Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-10-14
From the ST. Joseph Hsraid.l
The Centralia Massacre.

We copy the following from the St Joseph
Herald
From An eyewitness, gentleman from Indi-
sns, we learn the horrible details Of the Cen
tralia slaughter
AZ soon Is the train stopped, Anderson
walked TO the platform snd ordered the passen-
gers to march out. Our informant said Ander-
son appeared TO be a man about FIVE feet ten in
ches high, rather slim, black beard, long black
hair. inclined to curl. and altogether promis-
ing looking man Of about 81 years Of age
he was dressed in Federal soldiers coat,
black pants, snd cavalry hat. He ordered the
ciu1ens-men, women. and children-to march
in one direction, where they were formed in lines
two deep, and those dressed in soldiers clothes
were marched in an opposite direction. In get
ting off the platform, two Of the soldiers hung
back, and talked against obeying orders They
were shot by Anderson and tumbled of be-
tween 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, be-
longing TO the 23d, oath, and the 25th Missouri
Infantry. Some were wounded and SICK, re-
turning home on furlough, and some we're dis
charged. All the soldiers were formed into line.
and Anderson walked up and thus addressed
them.
You Federals have just killed SIX Of ny
soldiers, scalped them and left them on the pra-
RE. | AN too honorable man to permit any
nan TO be scalped. but will show you that
can kiil men With much skill and rapidity as
any body. From this time forward / ask no
quarter, and give none. Every federal soldier
on whom put my fingers shall die like a dog.
II get into your clutches | expect death You
are ail to be killed snd sent 10 hell. That !. the
way every damned soldier shall be served who
falls into my hands"
Some Of the soldiers demonstrated and declared
that they were just from Sherman's army, and
had nothing whatever TO do with the killing and
scalping any Of his men. Anderson replied: 81
treat you all as one. You are Federals and Fell
erals scalped my men and carry their scslps at
their saddle bows"
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 wa, shot through the shoul-
der. He dashed through the guerrillss. ran
through the line OF citizens, chased and fired at
by the fends, crawled under the cars and from
thence under the depot building. The building
was fired, and he was soon forced TO come out
He emerged from the smoke and flames, and
with club knocked down two Of Anderson's men
before they killed him. lie fell pierced with "a
bullets The passengers were then robbed -
their watches, jewelry and money
One young man was on his way TO ST. jose ,h
with his mother. He slipped hundred doll &C,
in greenbacks INTO his boot leg, and on dem and
handed over the balance. guerrilla aiked
him If be had secreted any money, and he denied
that he had. He was told that he would be
searched, and IL any funds we're found on. him
he would be killed. He then acknowledge that
he had secreted 500 in his boot, viii 81 VA,
drawn off by the guerrilla. the money Obtainei.
and the Toung man shot dead A golI watch
WAS found in the boot Of a German, and he WAS
killei-