E 472 
 
 
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 H^^^^^^^Ht\ 
 
 THF RATTLE OF 
 
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 LEXI NG rON 
 
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 FOUGHT IN AND ABOUT THE 
 
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 CITY OF LEXINGTON, MIS- 
 
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 SOURI, ON SEPTEMBER 
 
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 18th, 19th AND 20th, 1861 
 
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 ' »^^ 
 
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 454 I bO 
 
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 RECOLLECTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS, 
 
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 OFFICIAL RECORDS, MAPS AND CUTS 
 
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 PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 
 
Battle of Lexington. Mo., 18^. Photographed from an oil painting by F. Dominico. a Hun- 
 garian exile, who made the sketches during the progress of the battle. The U S. Flag 
 Hies from the roof of what was then the Masonic College, now Central Female College, 
 The site of Wentworth Military Academy is on the extreme left of the picture 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 Fought in and around the City of 
 Lexington, Missouri, on September 
 1 8th, 19th and 20th, 1861, by forces 
 
 UNDER COMMAND OF 
 
 COLONEL JAMES A. MULLIGAN, U. S. A. 
 
 A N D 
 
 GENERAL STERLING PRICE, M. S, G. 
 
 The official records of both parties to 
 the conflict; to which is added mem- 
 oirs of participants with maps and cuts 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 In the Month of May, Nineteen Hundred and Three 
 
 The Intelligencer Printing Company, 
 

A C 
 
 The Lexing-ton Historical Society, or<j-anized in September, 
 1807, for the "collection and preservation of the orisfinal sources 
 of the history of Lexing"ton and vicinity," as the phrase runs in 
 the charter of its incorporation, has been pursuing' the purposes 
 of its organization quietly but with encouraging success. It is 
 chieflA' for the purpose of stimulating interest in the work of 
 this society that this little pamphlet is printed. It will be 
 found to contain exact reprints of manj' official reports and 
 dispatches relating to the battle of Lexington, Missouri, which 
 have failed to get into the Rebellion Records. In fact, the 
 Rebellion Records contain no official reports except those of 
 Price and his two division commanders, Rains and Harris. 
 
 Colonel Mulligan, we are assured by Mrs. Mulligan in a letter 
 of March 12th, 1903, made an official report which seems never 
 to have reached headquarters. At least it has never been pub- 
 lished. A newspaper report of a lecture by Colonel Mulligan is 
 the best that can be offered in this pamphlet. To these reports 
 and certain dispatches immediately preceding the siege and 
 battle, we have added the personal recollections of two gentle- 
 men whose names will be a guarantee of the truth of their ac- 
 counts as nearl}^ as memory serves them — Colonel R. T. Van 
 Horn, then of the United States Army, and Captain Joseph A. 
 Wilson, then of the Missouri State Guard. 
 
 With the exception of these accounts, which were written 
 within the last few months, we have endeavored to present the 
 history of the siege and battle of Lexington from original 
 sources, making use of only a few interpretative headlines and 
 foot notes. 
 
 In the preparation of this pamphlet great difficulty was 
 
4 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 experienced in obtaining^ photographis of officers. In some 
 cases, after long^ correspondence, photographs were located, 
 but it was impossible to borrow them. Wood cuts of many of 
 the men whose pictures should have found place here might 
 have been taken from the files of Harpers Weekly and other 
 illustrated papers of the time, but no satisfactory way of re- 
 producing them appeared in harmony with the general design. 
 Besides, many of the old wood cuts are hideous caricatures. 
 
 Among those who have lent encouragement and aid in the 
 preparation of these images, especial thanks are due to Cadet 
 J. B. Raymond, of the Wentworth Military Academy, who fur- 
 nished for the engraver the India ink drawing of the battle- 
 field — a copy of a faded drawing by Captain J. A. Wilson, made 
 for the McNulta Court of Inquiry in 1872. 
 
 E. N. HOPKINS, President, 
 
 JOHN CHAMBERLAIN, SECRETARY, 
 
 Lexington Historical Society. 
 Lexington, Mo., April 2()th, 1903. 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 BY COI.. R. T. VAN HOKN. 
 
 Kansas City, Mo., April 3, 1903. 
 K. N. HOPKINS. ESQ.,— /V<vs-7 Historical Society: 
 
 Dear Sir: In response to your request for a brief article 
 for your book about the sieg-e of Lexington, for it was a siege 
 rather than a mere battle— lasting for twelve da\'s from first to 
 last — I will endeavor to comply. As the 
 official rei)ort of Gen. Sterling" Price and 
 the interview with Col. Mulligan will no 
 doubt appear in your book, I shall not at- 
 tempt a histor\' by dates or detail, but con- 
 line myself to incidents and events within 
 my personal knowledge and recollection, 
 and such criticism as subsequent experi- 
 ^& w^^ ^^^ t^nce may sug-gest. 
 
 ^HP'^'^^A^fc Col. Everett Peabody, with an incom- 
 
 ^^H^L j^^H |)letc regiment he was forming" at St. 
 ^HHBk. ilHii .Josei)h, landed at Kansas City about the 
 1st of September, 18()1, with an order for 
 me to join him with part of my command, 
 leaving one company with Maj. Berry's mounted men to garri- 
 .son the post. I reported to him with two companies, B 
 and C of vay battalion, leaving" at once for Lexington. About 
 the (ith Col. Peabody received an order from the com- 
 manding officer at Fort Leavenworth, his immediate superior, to 
 " proceed by forced marches to the aid of Gen. Lane, taking the 
 route either direct from Lexington or via the river and Kansas 
 City." Gen. Lane was between Lexington and Fort Scott, some- 
 where. This will explain the movement to Warrensburg, where 
 Gen. Price, not meeting Lane, arrived about the same time we 
 did. with his whole army. Col. Peabody hastily fell back to Lex- 
 ington without important incident. 
 
 Arriving at Lexington we met there Col. James A. Mulligan, 
 23rd Illinois Infantry. Col. Marshall, with aliout 700 cavalry, and 
 the command of Col. Grover and Lieut.-Col. White, some 300 or 
 400 strong. A conference of the colonels was held, and it being 
 
 Col. R. T. Van Horn 
 
(•) THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 asccrlained that Col. Mullifian had the oldest commission, he 
 took command. 
 
 The first mistake (and a fatal one) was that Col. Marshall's 
 cavalr}-, which had not received its carbines, being" armed only 
 with sabres and some old holster pistols, was not sent over the 
 river by the boats yet under our control. It was those horses, 
 the finest I ever saw tog"ether — owned by the men who rode them 
 — that exhausted our water supply and weakened our lines of 
 defense, necessarily extended to protect them. 
 
 The figfhting" began in earnest on the 12th, the first severe 
 firing- being- in what was called "the fig-ht in the lane." As the 
 Union force was under my own command I can speak more know- 
 ing-ly. Col. Mullig-an is reported as saying- there were "six com- 
 panies of Missourians and calvary met them in Lexing-ton ceme- 
 tery, and the fight rag-ed furiously over the dead." There were 
 no cavalry present in the fig-hting-. Gen. Price refers to it as 
 "the enemy attempted to make a stand." The facts were that 
 his whole army was moving- from the fair g-rounds, where they 
 had camped, and the small force in the lane held them in check 
 by an effective fire until the men in the earthworks had rallied 
 and prevented an assault upon our position. 
 
 For nine days the investment lasted with but little respite 
 for those within the Union works. The vastly superior numbers 
 of the besieg-ers rendered the vig>ilance of the small force of the 
 besieged constant. Col. Mullig-an gives the troops under his 
 command at 2,700, and over 700 of these were the unarmed cav- 
 alry referred to. The effective fighting men were not over 2,000. 
 An acquaintance who called to see me the morning after the 
 surrender said that to Gen. Price's army there had that day 
 been issued 30,000 rations. Of course, these were not all efficient 
 soldiers, but as most of the able-bodied men of that portion of 
 Missouri were there, and they all had something to shoot with, 
 the statement was a very reasonable and, no doubt, truthful 
 one. 
 
 Considering, as Gen. Price states, that the surrender was 
 preceded by "fifty-two hours of continuous firing," the fact, in 
 view of the numbers and condition of the Union soldiers, dis- 
 closes a courage, fortitude and endurance that will compare with 
 any incident of the war. As an evidence of the character of 
 the defense this fact will suffice: The colonels in command of 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 7 
 
 the infantry were Mullifjan, Pealuxly, White and Grover. At 
 the surrender Peabody, Grover and White were in the hospital, 
 wounded, alonj;" with the writer and Adjutant Graff. All five 
 were tof>"ether in the parlor of Dr. Franklin ( 'ooley,'who took all 
 he could find room for and ^ave them his skill as asurjjeon, while 
 his j^ood wife, and the wife of Dr. Alexander supplied them with 
 the attendance and care that woman alone knows how to pro- 
 vide. The action of Dr. Cooley and the noble women who aided 
 him was not only humane, but in view of surrounding's, was 
 heroic, requiring" a courag'e and self-sacrifice in no degree infer- 
 ior to the men who stood behind the breast-works. 
 
 There were two incidents of the siege that, so far as my ob- 
 servation has extended, have not been truly explained — the 
 burning of the Wallace and Fleming houses. As I was a w^itness 
 to both, it may as well be given here. The residence of Mr. 
 Wallace was but a short distance in front of the colleg"e and 
 earth-works, and was made a shelter for sharp-shooters. A con- 
 sultation of our commanding officers was held and the decision 
 made to burn it. A detail of men was ordered to do the work, 
 and I saw them g"o on the errand and return after the fire had 
 been started. In the case of the Fleming house, it was further 
 from the earth-works, with a ravine between, and was used as a 
 shelter for men manning a section of a batter^-, and was har- 
 rassing the Union g^arrison very much. The order was given to 
 use red-hot shot to set it on fire, and the attempt succeeded. 
 These are the facts as to the two cases. 
 
 As this is not a report, but confined to incidents, I must re- 
 fer to one singular omission in the report as given in Col. Mulli- 
 g'an's account of the Anderson house hospital affair. That ac- 
 count is evidently from an interview, as I have never seen an 
 official rei)ort from the Colonel. The omission must be attrib- 
 uted to the rei)orter — for surely so gallant a soldier as Col. Mul- 
 ligan could not have omitted it. In re-taking the hospital he is 
 made to say: "Capt. Gleason with his company" was ordered 
 to make the attack, which he did. Capt. Gleason is entitled to 
 all the credit and honor that can be g"iven, for the charge was 
 in fact a forlorn hope. But as I w^as an eye witness it must be 
 said that there were two companies: Capt. Gleason, of the 23d 
 Illinois, and Capt. Josejih Schmitz, of Co. B, Col. Peabody's com- 
 mand—or, as it was called, the German companj- — all from St. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 Joseph. I was present when the two companies were drawn up 
 to receive their orders, saw them start on a run for the hospitaL 
 saw them enter it and met them on their return. I never saw a 
 more jjallant charge or a more desperate venture — and it is due 
 to the now dead that the facts be given. As said, the omission 
 must have been by the reporter— for Col. Mulligan could not 
 have forgotten the memorable scene, and the picture of Capt. 
 Schmitz waving his sword and charging at the head of his men 
 is to-day as vivid in memory as it was the day I saw it enacted. 
 Again, Col. Mulligan is made to say it was 800 yards to the hos- 
 pital. This is evidently another mistake of the reporter, for it 
 could not have been over 200 or 250 yards at most from the point 
 of starting to the hospital. But this is not so important as the 
 other. The charge was made, and one of 
 the most desperate, and at an enemy shel- 
 tered inside a house and using the windows 
 as port holes It is due also to Col. Mulli- 
 gan that the notes and recollection of an 
 interviewer should not go into history as 
 if it was tiis own report. 
 > I will recite another occurrence ilius- 
 
 .„^fc'l- ^^fll^ trative of personal coolness and bravery — 
 
 Kjpi ^K^/H this time in a boy not over 12 or 14 years 
 ^Hj^kj^^^^H old. I happer^ed to be in command of that 
 BH^BBI^^^BI part of our line s including the col ege 
 building, in which were stationed sharp- 
 shooters. Bledsoe's battery was stationed 
 some blocks away, and fronting the build- 
 ing. One of the sharp-shooters called to me, saying that red- 
 hot shot was being used to lire it. On going irito the building 
 on the second floor I saw the smoke rising from where a six- 
 pound ball had fallen. As the tools for throwing up the 
 breast-works were near I took a shovel and threw the ball 
 out of the window. Just then a boy came up and said: " I can 
 do that." I looked at the lad, a mere "kid," as we call the 
 small boy, and said to him: " Do you think you can?" Of course 
 he was confident B.3' this time another shot came crashing 
 through the front wall and fell in on the floor. He at once 
 grasped the shovel and threw it out. As I was needed other- 
 wise, I showed him how to shelter himself and watch the flash 
 
 Col. Robert Adams 
 U. S. A 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 9 
 
 at the battery and wait for the ball to strike, and yave him the 
 job. As long- as the shot were fired he threw them out. cheerinyly 
 calling attention to each as he did the work. Being in the hos- 
 pital at the surrender I was unable to find him, or to know where 
 he belonged, and did not even know his name — and I regretted 
 that I was not to know who he was or where my little hero be- 
 longed. 
 
 Some five or six years ago 1 got a letter from a place in 
 Southern California, telling me the writer had seen my name in 
 some proceeding, as from Kansas Citj^, and he wrote to ask if I 
 was the major of that name that was at Lexington. If so, he 
 wanted to know if I remembered the boy that threw the hot 
 cannon balls out of the college building in that battle. If I was, 
 he wanted me to write to him and state the facts. For, he said: 
 '' I have told the story until I have got the reputation of being 
 the greatest liar in California," and he wanted his character 
 vindicated. Of course, I was more than glad to be the vindica- 
 tor; and for the first time thus learned his name — Linthicum. 
 As the act was one of the coolest and most efficient in results of 
 the many deeds that characterized danger, I have thought it 
 deserved to be in the record of the doings at Lexington. 
 
 As to the hoisting of the white flag: It seems to have been 
 the act of a subordinate officer, and unauthorized, but before 
 discovered had so controlled the action of both armies as to make 
 it a necessit}'. I have read the accounts of both Gen. Price and 
 Col. Mulligan, and thej' agree in this respect. It w^as given out 
 on the Union side as the act of an officer by the name of Becker. 
 I know of no one now living who can give a clearer account as to 
 this than Capt. Henry Tieman, of Concordia, a most reliable 
 gentleman. Being in the hospital myself at the time, I was not 
 in a position to know the steps that led to a surrender that was 
 not intended, but had to come sooner or later. 
 
 As to the exchange of prisoners: Gen. Price not being at 
 that time in the Confederate service but in chief command of 
 the "State Guard." a cartel could be arranged without going to 
 Richmond, so the Lexington prisoners were exchanged for those 
 of Camp Jackson. 
 
 Of the five officers at Dr. Cooley's I am the only survivor. 
 Col. Grover's wound proved to be mortal. Col. Peabodj- was 
 killed at Shiloh, Adjutant Graff died in the advance on Corinth, 
 
10 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 and CoL White was a cripple and invalid for all his after life. 
 
 The fact, once sug-gested, is now in the light of the docu- 
 mentary history of the war, conclusive: That had Gen. Fremont 
 and Gen. Lane acted with any promptness or made any effort 
 with the information they had, Gen. Price would never have 
 reached Lexington. No military experience is needed to see 
 this fact — plain as it is from ihe record. 
 
 R. T. VAN HORN. 
 
 RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BATTLE 
 
 BY CAPT. JOSEPH A. WILSON. 
 
 Lexington, Mo., March 10, 1903. 
 MR. JOHN CHAMBERLAIN— .SVr;W«rv Historical Society: 
 
 Dear Sir: Complying with your request I submit the fol- 
 lowing as my recollections of the important features of the 
 siege and battle of Lexington: 
 
 On Sept. 10 Price moved from Rose Hill 
 to Warrensburg by a night march to inter- 
 cept a force of I^'ederals, who, Price says in 
 his report, were going to rob the bank 
 there, as they had the Farmers' Bank of 
 Lexington. Others say they were trying 
 to evade Price's army and get to St. Louis 
 with the money, something over $900,000, 
 taken at Lexington. Howeve~r this may be, 
 they were intercepted and driven back to 
 Lexington, burning the bridges behind 
 them Ont he 12th Price reached Lexing- 
 ton, moving from the Warrensburg road 
 Capt. Jos. A. Wilson through the lane in front of General 
 Shields' house, to the old Independence road at Edenview church. 
 Near this place a small party of cavalry were encountered 
 by our advance guard and driven to town A regiment of in- 
 fantry posted near the cemetery gave our advance guard a warm 
 reception, and stood their ground until Price sent forward a 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 11 
 
 force of infantry and Bledsoe's battery. The Federals were 
 forced to return to the works around the college. Bledsoe's 
 battery was posted on the ground where Wentworth Military 
 Academy now stands, and fired several rounds into the works. 
 
 The attack was repelled with vigor, although we expected 
 that we should be led right on to the works. We retired to 
 camp at the Fair Grounds, where we remained until the morn- 
 ing of Wednesday, Sept. 18. We were constantly engaged in 
 desultory skirmishes with pickets and foraging parties, but 
 nothing of a serious nature. 
 
 Price was constantly receiving re-enforcements, until his 
 army amounted to about 12,000 men. An effort was made to re- 
 enforce the Federals from the north of the river, but a detach- 
 ment from our army drove them back, and Mulligan prepared 
 to resist to the utmost the siege he now saw would begin. 
 
 He seized large quantities of provisions, clothing and horses 
 from the Southern citizens, taking also all private arms and 
 amunition he could find. 
 
 On the 18th of September our army marched out with colors 
 flying and a full band of field music in front. Before getting in 
 sight of the enemy, however, the music was '• side-tracked," and 
 we marched to our positions as silently as possible. Rain's di- 
 vision passed through Mrs. John Aull's meadow, and near the 
 ground where now stands the Missouri Pacific depot, through 
 Mrs. Beck's (now Captain Ryland Todhunter's) front yard, 
 thence north back of the old Tutt place, and formed with its 
 right resting on the hill where Maj. Fred Neet now lives, its left 
 a little east of north from W. M. A. 
 
 Clark's division was on the left of Rain's, and Parsons', on 
 Clark's left, extended west along Main Street about to the 
 Court House. Green's and Steen's divisions extended along the 
 west side of Tenth, then Pine Street, to and across Third Street 
 on the bluff west of the gas house. Harris and McBride were on 
 Water Street, along the river, and extending up the hill, so as to 
 join Rain's right flank. Thus the Federal works were completely 
 invested. One column marched down Third Street, one along 
 the alley and through back yards on the bluff, and one down 
 Water Street from the Rock bridge. 
 
 Bledsoe's three-gun battery was posted about 100 yards 
 southeast of Maj. Neet's residence; two guns of Guibor's bat- 
 
12 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 tery on the ground where now stand the artillery shed and out- 
 buildings of W. M. A., and one of Guibor's guns, commanded by 
 Serg. A. A. Lesueur, stood where John Major now lives, just be- 
 hind the Traders' Bank. 
 
 Guibor lent his fourth gun to Capt. Churchill Clark, who 
 posted it on South Street, at the end of Sixteenth or College 
 Street, where he fired hot shot into the front of the colleg-e. 
 The first day Clark had two of Guibor's g'uns and opened on the 
 works from the old Tutt place, on the east. 
 
 Kneisley's battery of four six-pounders was under the hill 
 with Harris' division. Price's headquarters were in the Meng" 
 building, north side of Main, one door west of Tenth Street. 
 The first day Harris' men captured the steamer Sunshine, just 
 below the levee, with a large quantity of stores, especially 
 sugar, of which I remember we had double rations for some 
 time after. The first day was mainly devoted to artillery prac- 
 tice, with some skirmishes, but we were too far off to effect 
 much with our shot guns and squirrel rifles, a larg-e number of 
 which were flint-locks. A few companies were armed with old 
 fashioned U. S. muskets and bayonets, captured at Wilson's 
 Creek. That night we slept in line of battle without blankets 
 or rations. 
 
 The second day a column from Parsons' division attempted 
 an assault on the works in front, just west of College Street, but 
 was repulsed. 
 
 On that day, by Gen. Price's orders. Col. Thomas Hinkle, a 
 wagon boss, hauled a lot of hemp bales from Wellington and 
 they were dumped all along the streets but not taken to the 
 lines until the third day and last day. At the time everybody 
 seemed to give Gen. Price credit for the idea of a movable 
 breast-works, and I think it probable that the idea of rolling 
 them along was Gen. Price's, even if the whole bu,.lness wa.s 
 not. Gen. Thomas A. Harris, who afterwards became very un- 
 friendly to Price, claimed to have originated the matter. Col. 
 C. Franklin wrote to Gen. Price from Little Rock, in 1863, that 
 Harris claimed it. Col Thomas L. Snead, Price's Adjt-utan 
 General, heard it suggested by a private in the General's body- 
 guard. Several others claimed it. At first some bales were 
 dipped in the river to protect them from hot shot, but after 
 losing some in the water and trying to roll the wet bales, which 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 13 
 
 drenched men and g"uns, they used them "dry so." 
 
 Two or three men would get behind a bale, roll it awhile, 
 then stop and shoot awhile. A line would be advanced in this 
 way as close as was thought proper, and 
 while the men lay behind and fired, a 
 second line would be rolled up and placed on 
 top of the first. They were not so exten- 
 sively used as is commonly thought — only in 
 front of the hospital, Anderson's house, and 
 for about two hundred yards on the north. 
 They were very effective in approaching 
 the house, which has heavy brick walls. 
 At Jackson, Mississippi, Gen. Joe Johnson 
 used cotton bales. 
 
 On the third day a party from Harris' 
 division assaulted a small out-work, a 
 lunette, which can still be seen on the ^°'- ^°^^ ^^'^ 
 
 northwest of the college, which contained one gun and a sup- 
 porting force of infantry. The Federals did not wait the attack 
 but leaped over the parapet and met our men half way. After a 
 short conflict they W' ere driven in with considerable loss, and the 
 assaulting party withdrew a short distance but did not retire. 
 A number of Federals were left outside, killed and wounded. 
 Soon those inside raised a white handkerchief and asked the 
 Confederates to let them bring in their wounded. After a short 
 parley the request was granted The white flag was seen from 
 other parts of the Confederate lines, and the firing, which had, 
 until now, been incessant, suddenlj^ ceased. 
 
 Soon another white flag appeared in the Home Guard Camp, 
 just west of the college building. Gen. Price, seeing one or both 
 flags from the third story of his headquarters building, sent 
 Col. Thomas L. Snead, A. A. G., to the fort to inquire their 
 object. Mulligan, who had just been informed of the flag rais- 
 ing, replied: "I don't know, unless you fellows have surrend- 
 ered, for I have no idea of giving up," or words to that effect. 
 
 This account of the episode was current in the army and 
 generally believed, whether true or not. However, negotia- 
 tions were opened, officers from both sides met and arranged 
 terms of capitulation as honorable to the vanquished as to the 
 victor. 
 
14 THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 
 
 Officers and men, as prisoners of war, gave parole not to take 
 arms ajjainst the Confederate g-overnment until regularly ex- 
 changed. Arms were stacked within the works and the men 
 marched out and returned to their homes under their own 
 officers, retaining private property, such as clothing, etc. 
 Officers retained private horses and side arms. All provisions, 
 stores, ammunition, tents, wagons, arms and other public prop- 
 erty were turned over to the victorious army. 
 
 There were provisions and other stores within the works to 
 last through a seige of six months, but water had become very 
 scarce. This was undoubtedly a potent factor in leading to the 
 surrender. 
 
 Indeed, the Federals claim that they woulu have held out 
 until relieved, but for the want of water. This is. to say the 
 least, doubtful, as they were outnumbered nearly four to one 
 and the place could have been taken by storm at any time. The 
 Confederates fully expected to storm the works, but Gen. Price, 
 bold and audacious as he was, yet knew when wariness and 
 patience would win. Unwilling" to sacrifice the lives of his men 
 without need, he sat down before the place, confident in his 
 ability to carry it at any time. The Federals numbered about 
 3,500 men. 
 
 Col. John Reid, Price's chief commissary, said that he is- 
 sued rations for that number of prisoners. There were not 
 more than 10,000 or 12,000 (Confederates. Federal writers claim 
 that there were 18,000 or 20,000. They largely overestimate 
 our force. There was a large number of unarmed recruits 
 about the camp, and a great crowd of citizens came in on the 
 day of the surrender. The citizens mixed with the soldiers who 
 wore no uniforms, and it looked like an immense army. 
 
 The taking of the Anderson house (hospital) by our men led 
 to a controversy which was kept up after the war. Federals 
 charged us with perfidy in attacking a hospital. We replied 
 that they had fired from the building or under its cover. This 
 they strenuously denied. At a friendly court of inquiry, some- 
 time in the 70's, it was proven and admitted that they did fire 
 from a point so near the building, if not actually under its 
 cover, as to justify our men in the attack. It was also ad- 
 mitted that it was, at least, improper to locate the hospital at 
 an important strategic point, just outside the works. We first 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 15 
 
 took the hospital when but few armed men were in it. The 
 Federals, in strong force, stormed and retook it. We then ap- 
 proached it with our rolling" breast-works of hemp, captured 
 and held it with a number of prisoners. 
 
 Perhaps the g"reatest loss, at any point, was in these three 
 attacks. Gen. Price reports his casualties at 25 killed, 72 
 wounded. The Federals had 250 to 3O0 killed and wounded. 
 There were more killed than wounded, which is very unusual, 
 and is accounted for by the f;ood marksmanship of our riflemen, 
 who could see nothing- but the enemies' heads above the works. 
 
 The Union authorities were at first disposed to disregard 
 the parole given by their men at Lexington, Missouri not being 
 out of the Union and not recognized by the Confederate gov- 
 ernment nor Price's army yet in the regular Confederate ser- 
 vice. Some of them were forced into the service at once and 
 were exposed to the death penalty if recaptured. They gave a 
 great deal of trouble and some were granted discharges. Mul- 
 ligan remained with our army on its march southward for some 
 time, traveling in his own ambulance and camping near Price's 
 headquarters. He was treated as a guest rather than a pris- 
 oner, and it was the impression among our men that he volun- 
 tarily remained with us until the status of the paroled men was 
 settled by his government. 
 
 As to the bank matter: Gen. Price restored the money to 
 the directors of the bank, but it was short $15,000. That 
 amount had been stolen while it was in the Federals' hands, by 
 cutting open one of the tin boxes which contained it. Detect- 
 ives were employed, who traced the money to Chicago, where 
 most of Mulligan's men had gone, thence to Milwaukee or De- 
 troit. It was nearly all recovered, converted into gold and 
 finally restored to the bank, with the exception of about $2,000, 
 which was paid out in expenses, rewards, etc. 
 
 There was a large number of Union men in Lexington, 
 among them several skilled surgeons. These asked Gen. Price's 
 permission to go into the works and assist in taking care of the 
 wounded Federals This was granted, and on the second day, 
 about dusk, the doctors were escorted through the lines, under 
 a flag, after giving parole not to convey information of a mili- 
 tary character. 
 
 In passing the lines, however, one of them managed to 
 
16 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 whisper to a Federal officer, " Look out, the rebels will make an 
 assault on this part of your works to-night." This was at the 
 west sally port, looking towards the Anderson house. The 
 hint was taken, the works on that side strengthened, and a 
 large quantity of telegraph wire stretched and tangled in 
 front. (Barbed wire was then unknown). The other out-works 
 were already protected bv " trous de loup.'' pits three or four 
 feet deep with sharp stakes in the bottom and mounds between, 
 disposed in quincunx order. Our men must have discovered the 
 extra preparations, for no assault was made. 
 
 Mulligan's famous " Irish Brigade,"' after the capitulation 
 was agreed upon and while its terms were being carried out, 
 made some trouble about laying down arms and surrendering 
 their flag. It was the typical harp of Erin, gold on a held of 
 green, and was presented to them by some organization of 
 ladies before leaving Chicago. They marched round the inner 
 side of the Fort with colors and music, to the great disgust of 
 Capt. Bledsoe and others, who threatened to resume firing; 
 then forming in hollow square they stacked arms, furled the 
 flag and were paroled with the others. Gen. Price and staff 
 were all this time sitting on their horses, in or near the outer 
 sally port, on the south side, the soldiers were swarming over 
 the out-works, and had resistance been resumed then, the gar- 
 rison would have been destroyed jn a few minutes. 
 
 I never learned what became of that beautiful flag. It 
 would be an interesting relic now. 
 
 JOSEPH A. WILSON. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 17 
 
 COLONEL JAMES A. MULLIGAN. 
 
 Colonel James A. Mulli- 
 gan was born in the city 
 of Utica, New York, in 
 the year 1829, and is con- 
 sequently in his thirty- 
 second year. His parents 
 were natives of Ireland. 
 His mother, after the 
 death of his father, which 
 took place when he was a 
 child, removed to Chicago, 
 where she has resided with 
 her son for the past twen- 
 ty-three years. She mar- 
 ried an Irish- American in 
 Chicago named Michael 
 Lantry, who has steadily 
 watched with a father's 
 solicitude the expanding 
 mind of the brave young 
 soldier. He was edu- 
 cated at the Catholic College of North Chicago. He is a 
 strict member of the Catholic Church. In 1852, 185.3 and 1854 he 
 read law in the office of the Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, Congressman 
 from the Chicago District. In 1856 he was admitted an attor- 
 ney-at-law in Chicago. At the time he held the position of 
 Second Lieutenant in the Chicago Shields Guards, one of the 
 companies attached to the Irish Brigade now in Missouri, and 
 which has done so well at Lexington. — Harper's Weekly. 
 
 Col. Mulligan is over six feet in height, and as straight as a 
 lance. A strong, wiry, muscular frame, an open, frank Celtic 
 face, a dark hazel eye as lustrous as that of an eagle, long, 
 glossy hair plentifully mixed with threads of gray, a heavy dark 
 moustache, and a nervous, energetic look, indicative of the 
 dash, the abandon, which characterizes the nervous, sanguine 
 temperament, complete the /<'r.so««/ of James A. Mulligan, the 
 defender of Lexington, Missouri. — Detroit Free Press. 
 
GENERAL STERLING PRICE. 
 Sterling Price is a native of Virginia and resided for some time in 
 Prince William County in that State. From thence he removed to Mis- 
 souri where he has resided for the last twenty years. He is by profession 
 a lawyer, has occupied several important positions in the State service, 
 and has also represented it in Congress He was Governor before Robert 
 Stewart. During the Mexican war he served in the Volunteers and rose 
 to the rank of Colonel of Cavalry, and subsequently to that of Brigadier- 
 General of Volunteers When the Rebellion broke out he avowed him- 
 self a traitor, and was appointed by ex-Governor Claiborne Jackson Major- 
 General of the State Militia of Missouri —Harper's Weekly. 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 19 
 
 EFFORTS TO RELIEVE THE SIEGE 
 
 [extracts from the rebellion records.] 
 
 Jefferson City, Sept. 12, 1861 
 I have just received the following-, latest from Col. MuUi- 
 g-an, at Lexington: "Ten or fifteen thousand men, under Price, 
 Jackson & Co., are reported near Warrensburg-, moving- on to 
 this post. We -will hold out. Streng-then us: we will require 
 it." 
 
 JEFF. C. DAVIS, Co/of/e/, Comma ndiug. 
 General Fremont. 
 
 Jefferson City, Sept. 12, 1861. 
 
 Lieut. Pease, a very intelligent officer, arrived last night 
 with dispatches from Col. Mulligan, at Lexington, and reports 
 all quiet there. They had not heard of Price's advance, but 
 the colonel informed me that he had secured the money in the 
 bank at that place and was taking steps to secure that of other 
 banks, in obedience to my orders. I also ordered him, immedi- 
 ately after his arrival, to commence fortifying Lexington, 
 which he informs me he is doing. No troops from Kansas, ex- 
 cept about 300 had arrived. Nothing was known there of Gen, 
 Pope's movements. Affairs south of this, and in Calloway 
 County, are being vigorously straightened out by some detach- 
 ments I sent out some days ago. 
 
 I am, verj' respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JEFF. C. DAVIS, Colonel, Coyyjmatiding. 
 Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont, Saint Louis, Mo. 
 
 Headquarters Western Department, 
 
 Saint Louis, Sept. 14, 1861. 
 Re-enforcements will be sent you to-day. The Eighth Indi- 
 ana left at 6 a. m. this morning for Jefferson City. Other regi- 
 ments will follow to-day. Sturgis will move forward. We will 
 telegraph you further respecting his movements. Gen. Pope, 
 with some force, is at or near Saint Joseph. 
 
 J. C FREMONT, Major-General. Commanding. 
 Col. Jefferson C. Davis, Jefferson City. 
 
20 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 Saint Louis, Skpt. 14, 186L 
 Sir: You are hereby directed to move by way of Utica. 
 with all practicable speed, to Lexington, on the Missouri River, 
 with your force of infantry and artillery. You will send back 
 the three companies of the Fremont Hussars, under Capt. 
 Bloom, to Saint Louis. The most practicable route from Utica 
 to Lexington for you will be by Austinville, Grove, and Morton. 
 J. C. FREMONT, Major-General, Commanding. 
 Brigadier-General Sturgis. 
 
 Jefferson City, Sept. 15, 18(51. 
 Major-General Fremont: 
 
 Reliable information from the vicinity of Price's column 
 shows his force to be 11,000 at Warrensburg and 4.000 at George- 
 town, with pickets extending in the direction of Syracuse. 
 Green is making for Boonville. 
 
 JEFF. C. DAVIS. 
 
 Saint Louis. Sept. 2o, 18(51. 
 Col. Jefferson C. Davis, Jefferson City: 
 
 Concentrate a force strong enough, in your judgment, at 
 Georgetown, and push forward to relieve Mulligan. 1 trust 
 that you can take provisions for two days with the means of 
 transportation which you have. Order back your boats to Jef- 
 ferson City, and send provisions afid troops by them to Lexing- 
 ington. Two hundred wagons will be sent from here to-night to 
 Syracuse, which will follow you. Troops are going from here. 
 Answer. 
 
 J. C. FREMONT, Major-General, Coyntnanding. 
 
 Saint Louis. Sept 23, 18(51. 
 I have telegram from Brookfield that Lexington has fallen 
 into Price's hands,* he having cut off Mulligan's supply of water. 
 Re-enforcements 4,000 strong, under Sturgis, by capture of fer- 
 ry-boats, had no means of crossing the river in time. Lane's 
 force from the southwest and Davis' from the southeast, up- 
 
 *Two days before the date of this dispatch, the very next day after tlie 
 surrender O^efore the news of it had reached headquarters, however). Col. 
 Mulligan was promoted to be a brigadier-general. See Rebellion Records, 
 p. 502, vol. 3, series 1. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 21 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 \ 
 
 I 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 CEn.lI.SGr«?i 
 
 
 
 Military Map. 
 
 
 
 ^^^^^JjjaS ST. louis 
 
 
 
 )* Vsf'rS' 
 
 
 
 __5"^ 
 
 wards of 11,000, could not ^et there in time. I am taking the 
 tield myself, and hope to destroy the enemy either before or 
 after the junction of forces under McCulloch. Please notify 
 the President immediately. 
 
 J. C. FREMONT, Major- General, Commandir.ff. 
 Col. E. D. Townsend, 
 
 Asst. Adjt. Geti., Hdqrs. of the Arm.\\ IVashington, D. C. 
 
 Hdqrs. U. S. a., Washington, Sept. 23, 1861. 
 John C. Fremont, MaJ. Gen., Commanding, Saint Louis, Mo. : 
 
 Your dispatch of this day is received. The President is 
 glad you are hastening to the scene ol action. His words are, 
 ''He expects you to repair the disaster at Lexington without 
 loss of time." WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
22 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE 
 
 Report of Maj. Geti. Sterling Price, commariding Misssouri State 
 Guard (Cotifederate), of operations, September 10-20. 
 
 Headquarters Missouri State Guard, 
 Camp Wallace, Lexington, Mo., Sept. 21, 18HL 
 
 I have the honor to submit to your excellency the following- 
 report of the action which terminated on the 20th instant with 
 the surrender of the United States forces and property at this 
 place to the army under my command: 
 
 After chastising^ the marauding- armies of \ ane and Mont- 
 gomery and driving them out of the State, and after compelling 
 them to abandon Fort Scott, as detailed in my last report, I 
 continued my march towards this point with an army increasing 
 hourly in numbers and enthusiasm 
 
 On the 10th instant, just as we were about to encamp for 
 the day a mile or two west of Rose Hill, I learned that a detJi ch- 
 ment of Federal troops and Home Guards were marching from 
 Lexington to Warrensburg- to rob the bank in that place 
 and plunder and arrest the citizens of Johnson County, in ac- 
 cordance with General Fremontfe proclamation and instruc- 
 tions. Although my men were greatly fatigued by several 
 days' continuous and rapid marching, I determined to press for- 
 ward so as to surprise the enemy, if possible, at Warrensburg. 
 Therefore, after resting a few hours, we resumed the march at 
 sunset, and marched without intermission until 2 o'clock in the 
 morning, when it became evident that the infantry, very few of 
 whom had eaten a mouthful in twenty-two hours, could march 
 no farther. I then halted them, and went forward with the 
 largest part of my mounted men until we came, about day- 
 break, within view of Warrensburg, where I ascertained that 
 the enemy had hastily fled about midnight, burning the bridges 
 behind them. 
 
 The rain began to fall about the same time. This circum- 
 stance, coupled with the fact that my men had been fasting for 
 more than twenty-four hours, constrained me to abandon the 
 idea of pursuing the enemy that day. My infantry and artil- 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 23 
 
 lery having come up, we encamped at VVarrensburg, whose citi- 
 zens vied with each other in feeding my almost famished 
 soldiers. 
 
 An unusually violent storm delayed our march the next 
 morning (September 12) until about 10 o'clock. We then pushed 
 forward rapidly, still hoping to overtake the enemy. Finding 
 it impossible to do this with my infantry, I again ordered a de- 
 tachment to move forward, and placing myself at their head, 
 continued the pursuit to within two and a half miles of Lexing- 
 ton, when, having learned that the enemy were already within 
 town, and it being late and my men fatigued by a forced march 
 and utterly without provisions, I halted for the night. 
 
 About daybreak the next morning (September 13) a sharp 
 skirmish took place between our pickets and the enemy's out- 
 posts. This threatened to become general. Being unwilling, 
 however, to risk a doubtful engagement, when a short delay 
 would make success certain, I fell back two or three miles and 
 awaited the arrival of my infantry and artillery. These having 
 come up, we advanced upon the town, driving the enemy's 
 pickets until we came within a short distance of the city itself. 
 Here the enemy attempted to make a stand, but they were 
 speedily driven from every position and forced to take shelter 
 within their intrenchments. We then took position within 
 easy range of the college, which building they had strongly 
 fortified, and opened upon them a brisk fire from Bledsoe's bat- 
 tery, which, in the absence of Capt. Bledsoe, who had been 
 wounded at Big Dry Wood, was gallantly commanded by Capt. 
 Emmett MacDonald, and by Parsons' battery, under the skill- 
 ful command of Capt. Guibor. 
 
 Finding, after sunset, that our ammunition, the most of 
 which had been left behind on the march from Springfield, was 
 nearly exhausted, and that my men, thousands of whom had 
 not eaten a particle in thirty-six hours, required rest and food, 
 I withdrew to the fair ground and encamped there. My ammu- 
 nition wagons having been at last brought up, and large re- 
 enforcements having been received, I again moved into town on 
 Wednesday, the 18th instant, and began the final attack on the 
 enemy's works 
 
 Brigadier-General Rains' division occupied a strong position 
 on the east and northeast of the fortifications, from which an 
 
24 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 effective cannonading was kept up on the enemy by Bledsot's 
 battery, under command, except on the last day, of Capt. 
 Emmett MacDonald, and another battery, commanded by Capt. 
 Churchill Clark, of Saint Louis. Both these gentlemen, and 
 the men and officers under their command, are deservedly com- 
 mended in accompanying- report of Brigadier-General Rains. 
 Gen. Parsons took a position southwest of the works, whence 
 his battery, under command of Capt. Guibor, poured a steady 
 fire into the enemy. Skirmishers and sharp-shooters were also 
 sent forward from both of these divisions to harass and fatigue 
 the enemy, and to cut them off from the water on the'north. 
 east, and south of the college, and did inestimable service in 
 the accomplishment of these purposes. 
 
 Col. Congreve Jackson's division and a part of Gen. Steele's 
 were posted near Gens. Rains' and Parsons' as a reserve, but no 
 occasion occurred to call them into action. They were, how- 
 ever, at all times vigilant and ready to rush upon the enemy. 
 
 Shortly after entering the city on the 18th Col. Rives, who 
 commanded the Fourth Division in the absence of Gen. Slack, 
 led his regiment and Col. Hughes" along the river bank to a 
 point immediately beneath and west of the fortifications. Gen. 
 McBride's command and a portion of Col. (Gen.) Harris' having 
 been ordered to re-enforce him. Col. Rives, in order to cut off 
 the enemy's means of escape, propeeded down the bank of the 
 river to capture a steamboat which was lying just under their 
 guns. Just at this moment a heavy fire was opened upon him 
 from Col. Anderson's large dwelling-house on the summit of the 
 bluffs, which the enemy were occupying as a hospital, and upon 
 which a white flag was flying. Several companies of Gen. Har- 
 ris' command and the gallant soldiers of the Fourth Division, 
 who have won upon so many battle-fields the proud distinction 
 of always being among the bravest of the brave, immediately 
 rushed upon and took the place. The important position thus 
 secured was within 125 yards of the enemy's intrenchments. A 
 company from Col. Hughes' regiment then took possession of 
 the boats, one of which was richly freighted with valuable 
 stores. 
 
 Gen. McBride's and Gen. Harris' divisions meanwhile gal- 
 lantly stormed and occupied the bluffs immediately north of 
 Anderson's house. The possession of these heights enabled our 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 25 
 
 men to harass the enemy so greatly that, resolving- to regain 
 them, they made upon the house a successful assault, and one 
 which would have been honorable to them had it not been ac- 
 companied by an act of savage barbarity — the cold-blooded and 
 cowardly murder of three defenseless men, who had laid down 
 their arms and surrendered themselves as prisoners. 
 
 The position thus retaken by the enemy was soon regained 
 by the brave men who had been driven from it, and was thence- 
 forward held by them to the very end of the contest. The 
 heights to the left of Anderson's house, which had been taken, 
 as before staled, by Gens Mc Bride and Harris and by part of 
 Steele's command, under Col. Boyd and Maj. Winston, were 
 rudely fortified by our soldiers, who threw up breast-works as 
 well as they could with their slender means. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th instant T caused a number of 
 hemp bales to be transported to the river heights, where move- 
 able breast-works were speedily constructed out of them by 
 Gens. Harris and McBride, (^ol. Rives, Maj. Winston, and their 
 respective commands. Capt. Kelley's battery (attached to Gen. 
 Steele's division) was ordered at the same time to the position 
 occupied by Gen. Harris' force and quickly opened a very 
 effective fire, under the direction of its gallant captain, upon 
 the enemy. These demonstrations, and particularly the con- 
 tinued advance of the hemjien breast-works, which were as 
 efficient as the cotton bales at New Orleans, quickly attracted 
 the attention and excited the alarm of the enemy, who made 
 many daring attempts to drive us back. They were, however, 
 repulsed in every instance by the unflinching courage and fixed 
 determination of our men. 
 
 In these desperate encounters the veterans of McBride's 
 and Slack's divisions fully sustained their proud reputation, 
 while Col. Martin Green and his command, and Col. Boyd and 
 Maj. Winston and their commands, proved themselves worthy 
 to fight by the side of the men who had by their couratre and 
 valor won imperishable honor in the bloody battle of Springfield. 
 
 After 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th, and after fifty- 
 two hours of continuous firing, a white flag was displayed by the 
 enem}^ on that part of the works nearest to Col. Green's posi- 
 tion, and shortly afterwards another was displayed opposite to 
 Col. Rives'. I immediately ordered a cessation of all firing on 
 
26 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 our part, and sent forward one of my staff officers to ascertain 
 the object of tlie flag and to open negotiations with the enemy 
 if such should be their desire. It was finally, after some delay, 
 agreed by CoL Marshall and the officers associated with him for 
 that purpose by Col. Mulligan, that the United States forces 
 should lay down their arms and surrender themselves as prison- 
 ers of war to this army. These terms having been made known, 
 were ratified by me and immediately carried into effect. 
 
 Our entire loss in this series of engagements amounts to 25 
 killed and 72 wounded. The enemy's loss was much greater. 
 
 The visible fruits of this almost bloodless victory are very 
 great — about 3,500 prisoners, among whom are Cols. Mulligan, 
 Marshall, Peabody, White and Grover, Maj. Van Horn, and 118 
 other commissioned officers, 5 pieces of artillery and two mor- 
 tars, over 3,000 stands of infantry arms, a large number of 
 sabers, about 750 horses, many sets of cavalry equipments, 
 wagons, teams, and ammunition, more than $100,0(0 worth of 
 commissary stores, and a large amount of other property. In 
 addition to all this, I obtained the restoration of the great seal 
 of the State and the public records, which had been stolen from 
 their proper custodian, and about $!)00,000 in money, of which 
 the bank at this place had been robbed, and which I have caused 
 to be returned to it. 
 
 This victory has demonstrated ,the fitness of our citizen sol- 
 diers for the tedious operations of a siege as well as for a dash- 
 ing charge. They lay for fifty-two hours in the open air without 
 tents or covering, regardless of the sun and rain and in the very 
 presence of a watchful and desperate foe, manfully repelling 
 every assault and patiently awaiting any orders to storm the 
 fortifications. No general ever commanded a braver or a better 
 army. It is composed of the best blood and the bravest men of 
 Missouri. 
 
 Where nearly every one, officers and men, behaved so well, 
 as is known to your excellency, who was present with the army 
 during the whole period embraced in this report, it is impossible 
 to make special mention of individuals without seemingly mak- 
 ing invidious distinctions; but I may be permitted to express my 
 personal obligations to my volunteer aides, as well as my staft', 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 27 
 
 for their efficient services and prompt attention to all my 
 orders. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your ex- 
 cellency's obedient servant, 
 
 STERLING PRICE, Major-Gcneral, Comirianding. 
 Hon. C. F. Jackson, Governor of the State of Missouri. 
 
 COL. MULLIGAN'S STORY OF THE SIEGE 
 
 [The following^ newspaper report (not stenographic) of a 
 lecture by Col. Mulligan was kindly furnished by Mrs. Marian 
 Mulligan, who assures us that the Colonel's official report never 
 reached Washington.— The Editors]. 
 
 On the 30th of August, 1861, the Irish brigade of Chicago 
 lay encamped just outside of Jefferson City. That night an 
 order came from the General, at Jefferson City, for them to re- 
 port at headquarters. Upon reaching headquarters the com- 
 manding officer said that the regiment of Col. Marshall, which 
 had left for the southeast some days before, had reached Tipton, 
 where they were hemmed in, and could neither advance or re- 
 turn, and that he wished me to go to Tipton, join Col. Marshall, 
 take command of the combined forces, cut my way through the 
 enemy, return to Lexington and hold it at all hazards. The 
 next morning the Irish brigade started, with one six pounder, 
 forty rounds of ammunition, and three days' rations for each 
 man. Thus we marched on for nine days without meeting an 
 enemy, foraging upon the country roundabout in the meantime 
 for support. 
 
 We reached Tipton, but found neither Col. Marshall nor the 
 enemy. The brigade passed on to a pleasant spot within two 
 miles of Lexington, where we sat down, and made preparations 
 to enter the town. We washed our faces, burnished up our 
 arms, brushed the travel stain from our uniforms, and went gaily 
 in with our little six pounder. Indeed, the trouble was not so 
 
28 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 much in getting into Lexington as in getting out. At Lexington 
 we found Col. Marshall's cavalry regiment and about 350 men of 
 a regiment of Home Guards. On the 10th we received a letter 
 from Col. Peabody, of the Thirteenth Missouri regiment, saying 
 that he was retreating from Warrensburg, twenty-five miles 
 distant, and that the rebel general, Price, was in full pursuit, 
 with an army of ten thousand men. 
 
 A few hours later and Col. Peabody joined us. There were 
 then at this point the Irish brigade. Col. Marshall's Illinois cav- 
 alry regiment, full, Col. Peabody "s regiment, and a part of the 
 Fourteenth Missouri— in all about 2,780 men, with one six pound- 
 er, forty rounds of ammunition, and but few rations. We then 
 dispatched a courier to Jefferson City, informing the command- 
 ing officer at that post of our condition, and praying for re-en- 
 forcements or even rations, when we would hold out to the last. 
 
 At noon of the 11th we commenced throwing up entrench- 
 ments. We had selected college hill, an eminence overlooking 
 Lexington and the broad Missouri. All day long the men worked 
 untiringly with the shovel. That evening, but six or eight hours 
 after we had commenced throwing up earth-works, our pickets 
 were driven in and intimation given that the enemy were upon 
 us. Col. Peabody was ordered out to meet them, two six pound- 
 ers were planted in a position to command a covered bridge by 
 which the enemy were obliged to epter the town, and so we were 
 prepared. That night the enemy, seeing our preparations, re- 
 mained on the other side of the bridge, but it was a night of 
 fearful anxiety. None knew at what moment the enemy would 
 be upon our devoted little band, and the hours passed in silence 
 and anxious waiting Thus we waited until morning vigilantly 
 and without sleep, when some one rushed in. saying: "Colonel, 
 the enemy are pushing across the bridge in overwhelming 
 force." 
 
 With a glass we could see them as they came. Gen. Price 
 upon his horse, riding up and down through his lines, urging his 
 men on. Two companies of the Missouri Thirteenth were or- 
 dered out, and with Co. K of the Irish brigade quickly checked 
 the enemy, drove them back, burned the bridge, and gallantly 
 ended their day's work before breakfast. The enemy made a 
 detour, and approached the town once more by the Independence 
 road. Six companies of the Missouri regiment were ordered 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 29 
 
 out to meet them in the Lexington cemetery, just outside the 
 town, and the fight raged furiously over the dead. We succeed- 
 ed in keeping the enemy in check, and in the meantime the work 
 with the shovel went bravely on, the diggers sometimes pausing 
 in their work to cast anxious looks toward the graveyard where 
 their comrades were engaged in the deadly strife, and yet the 
 shovel was swiftly plied. 
 
 This work tvas continued during the night, our outposts keep- 
 ing the enemy in check, so that in the morning we had thrown 
 up breast-works three or four feet in height. At 3:00 o'clock in 
 the afternoon of the 12th the engagement opened with artillery. 
 A volley of grajDC from the enemy was directed at a group of our 
 officers who were outside the breast-works, which had an amus- 
 ing effect. Every officer immediately sought the protection of 
 the breast-works, and gained the inside of the lines of men. 
 But this movement was attributed by them to the terror of 
 their horses, not from any desire to contemplate the enemy 
 from a less exposed position. Our men had returned the volley 
 and a scene of the wildest confusion commenced. Each man 
 evidently believed that he who made the most noise was doing 
 the most shooting. Those who were not shooting at the moon 
 were shooting above it, into the earth, or elsewhere at random, 
 in the wildest, most reckless manner. This could not continue 
 long with f -rty rounds of ammunition, and the men were ordered 
 to cease firing, and were then arranged in ranks and instructed 
 to fire with more precision, and carefully; and soon everything 
 was in order and moved on as cleverly as a Yankee clock. This 
 contest raged about an hour and a half, when we had the satis- 
 faction, by a lucky shot, of knocking over the enemy's big gun, 
 exploding a powder caisson, and otherwise creating a vast 
 amount of damage, which was received with great shouts by our 
 brave men. The fight was continued until dusk, and as the moon 
 rose that great army of 10,000 men were in full and precipitate 
 retreat, and Lexington was our own again. We resumed the 
 shoveling and worked unceasingly through the night. Next 
 morning Gen. Parsons, with 10,000 men at his back, sent in a flag 
 of truce to a little garrison of 2.700, asking permission to enter 
 the town to take care of his wounded and bury his dead, claim- 
 ing that when the noblest soldier of them all, the lion-hearted 
 Lyon, had fallen, he had granted every privilege to the Federal 
 
30 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 officers who had sought his corpse. 
 
 It was not necessary to quote any precedent to the Irish 
 brigade for an act of humanity, and friend and foe met above 
 the slain and together performed the last rites over the fallen. 
 
 On Friday, though a drenching rain set in. the work of 
 throwing up the entrenchments went on, and the men stood al- 
 most knee deep in mud and water at their work. We had taken 
 the basement of the Masonic college, an edifice from which tiie 
 eminence took its name. A quantity of powder was obtained and 
 the men commenced making cartridges. A foundry was fitted 
 up, and 150 rounds of shot-grape and canister were cast for each 
 of our six pounders. We had found no provisions at Lexington. 
 and our 2,700 men were getting short of rations. Sunday had 
 now arrived. Father Butler, our chaplain, celebrated mass upon 
 the hillside, and all were considerably strengthened and encour- 
 aged by his words, and after services were over we went back 
 to the works, actively casting shot and stealing provisions from 
 the inhabitants round-about. Our pickets were all the time 
 skirmishing with the enemy, and we were casting shot and mak- 
 ing preparations for defense against the enemy's attack, which 
 was expected on the morrow. 
 
 At 9:00 o'clock on the morning of the 18th the enemy was 
 seen approaching. His force had been strengthened to 28,000 
 men, with thirteen pieces of canruon. They came as one dark, 
 moving mass, theii^ polished guns gleaming in the sunlight, their 
 banners waving, and their drums beating — everywhere, as far as 
 we could see were men, men. men — approaching grandly. Our 
 earth-works covered an area of about eighteen acres, surrounded 
 by a ditch, and protected in front by what were called " confus- 
 ion pits," and by mines, to embarrass their approach. Our men 
 stood firm behind the breast-works, none trembling or pale, and 
 the whole place was solemn and silent. As Father Butler went 
 around among them they asked his blessing and received it un- 
 covered; then turned and sternly cocked their muskets. The 
 enemy came, 28,000 men, upon my poor, devoted little band, and 
 opened a terrible fire with thirteen pieces of cannon, on the 
 right and on the left, and in the rear, which we answered with 
 determination and spirit. Our spies had brought intelligence, 
 and had all agreed that it was the intention of the enemy to 
 make a grand rush, overwhelm us. and bury us in the trenches 
 
THEBATTLEOFLEXINGTON 31 
 
 of Lexington. The tight commenced at 9:00 o'clock, and for 
 three days they never ceased to pour upon us a deadl}^ fire. At 
 noon word was brought that the enemy had taken the hospital. 
 We had not fortified that. It was situated outside the entrench- 
 ments, and I had supposed that the little white flag was a suf- 
 ficient protection for the wounded and dying soldier who had 
 finished his service and who was powerless for harm— our chap- 
 lain, our surgeon, and 150 wounded men. The enemy took it 
 without opposition, filled it with their sharp-shooters, and from 
 every window, from the scuttles on the roof, poured right into 
 our entrenchments a deadly drift of lead. 
 
 Several companies were ordered to re-take the hospital, but 
 failed to do so. The Montgomery guard of the Irish brigade was 
 ordered to a comjjany which we knen' would go through. Their 
 captain admonished them that they were called upon to go 
 where the others dared not, and they were implored to uphold 
 the gallant name which they bore, and the word was given to 
 "charge!" The distance across the plain from the hospital to 
 the entrenchments was about 800 yards ; they started at first 
 quick, then double quick, then on a run, then faster — still the 
 deadly drift of lead poured upon them, but on they went — a wild 
 line of steel, and what is better than steel, irresistible human 
 will. They marched up to the hospital, first opened the door 
 without shot or shout — until they encountered the enemy within, 
 whom they hurled out and far down the hill beyond. The cap- 
 tain, twice wounded, came back with his brave band, through a 
 path strewn with forty-five of the eighty lions who had gone out 
 upon the field of death. We were now in the most terrible situ- 
 ation. The fire had hesitated for a little while, and the rebel 
 commander had at once sent word to us that we must at once 
 surrender, or they would hoist the black fiag and show no quar- 
 ter. Word w^as sent back that it would be time to settle that 
 question when we asked for quarter, and then the terrible fire 
 was resumed. Our surgeon was held by the enemy against all 
 rules of war, and that, too, when we had released a surgeon of 
 the enemy on his mere pledge that he was such. It was a terri- 
 ble thing to see those brave fellows mangled and wounded, with- 
 out skillful hands to bind their ghastly wounds. Capt. Moriarity, 
 of the Irish brigade, who had been in civil life a physician, was 
 ordered to lav aside his sword and go into the hospital. He 
 
32 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 went, and through all the siege worked among the wounded with 
 no other instrument than a razor. The suffering in the hospital 
 was horrible— the wounded and mangled men dying for thirst, 
 frenziedly wrestling for water in which the bleeding stumps of 
 mangled limbs had been washed, and drinking it with a horrid 
 avidity. 
 
 On the morning of the 19th the firing was resumed and con- 
 tinued all day. The officers had told our men that if we could 
 hold out to the 19th we would be re-inforced, and all through the 
 day the men watched anxiously for the appearance of a friendly 
 flag under which aid was to reach them, and listened eagerly for 
 the sound of friendly cannon. But they looked and listened in 
 vain, and all day long they fought without water, their parched 
 lips cracking, their tongues swollen, and the blood running down 
 their chins when they bit their cartridges, and the saltpeter 
 entered their cracked and blistered lips, but not a word of mur- 
 muring. The morning of the 20th broke, but no re-inforcements 
 had come ; still the men fought on. The rebels appeared that 
 day with an artifice that was destined to overreach us and se- 
 cure to them the possession of our entrenchments. They had 
 constructed a movable breast-work of hemp bales, rolling them 
 before their lines up the hill, and advanced their artillery under 
 this cover. All our efforts could not retard the advance of these 
 bales. Round shot and bullets were poured against them but 
 they would only rock a little, and then settle back. Heated 
 shots were fired with the hope of setting them on fire, but the 
 enemy had taken the precaution to soak the bales in the Mis- 
 souri and they would not burn. Thus for hours the fight con- 
 tinued, we striving to knock down or burn their hemp bales, and 
 they striving to knock down our breast-works. Finally the rush 
 came. The enemy left the protection of their bales and with a 
 wild yell swept over our earth-works and against our lines, and 
 a deadly struggle commenced. Many heroic deeds were done in 
 that encounter. Our men were encouraged by being told that 
 if we succeeded in keeping them in check this time we had them 
 whipped ; the lines stood firm. At this juncture we ordered up 
 Capt. Fitzgerald, of the Irish brigade, with his company, to sus- 
 tain the wavering line. Our cartridges were now nearly used 
 up, many of our brave fellows had fallen, and it was evident that 
 the fight must soon cease, when at 3:00 o'clock an orderly came. 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 33 
 
 saying that the enemy had sent a flag of truce. With the flag 
 came a note from Gen. Price asking why the firing had ceased. 
 I returned it, with the reply written on the back, saying: "Gen- 
 eral, I hardly know, unless you have surrendered." He at once 
 took pains to assure me that such was not the case. I after- 
 wards discovered what the trouble was. A lily-livered man, a 
 major by courtesy, ensconsed under the earth-works, out of 
 sight, had raised a white flag. Twice he had been threatened 
 with death if he did not take that cursed thing down; but the 
 third time his fears overcame his discretion and made for a mo- 
 ment a brave man of him, and he hoisted the flag over the breast- 
 works on a ramrod. 
 
 The ammunition was about gone, there was no water, we 
 were out of rations, and many of the men felt like giving up the 
 post, which it seemed impossible to hold any longer. They were 
 ordered back to the earth-works and told to use up all their 
 powder, and then defend themselves as best they could, but to 
 hold their place. They obeyed, silently and grim. Without a 
 murmur they went back and stood at their post, only praying 
 that the enemy would approach so near that they might use 
 the soldier's weapon, when his powder fails — the bayonet. Then 
 a council of war was held in the college, and the question of sur- 
 render put to the officers, and a ballot was taken — only two of 
 the six votes were cast in favor of fighting on, and when the 
 flag" of truce was sent out. With our surrender many of the brave 
 fellows shed tears. And so the place was lost. 
 
 The enemy undertook to haul down our flag, and at first 
 found the halyard cut; they climbed to the top and found it 
 nailed. Their only resource was to cut down the pole, which 
 was done while we turned our faces away. Gathering up the 
 prisoners, the colonel in front, we were taken down to their 
 camp and brought before a man in authority, who said we must 
 promise not to " run away." We told him that we had not been 
 in the habit of doing much of that business of late. Refusing 
 to give our parole not to "aid or abet the United States," we 
 were marched off prisoners, with Gen. Price, and thus ended the 
 siege of Lexington. 
 
34 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. HARRIS. 
 
 Report of Brig. Gen 
 
 Hdqrs 
 
 Thomas A. Harris^ Missoiiri State Gttard. 
 
 IN THE Field, Second Division Mo. S. G., 
 Near Lexington, Sept. 23, 186L 
 Sir : In compliance with instructions, I beg leave to sub- 
 mit the followinof report of the part taken by the forces under 
 my command in the capture of the B'ederal forces occupying the 
 city of Lexington on the 18th, 19th, and 20th instants : 
 
 Leaving 200 men to act as camp guard, at 
 9:00 o'clock a. m. of the 18th instant my 
 command, in pursuance to j'our order, took 
 up the line of march for Lexington. The 
 whole command, acting as infantry, moved 
 by flank, the battery of artillery bringing 
 up the rear. I had proceeded about one 
 mile en route when my advance touched 
 upon the rear of General Parsons' division, 
 and I soon after received your order to take 
 the road to the left and support the move- 
 ments of that division. An order to bring 
 my artillery to the advance caused delay of 
 some fifteen or twenty minutes, as the in- 
 fantry had to give way for its passage along 
 the road. My command arrived at precisely 10:00 o'clock a. m., 
 and I ordered Capt. Kneisley, who was in comrnand of the bat- 
 tery, to take position at an elevated point of intersection of 
 two streets, and to open his fire and imitate the movements of 
 the battery of Gen. Parsons' division, which was already in 
 action I detached Capt. Davis' company, armed with minie 
 rifles, to act as an intermediate covering party for the battery, 
 whilst my whole command, protected by the houses, was held in 
 readiness to support the battery if required. Capt. Kneisley 
 served his battery very satisfactorily, only suspending his fire 
 from the exhaustion of his men, induced by the excessive heat 
 and from want of sufficient ammunition. The effect of the fire 
 upon the enemy was very efficient and destructive At one or 
 
 Col. Emmett MacDonald 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 35 
 
 two positions occupied by my command the enemy annoyed us 
 slightly with both round shot and grape, but a slight change in 
 position sufficed to afford adequate protection against his mis- 
 siles. 
 
 At 11:15 o'clock I received the order from yourself in person 
 to move my command along the bank of the river to the support 
 of Gen. McBride's command and Gen. Slack's division, under 
 command of Col. Rives. At the same time you gave me instruc- 
 tions to capture the brick house outside of the enemy's line of 
 defense, known as the Anderson house or hospital, provided, 
 that if upon my arrival there I was of opinion 1 could carry it 
 without too severe a loss. My battery of artillery you suggested 
 to remain in its then effective position, saying that you would 
 look to its security. 
 
 Immediately upon the receipt of the foregoing instruction, I 
 moved my command along to the line of the river, causing the 
 different battalions to debouch to the right and ascend the ele- 
 vations which protected our movement from the fire of the 
 enemy. I directed the men to crawl to the crests of the hills 
 and annoy the enemy as he should expose himself above his 
 breast-works. Lieut -Col. Brace's battalion I held to occupy the 
 main road for several hours as a reserve. The active skirmish- 
 ing of mj' men from the crests of the hills visibly had an annoy- 
 ing effect upon the enemy, and he responded throughout the day 
 and night with great spirit and industry. 
 
 Upon my reaching the point known as the hospital I dis- 
 mounted and ascended the hill on foot. Upon my arrival I 
 found Col. Rives' command, supported by a portion of Lieut.- 
 Col. Hull's and Maj. Milton's (Callaway's) command of my divis- 
 ion From a personal inspection of the position occupied by the 
 hospital I became satisfied that it was invaluable to me as a 
 point of annoyance and mask for my approach to the enemy. I 
 at the same time received your communication as to the result 
 of your reconnaissance through your glass. I therefore imme- 
 diately ordered an assault upon the position, in which I was 
 promptly and gallantly seconded by Col. Rives and his command, 
 together with Col Hull and Maj. Milton and their commands, 
 of my own division. T^e hospital was promptly carried and oc- 
 cupied by our troops, but during the evening the enemy re-took 
 it, and were again driven out by our men with some loss. 
 
36 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 Leaving a sufficient force at the hospital to hold it, I de- 
 scended the hill and moved along the left wing of my command, 
 which, under Col. Green, had united with Gen. McBride's com- 
 mand, and had gallantly driven the enemy back from an ad- 
 vanced position, and was occupying an advantageous point in 
 common with Gen. McBride's command, in a trench taken from 
 the enemy near a mine which had [been] sprung. Upon recon- 
 noitering the position of the enemy I directed Col. Green to de- 
 ploy his line to the left, which he promptly did, and directed 
 that his riflemen should continue to skirmish with the enemy, 
 whilst his shot-gun men, being out of range, should protect 
 themselves beneath the crest of the hill and be in readiness if 
 an assault from the enemy's lines should be attempted. I then 
 directed Lieut.-Cols. Brace and Hull to move with their com- 
 mands to the support of Green's position, and to extend the 
 flank to the left on Col. Green's front extended. 
 
 This was the position of my command on the night of the 
 18th instant, the men maintaining a brisk skirmishing, 
 with decided effect upon the enemy. Climbing the rugged 
 and precipitous heights during the excessive heat of the day 
 caused the men to suffer greatly for water, but nothing ap- 
 peared to daunt their resolution, endurance and valor. They 
 had neither blankets nor food, but they remained steadfastly at 
 their posts during the entire night. In repelling these assaults 
 I had the pleasure to recognize the gallant co-operation of Gen. 
 McBride and his command and the timely assistance of the bat- 
 teries of Gens. Rains and Parsons 
 
 At 7:30 o'clock on the evening of the 18th instant, when a 
 sally was anticipated from the enemy through the hospital posi- 
 tion, designed to make a diversion favorable fo the landing of 
 anticipated Federal re-enforcements and to burn steamers cap- 
 tured by us during the day, you were kind enough tu afford me 
 the valuable re-enforcements from Gen. Steen's division, com- 
 manded by Majs. Thornton and Winston, and the battery of 
 Capt. Kelley. The infantry I posted to strengthen the hospital 
 position, and the artillery was so disposed as to command the 
 wharf and the river. Col. Congreve Jackson politely loaned 
 me the use of a battalion commanded by. Col. Bevier, which I 
 posted to cover the artillery. During the night I visited fre- 
 quently the various positions of my command, and found both 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 37 
 
 men and officers fully resolved and capable of maintaining- 
 themselves until morning- 
 
 On the 19th instant I moved Col. MacDonald's command to 
 the extreme left, thus perfecting my connection with Gen. 
 Rains' right flank. I directed a desultory Are to be kept up 
 during the day by my sharp-shooters along my entire front, and 
 directed the line of some rude field fortifications. The com- 
 mands of Col. Green and Lieut. -Cols. Hull and Brace, poorly 
 provided with intrenching implements, perfected their defense 
 with astonishing perseverance. None contributed more to the 
 zealous and efficient prosecution of the work than Lieut.-CoL 
 Porter, of Col. Green's regiment, who, although severely 
 wounded in the head by a ball, continued to afford the most un- 
 tiring example to the men by his zeal and self-sacrificing ser- 
 vices. Where timber could be had as a shelter these field works 
 could be constructed only at the expense of great physical ex- 
 ertion; but where the enemy had removed the means necessary 
 for construction, to extend the lines of defense involved great 
 hazard of life By a reconnaissance of the hospital position I 
 became satisfied that the construction of flank defenses would 
 afford greatly increased facilities for the annoyance of the 
 enemy, while it would materially lessen the exposure of our 
 men ; but such had been the great exhaustion of our men that I 
 feared their power of endurance would be over-taxed should I 
 impose this new task upon them. Capt. Robinson, commanding 
 the Callaway infantry, however, offered to attempt the task. I 
 then directed Capt. George A. Turner, of my staff, to request of 
 you one hundred and thirty-two bales of hemp, which you 
 promptly accorded. Capt. Turner was intrusted with the gen- 
 eral superintendence of transporting it to the points designated. 
 To the extraordinary zeal, activity, and persevering industry of 
 Capt. Turner I feel under the greatest obligations. His ser- 
 vices were invaluable to me during the entire engagement. I 
 directed the bales to be wet in the river to protect them against 
 the casualties of fire of our troops and of the enemy, but it was 
 soon found that the wetting- so materially increased the weight 
 as to prevent our men in their exhausted condition from rolling 
 them to the crest of the hill. I then adopted the idea of wet- 
 ting the hemp after it had been transported to its position. In 
 the arduous and extremely trying- duty of transporting the 
 
38 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 hemp I cannot neglect to recog-nize the active and cordial co- 
 operation of the commands o± Cols. Rives and Hughes, Majs. 
 Winston and Thornton, Capts. Mitchell, Grooms, and Spratt, 
 and Adjt. Flowerree, of General Steen's division, Maj. Peacher. 
 of Gen. Clark's division, and Maj. Welton, and the officers and 
 men of Gen. McBride's division. 
 
 At 5:00 o'clock p. m. on the 19th instant a truce was granted 
 by you to the enemy to enable them to remove their sick and 
 wounded from the hospital which had been captured by us the 
 day previous. This afforded me the opportunity to make final 
 and complete arrangements for defense of the hospital position 
 during the day, notwithstanding the active skirmishing along 
 the entire line. Lieut. -Cols. Hull and Brace had been enabled 
 materially to improve and extend their defenses, composed of 
 earth-work and timber. During the day and entire night of the 
 19th I was almost continually in the saddle, visiting the 
 various positions and giving detailed instructions to all grades. 
 The extreme exhaustion and fatigues which I suffered taught 
 me to appreciate fully the heroic patriotism and endurance of 
 those brave men who had been exposed with me for forty-eight 
 hours continuously, without comparatively either food, water, 
 or blankets, and encountering the severest physical trials. 
 
 At 8:00 o'clock a. m. on the 20th inst., I ordered up additional 
 hemp to extend the defenses at the position occupied by Col. 
 Green and Lieut.-Cols. Hull and Brace. The activity and zeal 
 of these commands in putting the bales in position reflect the 
 greatest honor upon them. I directed them to he used as port- 
 able breast-works, to be pushed forward towards the enemy's 
 lines in parallel approaches. The disclosure of the hemp de- 
 fenses, or approaches, as they might be called, ^elicited the ob- 
 stinate resentment of the enemy, who was proiuse in the be- 
 stowal of round and grape shot, and was not at all economical 
 of his minie balls; but our men, gallantly led by their officers, 
 continued to approach the enemy, pouring in upon him a most 
 destructive fire until about 2:00 o'clock p. m., when he sur- 
 rendered. 
 
 The loss sustained by my division in the entire engagement 
 was : Killed 1] : severely wounded, 18 ; slightly wounded, 2(5 ; 
 making a total of casualties, 5.5.* I regret to state that among 
 
 *Nominal list omitted. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 39 
 
 the killed were Lieut. John W. Mason, of Saint Charles County, 
 an officer of Lieut.-Col. Hull's battalion, and Sergt. Maj. W. A. 
 Chappell, of Col. MacDonald's regiment, both of which officers 
 fell while orallantly leading and encouraging their men. Among 
 so many officers and men who are entitled to honorable mention 
 for gallant and distinguished services, to make mention of a few 
 appears like discrimination, yet I cannot refrain from mention- 
 ing the names of Col. Green and Lieut.-Col Brace, and Lieut. - 
 Cols. Hull and Porter. Both of the latter-named gentlemen 
 were wounded severely in the head by shot from the enemy. 
 Lieut.-Col. Grimshaw severely sprained his ankle while gallantly 
 rallying his men. Maj. Milton, of the Callaway Rangers, aided 
 gallantly in the re-capture of the hospital. Capt. Robinson, of 
 the Callaway infantry, deserves honorable mention for his zeal 
 and cool, deliberate courage. Col. MacDonald faithfully and in 
 a soldierly manner gallantly repelled several severe assaults 
 from the enemy. Col. Franklin, of Schuyler County, Capt. Mc- 
 Culloch, Capt. Davis, Capt. Richardson (severely wounded), 
 Capt. Grant, and Adjt. William F. Davis, all of Col. Green's 
 regiment, are entitled to honorable mention for their gallantry, 
 zeal, and great endurance. Capt. Kneisley, who commanded 
 my artillery, won my approbation by his energy, coolness, and 
 courage. The men all behaved admirably. To the officers of 
 my staff 1 feel under special obligations for their zeal, intelli- 
 gence and courage in carrying my plans and instructions into 
 execution. Lieut. -Cols. Vowles and Pittman, my aides-de-camp; 
 Capts. George A. Turner and C. M. Randolph, my additional 
 aides-de-camp; and Provost Marshal Pindall, who was knocked 
 down by a ball during the heat of action, were all alike inex- 
 haustible in their energy, courage, and perseverance, while the 
 excellent condition of my wounded fully commends the skill, at- 
 tention, and industry of Surgeon Bailey and his corps of assist- 
 ants to my most favorable consideration. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 THOMAS A. HARRIS, 
 Brig.-Gen., Secotid Dh'i'sion Missouri State Guard. 
 Maj. -Gen. Sterling Price, Commanding Mo. State Guard. 
 
40 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 GEN. RAINS' OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Hdqrs. Second Division Missouri State Guard, 
 
 September 22, 1861. 
 Sir : I have the honor briefly to report that, in accordance 
 with orders received, on the mornino^ of the 18th of September 
 I marched my division, consisting of 3,052 rank and file, and two 
 batteries of three guns each, to take position on north and east 
 of the Masonic College, in which the enemy 
 was intrenched. After traveling a circuit- 
 ous route to avoid the observation of the 
 enemy, I took position near the residence 
 of Mr. Tutt, and opened with four guns 
 upon them. These guns were ably served 
 under the command of Capts. Emmett Mac- 
 Donald and Churchill Clark, whose gallantry 
 and efficiency were justly spoken of by all. 
 Here I offered a gold medal to any artiller- 
 ist who would strike down the large flag on 
 the southeast corner of the battlements 
 It was quickly won by Capt. Churchill Clark, 
 though closely contended for. 
 About 11:00 a. m. I closed in and around 
 the college, placing a large force in an entirely protected posi- 
 tion, about 350 yards north and about 500 yards east. I remained 
 there, throwingout sharp-shooters and skirmishers to annoy the 
 enemy, while at the same time the approaches to the water 
 were completely guarded. But one sally was made by the enemy 
 on the evening of the 18th, which was quickly repulsed. 
 
 All the men under my command acted with a patience, 
 courage, and endurance worthy only of the cause engaged in, 
 and for more than fifty hours they lay there panting like the 
 hounds in summer when they scent the stately deer, eager not 
 for revenge, but to teach again the minions of the tyrant that 
 Missouri shall be free. 
 
 The loss in this almost bloodless victory amounts in the Sec- 
 
 Col. L. A. Maclean 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 41 
 
 ond Division to 2 killed and 20 wounded. Among the latter is 
 Capt. Vaughan, of the Fourth Infantry. 
 Respectfully, 
 J. S. RAINS, Brig. -Gen., Second Division, Mo. S. G. 
 Col. Thomas L. Snead, Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen. 
 
 GEN. PARSON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Headquarters Sixth Division M. S. G., 
 
 Camp Near Lexington, Sept. 23, 1861. 
 
 MaJ.-GeN. Price, Commanding the Forces of Missonri : 
 
 I have the honor to report to you the participation of my 
 division in the siege at Lexington. On Thursday, the 12th, I re- 
 ceived your orders for an advance upon Lexington. Putting my 
 division in order of march I at once proceeded to the City of 
 Lexington by one of its southeastern ap- 
 proaches. About 4:00 o'clock p. m. I re- 
 ceived intelligence, through Col. Dyer, that 
 the enemy was immediately in your front, 
 and I ordered Col. McCulloch's regiment of 
 cavalry forward to act as skirmishers. In 
 a few minutes he reported to me that he 
 had engaged the enemy in force. Following 
 up the orders you had delivered me in the 
 morning, I immediately marched with my 
 infantry and artillery to the colonel's re- 
 lief, being supported in the meantime by 
 Gen. Clark's infantry, under the command 
 of Col. Jackson and ('ol. Price. When I ar- 
 rived on the suburbs of the town I found 
 that my advance, together with other troops of your army, had 
 engaged the enemy, who had selected the cornfields and hedges 
 to the right of the road as hiding places. Forming Col. Dill's 
 infantry on my left; Col. Kelly's infantry (Capt. Champion, 
 
 Dr. A. V. Small 
 
42 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 commanding), upon my immediate rig'ht ; Col. Jackson, of Gen. 
 Clark's division, with his infantry supporting my extreme right; 
 and my artillery, under Capt. Guibor, commanded the center. 
 Capt. Champion, on my right, led the Kelly infantry, supported 
 by Gen. Clark's infantry, immediately forward after the forma- 
 tion of the line of battle and engaged the enemy in the corn- 
 field, and after a short conflict the enemy were dislodged and 
 retired in the direction of the city. I again advanced my whole 
 line, when I received an order from you to take position with 
 my battery on the left of the road in an orchard. Occupying 
 this position with my forces, with those of Gen. Clark in the 
 same position as above mentioned, I looked about for the posi- 
 tion of the enemy, and finding that he had retired in the direc- 
 tion of his fortifications I ordered my columns forward, and 
 with my battery took position on the southeast of the fort, six 
 hundred yards distant, my right being supported by Gen. Clark's 
 infantry and my left by my own. Col. McCulloch in the mean- 
 time had made a detour to the right and advanced below the 
 fortifications of the enemy. 
 
 From this position Capt. Guibor opened his batteries upon 
 the College building and the entrenchments in front, doing them 
 serious injury and causing the enemy to abandon them and hide 
 within their trenches My cannonade was responded to vigor- 
 ously by that of the enemy, together with irregular firing from 
 their skirmishers. This was kept up until twilight, when I re- 
 ceived your order to withdraw my division and return to our 
 encampment at the fair grounds, which was done in the follow- 
 ing order : Capt. Guibor's battery, leading; Capt. Champion's, 
 Col. Dill's, and Col. Alexander's regiments following, and Col. 
 McCulloch's bringing up my entire rear. 
 
 On Wednesda}^ morning, September 18, my division was or- 
 dered forward, diverging to the left and to the east of the city, 
 along the coal bank road. Nothing of importance occurred 
 until I had reached the summit of the hill near the city. By 
 your order I sent my battery to the front, Capt. Champion's 
 company acting as skirmishers. Feeling satisfied that we were 
 in the neighborhood of the enemy I ordered up the remainder of 
 my infantry to support my battery, at the same t me requesting 
 Col. Jackson, who was commanding Gen. Clark's division, to 
 support me, which he did very i)romptly. Scarcely had the 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 43 
 
 order been given when the enemy's pickets opened lire upon my 
 guns. Not knowing their exact locality, ('apt. Guibor fired 
 three shots down the streets as a feeler for the enemy. As the 
 enemy's pickets were driven in I advanced, and after occupying 
 several unimportant positions I finally established my battery 
 on Cedar Street, to the north of North Street, within 500 yards 
 of the enemy's works ; Col. Kelly's infantry occupying my right; 
 Col. Alexander my left; Col. McCulloch across the street in my 
 rear, and Gen. Clark's infantry at the Court House, ready to 
 support me if their services were needed. From this point 
 Capt. Guibor opened a galling fire from his guns upon the ene- 
 my's works, which he kept up during the day and at intervals 
 during the night. 
 
 Gens. Harris and Mc Bride, having occupied the important 
 position between the enemy's works and the river, and seeing 
 from time to time the heavy charges made by the enemy's in- 
 fantry to dislodge them, I endeavored to co-operate with those 
 brave commands to force the enemy back to their trenches by 
 throwing grape and spherical case shot upon them whenever 
 they showed themselves. 
 
 On the next morning I received your order to march with 
 my whole division to the river. On arriving at the bank I as- 
 certained that it was your desire that I should cross the river 
 with a force of 3,000 men to repel the re-inforcements of the 
 enemy advancing from that quarter. After crossing over I as- 
 certained that the enemy had heard of my approach and retired 
 in confusion, leaving 200 of their tents upon the road. Having 
 communicated to you this state of facts, I received from you 
 orders to re-cross the river and occupy my former position, 
 which I reached about 12:00 m. of that day. I immediateh' 
 opened my fires upon the enemy's works. My skirmishers, Col. 
 Kelly's regiment, under Capts. Champion and Hill and Lieut. 
 Cunift", advanced within 150 yards of the enemy's works and suc- 
 ceeded in firmly establishing tht-mselves on College Street, from 
 which point they kept up a murderous fire upon the enemy as 
 they would show themselves upon the entrenchments. 
 
 About 8:00 o'clock at night Gen. Harris and myself received 
 a deputation of the enemy's surgeons asking the privilege of re- 
 moving their sick and wounded from their fortifications into the 
 city. We were compelled for the time to decline granting this 
 
44 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 request for the reason that the commander of the fortress had 
 not himself made it of j'ou in your official character. We al- 
 lowed the surg'eons one hour to return to the fort for the purpose 
 of rectifying this delinquency. In the meantime I ordered my 
 batteries to cease firing". Within the time allowed the surgeons 
 returned with the required note directed to you in your official 
 capacity from Col. Mulligan, commander of the fortress. Gen. 
 Harris and myself then consented that the enemy should remove 
 sick and wounded from the hospital into the city, out of the 
 range of the guns of either army, and that they should send any 
 number of surgeons that they deemed necessary to attend their 
 wounded, and that such surgeons should not be considered pris- 
 oners of war. I am gratified to state, for the sake of humanity, 
 that this arrangement released from the cellars of the fort 122 
 sick and wounded soldiers who were, in the time allowed, con- 
 veyed to the rear of my position, and were comfortably cared 
 for. 
 
 As soon as the sick and wounded of the enem}' were thus 
 cared for my batteries again opened upon the enemy's fortifica- 
 tions. The fire was immediately directed upon them whenever 
 they attempted to charge the lines of Gens. Harris and McBride. 
 
 On the next day the enemy, having suffered long from want 
 of water, made several desperate efforts to drive the divisions 
 of Gens Harris and McBride from their position, during which 
 time Capt. Guibor brought his guns to bear upon them with his 
 usual effect He having called my attention to the fact that 
 there was a better position down Cedar Street, nearer the ene- 
 my's works, and being only about 200 yards distant from them, 
 I went down with him to examine, and after doing so, ordered 
 him to occupy it, which he did instantly. From this he again 
 opened volleys of grape on the enemy's works with decided 
 effect. In moving the battery to its last position, Capt. Cham- 
 pion, of the Kelly infantry, had occupied Turner's Fall, imme- 
 diately in rear of my guns. I ordered McCulloch down North 
 Street, to the church, with directions to advance from that 
 point to the left and take possession of a brick building within 
 80 yards of the enemy's lines, which order the colonel executed 
 most gallantly, receiving a heavy volley of the enemy's fire, and 
 also a fire upon his rear from one of our own batteries, which 
 had mistaken him for the enemy. Fortunately, however, he 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 45 
 
 sustained no loss from this. In the meantime, I had ordered up 
 CoL Dill's regiment, Maj. Lindsay, commanding-, and also Col. 
 Alexander's regiment to the support of Col. McCulloch. These 
 two regiments promptly moved forward to the positions assigned 
 them, with instructions from me to hold themselves in readiness 
 for a general charge of the enemy's works. 
 
 Not long after, a white flag appeared within the enemy's 
 fortifications, whereupon I ordered the firing to cease. In a few 
 minutes after, I received your orders to march my division 
 within the enemy's works, which I did, and found that they had 
 surrendered. 
 
 It gives me great pleasure to indorse the intrepidity^ and 
 gallantry of the commanding officers of my regiments, and also 
 of their officers and soldiers during the whole siege; and also 
 Capt. Champion and the officers and soldiers of the Kelly in- 
 fantry who rendered most efficient and precious services as skir- 
 mishers. 
 
 Capt. Guibor, of the battery, and his officers and men ac- 
 quitted themselves with their usual gallantry. 
 
 Lieut. Barlow, of the battery, was confined to the country 
 by sickness at the commencement of the siege, but hearing the 
 cannonading he left his bed, and resuming his post, rendered 
 the most efficient service. 
 
 My staff officers are entitled to my thanks for their coolness 
 and gallantry and studied attention to their duties while on the 
 field. 
 
 Not having sufficient men to work all my guns I loaned two 
 of them to Capt. Clark, who worked them during the siege with 
 admirable precision and efficiency. 
 
 To Col. Jackson, Col. Price and Maj. Clark, and to their 
 division, I tender my acknowledgements for efficient support of 
 my division and battery during the greater part of the siege. 
 
 My casualties are as follows : Col. Dill, in the first engage- 
 ment, was severely wounded by an accidental discharge, while 
 gallantly leading his regiment. I am pleased to state, however, 
 that this valuable officer is in a fair way of recovery. In Col. 
 Dill's regiment of infantry Capt. Boyd English and Archie 
 Wendleton, of Capt. Rogers' company, were wounded. 
 
 In Col. McCulloch's regiment of cavalry, (Capt. Sutherlin's 
 company), Charles Miner, killed: Private Salston Stall, wound- 
 
46 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 ed. Capt. McCulloch's company— J. H. R. Mahan, killed; R. E. 
 Williams, A. J. Ritters, wounded. Captain Butler's company^ 
 W. H. Houg-h, killed. Captain Taylor's company — William 
 Johnson, wounded. 
 
 Col. Alexander's reg-iment of cavalry, (Capt. Zollinger's 
 company), Samuel Shepard. Capt. John W. Young, killed; John 
 Shepard, wounded. Capt. McGoffin's company— Henry Johnson, 
 wounded. 
 
 In Col. Kelly's regiment of infantry, (Capt. Champion's com- 
 pany), John Fleming, killed. Capt. Livingston's company — 
 William Kindrick, killed. 
 
 I have the honor to be. 
 
 Very respectfully, j'our obedient servant, 
 
 M. M. PARSONS, Brigadier-General. 
 
 GEN. M'BRIDE'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 General : On 
 
 Capt. Churchill S. Clark 
 
 faced to the enemv 
 
 Lexington, Mo., Sept. 20, ISGl. 
 the 12th instant as we approached this place, 
 and when about three miles distant, I 
 received an otder from you to proceed 
 without delay and regardless of the artil- 
 k-ry, in the rear of which we had been 
 marching during the day. We imme- 
 diately passed Gen. Parsons' command 
 and several others, and passing the fair 
 grounds reached the suburbs of the city. 
 We tiled off to the right through an open 
 field in the rear of another column. Before 
 the rear of my command had entered the 
 field the enemy, who were on or near the 
 road ahead of us, in ambush, discharged a 
 heavy volley of musketry, severely wound- 
 ing one of my men in the head. We halted, 
 and returned their fire, when thev broke 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 47 
 
 and fled. As they were concealed from us by intervenin<»- trees 
 and a patch of corn, I was uncertain as to the exact direction 
 they had taken. Finding the enemy had fled I immediately 
 countermarched my column, crossed the road, jjassed through 
 an orchard and corn patch into the cemetery, passed through 
 this in the direction of the town, and entered into a 
 street which led us into an open piece of ground. Here 
 our line was necessarily broken by the many obstacles en- 
 countered. I halted the men and was in the act of 
 forming the line when the enemy, from a hollow ahead of us 
 where they had halted and concealed themselves, opened on us 
 again, doing little or no damage, except wounding Col. Wingo. 
 The colonel was badly, but I am pleased to say not dangerously 
 wounded in the shoulder. Upon returning their fire the enemy 
 again fled like rats and did not halt until safely landed within 
 their entrenchments. We proceeded to the town and occupied, 
 during the rest of the evening, a position to the left and in sup- 
 port of the battery commanded by Capt. MacDonald. In this 
 skirmish the enemy lost three killed and seventeen wounded, as 
 appears by a private paper of a citizen of Pettis County which 
 fell into my hands to-day. So much for the skirmish of the 12th. 
 I now come up to the events of the last three days. On the 
 morning" of the 18th we left camp near the fair grounds, in the 
 entire rear of the army, and at a distance of half or three- 
 quarters of a mile took a left hand road which led us to the 
 upper end of town. I here received an order from you by Col. 
 Snead to move forward to the support of Cols. Rives and Hughes, 
 who were going down the river to attack the enemy's steam- 
 boat, which was lying at the foot of a point on this side of the 
 river, three-fourths of a mile below the ferry. One column 
 moved forward and came up with the rear of Col. Rives' com- 
 mand at the foundry. Col. Hughes had the boat taken and run 
 up to the ferry with but little difficulty, and his regiment and 
 Col. Rives' force filed off to the right and took position near the 
 brow of the bluff, about a quarter above where the boat was 
 captured. My command followed the enemy up the bluff, each 
 party keeping up a running tire. At the summit of the bluff 
 they had three mines prepared, two of which they sprang upon 
 us, wounding several of our men severely, but fortunately kill- 
 ing none. The enemy had now reached his entrenchments and 
 
48 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 kept up from noon until night a halting- fire of musketry, en- 
 livened by an occasional discharge of grape. Upon gaining the 
 summit of the blufE I was immediately impressed with its im- 
 portance and much surprised that it was yielded so readily by 
 the enemy. I dispatched my volunteer aide, Maj. Welton, to 
 you for assistance. He returned, informing me that assistance 
 would be promptly rendered. In a short time Col. Green ap- 
 peared with several companies of Gen. Harris' command. Gen. 
 Harris shortly after appeared and these officers and their men 
 co-operated with me, rendering signal service. About dark a 
 party of the enemy raised the shout and charged within a short 
 distance of the brow of the bluff, but were quickly repulsed, 
 doubtless with some loss. I lost no men. Occasional firing was 
 kept up during the night on both sides. 
 
 The next day, 19th, passed off without any particular inci- 
 dent in our quarters. Being still more strongly impressed with 
 the importance of our position, I sent to you for cannon and 
 hemp, which was furnished us this morning, 20th. The cannon 
 was taken up by hand, and a good breast-work formed with the 
 hemp within 100 yards of the enemy's cannon. During the time 
 we were constructing the breast-work a galling fire was kept up 
 on both sides, in which. I am sure, the enemy suffered severely. 
 Some of Gen. Harris' men and some of ours were killed and 
 wounded. The enemy seemed only on this morning to be fully 
 conscious of the importance of the occupation of this point by 
 us, and fought with much energy alid determination until driven 
 from two of their pieces nearest the breast-work, when they ran 
 up the white flag, which terminated the contest. 
 
 During the action of the last three days Maj. Welton, one 
 of my aides, rendered me prompt and efficient service. Gen. 
 Harris' men, as far as my observation extended, behaved very 
 gallanth'. Col. Green was personally present and bore himself 
 with coolness and intrepidity. Of the officers and men under my 
 command it is only necessary to say that on this, as on all former 
 occasions, they have proved themselves equal to every emer- 
 gency. Lieut. -Col. Twigg, of the First regiment, was with me 
 from beginning to end and rendered every desired assistance. 
 The men who stole away from their homes in the presence of the 
 enemy and marched 600 miles without tents, half clad, and many 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 49 
 
 of them unshod, can be safely relied on in the hour of dan^rer. 
 
 In the action detailed above, of my command two were 
 killed upon the ground, one was mortally wounded, four severely 
 wounded, and seven slightly. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 J. H. McBRIDE, Brig.-Geu., yth Division M. S. G. 
 
 GEN. STEEN'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Headquarters Fifth Division M. S. G., 
 Camp at Lexington, Sept. 23, 1861. 
 To Col. H. Little, Adjt.-Gen., Missoitri Forces : 
 
 Sir : In obedience to instructions I herewith submit the 
 reports of the several commands of my division that took a 
 part in the siege of Lexington on the 18th, 19th, and 20th inst. 
 I was prevented by ill health from leading my division, only 
 being able to be present at the closing hour. It is a proud 
 pleasure to know that the troops of the Fifth division did their 
 duty as became patriots and soldiers. Most of my command 
 came in under forced marches, from the extreme northern por- 
 tion of the district. On their way they encountered a force of 
 Federalists under Lieut. -Col. Scott, which they completely 
 routed: and leaving that field in victory they rushed on to this 
 point to participate in this memorable conflict, and many of 
 them were among those that received the brunt of the battle. 
 To my whole command, officers and soldiers, I must return my 
 thanks for the manner in which they behaved. 
 
 I have the honor to be. 
 
 Your very obedient servant, 
 A. E. STEEN, Brig.-Gcn., Fifth Division M. S. G. 
 
50 
 
 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 COL. HUGHES' OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Hdqrs. of First Infantry, P^'ourth Div. M. S. G., 
 Lexington, Mo., Sept. 21, 1861. 
 
 Col. B. a. Rives, Co?timandi>i^ir Dhiision : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor of reporting to you the operations 
 of that portion of your troops under my command in the action 
 of the 12th, before reaching Lexington, and also in the battles 
 of the 18th, 19th and 20th in and about the fortification and 
 entrenchments of the enemy. 
 
 In the action of the 12th, whilst advanc- 
 ing with my regiment on the extreme right 
 wing, and in front of the advancing and at- 
 tacking column, we were fired upon by a 
 heavy body of the enemy concealed in the 
 grass, standing corn and hedge, severely 
 wounding several of my troops. We re- 
 turned the fire very vigorously for half an 
 hour, when the enemy gave way, falling 
 back towards their entrenchments. During 
 this engagement your cavalry regiment, 
 having been dismounted, and being under 
 your command and that of Lieut -Col. Bo- 
 hannon, joined me and very gallantly re- 
 pulsed the enemy. Gen. Parsons' battery 
 contributed very greatly towards dislodging the enemy at this 
 jjoint. The whole brigade then under your immediate command 
 followed up the success already gained and moved briskly upon 
 the retreating foe through gardens, orchard, and corn field on 
 the right of the enemy's left, taking position on the east side 
 of the enemy's breast-works. Here a heavy fire w^as poured in 
 upon us, until night put a stop to the firing on both sides and 
 we received orders to withdraw to the fair grounds. 
 
 In the action of the 12th I had two men severely wounded, 
 William Hall, of Co. K, from Clinton County, (Capt. Webb's 
 company), and John F. Simms, Co. G, (Capt. Smace), from Liv- 
 ingston County, and three slightly wounded, to-wit: Sergt. A. 
 
 Col. Hiram Bledsoe 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 51 
 
 J. Tartar, Co. K, (Capt. Webb), from DeKalb County; Monroe 
 Williams, Co. G, (Capt. Smace), Livingston County; and Lining- 
 ton Hill, Co. H, (Capt. Thompson), Caldwell County. At night- 
 fall we were ordered back to the fair grounds and encamped for 
 the night. Here we awaited re-inforcements and a full supply 
 of ammunition, which soon arrived from Springfield. 
 
 In the action of the 18th I have to state that my right, 
 under vour direction, proceeded upon Lexington, on the left 
 wing, next the river. Part of Gen. Steen's division were placed 
 in the front until we arrived up into the-central part of town. 
 After some considerable cannonading on both sides my com- 
 mand and that of Lieut.-Col. Bohannon were directed by you to 
 file down to the ferry and thence down the river, with the view 
 of attacking the enemy on the north side of his entrenchments, 
 and thereby cut off his connection with the river. In executing 
 this order my column led the way down the river, the right bank 
 of the Missouri river. The enemy opened a sharp tire upon us 
 from the iron foundry, the steam mill, and other buildings in 
 that vicinity, but we continued to dislodge them and drive 
 them towards the trenches. The Clara Bell steamboat and 
 steam ferryboat were lying near by, and the enemy kept up a 
 sharp fire from these and from the bluffs, upon my column. At 
 this stage of the action Gen. Parsons and his battery came up 
 and oi:)ened fire upon them, soon driving them from their hiding 
 places in the bluffs and from behind houses and piles of lumber 
 near by. My column then quickly advanced and under your 
 order took possession of both the steamboats and moved them 
 to the upper landing for our own use. I placed them under 
 command of Capt. William Mirrick and his company, who im- 
 mediately and promptly moved on board the same. We carried 
 off a good number of the enemy's horses and other valuable 
 property, all of which were promptly turned over to the State. 
 My column then advanced up to the bluff's upon the northwest 
 angle of the enemy's fortifications, and by the aid of a portion 
 of Gen. Harris' men and part of your own regiment took possess- 
 ion of Col. Anderson's large brick building then occupied by the 
 enemy, from which thej' galled us severely. The lower part of 
 this building was used by the enemy as a hospital and had in it 
 1.30 sick and wounded, which were all removed on the evening of 
 the 19th. A very sharp conflict ensued and my loss here was 
 
52 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 three killed : John Wilkerson, of Capt. Goodwin's Co. A, extra 
 battalion, and William Cox and M. J. Brooks, of Co. B, Capt. 
 Coleman, extra battalion, all of Grundy County, Missouri. This 
 battalion was commanded bj' Maj. Hansard. Severely wounded: 
 William H. Webster, of Co. B, extra battalion, Capt. Goodwin, 
 Grundy County: and William C. Crouch, Co. G, Capt. Small, 
 Livingston County. Slightly wounded: Thomas Woodhouse, Co. 
 A, Capt. Dyes, of Livingston: James Marquan, William Steel 
 and Albert Edwards, all of Co. H, Capt. Thompson, Caldwell 
 County; and John Flinis, Co. F, Capt. Powell, Ray County. I 
 was slightly wounded by a minie ball or grape shot, but soon re- 
 covered from the shock and did not leave the field. 
 
 I will add that during the evening several very sharp con- 
 flicts took place on that part of the field, and with varied suc- 
 cess. The enemy bv a bold assault regained the hospital build- 
 ings, brutally killing several of our men after they had sur- 
 rendered as prisoners of war: but in a short time we made a 
 very vigorous attack upon them and recovered the hospital 
 buildings from the enemy and re-established ourselves so that 
 we could not again be dislodged. The firing was quite spirited 
 on all sides of the entrenchments during the evening and 
 throughout the entire night. Several attacks were made during 
 the night. 
 
 On the morning of the Itlth we arose from our bivouac upon 
 the hills to renew the attack. This day we continued the fight- 
 ing vigorously all day, holding possession of the hospital build- 
 ings and throwing large wings from both sides of the house, 
 built up of bales of hemp saturated with water to keep them 
 from taking fire. These portable hemp bales were extended 
 like the wings of a partridge net, so as to cover and protect 
 several hundred men at a time, and a most terrible, galling and 
 deadly fire was kept up from them upon the works of the enemy 
 by my men. I divided my forces into reliefs and ke^jt some .300 
 of them pouring in a heavy fire incessantly upon the enemy, 
 supi^lying the places of the weary with fre&h troops. On the 
 night of the 19th we enlarged and advanced our defensive works 
 very near to the enemy's entrenchments, and at daybreak 
 opened upon their line with most fatal effect. During the night 
 we captured several of the enemy who were seeking for water 
 outside the fortifications. Some thirty of the enemy were killed 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 53 
 
 by the men under my command in their efforts to procure water 
 at the hospital well and spring- near by. 
 
 On the 20th the attack became general and our men rivaled 
 the g-allant soldiers under Gens. McBride and Harris on our left. 
 The rivalry and enthusiasm became irrepressible and the conflict 
 exceedingly sharp, whilst very rapid advance was made on the 
 works of the enemy. Our gallant and brave boys picked oft" 
 every Federal that attempted to show his head above the breast 
 works. Never was there more dauntless courage exhibited by 
 any soldiers than was shown by the troops under my command. 
 Officers and private soldiers alike deserve the highest praise. 
 In this short report I cannot name all those who took part in 
 the action, but I promise a more extended report in future. I 
 must say that Lieut.-Col. Twigg and his men, of Gen. McBride's 
 division, and Col. Green and his forces, of Gen. Harris' division, 
 in the last assault which put the enemy to rout and compelled 
 them to think of a surrender, won my admiration. These forces 
 were co-operating with me on my left wing. I never saw better 
 fighting done on any field. My ow^n men were so fired up with 
 enthusiastic courage that it was almost impossible to prevent 
 them from leaping over the bales of hemp and scaling the ene- 
 my's entrenchments, and plunging right into the ditches. I 
 think I may say with truth that the troops under my command, 
 co-operating with those under Gens. McBride and Harris and 
 Capt. Bledsoe's gallant battery, brought about a speedy sur- 
 render. 
 
 The enemy finding it impossible to hold out longer raised a 
 white flag and advanced towards my headquarters, and another 
 towards Gen. Harris' lines at the same time, offering to sur- 
 render as prisoners of war. The principal officers on both sides, 
 yourself included, were soon assembled in front of my lines and 
 tht terms of the surrender agreed upon. Col. Marshall, of the 
 Federal forces, came forward and greeted you in a friendly 
 manner. Meanwhile the booming of the cannon died away and 
 the firing of small arms had ceased all along the extended lines, 
 and all was peace. Friendly greetings took place between Fed- 
 erals and Confederates who but a few moments before had been 
 engaged in deadly conflict. 
 
 In this short report I desire to express my thanks to all my 
 men, and especially my commissioned officers, the captains and 
 
54 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 lieutenants, for their gallantry and good conduct during the pro- 
 tracted and toilsome sieg^ of Lexington. I cannot forget to 
 acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered me by Lieut. -Col. 
 J. A. Pritchard, of my regiment, and Maj. Hansard, of the extra 
 battalion. Nor can I overlook the valuable services of Capt. 
 Robinson and the three companies of soldiers with him from 
 Gen. Harris' division, then acting under my orders and com- 
 manded by Col. Wilfull. In concluding this imperfect report of 
 the operations of the men under my command in the attack of 
 thel2th, and also in the siege of Lexington on the 18th, 19th 
 and 2oth, all the officers and soldiers behaved with great gal- 
 lantry and deserve all praise. I will further add that during the 
 siege several citizens and amateur lighters fell into the ranks 
 under my command and rendered efficient service with their 
 rifles and double-barreled shot guns, obeying my orders and ad- 
 vancing gallantly upon the enemy. To all these and to my own 
 brave soldiers, I publicly tender my thanks for their noble be- 
 havior. I have the honor to be, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 J. T. HUGHES, Col. First K,\^i>nr}!t hifautry. 
 
 COL. RIVES' SPECIAL REPORT. 
 
 Headquarters Fourth Division M. S. G., 
 Lexington, Mo., Sept. 13th, 1861. 
 To Maj. -Gen. S. Price, Commandin,^ Missouri ^late Guards: 
 
 Sir : In obedience to your orders I herewith transmit a re- 
 port of the participation of the Fourth division of the army in 
 the battle before Lexington on the 12th instant, at about 3:00 
 o'clock p. m. : 
 
 I was ordered to direct Col. Hughes' regiment of infantry 
 to deploy on the right of the road leading from the fair grounds 
 to Lexington, and scour the corn field with skirmishers to as- 
 certain if the enemy was there posted. I was also ordered to 
 dismount my regiment of cavalry, under command of Lieut.- 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 55 
 
 CoL Bohannon, and direct him to perform the same service on 
 the left of the road. The two columns thus advanced until they 
 reached the house of Dr. Higgins, when I ordered Lieut. Col. 
 Bohannon to cross his column over to the right of the road and 
 join the regiment of Col. Hughes. We had advanced but a 
 short distance in the direction of the city when the enemy, "con- 
 cealed behind a hedge and some fences, opened a galling fire 
 upon a regiment of cavalry which had by this tima been thrown 
 in front. They returned the fire gallantly but their horses be- 
 coming unmanagable the}'^ were compelled to retire and dis- 
 mount. I immediately advanced my column, opened a fire upon 
 the enemy and compelled them to retreat in the direction of the 
 city. We pursued as fast as the obstacles presented by a num- 
 ber of fences would permit, and with the co-operation of other 
 portions of the army, drove the enemy before us into their en- 
 trenchments around the college buildings. I then took a posi- 
 tion on the east of the fortifications and remained until dark, 
 when I was ordered into camp. 
 
 My loss in killed and wounded is as follows: In Col. Hughes' 
 regiment, four wounded and none killed. In Lieut. -Col. Bohan- 
 non's regiment, James G. Brown, of Co. D, Livingston County, 
 killed on the field ; Capt. Rives, of Co. E, Ray County, shot 
 through both thighs while leading his company into the thickest 
 of the fight : Rufus Chadwick, of Co. G, Davis County, mortally 
 wounded — a brave man, who, when dying, remarked: "Tell my 
 wife that I died like a brave man for Missouri, and only regret 
 that I had not another life to give her." George McNeil, of 
 Co. B, Davis County, was killed while on picket. 
 
 For a more detailed account of the operations of the First 
 regiment of infantry I refer you to Col. Hughes' report, which 
 I herewith enclose. To all the officers under my command I am 
 indebted for their gallantry and assistance in this action, as well 
 as to the brave men who have conducted themselves as only men 
 can who are conscious that they are fighting in a righteous 
 cause. I take pleasure also in acknowledging my obligations to 
 Captain Hubbell and Colonel Conrow of my staff, as well as to 
 Captain Harris, who acted as a volunteer aid during the battle. 
 AH of which respectfully submitted. 
 
 Very respectfully your ob't servant, 
 B. A. RIVES, CoL Commandiyig 4th Division M. S. G. 
 
56 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 COL. RIVES' OFFICIAL REPORT 
 
 Headquarters Fourth Division M. S. G , 
 September 23rd, 186L 
 To Major General Price, 
 
 Sir : In obedience to your orders I have the honor to report 
 the action of the Fourth division of the army in the sieg"e of 
 Lexing^ton. 
 
 On the morniny of the 18th, my command, consisting of a 
 regiment of infantry under Colonel Hug^hes and a regiment of 
 cavalry dismounted, imder Lieutenant Colonel Bohannon, was 
 ordered to take up the line of march in the direction of Lexingf- 
 ton. When we reached the city you ordered me to take a 
 position on the west of the enemy's fortifications on the bluff 
 above Anderson's warehouse. When I arrived there the enemy 
 opened a fire upon my lines from their entrenchments, and also 
 from a buildingf occupied by them as a hospital, and from which 
 was floating^ a white flag". I immediately ordered First Lieut. 
 F. G. Bransford, commanding" Company A of Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel Bohannon's reg"iment, to storm the building-, which was most 
 successfully and gallantly accomplished. As soon as the build- 
 ing was secured, I found concealpd in the cellar a number of 
 negro slaves, owned in various sections of the surrounding coun- 
 try, some as far north as Utica, which I caused to be placed 
 under guard and delivered to their owners. That being accom- 
 plished, and feeling secure in my position, I ordered Capt. Wm. 
 Merrick, commanding Company A of Colonel Hughes' regiment, 
 to march his command down to the river and take possession of 
 a steamboat and a steam ferryboat that were in the employ of 
 the enemy, and on which was found a large amounc of stores 
 useful to the army. The boats were captured and taken to the 
 main wharf of the city and turned over to the quartermaster. 
 In the meantime, a number of horses, mules, and harness were 
 taken from the enemy and sent to camp. The firing was almost 
 constantly kept up from the enemy's entrenchments, and as 
 promptly returned by my men from our position on the bluff and 
 at the hospital. Our sharpshooters from the hospital so annoyed 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 57 
 
 the enemy that they determined to retake the building, which I 
 am forced to say was bravely accomplished, and would have elic- 
 ited our admiration had not the act been tarnished by the murder 
 of three of my men, who, being overpowered in a room of the 
 building, laid down their arms and surrendered as prisoners. 
 Another only escaped through the kind-heartedness of a sick 
 man, a member of the Illinois regiment of cavalry, who kindly 
 furnished him a place on his bed and a portion of his blanket, 
 by which he escaped the observation of the bloodthirsty soldiers 
 whose bayonets were reeking with the blood of defenceless men. 
 The enemy's occupation of the building, however, was brief. 
 Captain Peniston, of Company F of Lieutenant Colonel Bohan- 
 non's regiment, appreciating its importance, immediately led 
 his command to the charge, and being assisted by individual 
 members of other commands, retook the building, leaving nine 
 of the enemy dead in the j-ard and orchard adjoining the house. 
 This position we held until the surrender, notwithstanding 
 various attempts were made to retake it by a large force of the 
 enemy, assisted by well directed shots from their batteries, 
 which almost demolished the building. I take pleasure in ac- 
 knowledging my obligations to Brigadier General McBride and 
 Brigadier General Harris, who were posted on my left and who 
 rendered me invaluable aid in holding this important position 
 by ordering a well directed cross fire into the ranks of the 
 enemy whenever they attempted to charge my front. 
 
 On the evening of the 19th inst., at the suggestion of Brig- 
 adier General Harris and by his assistance, we brought up a 
 large number of bales of hemp and constructed temporary 
 breastworks on each side of the hospital building to shelter our 
 men, and from which they could fire with greater precision at 
 the enemy whenever they made their appearance above their 
 fortifications. This portable protection was advanced from time 
 to time until we were within about one hundred yards of the 
 entrenchments of the enemy, when on the evening of the 20th 
 inst. a white flag was raised and sent to my post by the enemy. 
 I immediately dispatched a messenger to your headquarters to 
 inform you of the fact, and to request that hostilities be sus- 
 pended in other portions of our line. I advanced to the position 
 of the enemy, accompanied by my staft", and awaited the arrival 
 of Colonel Snead, your acting adjutant general, who negotiated 
 
58 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 with the B'ederal officers for a surrender of their forces, by 
 which an immense effusion of blood was spared. 
 
 In this laborious seige, by which the men under my com- 
 mand were kept constantly under arms for three days and two 
 nights, many individual acts of bravery were exhibited, which 
 my prescribed limits will not permit me to mention. 
 
 My especial thanks are due to Colonel Hughes, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Pritchard, of the First regiment infantry, and to Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Bohannon and Major Comer, of the First regi- 
 ment cavalry, also to Captain Scott of St. Joseph, who acted as 
 aid to me and who could always be seen where the danger was 
 most imminent. Captain Hubbell and Colonel Conrow, of my 
 staff, and Captain Harris of St. Joseph, who volunteered his 
 services as aid. I take pleasure in acknowledging my obliga- 
 tions to Major Winston, of Brigadier General Stein's division, 
 and Major Milton, of Brigadier General Harris' division, each of 
 whom, with a force under their command, rendered me valuable 
 assistance throughout a greater portion of the seige. 
 
 My entire loss in killed and wounded is as follows : In the 
 extra battalion attached to Colonel Hughes' regiment and under 
 command of Major Hansard, three killed on the field and one 
 wounded; in Colonel Hughes' regiment, eight killed and none 
 wounded; in Lieutenant Colonel Bohannon's regiment, Lafay- 
 ette Quarles, James O. K Walker and Robert Caldwell, all of 
 Company A, Ray county, killed in, hospital, and Jerry Frasier 
 wounded ; in Company C, same regiment, Charles Desher and 
 Peter Ray, of Carroll county, wounded ; in Company B, Capt. 
 J. H. McNeill, of Davis county, wounded; in Company P, Geo S. 
 Thompson and Lafayette Warmouth, Grundy county, wounded. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 In extra battalion attached to Colonel Hughes' regiment 
 and under command of Major Hanson, 3 killed and 1 wounded ; 
 in Colonel Hughes' regiment, 8 wounded ; in Lieutenant Colonel 
 Bohannon's regiment, 8 wounded, ',i killed. Total killed and 
 wounded, 21. 
 
 For a more detailed account of the action of the First regi- 
 ment infantry, [ refer to the report of Colonel Hughes, which 
 is herewith transmitted. All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 B. A. RIVES, Co/. Cotnmandinff 4th Di7'ism?i M. S. G. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 59 
 
 COL. JACKSON'S OFFICIAL REPORT 
 
 Headquarters Third Division M. S. G. 
 Lexington. September 23, 1861. 
 To Col. Thomas L Snead, Acting Adj. Gen. Army Corps. 
 
 Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following- report 
 of the part taken by the forces of the Third division in the 
 several daj's' engagement at Lexington, the same having been 
 temporarily placed under my command during the absence of 
 their gallant and legitimate commander, Brig. Gen. John B. 
 Clark, who some short time before was specially detailed on 
 business for the army and necessarily preventing his presence 
 with his command. 
 
 On the morning of the 18th inst., in pursuance of the orders 
 of the major general commanding, my forces were got in read- 
 iness and marched to the fair grounds near Lexington for the 
 purpose of taking their position in the line of battle. My 
 forces consisted of the First regiment of infantry, commanded 
 by Lieut. Col. Edwin Price and Maj. John B. Clarke, jr.; the 
 First batallion of cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Col J. P. Major 
 and Maj. A. H. Chalmer : the Second regiment of infantry, 
 commanded by Lieut. Col. John H. White and Maj. Joseph 
 Vaughan; the Second battalion of infantry, commanded by 
 Lieut. Col. M. G. Singleton and Maj. Q. Peacher : the First 
 battalion of infantry, commanded by Maj. R. S. Brevier, and 
 several independent companies under command of Capt. J. A. 
 Poindexter, the whole amounting to twelve hundred and thirty 
 men. 
 
 The position assigned me was upon the left of the battery 
 of Brigadier General Parsons, with directions to support the 
 same. It was now 9 o'clock A. M., and in this position the line 
 of march was commenced and continued down the main road 
 until getting into the city, when a detour was made to the left 
 and we arrived in front of the court house. Near this point 
 the battery was placed upon a commanding eminence and com- 
 menced a brisk fire upon the fortification, at the distance of 
 four or five hundred yards, which was continued during the day 
 
60 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 and at intervals during" the night. On the morning of the 19th, 
 by direction of the commanding" general, my forces were moved 
 from this position across the river, and marched about a mile 
 and a half in a northern direction for the purpose of meeting 
 and resisting the advance of reinforcements for the enemy, 
 which were reported to be coming from that direction under 
 the command of General Sturgis. Learning from satisfactory 
 sources that the reported forces had turned back, and that no 
 danger was to be apprehended from any force on that s'de of 
 river, I returned with my forces, again crossing the river by 
 one o'clock on the same day, and took a position on the east side 
 of the college building, and within four hundred and fifty yards 
 of the same. This position I held until the capitulation was 
 made by the enemy. During this time parties of skirmishers 
 were continually thrown out from my line, who with unerring 
 aim poured their fire upon the enemy behind his entrencements, 
 which at times told with such wonderful effect as to silence his 
 fire several times on that portion of the fortification. 
 
 T am gratified at being able to report not one of my forces 
 as killed, and but two persons very slightly wounded. Though 
 mostly acting as a reserve corps, my forces were frequently 
 exposed to the fire of the enemy, but I am gratified to be able 
 to state that both officers and men behaved in the most gallant 
 manner. I was attended upon the field by Lieut. Col. Wm. O. 
 Burton, Lieut. Col. R. B. Walton, Lieut. Col. Wm. Woodson, 
 Lieut. Col. S. Farrington, Lieut. Col. R H. Musser, Capt. Joseph 
 Pink, Capt. James Collins, who acted as aides for me and to 
 whom I make acknowledgements for efficient and gallant ser- 
 vices. I desire also to make my acknowledgements to Col. 
 C. W. Bell, assistant adjutant general, who was detailed b}' me 
 on duty from the field, who. though painfully afilicttd. performed 
 efficient service in the duty assigned him. I also desire to make 
 my acknowledgements to the surgeons of my command for their 
 prompt attention to duties, and efficient service they rendered 
 at their posts. 
 
 I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 
 
 CONGRAVE JACKSON, 
 Colonel Commandiuff Third /)i7'ision, M. S. G. 
 
The spring which was Col. Mulligan's main dependence for water after the 
 cisterns gave out. 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 61 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. BOYD'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Camp at Lexington Mo , September 22, 1861. 
 Lt. Col. D. W. FlOWERREL, Acting Ass't Adj. General, 
 
 Permit me to make the following- report of the part sus- 
 tained by the forces under m}- command in the battle of Lex- 
 ington on the 20th inst. 
 
 My command, consisting of six companies of cavalry, dis- 
 mounted, under Captains Wells, Gibson, Robinson, Bostic, 
 Bennett, and Lieutenant Moore, three companies of infantry, 
 Captains Minter. Smith, Stout, and three pieces of artillery 
 under Capt. E. V. Kelley, numbering- in all 400 men, were 
 stationed on the morning of the 19th inst. in and around the 
 court house yard. At eight o'clock A. M. on the 20th inst.. 
 Captain Kelley was ordered with the battery to take position 
 opposite northwest face of the enemy's entrenchments, and 
 opened fire at a quarter past nine, within about 100 yards of 
 same, which was kept up during the remainder of the day with 
 the most telling effect, silencing one of their guns at the fifth 
 round, which resumed fire in a short time and was silenced 
 again at several intervals during the day At ten o'clock A. M. 
 I was ordered to take position in the rear of the battery as 
 reserve. This I did with the whole of mj^ command, with the 
 exception of Captain Well's company, which was not in the 
 engagement, and Captains Bostic and Robinson, who since 
 report that they became detached and were engaged to the 
 right of General Parson's battery At eleven A. M. my com- 
 mand took position according to order at right and left of our 
 bitter}^ and commenced approaching the enemy under cover of 
 bales of hemp, rolling them before us, which formed most effec- 
 tive protection and saved many valuable lives Under this 
 protection we moved forward until within fifty paces of the 
 enemy's fortification with but little loss. After gaining our 
 position, and an incessant firing for several hours, the white 
 flag was displayed upon the enemy's embankments opposite my 
 command. Our men sustained a constant fire from both artillery 
 
62 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 and small arms, but they stood their ground like veterans and 
 answered not only shot for shot but two for one with most 
 destructive aim. Too much praise cannot be bestowed uiion our 
 noble recruits. The officers above named, who were under my 
 personal observation, together with Maj. J. J. Hash and Lieut. 
 E. W. Toole, acting adjutant of my command, fought like free 
 MIssourians who knew their rights and dared defend them. 
 
 The following is the list of killed and wounded in my com- 
 mand : Killed: F. M. Breman. private, Kelly's artillery; Jeff 
 Warren and Wm. Wren, privates, Minter's company. Wounded: 
 Lieut. H. H Moss, in arm. Privates Fays, W. A. Chesnah, 
 slightly, Minter'B company, Buchanan county : G. H. H. Brand, 
 in neck, G. R. Smith, in arm, A. J. Rucker, in arm, W. Thomas, 
 in hand, Gibson's company ; A. L. Wilson, in arm, John Kelly, 
 in thigh, J. Absom, in hand, Kelly's artillery; J. Lynch, in 
 hand, W. Smith, in knee, J. R. Hooper, slightly. Smith's com- 
 pany. Total killed, 3 ; wounded, 1.3 : killed and wounded, 10. 
 
 Yours obediently, 
 JOHN R. BOYD, Lieut. Col. Cojnmaudiuff. 
 
 MAJ. WINSTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT 
 
 Camp Wallace, near Lexington. 
 September 22, 1861. 
 Lt. Col. D. W. FlowERREL, Actin,ir Ass't Adj. General. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor of reporting that in obedience to an 
 order from headquarters, issued on the previous evening, the 
 line of march was formed about sunrise on the morning of the 
 18th, and on coming up with General Price, by his request, six 
 volunteers were detailed and sent to Captain Clarke's battery. 
 The column moved forward until ordered by General Price to 
 file to the left, whereupon Captain Gates' company was deploy- 
 ed on the right and Captain Saunders' company on the left as 
 skirmishers until the head of the column reached the base of 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 63 
 
 the hill of the town, when the skirmishers were called in and 
 the column ordered up the hill in double quick time. The horse- 
 men having- gained the street ou the crest of the hill, and just 
 as the head of the column reached it, there was a volley from 
 the enemy's pickets. The head of the column was ordered to 
 halt, and as soon as it was closed up advanced a square or so 
 and deployed to the right and left until the artillery came up, 
 and General Price ordered an advance through the lots on each 
 side sustaining them, which was gallantly performed until the 
 court house was passed by the wing on the right and the wing 
 on the left of the battery rested near. At this point Private 
 T. Turner, of Captain Kuykendall's company, lost his leg by 
 the enemy's grape. About one o'clock they were ordered into 
 the court house yard, a point equally near the battery, but of 
 much less exposure. Between two and three o'clock our forces 
 were moved, by order, near the crest of the hill above, and 
 between the ferry and the enemy's fortifications, where they 
 rested until sundown, when we were ordered to report to and 
 act in conjunction with Colonel Rives, who assigned our position 
 on the right of the hospital building, whereupon Captains 
 Thompson's, Gates', Saunders" and Childs' companies were 
 placed in line behind the fence, the left resting on the hospital 
 and the right on a small building at the corner of the lot. We 
 then placed four pickets in advance of the orchard fronting this 
 line Here they sustained a heavv charge, while the enemy's 
 battery bombarded the hospital and threw into us grape, with- 
 out the loss of a man, but sUghth' wounding T. C. Minor and 
 Wm. Miller, of Captain Chiles' company: Lieutenant Moore and 
 Lieutenant Fink, badly : Private Frederick, of Captain Rodgers' 
 company, and acting as sergeant major, and John Ross were 
 struck by a spent grape, but have since recovered. This posi- 
 tion was held by our command, with frequent severe firing* but 
 without loss on our part, until relieved by Captain Sanders about 
 eight o'clock on the evening of the 19th, when we moved near 
 the river and rested for the night. On the morning of the 20th, 
 Captains Mitchell, Rogers, McKinney, Dougherty, Grooms, 
 Thompson, Spratt, Gales, Sanders, Kuykendall and Minter's 
 companies were engaged in transporting and placing hemp in 
 the breastworks supporting the battery between the enemy and 
 the river, and as these companies finished their detail duties 
 
64 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 they were thrown into position to support the battery behind 
 the hemp bales on each wing", where our entire command was 
 posted when we were ordered to march into the enemy's fortifi- 
 cations. Your servant, respectfully, 
 
 JAS. H. WINSTON, 
 Maj. Commariditig First Battalioji, Platte County, M. S. G. 
 
 MAJ. THORNTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Headquarters. Camp Wallace, 
 Fifth Division M. S. G. 
 
 September 23, 186L 
 Brig. Gen. A, E. Steen, 
 
 Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the 
 battalion from Clay, under my command, during the battle of 
 Lexinton. 
 
 On the morning of the 18th, we marched from Camp Wal- 
 lace to the scene of action in the rear of the battalion from 
 Platte under Maj. J. Winston ; your whole command then pres- 
 ent, being in the rear of General Parson's command, not being 
 able to command us in person yourself on account of a severe 
 and relentless malady with which you had been sadly afflicted 
 for many weeks. When in sight of Lexington, by order of 
 Major General Price, Gen. J. W Reid led us to the city court 
 house by a road leading to the left of the main Lexington road 
 and entering the city from the west, where we remained till 
 four o'clock P. M., while our artillery was fiercely engaging 
 that of the enemy. About four o'clock P. M., the battalion from 
 Clay, together with the batallion from Platte, was marched by 
 your aid. Colonel Fiowerrel, between the enemy and that por- 
 tion of the river running north of the enemy's entrenchments, 
 where we were ordered to remain until dark, when we were 
 marched on until we reached the main road running down the 
 river from the ferry. Here two companies under Captains Pix- 
 
THE BATTLEOF LEXINGTON 65 
 
 ley aud Minta were separated from the rest of the battalion 
 by a terrific stampede of wagons and stragj^ling horsemen from 
 the direction of General Harris' command, stationed further 
 down the river, which was produced by a disastrous fire from the 
 enemy on Colonel Green's regiment. They were unable to join 
 them in the dark and were detailed on guard duty in the city 
 during the night. On the morning of the 19th, they joined, or 
 relieved, the companies Captains Grooms, Dougherty and Scott 
 that had been posted during the night on the right of the hos- 
 pital, on a line with it, within one hundred yards of the enemy's 
 entrenchments, as the advanced guard to hold and defend the 
 hospital which General Harris with his command had charged 
 and captured during the day. Thej' did their duties well and 
 firmly. During the night the enemy fiercely charged upon 
 them to recapture the hospital, but were repulsed in the most 
 determined and triumphant manner, with the loss of J. Snelling 
 of Captain Scott's company, severely wounded in three places, 
 and several others slightlj^ wounded. After two days of con- 
 tinuous service, under an unceasing fire from the enemy, with- 
 out anything to eat or any sleep, at dark on the 19th inst. my 
 battalion was ordered under the hill to rest 
 
 Early on the glorious morning of the 20th, by request of 
 Colonel Brace, I detailed Captain Grooms' company to load and 
 unload and haul hemp up the hill to within a few yards of those 
 breastworks which enabled us to whip the enemy. Captain 
 Grooms readily responded with his company, and thej^ worked 
 with the greatest energy during the whole day until we con- 
 quered the enemy. In the meantime, at about nine o'clock 
 A. M., Colonel Brace informed me that the hemp breastworks 
 that Colonel Green's regiment had formed within fiftj' j-ards of 
 the enemy's entrenchments, together with his battery of two 
 two guns, was in great danger of being taken, and that Colonel 
 Green must have immediate assistance in defending the limited 
 breastworks already made and in extending their area, or he 
 would have to retire. I instantly order three companies, com- 
 manded by Captains Pixley, Dougherty and Minta, to accompany 
 me at a double quick step to Colonel Green's relief, which they 
 promptly and patriotically obeyed. I reported my command to 
 Colonel Green near the breastworks, ready to obey his orders. 
 He requested me to detail one company to roll bales to the 
 
66 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 breastworks, which I did by sending Captain Pixley with his 
 company. Captain Pixley promptly proceeded to roll bales to 
 the breastworks under a raking- fire from the enemy's cannon 
 and side arms. In a few minutes Colonel Green called upon me 
 for the rest of my command present for similar service, which I 
 forthwith obeyed by proceeding with the remaining" companies, 
 under Captains Dougherty and Minta, to roll hemp bales to the 
 breastworks, under a terrific fire from the enemy but, thanks to 
 the hemp bales, with but little damage to the men. Behind 
 these breastworks, after formed, we remained and fought until 
 electrified with the waving of the white flag over the enemy's 
 entrenchments. I am happy to inform you that, although their 
 first engagement, none under my command faltered or wavered 
 in the discharge of every duty. All, both officers and privates, 
 deserve great credit for their cool and steady obedience to all 
 orders throughout the engagement. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 J. C. C. THORNTON, Major Commanding. 
 
 SURGEON'S OFFICIAL REPORT 
 
 Headquarters Medical Department, 
 Second Division M. S. G. 
 
 September 22, 186L 
 To Brig. Gen. Thos. A. Harris, 
 
 Commander Second Division M. S. G. 
 Sir : I hereby report a list of the killed and wounded of 
 your division in the engagement which occurred on the 18th, 
 19th and 20th insts., viz : 
 
 KILLED. 
 County County 
 
 B.Dudley Monroe Lieut. J. W. Mason. St. Charles 
 
 Walton Barker Knox Shaw . St. Charles 
 
 William Yancey Knox R. Price St. Charles 
 
 J. M. Singleton Shelby W. A. Chappell Kentucky 
 
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 67 
 
 Edward Pritched Warren J. C. Gosney Monroe 
 
 John Walker Lincoln 
 
 Total killed 11 
 
 SEVERELY WOUNDED. 
 
 Capt. W. S. Richardson. .Lewis 
 
 C. R. Blain Marion 
 
 J. W. McCord Montg-omery 
 
 W. H. Smith Warren 
 
 P. Priest Ralls 
 
 G. Christian Shelby 
 
 John Lighter Pike 
 
 S. M. Davis Lincoln 
 
 James Johnson 
 
 Total severely wounded . 
 
 Albert Trout St. Charles 
 
 M. V. B. Mosely Lincoln 
 
 R. H. Wells Lincoln 
 
 H. Gaty St. Charles 
 
 A. S. Alvis Pike 
 
 J. W. Kelley Buchanan 
 
 John S. Blunt Callaway 
 
 Lieut. Dan'l Black Knox 
 
 St. Charles 
 
 18 
 
 SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. 
 
 W. C. Willis Marion 
 
 T. J. Jordon Monroe 
 
 W. C. Young- Clark 
 
 Benj. Chiles Callaway 
 
 J. P. Smith Lincoln 
 
 Lieut. Col. J. C. Porter. .Lewis 
 
 Wm. Moore Lewis 
 
 J. W. Leighton Marion 
 
 Thos. Wright Marion 
 
 Wash Terry Lincoln 
 
 James Cunningham Lincoln 
 
 John W. Ward Lincoln 
 
 W. H. Verser Lincoln 
 
 Total slightly wounded . . 
 
 Thos. P. Dawson Monroe 
 
 Lieut. S. Haydon Lewis 
 
 Lieut. Col. B. Hull . . . .Lincoln 
 
 Wm. Thomas Buchanan 
 
 J, A. A. Collins Pike 
 
 J. C. Johnson St. Charles 
 
 J. P. Flute Scotland 
 
 A. J. Bower Monroe 
 
 J. W. Maupin Monroe 
 
 Thos. Dawson Monroe 
 
 Joseph Whipple Monroe 
 
 Ringo Monroe 
 
 J. Potts Callaway 
 
 ....26 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Killed 11 
 
 Severely wounded 18 
 
 Slightly wounded ... 26 
 
 Total 55 
 
 Respectfully, etc., 
 E. H. C. BAILEY, Surgeon Second Dn'/swn M. S. G. 
 
68 THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 THE BANK AFFAIR. 
 
 [Extract from St. Louis Repiiblican of September 26, iSbi ) 
 
 One of the largest stockholders in this bank, R. Aull, Esq., 
 yesterday received a dispatch from R. D. Hoffman, cashier, say- 
 ing : "Our money has been restored by General Price, and z<:'^ 
 have since burned our circulation.'''' The whole amount of circula- 
 tion, we are advised, at the last exhibit was about $1,110,000. 
 The amount of paper burnt was about $800,000, so that it is 
 likely the entire outstanding circulation likely to be presented 
 for redemption will not exceed $250,000, — making allowance for 
 notes lost since the bank has been in existence. The bank has 
 a much larger amount of coin than is necessary to redeem the 
 outstanding notes. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 On page 0, line 18, Linthicum should read Lantheaume— 
 Charles A. Lantheaume. Col. Van Horn wrote the account 
 from memory, and notified the editors of the error after the 
 type had been distributed. 
 
 On page 41 it should have been stated that Dr. A. V. Small 
 was Gen. Price's chief surgeon with the rank of colonel. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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