Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-11-11
The Centralia Massacre.

Joseph Herald; 15t H@ @0tH
From an eye witness, a gentleman from
Indiana, we learn the horriJle details Of
the Centralia slaughter.
As soon as the train stopped, Anderson
walked TO the platform and ordered the
passengers to march out. Our informant
said Anderson appeared to be man
about five feet ten inches high, rather
slim, black beard, long black hair. inclin-
ed TO curl, and altogether promising
looking man of about 32 years of age.
lie was dressed in Federal soldiers
coat, black pants, and cavalry hat He
ordered the citizens-men, women and
chldren-to march in one direction,
where they were formed in lines two
deep, and those dressed in soldiers
clothes were marched 10 an opposite d.
recton. In getting off the platform, two
of the soldiers hung back, and talked
against obeying orders. They we're shot
by Anderson and tumbled of between the
cars. This had the effect of causing a
stampede Of passengers, who rushed out
OF the cars in great confusion.
There were "a soldiers aboard the
train, belonging TO the 23d, Oath. and the
25th Missouri Infantry. Some were
wounded and sick, returning home on
furlougb, and some were discharged
All the soldiers were formed into line,
aud Anderson walked up and thus ad-
dressed them.
"You Federals have JUS. killed six of
my soldiers, scalped them and left them
On the prairie. am too honorable man
TO permit any man to be scalped, but l
will show you that | can kill men with as
much skill and rapdity as any body
From this time forward ask no quarter
and give none. Every Federal soldier
on whom lay my hand, shall die like
dog. II | get into your clutches expect
death. You are all TO be killed and sent
to he'll. That is the way that every
damned soldier shall b 10 served that
falls into my hands"
Some of the soldiers demonstrated and
declared that they were just from Sher--
mans army, and had nothing whatever
TO do with the killing and scalping of his
men. "You are Federals, and Federals
scalped my men and carry their scalps at
their saddle bows"
A line Of bushwhackers with revolvers
were then drawn up before the soldiers,
who cried and begged for their lives, but
every man was shot. All fell but one
who was shot through the shoulder. He
dashed through the guerrillas, ran
through the line of citizens chased by the
fends, crawled under the cars and from
thence under the depot building. The
building was fred ard he was soon forced
to come out. He emerged from the
smoke and flames, and with club knocks
ed down two of Anderson's men before
they killed him. He fell pierced with 20
bullets. The passengers were then rob-
bed of their watches, jewelry and money.
One young man was on his way 10 St.
Joseph with his mother. He slipped
hundred dollars in greenbacks into his
boot leg, and on demand handed over the
balance. A guerrilla asked him If he
had secreted any money, and he denied
that he had. He was told that be would
be searched and that if any funds were
found on him he would be killed. He
then acknowledged that he had secreted
500 in bis boot, which was drawn off by
the guerrilla, the money obtained, and
the young man shot dead. A gold watch
was found in the boot of German, and
he was instantly killed.