Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-10-02
BATTLE OF THE OSAGE.
CAPTURE OF MARMADUKE, MIS-.
sOURI'S PRESENT GOVERNOR.
A Federal Captains Account Of tho
Fight-A Charge Led by Rider
on a White Horse.

A Federal Captains Account Of tho
Fight-A Charge Led by a Rider
on a White Horse.
The 'Battle of the Usage" was fought
In the latter part of October, 1854.
There were two engagements, one in the
morning and one in the afternoon.
During the morning fight the present
Governor of Missouri, General Marina
duke, was taken prisoner. was par
ticipator in the charge made by the
Union forces, and an eyewitness of his
capture, although his identity was not
known for half an haur afterward. The
country for miles in the. Usage re-
gion is unbroken prairie; the ground un.
dulating; the hills and hollows seeming
to run parallel. 1t was, therefore, a
model battle ground, and, in reading the
accounts of the English campaign in the
Soudan, was reminded wildly of our
pursuit of the Confederates through Mis-
souFi.
Just after crossing the dry bed of the
Usage River, we heard skirmishing, and
soon came in sight of the enemy, formed
in line of battle, and waiting for us. 1
was Captain of Company H, Tenth Mis-
souri, Cavalry; Col. Bentine, commander,
and General Pleasanton, Brigade Com
mander. My position was on the lett,
aswe drew up in line. During my four
years service had seen some very close
quarters. But never had seen 5000
horsemen drawn up in battle array, and
the sight was certainly thrilling one. /
believe am safe in saying that since the
battle of the Pyramids in Egypt, modern
warfare had not seen the like. The
enemy were well supported by their
tervening space | could see the mouths
of the cannon. While we sat on our
horses waiting for orders, Generals
Pleasanton and Curtis came riding down
between the lines AS they passed me
heard Pleasanton say: "We must come
together now." These words, and the
ominous looks of the cannon, assured me
that serious moment was at hand.
had $500 about me, and put it into an
official envelope. then directed it to my
sister, and gave it to our surgeon, with
the request to forward it in case of my
death, or as the boys were in the habit
ofsaying, in case I did not come out. :"
At last the bugle sounded the charge.
The long lines surged in and out, but no
advance was made.
Again the bugle rang out on the still
air. and again the lines wavcred.
Then suddenly rider on white horse
burst through the ranks and rode at the
foe. Like an avalanche we followed.
In the excitement every fear vanished,
and we rode through the enemy's ranks,
dispensing them right and left They
had fired one volley and had no time to
reload
Their right wing was completely cut
off from the main body and surrounded.
Having no other alternative they sur
rendered, and we were soon busy dis
mounting them and hurrying them to
the rear. On my way back with crowd
of prisoners, we met General James Lane
going to the front. He stopped, and
pushing his way through the crowd of
guards and prisoners, walked up to a
tall, fne-looking Confederate, held out
his hand, and said: "How do you do,
General Marmaduke?" The man shook
his hand, warmly. and after few
WOANo oahhCo away
taking General AIarmaduke with
him. When taken General Marina
duke had on his hat star and crescent.
At the time no one knew him, and Colo
mel Bentine noticing the ornaments cut
them from the hat as trophies of war.
The star when last heard from was in a
museum in Chicago. General Marina
duke had no insignia Of Office from which
he could be distinguished from the com
mon soldiers, havingsh simple gray uni
form and large slouch hat. l have
never learned who the rider on the white
horse was that led the charge other than
that he was staff officer.
The Confederates made a stand again
in the afternoon, forming in squares, but
could not stand before our onslaught,
and again retreated. That night horses
and men lay down and slept together. So
utterly worn out were they that no one
thought of eating; going to sleep was SO
much easier. r.-DetrOit Free Press