Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-01-26

Col. Moors's forces. / knew that was
not right, because some of our men
returned a few days afterward along
the route taken by the panic-stricken
soldiers and found the cannon where
they had been hidden among some
hazel bushes.
about TOO confederates went into
the fight, a large number having
dropped out of the command when we
started for Athens owing to their in.
aollity to get guns. The federals were
better equipped and were better dis
ciplined. Our boys were holding their
own pretty well, but when thew heard
OF the reenforcements coming to the
support of the enemy they were over.
come with stage fright, and nothing
could stop them. One poor fellow
didn't stop running until he reached
Lancaster. Yes, 1 ran like the rest
of them, but 1 didn't go far-at that
time L didn't know where Lancaster
was. 1t was my first and only battle,
and, as Bob Burdette says, 4 guess l
killed as many federals as they did
of me-"
VI VIZ AbNh W. no were lore
most in the retreat on that eventful
day joined the regular army under
Gen. Price and made first-class sol
diers. There were four or five men
killed on each side and many confed-
crates wounded.
After the battle of Athens the union
forces had it pretty much their own
way in northern Missouri In Novem-
Der, Col. David Moore started westward
with his command. He met no opposi-
ton until near Lancaster. where he en-
countered small force of confederates
under Capt. John McCully. The con-
fedcrates, although considerable out
numbered, stood their ground valiant
~ for a short time, then retreated. leav-
ing four of their dead behind them.
The fight took place on the gath. Nc
Gully and his two sons were killed, and
one on the federal side.
In August, 1862, Capt. William Searcy.
with company Of about SC men, en-
tered Lancaster and attempted to take
the town. IL is said that Searcy be-
loDged to Prices army, and was out re-
cruiting. Capt. Robert Mays, who had
charge of the militia at Lancaster. was
out of town, and it is supposed that
Searcy invaded the town on learnino
OF his absence. The greater part Of the
militia ran away, but IA dauntless spir-
Its harricaded the courthouse and pre-
pared to stand a siege. Searcy's men
killed a guard as they entered the
town, and negro who was trying to
escape. Searcy himself was shot in the
breast by the men in the courthouse,
and his companions retreated with
their wounded leader. Three balls en-
tered his breast inside Of a space that
could have been covered with one hand.
His men took him TO the home of VIII
liam c. Taylor, 6 mile and a half ont
of town, and there left him. When the
militia returned 70 Lancaster thew
learned of Searcy's whereabouts. and
went out and captured him. Although
badly wounded, he recovered rapidly.
and was soon taken to Macon as a pris-
oner of war
On the 25th Of September 1862,
Searcy and nine other prisoners were
executed at Macon, the charges a against
them being violating their oath of al
legiance on at least two occasions. and
having been guilty of capital ofrenses.
Gen. Lewis Merrill was in command of
the post at Macon then. The exeou-
tons occurred on the grounds south OF
the Hannibal & st. Joseph railroad. and
were witnessed by a large crowd from
the town. Rev. II. w. Lands, chaplain
OF Merril's army offered a touching in
vocation for the souls of the con-
demned, who knelt facing the firing
party. The nine others who shared
Searcy's fate were James II. Hall, ]. A.
Wysong, j. II. Fox, Edward Ricrs.
David Bell, John II. Oldham, Ebert
Hamilton, DR.. A. C. Rowe and Frank
Z. Drake.