The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-23
SOUTHERN SOLDIERS MURDEREp

y letter from Tupelo dated September 1. gives
the particulars of the murder, under Federai or.
der, Of Col. L. Mccullough and fifteen gucrrillas,
at kirksrille, Adair county, Mo. 1t says
| Ual. Mccullough was a prominent citizen of
!, the State, and returned afterthe battle Of Elk
horn to his home to raise regiment, being daily
commissioned by Major Genera Price as re.
/ crultng officer. His instructions at the time
, were to qnletly raise bis command aud occasion
no warfare until the return of our army for the
/ protection OF the citizens of the State. After
/ having raised his command, Col Mccullough
learned Of the authorization Of partisan warfare by
the Secretary of War, and joined his command
with that of Porter and Quantrel, defeating the
enemy at many points in the State, aud capturing
sufficient arms for volunteers as they joined the
pan tisan band, the successes of which, under the
leadership Of Quantrell and Porter, have so fire.
quen:ly reached US Of late. Encouragement by
constant and repeated successes was given the
people OF the State, who arose by hundreds and
welngh rid their State Of Federal despotism
The 'head aud front" of Col McCulough's of
feuding the leading of his gallant band sue
cessiuy against the Yankee forces chiefly com
posed OF Dutch militia, overrunning the State
Mccullough unfortunately got separated from his
command, and was captured by the Federal forces
under Col. John Mcneil, who forthwith summon
ed drum-head Court Martial and sentenced tho
daring partisan to be shot traitor in arms and
rebellion against the United States, aud State Of
Missouri
Mccullough died rcsolutely, only asking one
boon from his murderers, that of giving the word
when to fire. The bastard hirelings were over
come by craven fear and trembling, when they
beheld their victims resolution in the face of the
King of Terrors, and most of their discharges
over-toppcd the head Of the devoted patriot, one
bullet alone doing the murdcrous execution, ex-
tln9ulshlnS till eternity the iitiu light ofhm who
hoped to shine on the pinnacle of renown, shroud-
lug 1t In Oblivion forever. Bat the numbering of
Il Confederate officer is not all-indeed it is but a
prelude. On the day previous to AlcCuough's
execution, fifteen gucrrias, accused Of breaking
their paroles, were shot by the order Of Court
Martial assembled by Col John Mcneil Of the
Federal army. These men were not accused Of
having been captured and pnroled, but Of having
broken parole administered against their will
when they were pcaeeablc, unarmcd citizens.
The crimson gore OF our murdered fellow citizens
cries aloud Tor vengeance. Horrible, oh, most
horrible, are the hellish deeds perpetrated by our
Toe IN the name of Union, liberty and freedom.
Ani all former sacrifices were not enough Still
another must be numbered among the many who
have fallen, and yet another added to the hecatom5
Of outraged, murdered Southrons, ruthessly slain
for loving liberty more than life. Shall our Gov
ernmcnt offer no protection to its citizens deal
out no vengeance upon their murderers practice
no retaliation make few inefficient and INSULT
clent threats, and pass these outrages by? Let
steps at once be taken to hold prisoners now in
our hands accountable for the death Of these cti-
zens Of Missouri and let our Government show
that it ddrcs to retaatc.
In this case the proofs are open and palpabe.
The Union press OF Missouri announces the killing
Of the guerrillas and Mccullough, and, while
forced to an acknowledgement of his high moral
charCtGr and the prOnri-
ETY. and justice of the execution. IF further evil
lence is needed that the act approved by the
Government, we have it in the appointment, one
week after, Of Mcneil, the murderer, to be
Brgadier-General. Action, instant action, is de-
nanded and expected from the Government of
The Confederate States for the better protection Of
It's citizens who have taken up for its ssupport