Mexico Missouri message., 1911-04-06
A SKIRMIsH OF WAR.
j. W. Atchison and Ed. Weber of
This County Mentioned
Therein.

Three hundred Federal troops
were sent to Monroe Station to
find out something about the
camp. They marched on Florida,
and when they reached the brush,
a few miles north of Florida,
Jack Hickman, son of the
Hickman who owned the then
famous Hickman Mills of thar
vicinity, fired from the top of a
white oak tree on the Federal
troopers. The flag bearer fell.
severely wounded.
That same oak tree was still
standing in 1872, all the other
trees near and the brush were
cleared away.
After Hickman shot the am
pushed confedorateS poured in a
sharp fire. Several Federals were
wounded The Federals then fell
back to a log barn and camped
with their wounded. The next
day they fell back to the railroad
station, followed by the Conreder-
ates. The latter sent out runners
to rally sympathizers to their aid
and by the next day it is SUPPOSE,
that 5000 persons were in the
brush around the Federal camp.
They came from as far away as
St Charles county. They came
onto the ground shouting, "Hur-
rah for Jack Hickman and Jeff
Davis !"
Excitement ran high. Many
were on the ground regardless of
politics, or religion, or other
af1iliation, - even many Union
men. Some of the Federals fell
into the hands Of the Confederates
as prisoners. They were confined
in a place called the "Bull-Pen. -
All were required to express
their opinions, for or against the
South.
&. w. Hoffman, who raised a
family i'll the east part of Audrain
county, whose son, Mercer, was
afterwards shot by militia near
where East Lick Creek school
house now stands. speaking to the
Federal prisoners, said, "Why did
YOU invade us?"
Ezra Slagel, from the Upper
Lick Creek country. Audrain
county, visited teh Confederate
camp. Ladies. he afterwards re
ported, came to see the Federal
heard TO say, Well, they look
prisoners. One of the ladies was
Just like we 'uns.
The prisoners were great
show. The wild man from Borneo,
they said, was among the prison
erS,' the intermediate link be
tween man and a monkey"
John Ball, still living, now of
Mexico, Mo-, was another visitor
at the camp lie, like Israel Put
nam of Revolutionary fame, had
left his pillow in the field and with
a little shotgun had hurried to
the front" - jim Allison, one OF
Balls neighbors, as the latter
mounted his horse to be off
twitted him with the remark
Ball, you would do as well to e
down in the bottom with that pop
gun and shoot skeeters. T."
The Federals were quartered il
a college building. About moor
the COnfederates opened fire OF
the building with a 12-pounder
The fire was returned with a six
FOUNDER. The Confederate,
lodged and became very enthusi
astic. A delegation waited on Gen
Harris and asked him about max
ing q charge on the Federals. Hi
answer was "Get 300 men in lin,
and | will lead them in the
charge. "
They commenced forming II
line and then the General stepped
out, or rode out, before them anC
said: "Now, sirs, if any one fall,
back, orders are to shoot him
Those Feds are fighters. They
have cannon 10 commence with
We can't get nearer than ont
mile and half without being ex
posed, They will let loose on II.
with the siX-pOunder and if bal
hits You you will not 90 any
further. They have guns that vii
Kill at half mile range. | wan