The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

The Columbia Tigers and Their Mission
In Response To: Re: Not likely Columbia ()

Rather than relying on either account, the professor should have gone to the primary sources. Certainly no Iowa Cavalry was stationed at Columbia at the time, and certainly Price came nowhere near Columbia, and certainly the Columbia Tigers were created specifically to defend the town against guerrillas, not Price. Kind of breathtaking that a history professor got it all so wrong. So a ragtag group of 120 stay at home shopkeepers scared off an army of 12,000 blooded and hardened Confederate veterans? Outnumbered 100 to 1. Sounds like the story was a little bit too good to look into very closely.

Iowa cavalry had been involved with the pursuit of Bill Anderson et al through Centralia, but they were out in the field the entire time, not in Columbia. After Centralia, the Iowans were moved out of the field and on down to Jefferson City with the rest of the mass of Federal troops. As for Columbia, it was one company of the 3rd MSM Cavalry that was based there, and which had been the only Federal unit stationed there for the better part of the summer on and up to and following Price's Raid.

As for Rollins, note that only two towns north of the river remained garrisoned by Federals--Columbia, and Mexico, which is 40 miles northeast of Columbia. All other towns were stripped of their troops and the territory left wide open for marauders. But Columbia, the exception? Fisk issued orders for the citizens there to organize, with the Columbia Tigers being the direct result of that order. Fisk authorized the creation of the Tigers on Oct. 4, and in the course of just hours 120 men were mustered in. That's battalion strength. Has to either be some sort of recruiting record, or they already had everything lined up and ready and were expecting the go ahead from Fisk. And why would they be expecting the go ahead unless there had been some discussions relating to it. And who was elected to command that unit hours after Fisk gave the go ahead? Rollins. And who can guess who Fisk's authorizing order specifcally and expressly says the unit was formed to defend against? "Guerrillas." Fisk doesn't say form up to defend against Price's army. He says form up to defend against guerrillas. And what would have happened if any elements of Price's army had threatened Columbia. Well, in Fisk's own words, he would be compelled to move the Tigers out of Columbia. "Evacuate and get away from them." "We cannot defend the towns against a great army of Confederates, but I have no fears but that you can successfully defend against Anderson & Co." The Tigers were all about defending against guerrillas.

To help shed light on the events, below is a recap of my research originally posted here way back in 2006. Note that bulk of my research consists of primary source communications generated as events were unfolding at the time, not some secondary source history written a half century after the fact.

The recap--The 3rd MSM Cavalry was Columbia's primary Federal defender during Price's Raid. The Columbia Tigers was formed during this time, and acted in support of the 3rd MSM Cavalry, prior to Columbia being reinforced by the 42nd Missouri Infantry in the later half of October 1864.

The Columbia Tigers was formed by U.S. Congressman James S. Rollins on October 4, 1864, to support Company B, 3rd MSM Cavalry, in the defense of Columbia during Price's Raid (Sept./Oct. 1864).

First a brief background on Rollins, and then on to the Columbia Tigers. In 1838, at the age of 26, Rollins was elected to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives. Upon coming to the legislature one of the first things Rollins did was to secure Columbia as being the site of the University of Missouri. Rollins went on to be elected to the U.S. Congress as a Constitutional Unionist in 1860, and was re-elected in 1862. At the time of the creation of the Columbia Tigers militia unit he was still Congressman. After the war he served as president of the University of Missouri board of curators (regents) from 1869 through 1886. His involvement in the creation and growth of the University of Missouri was so significant, that the MU board of curators unanimously adopted a resolution in May of 1872, bestowing upon Rollins the title of "Pater Universitatis Missouriensis" --the Father of the University of Missouri. It is not surprising then that the University went on to adopt the name of his Federal Civil War unit as the University's mascot in the 1890s. For a fairly in-depth biography of Rollins, see Howard L. Conard's 1901 Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, Vol. V, pp. 396-398.

Note that on September 27, 1864, Rollins was at Centralia during the Centralia Massacre, and barely escaped death by concealing his identity. Also note that while the 3rd MSM Militia Cavalry had one company--Company B--stationed at Columbia around this time, it also had three Companies--Company E, Company F, and Company G--stationed at Sturgeon. On September 23 the 3rd MSM Cavalry was repositioning from Sturgeon to Rocheport. While its supply train was en route, it was attacked and suffered considerable losses (almost certainly it was their Federal uniforms that many of the Confederates were wearing at Centralia four days later). For more on the route destruction of the 3rd MSM supply train, see the postings on this board relating to the Skirmish at Goslin's Farm.

So with guerrilla victories at Centralia and Goslin's Farm as a backdrop, and Price's main army rumbling into Central Missouri and besieging Jefferson City thirty miles to the south of Columbia, by October 4--one week to the day after Centralia--Columbia was in a bit of a state of panic.

This state of affairs is reflected in authorizing order issued by General Clinton B. Fisk on Oct. 4, 1864. This from the O.R., ser. 1, vol. 41, pt. 3, p. 619--
"The citizens must organize and defend their court house against guerrillas until the present emergency is over. Suspend all business and organize every man for service.... "

In response to this Oct. 4 directive from General Fisk, on that same day the Columbia Tigers Militia was formed--this from p. 3 of the October 21 issue of the Columbia Statesman.

"COLUMBIA TIGERS--on the 4th inst., it became evident that an organization of the citizens of Columbia was vitally necessary for the protection of the town against guerrillas who infested the country on every side, and who became more bold and numerous with the advance of the rebel invasion under Price. Accordingly, the citizens were notified and they rallied to a man and formed a company numbering about 120 effective men. Hon. J. S. Rollins was elected Captain; Jno. F. Baker, Lieutenant; and Edward Firsky [sp.?], Orderly Sergeant. The company was then armed and placed on active duty, with quarters in the Baptist church. Business houses were closed and every thing prepared for defenses as an attack was continually anticipated."

On Oct. 12, General Fisk wrote to Rollins in Columbia, stating "I have been pleased to learn of your prompt and decided action in the preparation for the defense of your town, and thank you for your pledges of cooperation with myself in the good work of driving out the invaders and exterminating the fiends who are bringing desolation, awe, and death upon the beautiful homes of Boone."

In the same Oct. 12 dispatch, General Fisk also advised Rollins of the following--
"I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your dispatches of this date, and in reply thereto have to say that it is impracticable for me to send additional force to Columbia. The troops at this point are here under orders to move at a moment's notice. I would gladly re-enforce your post if it were in my power."

Fisk also continued to Rollins--

"If it be true that so large a force has crossed from Boonville into Howard County, and I fear it is, all small detachments of troops at posts like Columbia will necessarily have to be concentrated for the offensive or be subject to capture in detail. The rebels are short of arms. Price can get plenty of recruits and conscripts if he can arm them, and Anderson has probably been returned to North Missouri under the instructions he professes to have. Towns will be plundered and small detachments of troops captured and disarmed. If I obtain information from my scouts that Clark's force is on this side I will be compelled to withdraw the troops from Columbia and other like points...." (the Fisk to Rollins dispatch comes from the O.R., ser. 1, vol. 41, pt. 3, p. 819)

On that same day, Fisk wrote another dispatch to Columbia, this one to Captain George W. Carey, Company B, 3rd MSM Cavalry. Carey, as a captain with seniority over Rollins's captaincy, would have technically outranked Rollins (Rollins was commonly referred to as "Major Rollins," denoting a rank that he held prior to the Civil War, but was not in effect during the Civil War).

From the O.R., ser. 1, vol. 41, pt. 3, pp. 819-820, General Fisk to Captain Carey--
"I have no cavalry force at this point, and, indeed, none of the troops here can be ordered to Columbia, as they are all under marching orders to another point. You can probably hold out against any guerrilla force that may attack you. If an overwhelming force of rebels march on you, you must be ready to evacuate and get away from them.... We cannot defend the towns against a great army of Confederates, but I have no fears but that you can successfully defend against Anderson & Co. I am glad to learn that the Hon. James S. Rollins is aiding you with his most excellent judgement and personal presence and energies. Keep me posted...."

With the town of Columbia being virtually cut-off from communication with the outside world, the following was reported on page 3 of the St. Louis Republican newspaper on Oct. 14--
"By passengers on a train which left Mexico [Mo.] on the North Missouri RR, yesterday evening, we learn the following items of news from Central Missouri:
"Mexico is garrisoned by State Militia and colored soldiers under General J.B. Douglass, who is confident of holding the place, unless attacked by a large force, sided by artillery.
"On receipt of the intelligence that a large rebel force, under Clark, had crossed at Boonville to the north side of the Missouri river, most of the towns in that region of the state were evacuated by our troops, all concentrating at Macon. Among those thus evacuated are Fayette, Glasgow, Huntsville, Sturgeon and Fulton. Columbia, in Boone county, is still held by Captain Carey, 3d M.S.M., who has erected in the centre of the town a large, strong block house, manning it with his own troops and a large number of citizens....
"The report that Columbia was burned on Saturday night is untrue. We have news from that place up to Monday [Oct. 10] and the report of the burning originated from the fact that on Saturday night [Oct. 8] Smith s steam flouring mill, three miles north of Columbia, accidentally caught fire and was destroyed."

On October 19, a relief force finally reached Columbia. On page 3 of the Oct. 21 issue of the Columbia Statesman, the following article is found--
"AN ALARM--ARRIVAL OF TROOPS.--On Wednesday [Oct. 19] about noon a body of armed men were seen advancing toward Columbia on the Centralia road. As an attack was continually expected, and arrival of Federal troops looked for, every body supposed that the force approaching were rebels. Accordingly, the bugle sounded the call 'to arms' and soldiers rushed to their quarters. The 'Tigers,' with a unanimity and courage undaunted, also rallied and were ready for the fray. The supposed rebels proved to be Federal troops of the 42d Reg. 12 months men under Lieut. Col. Stauber. The force consists of about 300 men, mostly infantry, and a piece of artillery."

With the arrival of the 42nd Missouri Infantry, the Oct. 21 issue of the Columbia Statesman reported on page 3--
"The 'Tigers' have rendered valuable aid in the protection of the town and have acquitted themselves with the utmost satisfaction to their officers and to the commander of the post.
"They have picketed the town every alternate day and night, stood camp guard, and shown a determination to do their duty. The company was relieved from regular duty yesterday, a small guard being required each day at the block house, but roll call morning and evening will still be kept up."

Rollins's biography describes him as being a "staunch Unionist." His second in command of the Columbia Tigers, John F. Baker, was a Radical Unionist, and went on to be appointed sheriff of Boone County shortly afterwards by Radical Unionist Governor Thomas Fletcher. Regarding Baker's political sympathies, on Dec. 11, 1864 he wrote to General Fisk and described himself as being an "unconditional Union" man "from the start, going on to say that he feels "safe in saying that there is not a radical Union man in the county who would not join us...." That from the O.R., ser. 1, vol. 41, pt. 4, pp. 832-33.

Messages In This Thread

Price's Raid
Re: Price's Raid
Re: Price's Raid
Re: Price's Raid
Not likely Columbia
Re: Not likely Columbia
The Columbia Tigers and Their Mission
Tigers Formed To Defend Against Bill Anderson
Tigers Formed To Defend Against Guerrillas
Re: The Columbia Tigers and Their Mission