OR, SERIES 1, VOL. 13, P. 224:
AUGUST 8, 1862. -- Skirmish near Stockton, Macon County, Mo.
Report of Brig. Gen. Lewis Merrill.
HANNIBAL, Mo., August 9, 1862.
GENERAL: McNeil's column overtook Porter again near Stockton yesterday
afternoon and whipped him again. The fight ended at dark. During the
storm Porter managed to slip away.
Nothing definite of the loss on either side. Report says McNeil's loss
8 wounded, 1 mortally; Porter's loss 50 killed and wounded and some
prisoners. Porter is demoralized and I think broken up.
McNeil found among his prisoners 26 who had taken the oath and given
bonds. They were executed yesterday.
Inspected Palmyra yesterday; found everything going to the devil;
relieved Stearns and Pledge and sent them to Hannibal. Stearns was going
off with a large amount of money belonging to soldiers which he will not
account for, and I have just put him in close confinement. Yesterday
caught a man who tried to throw passenger train off the track. If it can
be proved clearly on him will execute him formally tomorrow. Will leave
at 2 o'clock for Macon City.
Please send up my telegraph men.
LEWIS MERRILL, Brigadier- General.
General SCHOFIELD.
Also:
From the Aug. 23, 1862 edition California Weekly News, reprinting an
item from the Fulton Missouri Telegraph of Aug. 15, 1862 (which does not
survive) quoting the Quincy Herald of Aug. 11, 1862: The date is wrong
in the Herald story, based on Merrill's report, but it otherwise matches
up.)
26 Rebels Shot
The Quincy Herald Of the 11th inst. Says: One of the officers of the
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, who left Macon City, on Saturday
evening (Aug. 9) and arrived here the same evening, stated that 26 rebel
prisoners were shot in Macon City on that morning. They were captured in
one of the late engagements with the rebels with arms in their hands and
paroles in their pockets; having been taken prisoners in some previous
battles or skirmishes and released on parole.
They were formed in a single file, facing to the front, and after a
brief address to them by the Federal officer, the order was given to
fire, and at the report of the musketry the whole 26 Rebels fell to the
ground, lifeless bodies.
We regret that we were unable to learn the name of the gentleman who
brought this information here, or further particulars to the affair, but
have assurances that there is no doubt of the truth of the statement.
By the same authority we learn that 12 other paroled rebel prisoners
at the same place will probably suffer a similar fate this morning. It
is a terrible doom. Fulton Telegraph 15th.
Painter Creek fight, west of Chariton River near New Cambria.........I knew of POW's
didn't know he executed them in Macon City.......expect it happened at the battle fight........Confirm??