The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-01-07
THE SOUTHWEST EXPEDI-
TON.
Extracts..F From the Diary Of Sol
der Boy Before the War.

The history of bleeding Kansas
| is familiar to every one, but the
Southwest Expedition" is remem.
bered by very few. Is was organized
| in the fall Of 1860, and composed Of
two or three companies Of Missouri
State troops, and the object was to
protect the western portion of the
State from the depreciation of one
Montgomery, who WAS represented as
desperate character. and reported "a
be harryiug the inhabitants Of por'
lion of the State. Our reporter recent
" came across the diary of q young
volunteer. then eighteen years Of age,
who travelled with the expedition and
took notes of what he saw. A few
extracts from this diary may interest
the reader.
THE START.
We left St. Louis on Sunday. No
vember %, 1860, on the Southwest
Expedition against one Montgomery
md q band OF outlaws who are
threatening our own State and are
LAYING waste the thinly- settled border
e Eastern Kansas; but rumors can
not be relied on, and We will have tn
% and Judge for ourselves. x =
One o'clock Sunday found US rolling
ut of the great metropolis Of the
West-possibly never to return again.
We had very pleasant trip on the
Pacific Railroad, and after q twenty
four hours ride landed, in q rain.
torn, at Smithton. After paradinp
.ar two or three hours. we started aud
drew up at q beautiful camping
ground. about four miles from Smith
ton, which was called ''Camp Gentry"
The evening was spent in providing
the troops with suitable blankets.
| clothing, etc. On Wednesday, the
18th, we left Gentry, and after hard
| laws march of twenty miles, halted at
at Camp Stewart, named after our
Governor.
Left Stewart on the 29th, which,
being Thanksgiving day. We marched
only Eve miles. Parsons afterwards
Secretary of State) prepared dinner.
which consisted of a shoulder of pork.
corn bread and fried potatoes. and
seemed to me the finest meal l ever
ate.
Thursday, November 30-Started
at half.past g.; marched seventeen
miles; stood it very well; loud reports
in regard to the doings of Mont
gomery; report says he has 600 men
waiting for us on this side the line.
The country people are greatly de
lighted at the sight of US. Scott
came up and brought US something
to eat never relished anything 60 in
all my life it was country pie crust
one inch thick, and not cooked in the
middle. / have come to the con-
clusion that if l ever do get back
again will know how to appreciate
the blessings Of home.
Saturday, December Made an
early start, marched thirteen miles.
and camped three miles from Clinton,
Henry County. Gen. Fcost com
plimented the brigade on their sue
cesstul march. Many conflicting
reports in regard to Montgomery; be
is said to be thirty-6ve miles ahead
with 800 men. all equipped and In
fighting condition. .
Sunday, December 1.-Remained
all day at Camp Henry observed the
Sabbath well as possible; drilled
at 10 /; practiced target shooting at 3.
NV motto is: Never give up.
Monday, ID. Tents were struck
at 8 marched fifteen and q half miles
BY 2 o'clock. Feel better; managed
by my good looks to get a glass of
milk and q slice of bread at farm
house tasted awful good. Lady of
the house must have fallen in love
with me, she treated me SO we'll she
was the best-looking woman l saw
after leaving St. Louis. Jim received
a letter from home to-day made me
blue. 1t is now snowing. The boys
are all eager for the fray. Great
events may be expected in . few
days.
Tuesday. 4th-Our First-Lieu-
tenant, Sol. Scott. was accidentally
shot in the leg, and started for nome
with a squad of men. Received q
dispatch from Gen. Frost, who is few
miles ahead. Montgomery is At
Mound City. with 300 men. strongly
Slipped out Of the camp
and went to Pspinsville and got sup
per; did not cost me q cent met
hospitable lady and gentleman, who
me kindly.
Wednesday. 5th-Slipped out Of
camp before daylight; got breakfast
and something to warm me up.
Marched all day, aud camPed il.
wOods. Picket guard mounted.
Thursday. 6th-Marched six miles (;
now in six miles of the place wher. |
Montgomery is reported to be
at Mound City. Gen.
Harvey is marching toward Mont
gomery.
Friday, 7th-Slept on our arms for
the last two nights. About IL o'clock
today the whole camp was thrown
into confusion men ordered out
squipped and in fighting condition, one
If the grandest scenes ! ever saw. The
prairie was ablaze for miles. 1t was
,et on fire in four places at once. The
did it. They thought
hey could burn our camp.
Monday. 1Oth-Struck tents and
.urned our faces homeward, the boys i
III 10 high glee at the idea of going
,ome. Marched eighteen miles
cached the town of Butler.
The diary concludes on the 10th.
vhen the expedition arrived at St.
louis, without having found Mont
,omery. The writer saws: "Taking