, (through Capt. Robert Collins, Commanding Company: )
Colonel; I have the honor to solicit a transfer to C, Wood’s Battalion, Missouri Cavalry, Shelby’s division. My reason for this application is that all my neighborhood friends are in this company and trust that you will be pleased to grant my application.
I am, colonel, your obedient servant,
R. O. Nelson, Private
Headquarters Price’s Army,
Richmond, Ark., December 15, 1864.
General S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector-General:
In obedience to General Order, No. 71, Paragraph VI, Adjutant and Inspector-General’s Office, current series, I have the honor to report my rank as major in the adjutant-general’s department, commissioned by the President to take rank from the 15th October, 1862, and then ordered to report for duty to Maj. Gen. S. Price, upon whose staff I have served ever since. On the 17th August, 1864, I was assigned to duty with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Maj. Gen. S. Price, by order of General E. Kirby Smith, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, in accordance with an act to provide and organize a general staff, &c., approved 14th June, 1864. In this capacity I am now serving. I make this report immediately on my return from the expedition into Missouri, where I was when the order was issued.
Very respectfully, &c.,
[ L. S. Maclean ]
(On the back)
Hd Qrs
Washington 16th Dec 64
J. B. Waymden
Maj Genl
Directing enclosed orders furnished Div comdrs. Gen’ Shelbys leave revoked until after reorganization of the command.
Snead Records
Hd. Qrs. Dist of Arkansas
Washington 16th Dec 1864.
Maj. Gnl Sterling Price, Cmd Exped Forces
General,
The Maj. Gnl Comdr desires you to furnish each of your Divn commanders with a copy of the enclosed order & to direct them to use their utmost diligence in collecting the absentees from their commands. They will as far as possible, give, to all those embraced in the order, the information required to bring them together as rapidly as possible.
The order must not be published in the news-paper or poster, since it would disclose to the enemy, the position of our cavalry.
The Maj. Gnl Comdr instructs me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 14th Dec 1864 & to say in reply that he will comply with it as soon as the organization of your command shall take place, which will be on the 26th inst.
Circumstances have come to his knowledge since his verbal communication with you on the subject of a leave of absence which in his judgment make it desireable that you as well as Brig. Gnl Shelby should be present at the reorganization of your command & he has ordered Brig. Gnl Shelby to return to duty until the organization shall have been practically affected.
The Maj. Gnl Comdr will take great pleasure in ordering with you, to your next command, such escort & such of the officers of your staff as he is permitted to allow by law & the orders of his superiors.
For his information I am instructed to request that you will forward to these Hd Qrs a list of the names and military status of the staff you desire to take organization & number of your escort.
I have the honor to be General
Qutr Mast ov Tr (?)
W A Alster
A A G
Clarksville, Texas
Dec 18th, 1864.
Col. L. A. Maclean;
I send you my report of "Operations in rear of Steel’s Army," and " of the recent Expedition to Missouri," and hope they may prove satisfactory.
If I thought Gen Price would not leave before Tuesday, I would come and see him, but I learn he leaves Monday for his home.
Write to me at this place, and tell me all the news. You are getting as grim and silent of late as the crags upon your "rugged highlands."
It rained very hard last night and this morning here, and the sky is all gloom and the earth all mud.
Remember me sincerely to the Old General, and say his friends will watch in his absence.
Very (page torn) Jo. O. Shelby
Shreveport, La., December 24, 1864.
Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, Provisional Army, Confederate States.
General: The inclosed publication I have deemed necessary, to vindicate Generals Marmaduke and Cabell against injurious charges and to place the late Missouri campaign in a proper light before the public. In performing my imperative official duty in reference to that expedition, I desire to avoid giving unnecessary pain to any one. I therefore frankly state to you, that believing myself fully acquainted with all the facts in relation to the return of your son, General Edwin Price, by your advice within the Federal lines in 1862, his subsequent course and the communications between you and him, I design to make a memoir of those facts to the President of the Confederate States and on it and management of the late expedition to ask from him an order that you cease to be an officer in the provisional army of these states. Such a request (and still more such an order) would perhaps necessitate the giving of more or less publicity to that memoir. With a disposition to enable you to avoid the disagreeable discussions it would occasion, I propose that if you will at once resign your commission in that army, and your position of Missouri bank commissioner (assigning, if you think proper, whatever reasons for those steps you may judge best, and such as will not necessitate controversy) and abstain hereafter from any interposition, directly or indirectly, in the military or political affairs of the Confederate States or the State of Missouri, that memoir will be sent as a paper to remain in the secret archives of the government and not used unless necessary to meet such an interposition, or an attack by yourself, or any of your friends, on the Confederate authorities or myself for the action of any of us in this matter. I presume it will be in accordance with your own feelings, as it is with mine, that any future intercourse between us shall be only in writing, confined to indispensable official business and an answer to this letter.
I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,
Thos. C. Reynolds, Governor of the State of Missouri.
Waverly Mo
Oct 18th 64
Brig Gen Shelby Sir
I have some information from Lexington which Capt Rathbon and myself consider reliable. That to the effect that Lane with 1000 Federals are in Lexington Mo. destroying all provisions and forage in the vicinity of town. We are going above to try and find out the exact final. If you deem it advisible we would be glad to have a good company to go with us. I shall report all information of importance so soon as received.