The Van Buren press., 1867-10-11

ton of tue Felrrul authorities, lid more
perhaps THAI anl ting in the whole histo.
nv of our civil troubles 10 Ian the harIes
of rebellion in Missouri, arsi added thous-
anis TO what had before been a most I'M
popular cause in this State Soon after
the capture of Camp Jackson, Gen. Price
made an agreement with Gen. Hsrncy,
then in command here, by which the for
mer guaranteed To keep the peace. Gen.
Harvey, however, was shortly afterwards
superseded by Capt. Lyon, who had been
promoted Brigsdier General. On the
llth of June, 1861, aconference was held
at the Planters House in this city. be
tween Governor Jackson and Gen. Price,
on the one hand, and Gen. Lyon and
others on the other, with the ostenslble
view to the preservation of the peace. Its
result was unsatisfactory TO the State au
thorities who at once returned To Jciier-
son City, and made preparations to resist
what were called the encroachlnents OF
the National power. Gathering many OF
the archives of The government and col
lecting as many men, horses, equipments,
&c, as possible, Governor jackson, ac-
companied by Gen. Price, fled the capi-
tai, the latter issuing approximation cali
ing upon the men of Missouri to ny to
the standard of the State Gen. Lyon
quickly pursued with his troops, and
overlook the State militia at Boonville,
where fJune Isl the lrst battle of the
war occurred. Gen Price was not pres
ent in person, we believe, he having pro-
ceeded to the neighborhood of Fayette,
and only joining his forces after the de-
feat. He was pursued by Colonel Franz
Sigel, whom he encountered at Carthage,
July 5, and, after On engagement Of two
hours, succeeded in opening his obstruct-
ed route and continuing his fight toward
the southern counties of the State. Here
he collected large force, which was
soon after 50 strengthened by Gen, Ben.
McCullough's forces that Gen. Price was
enabled to offer Lyon battle at Springfield,
and succeeded in defeating him. He ad.
vanced further north into Missouri, gain.
ing strength daily, and on September 10th
began the seigc of Lexington by brisk
bombardment of that city. This place
and its garrison of f3,50O men were, after
three days fighting, captured on Scptem-
ber goth. This was the last triumph Of
Gen. Prices Missouri campaign of 1861,
as soon after he was forced TO retreat by
Gen. Fremont aud was subsequently
driven out Of the State by Curtis and
Halleck .
Daring this time Price was not regu'
larly in the Confederate service. On this
expulsion from Missouri he was entered
on the list as Major General and placed
in command Of division Of troops
This division, with that of Van Dorn
was transferred in April, 1862, from Ar
kansas to Corinth, Mississippi, and par.
ticipatei. May o, 1862, in the battle of
Pennington He retreated with the rest
of Beaurcgard's forces from Corinth, and
remained at Tupello, Mississippi, until
the following September, when his divis.
ion, and that Of Van Dorm were moved to
I-u-k-a. Here portion Of Gen. Grants
forces, under Rosecrans, attacked and de.
feated them after hard fight, the South
ern loss left on the field being one thou
sand four hundred and thirty three men.
October 4th, 1862, Price and Van Dorm
attacked Rosecrans in Corinth and met
with a signal repulse. He labored under
this trouble for many months, being idle
for the greater part Of 1853. February
6, 1864, he again assumed command of
the Department Of Arkansas, relieving
Gen. Holmes In the following month
(April l9), he attacked and captured n
foraging train of two hundred wagons
belonging to Gen. Steele's command near
Camden, Ark.
In August, Price was relieved by Gen.
Magruder Of the command ofthe District
of Arkansas. and began his last and most
memorable invasion Of Missouri The
incidents of this disastrous raid are yet
fresh in the minds of the people, and
need no chronological record. The in
vasion was ended by single blow dealt
Price at Newtonia, by Gems. Blunt and
Sanborn, and Price was glad to retreat
Gems. Marmaduke and Cabell were cap.
tured, and the rebel army badly dispers
ed. Price retired to Arkansas where he
collected the remnants Of his corps to
gether, but there was nothing afterwards
at all brilliant in his career, and the
above, we believe includes the main fea.
lures Of his military history. That be
was General of great ability no one car
doubt, yet it does not appear that he was
properly appreciated at Richmond, ow
ing, perhaps, to Jefferson Davis avowet
distrust OF officers who could not boas
a military education
There was no commander in the Soutl
so popular with his troops and the peo
pie as General Price. There was always
something In his character which attract
cd to him the affection of those by whom
he was surrounded. In person he wa'
dignifed and solderly. His face wa'
lighted up with benevolence and kind
ness, for with all the mistake of his life
he had good, warm impulsive, gener
Gus heart. Disappearing o'so much o
A A l. 4.