The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-09-21

~ Wouiu oC ~ w c0S INV "hS AHS
by charging. General Mulligan, who
commanded the fort, also knew that
surrender was inevitable, and neither
side fought with any desperation,
though there we're gallant deeds on
both sides. The federals had but little
water, which was soon exhausted. On
the evening of the 18th a number OF
them cut their way through the confed-
crate line, rode to the river, watered
their horses and themselves and re-
turned. The Tilton Davis house, which
was the federal hospital, was captured
by the confederates, but the federals
rallied and r%ccaptured it. The hottest
work of the battle was done in the cap
ture and recapture of the hospital, and
a majority Of the men killed on both
sides were killed in this enterprise.
On the 18th, General Sturgis, with
his command, 1900 cavalry, united
with Jim Lane and Montgomery, who
had three or four thousand troops, and
threatened to cross the river at Lexing-
ton to reinforce M%ulligan. Gen. Price
sent .'Old Davy Atchison'' and Col.
Saunders to sssboo" them away. They
went in a hurry, scarcely making q
show of q fight. The river was high,
water and was all over the muddy bot
tom lands.
1t was at the battle of Lexington that
the value of movable breastworks was
discovered. No matter who originated
the idea, it worked; that's the one
thing Of importance In war. The con
federates went into McGrew's ware
house and took "a bales of hemp, each
bale weighing about four hundred
pounds. Three men behind a bale
could roll 1t anywhere. A mimic ball
had no effect on it, and the artillery
could not be depressed to do any SER
vice without exposure of the gunners,
which meant sure death. With their
guns in one hand they crawled, rolling
the hemp In front, till they were
actually beneath the federal breast
works.
Clark's battery took up a position
immediately in front of the residence
now occupied by the family of DR.. G.
w. Young, commanding q clear view
of the front of the college. Lesueur's
battery at one time had q position be-
tween the Baptist church and the Com
mercial hotel. This position was after
wards occupied by Guibor's battery.
1t was a case of .'give and take"
Every man moved his gun wherever he
pleased, without orders, and the infan-
Try wandered around hunting places
where they could shoot into the fortifi-
cations. The hills north of the fort
were then covered with heavy timber,
and it was not uncommon to find men
in tree tops trying to get q shot at the
Sometimes the enemy discov-
cred these hiding places aud made the
tree tops Too shot" for Johnny.
Joe Christy, now Of Odessa, was
wounded near the residence Of C. o.
Grimes. The family of Mr.. James
cav him bleeding and took
him in. Miss Lizzie Clowdsley, now
Mrs. j. r. Eckle, took OF one of her
skirts to make HANDBAGS for his wounds.
Twenty-Five hundred pounds Of pow
der was stored in the basement Of the
A hot shot from Clark's bat
terry Knocked . hole in the front steps
and entered the basement, striking
three feet of where this powder
was stored. All the batteries were
to ire the building, but the fed
erals had shovel men at work throwing
out the red hot balls.
On the evening OF the third day,
Goth, the white flag was OBJ
and in half an hour more the
was complete. General Null
|igan surrendered $3.50 men, q large
number Of horses and o good stock of
military supplies, including arms, am
munition, and Q little of everything
by an army. There was $780,
300 Of money In the fort, which had
been taken from the Farmers bank, Of
Lexington. This was delivered to the
bank officers by Gen. Prise.
Looking back st this battle, after
more severe conflicts, we are apt to
underestimate its importance. At that
lime q defeat would have disorganized
Ill the confederate forces IN Missouri.
Half clad, poorly fed, badly armed,
he raggad Missourians made three
successful fights against drilled troops.
The battle OF Lexington encouraged
hem to believe that. our officers were
Ill Napoleous, and the soldiers were
How time flies! 1t has been thirty
tour years since these events were
into my memory. The sword
has been beaten into the plow-share,
he angel Of peace has settled over our
and; the ex-federal and the ex-con-
are the best Of friends. Our
IONS and daughters marry and inter,
marry, and scarcely know on which
side the parents Of the other party
during the . Come with
me, you old federal soldier land let us
review the old battle ground.
Here stood the old boarding house,
used y . hospital after the battle; here
the kind hearted ladies of the city, with
ont regard to politics, brought soups and
to your wounded. See the
water-tower, standing about the middle
Of your old fort. See the beautiful
on the east, which show
such signs of peace, comfort, luxury.
See the old building, which after the
war vas given to the state by tine
and by the state was given to
the Methodist church. See the mag
ni6cent front which the Methodists
have erected, and here 10 where they
expect to make Q $50, 900 addition
soon. These old walls which have
listened to q chorus Of three thousand
voices singing "Marching
through Georgia." now daily hear
choice bits of melody from dainty
throsts; they hear the tinkle Of
. dozen pianos; they hear some one
read, s'For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son to die
for MS" and they near that old, old,
yet ever new song, praise God, from
whom all blessings how."
The Battle Of Lexington celebration wa
. grand affair. About 10000 people wers
In Lexington yesterday. and they were
entertained. Every train ives
packed with citizens. Every road led to
and hundreds OF vehicles
brought to the city the citizenship Of the
county. 1t was q grand day. The weather
was - good - could be hoped for. and
better than was expected. Every breeze
kissed thoussnds Of national days, a. they
were u~piprlsd from svsry home and bust
ness house. The four bands arrived early