Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-12-04
The Rebel Leaders in Missouri.

!.
names Of two men as rebel leaders have
become more prominently associated with
the secession cause than any other. They
fought conformity the battle OF Springfield,
and won It,. After that they separated,
AMI are reported again as having Joined
their forces for final effort against Ere,
mont. These two men are totally differ
ent in their mental organizations. One
of them is really General of fine natural
capacity ; tho other mere partisan lea,
der. The tmmer is Gen, Sterling Price,
who is now the senior officer Of the reb'
els in front Of the column Of Union troops
as it advances into southwestern Missouri.
/ Flushed with the victory over Lyon at
Springfield, by rapid march northward
he passed all the main positions of the
Union troops, and struck successful
blow at Lexington. There lie took Col
Mulligan, with full two thousand Union
! troops.
Gen, Prices experience as military
leader began actively with the Mexican
war. lie was one Of the appointments
made by Brigadierships by President Polk
from civil life. Up to that time his pur-
suits had been confined to the peaceful.
unless his attendance upon militia mus
ters and hoidInG a harmless rank in their
ranks be taken as an evidence Of proclyi-
ty to human slaughter.
Price, in pursuance of the comman !
assigned him, headed column Of wes-
tern troops in 1913, by way Of New Mexi.
co and FL Paso, into the States OF C1ha-
hula and chihuahua, Indeed he had
succeeded Gen. Kcarney, of the regulars,
in command Of the Department OF New
Mexico, after the latter had pressed for
ward to California. lie crossed the Jor-
nGdo del Muerto (journey o! death) as the
! immense desert in the southeastern part
Of New Mexico is called, and occupied
Chihuahua one month after he left SLntate.
! He started in pursuit Of the enemy, sta
toned in force aJ Santa Cruz dc las RO-
sales, sixty miles from the cepItal Of the
State, or the morning Of the Sth Of March,
! 1913, 0ni reached their position at day
( light on the morning Of the 9th. lie
seems, therefore, gifted with the faculty
of attaining distances as well rs Fremont
! lie pcriJrmed the march at the head OF
/ 2jO mounted men-a march which, for
| the ,iue 1t lasted, was quite equal to Ere.
mont's from San Jose TO Los Angelo. Af-
ter the delay necessary to bring up his
artillery, he attacked the town on the 10th
/ of MAJ ch, anI continued the siege against
/ a greatly superior numerical force until
/ the enemy, commander and al, sumcn-
/ deyed uGcondItionally.
| After returning to Missouri, he became
the democratic candidate for Governor,
/ and served four years as chief magistrate
/ Of that State. v hen the recent outbreak
against the government occurred, he be.
came "Claib" Jackson's Chief OF the "State
Guards, and, as such, still makes his re-
ports to the alleged Governor Of Missouri
Once, when Benton was addressing .
missouri audience, Sterling Pnce inter
rupted the "Old Roman" The latter
turning upon him in the majesty of his
, lionine wrath, said:
You'll yet be hanged for treason
"Old Bullion'S' prophecy seems likely
to be fulfilled.
Price is fully fifty-fye years of age. the
possessor OF q most massive frame with
/ hair and beard originally red, he presents
now singular shock OF both gray and red
intermingled.
The other consociate rebel leader tC
whom allusi5n was made above is ben
Mccullough, better known us Major o
the Texan Rangers thaI in any Other
character. lie first obtained celebrity al
the leader of band Of scouts which were
employed to defend the region Of country
which lies north and west of San Antonio
from the incursons of Indians, outlaws
and Mexican marauderS. For years an.
terror to the outbreak Of the Mexican wal
he had been known upon the frontier as
reckless dauntess, AID intrepid. lie
learned to love the "man-hunt OF tho prai'
ries." lie had many an injury and un'
forgotten wrong to avenge upon 'ihe mix
ed breeds, the unworthy successors of the
Aztecs and of Cortez." The disasters oi
Mier, Loredo. end Santa Fe, were to be
wiped out. No better opportunity could
| be afforded thpn in war backed by the
| immense resources of the United States.
Hence he seized with avidily the oppor,
tunity Of enlistng his company IN Gen.
! Henderson, regiment of Texan Rangers.
! In that regiment he served for SIX months,
ane after their term of service closed he
re.enlisled company, and remained up
on Gen. Taylor's line until after the bat
tie OF Buena Vista
Before that battle was fought and won
special and extraordinary service was re-
qured Of the enterprising officers of that
column Maj. Gaines and Cassius NJ. Clay
were taken at Enclrnaclon. Capt. Head
lev, at the head of a detachment of Yell
Arkansas cavalry, was taken No scout
ing party seemed able 20 return. Even
Col. May, with detachment Of four hum
dred men, returned without any definite
information in regard to the numbers ol
disposition of the forces of Santa Anna.
Ben Mccullough, with few men, was
sent out to reconnoitre to obtain what was
wanting g-infornIatioa. lie sent lack all
his men, retaining only one man, and cne
tered .he lines alone--the enemy being
encamped at the scene ofGane's disaster.
| Next day he returned with fall informa-
tion of the number of the enemy, of his
guns. cavalry, and munitions of war. Tbs
caused GEN. Taylor to fall back at once
from Aqua Nueva 10 Buena Vista. In .he
battle Mccullough bore brave and gal