July 16, 2006

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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[The publisher of The Nevada Observer ran across this tale several years ago in the course of some researches into irregular warfare and civil affairs operations. This compilation copyright © 2006 by David Thompson. 

The Strange Story of the Other Harry Truman

carefully culled by David Thompson

from the

 WAR OF THE REBELLION:

A COMPILATION OF THE

OFFICIAL RECORDS

OF THE

UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR, BY BVT. LIEUT.

COL. ROBERT N. SCOTT, THIRD U. S. ARTILLERY,

AND

PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 16, 1880.

{Note – the indices to the Army records for “Harry Truman” sometimes refer the reader to passages in the official correspondence where Truman is mentioned only by the initials “H.T.”  The citations refer to the official records (“OR”), the Series (“OR I”), the volume (OR I-34”). and the Part (“OR I-34-1”).  The Strange Story of the Other Harry Truman, as told through the official correspondence and reports of the Union army, begins abruptly in June of 1864, and ends just as abruptly in June of 1865.}

OR I-34-1

SAINT JOSEPH, June 1, 1864.

                The band of guerrillas that encountered our militia this morning near the south line of Buchanan County also made a raid into New Market, Platte County, for plunder. They stole horses, guns, and money, and left in the direction of Platte City. I have

966         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

militia after them from Platte City, Weston, and Saint Joseph, nearly 300 in all. They are said to be a portion of the original Quantrill band and are doubtless a part of the grand combination of villains of which we have heretofore been advised. H. T. is here tonight. He has done well so far and will immediately take the trail after this band of brigands.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Commanding Department of the Missouri.

p. 987

JUNE 7, 1864.—Raid on New Frankfort, Mo.

Report of Capt. Albert Brackman, Ninth Missouri State Militia Cavalry.

MACON, June 9, 1864.

                A citizen from New Frankfort, Saline County, Mo., brings the news that the place was attacked night before last by 20 bushwhackers. Nearly my whole company was raised in that town; there is not a single disloyal man in it. The bushwhackers committed all sorts of depredations and infamies; killed 1 of my discharged soldiers.

My men are anxious to see after their families. Would it not be just to grant them the favor? They can get re-enforcements at Cambridge or Marshall.

                I think I can spare a dozen here just now. Lieutenant Patterson has returned. He co-operated with H. T., but it seems they did not agree with one another.

ALBERT BRACKMAN,

Captain, Commanding Post.

Brigadier-General FISK.     

OR I -34-2

HDQRS. THIRD SUB-DIST., DIST. OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,

General E. B. BROWN, Warrensburg, Mo., February 6, 1864.

Comdg. Central District of Missouri:

                GENERAL: I have the honor to state that, as directed in your telegram of the 4th instant, I have made such dispositions as were deemed necessary with reference to Todd’s force. Truman, the scout came here on the evening of the 4th, and his report confirmed, to some extent, the Kansas City telegram. I have no other news at this time in relation to Todd’s force. If anything important takes place I will advise you by telegraph.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES McFERRAN,

Colonel First Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, Commanding.

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          255

OR I-34-3

p. 526

HANNIBAL, Mo., May 9, 1864.

General ROSECRANS

Commanding Department, Saint Louis, Mo.:

H. T. is provided for and at work. There is no doubt of the wisdom of your conclusion and the necessity of your late action.  Can you not give me all of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry for this district? I shall need them. I shall go to Lewis and Clark Counties to-day.  Shall be here to-morrow and at Macon Wednesday.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

* * * * *  

MACON, Mo., May 13, 1864.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                I have just heard from Major Leonard that he carried out the idea of General Rosecraus, but was unable to hear of Jackman. He learned of the presence of Frost, Pullman, and Holtzclaw; these men had robbed Union men in Boone County not long since. He scoured the counties of Boone and Howard thoroughly, but was unable to catch any of the thieves; he has men out, however, and may be able to do something. They are secreted at the houses of good men in the infested regions. H. Truman went to Saint Louis the day you passed here; will be up here and on the road to-morrow with his band, Major Leonard is instructed as to H. T. and will call in his

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          577

men when he appears in Howard. By the way, do you wish the major to stay any longer in Howard ? If nothing else presses some of us would like to attend the fair for a day or two at least.

Respectfully,

DAN. M. DRAPER,

Lieutenant- Colonel.

p. 596

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., May 14, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel DRAPER,

Macon, Mo.:

                Furnish H. Truman with horses by some means. Buy, if necessary. We have no revolvers here. He must get them from Saint Louis. I thought I saw him with several revolvers. Fit him out with the least possible delay. Advices received this p. m. from J. H. Robinson represent that guerrillas are actually going into camp on the road between Danville and Portland. Cannot the troops in that vicinity rout them?

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

OR I-34-4

p. 92

MACON, Mo., May 28, 1864.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                Heard of H. T. being in Rocheport on the 25th; have not heard from him since. Colonel Draper will be back to-day. Sent a dispatch to have 35 men ready by 1 o’clock; does not say for what purpose. Four men, armed with shotguns and pistols, robbed a store in Allen of $175 worth of clothing last night. I intended to send a squad in that direction when I got the dispatch from Colonel

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          93

Draper. May be he wants to go in the same direction. Negroes of both sexes keep constantly coming in; they are crowding our camps.

Think they ought not to be brought in so close contact with soldiers. Prostitution is worse than slavery.

ALBERT BROCKMAN,

Captain, Commanding.

p. 179

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 2, 1864

Col. J. P. SANDERSON

Provost -Marshal- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                I have ordered H. T. to report to you in person. I will send you his written report of his campaigns, also an extended report from one of my most reliable officers on duty in the region through which he

180         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

made his pilgrimage. From his own report to me I am encouraged to regard him with favor. Major Leonard’s report is much to his [prejudice] and damaging to our cause.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 200

MACON, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Col. J. P. SANDERSON,

Provost-Marshal- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                Do you want me to come to Saint Louis today? If so, what shall I do with my men? Please let me know.

H. TRUMAN.

SAINT LOUIS, Mo., June 3, 1864.

H. TRUMAN, Macon, Mo.:

                Come on here. Leave your men at Macon.

J. P. SANDERSON,

Provost-Marshal-General.

                CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. —UNION.         201

MACON, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Colonel SANDERSON,

Provost-Marshal- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                Am wanted in the field and will move before I come to you.

H. TRUMAN,

Captain.

SAINT Louis, Mo., June 3, 1864.

H. TRUMAN, Macon, Mo.:

                Second dispatch received. Very well go ahead.

J. P. SANDERSON.

MACON CITY, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Saint Louis, Mo.:

                I am ready to move. Shall I or not? It is a military necessity.

H. TRUMAN.

SAINT Louis, Mo., June 3, 1864.

H. TRUMAN, Macon, Mo.:

                Second dispatch received. Very well. Go ahead. The views contained in your dispatch to Colonel Sanderson are mine also.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major- General.

MACON, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Col. J. P. SANDERSON,

Provost-Marshal- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                I will move immediately and accomplish what you want me, sure.

H. TRUMAN.

MACON, Mo., June 3, 1864.

General FISK:

                General Rosecrans telegraphed H. T. to go ahead on his scout. He has started in the direction of Saint Joseph and is as tight as a brick.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Col. J. F. WILLIAMS,

Macon, Mo.:

                The company of Paw Paws you placed on duty at New Market have turned out traitors to a man and joined the bushwhackers after breaking up their arms.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

202         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

MACON, Mo., June 3, 1864.

General FISK:

                There are no troops stationed at Randolph or Chariton. I have a scout in Chariton. Major Leonard is at Fayette.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 3, 1864.

Maj. R. LEONARD,

Comdg. Ninth Cav., Missouri State Militia, Fayette, Mo.:

                MAJOR: We are in receipt of your communication touching the conduct and reliability of H. T. Previous information of himself and party led us to the conclusion that the work assigned them had been accomplished faithfully and in as orderly a manner as the disguise they assumed would admit. His statements were fully corroborated by Sergeant Westly, who commanded the men, and who appears to be an honest, faithful soldier. They assure us the balance of the party will corroborate their statement. We have taken steps to find out their unanimous opinion. Copy* of the facts given us confidentially by them is inclosed herein for your personal perusal and benefit.

                Their statements and your opinion of some of the parties mentioned are certainly very different. Is it not possible these men have been reported as committing depredations by some of the semi-rebels who wish to annoy the authorities? The parties mentioned in this document will undoubtedly bear watching, even if the report should be highly colored. Your communication will control us in the main until we are thoroughly convinced you are mistaken. H. T. will not be sent there again very soon. His party is at Macon, and will remain there for the present. General Fisk has confidence in your ability to take care of that region and to kill the desperadoes.

                I have the honor to be, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. A. HOLLOWAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

* Not Found.

p. 239

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 5, 1864.

Col. J. F. WILLIAMS,

Macon, Mo.:

                I am too much indisposed to leave my room, and cannot, therefore, go to Danville. Let no time be lost in getting out militia sufficient to keep down the marauders. Arms and supplies will be promptly sent from Saint Louis, and for any immediate want make requisitions on Saint Joseph. I regret much that H. T. is on his festive pilgrimage. I did all I could to prevent it; shall forward a history of his campaigns to department headquarters.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 270

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 8, 1864.

Col. O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                I have the honor, in the name of all that is loyal, patriotic, and holy, to request that the general commanding immediately order H. T. to Saint Louis and keep him there. He claims to be under orders direct from department headquarters, and goes about with his most villainous conduct regardless of anybody. He is plundering the best men in North Missouri, insults and abuses women, travels in the most public thoroughfares in a state of beastly intoxication, with a notorious prostitute in company with him, and is guilty of all the crimes that I, as an officer of the Government, am under obligation to put down; and this rascal parades General Rosecrans’ telegrams before the people as his authority to scout the [region].

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo., June 8, 1864.

General C. B. FISK,

Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                You have full authority to do what is prudent. Send him here or keep him at work, as may be best; but if he has committed any crimes you are to take the proper steps for his punishment.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major- General.

p. 286

MACON, Mo., June 9, 1864.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                On the 5th of June I was ordered by Colonel Williams to go to the northwest part of Chariton and act in concert with H. T.  When I got to Bucklin, H. T. told me that he knew where the camp of bushwhackers was, about 150 strong. I told him to let us go and take them in. We traveled all day, and after supper he told me that we were within 4 miles of the camp. He gave me the description of the camp, that it was in a pasture, and gave me all the particulars about it. He spoke to me about there being a jack-ass, a stallion, and an old man. I went over to the place by myself; found the jackass, the stallion, and the old man, but failed to find any camp. I had no confidence in the man from the beginning, as he kept drunk all the time.

                He promised me to get me a fine horse and a fine pistol, all of which looked very suspicious to me. I am of the opinion that he does not accomplish anything by his scouting. He also told me that there were 2,000 stand of arms now in Chariton and 1,000 in Randolph. I proposed to him to go and get them, when he dropped the subject entirely. The next morning I went out with my men to get our breakfast. While we were at it he sent for 10 men and wanted me to meet him at Keytesville. I sent word back that I would not send them, because I thought my men would not go with such a man as I believed him to be. As far as I am concerned, I would rather be cashiered than be controlled by such a man. My intention was to report to Colonel Williams, and request him to send an older officer than I was to inquire into the matter.

SAML. PATTERSON,

First Lieut., Co. C., Ninth Cav., Missouri State Militia.

p. 314

HUNTSVILLE, RANDOLPH COUNTY, June 11, 1864.

General FISK:

                SIR: On my return from Washington two days ago, several citizens of Chariton County, adjoining this, informed me that a company of soldiers under a Captain Truman have been in that county

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          315

a week. That his men have killed a number of citizens who were not taken with arms, and taken much valuable property, among others a number of very fine horses and several valuable stallions. Their conduct has induced many men to fly the country, and others to secrete themselves. This course will drive men to the brush in self-defense, as Pennick did in Jackson county. These soldiers have done more mischief in one week, if accounts are true, than the rebels have done in that county since the war broke out. I would earnestly appeal to you as an officer and a Christian to stop these proceedings, and require that no man should be executed without a trial, unless captured in the act of marauding or bushwhacking.

                I am informed that none of the men executed were bushwhackers, and that some were old men. It is the impression of many, and I hope for the character of our cause that it is so, that this company in Chariton are Red Legs from Kansas, pretending to be Federal soldiers. I feel satisfied that I can, if the soldiers are withdrawn, keep Chariton, Randolph, and Howard Counties quiet through voluntary associations of citizens who have an interest at stake in the community. At least I would be willing to try it for the sake of this section of the country, although it would be very inconvenient for me to do so.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. A. HALL.

                I have addressed a letter similar to this to General Rosecrans and Colonel Williams, hoping through some of these channels to relieve our country from this cruel scourge.

p. 324

HUNTSVILLE, RANDOLPH COUNTY,

June 12, 1864.

General ROSECRANS:

                SIR: A number of men, between 30 and 40, under an officer whose name is said to be Truman, have been in the county adjoining this (Chariton) about a week. During that time they have killed a number of citizens, certainly as many as 5, and reported to be as many as 12; they have collected quite a number of negroes and a large number of the best horses of the county, some of them valuable stallions. They claim, and exercise, the authority of putting men to death and taking property at their discretion.

                This state of things, with all the exaggerations growing out of it, has excited a reign of terror throughout that county and is extending to the adjoining counties. Men are leaving their homes; some flying from the county, some secreting themselves. I fear much that men driven to desperation will join the bushwhackers in self-defense. This was the consequence of a similar state of things in Jackson County.

                No one seems to know where these men are from or who they are. They claim to be soldiers acting under authority. My suspicions have been excited that they may be what are called Red Legs, from Kansas, an extensive robber band. All the evils inflicted upon Chariton County during this war by rebels has not been as great as these men have done in one week.

                I would most earnestly ask your prompt interposition in this matter. If in any way I could be invested with the authority, and the soldiers could be removed, ill as it will suit me, I would be willing to pledge myself by the voluntary aid of citizens to put down bushwhacking in this and Howard and Chariton Counties more effectually than it has been done heretofore.

                I have written this, prompted not only by my own feelings, but at the earnest solicitation of citizens of Chariton and this county.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. A. HALL.

[CHAP. XLVI.]      325         CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, June 14, 1864.

                General Fisk will promptly investigate and take such action in this case as will secure a decent respect for common honesty and property.

                By order of Major-General Rosecrans:

O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

p. 328

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have 40 head of contraband horses. Shall I fetch them up?

H. T[RUMAN].

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have killed 8 bushwhackers. I have 40 horses and 75 negroes to turn over to you. Please let me know what to do with them. I do not want to turn [them] over to Hudson. I have [gotten] you the finest horse that you ever saw.

H. T[RUMAN],

Captain.

General FISK         BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

                I have broken up two camps. I was re-enforced by Lieutenant Patterson with 40 men. At the time I wanted him he ran with his men. He is a coward.

H. T[RUMAN],

Captain.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

General FISK:

                I shall have to move my command to Brookfield; there is no forage at Bucklin for me.

H. T[RUMAN].

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

General FISK:

                H. T. says he will deliver those horses here and will take my receipt for them. Shall I receive and use them until further orders?

E. J. C[RANDALL],

Captain.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 12, 1864.

General FISK:

                If he has so many horses, I can use them to mount my men until other disposition is made of them.

E. J. C[RANDALL],

Captain.

                [CHAP. XLVI.]      CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.         329

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 12, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel DRAPER, Macon, Mo.:

                H. T. and party are at Bucklin, with a large number of negroes and horses. I have ordered H. T. to come here by rail without delay and directed Sergeant Westly to move to Macon immediately with the entire party and plunder. I want both orders obeyed. You will go, or send a good officer with 25 men to Bucklin, forthwith, with instructions to see that the caravan goes to Macon without any delay and that H. T. comes this way. Get a full report of the campaign from Sergeant Westly and telegraph me the same with as little delay as possible. Avoid friction with H. T. if possible, but close the expedition anyhow.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have 60 able-bodied colored recruits. Shall I bring them to Saint Joseph by rail or leave them here?

H. T[RUMAN].

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                The train is here. I wish to see you. I want 5 men to come with me; can I have them?            

H. T[RUMAN].

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                My life is in danger. Will you let me bring 5 men with me? Will you let my command stay here until I come?

H. TRUMAN.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have all the Union men with me that live in Chariton County. I have armed them.

H. T[RUMAN],

Captain.

      LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                Captain Truman is here and says it is the wish of the people that he remain here. Says that you will receive communications to-day from a number of the leagues through this country, &c. This is confidential.

C. C. C.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General C. B. FISK:

                The Union men of Linn County request that you will permit Captain Truman to remain in this vicinity with his men. We approve of his proceedings.

C. C. CLIFTON,

Secretary Linn County Council, U. L. A.

EPHRAIM CLARK,

Treasurer Union League, Chariton County.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                We live in Keytesville, Mo. I think Captain Truman has had a good effect in our neighborhood in cleaning out the bushwhackers, and I don’t think we will have any more trouble in our neighborhood. Every man is a coming into Keytesville, and says he will assist in driving them out, and inform on them whenever he hears of one.

JOHN R. HIDE.

KINSEY VEATCH.

MACON, Mo., June 13, 1864.

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK:

                I started the men yesterday as directed by you, under charge of an officer, Capt. E. K. Smith, who will see that Truman obeys your order. I suppose he will not overtake Truman until he reaches Brookfield. Would it not be better for me to go to that place to-day and bring Sergeant Westly with me to your headquarters? Captain Smith is to telegraph me immediately what he accomplishes, and I will let you know as soon as he does.

DAN. M. DRAPER,

Lieutenant-Colonel Ninth Missouri Cavalry.

MACON, Mo., June 13, 1864.

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK:

                Captain Smith telegraphs from Brookfield that he has arrived there, and that H. T. has turned over everything but the negroes to the quartermaster there. H. T. wants 5 men to go with him to Saint Joseph. I have ordered Captain Smith here with everything, and told him to send H. T. on without any men.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS;

Colonel, Commanding.

CHAP. XLVII       CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

General FISK:

                I was ordered to this place by Colonel Draper to take charge of all the property that H. T. had collected in going through the country. I find on arrival that he has turned over the horses at this place by

your orders. Must I take charge of the men he has under his command, and what disposition must be made of the negroes?

E. K. SMITH,

Captain, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Alo., June 13, 1864.

Capt. E. K. SMITH,

Brookfield, Mo.:

                Move to Macon without delay, with your command and all the men of your regiment who have been with Captain Truman. Leave all the plunder at Brookfield with Captain Crandall. I will arrange

for its disposition when H. T. comes up with his report.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 13, 1864.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                Can you not have the horses belonging to H. T.’s command turned [over] to us? With them we can mount all our men and be efficient. He has turned over a few horses and has some fine ones left. Know

of no place the service would be more benefited than here. Cannot mount our men without pressing more and having much trouble and excitement. These are all pressed and the trouble and excitement caused by that. A squad from Macon have come over for them. Please send your order to that effect.

A. W. BILLINGS,

Lieutenant.

BUCKLIN, MO., June 13, 1864.

General C. B. FISK:

                DEAR SIR: Please allow me to present to you the proceedings of our league:

                At a meeting of the Loyal Union League, held at this place on Saturday, the 11th instant, the following among other proceedings were held, to wit: On motion of Capt. L. Sipples, a committee of five were selected to draft suitable resolutions of thanks to the very efficient services rendered loyal men and the cause of the Union in

351         [CHAP. XLVI.]      CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

this portion of this country, by the prompt and just method pursued by Captain Truman and Lieut. J. C. Hartman and their command ferreting out, although perhaps in disguise, and meting out merited punishment to many who hitherto have been engaged in guerrilla warfare and covertly giving aid and comfort to the desperadoes who have been a terror to civilization, and who at midnight hours have pillaged and plundered numbers of our best citizens because they were devoted to that Government which has protected them from their infancy in every right and privilege that a Christian citizen ought to ask or wish to enjoy.

                Whereupon, Dr. J. F. Powers, C. J. Fields, Robert H. Crook, George Foltz, and Lacy Sipples were chosen to act as said committee, who, after a short absence from the council, reported that: Whereas, under the present wise and just administration of military affairs in the district, the above-named captain and lieutenant, with their command, have rendered this county, as well as the neighboring county of Chariton, the most efficient and excellent services, and, of many others, the rescuing and setting at liberty one of our friends and brothers from the vindictive and inhuman hands of a merciless enemy, and restoring him to liberty and to his beloved family, of disarming rearmed and redisarmed rebels, and of exposing and bringing to strict justice men who have hitherto lived under the guise of Union men, but were proven to be unmistakable enemies, rendering secretly aid and information to those whose mission it was to disturb and destroy the friends of the Government, too much praise cannot be given or awarded to those men whose prompt and vigilant course in dispelling the gloom that overhung the heads of Union men, and dispersing the outlaws whose fiendish acts have proved a plague to all patriots, and placing a quietus among the truly loyal, quite to the dismay and discomfiture of the offenders.

                On motion of Mr. Thomas Rotter, the report of the committee was received, and, on motion of Edward Cox, the secretary of the Loyal Union League at Bucklin, Mo., was requested to furnish a copy of the proceedings of the meeting to Major-General Rosecrans, General C. B. Fisk, and editor of the Missouri Democrat.

ROBERT H. CROOK, Secretary.

p. 371

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK, Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                Papers in case of Harry Truman sent to you a day or two since for thorough investigation and prompt action. A letter * from Hon. William A. Hall, of Huntsville, detailing atrocities and outrages

committed by him, is received to-day and forwarded to you. A regard for decency demands that instant action in his case be had.

Please to put every engine in operation to secure his prompt punishment if he is guilty, and stop his work at once till his case is investigated.

                By order:

O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Col. O. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General:

                H. Truman yesterday, after having been ordered three times by myself to send his command to Macon, leave his plunder at Brook-

* See p. 324.

372         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

field, and report forthwith, sent the following telegram to General Rosecrans, which I caused the operator at Macon to hold from transmission until to-day. I now send it to you. You may have his report and understand his wishes:

                BROOKFIELD.

Major-General ROSECRANS, Saint Louis:

                I have been in the field according to your orders. I have killed 8 bushwhackers.  The copperheads want me to leave and break up my band, and all of the Union leagues want me to stay. I have 20 Union men with me that would not stay at home, and have 60 black men—all able men. I want to stay here for two weeks more if you will let me. For reference I will give you all the Union men of this county. I have turned over 34 horses, saddles, and bridles to Captain Crandall, in command at this post. All the leagues want me to stay in this county. Answer forthwith, so that I will know what to do.

H. T.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier- General.

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Col. O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

                The scout and detective that left Macon on the 2d instant was under orders from the major-general commanding and Colonel Sanderson, provost-marshal-general. I had previously ordered him to report in person to the provost-marshal-general and obtain orders for future action, as I had become thoroughly satisfied that his conduct was bringing upon me more trouble than all the bushwhackers of North Missouri combined. H. Truman, instead of obeying my order to proceed to Saint Louis, opened communication with the general commanding and the provost-marshal-general by telegraph and obtained from them an order to make another campaign, and was in the field with his party before I could respectfully remonstrate. On the 8th instant I telegraphed you of his continual bad conduct, and earnestly requested that he be withdrawn from my district forthwith. The general commanding immediately authorized me to take him in hand and send him to Saint Louis, or keep him, as I might think best. I found him as expeditiously as possible, and on the 12th instant he reached Brookfield, on the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad, with 40 contraband horses, 75 negroes, and a large amount of the plunder in his train.

                I immediately ordered him to report to me in person at my headquarters without delay, and directed Colonel Williams, at Macon, to send a good officer with 25 men to Brookfield, to take charge of the plunder and the men who had been operating under H. Truman. In the mean time I have been overwhelmed with letters and personal visitations complaining of the outrageously shameful conduct of H. Truman and party. Hangings, shootings, and plunderings have been the order of the day. He has doubtless killed men who deserved death, but at the same time he has stirred up trouble that will cause the death of many good Union men in spite of all I can do. I have finally succeeded in bringing him to my headquarters, and I have this day directed him to proceed to Saint Louis and report to department headquarters for further orders. I will forward letters from

[CHAP. XLVI.]                     373         CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

our best citizens setting forth his acts in the field. I will thank you to immediately order him to Saint Louis, as I discover that he considers himself as entirely outside of my jurisdiction. I have directed that the property brought in by him be safely kept at Brookfield, until we can ascertain to whom it rightfully belongs. I fear a reign of terror in Chariton County as the results of H. Truman’s campaigning.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK:

                Am I to understand from your order that I am to take the side-arms from H. T.’s citizen soldiers? They say they were presented to them by friends.

A. W. BILLINGS,

Lieutenant.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 14, 1864. 

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL,

Brookfield, Mo.:

                What do you think of the campaign of H. T.? I fear it has been a grand raid for plunder. Letters are pouring in upon me from the best men in North Missouri, complaining of infamous wrongs committed by this chief of scouts. Give me all the information you can. See that all the property is kept close at Brookfield until we can determine what shall be done with it.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

[PRIVATE.]          

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK:

                I think H. T. and his party should be taken out of the country at once, as I am sure their manner of traveling through the country is doing us untold injury. I will write you full particulars.

E. J. C[RANDALL],

Captain.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have made a good deal of inquiry and find that the taking of horses, arms, and other property by H. Truman has been indiscriminate, from any and all who did not approve his peculiar way of traveling. I met one of H. Truman’s lieutenants on the train yesterday. He was on his way to Quincy with a young lady, as prisoner, whom he was banishing from the State. I asked by what authority. He says their own. He came up to Macon on the train to-day, and had an old man prisoner he had arrested near Palmyra. He requested me to take charge of him to Brookfield. I told him I should turn the old man over to the provost-marshal at Macon, and

374         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

he kept him, saying they did not turn over prisoners. I have had application from one or two men for saddles, bridles, and a wagon, who are Union men. Said property was taken by H. Truman. I had conversation with a couple of volunteer aides of H. Truman this p. m., who say they do not know what they will do if H. Truman is taken out of the service, as they cannot make anything in the militia.

                The provost-marshal got, I think, 2 recruits from the negro brigade brought in by H. Truman. The balance have left. I have sent a guard to look after the property at Bucklin, and shall have it moved to this place in the morning. I will send a scout to Keytesville, to inquire into affairs there, in the morning. The cause of the trouble has been from acts of citizens who have gone with H. Truman and done all kinds of devilment to men who are considered sympathizers, and also to men who have been Union men from the start, but they have been reported as copperheads because some neighbor was mad at them. All seems to have been conducted with perfect looseness and, in all cases, a total disregard of the rights of anybody.

                If we go in for depopulation and devastation, his course is right; for it is driving every man who has been suspected of secession proclivities to the brush, and many who have [not] been engaged, good men, have come in for protection. I tell them to go home; that no more plundering will be permitted in this county by any party, and in all cases when men are known to commit depredations they must be reported forthwith, and that rebels and sympathizers in each district will be held responsible for all depredations committed by bushwhackers, and they must watch out for them; that they (the rebels) have the peace of the country in their own hands, and if they do not want to be annoyed by soldiers they must assist in putting down all acts of lawlessness on the part of friends and be ready at all times to report any breach in their districts.

E. J. CRANDALL,

Captain, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL, Brookfield, Mo.:

                Your views of H. Truman are sound. I have never indorsed his actions. He has never been under my orders, but acted under orders from the provost-marshal-general. I have finally got him in my own hands, and you may assure all the people that there will be no more of that sort of warfare. Circulate this information as widely as possible in the disturbed district. Give the people, both rebels and sympathizers, to understand that they are to be held responsible for the presence of bushwhackers in their county. They can rout them if they will. Be careful and not lose track of any of the property. Keep it in your possession until further orders. Did you send me the yellow horse? I [will] buy him from the owner if he is a good one.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General. 

[CHAP. XLVI.]                     375       CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. —UNION.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK:

                I have a sergeant and 8 men at Bucklin. They will bring that property all to Brookfield in the morning. The yellow horse goes west on way freight in the morning. I have a car and contraband all ready. I will keep all the property and horses safe. H. Truman has one horse which he claims. Shall I deliver that one to H. Truman if he demands him? I hear of quite a number of horses left at different places which I understand are private property of H. Truman and his lieutenants. Shall I take in those when found?

E. J. C[RANDALL].

GLASGOW, June 14, 1864.

General C. B. FISK,

Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                DEAR SIR: There is much trouble in Chariton County, just north of us. A Captain Truman, Federal scout, as I am informed, has recently been through this section, and the latter part of last week shot and hung some 5 or 6 persons. I know nothing of his orders or the persons shot, only the fact that the people were killed. They may have deserved killing, as I learn they were generally rebels. Last night, however, another party, claiming to be a portion of his command, but who were bushwhackers, killed 5 Union citizens, about twelve miles north of this place. The people of all classes are fleeing from the county, and it is feared retaliation will follow retaliation until there will be no one left to kill. I know you have been advised of these proceedings by telegraph, but I have thought proper to write to you and ask of you to send some discreet man, with a proper escort, to look into the whole matter and reassure the terror-stricken inhabitants.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

CLARK H. GREEN.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Hon. WILLIAM A. HALL,

Huntsville, Mo., via Allen, Mo.:

                I have received your letter of the 11th instant. If you can consistently visit me at my headquarters, I would be pleased to confer with you touching the condition of affairs in your and adjoining counties. The party of whom you write was stopped in his campaign as soon as I could reach him. I am glad you wrote General Rosecrans of his conduct.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, June 14, 1861.

Hon. WILLIAM A. HALL,

Huntsville, Randolph County, Mo.:

                DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your communication of 11th instant, and in reply thereto say that Captain Truman has been stopped in

376         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

his mad career, and I have him under arrest here, and shall promptly cause the most thorough investigation into his conduct, and punish him for the great wrongs he has committed. I have ordered all the plunder he brought in with [him] to be safely kept at Brookfield until the rightful ownership shall be established. Captain Truman was not in the field by my order. On the contrary, I have respectfully, but earnestly, protested against his presence in my district. He was deemed an expert detective by my superior officers, but I am sure General Rosecrans never expected him to [do] aught else but obtain information of the presence of bushwhackers, &c.

                Captain Truman was under orders from the provost-marshal-general. Yesterday I received authority to stop him, and he has been promptly stopped. I wrote General Rosecrans that he would cause me more trouble than all the bushwhackers combined, and I guess I was right. I have not yet been informed of the extent of his operations, but I fear the chapter is a dark one, and that many good citizens have been killed and others driven to the brush by the conduct of men from our ranks. No one can regret this more than myself.

While I am inclined to, and will, kill every bushwhacker found in his hellish work, yet I will be careful not to cause needless irritation among our people at home. I will not quarrel with any man now about the past. What will he be and do for the future? Shall we save the country first of all? I telegraphed you to-day, asking you, if convenient, to visit me at my head quarters and counsel me touching the administration of affairs in the counties named in your letter.

                I hope it will be convenient for you to come; if so, please telegraph me when en route that I may be at headquarters. I have ordered a good officer to go immediately to Chariton and Randolph Counties and correct the impressions that may have gone forth that this system of warfare and infamy was to be the rule. It is a disgrace to our Christian civilization that men from our ranks should thus wickedly murder and steal, for that is what it is and nothing else. You may assure the people that I shall do all in my power to prevent the recurrence of such damnable outrages in this district. I am giving the men of my command line upon line, precept upon precept, that their mission is to put down and not to create disorder. I shall be glad to see you or hear from you at any time.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

FAYETTE, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Colonel DRAPER,

Macon, Mo.:

                Four Union men living 3 miles below Beckelheimer’s Mills, on this side the Chariton River, were murdered by bushwhackers last night.  The messenger did not know how many bushwhackers there were.

Three of the men killed were Charles Jinsen, Henry Pattenheimer, and John Jinsen; the name of the other is forgotten by messenger. Major Leonard has not returned yet, and I am unable to send out scout.

HENRY S. GLAZE,

Captain, Commanding.

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          377

MACON, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK:

                I have this moment received the following dispatch from the sergeant in command at Glasgow:

                Four Union men killed last night near Keytesville, supposed to be in retaliation for those killed by the Federal scout. Great excitement. Union men fleeing from the country.

                I have sent a message to Major Leonard. I start a captain and 50 men to Chariton at once.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 14, 1864,

Col. J. F. WILLIAMS,

Macon, Mo.:

                You must speedily look after Chariton County. Send a good officer with sufficient force to Keytesville to clean out the bushwhackers and restore order. There is a large delegation of Union men here from Chariton County, and every man endorses H. T. and they plead for a continuance of his reign. Do you get any facts touching his late campaign?

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

MACON, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK:

                I have no report from Chariton County directly. I hear a thousand rumors. Should think Captain Crandall or Lieutenant Billings better posted, as they are nearer the scene of operations of H. T.             

Got a letter from Judge Hall, which I forward to you. Think his action ruinous to the Union cause.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS.

MACON, Mo., June 14, 1864.

General FISK:

                Captain Brockman has gone with all the available mounted force to Chariton. Captain Smith will be in to-night from Brookfield, and I can leave in the morning if it is still thought best.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS,

Colonel.

SAINT JOSEPH, June 14, 1864.

Col. J. F. WILLIAMS,

Macon:

                Go immediately to Chariton County yourself and see to getting out the militia in sufficient force to drive out and exterminate the bushwhackers. Judge Salisbury telegraphs me from Allen to-day

378         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

that 4 of his Union neighbors were murdered last night. Communicate with him if you can. Move with determination and extermination. I fear the murders may be in retaliation for killing done by H. Truman.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

SALISBURY, VIA ALLEN, June 14, 1864.

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK:

                SIR:         On the 12th instant, I wrote you in detail relative to the bad acts of men pretending to be Federal soldiers in Chariton County.

The bushwhackers, in retaliation, last night murdered at least 4 of our good Union citizens; all were my near neighbors. Will you authorize our citizens of all political parties to organize to capture or kill bushwhackers if found with arms? The radicals and conservatives are anxious to do so to save our country from destruction.

Can we get arms and ammunition? We will clean the country of bushwhackers if we are authorized by you to do so. If you send Federals to the county I hope and believe you will instruct them to act according to the laws of war, and not allow hanging and shooting of unarmed men without a trial. Direct answer care Planter’s House, Saint Louis.

Respectfully,

LUCIUS SALISBURY.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 14, 1864.

LUCIUS SALISBURY,

On N. Mo. Train, or Planter’s House, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                Your telegram is received. I will do all in my power to aid the citizens of your section, regardless of party, to drive out the bushwhackers. It will be best to call out the organized militia rather than have irregular organizations. I have directed Colonel Williams to go to your section in person at once, and promptly call out and arm the militia. Individuals not attached to militia companies can attach themselves to some good company. We will thus avoid confusion of regular and irregular organizations. If you go to Saint Louis, please call upon General Rosecrans and explain in person what you know of the conduct of the party of whom you wrote me. He was sent up from Saint Louis.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 396

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo., June 15, 1864.

General FISK,

Saint Joseph, Mo.

                Your dispatches with reference to Harry Truman received. You have misunderstood the tenor of my dispatch of yesterday, which directed you to arrest and punish him. He should not be sent here but tried on the spot where his villainies have been committed. I have telegraphed the commanding officer at Macon to intercept him and send back to you in irons. The commanding general wants your attention invited to the fact that, within the limits of your command, you represent him in all military matters, and in the case of Harry Truman you should have arrested him so soon as you were satisfied of his rascality, irrespective of whose orders he was serving under.

                The general commanding is now satisfied that Harry Truman is a villain, and desires you to bring him to a speedy trial where all the facts of his case may be fully developed.

O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          397

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Col. O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                My dispatch of yesterday in reference to H. T. was sent you several hours previous to the reception of yours on the same unhappy theme. You have misconstrued my telegram as answer to yours.  I did not send him to Saint Louis, but have him in prison. I have ordered the arrest of his confederates in crime, and shall put the whole party through rapidly and thoroughly. I stopped him in his mad career as soon as he could be found after the receipt of General Rosecrans’ telegram of 8th instant. You will remember, colonel, that he was ordered out on his last campaign directly from department headquarters, of which I was not advised until I heard of his operations in the field. I had respectfully and earnestly protested against his continued presence in my district, but H. T.’s importunities prevailed.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                If half the reports of Truman’s and Gilstrap’s operations are true they ought to be shot. You must take these matters up thoroughly and assure law-abiding people, as you have always done, that the rights of all will be respected and defended. What we ask of the citizens is a faithful performance of duty and co-operation in the task of protection to the rights of all.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major- General.

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Commanding Department of the Missouri:

                I have sent a force of 100 men under reliable officers to Chariton County. They will remain at Keytesville and Brunswick until the militia can be properly organized to take care of the country.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo., June 15, 1864.

General FISK,

Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                I have seen Poindexter, of Randolph, who is under bonds, and written him a note to use his influence in favor of law and order among the rebel sympathizers. Keep the secret and give needful orders to secure him from molestation or outrage. He will do good.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major- General.

398         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVII.]

MACON, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK:

                Colonel Greene, assistant adjutant-general, telegraphs to arrest H. Truman, put him in irons, and send him to you. The train from Saint Joseph is in the ditch at Callao. I shall take some men with me on the western train and arrest him there. His partner, Brown, as he calls himself, is now in the guard-house here by my order. Brown has a man here under arrest, whom I shall release, as there are no charges against him. Colonel Williams left for Chariton County this morning. Captain Smith will be in command here.

DAN. M. DRAPER,

Lieutenant- Colonel Ninth Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel DRAPER, Macon, Mo.:

                Arrest the Gilstrap who accompanied H. T. on his late campaign and send him to me under guard on next train. Let no villains connected with the damnable outrages escape. Iron Brown.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL, Brookfield, Mo.:

                Be very careful and not allow any of the H. T. party to escape.  Arrest the whole of them and send to me under strong guard. Tell the people that I have matters in my own hands now, and that punishment will be meted out to the guilty and the rights of the people respected and maintained.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

General FISK:        BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 15, 1864.

                Mr. Veatch, Mr. Hide, and Mr. Horsley, from Keytesville, are here claiming property taken by H. Truman. I know nothing of the men. I have made some inquiry and think they are not bad men; they say they sent letters from prominent Union men in that vicinity to H. Truman. What shall I do about them if they can produce satisfactory evidence of their loyalty? Shall I deliver them their property?

E. J. CRANDALL,

Captain.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL, Brookfield, Mo.:

                Your action is approved. Let the people understand that H. Truman was not in this district by my authority, but against my most

[CHAP. XLVI.]      CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          399

earnest remonstrances. The provost-marshal-general did not, of course, expect that a detective scout would thus conduct the campaign of secret service. All property will be returned by my orders, upon proper showing that it was taken unlawfully from loyal citizens.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 15, 1864.

General FISK:

                Reports come in this morning of troubles near Keytesville again. I sent Lieutenant Lewis with 50 good men early this morning to Keytesville, with all necessary instructions. I have heard that a company of 50 are in that vicinity from Macon. I think they are the men that have been seen; they are good men and my men will co-operate with them. I have instructed them to look out sharp for the Macon company. Some twenty sympathizers have been here since last night to see me, and they understand that they are to be held responsible for all trouble hereafter from their men, and bushwhackers are included as theirs. I told them we would be responsible for the acts of all men who are in the service. I instructed Lieutenant Lewis that no pillaging or thieving would be allowed, and I hold him personally responsible for the conduct of his men.

They are well armed and will not return until they make a thorough scout. I think in a day or two the excitement caused by so much recent lawlessness on the part of our men will subside. Now bushwhackers will not be taken prisoners. I sent the yellow horse and contraband this morning.               

E. J. C.,

Captain.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 13, 1864.

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL,

Brookfield, Mo..

                Would it not be better for me to bring all the H. T. plunder to Saint Joseph? I could then see the claimants and learn much of the H. Truman campaign from them.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

HEADQUARTERS POST,

Liberty, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK,

Comdg. District of North Missouri, Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                I have the honor to report my arrival from a scout taken for the purpose of capturing persons represented to have been sworn into the Confederate service by Colonel Thornton. I succeeded in capturing all but two of the members on my list, and they were in the brush. I have been taking their statements to-day, and will be ready to start for Saint Joseph to-morrow. There is a great number of

400         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

men of Clay County who had left their homes in the last few days and gone in the brush. It is my opinion that Thornton will rally a considerable force in this county.

                I arrested a man whilst I was out who had the confidence of all the Union men of this county and was regarded as being a strong Union man, but I find from the evidence that he has been with Colonel Thornton, which fact he acknowledged to. I am satisfied that Captain Garth will not succeed in raising his company. I think it important to have at least another company in this county. With the present force here I cannot do the scouting that is necessary to be done and keep a sufficient guard at this post. I have a scout of 30 men 12 miles from town at this time, lying on the road for the purpose of capturing them as they pass. I did not succeed in seeing but one whilst I was out. I shot his horse, but failed to get him.

                I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. KEMPER,

Capt. Company K, Ninth Cavalry, Missouri Slate Militia.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 15, 1864.

Maj. R. LEONARD,

Commanding at Fayette, Mo.:

                MAJOR: I am directed by the general commanding to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 10th instant, and to state that he feared the Ninth would lose their good old bushwhack-killing reputation unless they exterminate the villains that are overwhelming the counties of Boone, Howard, Chariton, and others. Pursue the rascals with all the vigor possible and exterminate them surely. The obstructions placed in your way by the movements of H. Truman are removed, now that he is mustered out of the scout service. His career has been decidedly a bad and bold one.

I am, major, very respectfully,

G. A. HOLLOWAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

p. 416

SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 16, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS, Commanding:

                You may be assured, general, that I shall make speedy and thorough work in bringing to trial and punishment H. T. and his confederates in the late villainies. The rascals are in prison, and the facts being gathered. I will use all possible means to give assurance to the people of the district that the rights of all will be protected and defended to the utmost of the power and authority intrusted me. Where can I find Poindexter?

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 418

MACON, Mo., June 16, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK:

                Would it not be as well for me to gather up the property taken by Truman? It is all over the district.

THOS. A. SIMPSON,

Quartermaster.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 16, 1864.

Capt. THOMAS A. SIMPSON,

Quartermaster’s Agent, Macon, Mo.:

                I have ordered all the Truman plunder to be concentrated at Brookfield, in charge of Captain Crandall, until rightful ownership can be established. If you know of any scattered about the district gather it up at once. I desire to make an early and full report to Colonel Sanderson of the campaign of his detective scout.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 434

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Saint Joseph, Mo., June 17, 1864.

Capt. E. J. CRANDALL, Brookfield, Mo.:

                I would much prefer that the negroes taken by Truman go back to their homes and go to work. They must not be permitted to lounge around the towns. Let all enlist who will and are fit for service. We can’t press them to do that, however. Complaint is made that the negroes of Mrs. S. C. Jones were forcibly taken from the plantation. They had better go home and hoe corn. Everybody, white or black, should either be at work or in the army. No idlers or loungers of any color must be allowed to remain within your county. Stir them up.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

BROOKFIELD, Mo., June 17, 1864.

General C. B. FISK:

                When I came home Tuesday night I found those negroes here.  The provost-marshal came from Macon to enlist all who wished to; got but 2 recruits. I then started every one of them for home. None of them have been here since Mrs. Jones’ negroes left for the country with the balance. I arrested 4 blacklegs to-day from Livingston County who were lounging about playing cards. I have released them on condition that they do not come into the county again. I know them. The men I sent to Keytesville have not yet

returned. I have a scout of 20 men in the northern part of the county. Mrs. Jones is a she-rebel; I know her of old; and she has a son-in-law, by name of Dr. Harris, of this county, who has always been a rebel, who writes very good letters and professes great loyalty. The doctor wrote me a long letter yesterday about

Mrs. Jones. I will send it to you, with my answer, to-day.

E. J. CRANDALL,

Captain.

p. 436

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 17, 1864.

Col. CLARK H. GREEN,

Glasgow, Ho.:

                Your communication of the 14th instant just received. The villain Truman has been stopped in his mad career, and, with his confederates in crime, is now in prison waiting trial and punishment for his most diabolical conduct. Give the people assurance. Let all classes unite in putting down bushwhacking, thieving, and marauding. I will do all in my power to strengthen and aid the loyal arm. Truman was not in the district by my authority. He had deceived my superiors and was at his hellish work before I knew of his presence in Chariton County. I sent a force to take him and have him here safely jeweled in Saint Joseph jail. I have been an invalid for three weeks. Shall go to Howard and Chariton Counties as soon as I am able to travel. I beg of you and all other good men to stand shoulder to shoulder in the work of restoring quiet to your disturbed section.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General. 

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION           437

ALLEN, Mo., June 17, 1864.

Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK:

                SIR: I have just returned to this place from Saint Louis. I learn 4 more men were murdered by bushwhackers night before last in Chariton County. The names of 2 I have are Charles Coleman and Charles Grotjohn; have not learned the names of the other 2.

Respectfully,

LUCIUS SALISBURY.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, June 17, 1864.

Col. W. E. MOBERLY,

Thirty-fifth Regt. Enrolled Mo. Militia, Brunswick, Mo.;

                The general commanding directs me to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 14th instant, and to say in reply that Captain Stanley has been ordered on duty with a force of 100 men, which will be increased if necessary. The villain Truman, whose shameful outrages have created such excitement in your county, is now in prison here, together with his confederates in crime, waiting just punishment for their misdeeds. He was a detective, acting under direct orders from Colonel Sanderson, provost-marshal-general, whom he had succeeded in deceiving completely as to his real character and intentions, and acted under telegraphic instructions from department headquarters, the nature of which were unknown to the general commanding. Assure the people of Chariton County that no repetition of such iniquities will be permitted as long as General Fisk remains in command of this district, and endeavor to unite all loyal and law-abiding citizens in an earnest effort to put down disorder and to restore harmony and good feeling in your now distracted district.

                I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. T. CLARKE,

First Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp

p. 444

WARRENSBURG, Mo., June 18, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

                I desire to respectfully caution you against placing confidence in any reports you receive from or through the instrumentality of Truman, who has recently figured in Chariton County. He is a great liar and rogue.

E. B. BROWN,

Brigadier- General of Volunteers.

SAINT LOUIS, Mo., June 18, 1864.

(Received 2 p. m.)

Brigadier-General BROWN,

Warrensburg, Mo.:

                No credence is given to Truman’s reports. He is in prison for his numerous crimes. Don’t give attention to supposed sources of information.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. —UNION.         447

GLASGOW, Mo., Jane 18, 1864.

General FISK:

                Your dispatch of yesterday received and gives great satisfaction. Truman took a great many horses from this section, some of them no doubt contraband, and could be so proved had he not turned thief himself. An effort ought to be made to restore these horses; some of them were valuable stable horses. It is believed he arrested and threatened to hang men and then sold them their liberty. He took horses and sold them back to their owners. He robbed houses of good clothing, &c. The horses, perhaps, are the only species of property that can be recovered. Mr. Lewis has just returned and joins in this and hopes to see you here soon. We heartily join in all efforts to restore peace and quiet and maintain the same.

C. H. GREEN.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 18, 1864.

Col. C. H. GREEN, Glasgow, Mo.:

                The property taken by Truman, so far as I can find it, will be promptly returned to the rightful owners on application to myself. I will thank you to give publicity to this fact, so that the owners of the stable horses may get their stock without delay. The negroes have mostly returned to the plantations, where they are needed in the corn-fields. I shall be at Glasgow at the earliest moment the disturbed condition of affairs in Northwest Missouri will permit my absence. I am yet quite an invalid. Truman is a great criminal

and will receive the punishment he deserves. I am sick at heart at the recital and perusal of his villainies.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

p. 473

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,

Fort Leavenworth, June 20, 1864.

Col. JAMES H. FORD,

Kansas City:

                Following has just been received:

I have a prisoner in jail who pretends to know to a certainty just where Quantrill is encamped in Jackson County. He says Quantrill will cross the Missouri River this week, and that he is now 1 mile southwest of the Blue Church, and 10 miles east of south from Morgan Walker’s farm. The prisoner's name is Truman, and he has been a detective.

C. B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

S. R. CURTIS,

Major- General.

p. 475

WARRENSBURG, Mo., June 20, 1864—4.26 p. m.

Brig. Gen. C. B. FISK,

Saint Joseph, Mo.:

                Truman is a great liar and scoundrel and has given information a number of times as to the whereabouts of Quantrill, none of which has proved true. The present story is with the view of obtaining

his release. I have troops camped at Morgan Walker’s farm, who know every foot of ground in the vicinity, which has been thoroughly scouted three different times within the last three days.

E. B. BROWN,

Brigadier- General of Volunteers, Commanding.

p. 493

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 21, 1864.

Captain CRANDALL,

Commanding at Brookfield, Mo.:

                Deliver horses and saddles that were taken up by Truman to claimants when they prove ownership to your satisfaction, and when they establish their status as loyal men. Take receipts.

                By order of Brigadier-General Fisk:

G. A. HOLLOWAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

p. 552-3

552         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. XLVI.]

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Saint Joseph, Mo., June 25, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS,

Comdg. Dept. of the Missouri, Saint Louis:

                GENERAL: My frequent telegrams to your headquarters have kept you advised of the condition of affairs in this district. Disorder and disturbances have, in some localities, materially increased, but in the greater portion of the district all is quiet. I have ceased not to labor day and night, with words, sword, an pen, to put down lawlessness and wrong, and to give assurance of quiet, peace, and good order. I confess that I have never before had so difficult a problem assigned to myself for solution. The political conflict which for the next few months is certain to add to our sorrows will be constantly opening up new channels for strife and discord, and unlocking the caves from which madly rush the ill winds that blow no good whatever. The loyal element of my district has been heretofore unhappily divided into as many factious as there are tenses in the grammar. We have present, past, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect loyalty, each class of loyalists disturbing the others, and wasting energies in crimination and recrimination that ought to be devoted to the salvation of the country. I have endeavored to unite these discordant elements, and have been measurably successful.

                In calling militia into service I have been careful to select the best of officers and men—men of character, property, position, and influence, of decided loyalty, yet free from violent prejudices. Notwithstanding all my care in these particulars, bad officers and unprincipaled men will get into power and position in some localities, but they are promptly relieved and punished for their wrongs when authenticated complaints reach me.

                I here repeat what I have in former communications expressed, that the Enrolled Missouri Militia, as such, cannot be made effective, and I respectfully renew the suggestion that a regularly organized force of U. S. volunteers, to serve for, say, 150 days, be immediately placed on duty in this district and throughout your department.

                The volunteer organizations would at once break down the partition walls of loyal and disloyal militia. I believe that two such regiments, organized with care and well officered, would be of great service to the district. I would be glad to give personal attention to the organization of such a force. Neither you nor I can possibly please everybody; good men will complain of our action; delegations of all sorts will besiege you with complaints against certain militia on duty in this district; changes will be pressed upon your consideration, and not a few will advise you that there is no necessity for a single soldier north of the river. The outs want their ins.

                The Paw Paw militia on duty in Clay and Platte Counties ought to be relieved altogether. I have carefully weeded out from among them every man who has heretofore been in the rebel service, and added to them as good material as the counties afford, but they cannot, or will not, be made effective against guerrillas and bushwhackers. They will fight nothing but thieves, and they must be Kansas thieves at that.

                I have just returned from a trip to the lower counties, where I convened delegations from each county of the men of the greatest

[CHAP. XLVI.]     CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

wealth and influence, and Southern sympathizers at that. I assured these gentlemen that I had not called them together to say one word about the past; that although they had been reported to my headquarters for arrest, yet I now met them as friends and had come to place the salvation of their counties in their own hands; that they must speedily drive out the murdering guerrillas or a storm would break upon them whose fury neither you nor I nor any other earthly power could arrest. The same desolation that had been visited upon Jackson and other counties would inevitably come upon Platte and Clay unless all good citizens, irrespective of bygones, should promptly combine and co-operate in giving security to life and property. I believe that my mission among them in that particular will result in good. The people have entered upon my plan with enthusiasm, and old neighbors long estranged have renewed their friendship and united in a covenant to maintain peace and quiet, and put down wrong in all.

                In the counties of Andrew, Buchanan, Clay, and Platte there is nothing but Paw Paw militia. The Governor has not as yet recognized any other, and consequently I must make the best possible use of them. Their officers tell me that they can better manage a portion (say one-half) of them in the ranks than in the brush, for if disbanded altogether they would promptly re-enforce their brethren who make up the bulk of the corps de bush of Northwest Missouri.

What a commentary upon patriotism and loyal service; and in making this statement I do “nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice.” I have canvassed well the rise and progress of the Paw Paw nation, and am accused by good men of having an admiration for the tribe. I cannot give you all the points that lead me to the conclusion herein expressed, and I never could have reached a correct understanding of the case had I not personally inspected and watched the workings of this anomalous organization. With the Paw Paws on one hand and Truman on the other, I have been most industriously employed in raking after. I will most cheerfully receive and gladly obey your every suggestion and command, and trust I may often be benefited by your good counsel.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier-General.

OR I-41-2

p. 36

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SAINT LOUIS,

Saint Louis, July 3, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel BURRIS,

Commanding, Cape Girardeau:

                You should keep at New Madrid the companies of cavalry recently sent there from Cape Girardeau, and the guerrilla bands must be driven out, and kept out of that region. For this purpose the most of the cavalry now at Cape Girardeau will be sent there if necessary.

                I do not like the idea of employing Carpenter, whom I sent to you, on his own statement that you agreed to employ him. I suspect he is another Truman. If you employ the two fellows watch them carefully.

THOMAS EWING, JR.,

Brigadier- General.

NEW MADRID, July 3, 1864.

Brigadier-General EWING:

                I did not employ Carpenter until he said that you had sent him to me. The cavalry from Cape Girardeau arrived here to-day. I have a scout party from here to- day; shall have another to-morrow, and the next day will move with all the troops that can be spared into Pemiseot County, and perhaps into Arkansas. I think Kitchen is below here with considerable force.

JOHN T. BURRIS,

Lieutenant- Colonel.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. [CHAP. LIII.] 37

p. 719

SAINT JOSEPH, August 15, 1864.

Col. O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Saint Louis:

                E. W. Price, of Chariton County, formerly a brigadier-general in the Confederate service, and son of Sterling Price, at my suggestion, and by the approval of the major-general commanding, visited the camp of the leading bushwhackers of North Missouri to ascertain from them if they claimed to be operating under orders from Confederate authority. Price visited Perkins and Holtzclaw, and has rendered an interesting report of his interviews with these distinguished guerrilla chieftains.

They have the written authority of Sterling Price to come into Missouri. Perkins proposes to remain here and recruit and fight as best he can until corn ripens, when, if General Price does not come to him, he will go to General Price. Perkins professes to be here to protect the peaceable citizens of Southern sympathy against the acts of such parties as Truman, and says all he wants is to be let alone until his forces are all recruited, and them he will leave, provided the Confederate lines shall not at that time extend over all Missouri. Holtzclaw’s mission appears to be chiefly the extermination of the Radicals, especially all who have in the least countenanced the measures adopted by the Government for the recruitment of negroes. The Confederate authorities are, therefore, chargeable with the barbarous atrocities visited upon the Unionists of Missouri by these fiends in human form. Perkins pretends to deprecate bushwhacking and murdering, but confesses that men under his command are guilty of these infamous acts, amid that it is done under the cover of authority from General Sterling Price. What punishment should be inflicted upon the people of the counties where these barbarians are fed, protected, and encouraged in their nefarious wickedness, and in what manner shall the so-called Confederate authorities be made to feel the responsibility for these atrocities ?

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

OR I-41-4

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Macon Mo.

Major-General ROSECRANS

December 9, 1864.

Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I am getting my district once more into working order. The troops of my command have mostly returned to the district from their pursuit of Price, amid a thorough inspection of the entire command is now being made. Reports and returns, many of which were destroyed with my headquarters papers at Glasgow, are being duplicated, and I will soon be able to furnish you full report of the operations of the troops of this district during the Price invasion.

The Enrolled Missouri Militia, who rendered valuable service during the campaign, have nearly all been relieved. The district has been divided into sub-districts, each under the command of a good field officer, and every effort is being made to restore tranquillity to the disturbed sections in the disloyal counties. Society has been plunged into a fearfully distracted state by the advent of Price. Very many of the resident rebels must speedily show works meet for repentance or emigrate where their sympathies lead them. I am causing a full directory of disloyalists to be made, to which you can apply your 10 per cent. rule. I believe your plan will work out good results for Missouri. First, send out 10 per cent. of the most influential and guilty rebels and study results. Loyalty, where honestly espoused even at this late day, should be kindly encouraged, but persons who now, in 1864, especially after Price’s villainous treatment of his best friends, have

[CHAP. LIII.]        CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.          815

yet sympathy for that which has brought Missouri so much woe, ought certainly to go out from among us during the continuance of the war, and at the same time be very grateful for the leniency of a Government which permits them to live, even, after the commission of so great a crime against humanity and Heaven. Chariton, Howard, and Randolph have been more severely shaken up than other counties. I have placed them in a sub-district under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Denny, of Huntsville, a very excellent, just officer and gentleman. It will be safe to follow his advice. Truman’s conduct in Chariton County last June opened up a continuous line of trouble. Many of the recent homicides were committed by Truman’s avengers. The dwellings of nearly every citizen against Truman have been burned down. I learn that a brother-in-law of Truman is one of the Enrolled Missouri Militia of Putnam County, and that he has been diligent in following up the parties who testified against Truman from Chariton County. I am investigating the matter thoroughly. Col. J. H. Shanklin is giving his personal attention to the redemption of Carroll. The Clay and Platte sub-district is becoming more quiet, yet the old sores are there. Your order banishing the rebel families from Clay is encouraging to loyal men, and, of course, stirs up the rebels.

            Men who never complain at the presence and atrocities of bushwhackers will besiege you in behalf of bushwhackers’ friends. North of the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad there is now but little trouble.

            I hope to be able to report constant improvement throughout the district. Howard and Randolph have sent up their drafted men or respectable “A. D.'s“ as substitutes with a prompt cheerfulness that shames even the loyal city of Saint Louis.

I am, general, with great respect, your obedient servant,

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

OR I-48-1

p. 135

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Macon, Mo., March 31, 1865.

                Respectfully forwarded to Major-General Dodge, commanding Department of the Missouri, for his information.

                Captain Meredith will be continued in arrest while I wait instructions from department headquarters. The captain, I believe, makes a truthful statement. I have made diligent inquiry of the best citizens of Boone County, and learn that the parties burned out were notorious for harboring bushwhackers, and one or two of the destroyed dwellings were simply of the lowest class of bawdyhouses, and where the guerrillas did congregate most. No order for the destruction of property or the killing of an unarmed citizen ever emanated from my headquarters. I have no doubt, however, that there are 100 families in Boone and Howard Counties who ought to emigrate or die. It seems to be a difficult matter to remove them. There is hardly a bushwhack feeder or harborer in the district that cannot, if ordered away, procure certificates from Union men that he has been a faithful, honest citizen.

Men who occupy high positions of honor and trust will, for a fee, undertake the salvation of the devil himself. In the spring and summer of 1864 one Truman, a detective, was sent into my district by

General Rosecrans, with orders to do as Captain Meredith has done.  Truman killed several citizens, burned houses, and sequestered much property. He was arrested, imprisoned, tried by military commission, found guilty of murder, arson, and larceny, and sentenced to be hung. He is now at large. Most of the witnesses and informants against Truman have been murdered and burned out by parties as yet unknown.

CLINTON B. FISK,

Brigadier- General.

OR I-48-2

p. 472

MACON, May 16, 1865—9 p. m.

Major-General DODGE:

                Will you suffer Holtzclaw, Jackson, Quantrill, Pool, and their bands of guerrillas to surrender, and upon what terms ? I learn from Captain Truman that they are anxious to do so. I will anxiously wait your

instructions.

I. V. PRATT,

Brigadier-General, Missouri State Militia

p. 485

MACON, May 17, 1865.

Maj. J. W. BARNES,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                Harry Truman is here, representing himself as a scout operating under the orders of General Dodge and the provost-marshal-general. He asks for twenty men and a commissioned officer to aid him in carrying out his plans. Has he any authority for so doing ?

A. J. HARDING,

Lieutenant, Aide-de- Camp, and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

MACON, May 17, 1865.

Col. J. H. BAKER,

Provost-Marshal- General, Saint Louts, Mo.:

                Harry Truman says he has an arrangement made with the various bands of guerrillas in North Missouri by which they all propose to surrender if they can be released on taking the oath of allegiance. He desires an officer and twenty men to aid in carrying out the scheme.  Is he working under orders from you ? He asserts that he is.

A. J. HARDING,

Lieutenant, Aide-de- Camp, and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

p. 499

MACON, May 18, 18U5—8.15 p. m.

Maj. J. W. BARNES,

Assistant Adjutant- General:

                Harry Truman wants an escort of twenty mounted men to go with him to Chariton County to carry out his plan. Shall they be furnished?

A. J. HARDING,

Lieutenant and Aide-de- Camp.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

May 18, 1865—5.10 p. m.

Lieut. A. J. HARDING,

Aide-de- Camp, Macon:

I know nothing about Truman’s plans, and no troops will be sent with him until I do.

G. M. DODGE,

Major- General.

 500         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. LX.]

p. 512

512         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. LX.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,             HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

                No. 102.                  Macon, Mo., May 19, 1865.

                *              *              *              *              *              *              *

                2. In compliance with instructions from Major-General Dodge, commanding Department of the Missouri, Capt. John D. Meredith, Company D, Thirty-ninth Missouri Infantry, will proceed with twenty picked men of his command, and, in company with Harry Truman, who is authorized to obtain the surrender and parole of the guerrilla bands of Holtzclaw, Jackson, and such others as may desire, exercise the most watchful care and preserve the strictest military discipline among the men of his command during the expedition. Lieut. D. J. Duffy, of the North Missouri Railroad guard, will accompany the expedition with two men of his command as guides.

                *              *              *              *              *              *              *

                By order of Brig. Gen. C. B. Fisk:

                W. T. CLARKE, Assistant Adjutant- General.

p. 587

[CHAP. LX.]         CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.                          587

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

May 21, 1865—12.10 p. m.

Major-General DODGE,

Fort Leavenworth:

                I earnestly recommend that Truman be ordered out of North Missouri without delay. I know he will cause you trouble.

CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier- General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

May 21, 1865—12:10 p. m.

Major-General DODGE,

Fort Leavenworth:

                Colonel Denny reports to General Fisk that it is Truman instead of Jim Anderson who is committing the outrages north of the river. Truman and his party were at Keytesville yesterday, all drunk and committing the worst excesses. Truman swore he was there by your order to raise hell in North Missouri. Shall I direct Denny to arrest him and his party?

GEO. C. TICHENOR,

Aide-de- Camp.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, May 24, 1865.

Major TICHENOR:

                I have telegraphed Colonel Denny to arrest the whole crowd.

G. M. DODGE,

Major- General.

MACON, Mo., May 24, 1865.

Major-General DODGE,

On train, Weston, Mo.:

                I have ordered the No. 3 companies from Chariton, Ray, and Livingston Counties to Platte. They are now moving. I hear nothing further from guerrillas, except a rumor that the Truman scout have had a fight and killed three whackers.

A. J. HARDING,

Lieutenant and Aide-de- Camp.

HUNTSVILLE, May [24], 1865.

Lieut. A. J. HARDING:

                I am ordering my men to consolidate at Brunswick to-morrow. Will probably have from 125 to 200 men. Will go with them myself if nothing occurs to prevent it. Have you any further orders ?

A. F. DENNY,

Colonel.

[CHAP. LX.]    588                 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI,

Macon, May 24, 1865.

Col. A. F. DENNY,

Huntsville:

                Do not move troops away from their positions in your sub-district until further orders from these headquarters. They are more needed for home defense than to go to Clay County.

                By order of Brigadier-General Fisk:

W. T. CLARKE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.

MACON, May 24, 1865.

Col. A. F. DENNY,

Huntsville:

                General Dodge commands that Harry Truman report to Col. J. H. Baker, provost-marshal-general, at Saint Louis, forthwith. Send a messenger to his party at once with this dispatch and have Captain

Meredith march his command to this station without delay. Let this be done promptly and without fail. Come to Macon to-morrow.

                By order of General Fisk:

W. T. CLARKE,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

MACON, Mo., May 24, 1865.

Colonel DENNY,

Glasgow, Mo.:

                My dispatch to Captain Younger should go to Richmond, Ray County, and not to Liberty. Send it by messenger at once. Send what men you have armed and mounted to Platte, unless you hear of bushwhackers in another direction.

By order of General Fisk:

A. J. HARDING,

Lieutenant and Aide-de- Camp.

CHILLICOTHE, May 24, 1865.

Brigadier-General FISK:

                GENERAL: Your dispatch requesting me to move my company to Clay County just received. I will be able to start by 3 p. m. this day.

A. J. BOUCHER,

Lieutenant, Commanding Company.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, May 24, 1865.

Colonel COLE:

                In accordance with the instructions of lieutenant-general commanding, organize your artillery that is mounted into cavalry. Organize them where they now are when possible. Let their guns, &c., be sent to Saint Louis, except at places where they are needed to mail forts. Take only companies enough at first to use what stock you have in your batteries.

G. M. DODGE,

Major- General.

[CHAP. LX.]        CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.                          589

p. 615

MACON, May 26, 1865.

Col. A. F. DENNY,

Huntsville:

                Take good care of your district. Order Truman to report to Colonel Baker at Saint Louis, and send Meredith here with his command with as little delay as possible.

                By order of General Fisk:

W. T. CLARKE,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

p. 643

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

May 28, 1865—3.50 p. m.

Major-General DODGE,

Fort Leavenworth:

                Will send messenger to-morrow with mail, &c. Matters generally quiet in Missouri. No trouble except what Truman has created. General Sanborn reported the surrender to him of Colonel Schnable, with his regiment, 400 strong, at Yellville, Ark., on yesterday. Kirby Smith has surrendered his entire army to General Canby. This is announced officially by Secretary Stanton.

GEO. C. TICHENOR,

Major and Aide de-Camp.

p. 760

760         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. LX.]

MACON, June 3, 1865.

Col. J. H. BARER,

Provost-Marshal- General, Saint Louis:

                I have prepared no report of Truman’s operations. He attempted to secure the surrender of guerrilla bands, and after an absence of twice the time agreed upon was obliged to return without accomplishing anything. In my opinion killing them is the best method of procuring their surrender, and this is being quite rapidly done at present.

W. T. CLARKE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant. General.

pps. 773-774

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Fort Leavenworth, Kans., June 4, 1865.

Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE,

Comdg. Military Division of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:

                GENERAL:            I have the honor to report, in compliance with your indorsement of May 25, ultimo, on letter of Hon. William Hall, relative to one Harry Truman, that so far as Mr. Hall pretends to state facts he is to a very great extent incorrect. Harry Truman was tried in November, 1864, by military commission convened by General Rose-

774         LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.           [CHAP. LX.]

crans, for offenses alleged to have been committed by him in North Missouri in June, 1864, and was sentenced to be hung. General Rosecrans disapproved the proceedings of the commission (see General Orders, No. 211, series 1864, Department of the Missouri), but ordered him (Truman) confined in Alton Military Prison until further orders.

The record in the case was forwarded to the Secretary of War before I assumed command of this department. The Secretary of War ordered Truman released from confinement some time in March last, and on his release he was ordered to Washington, D. C., or some place East, by Colonel Baker, U. S. detective at Washington, and we heard nothing further of him until a few days prior to my departure from Saint Louis to this place, when I was telegraphed from Macon, Mo., that Truman was up there and had met Holtzclaw, Anderson, and other guerrilla leaders, who proposed to surrender, and an escort was asked to enable him to accomplish it. After consultation with my provost- marshal- general (Colonel Baker) I gave orders to the commanding officer at Macon to furnish him an escort, under charge of a most reliable officer, with instructions to allow no outrages to be committed, and for them to confine themselves to the simple purpose of securing the surrender of the guerrillas. After my arrival here I was informed that my instructions were being disregarded, and that Truman was acting badly, and I promptly telegraphed Colonel Denny, at Glasgow, to arrest him, which was done, and he is now in Saint Louis in the custody of Colonel Baker, provost-marshal-general. I inclose herewith Colonel Denny’s * dispatch from Colonel Baker, and my dispatch directing that an escort be furnished Truman. As Judge Hall has gone out of his way to reflect on me in this matter, I desire that he shall see this.

                I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. M. DODGE,

Major. General.

[Inclosure.] 

SAINT Louis, Mo., May 19, 1865.

Lieutenant HARDING, Aide-de-Camp,

Macon:

                Send good officer in charge of twenty men to accompany Truman in obtaining the surrender of the bushwhacking gangs. The officer must be careful and allow no outrages committed. Answer.

G. M. DODGE,

Major- General.

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