Price's Raid — Local Civil War Coverage

The Militia Called Out

From The Independent, Oskaloosa, Kansas, October 15, 1864

The recent call for the entire militia of the State to turn out for the defense of Kansas against threatened invasion, has been promptly responded to by the loyal masses of the State; and as we now write, thousands of brave men are on their way to meet any invador who may venture to enter our territory. Whether Price* will try coming to Kansas or not, remains to be seen; if he does there will be hot times.

Most of the men thus suddenly called away, have left everything at home in an unsettled condition. Many families are left without provisions; crops are unprotected, and business everywhere suspended. We trust that long before the 30 days are ended, old Price will be thoroughly whipped, and his horde of murderers be cut to pieces.

The rebels even at Richmond, are expecting much from this invasion of Missouri by Price, but we hope they will all be signally disappointed, and old Price himself come to the miserable end of a traitor.

*Confederate Major General Sterling Price, former governor of Missouri, commanded the Missouri State Guard in 1861 and was commissioned by the Confederacy in 1862. In fall 1864, he launched a major cavalry raid into Missouri from Arkansas. He was defeated at the Battle of Westport, October 23, 1864. He retreated through Kansas, pursued by Union forces and meeting defeats at Marais des Cygnes, Mine Creek, Marmiton River, and Newtonia.

 

Price’s Defeat — Its Results

From The Independent, Oskaloosa, Kansas, October 29, 1864

The strategic situation in the west in 1864.

Most of our readers have learned of the defeat of Price already, and we need only say that he was badly whipped, that his plunder had to be abandoned; his cannon were captured, his trains were taken or burned; and he and his followers had to make their escape as best they could, minus the booty they had loaded themselves with, and expected to carry off. Our troops, regulars and militia, did glorious fighting. Cols. Jennison and Moonlight were the heroes of the volunteers on our side, and Gen. Pleasanton on the part of Rosecrans army.** All our officers and men did nobly. At latest advices Price was making for the lower country with all the speed he could, followed by our men, who were continually slaughtering the rebels.

This is all glorious news, but the best of it is, that the defeat of Price will send dismay to Richmond, and all through rebeldom. The rebel leaders expected much from the invasion of Missouri. It was confidently believed that tens of thousands would flock to the standard of Price from Missouri, Illinois and other States, members of the secret order of treason known as Sons of Liberty. But they didn’t come, and the rebels will see that their Northern allies are too cowardly to depend upon — that their treason is all in the heart and the word, and not with the sword; and their great hopes will fall. Good.

**Colonels Charles Jennison and Thomas Moonlight led brigades under Major General Samuel R. Curtis, who commanded the forces of the Department of Kansas. Union Major General Alfred Pleasonton commanded the District of Central Missouri under Union Major General William S. Rosecrans, overall commander of the forces of the Department of the Missouri.

(“Despite the misspellings, the cities of Pleasanton, California, and Pleasanton, Kansas, are both named after Alfred Pleasonton.”)

For more information about the Kansas militia and the role of Jefferson County residents in the Civil War, see Jefferson County Jayhawkers and Forgotten Freestaters.

These articles appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1989.