Atrocity towards the Wounded and Dead. musket ball and split. The bodies at the ends had been pried up. While digging there, a party of soldiers came along and showed us a part of a shinbone, five or six inches long, which had the end sawed off. They said that they had found it among other pieces in one of the cabins the rebels had deserted. From the appearance of it, pieces had been sawed off to make finger rings. As soon as the negroes noticed this, they said that the rebels had had rings made of the bones of our dead, and that they had them for sale in their camps. When Dr. Swalm saw the bone he said it was a part of the shin-bone of a man. The soldiers represented that there were lots of these bones scattered through the rebel huts sawed into rings,' &c. Mr. Lewis and his negroes all spoke of Colonel James Cameron's body, and knew that it had been stripped, and also where it had been buried.' Mr. Scholes, in answer to a question of one of the committee, described the different treatment extended to the Union soldiers and the rebel dead. The latter had little head-boards placed at the head of their respective graves and marked; none of them had the appearance of having been disturbed. "The evidence of that distinguished and patriotic citizen, Honorable William Sprague, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, confirms and fortifies some of the most revolting statements of former witnesses. His object in visiting the battle-field was to recover the bodies of Colonel Slocum and Major Ballou, of the Rhode Island regiment. He took out with him several of his own men to identify the graves. On reaching the place he states that we commenced digging for the bodies of Colonel Slocum and Major Ballou, at the spot pointed out to us by these men who had been in the action. While digging, some negro women came up and asked whom we were looking for, and at the same time said that Colonel Slogun" had been dug up by the rebels, by some men of a Georgia regiment, his head cut off, and his body taken to a ravine thirty or forty yards below, and there burned. We stopped digging and went to the spot designated, where we found coals and ashes and bones mingled together. A little distance from there we found a shirt (still buttoned at the neck) and blanket with large quantities of hair upon it, everything indicating the burning of a body there. We returned and dug down at the spot indicated as the grave of Major Ballou, but found no body there; but at the place pointed out as the grave where Colonel Slocum was buried, we found a box, which, upon being raised and opened, was found to contain the body of Colonel Slocum. The soldiers who had buried the two bodies were satisfied that the grave had been opened; the body Atrocity towards the Wounded and Dead. taken out, beheaded, and burned, was that of Major Ballou, because it was not in the spot where Colonel Slocum was buried, but rather to the right of it. They at once said that the rebels had made a mistake, and had taken the body of Major Ballou for that of Colonel Slocum. The shirt found near the place where the body was burned I recognized as one belonging to Major Ballou, as I had been very intimate with him. We gathered up the ashes containing the portion of his remains that were left, and put them in a coffin together with his shirt and the blanket with the hair left upon it. After we had done this we went to that portion of the field where the battle had first commenced, and began to dig for the remains of Captain Tower. We brought a soldier with us to designate the place where he was buried. He had been wounded in the battle, and had seen from the window of the house, where the captain was interred. On opening the ditch or trench we found it filled with soldiers, all buried with their faces downward. On taking up some four or five we discovered the remains of Captain Tower, mingled with those of the men. We took them, placed them in a coffin, and brought them home.' In reply to a question of a member of the com. mittee as to whether he was satisfied that they were buried intentionally with their faces downward, Governor Sprague's answer was, Undoubtedly! Beyond all controversy!' and that it was done as a mark of indignity.' In answer to another question as to what their object could have been, especially in regard to the body of Colonel Slocum, he replied: Sheer brutality, and nothing else. They did it on account of his courage and chivalry in forcing his regiment fearlessly and bravely upon them. He destroyed about one half of that Georgia regiment, which was made up of their best citizens.' When the inquiry was put whether he thought these barbarities were committed by that regiment, he responded, by that same regiment, I was told.' While their own dead were buried with marble head and foot stones, and names upon them, ours were buried, as I have stated, in the trenches. This eminent witness concludes his testimony as follows: 'I have published an order to my second regiment, to which these officers were attached, that I shall not be satisfied with what they shall do unless they give an account of one rebel killed for each one of their own number.' "The members of your committee might content themselves by leaving this testimony to the Senate and the people without a word of comment; but when the enemies of a just and generous Govern ment are attempting to excite the sympathy of disloyal men in our own country, and to solicit the REBEL Atrocity towards the Wounded and Dead. ATROCITIES ON THE WOUNDED AND DEAD. 277 aid of foreign governments by | too startling, for its leaders. They disrethe grossest misrepresentations garded the sanctity of the oaths they had taken of the objects of the war, and to support the Constitution; they repudiatof the conduct of the officers and soldiers of the ed all their obligations to the people of the republic, this, the most startling evidence of their Free States; they deceived and betrayed their insincerity and inhumanity, deserves some notice at own fellow citizens, and crowded their armies with forced levies; they drove from their midst all who would not yield to their des our hands." The Report further adds: "The outrages upon the dead will revive the recollections of the cruelties to which savage tribes sub-potism, or filled their prisons with men who ject their prisoners. They were buried in many cases naked, with their faces downward; they were left to decay in the open air; their bones were carried off as trophies, sometimes, as the testimony proves, to be used as personal adornments, and one witness deliberately avers that the head of one of our most gallant officers was cut off by a secession ist to be turned into a drinking cup on the occasion of his marriage. Monstrous as this revelation may appear to be, your committee have been informed that during the last two weeks the skull of a Union soldier has been exhibited in the office of the Ser geant-at-arms of the House of Representatives, which had been converted to such a purpose, and which had been found on the person of one of the rebel prisoners taken in a recent conflict. The testimony of Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island, is most interesting. It confirms the worst reports against the rebel soldiers, and conclusively proves that the body of one of the bravest officers in the volunteer service was burned. He does not hesitate to add that this hyena desecration of the honored corpse was because the rebels believed it to be the body of Colonel Slocum, against whom they were infuriated for having displayed so much courage and chivalry in forcing his regiment fearlessly and bravely upon them." How justly, in view of this horrible array of evidence, did the committee remark: "Every step of this monstrous treason has been marked by violence and crime. No transgression has been too great, no wrong would not enlist under their flag. They have now crowned the rebellion by the perpetration of deeds scarcely known even to savage warfare. The investigations of your committee have established this fact beyond controversy. "Inhumanity to the living has been the leading trait of the rebel leaders; but it was reserved for your committee to disclose as a concerted system their insults to the wounded, and their mutilation and desecration of the gallant dead. Our soldiers taken prisoners in honorable battle, have been subjected to the most shameful treatment. All the considerations that inspire chivalric emotion and generous consideration for brave men have been disregarded. It is almost beyond belief that the men fighting in such a cause as ours, and sustained by a Government which in the midst of violence and treachery has given repeated evidence of its indulgence, should have been subjected to treatment never before resorted to by one foreign nation in a conflict with another." The curtain of the tragedy of Bull Run was painted in tears and blood; yet a scene was enacted behind the veil over which angels must have wept: let us pray that the civilized world never again shall be pained by its reproduction. CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST CAMPAIGN IN MISSOURI. SUIT OF JACKSON. BATTLE OF BOONEVILLE. THE STATE. LYON'S ADDRESS. HIS PUREXCITEMENT MOVEMENT OF TROOPS TO THE SIEGEL'S MASTERLY RETREAT. BATTLE OF DUG SOUTH. BATTLE OF CARTHAGE. SPRINGS. Governor Jackson's Booneville. BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK AND DEATH OF LYON. FROM SPRINGFIELD. THE campaign of Missouri opened with Lyon's pursuit of Jackson. The Governor, as announced, (see page 66,) fled from Jefferson City, June 12th, having issued his proclamation calling out fifty thousand troops to repel "the invaders" and secure the independence of the State. He took steamer on the 13th, for Booneville, having loaded the transport with State ordnance, munitions, stores, &c., which the vigilance of Price had succeeded in securing for the anticipated emergency. The troops called for were ordered to rendezvous at Boonville, at which place the Governor resolved to make a stand against the Federal forces. General Lyon's Descent on Booneville. General Lyon was awake to the emergency. The forces at his immediate disposal (four excellent regiments of volunteers and several battalions of regulars) had been ready for moving for several days. Two regiments of Iowa men were at Keokuk ready for co-operation. Eight Illinois regiments were placed within two hours' march of St. Louis to await Lyon's requisition. the united forces pushed on for Springfield, where it was understood the rebels were to gather in force. The Gasconade and Osage River bridges having been burned, Lyon secured transports and prepared to push after Price and Jackson immediately, proposing to strike them ere they should have time and opportunity for placing a large army in the field. On the afternoon of Thursday, June 13th, the steamer Iatan left St. Louis for Jefferson City, having on board the Second battalion of the First regiment Missouri volunteers, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, one section of Totten's light artillery, and two companies of regulars, under Captain Lathrop. The steamer Sican also loaded and departed for the same point, with the First battalion of the First regiment, under Colonel Blair, and another section of Totten's battery, and a detachment of pioneers. General Lyon and staff embarked in her. Other transports were ordered to follow. The Rebel Forces at While these steamers were ploughing up stream, the steamer White Cloud On the night of the 12th, six companies of was pressing for Booneville, having on board Siegel's Missouri volunteers started for the the Governor, State officers, records, &c.. as Rolla terminus of the south-west branch of well as a full load of cannon, military stores the Pacific Railroad-the four additional and troops. Other transports followed, bearcompanies following the next morning. This ing loads of "State Guards” and the motley force left squads at all important bridges to masses of cut-throats who quickly responded protect them against incendiaries, but the to the call of Jackson and Price. The main body moved direct for Rolla, to watch "Border Ruffians" had long been out of emthe rebels in that direction and to crush out ploy here was a fine field and a congenial any uprising under the inspiration of Jack-service. They hastened to Price's standard son's Proclamation and Price's orders. Colo- in great numbers, having ground from their nel Salomon's regiment now followed, when "Arkansas tooth-picks" the blood-stains of ADDRESS OF GENERAL LYON. 279 Lyon's Address. Kansas settlers, to prepare them for fresh | traordinary provisions for the duty in their old cause-the cause of revo- purpose of effecting their cherlution and slavery. The Governor and his ished object-the disruption of the Federal Governforces debarked at Booneville, near which ment. The bill provides for an obligation to the preparations were at once taken for defense. State, on the part of all persons enrolled under its provisions, irrespective of any obligation to the Lyon's rapid movements compelled the rebels United States, when the Constitution requires all to great exertions. The country along the State officers to take an oath of allegiance to the river, from Booneville to the Kansas border, United States. This of itself is a repudiation of all was strongly secession, contributing men and authority of the Federal Government, whose Conprovisions for the Governor's camp. Above stitution is the supreme law on the part of the State that it again became loyal, owing doubtless Government, its officers, and such citizens as might to its close proximity to Kansas and Iowa. choose to adopt the provisions of the bill, and, Colonel Curtis' sudden appearance at St. Jo- coupled as it was, on the part of the Legislature and seph, with his Iowa volunteers, also had the Governor, with declarations hostile to its authomuch to do in confirming the faith of the rity and in sympathy with those who were arrayed loyalists. Colonel Bates' First Iowa volun- in a condition of actual hostility against it, could leave no doubt of its object to carry out the proteers were distributed along the line of the visions of this extraordinary bill, having in direct North Missouri Railway to protect its pro- view hostilities to the Federal Government. It was perty and to be within easy supporting disso denounced by General Harney, who charactertance. These dispositions of Federal forces ized it as a Secession ordinance in his proclamation confined Jackson's hope of immediate co-op- of 14th of May last. That proclamation, doubtless, eration to the region round about Booneville. gave rise to an interview between General Harney After reading the proclamation of Jackson and General Price, that resulted in an agreement (see page 166), Lyon prepared an address, which it was hoped would lead to a restoration of tranwhich was published on the 17th. It gave quillity and good order in your State. That a repudiahis version of his relations with the Gover- tion of the military bill, and all efforts of the militia nor, and also announced the War Depart-the agreement, was shown as well by this procla ment's instructions under which he had acted and intended to act. This important and well-written document it is necessary to give at length, since it is the brief of the whole Federal action in Missouri: To the Citizens of Missouri: "Prior to the proclamaLyon's Address. tion issued by Governor Jackson, of date of June 12th, it is well known to you that the Governor and Legislature sympathized with the rebellion movements now in progress in the country, and had adopted every means in their power to effect a separation of this State from the General Government. For this purpose, parties of avowed Secessionists have been organized into military companies throughout the State, with the full knowledge and approval of the Governor. The establishment of encampments in the State at an unusual period of the year, and authorized for an indefinite period, could have had no other object than the concentration of a large military force, to be subjected to the provisions of the military law then in contemplation, and subsequently passed-a bill 80 offensive to all peaceable inhabitants, and so palpably unconstitutional, that it could be accepted by those only who were willing to conform to its ex of the State under its provisions, was the basis of mation of General Harney immediately preceding it, as by a paper submitted to General Price, containing the preliminary conditions to an interview with him. "This agreement failed to define specifically the terms of the peace or how far a suspension of the provisions of the military bill should form a part of it, though, from the express declaration of General Harney at the time of the conference, as well as from the foregoing paper, a suspension of any action under the bill until there could be a judicial determination of its character by some competent tribunal, must in good faith be regarded as a fundamental basis of the negotiation. "Nevertheless, immediately after this arrangement, and up to the time of Governor Jackson's proclamation inaugurating complaints of attempts to execute the provisions of this bill, by which most exasperating hardships have been imposed upon peaceful, loyal citizens, coupled with persecutions and proscriptions of those opposed to its provisions, have been made to me as Commander of the United States forces here, and have been carried to the authorities at Washington, with appeals for relief, from the Union men of all parties of the State who have been abused, insulted, and, in some instances, driven from their homes. Lyon's Address. "That relief I conceive it to | ly occur, and unhappy consequences should follow, be the duty of a just Gov- I would hope that all aggravation of those events ernment to use every exertion in its power to may be avoided, and that they may be diverted give. Upon this point the policy of the Government from the innocent and may fall only on the heads is set forth in the following communication from the of those by whom they have been provoked. department at Washington: "ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Į 466 Brigadier-General W. S. HARNEY, sas, 666 "In the discharge of these plain but onerous duties, I shall look for the countenance and active cooperation of all good citizens, and I shall expect them to discountenance all illegal combinations or organizations, and support and uphold, by every lawful means, the Federal Government, upon the maintenance of which depend their liberties and the perfect enjoyment of all their rights. 44 (Signed,) N. LYON, "Brigadier-General United States Volunteers, Commanding.” The Battle of Booneville. Commanding Department West, St. Louis: "Sir: The President observes with concern that notwithstanding the pledge of the State authorities to co-operate in preserving the peace in Missouri, loyal citizens in great numbers continue to be driven from their homes. It is immaterial whether these outrages continue from inactivity or indisposition on the part of the State authorities to prevent them. It is enough that they continue, and it will devolve on you the duty of putting a stop to them summarily, by force under your command, to be aided by such troops as you may require from KanIowa and Illinois. The professions of loyalty to the Union by the State authorities of Missouri are not to be relied upon. They have already falsified their professions too often, and are too far committed to secession to be admitted to your confidence, and you can only be sure of their desisting from their wicked purposes when it is not in their power to prosecute them. You will, therefore, be unceasingly watchful of their movements, and not permit the clamors of their partisans and opponents of the measures already taken, to prevent you from checked the river to seek for the Secessionists, ing every movement against the Government, how ever disguised, under the pretended State authority. The authority of the United States is paramount, and whenever it is apparent that a movement, whether by order of State authority or not, is hostile, you will not hesitate to put it down. "(Signed,) L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General." "It is my design to carry out these instructions in their letter and spirit. Their justice and propriety will be appreciated by whoever takes an enlightened view of the relations of the citizens of Missouri to the General Government. Nor can such policy be construed as at all disparaging to the rights or Lyon landed at Jefferson City on the morning of the 15th, where several additional transports soon arrived with troops from St. Louis. Having installed Colonel Boernstein as Military Governor, on the afternoon of the 16th he proceeded up the river in three steamers with his troops, consisting of the regiment of Colonel Frank Blair, one half of Boernstein's men, several companies of regulars and a detachment of regular artillery, under command of Captain Totten. This force reached Rockport on the morning of the 17th, and immediately cross whose encampment was four and a half miles below Booneville, on the Missouri river. Governor Jackson and Price had their head-quarters at Booneville; and, on the morning of the 17th, had about three thousand five hundred half-armed men awaiting their orders. Informed of the rapid approach of Lyon, Jackson and Price resolved not to make a stand, and had (on the 16th) ordered the State Guards to disband; but, the appearance of Lyon on the 17th arrested the unsettled movements of the disconcerted rebels dignity of the State of Missouri, or as infringing in and compelled them to fight or surrender. any sense upon the individual liberty of its citizens. Price, being sick, retired from all conduct of The recent proclamation of Governor Jackson, by which he has set at defiance the authorities of the affairs. Colonel Marmaduke, then in command at the camp, resolved to fight. Hoping United States, and urged you to make war upon them, is but a consummation of his treasonable pur- to surprise the National troops ere they could poses, long indicated by his acts and expressed land from their transports, the rebel Colonel opinions, and now made manifest. If, in suppress- started for the landing (some two miles be ing these treasonable projects, carrying out the low) only to meet Lyon at the head of his policy of the Government and maintaining its digni- force, moving in good order direct for camp. ty as above indicated, hostilities should unfortunate- | Skirmishing followed, when the State ad |