Sunday, March 15, 2015

The Notorious Captain Roberts! - Roberts, Bayly/Bailey, Hall, Williams Families (Camden County)

Please read the post titled "Battle of Henrytown or Monday's Hollow" for general information about the battle, the prisoners, and the events of that winter.


The first man that Major Clark Wright, Fremont's Battalion of the Missouri Cavalry, listed as captured in his October 15, 1861, report to General Wyman of the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry stationed at Rolla was "William J. (Bill) Roberts, Bandit Captain."  Additional Roberts men taken prisoner included L.B., R.A., and G.D. Roberts.  Another prisoner, A. T. Bailey (Bayly), was Margaret Roberts' husband.  A newspaper account in The St. Louis Republican on October 19, 1861, stated:  "When the cavalry entered the town, they found one company of rebels under Capt. Roberts, a merchant of Linn Creek, in possession of the place. They were, to all appearance, perfectly ignorant of any danger from any quarter. A portion of them were in a blacksmith-shop moulding bullets, and the rest were in different parts of the town, so that the surprise was complete."  
In his report Major Wright described Roberts' capture during the battle in detail:  "The notorious captain and a few of his followers, as well as his wife, broke from some of the buildings, fired upon our troops, and attempted to escape. I promptly ordered them fired on, which was as promptly executed. Some fifty random shots were fired, but owing to the fences, buildings, and other means of cover, none were killed, and but one slightly wounded on the rebel side — none hurt on our side.  The scene was a wild one: the activity of the cavalry in guarding the avenues of the place, arresting the rebels running to and fro; the screams of the secesh wives, daughters, and children; the firing from both sides echoing from the bluffs on either side, made the whole thing look frantic. However, at the end of thirty minutes, the town was restored to its usual quiet and secesh under guard." 

William James Roberts was a brother to Sidney Reice Roberts, Little Berry (L.B.) Roberts, Jr. and Margaret Roberts Bailey.  These siblings had an older sister, Zearviah Roberts, who married William S. Roberts, but she died in 1829.  Zearviah, Sidney, and William J. were born in South Carolina in 1807, 1814 and 1819 respectively.  About 1820 the family came to Roane County, Tennessee, where Little Berry was born in 1822 and Margaret in 1832.  Their widowed brother-in-law William S. Roberts married Letitia Miller in 1830 and their nephew Greenville/Granville D. Roberts (G.D.) was born in 1833.   Rufus A. Roberts (R.A.), William James Roberts' seventeen-year-old son, was born in Tennessee in 1845.

The Roberts' siblings' father and brother Sidney served in the Tennessee militia in the Cherokee Removal of the 1830s, often known as the Trail of Tears.  Sidney came to the Camden/Pulaski County area between 1836 and 1840.  There is a monument to eight unknown Cherokee casualties of the Trail of Tears dated 1838 in the Old Erie Cemetery in Camden County.  The father returned to Tennessee where he died in 1842.

Sidney Reice Roberts was a founder of Linn Creek and an owner of a highly successful mercantile.  From The History of Camden County published by Goodspeed in 1889: "All of Missouri lying southwest of this town, Northwestern Arkansas lying north of the Boston Mountains, and a large portion of the Indian Territory received their goods and supplies from this place.  Sidney served Camden County in the Missouri House of Representatives in 1850.  It was about this time when Jones began a rival mercantile and in 1852 McClurg joined him.  The merchants of Linn Creek, especially the firms of Dodson, Roberts, and Co. and Jones and McClurg, did a heavy wholesale business.  J.W. McClurg and his company, for a succession of years, sold over half a million dollars' worth of goods annually.  Dodson, Roberts, and Co., for the same years, also sold a vast amount."  

William J., his son Rufus A., brother Little Berry, and brother-in-law and sister Andrew and Margaret Roberts Bailey came to Missouri in the 1850's.  Possibly their brother-in-law William S. Roberts and his family traveled with them as William S. died in Camden County in 1855.

Brothers Little Berry and Sidney Roberts were listed as slaveholders on the 1860 Slave Schedule for Camden County.  For further information see an earlier post Camden County Mercantiles and the U.S. Colored Troops.  

In November 1860 Sidney Roberts was assisting residents of Vernon and Bates Counties to convince Missouri's governor to send 300 rifles and a company of artillerymen to protect them from abolitionist marauders.   Leroy D. Roberts had left Linn Creek for Nevada, Missouri (Vernon County) in 1858 to establish a mercantile business in partnership with Charles Washington Rubey.

Joel Bolton from Cole County left home on June 9, 1861, headed for the Confederate lines to enlist.  He traveled with Joe Bolton and  Ed Dixon.  They met  Rev. T. F. Lockett, Amos Glover, James Hurt, and Benton Bolton at Versailles in Morgan County.  The men were "sworn in to the Service at Pommedeteau Bridge."  When they were sworn in, Joel Bolton wrote there "was William Roberts and some men from Linn Creek in Camden County sworn in with us so we organized a small company of the two squads by electing Rev. T. F. Lockett as Captain and William Roberts as Lieutenant."

On June 12, 1861, Sidney Roberts was appointed as the Lt. Col. of the Commissary for the Sixth Division (Brig. Gen. Mosby Parsons) of the Missouri State Guard.  His son, Leroy D. Roberts, was Captain of Company I of Col. McCullough's Regt. of the Missouri State Guard.   Neither Sidney Roberts, nor his son Leroy Roberts, were captured in Linn Creek on that fateful day.  Both men joined Missouri units in the Confederate Army when the Missouri State Guard went to Arkansas.  Sidney Roberts died in Pine Bluff shortly after the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862.

Leroy D. Roberts served as Captain I of the Fourth Missouri Cavalry throughout the remainder of the war.  In April 1864 the regiment fought in two Arkansas battles:  the Battle of Poison Spring and the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry.  The Battle of Poison Spring was a victory for the Confederates, but the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry was a Union victory that resulted in a thousand Confederate casualties. The Fourth Cavalry also fought in most of the major engagements of Price's Expedition into Missouri in the fall of 1864.  At the Battle of Pilot Knob, the Fourth Cavalry was subjected to artillery and small arms fire, suffering 7 killed and 28 wounded. (Guide to Missouri Confederate Units by James E. McGhee)
Captain Roberts was wounded at Pilot Knob, Missouri, on September 24, 1864, then captured on October 10, 1864, at Ironton, Missouri, when Union forces occupied the Confederate Post. He was moved to Gratiot Military Prison in St. Louis in March 1865.  He was released on oath June 15, 1865, at Johnson's Island, Ohio, under General Order 109.  The record of his oath listed Captain Roberts as 6 ft. 1 inch tall, with dark hair and blue eyes.  According to Census Records, he would have been about 30 years old.

The men who were taken prisoner at Henrytown and Linn Creek were marched to Rolla where they worked on Union fortifications.  Some took the Oath of Allegiance and returned home.   William J. Roberts was involved in a federal prisoner exchange on November 9th, 1861, under Order 484 from the Office of Provost Marshal General. William and Henry Laughlin, another prisoner, joined the Confederate Army in Arkansas.

After the war ended William married  Ellen Tennessee Dunnaway about 1868 in Lafayette County, Arkansas.    In the 1870 Census he and his family were in Red River Arkansas.  Some of their adult sons also made Arkansas home after the war.  John A. Roberts was the Sheriff of Texarkana from 1874-1882. William died in Texarkana in 1894.

William's son Rufus served under his cousin, Captain Leroy D. Roberts. in Company I of the 4th Missouri Cavalry of the Confederate Army formed in December 1861.  In 1868 he married Susan Jane Martin, born in Alabama.  In 1870 they were in Red River, Arkansas, with a one year old son.  They relocated to Texarkana, Garland and Cleveland, Arkansas, then moved back to Texarkana, Arkansas where he died in 1921.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

Captain Roberts' requisition for pants, shoes, blankets, and other supplies for his men in September 1863.

Little Berry Roberts and his brother-in-law Andrew Bailey remained in Missouri.  Most of the prisoners taken at Linn Creek were marched to Rolla to work on Union fortifications.  Three men were returned to Linn Creek.  Possibly Little Berry Roberts was one of the returned men, as he claimed that in October 1861,  J. W. McClurg hired a wagon and team for a month, and took two horses, 500 bushels of corn, 30 tons of hay, another 40 acres of corn in the field, and 45 tons of steamboat wood, never reimbursing him.  Then, on November 4, Colonel Wyman took two horses, 300 bushels of corn, and 3 tons of hay for which he was never paid.

Both Little Berry Roberts and Andrew Bailey had returned to Camden County by 1862 and joined Union forces.  Under General Order 19 issued in July 1862, every able-bodied man in Missouri was required to become a member of the Enrolled Missouri Militia (EMM). "Over 18 and under 46 had to enroll in six days from the date of the order."  Those who chose to be enumerated as southern sympathizers rather than enroll in Union forces had to surrender their shotguns and rifles.  They often faced levies and were threatened with confiscation of property and imprisonment.

Little Berry Roberts, Jr. enrolled as a Private in the 47th Regt. EMM in Company A under Capt. Hurst in July 1862 at Linn Creek.  His card indicated that he transferred to U.S. Service on August 28, 1862, but no unit was listed.  He was discharged due to health concerns with asthma.
http://www.mogenweb.org/mocivwar/burials/countyC.html

Little Berry Roberts, Jr. married Elizabeth "Jane" Williams from Dallas County, Missouri, in February 1868.  The couple had ten children, seven of whom lived to adulthood.   He died in Linn Creek in January 1889.
After his death, the administrator of his estate filed a claim for items taken by the military forces of the United States.
59th Congress, Second Session, House of Representatives, Document No. 678

The War Claims Court found that it did not appear that the property claimed for was taken by authority of and used by the United States.

Margaret Roberts' husband, Andrew T. Bailey enrolled as a Private in the 47th Regt. EMM in Co. F under Capt. Collier on August 11, 1862, at Linn Creek.  "Company F was composed of men who had first joined the enemy."  Goodspeed's History of Camden County published in 1889. p. 333.
A few days later Andrew enlisted in the U.S. Service.
He gave his age as 39 when he enlisted in the 29th Regt. Inf. Vols. as First Sgt. in Co. D under Capt. William H. Rogers on August 15, 1862, in Linn Creek.  He was mustered in Sept. 6, 1862 at Benton Barracks in St. Louis
The 29th Infantry fought in Alabama, Arkansas, the Carolinas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.  The unit was mustered out June 12, 1865.

Andrew died at the age of 47 in 1870 and is buried in Erie Cemetery in Linn Creek.  That year Margaret was living with five children, including an infant, and her 80 year old mother Susan Roberts.   Margaret filed for a widow's pension on May 10, 1871.  She died October 14, 1911, in Camden County. 

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Allison Brothers - Allison, Cyrus, Jackson, Moulder, Piercy Families (Camden County)

Please read the post titled "Battle of Henrytown or Monday's Hollow" for general information about the battle, the prisoners, and the events of that winter.

Allison Family:  Willis Allison and his younger brother Hugh were early pioneers in Camden County.  Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, about 1803, Willis married Rebecca Bradley.  They were living in Bedford County, Tennessee in 1824. By 1840 the family had moved to Macks Creek in Camden County, Missouri.  In August 1849 Willis bought two lots and 33 acres in Camden County.  The following year Rebeccca died.  On New Year's Day in 1852 Willis married Elizabeth Piercy/Percy.  Four years later his younger brother Hugh bought 40 acres near Willis' property.   After the war Willis and his second wife lived with his son Joseph's family (Joseph married one of Elizabeth's daughters from a previous marriage), first in Camden County and by 1880 in Jasper County, Missouri.  Several of his sons moved to Texas and Willis died there in 1885.

At least two of Willis Allison's sons were taken prisoner at the battles:  Joseph Warren Allison and George Newton Allison.  Some have suggested that James Bradley Allison was also taken prisoner.  No rolls have been found of the Missouri State Guard companies at the battles.  Muster rolls of soldiers listing the Battle of Wet Glaize suggest that several companies of the 3rd Regiment Infantry and 3rd Regiment Cavalry, 6th Division, were present.

An older son, Benjamin Franklin Allison, had enlisted in the Osage Regt. Home Guards,  a Union militia, in July 1861.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00883/s00883_1791.pdf
When Benjamin Allison was mustered out in December 1861,  two of his brothers were in prison in St. Louis.


John Willis Allison was the oldest of the brothers.  He was born in 1824 in Bedford County, Tennessee.  He moved with his family to Missouri about 1837. In 1846 John married Martha Cyrus, a sister of John Cyrus, a forage master for the Missouri State Guard and another of the prisoners.  In 1850 John Allison, his wife, and young child were living near his older brother, Benjamin Allison, in Camden County, Missouri.   Neither brother nor their wives could read or write. 

During the battles in October 1861, the brothers were taken prisoner, then marched to Rolla to work on the fortifications there for several weeks.   John and Joseph were taken by rail car to prison in St. Louis in December.  On February 1, 1862,  John took the Oath of Allegiance.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/provost/Results.aspx Allison, John   Phelps County
In March 1863 their daughter Sarah Catherine was born in Camden County.  That summer the Civil War Draft Enumeration took place for Camden County.  John was not listed on the Registration nor was he enlisted in the Union militias. 

John's youngest son Lee Roy was born in Erath County, Texas in March 1866. Several other Allison family members also traveled to Texas in the decade after the Civil War.  Although many returned to Missouri, they settled in counties other than Camden County.  In 1870 John and his wife and five children were living in McDonald County, Missouri.  John was a farmer with both personal and real estate of value.  In 1880 he and his wife and two of their children had returned to Erath County, Texas.  His wife Martha had learned to read.  John died in March 1908 in Crowell, Texas.

James Bradley Allison was born in Bedford, Tennessee, in 1829.  James' wife, Myra Jackson, died in Linn Creek in November 1861.  Her brother Thomas was also taken prisoner as well as William Jackson and Calton Jackson.  From July to November 1863 James served in the 9th Provisional Regiment EMM, Company G, a Union militia.  His brother Joseph also served in this company.  In December 1863 he married Frances Paralee Radford.   His service card indicated he was detailed from the 47th EMM, Company H.  This company included his brothers Newton and Benjamin.  On August 1, 1864, James enlisted in Capt. Bollinger's Provisional Company in Linn Creek.   He was mustered in August 8 and mustered out in March 1865.

James and Frances were farming in White Oak, Franklin County, Arkansas in 1870 with three children from his first marriage and their three younger children.  The six year old was born in Missouri; the three year old was born in Nebraska; and the one year old was born in Arkansas.  By 1872 the family moved to Hood County, Texas.  His oldest daughter Rebecca was living with them, along with six younger children.


"James Bradley Allison and wife Francis Paralee Radford lived just outside of Lipan in what was known as the Allison community.  James Bradley was a member of the Masonic Lodge (International Order of Odd Fellows) and active in the Town politics. "
http://www.granburydepot.org/z/biog/allison.htm
James died in 1891 in Texas.

George Newton Allison was born in Macks Creek in 1838.  Newton and his younger brothers and sisters were listed as each owning a slave in 1860.  That year he married Mary Ann "Polly" Moulder who was born in Camden County in 1839.  The young couple were living with his parents in the 1860 Census.  Her cousin David Moulder was also taken prisoner.  Newton Allison's name appears on the list of prisoners captured, but doesn't appear on the list of prisoners taken to St. Louis. 
In July 1862 Newton and Benjamin enlisted as Privates in the 47th Regt. EMM, a Union militia, at Linn Creek in Capt. Brown's Company H.  They were ordered into active service by Col. McClurg in August 1862, and again in October 1864 by Col. T.J. Kelley, and relieved from duty in December 1864.  
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00790/s00790_1812.pdf

Newton and his family were in Texas with John in 1866, but were back living near Joseph's family in Camden County by 1868.  By 1870 Newton and his wife had four young children.  He was a farmer with both personal and real estate of value.  In 1875 he bought 80 acres in Camden County.  During the next five years he and his family moved to Pleasant Gap in Bates County, Missouri.  Bates County was one of the areas settlers were forced to evacuate under General Order 11.  During the Civil War the federal government ordered the area depopulated and structures were burned to reduce the border violence between Kansas and Missouri.  After the war new settlers arrived. Newton died December 1, 1932, in Bates County.

Joseph Allison was born in Missouri in 1843.  In the 1860 Census Joseph was living with his father and his stepmother Elizabeth.   Other family members in the household included his brother Newton and new wife, younger sister Rachel, grandmother Catherine Allison, and three younger Piercy children from Elizabeth's previous marriage.   In August 1861, Joseph enlisted for a three-month stint with the Missouri State Guard.

After spending the winter in prison in St. Louis,  Joseph told Union authorities that he was ready to take the Oath but would not take up arms against Price's army (Missouri State Guard); he wished to remain neutral.  Joseph took the Oath of Allegiance in February 1862.  
http://www.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/provost/Results.aspx Allison, Joseph    Camden, Phelps, and St. Louis Counties
When he returned to Camden County Price's Missouri State Guard had moved to Arkansas to join with Confederate forces.  In July Joseph enrolled in the 47th EMM, a Union militia, at Linn Creek as 7th Corporal under Capt. Collier in Company F.   In August 1862 he was ordered into active service by Col. McClurg and served for 95 days.  
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00790/s00790_1810.pdf
From July to November of 1863 Joseph served as a Private in the 9th Provisional Regt. EMM under Brig. Gen. Crawford.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00821/s00821_1782.pdf

On July 10, 1864, Joseph married Amanda Piercy, one of his stepmother's children from a previous marriage.  In 1870 his parents Willis and Elizabeth were living with Joseph and his wife Manda and their two young children along with two Percy children and his married sister Rachel Baker.  Also in this household were two African-Americans born in Missouri:  Alen Allison age 14 and Jiles Allison age 12.  Joseph had both personal and real estate of value.  His sister Rachel, father Willis, and Alen and Jiles couldn't read or write.  Joseph and his family left Camden County as other family members had done, and relocated with his parents to Joplin, Missouri, by 1880.   On December 8, 1892, Joseph filed from Indian Territory for a Civil War Pension.  His wife Amanda filed for a Widow's Pension from Oklahoma in 1910.

Willis' brother Hugh purchased land in Benton County in 1859.  During the Civil War Hugh Allison was arrested for participating in a robbery of McClurg's store in Linn Creek.  Joseph McClurg was an outspoken Unionist and his mercantile was burned twice.  Hugh stated that he was a Southern man but didn't support the rebellion.  He claimed innocence and said he was a victim of spite by a member of the Home Guard.  In January 1862 he took the Oath of Allegiance.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/provost/Results.aspx Allison, Hugh    Benton County
According to oral family history, "Hugh Allison, his wife, and some of his children were murdered at their farm in 1863.  The murderers tortured the wife and children to get Hugh to tell them where his money was hidden, but he had no money."

Related Information:
In 1864 two slaves, Peter Allison and Lang Pitts, enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops.  Both men listed Willis Allison of Camden County as slaveholder. For more information about these men, see "Camden County Mercantiles and the U.S. Colored Troops."



Stephen Allen - Allen, Loveall, and Rush Families (Miller County)

Please read the post titled "Battle of Henrytown or Monday's Hollow" for general information about the battle, the prisoners, and the events of that winter.

Stephen Allen was born in Kentucky about 1830 to Daniel Allen and Nancy Loveall Allen. Between 1841 and 1844 the family moved from Kentucky to Miller County, Missouri. In 1850 a large group of Rush and Loveall family members followed. By that time Stephen's parents were busy farming with their eleven children. A story from their lives is included in Judge Jenkins History of Miller County Vol. 1 on page 80:
   "On Thursday, December 4th, 1851, although winter time, it was not a very cold day. Artimesia Roberts and Ellenor Matthews (married daughters of Daniel and Nancy Allen) were at Daniel Allen’s house in Jim Henry Township. A double log house with a passageway in between, Artimesia Roberts was engaged in warping between the houses. Nancy, Daniel Allen’s wife, was inside, sitting at the loom, weaving. Her daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Jonathan, were there, but Jonathan was not in the house. A stranger, coming to the door, inquired the way to Jefferson. “He came in”, Nancy said, “and a chair was set for him. Taking the chair, he sat down.” “While sitting there”, Nancy continued, “He would once in a while move on to the loom bench on which I was sitting, weaving, and he would ask me to take some tobacco which he held in his hand, and offered me saying it was because I looked so much like his damned old mother! He would make use of many oaths, swearing he was the best man in Missouri. He picked up the shuttle once while sitting on the chair. I made him get off the loom bench three different times,” Nancy concluded.Ellenor Matthews said,” The man called for his dinner. Mrs. Allen informed him she had no meal, that she had a grist ready to send to the mill, but had no one to get it up till son Jonathan came. The man replied,"A hogs foot!” At this time, Jonathan came into the house. He told the stranger to leave. The man merely laughed at him. Jonathan then informed the man if “he did not go, he would blow his brains out and hitch the young oxen to him and drag him away.” Jonathan, stepping outside, was followed by the man onto the porch.“The man came out and leaned against the hand rail of the porch,” Elizabeth said. “Jonathan asked him where he was going? The man answered it was none of his damned business. Jonathan pointed then to Mr. King’s wagon passing along the road to Jefferson City, and urged him to follow it. At this point, the man put his arm around Jonathan, and Jonathan stepping off, was followed, Jonathan saying keep your hands off of me! The man said, See here, do you know who I am? I am the best man in Missouri!” “Brother Jonathan,” Elizabeth continued, “told the stranger he did not wish to know him, and after moving away three times, the last time the stranger commenced striking at Jonathan with a knife. While scuffling around, I jumped in between them. As I jumped between them, the knife hit me on the fore and little finger of my right hand cutting me to the bone; drawing blood copiously. Brother Jonathan, broken loose; ran! The man pushed me back against the wall so as to nearly knock my breath out, and took after Jonathan.” Jonathan said, “The blade of the knife was about four inches long. He cut my comfort nearly in two, and cut my shirt under the right arm. He struck at me twice near the throat, cutting my comfort. My knife got knocked out of my hand. I ran.” “I saw Jonathan running around the corner of the house,” Ellenor Matthews continued, “with the man after him, Jonathan, running fast, jumped into the door past me. The man, striking at Jonathan as he jumped into the door, connected on my left shoulder instead, cutting a hole in my shawl; knocking me down. The door was then clapped too. Here I saw Mrs. Allen close to the man. She had a chair post in her hand.” Nancy Allen, upon hearing the commotion, had moved outside just as the man was pushing against the door of the other house with his hands. Failing to open it, he commenced pushing his shoulder against it. “I ran,” Nancy said, gathering him by the coat collar and jerking him around!” “About here,” Ellenor Matthews continued, “Mrs. Allen struck him a mighty blow with the chair post! He staggered, turning, and running about forty yards to near the corner of the stable. Here, Mrs. Allen hit him a terrible lick in the head again, and once more when he crossed the rails. He kept on up the hill. Stopping once, upon looking back, one could see his eye was pooched, and his face bunged up! He then turned and kept running as far as I could see him!”

Two years later in 1853 Daniel and Nancy's son Stephen married Permelia Ellen McKay. By 1860, Stephen and Ellen were farming in Clark Township in Cole County with four children.
Stephen was taken prisoner in October 1861 at either the Battle of Monday's Hollow or Linn Creek.  Union reports list the prisoners from both skirmishes in one group.  Stephen was marched to Rolla in October, worked on fortifications of the new town/fort for several weeks, and then was transported by rail car to prison in St. Louis.  
In December 1861 the Myrtle Street Prison at the old slave pen in St. Louis became so overcrowded that the Gratiot Street Prison was opened at the McDowell Medical College Building . Possibly to alleviate overcrowding some prisoners were allowed to take the Oath of Allegiance and return home. In addition, some were required to remit bonds to assure their compliance. Requiring citizens to take an Oath of Allegiance wasn't new to times of mixed loyalty. Many of their grandparents had taken oaths during the American Revolution - a successful attempt at secession - to determine who was loyal to the cause. In December 1861 an oath supporting the provisional government of Missouri was enacted. On December 22, 1861, Stephen and several other prisoners wrote to the state that they wished to take the Oath of Allegiance and return to their homes.
By February 1862 overcrowding became so bad that prisoners were sent to Alton, Illinois to the closed Illinois State Prison. Stephen took the oath on February 24, 1862, and returned home. He was enumerated in the the Civil War Draft in July-September 1863 back in Clark Township, Cole County. Their youngest child, Rosetta, was born in Missouri about 1868.  By 1870 Stephen and his family had left Missouri and were living in Edwards County, Illinois. In 1880 Permelia/Ellen Allen was a widow and had returned to Jim Henry Township in Miller County. She was living with her 3 youngest children and her 22 year old daughter Mary Rush with Mary's infant son Albert. The census indicates none of her younger children can read or write and Mary cannot read. Albert Lee Rush lived to 101. He is buried in Jim Henry Cemetery in Miller County.
http://rush-sullens-photo-tree.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html


Three generations of the Albert Rush family.  Albert is in the center holding his grandson.

The Battle of Henrytown or Monday's Hollow




On May 30 and 31 of 2015 the Camden County Museum and Collins Artillery Battery B hosted a Maximum Effort Re-enactment of the Battle of Monday’s Hollow. The event took place on the Missouri Trapshooter Association grounds on State Road A in the Linn Creek area.   
General Information:  The Missouri State Guard was formed in 1861 to defend Missouri against federal forces that had invaded the state and ousted the elected leadership. In the following years of the war some of these men joined the Confederate Army; some joined the Union forces. Other men avoided the Civil War Draft of 1863 by age or occupation, by hiring a substitute, or by paying a commutation tax, and remained on their farms. Other men, like many Missouri citizens, fled the state. 
The Battle of Monday's Hollow or Wet Glaize are Union names for the skirmish.  The Missouri State Guard, comprised of many local men, called it the Battle of Henrytown or Shanghai. My mother grew up on a farm near where the skirmish took place. Many of the Missouri State Guard soldiers at the battles were citizens of Camden County and surrounding counties.  The events of the Battles at Monday's Hollow and Linn Creek have been described in detail in Union military correspondence and newspaper accounts and aren't included here.

These posts will spotlight the individual stories of the men who were killed or captured.  The death of William Shelton Watkins of Miller County was related by Peggy Smith Hake in Windows to the Past: "His military group (Iberia Rangers under command of Rankin Wright, 6th Division, Missouri State Guard) headed south out of Miller County toward the large army of southern general Sterling Price, which was engaging battles between Lebanon and Springfield.  On the second day out, they were near Richland, in Pulaski County, when they encountered a small Federal unit and a skirmish began.  The Miller County men were outnumbered and out-equaled in experience, so they tried to retreat.  William fell from his horse, which was 'spooked' by the ring of gunfire.  From the shock of the fall, he was unable to get to his feet and while he was lying prostrate on the ground, the enemy soldiers shot into his body, thus ending his short life at the age of 32 years.  The date was October 13, 1861.  His comrades brought his lifeless body back to his family and they buried him just beyond the yard fence of the home he had built only a short time earlier. In 1938 his remains were moved to the Hickory Point Cemetery.  In the remains, a large leaden bullet was found in his head."

The Miller County Historical Society noted seven unidentified men were killed and buried in Miller County.  "Seven men besides Watkins’, killed in this battle, also were buried in Miller County. On October 14, 1861, early in the morning, widow Roseanna Carlton, upon hearing horses a-whinneying at her yard gate, and peering outside, observed seven horses standing at the fence, heads over the top railing, intently looking toward the house, begging for attention, asking for someone to come and get them. Upon each horse a man was sitting, crumpled in the saddle, hands tied to the saddle horn, feet tied under the animal’s belly, dead.  Separate mounds of rock on the old Carlton’ place near the Grand Auglaize creek, later owned by George S. Wright, now in the Kaiser State Park, marked seven graves for many years." Ambrose Carlton and Stephen Loveall of Miller County may have been two of the unidentified casualties of the Battle of Monday's Hollow.

Individual service cards for men who fought at these battles indicated several companies of the Missouri State Guard, 6th and 7th Divisions were involved.    Missouri State Guard Captains listed by Union reports included Sorrel (7th Division), Wright (6th Division, Iberia Rangers, organized in Miller County), Thurman, Bell, Fair (6th Division, Third Cavalry, Company A) , and Hawthorne (7th Division, First Cavalry, Company A). 

Men who served with the Osage Tigers and Iberia Rangers are detailed in later blog posts.  Another list of local men who served with the Missouri State Guard exists in Company F, 47th EMM. An Enrolled Missouri Militia unit was an "on call" Union unit that served in the local area when called to active service.   In 1862 Missouri men aged 18-45 were commanded to join Union forces or turn in their rifles and shotguns.  According to Goodspeed's History of Camden County, p. 333, "Company F was composed of men who had first joined the enemy."   

Men taken prisoner at the skirmishes at Monday's Hollow and Linn Creek are listed in this post.  Those with blog posts detailing more information have links listed after their names.  Major Wright, Union Commander, wrote, "In every instance, when I have captured prisoners I have endeavored to discriminate very clearly, and turn loose, at the time, all who in my judgment should be released upon their oath of allegiance written out and signed by the party."  Three unidentified men were taken back to Linn Creek by order of Colonel Wyman.  Seventy-six prisoners were taken to Rolla on October 23.   After helping to build Union fortifications at Rolla. some prisoners took the oath of allegiance and were released.  Some of the officers were involved in a prisoner exchange on November 9, and served with the Confederate Army.

* denotes a prisoner taken from Rolla to St. Louis in December.  Major Wright stated in a letter to his wife that the men he took to St. Louis were from the skirmishes at Monday's Hollow and Linn Creek.  The majority were, but some of the men were captured in other circumstances.  A few days later, on December 5, Major Wright detailed his recommendations for the prisoners in a letter to the Provost Marshal in St. Louis. His recommendations are in quotation marks below the prisoners' names .   Major Wright wrote that he had no knowledge of the remainder of the men on the list.


*Stephen Allen http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/stephen-allen-allen-loveall-and-rush.html
"Has been a prisoner twice and will return if turned loose."

George Newton Allison  http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-allison-brothers-allison-cyrus.html
*John Willis Allison
*Joseph Allison
"Both bad men, taken from the battle field."(remark referred to Newton and Joseph)

Benjamin F. Ayres  (In response to General Order 19 issued on July 22, on July 28, 1862, Benjamin and his brothers William and Joseph enlisted in Company F of the 47th EMM at Linn Creek.  The following year in July 1863 Joseph and Benjamin enlisted in the 9th Missouri State Militia, a full-time Union force.  Joseph died in November.  Benjamin was mustered out in July 1865.)

Andrew T. Bailey http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html

*Andrew J. Bilyeu (Three young men named Andrew Bilyeu were in Miller County at this time.  Andrew John Bilyeu was about 25 years old, son of John R. Bilyeu, living in Glaze Township at Ulman's Ridge.  He was captured at Ulman's Ridge on November 6, 1861, when his father was killed by a group of Union neighbors.  He was sent by Colonel McClurg to Rolla on November 12 with a group of prisoners. He was back in Miller County in January 1862 for his marriage to Amanda Wyrick.  He enlisted with Still's Company K of the 10th Regt. Missouri Cavalry, CSA, at Springfield in September 1862.  In November he was transferred to Pindall's Sharpshooters.  Andrew Bilyeu, son of Andrew Bilyeu, was 19 and living in Equality Township near Tuscumbia.  A third Andrew Bilyeu was 18 years old, son of Isaac Bilyeu, and living in Osage Township near Pleasant Farm.)
*Francis Ashbury Blair was living near Humboldt in northwestern Pulaski County in 1860.  John Bilyeu was living with Francis' family.
*Thomas H. Biggerstaff (J. W. McCubbins, leader of a local unit favoring the South, performed his marriage to Isabel Reynolds in Miller County in 1860.  Isabel was living in Richwoods Township with the Short family, near the Allisons and Reeds.  Thomas and Isabel were both 16 at marriage.   Thomas took the Oath of Allegiance at Tuscumbia and a son was born about 1862.  In 1870 Isabel and her son were listed as domestic servants in Mary Burks Short's home.  Also in the home was Willis Burks, age 86.)
"These three were taken from the field. Public safety...Union men's horses.  Particularly demand their safekeeping."

*James H. Barnes
*John F. Lee
"Taken from the field, are desperate bad men, should be kept confined" 

Joseph H. Bond (Listed as both Fourth Sgt. Company B, Iberia Rangers, and Sgt in Company A, Osage Tigers, both formed in Miller County)
P. C. Bromly
Austin Brown
James Brown
A. G. Byler
Sheriff Calfee
James Caldwell (On list for St. Louis but noted At Rolla)
George Carroll
William A. Carroll (Noted as Second Lt., Iberia Rangers)
Benjamin Clark
J. H. B. Clark
S. Clark
Nathan Cooper
James Cummins (Sheriff of Camden County)

*J. M. Cyrus http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-allison-brothers-allison-cyrus.html
"Was guide for rebel band p......ing region's property bad man"

H. M Dickinson (H. M. Dickerson, son-in-law of Captain Abraham Castleman of the Iberia Rangers)

*B. Eidson
*James Eidson
*Rainey Eidson
*Robert Eidson
*William M. Eidson
"This is a notorious family taken in arms against the Government and was connected with the McClurg robbery at Linn Creek and should be kept"

*Albert H. Elliot (Noted as Second Sgt, Company B)
*Charles W. Givens
*Samuel L. Givens
"Taken from the field. were in the party that fired on our advance guard from the bushes, they are determined bad men, should be s..........ed"

Stephen English

S. S. Everett
B. W. Giver (Noted as First Sgt. Company E)
W. P. Gordon
R. Greenville
David Haldy

*Matthew J. Hall http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html
 Noted by Weant as serving under Captain Locklett in a 6th Division, 1st Regt. Cavalry unit)
"Bad man, has ........ ....................... of horse flesh.  Public tranquility requires him kept up."

Alex Hampton
James Hawkins

*Joseph Hawkins

*David Hulsey
*A. J Humphrey
*David W. Hyatt
"Were taken from the battle field, all bad men, and would not respect the oath should be kept, ......ng to Johnson's horse, _____captured"

G. W. High
J. M. Hunter (Noted as Second Sgt. Company E)

*Colton Jackson http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-allison-brothers-allison-cyrus.html
*E. B. Jackson
*Thomas Jackson
*William Jackson
"Taken from the field, are determined bad men, fired from under cover upon my advance guard, desperadoes"

*Sylvester Pattie Keeney (Noted as First Corporal. Served under Sorrel in 7th Division)
*Nicholas Loveall (Osage Tigers)
*Jesse M. Nichols (Noted as Fifth Sgt. Company B)
*John R. Nichols
*James Phillips
"Was taken from the field, fired from the brush on my advance guard, are desperate bad men and should be kept"

J. J. Lane (Noted as Pulaski County)
Lewis Langden
Henry Laughlin (Noted as Second Lt. of Company A, lived in Camden County so would have been 7th Division)
James R. Laughlin
William Link
William S. Locke (on list for St. Louis but noted At Rolla)
A. S. Loveall/A. T. Loveall
Le Marze
A. G. Miller
David Moulder http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-allison-brothers-allison-cyrus.html
I. F. Oney
R. H. Oney
Adison Porter

*John Reed (Osage Tigers)
*H. C. Richardson
*James Rudy
*Reuben Stewart (Served in Captain McCubbin's Miller County unit)
*William R. Thompson
*Edmund Townsend
*William E. Williams (Noted as Fifth Corporal, Company D)
"Were taken from the battle field, are very determined, desperate men, and the public safety demands their safe keeping"

Peter Rexrodes/P. Rexode
G. D. Roberts http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html
L. B. Roberts http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html 
R. A. Roberts http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html
William J. Roberts (Noted as Bandit Captain Bill Roberts) http://southcentralmolhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-notorious-captain-roberts-roberts.html 
Bazell Rose
D. L. Samuel (Noted as Captain A. C. 6th Division)
Jno. M. Size
I. C. Snider/J. C. Snyder
A. K. Starke
W. A. Stephens
William Summers
W. M. Thurman
P. Townsend
Dillard M. Trammell (Commissary, 6th Division)
A. B. Warthron
R. Wines

*Hyrum Winningham
"was taken from Pickett Post at wet Glaze without alarm or violence, if ......... should take the oath in full"

W. Winningham
W. P. Yeaden

Please be aware that the names may be spelled incorrectly. 

After the battles:  
On October 15, 1861, Colonel Wyman, Union officer, reported that he had several prisoners:  "In closing this report I beg to say that I am much embarrassed with the prisoners I have now in keeping (88), all or nearly all of whom are guilty of high treason, and unless I soon receive orders from you I shall send then to Rolla with sufficient escort, with orders to Colonel Dodge to put them at work upon the fortifications there or send them to Saint Louis."
The town of Rolla was surveyed and platted in 1859. Its importance was heightened during the Civil War because it was the end of the railroad line. From Rolla wagon trains went out to supply Union troops in southwest Missouri, Arkansas, and the Kansas Territory. On June 14, 1861, General Sigel arrived to hold Rolla in Union hands. Colonel Wyman and the 13th Illinois Infantry were charged with guarding Rolla and building a fort.   Colonel Dodge, 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, gathered their companies in Rolla in September 1861. Most of the men taken prisoner were marched to Rolla.  By October 19, Colonel Dodge reported there were 74 prisoners in Rolla: "I have seventy-four prisoners taken at the battle of Henry-town and Linn Creek, all taken in arms. I shall send the commissioned officers forward. What shall I do with the other prisoners? CanI put them to work on the fortifications?" 
For several weeks the men were held in Rolla to work.  On November 9, some of the prisoners were included in a federal prisoner exchange and headed to Arkansas and the Confederate Army.  In December many of them  were transferred by rail car to St. Louis.  Major Clark Wright, leading Company D of the Fremont Battalion of Missouri Cavalry, gained fame in newspaper accounts of his actions at Monday's Hollow and Linn Creek. On December 3, 1861, Major Wright wrote to his wife. He had arrived in St. Louis on Sunday night, December 1, with 58 prisoners from the skirmishes.: "I brought down 58 of those Fellows that I captured at Wet Glaze & Linn creek, we had a Fancy time with them. they were disperate creatures, and had an arrangement to make a stampede when we arrived at St Louis. I had but 25 Sentinals and arrived here at 8 oclock, and verry dark, and they supposed they could make good their escape Some of them at least but the Poor D__ls did not know who they Had to deal with. before arriving at the Depot, I ordered the sentinals, & Prisnors all locked up in the car. Ordered another line of Sentinals around the outside the car, while I took a carriage, and repaired to the military Prison, & brought up 27 Braces of Steel wristlets with a line chain. after getting the Jewelry properly adjusted, we marched the gentlemen out in pairs to the tune of the Rogues March, and deposited them for Safe Keeping in the Hands of the Military."





                            List of men Wright took to St. Louis


"The slave pen operated by Bernard Lynch was the first military prison in St. Louis.  It became known as the Myrtle Street Prison.  It was taken from Lynch after he joined the Confederacy.  It was a two-story brick building that could hold about 100 prisoners, although it would hold many more during periods of the war.  Myrtle Street Prison accepted its first prisoners in September of 1861.  Less than a year later it was closed and its prisoners were transferred to Gratiot Street Prison."
http://www.civilwarmo.org/educators/resources/info-sheets/military-prisons

In December 1861 the Myrtle Street Prison at the old slave pen in St. Louis became so overcrowded that the Gratiot Street Prison was opened at the McDowell Medical College Building . 


                       http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/gratiot/gratiot.htm

In December 1861 an oath supporting the provisional government of Missouri was enacted. Possibly to alleviate overcrowding some prisoners were allowed to take the Oath of Allegiance and return home. Some were required to remit bonds to assure their compliance. Requiring citizens to take an Oath of Allegiance wasn't new to times of mixed loyalty. Their grandparents had taken oaths during the American Revolution -  a successful attempt at secession - to determine who was loyal to the cause.  By February 1862 overcrowding became so bad that prisoners were sent to Alton, Illinois to the closed Illinois State Prison.  

Many of the prisoners taken at Henrytown and Linn Creek took the Oath in early 1862, posted bonds, and returned home in time to plant crops.  Their families had struggled through fall and winter without their labor and support.  Just a few short months later, these men would be faced with General Order 19 and General Order 24, requiring them to enroll in a Union Militia or surrender their rifles and shotguns.  


Friday, March 6, 2015

Camden County, Missouri: Mercantiles and the U.S. Colored Troops

Please read the initial blog from February for general information about the recruitment and enlistment of Missouri slaves during the Civil War.

According to the 1860 Slave Schedule, Camden County held 136 Slaves.  Many of the slaves in Linn Creek had some connection to the mercantiles.  Some of these slaves held occupations as boatman or teamster, rather than the more common entries of laborer or farmer.  From The Camden County Historian 1992 pp. 81-82:  "Owning steamboats, Jones and McClurg transported merchandise to Linn Creek by water and then shipped it by wagon to southwestern Missouri, northern Arkansas and eastern Kansas, areas being settled at the time.  As payment was usually in goods produced, the process of payment to the company involved the wagons and steamboats reversing their paths in order to bring the wares to the St. Louis market.  It took manpower to operate such a large scale business and much of this was supplied by slaves.  These men remained on call for duty day and night, sleeping when and wherever they could among the freight.  Whenever the boat docked, they supplied the muscle that loaded and unloaded the freight.  The slave owners usually let the men keep whatever they earned on Sunday.  The men on McClurg's boats, however, did not have the opportunity of earning this pay as McClurg kept the Sabbath work-free and refused to let his crew perform any labor.  In place of money, the members of his crew received a day of rest and relaxation, a rarity on the boats owned by other slave owners."

The individual stories are ordered by the date the soldier enlisted. 

The first two slaves to enlist in the Colored Troops at Lebanon were Sam Henry and Judge Torbert of Camden County.   Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not free Missouri slaves, it did authorize recruiting African Americans into the Union army.  

Sam Henry, born in Washington County, Missouri, gave his age as 31,
                                     Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

and Judge Torbert, born in Williamson County, Tennessee, gave his age as 28, when they enlisted at Lebanon on December 21, 1863.  Both gave their occupation as boatman. http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1895.2.pdf Frame 3 and 4 
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
  
Both men were mustered into the 67th Regt. Co. E under Capt. Hudson at Benton Barracks in St. Louis on January 29, 1864.  Judge Torbert was sick in the Post Hospital on February 24.  Sam Henry died in the Post Hospital on March 23, 1864.  http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00874/s00874_0547.pdf

The 67th Regiment moved from Benton Barracks, Missouri, to Port Hudson, Louisiana, arriving March 19, 1864, and was on duty there until June.  Judge Torbert was promoted to Corporal on May 1. A detachment of the Regiment saw action at Mt. Pleasant Landing, La., May 15, 1864. The Regiment moved to Morganza, La., and was on duty there until June, 1865.  Judge Torbert was promoted to Sergeant on July 1, 1864. Expedition from Morganza to Bayou Sara September 6-7, 1864. He was reduced to ranks on October 1, 1864, for disobedience of orders and habitual misconduct.    The Regiment moved to Port Hudson on June 1, 1865.  It was consolidated with the 65th Regiment on July 12, 1865." http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/uncolinf3.htm  The 65th Regiment was mustered out on January 8, 1867.

Sam Henry and Judge Torbert listed their slaveholder as E. B. Torbert.   Mr. Torbert was Joseph McClurg's business partner in a Linn Creek mercantile.  In November 1862, Joseph McClurg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Radical Republican.  "His strong Unionist views angered rebel sympathizers and the mercantile was burned twice. By March of 1863, the losses totaled more than $150,000. His business partner, E. B. Torbert fled to St. Louis with the remaining resources from the mercantile. It would take McClurg years to retire his debts and interest payments; and settle with Torbert‟s demands for financial compensation over merchandise that McClurg had given in support of the Union." 


Urasmus Hayden, born in Laclede County, gave his age as 20 when he enlisted at Lebanon.

        http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1895.2.pdf Frame 11   Missouri State Archives

Urasmus Hayden's service card indicated he enlisted December 29, 1863, at Lebanon, and was mustered into  the 67th Regt. Co. E under Capt. Hudson on January 29, 1864, at Benton Barracks.  Urasmus died in the Post Hospital on February 17, 1864.   

Urasmus listed his slaveholders as the heirs of Thomas Parish.  Thomas Parish was born in Virginia about 1790.  He and his family came to Camden County about 1845.  On the 1850 Slave Schedule Thomas Parish owns two slaves, a female and a six year old male described as Mulatto.  Between the 1860 Census and Urasmus' enlistment in 1863, Thomas Parish died in Camden County and was buried at Decaturville.

On October 3, 1863, the War Department issued General Order No. 329.  "Section 6 of the order stated that if any citizen should offer his or her slave for enlistment into the military service, that person would, 'if such slave be accepted, receive from the recruiting officer a certificate thereof, and become entitled to compensation for the service or labor of said slave, not exceeding the sum of three hundred dollars, upon filing a valid deed of manumission and of release, and making satisfactory proof of title.' For this reason, records of manumission are contained in the compiled service records.  Required evidence included title to the slave and loyalty to the Union government. Further, every owner signed an oath of allegiance to the government of the United States. Each statement was witnessed and certified."

In November 1863 Order No. 135 began allowing enlistment of slaves without the consent of the slaveholder.

Three Camden County slaves enlisted at Jefferson City on January 4, 1864 - Andrew and Robert Young, and Henry Freeman.

Henry Freeman, born in Camden County, gave his age as 18 when he enlisted at Jefferson City.  http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1894.6.pdf Frame 110
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

He was mustered into the 67th Regt. Co. B under Capt. Whitford. on January 19, 1864, at Benton Barracks, was sick in the hospital on January 31, and died February 10, 1864, in the Post Hospital of measles.   

Henry listed his slaveholder as Mrs. Sarah Collier of Camden County.  In the 1850 Slave Census Sarah Collier held three slaves.  One was a two year old male described as Mulatto.  Sarah was born in Kentucky in 1803.  She was living with her son Whitley and his family in Camden County in 1870.

Andrew  and Robert Young, born in Camden County, gave their ages as 19 and 21 respectively when they enlisted at Jefferson City on January 4, 1864.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1894.6.pdf Frame 107 and 108


By January 16, Andrew was in the hospital at Benton Barracks and died of bronchitis on February 10., 1864.
Robert was mustered in to the 67th Regiment Company B on January 19.  He was admitted to the hospital January 31 with the measles and returned to duty February 10.  He went back to the hospital in February and remained hospitalized until he died of consumption on September 10, 1864.

The men listed their slaveholder as the "Estate of Elias George, Camden County."  In the 1850 Slave Census Haziah George held three slaves in Miller County.  Two were males, ages 8 and 6, both described as Black.  Mr. Geroge and his family moved to Camden County about 1854 and he died there in 1855.  
Andrew and Robert Young both stated they were born in Camden County.  It was a common practice for slaves to take the names of the slaveholder who held them when they were born.  William Young was another Camden County slaveholder.

Lafayette Norman, born in Camden County gave his age as 23 when he enlisted at Lebanon on January 11, 1864.  
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1895.2.pdf Frame 16
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
He was mustered in as a Private to the 65th Regt. Co. D under Capt. Hudson on January 29, 1864, at Benton Barracks.  On April 27, 1864, he was sick in the hospital in New Orleans.  He returned to duty June 2 and served as a teamster for the Quartermaster's Dept.  He transferred from the 67th Regt. Co. E to the 65th Regiment Company D on August 15, 1865.  Once again, he was sick in the hospital at Baton Route on October 23, 1865.  He was mustered out January 8, 1867, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00873/s00873_1938.pdf

After the war he worked as a blacksmith in Springfield and could read and write.
On January 21, 1893, Lafayette filed from California as an Invalid for a Civil War Pension.   By 1906 he was living at the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Sawtelle, California.  He died in 1926 and is buried in Liberty Veterans Cemetery in Fresno, California.

Lafayette listed his slaveholder as Moses Norman of Laclede County.  Moses Norman was born in Tennessee in 1793 and came to Laclede County in 1837 or 1838 from Mississippi.  "He was a Democrat in his political views before the war but since then has voted Republican."
History of Laclede County 1889, p. 740.

George Murphy, born in Franklin County, gave his age as 21 when he enlisted at Lebanon on January 14, 1864.  He gave his occupation as boatman.     
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1895.2.pdf Frame 18
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

George Murphy was mustered in to the 67th Regiment Company E on January 29, 1864.  He served as Kitchen Police in April and May, and was appointed Sergeant on May 1.  He was sick in the hospital in New Orleans on August 9 died of acute diarrhea on August 30, 1864, and was buried.

The 1870 Census of Camden County Osage Township listed African-Americans Harrison Murphy age 67 born in Virginia and Violet S. Murphy age 50 born in Tennessee.  Osage Township was the location of the Camden County mercantiles.

George Murphy listed his slaveholder as W. D. Murphy.  In 1860 William Murphy owned 13 slaves, held others in trust for minor heirs, and owned others jointly with Joseph McClurg.  He was McClurg's wife's stepfather and his business partner.  Please see information on the McClurg slaves near the bottom of the post.  In 1863 this mercantile was effectively dissolved by the departure of E. B. Torbert.  

Henry Clay, born in Camden County, gave his age as 17 when he enlisted for three years at Jefferson City on Feb. 24, 1864.

His entry into the 67th Regiment was cancelled.  Remarks state "rejected."

Henry Clay listed his slaveholder as WIlliam Murphy, Joseph McClurg's business partner and Mrs. McClurg's stepfather. 

Perry Crane, born in Morgan County, gave his age as 20 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on March 7, 1864.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1894.7.pdf Frame 77 
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration
   
He was mustered in as a Private to the 68th Regt. Co. E under Capt. Poillon at Benton Barracks on March 14, 1864.  Perry was sick in the hospital on April 21., and remained in the hospital until August.  On August 21 he was listed as absent without leave, then appeared as "Present" on the Company Muster Rolls from September until February 1865.  On February 1 he was in the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The 68th Regt. was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., and saw duty in the defense of that city till February 1865. Perry Crane died February 13th in the Memphis hospital from renal disease.  

The 1870 Census of Camden County included several African-American Crane/Crain family members living in Osage Township: Samuel Crane age 56 born in Virginia and Saphiria age 40 born in Maryland; and Edia Crain age 45 born in Tennessee

Perry listed his slaveholder as W. L. Crain of Camden County.  On November 27, 1866, W. L. Crain filed for compensation for Perry's service.   The Bill of Sale dated January 30, 1860, stated that he purchased Perry at the age of 17 from Nathan B. Chism of Camden County for $1200 (twelve hundred).
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

William Crain was born about 1824 in VIrginia.  In 1851 William took over the Camden County ferry business that his father had established in the 1840's. After the war he married Amanda Bollinger and they lived in Camden County for the remainder of their lives.  The ferry remained in operation until the construction of Bagnell Dam and the creation of the Lake of the Ozarks.

On March 29, 1864, five Camden County slaves enlisted at Jefferson City.  These men included Peter Alison and four McClurg slaves.

Peter Allison      Peter Allison gave his age as 20, born in St. Louis.
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration

All five soldiers were mustered in April 6, 1864, at Benton Barracks in St. Louis and joined the 68th Reg. Company H under Capt. Root.
Like so many members of the Colored Troops, Peter quickly succumbed to disease and died of pneumonia on April 25, 1864, in the Post Hospital at Benton Barracks.
   
Peter listed Willis Allison of Camden County as his slave owner.  Willis Allison was born in Wilkes County, NC, in June 1803.  He married Rebecca Bradley before 1824 in Bedford, Tennessee. In 1849 Willis bought 33 acres in Camden County.  The following year Rebecca died.  On New Year's Day in 1852 Willis remarried. At least three of his sons were taken prisoner at the Battles of Monday's Hollow and Linn Creek in October 1861.  For more on the Allison family, see http://cammilpulhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-allison-brothers-allison-cyrus.html

In the 1870 Census Willis and Elizabeth Percy Allison were living with his son Joseph and family.  Also in this household were two African-Americans born in Missouri:  Alen Allison age 14 and Jiles Allison age 12.  By 1880 Willis and Elizabeth were living with Joseph and his wife in Joplin, Missouri. In August 1885 Willis died in Gordon, Palo Pinto, Texas.  
_________________________________________________________________
"The story of the McClurg slaves starts in St. Francois County, Missouri in an area called 'Murphy's Settlement' that later became the town of Farmington.  John and Francis Ann Johnson lived there with their children and slaves.  After John died in 1828, William D. 'Pap' Murphy married Francis Ann and was made guardian of John's heirs, and thus was responsible for the slaves that were a part of the estate.  In 1841, Mary, one of the daughters of John and Francis Ann, married Joseph W. McClurg.  Another daughter, Caroline, married a Mr. Ballerton, and Henrietta, a third daughter would later marry John Jones.  When the estate was divided among the heirs in November of 1843, Joseph W. McClurg became a slave owner for the first time in his life.  The daughters and their husbands, plus the mother and her new husband, all became citizens of Linn Creek, bringing their slave with them." From The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.

Benjamin McClurg, born in Washington County, gave his age as 25. when he enlisted for three years at Jefferson City on March 29. 1864..  He had been freed in November 1863.  After manumission Ben McClurg was hired by a Jefferson City saloon at a salary of $8 a month.
Source:  The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.

Benjamin McClurg was mustered in as a Private to the 68th Regiment Company H on April 6, 1864.  The September roll indicates he was a company cook. Details about the 68th Regt. can be found in the information about Perry Crane.
He was mustered out on February 5, 1866, at Camp Parapet, Louisiana.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1894.7.pdf Frame 89

In November 1866 Benjamin McClurg served as a witness on documents by J.W. McClurg applying for compensation for slaves that enlisted in the service.  He was not listed on census data after the war.  A possible son, Benjamin McClurg, born circa 1858, was marrried in Laclede County and died in 1892.  When his son, Frank McClurg, was born, Easter/Esther Jones was the midwife.

When J.W. McClurg filed for compensation in 1866, he noted that he had purchased Benjamin McClurg from a Mr. Manning in Washington County, Missouri.

Caswell McClurg's story was detailed in the previous post.

King McClurg was born in Williamson County, Tennessee. Slaveholder J.W. McClurg stated that he purchased King McClurg near Springfield, Missouri. After manumission in November 1863, King moved to Lebanon.
Source:   The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.
He gave his age as 30 when he enlisted at Jefferson City on March 29, 1864.  He was mustered in as a Private.  In July he left the Regiment to serve as a Brigade teamster. In November he was serving as a teamster for the Regiment's Quartermaster Department per Special Order #95.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/SF1894.7.pdf Frame 92
King was mustered out February 5, 1866, at Camp Parapet, Louisiana.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/Images/Archives/Military/s00874/s00874_1966.pdf

J. W. McClurg filed for compensation on November 8, 1866.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

In 1870 King is listed as 44 working as a blacksmith in Camden County.  King cannot read or write.  There are two differing accounts of his death. From The History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri  The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. pp. 323-324.
"At the November election of 1874 at Linn Creek King McClurg who had been a slave of Gov Joseph W McClurg and some other colored men were engaged in front of the court house in a controversy or difficulty with some white men when a white man being in the court house where the ballot box was kept rushed out seized a rock and threw it at McClurg and killed him. The white man afterward fled the country and has never been apprehended."

From The Camden County Historian 1992. The Camden County Historical Society p. 96.  "Election day in November, 1874, became one infamous in Camden County history.  What precipitated the trouble is not recorded; one newspaper article indicated that an 'old feud' was involved.  Another indicated that King McClurg was drunk.  Evidently a group of black and white men became embroiled in an argument in front of the courthouse.  A white man, inside the building where the ballot box was located, became agitated over the encounter outside and, rushing out, grabbed a rock and threw it at McClurg, hitting him on the head.  This started a riot with an estimated forty men, white and black, taking part.  As rocks sailed through the air, knives flashed in the sunlight and pistols were discharged; several bystanders barely escaped with their lives.  While anarchy prevailed, two prisoners decided that the time was perfect for a jail break and tried to burn a hole in the floor; their efforts were noticed and the two were put in chains for safety.  When control was finally reestablished, King McClurg lay dead in the street.  The Coroner's Jury found that King died as a result of, 'knife wounds inflicted by one Brown, and a blow on the head with a rock thrown by one Ellis.'  The two had fled the country right after the trouble and were never apprehended."

William McClurg, born in Logan County, Kentucky, gave his age as 33 when he enlisted.  He was mustered in on April 6, 1864, to Company H, 68th Regiment, as a Private.   Per Special Order 30, in May he was serving as a teamster for the Regimental Quartermaster's Department in Memphis, Tennessee. He was sick in the hospital in Memphis on August 20, but back on duty in September.  By November he was once again serving as a teamster for the Quartermaster's Department per Special Order 95.    The certificate of disability stated that he had trouble with rheumatism since enlisting, and a foot that had been injured prior to enlistment made it difficult to march more than a few miles. Since a long march in July 1864 to Mississippi his foot had been worse.
William was discharged for disability on June 24, 1865. 
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

Detailed information about Joseph McClurg, the slaveholder of Benjamin, Caswell, King, and William, can be found in the previous blog post titled "Caswell McClurg."  In the application for compensation, he states that he purchased Wilson/William from Torbert and Company in Warsaw, Missouri.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

Lang Pitts gave his age as 17 and was described as Mulatto when he enlisted for three years at Macon, Missouri on August 5, 1864.  
http://www.sos.mo.gov/images/Archives/Provost/F1894.11.pdf  Frame 51
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
He was mustered in to the 18th Regiment, Company D.  He died of pneumonia and was buried at Chattanooga, Tennessee on December 16, 1864.

Lang listed his slaveholder as Willis Ellison/Allison of Camden County.  Details about Willis Allison can be found above under Peter Allison.

The listing of slaves who served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War in the February and March blog posts will continue to be updated as more information is found.  It's time to turn my attention to the soldiers who lost their lives or were taken prisoner at the Battle of Henrytown, or Monday's Hollow for those of the Union persuasion.