Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-01-17
DcsoIasion OF CIvII war.

ter harvest sown in outrage and blood dur
ing the Kansas struggle. A letter from
West Point Missouri, dated Dec. 9th,
gives history Of the movements Of Col.
Jennison and Col. Anthony, and their CON-
msnds, for some weeks, in taking care Of
the Missouri Secesb. The property of reb-
els in houses, stock, forage and contrabsnds
was not spared. Dwellings and wheat
stacks were burned, and in several instances
lives were taken when rebels who had been
devastating the houses of Union men fell
into the hands Of the Jaybawkers. On the
return Of Jennison's force report was made
Of thirty houses burned, aud four hundred
mules, horses and cattle captured Antho-
ny's force confscated 1870 horses and mules,
a dozen wagons, and about $4,000 worth Of
commissary stores. The rebels were dam
aged to the extent of at least $4,000 by
the march through the counties of Jackson,
Lafayette, johnson and Cass. Col. E. V.
Hurst, of Gen. Prices amy, was found at
home recruiting men for the rebel service.
He was captured, and a rescue being ap-
pretended he was instantly killed. AT
Harrisonville, some Fifty men were brought
in and examined by Col. Anthony. We
quote the description OF the process, as il
illustrates how the rebels lie themselves into
Union men: .f .,.I. -.5
The party was arranged on one side Of
a store, Col. Anthony and every man in
favor of the Union was directed to move
over to the south side. All moved over,--
The Colonel then stated that he wished
every ua conditional Union man, in favor
Of the Administration prosecuting tho war
until the rebellion was completely suppress
sed, to move over. Every one did. BY
! this time Col. Anthony, who know that
some of those in the store had been in arms
against the Government began to grow an
CRY, and drawing out of bis pocket list of
names, said, "that he was glad to find them
all unconditional Union men, but he knew
some of them were lying. He would put
the question in another form, and as ho was
not there TO trihc, any man who did not re-
spond truthfully would be shot in five min
uses afterwards in the public 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, Com
missary of Hurst's Regiment, and another
an Orderly Sergeant, of this thirteen most
were released, because they had not regu-
larly entered the rebel service and were
willing to take the oath.
All along the march the evidences Of
rebel ortrages on Union families were to
be seen, and the letter gives the following
picture of the desolation every where made
or witnessed: .t.....
A party of rebel guerrillas invaded Linn
county, Kansas, neart the line, butcheripg an
old man of rs years old, and taking guam
tity Of stock. Major Williams, of tho Sd
regiment, followed in pursuit, and burned
the houses of Capt. Lands, Glenn and Jack
man. The first was in command of the in
vading party. In his house was found
some ofthe property taken. All the stock,
ETC., that could be found was taken, the for
age burned, and the towns of Butler and
Papinsville destroyed t..I, ...,s
l thought that some scenes previously
witnessed had given me vivid realization
of the horrors Of war, but nothing brought
them so clearly before my mind as the coun
try between here and Harrisonville and the
town of West Point. At Grand River we
found the plahking of the bridge torn up tc
obstruct our passage, but managed to re
place them so as to cross. After leaving
this point, till we reached camp, the whole
country is one scene of desolation and mis-
cry. We passed through thirty or forty de-
serted houses, with the evidences of hasty
departure about them. Windows were
broken, doors smashed open, fences down,
and everywhere the crops were uDgathsred.
In one house we found two families, the
heads of which had both been killed by the
narauding parties infesting The county,
Only one farm that saw in that days ride
have gathered an ear Of corn. But the
, desolotion eliminated when West Poin
: was reached. This was formerly afourish
ing town of $50 or 200 houses. There i
now but ono family living in it. Th
houses are windowless and doorless, th
stores have all been plundered, and the bes
buildings in the place are used by New
gents men as stables. Nothing could bring
up the thing moro clearly than this scene
Harrisonville was but little better thar
) this, and to burn country over does no
leave so sad picture of woe and misery
as this section now presents. nd t..e...-
= The balance of Col. Jennison's command
under Capt. Merryman, moved down th'
line to this point. The first encampmon
was near West Point the second. some dis
tance from Paola, at the house of Dicl
Berry, notorious rebel. He had left 70
Price. On the front was painted seces
sion banner, as also another copy on tn
parlor wall inside. .,r|- ~.
The house was burned to the ground
and the stock taken along. The next lw
days Of the march was through.a strong reb
81 section, along the head waters of tn
Blue and Grand rivers. Strong hankinJ
parties were thrown out under comman'
Of Lieut.. Bostwick, in hopes of coming in
to collision with a guerilla gang under Mar
| shall, With good guide the houses of al
the leading secesh were found, and burn
while their stock WAS driven off. Thes
fires were so numerous that all day tn
eastern horizon was redeemed with Oh
blaze. The fankers found the store camp
, barracks, and corral of the Marshall gan
on ono Of tho Grand River branches. i
/ them were evidences of late occupancy
among which were the remains Of q pilcro
! pork, undoubtedly burnt because the ret
= els could not carry il off The place wa