Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-16
DesolatIon of CiyIlWar.

western MlSSOuIi is now IeapluS tno
bitter harvest sown ia outrage and blood
during the Kansas struggle. A letter from
West Point, Missouri, dated Dec. 9th,
gives history of the movements of Col.
Jennisoa and Col. Anthony, and their
commands, for some two weeks, in taking
care of Missouri Secesb. The property OF
rebels in houses, stock, forage and contra
bands was not spared. Dwellings and
wheat stacks were burned, and in several
instances lives were taken when rebels who
had been devasting the houses of Union
men fell into the hands of the Jayhawkers.
On the return of Jennison,s force report
was made Of thirty houses burned, and four
hundred mules, horses and cattle captured.
Anfhony's force con6scated $50 horses
ard mules, d dozen wagons and about
$500 worth of eommissary stores. The
rebels were dam aged to the extent of at
least $4,000 by their march through the
counties OF jackson, Lafayette, johnson
and Cass. Col. E. V. Hurst of Gen.
Prices army, was found at home recruit
ing men for the rebel service. He was
captured and rescue being apprehended he
was instantly killed. At Harrisopville
some fifty men we're brought in and ex-
amined by Col. Anthony. We quote
he description of the process as it illustrates
how the rebels lie themselves into Union
men:
The party was arranged On one side of
a store, Col. Anthony and every man in
favor of the Uuion was directed to move
over TO the south side. Ali moved over
The Colonel then stated that he wished.
every unconditional Union man in favor
of the Administration prosecuting the war
until the rebellion was completely sup
pressed to move over. Every one did. BY
this time Col. Anthony who knew that
some of those in the store had been in
arms against the Government began to
grow angry and drawing out Of his pocket a
list of names, said that he was glad to find
them all unconditional Union men, but he
kne,o that some of them were lying. He
would put the question in another form,
and as be was not there to trifle, any man
who did not respond truthfully would be
shot in five minuets afterwards in the pub
lie square. Now he wanted every man
who had ever taken up arms against the
Government to step to the other side.
Thirteen men went over one of whom
was Capt. Thomas, Commissary Of
Hurstis Regiment, and another an Orderly
Sergeant, of this thirteen most were reieas-
ed because they had not regularly entered
the rebel service and were willing TO take
the oath.
All along the march the evidence of
rebel outrages on Union families were to
be seen, and the letter gives the following
picture of the desolation everywhere made
or witnessed.
A party of rebel guerrillas invaded Linn
county, Kansas near the line, butchering an
old man of 10 years old, and taking a
quantity of stock. Maj. Williams of the
Sd regiment followed in pursuit and burn
ed the houses of Capt. Lands, Glenn and
Jaekman. The first was in command of
the invading party. In his house was
found some of the property taken. All the
stock, ETC., that could be fonnd was taken
the forage burned and the towns of Butler
and Papinsville destoyed.
1 thought that some scenes previously
witnessed bad given me vivid realization
of the horrors of war but nothing brought
them so clearly before my mind as the
country between here and Harrisonvile
and the town of West Point. At Grand
River we found the planking of the bridge
torn up to obstruct our passage but man
aged to re- place them so as to cross. AT
ter leaving this point till we reached camp,
the whole country is one scene of desolation
and misery. We passed through thirty or
forty deserted houses with the evidence Of
hasiy departure about them. Windows
were broken, doors smashed open, fences
down and everywhere the crops ungathered
In one house we found two families the
heads of which had both been killed by
the marauding parties infesting the couu-
try. Only one farm that | saw in that
days ride had gathered an ear of corn.
But desolation eliminated when West
Point was reached. This was formerly
flourishing town of $50 or 200 houses
There is now but one family living in it.
The houses are windowless and doorless
the stores have all been plundered and the
best buildings in the place are used by
| Newgents men as stables. Nothing could
bring up the thing more clearly than this
scene. Harrisonville was hut little better
than this, and to burn a country over does
not leave so sad picture of woe and mis-
cry as this section now presents.
The balance of Col. Jennison's command
under Capt. Meryman moved down the
line to this point. The first eucampmen'
was near West Poiut, the second some
distance from Paolo, at the house of Dick
Berry n notorious rebel. He has left fol
Price. On the front was painted Sc.
cession banner, as also another copy on the
parlor wall inside,
The house was burned to the ground
and the stock taken along. The next two
days of our was march through strong
rebel section along the head waters of the
Blue and Grand rivers. Strong fanking
parties were thrown out under command
of Lieut.. Bostwick in hopes of coming
into collision with guerilla gang under
Marshal. With a good guide the houses oi
of the leading secesh were found and burnt
| ub;la tba;r etooL ,yos drivap off These