Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-04-01
Written tor the Ledger,
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
----
Tho First ssnattIa" III Auarain-SaMe
OF These Who Parttelpated-The
"Audrain County Rangers"


1861 to 1866. hut to rescue from
oblivion a few incidents that have
we'll nigh faded from the memory of
those who were residents of Audrain
during the struggle of a brave PEG
pie for a mistaken idea,
Twenty years have passed away
aimee the last gun was fred at APP
pomattox, and with them all bitter
ness of feeling, and every feeling of
resentment has gone, and We see JUS
tifcation in many things that at the
time appeared unjustifiable under
any circumstances. The incidents
given shall be colored by no exagger-
alton and while the name OF some of
our present respected citizens will,
unavoidabiy, be mentioned, it will
not be in Il way to be offensive to
them or their friends.
At the time when the Southern
States were passing ordinances OF
secession and the tread of armed mon
was heard at the capital Of the ma
ton, Missouri wanted to remain
neutral, and, strange as it may now
appear, able men advocated what
they called an armed neutrality. The
attack on Sumpter and the capture
of Camp jackson forced matters to
an issue, and the inhabitants of Mis-
souri, quickly formed two strongly an
tagonistie parties ready to do much
talking, and some fighting for what
both parties believed to be the cause
of justice, liberty and right.
On a bright Sunday morning the
country was electrified by the news
that the federal soldiers had desecra-
ted the soil of Missouri, and that an
army was advancing from Hannibal
to Mexico, by way Of Florida, Mon
roe county, to arrest all men who
sympathized with the South. The
news was readily believed, for moth
ing was too fanciful for belief then:
and the men rushed to Mexico with
shot guns, rifles, pistols, and one
man had an old musket; how we IN
We'd that mar the treasure he bore.
By noon the town was filled with in
dignant citizens loudly discussing the
outrage. About 2 O'Clock, p. m. a
horseman rode through the streets
anu announced that the boys would
rendezvous at the fair grounds. That
rendezvous resulted in the organiza-
ton of a military company called
the ''Audraln County Rangers"
pledged to protect Audrain county
from all invaders. John G. Muldrow
was elected captain and Immediately
!, ordered the Rangers to march and
r drive the ruthless invaders eff the
, sacred soil of Missouri. By RAPID
marching they reached the neighbor.
hood of Bob Sinclair's in time fol
supper. Here they found the report
f was false and their courage rose il
due proportion and they resolved te
march on and view the ground where
e they had expected to lay the wanda
low. They camped at Clay Prices
the next night and the following day
started on their return in triumph
During their absence a regiment o
United States troops came into Mex
# leo on the Wabash railroad, ther
O known as the North Missouri, an.
the Colonel, after an interview witt
l. the Mayor, A. R. Ringo, and othe
prominent citizens, and finding al
peaceful and loyal, determined t.
take the soldiers to the east of tow
D. and go into camp. This proved a
unfortunate move for Mexico. By
strange fatality the returning Raj
a. gers were nearing Mexico and hear
re- the news of the INVASION, and ais
,e the fact that the cars of soldiers wer
in coming down the railroad. Quick
,e the plan was formed to attack tn
il, train. The Rangers were forme
ID and prepared for the attack. Let m
state here that while it was a ras
act it was a daring one. The trai
moved slowly down, the ears file
to and their tops lined with b~lue-coate
as soldiers. Suddenly the band {
u Rangers moved rapidly to the edg
r of the railroad and the command t
fire rang out from Captain MuIdrow
~ lips, and seventy guns were di'
Id charged at a less distance than thirt
ne PAGES. The nervousness of the boy
prevented the terrible slaughter tbs
might have followed. As 1t was tw
men were killed and a dozen, mere
v less, wounded. The soldiers quick
recovered from their surprise an
a opened a rapid fire that drove th
Rangers back to cover, and caused
Ie separation of the command that WI
Nv fatal to it as they were never reorgal
at lied. The Rangers dispersed SON
went home, some made their ws
South to the confederate army, and
OF few became bushwhackers. None
ne the boys were hurt which was pro
o. idential and shows that the soldie
were as nervous as the Rangers. II
We boys will excuse me for naming a fe
ng of those who formed this, the on
distinctly Audraln county compar
Ill of confederate soldiers: VIM. M
Donald, 1st lieutenant; John
Hayden, End lieutenant; NJ. B. III
no Donald, VIM. Eller, Ben Dobyn