|
|
|
What's New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | Families | History | Land & Property | Military | Photos & Postcards | Resources | Schools
| Printed September 20, 1861 Our Army Correspondence Jefferson City, Mo. Sept. 2nd, 1861 Messrs Eds.-As we have just returned from the Osage Bridge, and are now under marching orders for tomorrow, I have but little time to write at present, yet I shall say a few things. Two companies of our regiment, together with some other troops, went to Boonville a few days since and took some prisoners, a store or two, a printing office, and some other goods, a small ferry-boat, and a number of skiffs, and returned to this place all in good spirit. The State House in this place appears to be perverted a little from its original purpose of legislation to that of a prison for the confinement of secession prisoners, and as quarters for soldiers; the small rooms in the basement story being now used as a prison, and the halls as quarters for soldiers. The State House is somewhat damaged, and many of the State records are entirely destroyed and others badly damaged. This mischief was done mostly by Gen. Jackson and his confederates before they left here, when Gen. Lyon made his famous descent upon them. Another little change has been made in our officers, by the resigntion of Wm. C. Taylor as Corporal, and the appointment of Robert McClanahan in his stead. Mr. Taylor was a good officer but did not want the office.-Mr. McClanahan wll made a good officer, for he is active, energetic and punctual. Our company and three others from our regiment went down to the mouth of the Osage River to guard the railroad bridge across that stream. We remained there till this morning, when we returned to this place again. The mouth of the Osage is about eight miles below, and that river makes a beautiful appearance at that place. A portion of the bridge at that place was destroyed by the rebel Jackson, but has since been repaired. We had a very pleasant sojourn at that place, with the exception that a sneaking, cowardly rebel shot one of our boys, Mr. Woodruff, through the left hand. He was standing guard where the beat of the guard crosses the railroad track, and had just passed a Home Guard through the lines on a pass, when this fellow made his appearance, when Mr. Woodruff called "Halt," and the fellow stopped. Mr. W. then called out "Who comes there?" "A friend" was the reply. Mr. Woodruff then called for the Corporal of the Guard, when the fellow shot him, and then ran off. Mr. Woodruff fired after him but did not hit him. i do not think Mr. Woodruff's wound will do him any serious harm, yet he has a very sore hand. He acted nobly upon this trying occasion and stood his ground heroically. This cowardly assault upon him created the greatest excitement among the boys. Four prisoners were taken near Osage Bridge this morning, on suspicion of being implicated in this shooting business. One of them is by the name of Clark, and the other three by the name of Ball. Clark was released and the other three were brought to this place and will be held there for trial. Mr. Woodruff is the first one of our regiment that has yet been wounded by a secessionist, and the boys all say that this outrage shall be avenged before the war is over. There is the greatest abundance of apples and peaches here, and we get as much fruit as we caneat. There has been a change in our Brigadier Generalship at this place. Gen. Grant has been superceded by Gen. Jefferson C. Davis; so that we are now under the command of Jeff Davis, but not exactly the rebel Jeff. Our Jeff. Davis is a graduate ofthe West Point Military Academy, nd was a Lieutenant under Major Anderson at the memorable capitulation of Fort Sumter. We got our knapsacks and two pair of drawers to-day, and as we are under marching orders for to-morrow, Capt. Sampson, Lieut. Keath, and the rest of us are all busy getting ready to leave here. L. M. Morrison  Printed in the sigourney news on September 27, 1861 Our Army Correspondence Boonville, Mo. Sept. 15th, 1861 We left Jefferson City about noon yesterday-the whole Regiment except a few sick. Geo. W. Cooper of our company was one of the latter.-We were brought to this place on board the War Eagle, and arrived at midnight last night. This morning we took quarters in the Fair Grounds just below the city. It is a nicely shaded and pleasant place and we are comfortably provided for. This is the place where the lamented Lyon first distinguished himself. Another battle took place here on the 13th inst. between not less than 800 rebels under the notorious Brown, and 130 Home Guards, about 20 private citizens and three negroes. The rebels were defeated with a loss of 60 killed and wounded, among them the rebel commander himself. He was killed by a negro slave who had escaped from his master and was fighting on the side where he supposed his liberty lay. There are three of these human chattles now in the camp. They brough with them three horses and two mules belonging to their secession owners. It was they who informed the Home guards of the approach of the rebels-one instance in which they have been of no little service to the Union cause. This morning while yet on the boat a man fell overboard. Col. Worthington happened to see him struggling in what came near being a watery grave, when he immediately plunged in and rescued him. This noble act of the Col. was warmly applauded by the men. Our prospects for a fight soon is very flatering just now. Our stay here will be short, and we will push on till we meet the enemy. I dont know where we will go-probably up the river 30 miles to Glasgow, where the rebels have been lately committing some depredations. L. M. Morrison |