The National tribune., 1897-01-28

In June 1861, the rebels and Southern
sympathizers raised their rebel flag at the
southeast corner of the Courthouse Square,
and guarded the same with shotguns. Its
life was of short duration, for Col. Hecker
and his brave men soon laid 1t to the
ground. II ever a city was cleared of rebels,
st. Charles was by Heckers men. After
this. repeated threats were made to invade
the city ofSt Charles by such guerrilla chief
tains as Anderson, Cobb, Porter. and Hen
derson, who roamed through the Counties of
Lincoln, Galloway, and others adjoining.
These guerrillas had large gangs of men at
their command, and were noted for their
robbery and plumber. and their murder of
many good, honest and upright Union
man, simply because he differed with them.
Besides Capt. Hoven's company, num-
Der of other Home Guard companies were
Organized. under the command of Col.
Arnold Krekel, who rendered very efficient
service in guarding the railroad bridges,
keeping the guerrillas out of our County,
and maintaining the supremacy of the
Union cause, and put quietus on the rebel
element then so numerous in our County.
AS the war continued calling for Union
men 10 the front, Arnold Krekel, German
by birth, and a lawyer of ability, was COM
missioned as Colonel, and on the 10th of
September, 1861. mustered into service six
companies in what is known as the LIST bat
TALON, u. S. Reserve Corps.
After muster, the battalion was sent to
Perruque Bridge, which they guarded for
some time, as the enemy were anxious to de-
stroy this large bridge, in order to stop all
travel on the old North Missouri Railroad.
In October the battalion was cent to
Willsrille where, with Gen. Henderson's
regiment, battle was to be given to large
band of guerrillas camped between Wells
vile and Fulton, hut who disbanded with
ont fight The march then proceeded to
Fulton, where we were sent to guard the
State buildings. which the enemy had looted
for lead to get ammunition. Galloway,
like Lincoln County, was hive of the
guerrillas. Here these swarms camped and
they were fed, and here it was that their
bravery was depicted, firing upon our bat
talon from the brush. and taking the hills
and ravines for shelter.
"Open battle" was term they could not
understand, so the shooting from ambush
while we were marching along. and then run,
was the hight of their warfare. From Full
ton, after running out the guerrillas, a large
number of whom Joined Sterling Prices
army, it was thought that our battalion
could be dispensed with, so the march began
for ST. Charles. On the third day of our
march, when within eight miles of Troy,
Lincoln County, and at early morning, a
large band Of mounted bushw hackers were
seen on distant hill, who meant fight from
appearance. but remained far out of gun
shot. Thus they kept ahead of the battal-
ion. When we reached Troy the boys dis
charged few loads of ammunition at them,
scattering the gang in all directions. When
we left Troy they were still ahead, but out
OF range of our rifles. At A p. m. we saw
them again near Big Creek, some forty in
fantry aud about one hundred cavalry. A
detachment of Co. b was detailed to lay
aside their kpapsacks and overtake them
~ feet of foot