Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-11-21

fierce battle in the morning, and tWen-
ty-four hours after could bivouac safely
seventy. five miles from the scene of the
conflict Merrill held command of the
federal forces of northeast Missouri,
a I'd Mcneil of the division to which
Palmyra belonged, Strachan was
provost marshal. "
From the foregoing statements il
will be seen that most of the able bod
led citizens OF Palmyra were, during
the summer of 60, in the army of the
south. a minority of her citizens
espOused the cause OF the Union,
among them an sold settler" who
deemed it his duty to aid his cause by
informing against his former heighbors
and friends, and guiding. parties into
their premises. Indeed he seemed to
hold their lives iii his hands, and he be-
came an obnoxious enemy, who knew
ever, br-i,ath in the country.
Uni III forces occupied the town and
held IN check the surrounding country.
The courthouse was full of prisoners
VIII, ipnged Tor release upon any terms.
One bright September day the dashing
Col. Joe Porter burst suddenly as a
thunderboit upon the town. The
prison v,wncd and gray headed
men, and beardlcss youths, walked out
into the sunlight and enlisted in the
service. \ number of prisoners were
taken by Porter, among them the sold
settler" above mentioned. But this
little army of recruiters was not given
to tarrying long at one place, and
in a few hours was again Oh the march.
Porter was unable to care for his pris-
oners and.released them. All returned
save this one man, this guide and in
former, SO necessary to the federal
forces. An affidavit now on file at the
clerks Office in this place made by Jos
eph Il. Wine, of Marion county, at
that time member of POrter's regi-
ment, states in substance that this man
Alsman was in his presence released by
Porter. that he told Porter that he knew
he had enemies in the camp, and that
he feared TO return. That Col. Porter
then gave him permission to select any
six men 10 convey him TO point o.
safety 1t is said by some that he chose
to remain with Porter, fearing to re
turn. Mcneil was enraged at his alb
sence. and commanded that ten of the
citizens of the county. whom he held a
prisoners, should be shot. One OF these
unfortunate men had several children
and wife, who pleaded piteously fol
his release, So piteously that even tht
:ron heart of Mcneil relented.
young man, Hiram Il. Smith, of Lewis
county, not more than 20 years OF age
it is SAID, volunteered to die instead 0
the doomed man. Certain it is,tha. h
did die in his place, and with the min
other innocent victims, the history o
whose sacrifice hangs an imnovabl
cloud over the very name of Mcneil
clings ever to the name of Palmyra ant
lives sadly in the memories of her citi
Zens who were on that memorable lSt
OF October, silent mourners in thei
sorrow -draped homes.
The body of our hero lies in an hum
BILE resting place in Lewis county, nea
tue home of his boyhood. No nonumen
of marble tells the story of his brav
march into the jaws of death, no poe
sings the grandeur of his soul no histo
rian has gemmed a deathless page wit
his name, but who shall say that in on
household at least, his name is nC
spoken with love and reverence ths
shall be handed down to later gcner,
! tions; and who shall read the pag
whnreon Heavens recording angel ha
. penDed his action until the light {
eternity shall reveal it? TRAVELLER.