tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40405457242896194642024-03-13T03:58:53.678-07:00The 2nd Kansas State Militia and the Battle of The BlueThe intent of this blog is to pay tribute to the men of the 2nd Kansas Militia of Shawnee County for the role they played in repelling the Confederate raid of Missouri in October of 1864. To find out their story, begin by reading the oldest post first.Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-48997585014734194912014-02-07T11:40:00.001-08:002014-02-07T13:05:30.257-08:00Lt.Col. H. M. Greene: "Man in the Wilderness"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In a previous post <a href="http://2ndksm.blogspot.com/2011/10/shot-down-in-cold-blood-after-capture.html" target="_blank">"Shot Down in Cold Blood After Capture"</a> I wrote about some of the men of the 2nd Kansas Militia who attempted to surrender after the Battle at the Mockbee Farmhouse and were shot at point blank range by their Confederate captors. One of these unfortunates was Lt. Col. Henry Martyn Greene, the ranking officer of the 2nd K.S.M. remaining on the field after the battle. Greene had tried to rally his men in the moments after the Rebel line had over-run and out-flanked his Command, but quickly realized that his remaining 100 or so men would all be killed by the 2000+ Confederate soldiers that surrounded them. While attempting to surrender, Lt. Col. Greene was shot multiple times and left to die in the underbrush. Due to the severity of his wounds I had initially presumed that Greene was rescued where he lay for three days after being shot, but after visiting his grave on the Find A Grave website <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88653525" target="_blank">link</a> I discovered that this was not the case.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FD3QWzL-0ec/Uu4BqGz_1LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/KMNCtP85xj8/s1600/h.m.greene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FD3QWzL-0ec/Uu4BqGz_1LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/KMNCtP85xj8/s1600/h.m.greene.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo courtesy of Kathleen from Find A Grave </span></div>
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The truth turned out to be that not only was Lt. Col. Greene overlooked by the burial details who scoured the field for bodies after the Battle of Westport, but he had missed his own funeral as well. </div>
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Henry Greene's wounds were such that he could barely move and he had also been stripped of some of his clothing by retreating Confederates. For three days he must have gone through a surreal hell, drifting in and out of consciousness, lapping the morning dew from overhanging leaves and groping for the late season berries which still clung to the vine. It brings to mind Richard Harris in the movie "Man in the Wilderness", in which Harris' character, Zachary Bass is mauled by a grizzly and left for dead by his comrades. Like Bass, Henry Greene's comrades also presumed him dead and like Bass, Greene surprised them. </div>
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As Lt. Col. Greene lay hanging between life and death for three long days, dramatic events were transpiring. Battles were fought, bodies were gathered and buried, remains were dis-interred and reburied. Somehow Henry passed through these 72 hours and found himself still alive - and realized that if he wanted to remain that way he would have to save himself. And so he crawled out of the brush and slowly began to drag himself toward a farmhouse a mile distant. The following account was from a biography written shortly after his death in 1900: </div>
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<strong><em>He presented a melancholy sight, his face covered with blood and dust and hair matted with blood from the wound in his head. It happened that the farmer was a Union Man and he gave him the kindest treatment, conveying him to Westport, where he was taken to a surgeon. On telling the surgeon who he was, he was told that Colonel Greene had just been buried, but he succeeded in convincing the man of his identity after a time. His wounds were treated, the balls extracted, and he was given the best attention possible.</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em> </em></strong>Although he never fully recovered from his wounds, Henry Greene did retain the indomitable spirit for which he was named Lt. Colonel. A list of his accomplishments after the War: Co-founder of Lane University, Minister for The United Brethren and later The Presbyterian Church, Superintendent of the Kansas Home for Imbecile Children, Editor of the <em>Lawrence Journal </em>and later the <em>Lawrence Daily Record</em>, and through all this he served in the Kansas State Senate. He was also a member of the I.O.O.F. and the G.A.R. Henry did not believe in sitting around on his ass.</div>
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The Rebels who attempted murder that long ago day near the Mockbee Farmhouse had no idea that it would take something more than bullets to end the days of Lt. Colonel Henry Martyn Greene.</div>
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Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-21754611978887381862012-11-28T12:47:00.002-08:002012-12-01T20:38:15.975-08:00John Freeland, Company B: A Daring Escape<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> John Sedwick Freeland found himself in a dangerous predicament: he had just been taken captive by Confederate forces after a pitched battle at the Mockbee farmhouse and was trying to follow the instructions of his desperate captors, who had already killed several unarmed prisoners after the battle. Would he risk that fate or attempt escape? He had only a split second to decide. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> John Freeland was a native of Owens County Indiana, where he was born of pioneer stock in 1826. Seeking cheaper land to the west, John migrated to Illinois in 1847 and then to Kansas in November 1854, settling in Shawnee County. He was one of the first to arrive at the Monmouth Township and his farm eventually grew to 160 acres. In 1857 John returned to Illinois to marry his sweetheart, Mary Jane Lindsey and the couple returned to Shawnee County and the farm where they would raise 10 children together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> In October 1864 John and his neighbors were called upon to defend Kansas from the threat of the Confederate Army under General Sterling Price. John became a private in the 2nd Kansas Militia, Company B and was sent across the Missouri-Kansas border to the Big Blue River, where the 300 men of the 2nd would be on guard for the Rebel invasion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> On 22 October, the 2nd Kansas Militia was the only thing that stood between </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">the Confederate Army and the Kansas border as the rest of the Union Army had fled north to protect Westport, Missouri. John Freeland and the rest of the 2nd Regiment were out numbered and finally out-flanked by the streaming Rebel horde after a battle lasting nearly an hour and order quickly dissolved into chaos . Rebel Cavalry rode among the fleeing Kansans, attempting to round them up for capture. Some men were disarmed and shot at point-blank range and at least one negro teamster had his throat cut. In the middle of this storm was John, still holding the reigns of his horse. What happened next was described in the book, " <strong>William G. Cutler's History of Kansas" </strong>which featured a biographical sketch of John: "<strong><em></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Made his escape in a novel way. He still held to his horse after capture and
having his equipment covered by a citizen's coat that he wore, the Confederates
being hotly engaged and wanting all their men, put him on guard duty guarding
the prisoners, thinking him one of their men. He accepted the charge willingly,
and while their attention was engaged by the action going on, he stole away with
his horse and a good shot-gun that a rebel gave him to guard the prisoners,
going through a cornfield, and made his escape."</span> </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks to his audacity and quick thinking, John spared himself the innumerable hardships he would have suffered had he remained a prisoner. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ubO5tfoXc0/ULZ8PUfYkmI/AAAAAAAAAHU/V-yvAIcFq9Y/s1600/JSFreelandKansasHomestead1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ubO5tfoXc0/ULZ8PUfYkmI/AAAAAAAAAHU/V-yvAIcFq9Y/s320/JSFreelandKansasHomestead1854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">J.S Freeland's home in Monmouth Kansas</span> </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> photo courtesy of Sherrie Warner</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> John Freeland remained in Shawnee County another forty years, improving his farm and raising his family. In the early 1900's John and MaryJane moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma, following two of their daughters and their families. John died there in 1922 at the age of 91. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> While researching John Freeland I came across some reminiscences he gave to the Kansas State Historical Society concerning slavery in the Kansas Territory in the 1850's. This is an interesting insight into Kansas history in John's own words. <a href="http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/~imlskto/cgi-bin/index.php?SCREEN=show_document&SCREEN_FROM=immigration&document_id=102303&FROM_PAGE=&topic_id=111" target="_blank">Link</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-37358775870428489872012-10-12T09:49:00.000-07:002012-10-12T09:51:26.344-07:00Roswell Rose, Co. D: A Family Link and a Discovery.<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prior to February of 2011, I had no idea that the 2nd Kansas Militia existed or that my Great Great Grandfather, John Francis Bell, had been a private in Company D from Indianola Kansas. That all changed when I was contacted by a fellow Ancestry.com member named Mike Deming. Mike sent me an e-mail which suggested a link between us: it appeared that his Great Grandmother was the sister of my Great Great Grandmother and that the families were neighbors in Elmont Kansas for many years. As I studied the two family trees, Mike also mentioned that his Great Grandmother Cynthia Rose had been married to a man named Roswell Rose and that Roswell had fought in a Civil War battle called "<strong>The Battle of the Blue</strong>". This fact didn't really mean very much to me; I didn't even know where the battle had been fought. I decided to follow up on Roswell though; I began by Googling the name "Roswell Rose" and a wonderful thing appeared on my computer screen - it was a file contributed by a U.S.Genweb archivist from the book, "<strong>History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens"</strong>. More specifically it was chapter seven, which was entitled, <strong>"Repelling the Price Raid—Second Kansas State Militia—Preparations for War in Topeka—The Home Guards—The Battle of the Blue—Colonel Veale's Regiment in the Conflict—Capt. Ross Burns and His Famous Battery—The Gage Monument." </strong></span></span><a href="http://files.usgwarchives.org/ks/shawnee/history/1905/historyo/chapterv9nms.txt" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Link</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong>As I read and reread the file, I experienced a strange sensation. I knew that my ancestor John Bell had been in the Civil War and I was sensing a connection here. Up until this point the only thing I knew about John's service was that he "<em>Was in the Civil War,</em>" something that my Grandfather (also named John Bell) had told a family member before he died in 1996. I kept searching through the file and found Roswell Rose's name in Company D of the "Second Militia Regiment". I glanced up the page slightly I noticed another name in Company D - "Bell" jumped off the page at me, the first name in the row. Up one row and to the right I saw the initials J.F. and put it together - "J.F.Bell". I was nearly certain that I had found my G.G.Grandfather John Francis Bell. I began to read the story of the 2nd Kansas Militia closely now and I realized that this was a special unit, at least as far as Kansas History is concerned. It appears that they had sacrificed themselves to protect their adopted home state and that many had been killed, wounded and captured. As these thoughts all raced around my mind it occurred to me how lucky I had been to have been led to this discovery. Soon afterward I found the eye-witness account of the "Battle of the Blue" written by Samuel Reader and thus this blog was born. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Mike Deming continued his correspondence with me and had much to share. He provided me not only with the story of the Rose family but many old photos, including one of J.F. Bell and his family taken in the 1880's. The Rose and Bell families eventually lost contact with one another, but thanks to Mike they have been reunited and their history brought to light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span> <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Roswell Rose with his children in front of their home in Elmont Kansas, about 1898</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> The following biography of Roswell Rose was written by Mike Deming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <strong>Roswell Rose (1833-1914) Co. D</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Roswell was born in New York State in 1833. His family moved to the La Porte County area of Indiana between 1833 and1838. His father died about 1839 and his mother remarried. Roswell spent time as an indentured servant about age 18 for an unknown period of time learning to be a barrel maker and obtaining some schooling. He and the two older brothers, Elisha and Milton moved to Shawnee County, Kansas about 1857 homesteading near Soldier Creek. He farmed and worked as a bookkeeper, toll bridge keeper, freighter for several years and enlisted with the Kansas State Militia probably in October 1864, but may have been in the unit as early as 1862. He served with the KSM Second Regiment in company D, a cavalry unit. He had to furnish his own horse and was present at the “Battle of the Blue”. He and parts of the Company did see some action, but when things looked grim for the Second they were ordered to leave with haste and it was every man for himself. He headed for home, but his horse was stolen before he arrived at Indianola. Roswell married in 1865 having eight children of which six survived to adulthood. Roswell died in 1914 in Topeka, Kansas. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-19767254666712581952012-10-06T06:17:00.000-07:002012-10-06T06:17:11.051-07:00Alfred S. Roberts, Co. F and the Battle of Locust Grove <em>As I started researching the lives of the men of the 2nd Kansas Militia, I discovered "<b>William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas</b>". While reading through the bios of many of these men, I realized the battle in which they fought at the Mockbee farmhouse had been given a name back in the 1800's: it was then called "the Battle of Locust Grove". With the passage of time this moniker has all but disappeared and the "Battle of the Blue" has been the title given to this battle and the many other actions and skirmishes that took up most of 22 October 1864 near the Big Blue River, Missouri. The "Battle of Locust Grove" eventually became lost in the bigger picture of the Battle of Westport, fought the following day at nearly the same place. The fact that Union forces won the Battle of Westport was partly due to the stubborn resistance of the 2nd Kansas Militia at the Battle of Locust Grove the day previous. </em><br />
<em> The subject of this sketch from <b>Cutler's History of Kansas</b> is Alfred Roberts, who was a private in Co. F and fought at</em><em> the Battle of Locust Grove. Alfred migrated to Kansas in 1856 and was witness to the border "troubles" which plagued the Kansas/Missouri border in the years preceding the Civil War. No doubt he had many stories to tell.</em><br />
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ALFRED S. ROBERTS, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 22, P. O. Big Springs, Douglas County. Owns 170 acres, fifty under cultivation, fifty in pasture, sixty in meadow and eleven in timber. He has thirty head of cattle. Came to Kansas in the spring of 1856 with his parents, his father locating on the section west of this. When he was of age he bought and improved a quarter section west of his father, but sold out and went to Chautauqua County in 1869, and remained there eight years, improving a tract of land and dealing extensively in stock, but having lost two children and his family being in poor health, he sold out and went to Colorado for his health. Came back to Leavenworth County, bought eighty acres of land, improved it, sold out and came to his present location in 1880. Has held all the different positions on the school board as well as township. Was in the State militia during the Price raid and was with his command at the engagements on the Big Blue and Locust Grove, in Missouri. He made his escape by having a good horse and taking desperate chances. Mr. R. was born in Ohio, January 7, 1841, and came from there to Kansas. He was married August 23, 1868, to Miss Ellen Crum, and has one child, Rosa. He is a member and elder of the Christian Church. Mr. Roberts' farm was the scene of a bloodless affray during the troublous times of 1856. A party of Texas Rangers came suddenly over a hill on the east side of his farm, but halted at seeing a few men and boys who had met hunting for stray horses. Among them was Mr. R., who on seeing the Rangers started to run, thinking they would make a charge on them, but the Texas Rangers, thinking they were the advance of Lane's men and that they were trying to draw them into pursuit, made a precipitate retreat, never stopping until they had reached the Kansas River. Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-19512821601553739272012-08-31T21:20:00.000-07:002012-09-06T19:02:45.457-07:00Private John P. Majors, Co. D: “I Wish the Federal Line Would Wash Right Over Us” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
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John Pollard Majors <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(courtesy of Jon Totten)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">John Majors was a natural born wanderer who traveled halfway across the continent in order to join the 2nd Kansas Militia in the summer of 1864. Unlike most of the other men of Company D from Indianola Kansas, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">John migrated to Kansas at the beginning of the War for the specific reason of fighting for his country.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey of John Majors began in Wayne County Kentucky, where he was born in 1822.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many others at the time, John’s family sought the cheap land and freedom of the western frontier and when he was still a child they had migrated up the Mississippi River to Morgan County, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After John’s father died in the early 1840’s, the family moved once again upriver to Mahaska County Iowa where the Majors family claimed a large land tract in the Scott Township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During a land dispute that erupted between the Major’s and other local citizens, John and his older brother Jacob were taken by a mob to Knoxville Tennessee where they were tarred, feathered and told they must abide by the rules of the land claim association. Undaunted, John returned to Iowa where he met Ezilda Norton and they were married in 1848.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The couple traveled by wagon to California during the Gold Rush but returned to Mahaska County after a short time penniless. After the birth of their first two children, John and his wife decided to try California again - this time with John taking over as Postmaster of Visalia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John however grew restless with the start of the Civil War and by the early 1860’s the Majors family had travelled back toward the conflict, settling in Burlington Kansas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> John had a profound desire to protect the Union and when he heard that a Militia had been formed in nearby Shawnee County he traveled north from Burlington and arrived in Topeka in the middle of June, 1864. He enlisted in the 2nd Kansas Militia, Company D under the command of Captain Sterling Miles.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">John Majors was prepared to give his life for the Union cause but instead received what could be thought of as a much crueler fate.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> On the afternoon of 22 October,1864 after the 2nd KSM was defeated at the Battle of Mockbee </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Farm, John Majors found himself and about 75 other men prisoners under the command of Confederate General Jo Shelby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These men spent an uneasy night next to the Confederate field hospital and were forced to flee the next day along with the Rebel Army as it drove south toward the Arkansas border. The prisoners were forced to run most of their waking hours and many had inadequate shoes or clothing. John and the others were given very little food or water during the march and by 25 October several had already become seriously ill from fatigue and dehydration. John noticed however that the pursuing Federal forces had gotten very near to the rear of the fleeing Confederate Army and his spirits began to lift. “<em><strong>I wish the Federal line would wash right over us; I’d die right here to see it done.</strong></em>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> These words were recalled by fellow prisoner Sam Reader and attributed to John Majors. John's wish was not to be however and the men from the 2nd were hurried south faster than ever, listening to the sounds of the Battle of Mine Creek fade off in the distance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Just after noon on October 28th, John and his comrades straggled into Newtonia Missouri, nearly two hundred miles south from where they had started six days </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">earlier. Although a few had escaped, there were still about 75 men who remained captive and most of these could barely walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as Federal troops once again attacked Shelby’s Division, the General himself appeared and ordered the prisoners to be paroled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone hastily signed an oath saying they would not take up arms against the Confederacy and then without further ado were left to themselves, barely alive but free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A Federal search party found them the next day and it seemed to the prisoners from the 2nd Kansas Militia that their ordeal had come to an end.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdRZl9WLDbo/UEddq4KlTaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IVTTGpoR7ME/s1600/John+P.+Majors+parole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdRZl9WLDbo/UEddq4KlTaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IVTTGpoR7ME/s320/John+P.+Majors+parole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I found this scan of John Majors parole paper on Ancestry.com </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Majors returned to his family in Burlington Kansas by mid November but was never the same man again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, like most of the others who had survived the long march, was suffering from some type of chronic illness; in John’s case “jaundice and general debility” were the symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is likely he contracted hepatitis at some point during his captivity and his body began to fail him little by little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He passed away on the evening of 3 April, 1877 at the home of his brother in Stewartsville, Missouri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much later, John’s wife Ezilda filed for a widows pension but it was refused; the government could find no record of John’s service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> John Majors volunteered for the 2nd Kansas Militia to help preserve the Union which he so dearly loved. Although he suffered and died as a result of it, I believe that deep in his heart he was satisfied with the result of his sacrifice and I hope he shall always be remembered for it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-8033965115949017782012-07-30T12:10:00.000-07:002012-08-09T19:41:10.075-07:00Robert McNown, Co. D: "His Body Was Found Well to the Front"<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>During the course of creating this blog I have come across descendants of soldiers of the 2nd Kansas Militia, including those of Robert McNown from Company D. Robert was an early homesteader in Kansas, arriving at the pro-slavery town of Indianola in 1854. Although nothing is left of the town these days, Robert left his mark on the area by way of his stubborn conviction that Kansas should be a free-state, a conviction that eventually cost him his life. Among Robert McNown's descendants are the McNown and Zwickel families, who provided most of the information for this biography.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Robert McNown was born on the Isle of Man in 1814 and moved with his family to Rawdon, Quebec, Canada when he was still a child. Robert left home about age 18 and found work on a British whaler; due to the severity of discipline aboard that vessel he left for a French whaler where he learned his trade well and soon became first mate. Deciding to settle down, Robert came to Racine, Wisconsin where he met Sarah Drought and married her on 9 March, 1845. Weary of the harsh winters in Wisconsin, Robert travelled to Kansas in 1854 and selected his claim, which grew to be 320 acres just east of the Indianola town site. The main structure on</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the property was a rectangular two room log cabin – a holdover from the Delaware Indian Reservation and the dwelling which would serve the McNown family for many years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> By 1858 the entire McNown family had arrived in Kansas and soon realized they lived amongst many who believed Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave state. Robert had very strong anti-slavery sentiments and was jailed briefly in 1860 for his stance on this subject. With Kansas' admission to the Union as a free state in 1861, it seemed that Robert and his family could now get down to the business of working and growing their farm. By October 1864 however, the Civil War was still raging and the Confederate Army, led by General Sterling Price, had invaded Missouri and was heading directly towards Kansas. Robert joined Company D of the 2nd Kansas Militia and left with about 300 of his Shawnee County neighbors for Jackson County Missouri, where they were placed to defend the border. As with his brother John at Shiloh two years earlier, Robert was killed on the field of battle at the Battle of the Big Blue River near the Mockbee farmhouse on 22 October, 1864. Late in the afternoon of 23 October, burial parties moved through the battlefield and reported that they found the body of Robert McNown well to the front, which did not surprise those who knew him. Robert and fourteen other men from the 2nd killed in battle that day eventually were returned to Topeka and buried in a special section at the Topeka Cemetery, reserved for those who paid the price of freedom that long ago day. He left behind his wife Sarah and nine children, a tenth child born after his passing. </span><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">info.courtesy of the McNown/Zwickel families </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TE6FtVA-MF8/UBbVGE0ghWI/AAAAAAAAAGA/X0rlXl8yElA/s1600/Copy_of_Pioneers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TE6FtVA-MF8/UBbVGE0ghWI/AAAAAAAAAGA/X0rlXl8yElA/s320/Copy_of_Pioneers1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> photo courtesy Kansas State Historical Society </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
Photo taken on the property of Sam Reader in 1904 includes the son of Robert McNown: From left, John McNown (14 years old at the time of his fathers death), John Armstrong (Topeka Battery), Sam Reader (Company Quartermaster), Henry Winans (2nd Lt. Co. H), and Jacob Orcutt, 5th Kansas Volunteer CavalryJeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-59131155686007965982012-06-29T21:30:00.001-07:002012-07-25T09:29:02.927-07:00Samuel Marshall, Company B: Another Muster Role Discovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Sam Marshall in the 1870"s</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld7xCeOO1sY/T-59qsQApfI/AAAAAAAAAFo/mKfvqrUuQP0/s1600/1GmWmykag1jxnOei!ZvNNQojwEcQ07ebC2MMlyPIR4XgEITufU4LF71VS!VyvgVl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld7xCeOO1sY/T-59qsQApfI/AAAAAAAAAFo/mKfvqrUuQP0/s320/1GmWmykag1jxnOei!ZvNNQojwEcQ07ebC2MMlyPIR4XgEITufU4LF71VS!VyvgVl.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <i>photo courtesy of Jeff Phillips</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few months ago a gentleman named Greg Marshall contacted me about his Great Grandfather, a man named Samuel Marshall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greg had come across an obituary for Sam that stated, </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In November 1862, he removed to Topeka and reenlisted with Captain Hunton, Co B, Kansas Second State Militia.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> While Greg was researching the 2nd KSM he came across this blog and was hopeful of finding Sam's name on the roster. Although Sam's name wasn't there, he did notice a Captain Huntoon in Co. B and sensed he was on the right track. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">After exchanging e-mails with me, Greg wisely contacted the Kansas State </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Historical Society and ordered the muster role for the 2nd Kansas Militia, Co. B. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The muster role revealed that Samuel Marshal had indeed been enlisted in co. B on 10 October, 1864 and also that he been detached for service at Topeka – meaning that he was one of thirteen soldiers from company B assigned to remain at Topeka and protect the city should the Rebels break through into Kansas. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">These men were part of a large force of Militia that stayed in or near the City and were chosen due to the lateness which they arrived at Topeka or because they did not possess a reliable horse. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sam and the rest of the Militia remained at their posts until they finally received word on Monday, 24 October that the Rebel Army had fled south. As the balance of the 2nd KSM straggled home, Sam and his fellow soldiers gave what assistance they could</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to these men and their families - <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">the sense of unity and loss was very palpable as Topeka struggled to recover from the blows it suffered at the Mockbee Farmhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The following brief biography is a tribute not only to Samuel Marshall, but the many other men and women who remained at Topeka during Price’s Raid in October,1864 when the fate of Kansas hung in the balance. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Samuel Marshall was born on December 11, 1837, near Oberlin, OH, into a family that had emigrated from Lincolnshire, England, two years previously. In 1842, the family moved to southern Wisconsin and acquired farmland northeast of Lake Geneva. As a young man, Samuel traveled to California during the Gold Rush with his older brother and later accompanied his father to New York City. In 1857, Samuel came to Kansas, living briefly in Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Topeka, before settling in Breckinridge County, now called Lyon County. In April 1860, he was married to Martha Jane Courtney. The couple had two daughters, Allah Nora and Emma Jane, before moving to Topeka in 1862. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Samuel enlisted in Company B, 2<sup>nd</sup> Regiment, Kansas State Militia, on August 24, 1863, and was called to active duty on October 10, 1864, as the Militia was called up in response to the approach of Price’s Confederate army from Missouri. Muster roles reveal that Sam was detached from his unit and stayed at Topeka to protect the city in case the Confederates broke through and attacked.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the war, Samuel and his family moved briefly back to Wisconsin, where a son, Robert Edgel was born, and then returned to Topeka, where a third daughter, Minnie, was born. In 1868, both Minnie and Martha Jane died. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In 1869, Samuel married Margaret Grabendike in Topeka and began a second family with the birth of Hattie Belle in 1972. In that same year, the Marshalls moved to Osage City, about 40 miles south of Topeka in Osage County. They had two more children, Edwin Charles, born in 1874, and William Loren, born in 1878. In Osage City, Samuel farmed, traded in real estate, and operated a livery stable and a brick kiln. Here is an item from a local newspaper about his house: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The brick walls are said to be three or four courses thick, the bricks probably having been made in Marshall’s own nearby brick-making plant. Locally made bricks were also used for several Osage City Business Buildings still in use today [1962]. . . . Marshall built his house so that it was warm and dry. He built the kitchen and dining room partially underground, with two large rooms altogether above ground. The Marshall home and his brick factory, with its drying kiln, were both close to Salt Creek [south of Osage City].”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Margaret died in 1913 and Samuel in 1914. Both, along with Edwin, were buried in Osage City Cemetery, as were Hattie and William in later years. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to Greg Marshall for not only submitting the main body of Samuel’s bio but providing the impetus for me to acquire the muster roles of the 2nd Kansas Militia. Without these roles coming to light the names of the "other" Men of the 2nd KSM would have remained buried in a microfilm canister.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> From the</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> “<b>PAYROLL of Captain Huntoon’s Company B of the (cavalry) second Regiment, Kansas State Militia, Colonel George W. Veale, from the 10<sup>th</sup> day of October, 1864 to the 30<sup>th</sup> day of October, 1864</b>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> “<b>Detached service at Topeka</b>:”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1<sup>st</sup> Corporal Jacob Willets</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Byron Jewell</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. George Ludington</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Samuel Mulligan</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Samuel Marshall</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Hiram McArthur</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. A. Palmer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. W.H. Ragland</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Gabriel Wright</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. William Young</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. David Young</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Samuel Reese</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Patrick Tighe</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-11485575697319439072012-05-28T23:31:00.000-07:002012-07-02T08:14:30.394-07:00Reverend Richard E. Taylor and the "Kansas Alamo"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em> </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Reverend Richard E.Taylor, who passed away in February of this year, was a preservationist of Kansas history and author of the book "I Love Kansas". Besides saving numerous historic structures from the wrecking ball, Rev. Taylor also attempted to save Kansas History from fading to obscurity, including the story of the 2nd Kansas Militia. He believed that the stand made by the 2nd KSM at the Mockbee Farmhouse should be remembered as the "Kansas Alamo" and was often the subject of newspaper articles where he voiced his beliefs about the rich history of Kansas that was in danger of being forgotten. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The following article from the Topeka Capitol-Journal was published Memorial Day Weekend, 1998.</span><em> </em></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Reverend Richard Taylor plans on Monday to honor the Kansas militiamen who kept the confederates from invading the state in October 1864 with a speech at Enterpise Cemetery in Dickinson County.</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><strong>By GENE SMITH</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><strong>The Capital-Journal</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> John Branner had been wounded in the left elbow by rebel fire and was bleeding badly, but he refused to leave the 22-man crew of the Topeka Battery serving the unit's only gun -- a huge 24-pound brass howitzer, emplaced in a narrow lane just north of the Mockbee house on the way to Westport.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Twice already the men of Gordon's Regiment, Col. Sidney D. Jackman's Brigade, of Gen. Jo Shelby's Confederate cavalry division had come thundering down the lane six abreast. Each time, the Kansas gunners opened fire at 100 yards' range, shredding them with canister shot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Every round was marked with the blood of the 43-year-old German immigrant, the only veteran in the battery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The howitzer crew been hurrying north along the lane from Russell's Ford when they were fired upon from a locust grove and orchard east of the Mockbee barn. It was late Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22, 1864, and Lt. Gen. Sterling "Old Pap" Price was swinging west toward Kansas after a raid from Arkansas deep into Missouri.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Capt. Ross Burns ordered the heavy gun unlimbered, double-canister loaded, and fired into the grove over open sights. The cannon roared and the rebels scrambled back to the north over the ridge and out of sight, about where Watertower Park is today, at 75th and Holmes Road in Kansas City, Mo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Burns then ordered the gun relaid and fire resumed on the mass of Shelby's men, assembling several hundred yards downslope to the north.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As he did so, Col. G.W. Veale arrived with the whole of the Second Regiment, Kansas State Militia -- nearly 300 volunteers. They promptly formed in line of battle -- just in time to receive the Confederates' first charge. The Kansans' first line broke under fire and some fled, but order was restored and the unit held its ground for the rest of the action, nearly an hour total.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The short and dashing Shelby's action was typical. A wealthy Waverly, Mo., planter and hemp producer and one of the South's finest cavalry commanders, he sent flanking columns out to the left and right and ordered a charge by double columns, nearly 2,000 or 3,000 men.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> This third charge overran the Kansas militia, killing 24, wounding 20 more and capturing 68 prisoners along with the gun and 100 badly scared farm horses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It cost the Missourians 43 dead and wounded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jackman's men -- mostly Vernon County who had already been at war with Kansas for eight long years -- nearly beat Burns to death with their carbine butts, leaving the young lawyer unconscious and bleeding in the dirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The prisoners were herded into the yard of a nearby farmhouse for the night, without cover. Guilford G. Gage, for whom Gage Park and Gage Boulevard were named, said later he held the unconscious Burns in his arms like a child throughout the cold night. About 2 a.m. the Confederates came looking for him, and took him in charge until after the war.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Branner had been wounded again in the head and severely in the right arm, which a Confederate surgeon wanted to amputate. Branner refused. A shoemaker and owner of a highly successful Topeka boot and shoe factory, Branner had joined the militia after his whole work force quit to do the same. He was never again able to work with both arms -- but he kept them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The list of unwounded prisoners included Dr. J.A. Huntoon, captain of Company B and the man for whom Huntoon Street is named; Samuel J. Reader, an Indianola farmer who later painted a series of oils depicting the engagement; and a number of men from Topeka, Tecumseh, Indianola, Big Springs, Auburn and Monmouth. One, Lt. Hiram Ward, later died from ill treatment while a prisoner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> They were lucky. It wasn't unusual for both sides to shoot prisoners, and in fact the captured Kansans had been lined up alongside their blackened and silent cannon -- each confronted by a mounted Missouri cavalryman with revolver in hand, ready to fire. Then Shelby appeared, and put a stop to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> But Ben Hughes, the battery teamster, who was black, lay dead in the lane, his throat cut from ear to ear. Lt. William H. Delong was still shot after surrender and died of his wounds in Kansas City. A man named Race from Company A was also shot and died next day. Lt. Col. H. M. Greene was stripped of his clothes and shot three times. Dr. Huntoon, a witness, spurred his horse and tried to escape, but failed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> All that day, the Confederate cavalry screen had been probing for a suitable crossing of the Big Blue River, producing a series of brief, sharp encounters with Union detachments guarding the major fords. Each time, the rebels retired to look elsewhere. In the rear, time was running out for Price's 30,000 men and his train of 600 wagons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> After a four-hour battle Sunday morning, Price abandoned his plan of invading Kansas. Instead the rebels turned south, beginning their long retreat back to Arkansas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It was a nightmare trip for the prisoners. The Confederates, in hard circumstances themselves, helped themselves to the Kansans' boots and shoes. The militia had been 10 days without a change of clothing already, and hadn't eaten well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now they were divided into parcels of eight, each parcel sandwiched between fours of cavalry riding abreast, and compelled to double-time to avoid being trampled. They marched 40 to 50 miles every 24 hours with little water and less food.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gage, recalling it all years later, said they had only a single handful of dry coarse flour between a dawn breakfast Saturday -- before the fight -- and Wednesday night, after he and two other men, J.A. Polley and Nelson Young, escaped 15 or 16 miles east of Fort Scott. They crawled most of the way to Fort Scott to avoid discovery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "I am not sure that I knew, during at least a part of the time, precisely what I was doing. The fact is that we all came near to death by exhaustion and thirst; and I, perhaps, no nearer than any other man." He called much of the experience "vague; something like a half-forgotten dream."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> By 6 p.m. Wednesday the prisoners and their cavalry escort were in Carthage, in southwestern Missouri, where seven of the exhausted men were simply left, and an equally exhausted Confederate was hanged from an apple tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Horace G. Lyons, a grandson of a Boston Tea Party participant and a Berryton area farmer, escaped near Lamar. Shelby released the rest at Newtonia, 20 miles south of Carthage and 80 miles from their point of capture, eight days after the fight. They spent that night huddled together in the snow for warmth, and found other federals the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> People now seldom pause to remember that Memorial Day started as an occasion to honor the valiant dead of the Civil War, says the Rev. Richard E. Taylor Jr., who lives in the stone house that Lyons built in 1860 southeast of Topeka.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor plans to remedy that at 10 a.m. Monday, when he speaks at Dickinson County's Enterprise cemetery, a mile south of his hometown. "They're going to get the full load," declared Taylor, fresh from researching the role played by the gallant band of Topeka artillerymen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> He has concluded the battle they gave Shelby at the Big Blue was likely the last critical element preventing Price's army from entering Kansas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Memorial Day has been a national holiday since 1868, and today there are battle dead of many more wars to honor -- five of them major.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, this is a good time to remember those who died in America's most terrible conflict; a war that cost the lives of one Southern soldier in three and one Northern soldier in six.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gage certainly thought so. After fruitlessly begging the Legislature to memorialize his fallen comrades for decades, the brick factory owner finally spent $10,000 from his own pocket to do precisely that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It rained in East Topeka Cemetery the morning of May 30, 1895, but at noon a bright sun emerged. An hour later, a handful of survivors dedicated a tall monument honoring the Kansas militiamen killed at the Blue, where most of them slept nearby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It stands there today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal</span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-80505970630968784662012-05-23T09:26:00.000-07:002013-06-24T22:40:28.013-07:00Oh Moses, Who Art Thou?<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As I was researching Moses Banks of the 2nd Kansas Militia and why he was added to the muster role of <em>"Company D of the colored troops, irregular service" after his death,</em> I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> discovered something strange on the muster role for Co. D from Indianola. The far right hand column of the role entitled "remarks" listed among those killed at the Mockbee farmhouse a private named Moses Kellis. I knew that this man was never listed among those killed that day and was not among the wounded or prisoners for that matter. I now began to search for traces of this man in the various places that I seek facts about those who lived long ago: Ancestry.com, Familysearch.org, Find A Grave. Nothing. Next I Googled him and again came up empty. The only paper/cyber trail that Moses Kellis seemed to have left was as a member of the 2nd Kansas Militia in a handful of books devoted to Kansas history. These books appear to have acquired the roster of the 2nd KSM from the same muster roles that I did - It seemed as if Moses Kellis had never existed, save the one document. One last fact about the muster role of Co. D: Moses Banks name was not on it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: medium;"> I was left to conclude that Moses Kellis and Moses Banks were one and the same. But why would this man enlist in Co. D of the 2nd Kansas Militia on 10 October,1864 under an assumed name? Why would his real name then be added to the muster role of a different Company a year and a half after he was killed in battle? Who filed this affidavit?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> There are several possible answers to these questions but my theory is this: Moses Banks was a recent freedman, in all likelyhood escaping slavery in Missouri. When it became clear that Kansas was in danger of invasion by the Confederates, he decided that he wanted to be part of the fighting. Had he enlisted in the "Colored" Militia from Shawnee County he knew that he would have been relegated to serving with the Home Guard and not been in the thick of the action. He talked to the Captain of Company D (Sterling Miles) and convinced Captain Miles to take him on as a regular private, not as a teamster or a cook. But why did Moses Banks sign on as "Moses Kellis"?</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Because he knew he would be venturing back to a place where, if captured, he would be considered mere property. In other words, Moses Banks decided that he would give his life for his freedom but he would never be the property of another man again. Should he be captured, his alias would make it harder to trace his former owner. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: medium;"> Moses Banks did ultimately give his life that day at Mockbee Farm and now a problem arose for the family he left behind: how would they receive compensation for the death of a phantom? Moses' family would be eligible not only for the pay he had accrued while he was alive but also a widow's pension. Thus on 25 May,1866 his name was added to the muster role of the "Colored" Militia from Shawnee County, based on the affidavit of someone who knew the true facts of Moses Banks enlistment. I believe the former Captain of Co. D Sterling Miles came forward - not only so Moses' family would be compensated for his service, but so his name would be rightly recognized among the men who had died so their neighbors would have the right to live free.</span>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-67476414930671060502012-04-19T15:39:00.001-07:002012-04-19T15:40:59.747-07:00The Muster Roles of the 2nd Kansas Militia<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I recently sent for and received the original muster roles of the 2nd Kansas Militia from the Kansas State Historical Society. These roles provide a wealth of information about the men who volunteered to fight for Shawnee county and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they also contained the full rosters of the companies who <em>didn't </em>fight in the Battle of the Blue. </span><a href="http://2ndksm.blogspot.com/2012/01/fort-simple-and-topeka-home-defenders.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Previously mentioned in this blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> only as "home defenders", these companies were part of the 2nd KSM but remained in Topeka to protect the city in case General Price's Army of Missouri broke through and invaded Kansas. In order to properly identify these mostly unrecognized members of the 2nd Kansas Militia I will reorganize the roster section of this blog and attempt to clarify the rosters of each company during their deployment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The muster roles provide information such as where each man joined and was sworn in, the number of days served, pay per day (53 and 1/3 cents on average) and remarks such as if they had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Of interest to me was the muster role of <em> "Company D of the colored troops, irregular service"</em> under the command of Captain Thomas Archer. Although there is no indication that this unit saw action at the Big Blue River, there was a familiar name added to the very end of the role: Moses Banks. Moses had been previously given credit as being a member of Co. D from Indianola and was one of the men historically listed as killed in action. This remark was included on the muster role next to Moses name: <em>"Killed in action Oct 22,1864 Big Blue, Mo, as per annexed affidavit (Name added May 25th, 1866) Affidavit on file."</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Perhaps <em>"Company D of the colored troops, irregular service"</em> was attached to the 2nd KSM and was at the Mockbee farm that day. The muster role doesn't offer much more except this conclusion signed by Adj. General James Hughes on August 26th, 1907: <em>"The muster roles and the payroll of this Co. do not show the Regt. or Col. but there is signed affidavit showing that it belonged to the Second Regt."</em></span>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-57644732016831309222012-03-29T12:33:00.002-07:002012-03-29T12:44:23.891-07:00New Collection At kansasmemory.org<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> One of the first resources I discovered when I found out about the story of the 2nd Kansas Militia was a website called <em><strong>Kansas Memory</strong></em>. </span><a href="http://www.kansasmemory.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">kansasmemory.org</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <em><strong>Kansas Memory</strong></em> uses primary sources from the Kansas State Historical Society and does a great job organizing these resources by category. It was at this website where I came across the diary of Samuel Reader - more specifically, the volume of Reader's diary which relates his experiences as a member of the 2nd Kansas Militia. Sam was the Quartermaster for the 2nd and a lifelong diary keeper. His account provided many essential details for this blog which couldn't be found anywhere else and the <em><strong>Kansas Memory</strong></em> website featured all of its 364 original images. A text only version of the diary is available, which was a huge time saver for ease in reading. The drawings which Reader included in this diary greatly enhanced it and I have sprinkled these illustrations liberally throughout the blog - with permission from the KSHS of course. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is a good idea to check <em><strong>Kansas Memory</strong></em> often, as they are constantly adding resources and content. Yesterday I found yet another hand-written book kept by Sam Reader but it wasn't one of his diaries. It turns out that Sam was also the secretary for a group of survivors from the 2nd Kansas Militia called " The Society of the Anniversary of the Battle of the Blue". </span><a href="http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/display.php?item_id=226145&f=00306494" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">link</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> This group was organized in May of 1895 at the occasion of the donation of a monument to the Topeka Cemetery by Guilford Gage. The Society elected officers and was to meet each year on the 22nd of October to promote keeping the memory of the Battle alive. The book contains the minutes from each meeting and also vital records such as the roster of the 2nd K.S.M., addresses of survivors and a list of those men who passed away the previous year. The society apparently faded to obscurity as it lost its members to old age. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"> Lovers of history are fortunate that websites such as <em><strong>Kansas Memory</strong></em> exist. Without this particular resource, chances are I might have decided not to tackle writing this blog for lack of primary sources. Lovers of Kansas history are also fortunate that Sam Reader was such a compulsive diarist. Thanks Sam.</span>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-23748547150280857332012-03-16T19:56:00.005-07:002012-03-25T00:01:24.405-07:00Colonel George W. Veale: One of the Makers of History in Kansas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61DT-OsWXS0/T2P-qBhVr0I/AAAAAAAAAFg/AKKuybPCQ0Q/s1600/0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61DT-OsWXS0/T2P-qBhVr0I/AAAAAAAAAFg/AKKuybPCQ0Q/s320/0352.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">George Veale's life story is impressive had he only been an average citizen of Topeka Kansas who performed courageously as the Colonel of the 2nd Kansas Militia during Price's Raid in October of 1864. The fact of the matter was that Col. Veale's accomplishments and contributions to Kansas made his military history just one of many distinctions which clustered around him</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> George Veale was born in Daviess County Indiana in 1833 and grew up working on his Father’s farm while attending school about three months a year until he turned 17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then studied at Wabash College in Crawfordsville IN for two years before landing a job which would eventually lead him out west; he took charge of a steamboat laden with trade-goods and set out for the river-towns of the lower Mississippi River area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This experience led him to Evansville, IN where he worked in various capacities for Fielding Johnson, who owned a wholesale dry-goods business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was here he met Fielding’s daughter Nancy and they were married in January of 1857.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fielding Johnson had traveled to Kansas Territory in 1856 and gave his consent for Nancy and George to marry if they would join him there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so began their westward journey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Ge</span>orge and Nancy Veale began their honeymoon by embarking on the Steamer “White Cloud” and traveling down the Ohio River, up the Mississippi past St Louis, then up the Missouri River past Kansas City and landing at Quindaro, Kansas Territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quindaro was a free-state settlement located on the site of present-day Kansas City, Kansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides becoming a business partner of his Father-in-law, George quickly took the opportunity to become involved in civic life in the bustling<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new city, editing and publishing a newspaper and was appointed the first sheriff of Wyandotte County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George quickly realized that transportation systems for hauling goods and people weren’t yet fully developed in Kansas and so he decided to help organize some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove ox-teams loaded with goods from his store to nearby Missouri and became part owner of the steamboat “Otis Webb” which carried goods and services to the many towns springing up along the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George also signed the call for the first Kansas Railroad Convention in 1860 and was involved in the organization of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These first years after George and Nancy Veale arrived in Kansas were prosperous, but danger was lurking in the background: The Border Troubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area was rife with conflict long before the Civil War officially began and although George preferred to stay out of these “troubles” he wasn’t about to let ruffians of any ilk disrupt the progress which he had help achieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the summer of 1861 George raised a company which became part of the 4th Kansas Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned its captain in June of 1861. Reassigned to the 6th Kansas Cavalry, he rose to the rank of Major and mustered out in 1863 and relocated to Topeka, which was the Capitol of the newly created state of Kansas. During these times of Border Warfare it became necessary for men to remain close to their families and this point was driven home in August 1863 with the destruction of nearby Lawrence, Kansas. In May of 1864 George Veale replaced R.A. Randlett as Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of the Kansas State Militia and took control of the small band of farmers, tradesmen and businessman from the Topeka area. They had no uniforms, weapons or other military equipment but Colonel Veale instilled the importance of being ready to fight in these men - and it stuck. In October of 1864 when it became clear that the Confederate Army under General Sterling Price would threaten Kansas, the ranks of 2nd K.S.M. swelled to roughly 500 men. These men became an organized unit under Col. Veale and his hand-picked officers in the three weeks which led up to a Battle which would severly test the Colonel's leadership and skill as a soldier.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> No amount of drilling would prepare Col. Veale and his men for the events of October 22nd, 1864 as they patrolled the area of the Big Blue River near Byrom's Ford, a few miles south of Westport Missouri. That afternoon around three o'clock, The 2nd Kansas Militia was smashed by a Confederate force many times it's number. After a pitched battle that lasted nearly an hour, the 2nd K.S.M. was finally dislodged from its holdout at a place called The Mockbee Farm and lost nearly 40 percent of its men. Veale's men fought with the toughness and bravery of a veteran unit and delayed the Rebels from using any advantage they might have gained earlier in the afternoon when they drove the Union forces north to defend Kansas City and Westport. While it is conjecture to say that Col. Veale and his 2nd K.S.M. kept General Price from invading Kansas, it is fact that they made the boldest stand and suffered the greatest loss on that day. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> George greatly felt the loss of his men who were killed, wounded and captured that day at Mockbee Farm. Two days after the battle, Col. Veale returned to the area and located the rough burial places of 15 of the 24 men who were killed and saw to it that thay had coffins and were re-interred on Kansas soil. They were re-buried at the Huron Cemetery in Wyandotte County, with Col. Veale paying the entire cost. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it became certain that Kansas was safe from the Rebel threat the next month, Col. Veale again saw to the removal and re-interment of these men to Topeka, where they were given a heroe's funeral and a special place at the Topeka Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his official report of the battle, George Veale gave testament to the courage of all of his men, writing: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The courage of my men is deserving of the highest praise and valor and coolness displayed by my officers cannot be too highly recommended.” </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em> </em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">George Veale returned Topeka where he continued to help shape the future of Kansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1865 he was one of the founders of Lincoln College, which became Washburn University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also helped found the National Bank of Topeka and served as its vice-president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1866, because of his tact and sound judgment of land values, he was appointed by the Governor of Kansas to be commissioner for the sale of railroad lands in Kansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He owned a newspaper, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Topeka Commonwealth, </i>and was instrumental in the creation of the Topeka Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a member of the first Kansas legislature under the Leavenworth constitution, serving two terms in the state senate during 1867 and 1868, and served fourteen years in the lower house of the state legislature beginning in 1871.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the grasshopper plague of the early 1870’s, George Veale let the customers of his hardware store buy at cost & on credit so they could quickly rebuild their farms and their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colonel Veale built the Veale block on Quincy Street in Topeka and also built many other business buildings on Kansas Avenue, besides more than one hundred residences. He had receipts to show that he had paid Shawnee County more than $100,000.00 in taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colonel Veale gained the title of the Grand Old Man of Kansas. He was revered by all classes of people for the services he rendered his city and State in almost every line of public activity. One biographer has said, “When history’s perspective rearranges the men and events of today and yesterday according to the parts they played in the formation of the State, the name of Colonel George W. Veale undoubtedly will be among those at the top of the list”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The name of Colonel George W. Veale, Topeka newspaper man, banker, railroad builder, college founder, lobbyist at Washington, debater, legislator, merchant, philanthropist, Indian fighter, pioneer, soldier, recognized leader in all civic endeavor belongs to the annals of Topeka and Kansas.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> C</span>olonel George Veale was all these things and more, but what I will remember him for is his bravery and leadership in battle at the Mockbee Farmhouse on 22 October, 1864.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Rest in peace, brave soldier.</span></span></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-21214521002291474172012-02-15T15:08:00.001-08:002012-02-17T09:56:34.270-08:00Wallis True: From Benton County to Big Springs and Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKtxj70EGbk/Tzw4oNbPOBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Vf5DKtTpM2E/s1600/ww+true.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKtxj70EGbk/Tzw4oNbPOBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Vf5DKtTpM2E/s320/ww+true.jpg" width="286" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wallis True never intended to move to Kansas, but that was how things worked out. Wallis was 37 years old in 1862 and did very well for himself as a farmer and a blacksmith on his farm, which was located 5 miles south of Bentonville, Arkansas. He was an ardent Union man during the Civil War and it was because of his beliefs that he was forced to pack up his family and what few possessions they could carry and leave for Shawnee County Kansas in the fall of 1862.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Ever since the War began the year previous Wallis had been targeted by local groups sympathetic to the Confederate cause: "You're with us or you're against us." - "Join the Rebel cause and your farm will remain safe." He remained steadfast though and his reputation as a Union loyalist kept Wallis and his family in a perilous and uneasy existence. Their farm was occasionally raided for corn and fodder by the marauding Rebel Units which haunted the area and Wallis was worried that they would all be killed. Finally after one of these Bands took seven cows, a pig and three wagon-loads of shucked corn Wallis decided that was all he could take. He and his wife Golda loaded up their children and a few possessions and headed for Shawnee County under the escort of Union General James G. Blunt and his command. Soon after arriving in Shawnee County they moved to Big Springs in neighboring Douglas County and waited for the War to end. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> In May of 1864 Wallis True became a member of the 2nd Kansas Militia: a loosely formed Regiment of men from Shawnee County, most of whom had no military training. This Unit, which was formed in August of 1863 after the sacking of Lawrence, Kansas, drilled infrequently and was without weapons or uniforms. By the summer of 1864 the threat of Rebel invasion from the east was replaced by news of Indian uprisings to the west. Although the U.S. Army sent some cavalry units out to quell the Indian threat, Shawnee County was never in any danger and life went on as usual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> October of 1864 brought with it The Price Raid and Wallis and many of his neighbors who formed Company F from Big Springs joined the rest of the 2nd Kansas Militia as it left for Jackson County Missouri to defend the Border. When the 2nd KSM was overwhelmed by Jackman's Brigade at Mockbee Farm, Wallis was among the 70 or so men captured and forced to march roughly 200 miles the next seven days. Wallis survived the ordeal and returned to his family by the middle of November but was physically never the same man again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Wallis True began to suffer from dysentery in the last days of his captivity in southern Missouri. After he returned to Big Springs he went under the care of Dr. W.H. Brown and waited for the symptoms to disappear, but they persisted and Wallis struggled from loss of appetite and lacked the strength necessary to perform his job as blacksmith. This "running off at the bowels" as it was called back then would have been a common illness among the prisoners from the 2nd KSM as most of them had to drink contaminated water at some point in their captivity. Doctors at the time didn't know the proper treatment for dysentery and Wallis continued to suffer, although he tried not to show it. He was a stubborn man and tried not to let it get the best of him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> In 1867 Wallis decided to go back to his farm in Benton County Arkansas and try to reclaim the life he had known before the War. His house and property were mostly destroyed but with the help of his friends and family he rebuilt it the way it was before. Wallis' health continued to decline though and he was without a Doctor's care until 1874, when he became completely disabled. This once strapping blacksmith and self-sufficient farmer would be forced to apply for help from the Government. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Wallis True finally applied for an Invalid Pension on March 24th, 1879 at the Benton County Courthouse. He stated in his Declaration for Pension that while in the service of the 2nd Kansas Militia he was taken prisoner and suffered the hardships of being exposed to the weather without proper clothing, was struck with the butt of a rifle above his eye by a guard and had contracted dyspepsia and chronic diarrhea which continued to the present day. He also said he had never been treated by a doctor while in the service. But Wallis had waited too long to file; in September of 1883 Wallis' attorney received a letter from the Commissioner of the Pension Office which stated that the cutoff date for filing a claim was July 4th, 1874.<br />
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Although Wallis was ineligible for a pension, he did file for and receive compensation of $240 for his livestock and corn that was stolen by the Rebels in 1862. <br />
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Through all of these travails Wallis True continued to be the cornerstone of his large family and although he never found relief from his illness which he contracted while a prisoner of war, he persevered. He passed away at his farm in 1907 at the age of 82, still a Union man.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-1799606102849992822012-01-21T00:18:00.000-08:002012-01-21T00:25:58.715-08:00Fort Simple and the Topeka Home Defenders <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In early October of 1864 while the 2nd Regiment of the Kansas Militia was awaiting the next move of General Price's Army near the Missouri border, a battalion of volunteers was organized to defend Topeka from Rebel invasion should they break the Union defences and cross over into Kansas. Under the command of Major Andrew Stark of the 2nd KSM, these Home Guards were organized into Companies, trenches were dug and a small fort made from cottonwood logs was hastily erected in the middle of town. The only real firepower the Major could muster was one mountain howitzer, which was placed at the fort under the company commanded by Captain Tobias Billings. As Price's Army drew nearer to the Border, the nervous citizens of Topeka hid their valuables as best they could and wondered if they were safe from the type of massacre which had occurred at nearby Lawrence only a year previously. They were under the impression that if the Rebels did succeed in breaking the Union line, they would divide their forces into "raiding parties" and sack every town they came to, for they also believed these bands of Rebels blamed the citizens of Kansas for causing the War. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Just before noon on Sunday,the 23rd of October 1864, a solitary rider appeared on the horizon of the outskirts of Topeka and rapidly approached the stockade. Here he gave Major Stark a confused statement of Union defeat at the Big Blue River the day previous and the impending Confederate advance. The Major immediately gave the order for each captain to prepare his men for the coming battle and the force of nearly 300 untrained soldiers found their niches at the wall of the fort or their places in the trench. There were also a few brave women who donned mens clothing without being asked and helped fill the gaps in the line. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The quiet Sunday afternoon slowly faded into evening and still there was no sign of invasion, or word from the front-line. The sleepless Topekans passed the night in a miserable haze of anticipation, but nothing came. At nine o'clock the next morning (Monday) another lone horsemen appeared with the news that Price and his entire Army had been defeated near Westport Missouri the previous day and were retreating South down the State Line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The town of Topeka was spared in a sense that it was not physically assaulted but the mental punishment suffered by it's citizens was severe. They now had to deal with the loss of the many men from the 2nd Regiment who died or suffered the lasting effects of injury or sickness caused by their imprisonment. They were a hearty breed though and soon most had moved on with their lives. On July 3rd, 1869 an article appeared in the "Daily Kansas State Record" of Topeka which gives an almost cheery description of the Fort and the events surrounding it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TOPEKA'S "FORT SIMPLE"</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">From the <i>Daily Kansas State Record</i>, Topeka, July 3, 1869.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cccccc;">"REMINISCENCES.-We are asked by many as to the meaning of the term "Ft. Simple." We will explain. In 1864 when "Pap" Price was on the border, it was thought not improbable but that he would overrun the State. There is but little doubt that he would have done so had it not been for the Kansas militia, who were ordered out en masse and met him at the Big Blue. Price's army there met a check, but at the sacrifice of many of our people, and among them twenty-two citizens of Shawnee county. During the time that Price was on the border, it was considered proper to take some measures to protect the city should any stragglers from Price's command come this way. For that purpose, logs about sixteen feet in length were set in the ground four feet deep at the corner of Kansas and Sixth avenues. They were set in the form of a circle, enclosing a space of about fifty feet in diameter. Holes were cut in the logs in different places, so that those inside could shoot out, should the ragamuffins come in on either of the streets. A cannon was also inside, and an opening left so it could be used if necessary. Happily there was no necessity for using the fortification, so it remained a mooted question whether it would have done any good or not if there had been any necessity for it. After about a year the logs were sawed off, leaving them about seven feet high, and some trees set out inside. About this time someone gave it the nickname of "Ft. Simple," which stuck to it till it was entirely removed. The trees inside did not thrive, and after a year or two the city authorities ordered the logs removed. At the same time the stockade was made, all of the citizens who were not at the front were detailed a certain number of hours each day to throw up rifle pits or trenches in which sharpshooters could lay and fire at an approaching enemy without being exposed. One of these trenches was east of Monroe Street, between Eighth and Ninth, and the outlines of it can yet be traced; another was east of Washburn College (now site of Memorial building). New comers here can hardly realize in these peaceful times that for months our citizens took turns and did picket duty on all the roads leading into the city. The Quantrill and other raids into other portions of our state made it a part of wisdom to do so. Many amusing things transpired during these months. Several times it was reported that the guerrillas were coming, and we recollect one night in particular when many buried their treasures and some lay out in the ravines around town all night. Did space permit we could fill a page of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Record</span> in telling of these things. At another time we may do so." </span></span></i></div><br />
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</div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-82085245819934213582012-01-12T13:44:00.000-08:002018-09-02T07:57:57.230-07:00The Forgotten Prisoners of the 4th Kansas Militia <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In an earlier post in this blog, </span><a href="http://2ndksm.blogspot.com/2011/08/battle-of-westport-and-beyond.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Battle of Westport and Beyond</span></a>,<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a reference was made to the 4th Regiment of the Kansas State Militia: "<em>Among the prisoners taken on October 22nd were twenty men of the Fourth Regiment, KSM " </em>Unlike the prisoners of the 2nd KSM, an official list was never made for any of the other prisoners that General Price's Army of Missouri took south with them. In fact there doesn't seem to be rosters, official or otherwise, for any of the other Kansas Militia units besides the 2nd Regiment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The 4th Regiment KSM was from Jefferson County, which bordered the northeast corner of Shawnee County. Under the command of Colonel William McCain, the 4th was part of the Army of the Border spread out along the Big Blue River on 22 October, 1864. Sometime that afternoon, Col. McCain ordered a small party of 20 or so men south towards Hickman's Mills in an attempt to make contact with the rest of the Army. The party was surprised by pickets from Jackman's Brigade and taken prisoner, with the exception of Aaron Cook of Co. B. Richard J. Hinton writes in his book <strong>"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rebel </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Invasion of Missouri and Kansas...1864</span></strong>":</span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Aaron Cook was a citizen of Jefferson County, Kansas, and a member of the 4th Regiment Kansas State Militia (Colonel McCain commanding). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Regiment was ordered from Independence after the engagement near the Little Blue, October 21st, and during the fight were directed to proceed to and hold Byrom's Ford, four miles above the old Independence and Kansas City Road. On arrival here, a party of twenty-one men were sent as scouts and messengers towards Hickman's Mills, where was stationed a militia force under Brigadier-General M. S. Grant, Kansas State Militia. On their return, and when within a mile or two of the Ford, the party were surprised and all but one taken prisoners he escaping by the fleetness of his horse. Aaron Cook was shot down in cold blood after capture, and his body left in the road, where it was found shortly after. In all probability he was murdered by Jackman's Brigade. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adjutant Dutton thus writes: "Aaron Cook, taken prisoner by Shelby's men, was one of the early settlers, and a bold, fearless, outspoken champion of the principles of freedom; always active and earnest in the good cause; generous to a fault, but uncompromising in his political faith; a kind husband and father, and left a large family to mourn his sad fate.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">' </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em> </em></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The lone escapee from the ill-fated party was named George B.Winans. After returning to Jefferson County a few days later, George contacted the editor of <em>The Okaloosa Independent</em> with a brief note and a plea to publish his account of the incident and give a partial list of those men from the 4th who were captured. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whether these twenty or so men from the 4th KSM left any written account of their ordeals as they were taken south by Price's Army is unknown at this time. In all probability most of them suffered the lingering effects of the 200 mile march the rest of their days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> An interesting by-product of my research into the 4th KSM is that I discovered that I am related by marriage to Aaron Cook. My GG Grandfather, John F. Bell of Co. D, had a younger sister named Margaret. Her daughter Julia married George Cook, the son of Aaron Cook about twenty years after he was killed by the Confederates near Byrom's Ford.</span></div>
Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-60528830894758662212012-01-07T00:36:00.000-08:002012-01-07T00:39:16.740-08:00"It Seems That Those the Rebels Don’t Shoot, They Manage to Kill in Some Other Way." <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As James and Augusta Griffing continued to correspond over the long distance between Kansas and New York in the fall of 1864, they grew increasingly worried about their friends from Shawnee County. It was near the end of November, and still James had no news of the fate of many of these people who had only recently shared many happy times with the Griffings. The newspapers from which James gleaned any pertinent information concerning the 2nd Kansas Militia were frustratingly short on such facts and despite the cold weather, James decided to make the long ride from Nemeha County to Topeka and find out the situation first-hand. </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Lincoln [Kansas]<br />
Saturday, November 26, 1864</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My Dear Cutie [Augusta],</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been over a week since I sent you a letter. I did not intend to be so long and fully intended to write to you from Topeka but my time was so entirely taken up that I did not find time. I started from here on Friday at two o’clock and reached the timber this side of Topeka at pitch dusk and managed to get through after going co-whop against one stump. Then [I] forded the river when I could not see a little before my horse [due to the darkness] but came out all right. ‘But what did you go down for?’ say you. Well I got a little lonesome and out of variety and I wanted to hear and know about the prisoners and was right glad as it turned out that I went.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached home about two hours after dark, found Bro. Hannum had gone down to Bro.[<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Osborn] Naylor’s</span></strong> who was very low. Sister Hannum got me a good supper and, after chatting awhile, I went to bed. The next morning after breakfast, [I] went with Bro.[<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joshua</span></strong>] <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hannum</span></strong> down to Bro. Naylor’s and found him worse. His disease was lung fever brought on by the exposure whilst a prisoner. Like most of the prisoners, he was robbed of his overcoat & boots, and kept on a forced march sometimes 40 miles a day with no food most of the time but roast corn. He was obliged to ford the streams, some of them waist deep, and lie down in their wet clothes nights without even blankets to cover them. They continued in this way for six long weary days before they were paroled and as would be expected, many of them came home entirely broken down. </span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed quite glad to see me and conversed quite freely. He seemed to feel as though he was not long for this world which premonition was alas too true, although he was very careful not to let his angel wife who bent over him with such continued anxiety know but what he was all the time getting better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed with him through the day and saw that he was a great sufferer and gradually failing. He expressed him as entirely resigned to the will of God [and] seemed to regret that he had not been more useful in the church. About four or a little before sundown he called all the children about his bed and addressed them very prettily beginning with Rolla and talked as calmly as I ever knew him. It did seem as if the little one’s hearts would break. And when he came to bid them all a final farewell, their feelings were uncontrollable. But he seemed as good and pleasant as ever. He spoke and said, “What a beautiful evening it is.” After a little, he seemed drowsy and I thought I would go up to Bro. Hannum’s and get my supper and get Bro. Hannum who had gone home during the day and come down and set up with him. We reached there about six, just fifteen minutes before he died. He was past speaking but had his senses enough to give his companion a last parting kiss and soon sweetly fall asleep in Jesus, dying very easy. It was too much difficult to speak. I thought a more befitting place for me was among the mourners.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dr. Vaughn buried his little boy the same day Bro. Naylor died. Also Bro.[<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Robert</span></strong>]<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hoback</span></strong>, a fellow prisoner with Bro. Naylor, died the same evening of the same disease brought on in the same way. Bro.[<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Elias</span></strong>] <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Williams</span></strong> of Topeka was past speaking when I left there yesterday, dying in the same way. Hib Gale died also Sunday of the same disease. So it seems that those the rebels don’t shoot, they manage to kill in some other way. </span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesse Stevenson</span></strong> & his wife did not reach there until after [Osborn Naylor] died. Father Jordan had been there most of the day and had left to go & stay with Selah at Tecumseh, who is now left a widow – her husband dying some two weeks ago near Ft. Gibson. A messenger was sent after him but neither he nor William Jordan reached there until after his death. Oh it was a sad night and a house of mourning indeed. Truly a good neighbor and worthy citizen has gone. How often did his sickness recall his great kindness to me [when I was sick in the winter of 1855-1856]. I tried to preach a funeral discourse on Tuesday to a large yet sad audience. Several of his fellow prisoners were in attendance, but my heart was so full at times I found it [very difficult. I feel badly] for his poor wife who, part of the time after he was taken prisoner, was almost distracted. She now went into spasms and for some three hours in spite of rubbing and talking to her. She came very near dying [and] she was unable to be out of bed the day of the funeral.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please kiss the children for Papa. Don’t let Johnny go down by the railroad. Keep a little eye on him. He has many things to learn yet. Give my love to all and ever believe me your own true husband. – J. S. Griffing</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The following article appeared in the Thursday, December 1, 1864 edition of the <i>Nemaha Courier</i>, published in Seneca:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em>"Mr. Griffing, of Lincoln, who has just returned from Topeka, tells us that the Shawnee county militia, who were taken prisoners by Price at Westport, and paroled and sent back at the Arkansas State line, suffered considerably in the campaign, and some of them have died from the hardships and disease contracted while huddled in with Price's retreating rag a-muffins. They were robbed of their blankets, overcoats, and kept in advance of the rebel column when in motion, and whenever any rest was allowed, were obliged to lie down thus exposed to the open air." </em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Owego [New York]<br />
December 11, 1864</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My dear husband [James],</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Your letter of November 29th I received the past week – just two weeks since receiving the one before it. I had begun to be very anxious about you, but your letter written after your return from Topeka explained it all. I am so glad you went down, but was so sorry to hear the dreadful news it contained. It does not seem possible that poor Mrs. Naylor is left alone. Can it be possible that we shall never more see him or visit him as a neighbor? I have written to her and shall feel very anxious to hear how she gets along & hope Mrs. Hannum will write. It seems Mrs. Naylor is not the only bereaved one – poor women. I feel truly sorry for them.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Did you see <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry Winans</span></strong>? Of course he is all right else you would have written. Did you see Nancy or Jacob [Orcutt], or hear anything about [my brother] James Goodrich? We have not heard from him in a long time and Ma feels quite anxious. How did Mr. Hannum & the rest escape being taken prisoners? Have you heard whether Mr. Williams lived or not? Please write me all you hear about them….Give my love to all who inquire. I often think of them all. Take good care of yourself & not get cold if possible. I hope you will keep well. Write often. Ever your – Augusta</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> James and Augusta Griffing continued to write frequently to each other until April of 1865, when it became safe for Augusta and their three children to return to Kansas. The Griffing family returned to Shawnee County and James resumed his career as a circuit-riding minister until he died in 1882. He was a prolific writer and kept nearly everything he ever wrote: letters, speeches, receipts, journals, ledgers and also photos. It is rare to find such an extensive collection and most of it can be found at <a href="http://www.griffingweb.com/" target="_blank">griffingweb.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> As the letters relate to the history of Kansas and 2nd Kansas Militia, they are an invaluble insight into the hopes and fears of nearly every Kansan in the fall of 1864. In their own way, James and Augusta Griffing have paid a fine and lasting tribute to the men of the 2nd KSM and their families who suffered with them.</span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-46702814005876815102012-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:002012-01-03T10:38:48.552-08:00"Is Price Driven Away For Good, Or Will He Return Again This Winter?"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">James and Augusta Griffing continued to send each other letters in November of 1864 with the main topic of discussion being the fates of their friends and neighbors from Shawnee County and the 2nd Kansas Militia who were involved in the "Battle of Westport". I can only imagine Augusta's distress, not only from the interminable wait for word of the casualties but whether her husband would be called on to protect Kansas again. As the letters are sent back and forth between James and Augusta, it is apparent that the slowness of the mail is adding to this apprehension.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lincoln [Kansas]<br />
Late Saturday Evening, November 5,<sup> </sup>1864</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Dear Cutie [Augusta],</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>I received a Topeka paper this evening and I knew you would be anxious – as I have been – to hear. I will just enclose the names as furnished by the papers of those killed, wounded, & taken prisoners [at the Battle of Westport]. You will see that</em> <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">James Alverson</span></strong> <em>is among the killed and a great many of our acquaintances and friends are among the numbers, especially the prisoners. Bro. [Osborn] Naylor is a prisoner. Also Bro.</em> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Hoback, Mr. Kiser’s </strong><em>son</em><strong>, Frank Dawson, Luther Palmer, John Markham</strong></span><em> & a host of others. An individual who was taken prisoner & escaped the second night says that there were in the hands of the enemy 105 prisoners, mostly Kansas Militia and Kansas men. Says the prisoners were stripped of their overcoats and in some instances of their boots & other clothing & robbed of their money. They were kept at the head of the column and a great deal of the time on the double quick. Said they suffered much for the want of food & clothing & had no blankets to sleep on. There are, by this paper, some 61 from Shawnee County yet prisoners. How many may get home alive, God only knows. When a wife only knows her husband is dead, then she knows he is free from suffering so far as this world is concerned, but to know that her husband is in the hands of these inhuman wretches, obliged to drag out a life more intolerable than death itself, seems almost past endurance. </em>…..<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><em>Good night my dearest. Your husband, -- James</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May the good Lord protect you & the children is the prayer of your absent husband. How thankful should we be that it is so well with us & [that I am] not a prisoner at the mercy of the rebels.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Do you get all my letters? How many have your received up to the present date? Good night. Kisses for my boys [several O’s] & yourself.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Owego [New York]<br />
November 6, 1864</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear James,</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Your letter written at Kansas City the day of the battle has been received. I had heard that there had been a battle & that [General] Price had been defeated, but I had no idea that your company was in the midst of it. I am thankful you were not engaged in fighting and hope none of our friends and acquaintance are killed or prisoners, but fear <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Capt. Hannum’s</span></strong> Company was not well treated. Hope you have written about them and that your next letter will tell of their safety. Did you go over the battlefield? I hope you could. Did you see</em> <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Henry Winans</span></strong><em>? And did his company fight? I want to hear you tell all about it. And is Price driven away for good, or will he return again this winter? Or will there be enough of the regular soldiers there to keep him back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…Give my love to all inquirers. I have written to Carrie [Winans] again. – Augusta</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lincoln [Kansas]<br />
November 8, 1864</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Dear Cutie [Augusta], </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will see that it is election day and a very severe wintry day it is – just about as cold or colder as that day when Bro. Curtis sold their things and it has so much reminded me of that day that I have just written them a letter. The hail has fallen to about the depth of an inch and when driven by the piercing North wind, it did seem as if it would cut holes in one’s face every time. The chickens have not been out of the hen house and [my horse] Fanny has shivered as if she would desire a change. Yesterday’s Leavenworth papers state that [Gen.] Blunt has driven [Gen.] Price almost to the Arkansas line [and] that in a battle southeast of Ft. Scott, the Shawnee Co. prisoners made their escape. I hope such is the case. They have had a [Shawnee] County mass meeting and resolved to disinter the dead and bring them to the Topeka Cemetery and bury them and erect a suitable monument to their memory at the expense of the county. Have you had a letter from Sister Hannum or Naylor since the battle? Or from Sister Winans? If so please tell me what they say as all I know is through the papers. Please write as soon as you get this. I would rather you let no one read this. Ever your own Husband, -- James</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em> </em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Although the Battle of the Blue occurred two and one-half weeks earlier, James is still unable to relate to Augusta the fates of his friends from the 2nd KSM who were taken prisoner. This unanswered question will continue to hang in the air until the beginning of December, when James finally writes to Augusta with an account of his visit with Osburn Naylor, a friend of theirs and fellow church member who was taken prisoner and was slowly dying at his home after the two hundred mile march.</span></span></span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-85535645082406203492011-12-27T23:03:00.000-08:002011-12-28T10:16:39.217-08:00J.S.Griffing:"It Is Said The Topeka Boys Fought Like Tigers"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">James Griffing and the rest of the 23rd. Kansas Militia returned home to Nemeha County shortly after the Battle of Westport and the retreat of General Price's Army. He immediately began to search the newspapers for details of the fate of his friends and neighbors of the 2nd Kansas Militia from Shawnee County where he and his wife Augusta had so recently resided. The sad results are contained in James next letter to Augusta.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">Lincoln [Kansas]<br />
October 30, 1864</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">My Dear Cutie [Augusta],</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">You will be glad to hear that your husband is at home again safe and sound. My last letter was written to you whilst we were in the trenches at Kansas City amidst the greatest confusion & excitement in sight of the smoke of a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>most tremendous battle and if it reaches you, I want you to be sure & keep it, that I may know what I wrote, when I may see you again. The night before it was written, I thought it not improbable that I might never see you again and as my place in the ranks was next to Brother [John] Hodgins of Centralia, we had agreed with each other – as we lay sleeping upon our arms in the city of Wyandotte – if we should be spared to see about the other’s family. The Good Being averted the battle, which threatened to take place at Kansas City, and caused it to take place at another point. And the consequence is that instead of the citizens of Nemaha being thrown into the deepest mourning, our acquaintances and friends in Shawnee County suffered as much as any one county in the great conflict. I have not as yet received the full particulars but enough to convince me that it is dreadful. Not only as the Topeka Battery taken, but a great many were either killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, or are missing. Among the killed, I notice <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Lieut. Col.</strong> [<strong>H.</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">M.] Greene</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">*</span></strong> (United Brethren preacher on Wakarusa), <strong>Mac Martin</strong></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">(Dr. Martin’s brother), <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">W. P. Roberts</span></strong> (Judge Robert’s son at Big Springs), Mr. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">[<strong>Samuel Allen</strong>?], </span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">James</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eagle</span></strong>, Tavern keeper at Big Springs,<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <strong>Dan Handley</strong></span> of Topeka,<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John Ward</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">*</span></strong> (the Ward’s son above Topeka), <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">H. C. Coville</span></strong> living above Topeka, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Harvey Young</strong>, <strong>N. Brown</strong>, <strong>L. Selkin</strong>, <strong>M. D</strong>. <strong>Race</strong>, <strong>R. McNown</strong>, <strong>Mr. Rake</strong>, <strong>Charles Budd</strong>, <strong>Mr. Chapman</strong></span>, and two others unknown reported up to Monday as killed/wounded. I have concluded to cut out the piece and send you. Please preserve it.</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="color: #f1c232;">*</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Henry M.Greene and John Ward both survived but suffered major injuries</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">As to <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brother [Joshua]Hannum’s</span></strong> Company, I am almost afraid to hear the particulars. Those killed living at Big Springs must have been in his Company. I saw <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(<strong>Ishiel</strong>)<strong>Tyler</strong></span> a moment at Kansas City. He says they were right in the fight and had plenty to do. Says that he (<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tyler</span></strong>) lost a horse. I am anxious to learn the fate of Bro. <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hannum</span></strong>, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">[<strong>James</strong>]<strong>Taylor</strong>, <strong>[Jesse] Stevenson</strong>, <strong>Lewis Clogston</strong>, <strong>John Ward</strong></span> & all our old neighbors. Also to hear the fate of the many taken prisoners. It is most dreadful to think of. Had we been residing at Topeka, I might have been in the thickest of the fight and helped to do something for the salvation of my state, and the good of my country. It is said the Topeka boys fought like tigers. They held the advancing columns of Price’s advancing legions at bay for about an hour until they were surrounded and their battery taken. I have been away from home so much or I would go right down there and see and sympathize with my old neighbors. I am anxious to hear from <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Harry </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Winans</span></strong>. I expect he was in the midst of the fight. I learn the mail is about to start. I will write again soon as I get more particulars. I found two letters from you when I came home. One written with a pencil from Hartford, the other written after returning [to Owego]. Was glad to hear [from you]. I think Missouri will be safer now. I may come for you directly after my Quarterly Meeting, or preacher’s meeting, starting about the 20th of November if you deem best. Write and let me know. Buy just as little as you must at present prices. Everything is bound to change after [the presidential] election. – J. S. Griffing </span></i><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">Owego [New York]<br />
October 30, 1864</span></i></span></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">My dear husband [James],</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">I see by one of the New York papers that [General] Price has been defeated & has retreated. I hope it is true and that there will be no need of you or any others of the militia to be sent after him again. I received a letter written at Atchison and was in hopes to get another yesterday but none came. I hope to hear soon that all are safe…. I hope this will find you well and that the next letter will bring me good news from you. The boys often talk of you and want to see you very much. Write often as you can. Ever your, -- Augusta</span></i></div></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Augusta was hopeful that James would have good news in his next letter, but it wasn't meant to be. </span></span></span></div><br />
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</div></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-33546378833351733362011-12-22T09:16:00.000-08:002013-06-24T22:49:30.821-07:00The Letters of James and Augusta Griffing:"Excuse the Dirt, Grease and Writing" James and Augusta Griffing in 1855<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS1lritooPQ/TvODkcTTjbI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Vk7-EKWwYSQ/s1600/jamesaugusta50dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS1lritooPQ/TvODkcTTjbI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Vk7-EKWwYSQ/s320/jamesaugusta50dpi.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of W.J.Griffing</span></em></strong><br />
I recently discovered a website <a href="http://www.griffingweb.com/">griffingweb.com</a> which features the personal letters of James Griffing, a Methodist Minister who in the fall of 1864 was living in the now defunct town of Lincoln in Nemeha County Kansas. These letters provide an insight into the lives of the men of the 2nd KSM and their families around the time of the Battle at Mockbee Farm which so many were wounded, killed or captured.<br />
James had his wife Augusta had recently rented out their homestead in Shawnee County and moved to temporary quarters in Lincoln, Kansas. After a Cheyenne uprising on the central Kansas plains threatened the family's safety it was decided that Augusta and her three children should return to the Griffing's home state of New York . This meant that they would have to venture through the volatile state of Missouri which was rife with guerrilas and outlaws. The plan was carried out anyways and by August 1864 Augusta and the children were safely in Owego, New York. James meanwhile was called to join the Nemeha Home Guards in response to the Cheyenne threat and when Price's Army invaded Missouri, he mobilised with his unit toward the Border area should the Confederates threaten Kansas. James served with the 22nd Regiment of the Kansas State Militia, Co. G and was encamped with his unit at Kansas City when he took time to write to Augusta.<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In camp, Kansas City<br />
October 23, 1864</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">My Dear Wife [Augusta],</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">We came here last evening. [General] Price is reported to have entered Westport last evening and [is] said to have a force of from 20 thousand to 40. If so, and as he is pretty well surrounded, I am looking for a pretty severe contest today. Our company may be in the midst of a most terrible slaughter. The thing has become more of a reality than I was expecting when I started. I hope everything will be for the best.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">Half past two o’clock. I commenced writing [you] this morning [when] an order came that we must drop everything and march at once. So we came over to the breastworks which Col. Jennison had thrown up for the protection of Kansas City. Col. Jennison was driven in by the rebels last evening into the entrenchments where we are at present quartered. They are at present fighting a tremendous battle five miles south of this [location]. The wounded are being brought in, in large numbers. We can see the smoke of the battle very plainly, but the wind is quite unfavorable, and the continued talking and cheering as the dispatches come in prevents our hearing much of the thunder of the artillery.</span></i></span></i><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">Still later. Our men have cut off his long train of commissaries, taken a large amount of his pillage, and Price is going South just as fast as he can. An order has come requiring just as many of our men as possible to get horses and pursue him. I have not yet been down to the hospital to see the wounded. Our regimental surgeon, Dr. Hidden, just told me they were generally slightly wounded; he thought but few cases would prove fatal. You can form no idea of the amount of Militia here – especially the infantry. I was just down where the Topeka boys were camped. They told me the Topeka battery was taken by the enemy yesterday and Col. Veale’s cavalry company was cut off from the main body, and they had not as yet heard from them.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><em> </em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><em>Next morning. Dreary from standing guard most of the night. News comes that the enemy are retreating [as] fast as they can go with our men in hot pursuit, fighting him with the artillery and cavalry. A great many hundred have already been killed and taken prisoners. Yesterday, whilst a portion of the men were packing up to leave on the retreat, they were surprised by a battery planted in their front which mowed down a large number of them. Our Captain, who was ordered down to assist in guarding prisoners, says he thinks we will be ordered home again today. I do hope it will be so that I can go out to the battlefield before I return. Returning cavalry militia state that the “Rebs” are scattered quite thickly over the ground. Preparations are making for a drill so I will leave this and hope to write again soon. Hoping I may be able to tell you good news about the Topeka Cavalry, as Capt. [Joshua B.] Hannum’s Company </em><em>was away then. Now I would like to hear how you all are this morning. Ever your own affectionate husband, -- James NB. excuse the dirt, grease and writing as it has been done mostly as I could catch it on my knee in camp.</em></span> </span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> Owego [New York]<br />
October 27, 1864</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">My dear husband [James],</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">I hope to hear soon that the militia are not engaged in fighting. I cannot bear to think that you have got to be in battles. It is dreadful to think of the poor families left desolate & alone this time of the year. I am glad we are here if there is to be trouble in Kansas. People have said ever since I came that they would not think of going back this winter & now they think it would be foolish & unwise. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ever your affectionate wife, -- Augusta</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4040545724289619464&postID=3354637883335173336#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The letters in the next post between James and Augusta discuss the fate of those they knew from the 2nd KSM.</span></div>
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Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-20646151824750585902011-12-17T07:36:00.000-08:002011-12-18T22:24:25.782-08:00Nelson Holder Ritchie, Co. B - "A Good Clean Man" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o37_ZZj9YKs/TuyzF9P6fMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/jRTWarqNe5w/s1600/nelson+holder+ritchie+younger%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o37_ZZj9YKs/TuyzF9P6fMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/jRTWarqNe5w/s320/nelson+holder+ritchie+younger%255B1%255D.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <em><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of Kurt Rogers </span></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Nelson Holder Ritchie arrived in the Topeka Kansas area around 1860, coming over from western Missouri. Born Nelson Holder in what was later Lawrence County Missouri,he was a man of mixed race who was listed as "white", "black" or "colored" in various census and Civil War Draft Registration records. It has been the subject of discussion amongst Nelson's descendants that he may have been part Cherokee. According to one daughter, "</span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><em>He was a very good looking man over six feet tall, about 200 hundred pounds, black curly hair, a good clean man."</em></span> <span style="color: #cccccc;"> Nelson told his descendants that he was raised by an old Scotch lady, as his mother died when he was a baby and his father died before he was born.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Nelson took on the Ritchie surname after being taken in and perhaps employed by noted early Topekan John Ritchie. John Ritchie was a Free-stater and abolitionist with ties to the Underground Railroad and was also Commander of the 2nd Indian Home Guards - a Federal Unit from Kansas during the Civil War. John also served in various capacities with the 5th Kansas Cavalry in 1861/62, a unit which frequently skirmished with the Confederates in the Border area. It was perhaps on one of these forays that John encountered 20 year old Nelson - or it could be that Nelson came to Topeka seeking a better life and was taken under the wing of John Ritchie. Whatever actually happened, by 1864 Nelson's prospects at a better life had dramatically increased with his arrival in Topeka. The threat of Rebel invasion put these prospects at risk however and in October 1864 Nelson answered the call to arms and joined the 2nd Kansas Militia, Company B. According to one of Nelson's daughters, "<em>It was at the close of the Civil War, and Nelson got in on the last part of it. He was in the Cavalry and had a good horse. He had his hat with a few bullet holes in it, but he was never hurt. He was in his twenties at the time of the war.</em>" </span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Like so many of his peers in the 2nd Kansas Militia, Nelson narrowly escaped the Battle of Mockbee Farm and returned to Topeka, where he rejected an offer from John Ritchie to attend school. Nelson had decided that he would build a life in Kansas, but it would be on his terms. He worked hard, perhaps working construction on one of the numerous buildings sprouting up in the rapidly growing capitol of Kansas and by 1870 he had married and fathered a child. After his wife and child both died in 1871 (Nelson joked with his later family that he thought an old black mammy had poisoned them) Nelson persevered and moved to Great Bend Kansas where he owned and operated a hotel, complete with livery stables and carriages for hire. He remarried and raised quite a large family at Great Bend and in 1892 relocated to Bountiful Utah where he worked for the railroad for many years. His family continued to grow and Nelson was a good father and husband, passing on these enduring qualities to his loved ones before passing away in Bountiful in 1913 at the age of 72.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Nelson passed to the great beyond without giving many details of his experiences with the 2nd Kansas Militia to his friends and family. This seemed to be a common trait among these men who had come so close to death. He had made the most of his humble origins and endured to become the cornerstone of his family as it moved out west. And he found that not only would he be accepted in Kansas, but he would flourish.</span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-47682667648100802592011-12-07T11:42:00.000-08:002011-12-08T10:24:45.711-08:00The Missing Six of the 2nd Kansas Militia The final resting places of the "missing six" men of the 2nd Kansas Militia are unaccounted for and in all likelihood lost to history. They were perhaps quickly buried in the aftermath of bloody battle, their graves unmarked and forgotten. Some of their bodies may have been collected by family members and brought back to the family farm where the gravesite was eventually lost to development. Although these men and the others who sacrificed for Shawnee County at the Big Blue River have nearly faded to obscurity, I will attempt to exhume whatever bits and pieces of their lives that I can. These scant facts are an effort to pay them the tribute they so richly deserve. <br />
The story of <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">David Fultz</span></strong> has been brought to light recently but his gravesite remains a mystery. It is likely that his body was removed from the field by family members and buried near the family farm in southeast Shawnee County. He left behind a wife named Elizabeth and three children.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Elias Roberts</span></strong> of Co. I originally hailed from New Jersey before moving out west to Ohio and later Iowa, where he farmed and started a family. By 1860 Elias, his wife Martha and their three children had relocated to Lone Jack in Jackson County Missouri. This was an extremely dangerous area to raise a family - Lone Jack was in the heart of the Border War region and by 1863 Elias and his family moved over into Shawnee County Kansas and farmed in the Tecumseh Township. Shortly thereafter Elias was killed at Mockbee Farm but his gravesite remains unknown at this time. It is possible that his sacrifice faded into obscurity even within his own family history, as was the case with many others who died that day. <br />
The spirit of the obscure American wanderer was embodied by <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">William Waln</span></strong>, who was also from Co. I. After William was killed at the Battle of the Blue, he was identified as "<em>William Wann</em>" in every source that listed the dead of the 2nd KSM. After I failed to track down that name, I came across a Widow's Pension File that revealed his true name. More research revealed that he was born in Highland Co. Ohio in 1818 and migrated to Marion Co. Iowa by the late 1840's. According to census records, William and his wife Leah had at least two children in Iowa before moving to Indiana and having two more. By 1864, William was serving in the 2nd Kansas Militia and became a (misspelled) footnote to history. The whereabouts of his gravesite remain unknown. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx1dX-0-F8Q/Tt_kphRRfXI/AAAAAAAAAEs/V0zuhbwxeA0/s1600/Waln%252C+William.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx1dX-0-F8Q/Tt_kphRRfXI/AAAAAAAAAEs/V0zuhbwxeA0/s320/Waln%252C+William.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Moses Banks</strong> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">served in Company D from Indianola Kansas, just north of Topeka. He is listed as "colored" in various sources and died at the Battle of Mockbee Farm. Moses may have been a former slave but at this point his origins are not known. It is known that Kansas was a destination of free African Americans in the early 1860's because of its admission to the Union as a free state. When Governor Carney called out the Militia in October, 1864 all men between the age of 18 and 60 were called to service including African Americans. Nearly one thousand blacks answered the call (in addition to the roughly 2,000 that were already serving) with most of these men forming separate regiments. The 2nd KSM did have a few "colored" men serving, probably filling roles such as Teamster and Blacksmith. Moses Banks gravesite is unknown at this time; there was an pension application made in July of 1867 for a minor dependant in Moses name so perhaps somewhere there is a descendant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Ben Hughes</strong> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">was an African American Teamster who was believed to have been murdered at the Mockbee Farm battlefield while attempting to surrender. Ben's origins and personal life are also unknown but the circumstances of his death were widely used to exemplify the cruelty of the Confederates under Colonel Sidney Jackman. It would be nice to believe that such a martyr were given a proper soldiers burial - his gravesite remains unknown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> Dennis Ray </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">was not listed as a man of color but was listed among the dead from Company D. There doesn't appear to be any census records for him but I did come across a Dennis Ray in the "</span><span id="recordInfoHeader"><span id="pageTitleWName"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>U.S. Civil War</em> <em>Draft Registrations"</em> Records. He was listed as living in Timber Hill, Bourbon County Kansas and his occupation was listed as blacksmith. The final resting place of Dennis Ray is unknown. </span></span></span><br />
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The fact that these three men of African descent died at the Battle of the Blue is interesting to me because they weren't actually supposed to be fighting. Their roles were of a support nature and therefore it seems likely to me that they could have chosen to be among the first to retreat and thus escape when it had become apparent that the Rebel forces would overcome them. That they didn't run when they had the chance gives an indication of their true character.<br />
The mystery as to the locations of the gravesites of these six men may never be solved but it doesn't really matter if they are remembered by future generations for their bravery and sacrifice. <br />
There was another man of color who served in the second KSM - his name was Nelson Ritchie and not only did he survive the Battle of Mockbee Farm but thrived to become highly successful. His story will be told another time.Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-52104686261652059192011-11-23T13:43:00.000-08:002011-11-23T14:31:37.431-08:00Burial Places of the Remaining Heroes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Colonel George Veale had made sure that fifteen of his "fallen heroes" were laid to rest in their proper place and with a proper funeral, but what became of the remaining men from the 2nd Kansas Militia who gave their lives at the Big Blue River? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Private <strong>James Eagle</strong> owned a hotel on the California Trail near Big Springs in Douglas County. After he was killed at the Battle of Mockbee Farm his body was brought back to Big Springs and was laid to rest at the East View Cemetery. Although Big Springs was in neighboring Douglas County, it supplied Shawnee County with Company F of the 2nd KSM.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Private <strong>Robert Campbell</strong> was also from F Company and his remains were returned to Kansas by family members as well. Private Campbell was interred near the family farm in Southeast Shawnee County at the Zion Cemetery near present day Watson, Kansas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Lt.<strong>William DeLong</strong> of Co. G died from his injuries long after the battle, in a Kansas City hospital. His remains were then brought back to his hometown, the tiny berg of Auburn, Kansas, and were interred at the Auburn Cemetery in southwest Shawnee County. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> The burial site of <strong>Merrick Race</strong> has been previously established but what became of the remains of the other six men who gave their lives for Shawnee County? This question remains (to me) unanswered but the memory of their passing shouldn't be. These are the names of the "missing six" of the 2nd Kansas Militia, whose burial place is lost or unknown:<strong> </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Ben Hughes</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Dennis Ray </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Moses Banks</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">William Waln</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Elias Roberts</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> David Fultz</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong> </strong> There is scant information about the lives of these men but what little I have found will be discussed in the next entry.</span>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-76852507176243035192011-11-11T11:52:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:04:15.127-08:00The Dead of the 2nd Kansas Militia Return Home The days following the Battles of Mockbee Farm and Westport were extremely trying ones for Colonel George Veale. As commander of the 2nd KSM he felt personally responsible for the men of his Regiment - especially the ones who had died, been injured and taken prisoner. His sense of duty towards his men made it imperative that he do all in his power to ensure that those who had died at Mockbee Farm have a decent burial.<br />
Colonel Veale's first task was to locate the exact burial location of his men. In the aftermath of the battle of Wesport, the wounded men (Union and Confederate) were gathered from the field; the dead from both sides however became the problem of the local citizenry. After ensuring that everything possible was being done for the wounded men of his Regiment, Colonel Veale returned to the Battlefield at Mockbee Farm on the 24th of October to find the temporary burial location of his men killed on the 22nd. He found that some had been buried on the field near the battlesite and others had been buried in a trench near Westport. With the help of local citizens, medical personnel and some of his own men, Colonel Veale arranged the disinterment of his men and removal to the Huron Cemetery in Wyandotte, Kansas on October 25th as he felt it was proper for the men to be buried in Kansas soil. Colonel Veale obtained coffins for his men here as well. A few of those killed from the 2nd KSM were located and removed by their own family members; it is unknown whether any men from the 2nd remain buried near the battle site.<br />
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In early December 1864 it had become certain that Kansas was now safe from the threat of invasion by the Confederates. The wounded and prisoners from the 2nd KSM had returned to their homes and the process of healing had begun. Colonel George Veale decided it would be fitting if the men from his Regiment who had been buried at the Huron Cemetery be disinterred and brought home to Shawnee County. He contacted Franklin Crane, (a friend of his from Topeka who had established the Topeka Cemetery a few years earlier) with the thought of setting aside a special plot for those who gave their lives at the Battle of the Blue. The two men struck a deal and arrangements were made for the fifteen coffins to be brought to Topeka on December 10th, where they would find their third and final resting place.<br />
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The 100 Block of Kansas Ave. in the mid 1860s<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption">courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society,copy and re-use restrictions apply</span> </td></tr>
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The dark cold day matched the mood of the citizens of Topeka as the first of the wagons coming up Kansas Avenue rolled into view. The scene was remembered years later by Louis Laurent, who had been a boy at the time: "<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>At that time the butcher of the city was Dan Handley. He went to the front with the Militia and was killed at the Battle of the Blue. He left a family of several girls. His residence was about two blocks east of Kansas Avenue on First street. I remember distinctly when his body reached Topeka. I can see it yet, in a pine box and the blood stains on the bottom of the box.”</em></span></span><br />
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The plots set aside for these fallen men had been arranged at the Topeka Cemetery in the shape of a square. A large crowd gathered here to pay their respects and in their own way thank the ones who had given their lives so that Topeka and all of Kansas could remain free.<br />
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The worn tombstones of the fifteen remain still, off to the side in the form of a square. I hope their names are never forgotten: <strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harvey G.Young, James P. Alverson, McClure Martin, David Rake, Nicholas Brown, Samuel Allen, Georg Ginnold, Robert McNown, Charles H. Budd, Albert Chapman, Lear Selkin, Hiram C. Coville, Robert Boles, Daniel Handley and William C. Roberts.</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpzTsj3yhY/Tr15uTWEMbI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LEcS6UjK4i8/s1600/topeka+cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpzTsj3yhY/Tr15uTWEMbI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LEcS6UjK4i8/s320/topeka+cemetery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> photo courtesy od HMbd.org - copy and re-use restrictions apply</span></em>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-2486504387454731822011-11-04T10:50:00.000-07:002011-11-04T10:50:16.364-07:00The Investigation Into the Death of David Fultz; Conclusion<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";">The investigation by Lt.J.M. Hubbard into the death of David Fultz revealed that Fultz had identified the men that shot him had belonged to Col.Charles Jennison’s Regiment, (Jennison was in command of the 1st Brigade, Army of the Border) although Fultz never stated how he discerned this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After interviewing several others who had witnessed different parts of the Fultz incident, Lt. Hubbard came to a different conclusion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his interviews with the men who had first came across Private Fultz after he had been shot, Lt. Hubbard was able to deduce that Fultz had ridden toward the advancing column of Col. Thomas Moonlight’s Brigade as it headed south in pursuit of General Price’s retreating Army the late afternoon of 23 October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was during the aftermath of the Battle of Westport and the emotions of the men of Moonlight’s Brigade still flared hot as they headed south out of Shawneetown toward the fleeing rear Confederate guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lt. Hubbard’s next set of interviews focused on members of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. In the words of Richard Josiah Hinton: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nathaniel D. Horton, Chief Bugler 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, states that he accompanied Colonel Moonlight in the pursuit of the rebels from Shawnee Mission southward, on the 23rd of October last, and that when about five miles out, a young man dressed in homespun clothing, similar to that worn by the rebels, rode out of a field on the left of the road and joined the column. Colonel Moonlight called him to the head-of the column, and demanded of him who he was, where he belonged, and what he was doing there. His answer was in substance that he belonged to the Kansas Militia, but that he had been compelled to join them against his will, and had left them the day previous with the intention of joining the rebels. This last point seemed rather to be inferred by his hearers than explicitly stated by himself; and the inference rested, at least in part, upon an assumption that he had mistaken the character of the command he had joined, and supposed it to be rebel. Horton thinks his exact words were,” I've been wanting to get with you," though he would not speak positively in regard to the language used. Proceeding apparently upon the assumption referred to above, Colonel Moonlight repeated once or twice, in form slightly varying, a question, the substance of which was, " Would you rather go with the Feds, or with us?" Each time the answer of the stranger was in substance, “I would rather go with you," upon which Colonel Moonlight declared himself satisfied, and ordered him to be shot. He(Fultz) turned to run, but was shot by Adjutant Faber and Quartermaster-Sergeant Cowan before he had gone many steps, and was left by the road side still living, but judged to be mortally wounded." </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colonel Thomas Moonlight was apparently never interviewed by Lt. Hubbard, but Horton’s story was corroborated by other members of the 11th K VC, including one of the shooters, Quartermaster Sgt. Cowan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cruel set of ironic events conspired against David Fultz: bad-timing, being in the wrong place and wrong clothing and poor semantics – all of which, when taken together had sealed his fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how had David come to be at this crossroads of events?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may have survived the battle of Mockbee Farm, fled on his horse and was cut off from the rest of his unit as they fled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other possibilities also exist but seem less likely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is that David was taken prisoner after the battle and then escaped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second is that he straggled from his unit before the battle, was cut off and then attempted to rejoin Moonlight’s column the next day. Whatever actually happened, David probably felt reluctant to make his appearance after hiding in the brush for roughly 24 hours. The thoughts which raced through his troubled mind may have also conspired against him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>R.J. Hinton’s final paragraph on the subject of David Fultz makes an attempt to explain the situation: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that his personal appearance, dress, and the place, and manner of his joining the command, all combined to make him an object of suspicion, and that those who had stood in battle against the rebel foe for nearly a week, and then had just prevented the desolation of their homes, could hardly be expected at that time, and under such circumstances, to exercise a cool and deliberate judgment.”</i></span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4040545724289619464.post-89832331678923548912011-11-03T22:41:00.000-07:002011-11-03T22:41:17.834-07:00David Fultz, 2nd Kansas Militia; "Killed by Jennison's Men"?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> The circumstances surrounding the death of David Fultz of the 2nd Kansas Militia provide an interesting glimpse inside the Union Army of the Border in the aftermath of the Battle of Westport. Though it is certain that he died at the hands of Union troops, it is still a mystery exactly why he was killed and who was responsible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> David Fultz was a farmer who lived in the rural southeast corner of Shawnee County before he volunteered for the 2nd KSM. He was born in Kentucky and migrated to Douglas County Kansas along with his wife Elizabeth, before migrating to Shawnee County in 1863. David and his five brothers all served the Union side during the War including one who was in the field with the 21st Kansas Militia from Douglas County. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> The story of David Fultz may never have come to light if not for the official report of his Commander, Colonel George Veale. Near the end of Colonel Veale's report, dated 30 October, 1864 was a list of the men from his Division who were killed, captured and wounded including this entry for David's Company I: "Killed - William Waln, Robert Bolls, David Fultz, the latter, killed by Jennison's men." This declaration caused a stir of outrage from Colonel Jennison's quarter as could be expected. Although Charles "Doc" Jennison had been rightly accused of many such outrages against those who opposed him, he had never stood accused of killing a Union soldier. Jennison was a staunch abolitionist who was personally responsible for as much death and destruction on the Border as anyone, but this accusation, made by a peer in his official report without supporting details, would launch an investigation by the order of General Curtis. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> Lt. J.M.Hubbard was General Curtis' Signal Officer and was given charge of the investigation, which elicited the following facts: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>On Sunday, October 23rd, between 4 and 5 P.M., two gentlemen found a wounded man near Little Santa Fe, who gave his name as David Fults, Company "I," 2d Regiment Kansas State Militia. His statement was that having been separated from his regiment at the Big Blue the day before, he fell in with a body of our cavalry, which he believed to be Colonel Jennison's regiment. He told several soldiers who he was ; also told the commander, whom he believed to be Colonel Jennison, the same story, but the officer declared him a rebel bushwhacker, and ordered him to be shot. The unfortunate man was wounded in the small of the back and in the leg. The first ball passed through his body. They left him where he was found. He died shortly afterwards</em>. (Much of the information gathered for this blog entry was taken from the book "<strong>Rebel invasion of Missouri and Kansas, and the Campaign of the Army of the Border Against General Sterling Price in October and November, 1864</strong>" by Richard Josiah Hinton. The unedited parts will be in italics) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> One of the men who found David Fultz was named John J. Ingalls, a prominent Kansan. The veracity of Ingalls story is not in question, but David Fultz story of being shot by "Jennison's Men" was. How would Fultz have been able to identify the men who shot him as Jennison's? He may not have been able to. Although Jennison and his 15th Kansas Cavalry was a well-known and notorious outfit, Fultz may have only come to his conclusion after he was shot. So, why was he shot? How did he end up near Little Sante Fe? The results of Lt. Hubbard's investigation revealed some surprising answers. </span></div>Jeff Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07487609576107935461noreply@blogger.com0