The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Cow Island, Butler County, Missouri

Joshua Epps
Cit. Butler Co MO.

Charge: Harboring Guerillas

-176-
Gratiot
_________________________
Statement taken this July 12th, 1864

States:

Moved from Tennessee to Butler Co Mo in the year 1819. Live near Poplar Bluff. On no public road. Was arrested on the 7th June, 1864. Don’t know what for. Are a good many guerillas around there. Eli Covington, B Barton & Fossey. Have eaten at my house several times about two months ago. Did not object. Never hid in the brush from the federal troops. I never fed any federal soldiers; they came and took some corn. Paid for it. I have never took oath of allegiance; think the south are fighting for their rights and don’t want to see them put down. Have 500 acres land and 5 negroes. Sent negroes to Texas in fall 1862. Have 5 sons-2 are in South. Army and 2 at home-one these was with Price at Little Rock and the other did belong to the State Guard was discharged. My other son was with Reeves but now is in Texas. Parts of Reeves band have eaten at my house. Have been more or less deaf for 16 years.

Here is page 1 of two pages where the above statement was cleaned up a little. The second page was missing I'll try to get it from the MO SOS archives.

Statement of Joshua Epps, Citizen
Butler Co. MO.

Being duly sworn states:

Moved from Tennessee to Butler Co Mo in the year 1819. I live in the west side of the county near Poplar Bluff. Do not live on any public road. I was arrested on the 7th June, 1864. Don’t know what for. There are a good many guerillas through that part of the country. Elijah Covington, Benjamin Barton & Fossey. Have not seen them in two or three months. They have eat at my house several times cannot tell when. Did not object to their eating there as it would do no good. Never hid in the brush from the federal troops. I never fed any federal soldiers; they came and took some corn and something to eat. The soldiers (fed) paid me for the corn. I have never taken oath of allegiance; have never been where it was necessary to take it. I think from what I can learn the south are fighting for their rights and don’t want to see them put down. Think everyone ought …..

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