The National tribune., 1884-10-09
SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.
The Terrible Cost of Loyalty in that Section.

To THE EDITOR: Sigel's defeat and retreat
from Carthage, Mo-, July 5, 1861, was the sig
nal for loyal men to leave that section. Many
were brutally murdered at home or en- route to
Kansas, our nearest refuge. There were two
rowing bands of renegade white men and In
dians who came to this vicinity, making Sher-
wood their headquarters. One was led by an
Indian named John Mathews; the other by one
John Miller, white renegade. The latter
company was known as the Dixie Rangers"
These bands with those led by Livingston and
others made up in this and adjoining Counties,
formed pretty strong force-alas too strong for
US, without arms or organization. They over
ran the country, pillaging and numbering with
out asking questions. They followed lot of
refugees to Lightning Creek, near the mouth
of Limestone Creek, and after capturing them
killed Isaac Ireland and several more who had
made their way to that point trying to get to
the Federal lines in Kansas A brave act,
indeed, for some 400 OF 500 armed men to fol-
low about 10 or 20 unarmed ones, and then
hang them after they had surrendered-their
only crime, Loyalty to the Union! Soon after
this Austin Ireland, brother to the above,
was caught with James McLahlan, a brother
in-law, trying to get to Fort Scott, Kan.
Our Circuit Judge, John r. Chenautt by
name, called court near Medoc, away from
the County seat, and went through the
farce of a trial by jury. and condemned
and executed Ireland. McLahlan succeeded
in getting his case left to a vote of the men in
camp. He claimed that he was only out looking
for stock, and saved his life by only one vote.
He finally succeeded in getting to Fort Scott,
and was gallant soldier in Co. G, 9th Kan.
Cav. Then came the Battle of Wilson's
Creek and death of Lyon! Another defeat !!
1t seemed that home was the safest place.
Price then made his way North and captured
Lexington, while Lane, from Kansas, captured
and burnt Osceola, Mo. James NJ. Linn and
another man burnt their mills TO keep the Feds
from getting the use of them. A mill.known
as the Center Creek Mills has been built where
one of the burnt mills formerly was The
other has never been rebuilt. Excitement ran
high. Secession was preached from the pulpit
by the Ministers of the Southern Methodist
and Baptist Churches. and two companies
were made up and led one by Minister of the
Southern Methodist Church and one by aBaptist
Minister. On the 18th of Nov, 1861, Capt.
Greene, with his own and another company of
the6th Kan. Cav, made dash into this vicinity,
striking French Point, (Liyingston's place,
first capturing some of Livingston's men, and
losing One young man named TenneV, son
of DR.. TenneN afterward I'd Asst. Surg, who
was shot by prisoner who was thought to be
disarmed, and died soon after. From there the
two companies pushed On to Sherwood without
loss. The rebels there fed, mostly TO Stand
watie's camp (where Lowell, Kan, now isl,
though one old chief got into an old well and
lay concealed while the Feds {called in Kansas
jay-hawkers) were there. After getting some
more prisoners Capt. G.. started on his return,
and some of his men unfortunately got hold of
some whisky and were captured at the house
of G. ID. Merrick. John Ireland, Wallace and
Joy were brutally murdered. Thus, you see,
they finally murdered the three Ireland
brothers, who had moved with their father,
Abraham Ireland, some years before into our
country from Indiana. They were all quiet,
inohensive men. The old gentleman was SOL
dier in Capt. Seaman's company of the Sd Kan,
which afterward was transferred to the 5th
Kan. Cav, and did good service until discharg-
ed on account of his age. Although Greene
and his men were particular not to go about
the house of any Union person. man or woman,
the rebels had to vent their spite on some one,
and not being able to connect any one else with
Capt G's. movement, they pounced upon poor
John Brown Ia mixed blood Indian and Negro, J
who had been forced to go to Fort Scott for
supplies for his family, and hung him. When
1t was known that John Ireland, Wallace and
Joy had been murdered, the boys, in retalia-
tion, killed FIVE or six prisoners they had COM
plete reign of terror existed. Men were forced
to hide great portion of the time, and fysby
stealth. More than 100 men were killed be-
cause they were Union men within % miles of
this place. and Others whipped nearly to death.
-HUGH L. THOMPSON, Cos G and II, Sd Wis.,
Cav, Carl Junction, No.