Price’s Raid into Missouri
Herewith is given a partial history of the part taken by Gen W L Cabell’s brigade in the so-called Missouri raid by John C Darr, a member of Company E, Gordon’s Regiment, Cabell’s Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, now a member of Ben T Emory Camp, U C V, No 977, written from Atkins, Pope County Ark, July 3 (1903):
After the spring campaign in 1864 had closed with great success to all the Southern troops engaged in many hard fought battles in the state of Arkansas at Arkadelphia, Rockport, Sabine River, Spoonville, Okolona, Wolf Creek, Elkins Ferry, Little Missouri River, Moscow, Prairie De Ann, Poison Springs, Marks Mills, Antoine, etc, forcing the Federal commander Steel to evacuate Camden and make his way back to Little Rock, after losing many of his soldiers, Cabell’s Brigade, composed entirely of Arkansas troops, bore the brunt of all the engagements named, and many skirmishes besides. The brigade then went to Arkansas River to recruit their stock, as there was much grain and grass there in cribs and fields. Gen Cabell was then in command of the country east of Pine Bluff and bordering on the Mississippi River. The men and stock having been badly worsted in the spring campaign, at the same time the brigade was largely recruited, the losses in men having been heavy especially at Poison Springs and Marks Mills. Cabell’s Brigade belonged to Gen J F Fagan’s Division, whose headquarters were near Monticello.
About the 10th of August preparations were commenced for a campaign which the ranks knew meant business. It was understood that Gen Sterling Price was going to carry a mounted force into Missouri, which move was started about the middle of August and Fagan’s Division was selected as part of the invading column. Late in August Cabell’s Brigade left Princeton, Ark with six well-mounted regiments, indifferently armed for cavalry, and a battery of two brass rifles and two smooth-bore iron guns of six to ten pounds, commanded by Capt Hughey, an excellent artillery officer. Men and animals were in extra trim. The brigade was composed of Monroe’s, Gordon’s, Morgan’s, Hill’s and Gunter’s Regiments, Proctor’s Company and Harrell’s Battalion (Witherspoon and Woolsey’s Battalion composed Gunter’s Regiment). Cabell’s Brigade had about twenty six hundred armed men and between two to three hundred unarmed men. Most of these men had been wounded and were first class soldiers. There were many unarmed men in other commands who were almost worthless as soldiers. Cabell’s Brigade comprised about one-third of Price’s army of invasion. The route of the army was by way of Tulip Ark, thence over the roughest mountain roads in the state. Arriving at Dardanelle, on Arkansas River early in September we had pontoon boats to bridge the river, all hauled from our starting point, but the river being very low, it was determined to ford it. Gen Cabell had charge of the crossing of the whole command, which was accomplished without a single mishap of any kind. It was a grand sight to see the broad river full of men and horses, mules, artillery and wagons.
Our first brush with the Federals took place on the north bank of the river, resulting in the killing and wounding of five or six Arkansas Federals and capturing a lot of horses. After crossing the river Gen Fagan’s Division separated from Gen Marmaduke’s Command. Cabell’s Brigade, being in advance, took the road leading by way of Glass Village and Springfield, Marmaduke going by Clinton. After Cabell had passed Point Remove Creek his command met the Forth Arkansas Federal Cavalry under Col Fuller, who rushed after our advance guard, which had orders not to fight the Federals, but to fall back on the command. This was well carried out, but to the surprise of Fuller, he met Col Gordon’s Regiment and Capt Hughey’s Battery ready for him and business. Fuller’s troops were soon nicely whipped and scatter, leaving many dead men and horses in his route, also leaving a good number of prisoners in Gordon’s hands. I presume they were paroled. Gordon’s Regiment followed the Federals through Lewisburg. Cabell’s Brigade led the next day. Col Harrell’s Regiment here left our brigade, going in the direction of Northwest Arkansas, and was not with us in Missouri.
Cabell’s Brigade had frequent skirmishes with the enemy, being annoyed by bushwhackers. The command reached Batesville Ark about the middle of September. A few days later we were in Pocahontas where we were allowed a short rest. About the 20th we crossed the Missouri line. Fagan’s Division in the center, Marmaduke on the right, Shelby on the left with Cabell in the advance. The country was full of militia and bushwhackers, all on the best of horses and well armed. These house burners, thieves and murderers were kept in our front from north of Pocahontas Ark into Southeast Missouri. They murdered, robbed, burned or stole everything they could lay hands on. They turned old, decrepit men and women and children out of their houses, not allowing them to take a single article with them, many in their night clothes. Then they burned the houses and everything left in them, except such articles they (the Federals) took for their own use. All such outrages were committed on the Southern noncombatants. Cabell’s command, with others, soon put a stop to this uncivilized warfare. No savage Indian ever committed such outrages as these Federal murderers, robbers and house burners. The Confederates killed and routed them completely. The next fight was at Fredrickton MO in which Cabell’s Brigade took a hand.
About September 27th we arrived at Ironton, after driving the enemy out of Arcadia, capturing a few Yanks with their major, who was in command. Cabell then had his artillery carried to the top of Shepard’s Mountain, and a Missouri battery was placed on an opposite mountain. From either of these batteries you could look right down into the Federal fort in the valley, and we poor privates in the rank expected to see the enemy shelled out of that fort in double-quick time. It certainly could have been done in a few minutes; but instead of this, Gens Price and Fagan ordered a charge. It was reported at the time that Gen Cabell protested against it, but of course, obeyed his superior officers, and made the charge over a thousand yards of open ground without shelter or support. But Cabell’s men rushed right up to the enemy’s works, where they found a ditch outside twelve feet wide and eight feet deep, which made it impossible to reach and scale the walls, and there was nothing the men could do but fall back. Cabell’s horse was shot from under him, and his loss was very heavy in both men and officers. Col Oliver Basham, one of our bravest and best officers, was killed, and Col J F Hill was badly wounded. A large number of wounded officers and men were left in the hospital at Arcadia. This charge was one of the most unreasonable blunders ever made. There is no doubt about Cabell opposing this charge. It was a useless sacrifice of a large number of brave and true officers and men.
Gen Cabell’s next move was to strike the railroad between Franklin and St Louis, about thirty miles west of St Louis. The object of the move was the destruction of railroad and government property and supplies at Franklin, all of which was completely accomplished with small loss to us, as Cabell always did when in command. The depots at Franklin, Summit and other places were destroyed. Plenty of fine horses were found in and near Union City. The men swapped the tired and worn-out horses for fine fresh ones. We passed Union City about October 1, from which place our brigade moved on west, Cabell’s always placed nearest the Federals, no matter whether in advance or in the rear.
Near Jefferson City we met the enemy in large force, and a hard fight resulted; but Cabell drove him into the city – his den. We remained the balance of the day and all night in full view of the enemy in the city.
We next moved west through a fine country. Cabell’s Brigade, in the rear, was charged by a heavy force at some mills. But we routed them, with heavy loss to them and small loss to us. We then camped for the night two miles from the mills. Cabell had many would here, but few were killed.
October 8 Cabell was in the advance with his brigade, and moved in the direction of California MO. The home guards (Federals) retreated as our brigade advanced. At this place we found the depot filled with everything a soldier needed, which we confiscated. The citizens were allowed to take such property as belonged to them, and the public property was then destroyed, as well as the railroad track. The citizens of California fed our command with plenty of well-cooked grub. The brigade next moved to Boonville, and was in the rear.
We reached Boonville on the eve of the 10th. Cabell’s Brigade, being in the rear, failed to get their quota of military supplies captured. But the good Southern ladies there made up by supplying us with plenty of good things for our supper and breakfast. About ten o’clock next day the Federals opened on us with artillery. Gen Cabell galloped up to his brigade and ordered his men to drive them back, which they did, driving them through and out of town. Cabell’s loss was twenty-five killed and wounded. Marmaduke’s and part of Fagan’s Divisions struck the enemy in flank and drove them, following them a good long distance, and reported the enemy’s loss very heavy. We also did some heavy fighting near Lexington. Cabell’s Brigade then moved on to Mine Creek, crossed it, and camped. We captured a body of Federal home guards in a barn. It being very dark, many made their escape. The next point of the brigade’s move was Jonesboro, where we captured a large mill, with plenty of corn and flour. Our next point was Marshall, and we camped on Salt Fork. We found many kind people in Saline County. We remained here some two or three days.
About October 20th we moved from Waverly. Gen Shelby attacked Blount, who had a very large force near Lexington. Shelby being hard pressed, Cabell went to his assistance, and in a short time the Federals were whipped and suffered great loss. Shelby continued the pursuit, even after dark. The next point was Independence. Three horses were shot from under him here. Marmaduke was in advance, and was furiously attacked at Blue River; so much so that he and Shelby were losing ground, and Cabell went to their assistance. The Federals were posted behind rock fences. Cabell put his command promptly in action, and the combine soon routed the enemy, driving them through Independence. Here Capt Todd was shot down. The next morning the enemy in our rear drove in our pickets. Cabell in turn drove him back. We were again attacked and this time in the streets in flank, but we again drove them back. Cabell then moved on through the city, but was struck from all points except west. Here, a large force of our men were cut off and our guns captured. Gen Cabell, to escape capture, jumped his horse over one of our guns and ran him right through a house and escaped. They were all around Cabell and our battery men, and whacking them in all directions with their sabers. Afterwards we drove the enemy back, with heavy loss to them, at a bridge crossing over the railroad in the suburbs of the city. The enemy followed us all night, making charge after charge. We camped in line of battle near Kansas City, on Westport, after fighting for twelve hours in total darkness. The next morning our wagon train was on the Fort Scott road, Cabell’s Brigade guarding the train, with Tyler’s Brigade in front. Fagan’s two Arkansas Brigades, with Marmaduke and Shelby, attacked the enemy near Westport. Cabell, after crossing Little Blue, started the train. A large force of the enemy were on our left and rear. Cabell attacked this force with vigor, when they retreated. The train was rushed rapidly forward. The grass was tall and dry. Cabell ordered it fired, and we kept up a brisk fire through the blaze. The flames and our balls drove the enemy out of our road. We camped on Grand River. Cabell lost several men killed here, as well as some wounded. The Federal loss was heavy. We had to kill them or let them run over us.
October 24th I think we camped near a stream called Marias de Cygne, after a hard day’s march. Cabell’s Brigade was in the rear, in line of battle on top of a bald prairie ridge, during the night. The enemy made a number of attacks on us until two o’clock the next morning, but failed to accomplish anything. On the morning Marmaduke relieved us. After finding Marmaduke’s Division, it being left to take care of the rear, Cabell was soon called to his relief, as he was heavily pressed. We then came to a stream in our front that was entirely blocked, at every point where it was possible to cross, by wagons and teams belonging to refugees who were noncombatants, fleeing from the Federals. The enemy were armed with greatly superior repeating guns to our own single shots. The enemy poured a continued and deadly fire into our hastily formed ranks, which was more damaging than we could return them. Besides, they outnumbered us three to one, with ten pieces of artillery to our one. Owing to such odds against us, we were soon thrown into great disorder and routed. They charged us from all directions. No difference what course we took to make our escape, we were sure to run into the foe. They drove us at least one mile from our first stand before we could collect any show of resistance. Gordon’s flag bearer waved his flag at them in defiance. We had no choice of moves. We either had to charge through their ranks or surrender. We rushed through the enemy’s lines with little show of escape, but many of us got away. Of course many were killed, wounded and captured. We had great difficulty in crossing the creek with the crossings all blocked as indicated. The stream was everywhere full of men and horses, the Confederates trying to make their escape and the Federals trying just as hard to capture or kill them.
But with all this, many of us escaped, the writer being one of that number. Gen Cabell’s horse here fell over him in the water, and he was captured before he could get relief, but again made his escape and started to the front afoot. He was again captured and escaped. He was captured the third time, and held and carried to the rear a prisoner. The enemy fired several shots at him after he surrendered, without effect. Gen Marmaduke was also captured. It was reported that both captured generals were well treated by Gen Pleasonton while in his charge, but not well treated in some other’s hands. It was reported that the Federals intended to carry the two generals through Kansas and exhibit them; but Gen Rosecrans promptly put a stop to such a plan, and treated them with special consideration. This ended their military career for the war, as they were not released until some time after its close. This battle took place in the latter part of October 1864. In this fight the Confederates were greatly outnumbered and were badly worsted. They were completely routed, and at least half of Gen Cabell’s Brigade were killed, wounded or captured. The balance of the brigade was now commanded by Col T M Gunter, the senior in rank able for duty. Never did men suffer greater hardships that did Gen Sterling Price’s troops after this defeat of his army. The army retreated continually day after day, night after night. No stops could be made sufficient for rest to the troops and animals, nor time for sufficient foraging or feeding. The night after this defeat the greater part of our train was burned, and it was an immense one – some said fifteen hundred wagons. The writer cannot say how many, but it was one vast prairie of flame and explosions. Price’s command continued retreating south, and passed in sight of Fort Scott just at day dawn. The command was engaged in various skirmishes, but no general engagement. Near Newtonia, in Southwest Missouri, we had considerable fighting, in which engagements Gen Shelby’s troops were almost stampeded. He soon rallied them, and Gen Cabell’s Brigade was then put into action to their assistance, and I never saw men show more bravery and fight better than those two brigade remnants did on that occasion. Others engaged in this fight did their duty well. Arkansas and Missouri troops always did. Gen Shelby was a born cavalry leader; and Gunter was there too, be it said to his honor. After this there were only light skirmishes. Owing to scarcity of food for man and forage for the animals, regiments or brigades were sent over different routes the better to obtain subsistence. Part of our troops gave Fayetteville Ark a call and shelled the enemy’s works at that place the greater part of the day and camped near there that night in a severe snowstorm, without shelter or food for the men or the animals. Here the writer and a squad of about thirty men, under an officer, were allowed to turn our course for Clarksville Ark about one hundred and twenty five miles southeast of Fayetteville. To pass through this country, which was infested with Arkansas Federals and bushwhackers was a very dangerous undertaking, but we succeeded without the loss of a man and with very little molestation. We found Clarksville occupied by some three hundred Federals, but some of us slept in good warm beds within one and a half mile of the Federal command. We also had good Yankee grub for supper and breakfast as well as horse feed. Here our squad scattered for their homes, all in the enemy’s lines in Johnson and Pope Counties, each to look out for himself. The writer, with two others, took the road for Dover, in Pope County, at which place we found the Federals. The writer reached his mother’s home, twenty miles southeast of Dover, in the early days of November. After scouting through that section with others, watching for a means or opportunity to cross the Arkansas River, which was very high, he was captured late in November while making his way to cross that stream, hoping to get back to the army, and was no more with his regiment. It was afterwards learned that Price’s troops made their way south to Texas, with little hindrance on their route through the Indian Territory, almost starving on the route. The writer was released from prison at Little Rock Ark soon after Lee’s surrender, in April 1865.
These sketches are from memory, and the writer would appreciate any corrections. Five times as many pages would not contain all of interest in this unfortunate campaign. While paying tribute specially to Cabell’s Brigade, I must say that all other troops did their duty well. Never was there a better body of troops anywhere than those led by Gen Price into Missouri on that raid. There were a few mossbacks that followed the command. Gen Cabell says about his brigade when he started into Missouri; “No man ever commanded better soldiers than Arkansas soldiers. No man ever had better officers and men than were to be found in Cabell’s Arkansas Brigade. They were brave, honest and true patriots that never failed to perform their duty and never flickered in battle. No command was ever subjected to more privations and more dangers. The fact is, from the day Price’s command crossed the Arkansas River to the day of my capture they were either in a skirmish or a battle. After crossing into Missouri it was almost one continued battle. The route traveled by Price’s army could be tracked by the dead men of Cabell’s Brigade. When any part of Price’s army was pressed, Cabell was always called to their rescue. After our rout at Marias de Cygne there was not a day but what the Federals could have bagged Price’s demoralized and cut-to-pieces army had they pressed it with vigor and military skill. Though routed we had taught them a lesson which they could not overlook; and this is why they did not press up to the wall.”
With Cabell must be linked in chains of gold that noble, kind and brave patriot, Col Anderson Gordon. No braver, cooler officer and patriot ever fought and bled for Dixie. He passed over the river a few years since at Morrilton Ark. Then there was out Lieut Col Faith, who was assassinated in Franklin County while on duty there. He was one of the best men and soldiers that ever lived. But why individualize where all were brave soldiers and patriots? We had no skulkers among the officers or privates in Cabell’s Brigade. An officer without brave and true men cannot accomplish any good and brave deeds; neither can brave men accomplish much that is commendable under an incompetent commander. You see from what Gen Cabell said, and still says, about his men what he thought they were, and what he thought of the private soldier of whom the writer has the honor of being one of the boys.