The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-05-20
GEN. LYON,
- Confederate Tribute to his BOldnes
at the Famous Planters House
GOnfaranca in 1861

a Confederate Tribute to his BOIdness
at the Famous Planters House
Conference. in 1861
Gath" in the New York Tribune,
has a lengthy interview with Col.
Thomas Snead, IL native of Richmond,
Virginia, but long Il citizen of Missouri,
who WAS member of the Confederate
congress, and at the same time Colonel
| in the field, commanding Ii regiment or
on staff duty. After Il discussion re-
garding the incOmpetency of jefferson
Davis for president OF the Confederacy,
on account of his peculiarities and want
of practical knowledge of men, Col.
Snead proceeds TO say: 81 was very
properly reduced to the ranks by Davis.
was native of Virginia, and feeling
the injury my state suffered because OF
Davis's miserable administration, ] said
one day in public speech, that il would
be great blessing to the country if n
Yankee bali should take that man Davis
from our midst. He was justified in
taking my Colonelcy, and / never
blamed him for it. but those were my
views"
Said /, "Mr. Snead. whom DO you re
gard as the greatest man you ever saw,
in all that war period?'
captain Nathanial Lyon" said
Snead. 'He was the greatest man | eyer
saw in my life. l met him on three
occasions; at the conference between
the Missouri state authorities and him.
self, on the battlefield of Wilsons's
Creek, and when laid him in the grave.
All that happened in the space of about
three months. / buried him by inStruc-
tions from Gen. Price, and l said to my
self, when l put him in the ground,
That is the greatest enthusiast l ever
| saw, and the greatest man."
/ asked Mr.. Snead for an estimate of
Lyons character.
III can't give it." he said. ''The i'm
preston he made on me was derived
| from being present at the Planters
| House, ST. Louis, when Lyon, Frank
Blair, and Lyons officer, Conant, met by
appointment with Governor Claib. Jack
son, Gen Sterling Price, and myself.
l am the only surviving and living wit
ness of that scene in June, 1861.
Lyon was a little red-headed captain
of infantry, stiff, precise and unbending.
| General Price was an old and high Off.
Ger of the Mexican war, had been gov.
ernor of the state, and was one of the
best politicians we had. Claib. Jackson
was one of the best politicians in the
country. Frank Blair, though rather
narrower in qualities than these, was a
very expert manipulation of men. Price
/ iiaU Been tie
| al convention. hut after the capture OF
| Camp jackson, went over the other way
and Joined the governor at Jefferson
CITY. Harvey had Just been removed
and Lyon substituted in his place. Ris
| ing in stiff, stern way, Lyon said: Gov
ern. Mr.. Blair. on this occasion. will
represent my government. whose conf
dence he nossesses i'm an eminent decree
and of whose Intentions lie is informed
| Frank blair then stood m TO urge fhe
| Union cause. hut before he had oonf
| aDv considerable distance. LYON. see
ing he was PLAYING the politlciaD and
not the man. Interfered. He took the
| conversation uD. and never saw i'm nv
life such an exhibition of nIucl, bonee,y
| coolness. and sfatesmansbin Those I'D
nolitirians were turned right ,hont and
confonnded. he never LOST his tc,nner
and wac cool as death Tho otiert
| wanted no invasion of Missouri NV The
Union troons and a SORT of neutr1litv
| AT the last. raising up stit,ly. Lyon said
| before win consent. sir. tbat my gov.
ernment shall agree not To maintain her
| anlLor,fv in Missouri. or shall nav the