in the success of the Union cause as their counter-parts, the guerrillas, had in the Confederates; the controlling motive being in both instances the obtaining of plunder for their own emolument."

GENERAL PRICE'S MARCH THROUGH JACKSON COUNTY.

The autumn of '64 will ever remain important in the history of our country. There were some little things of importance going on in the county about that time; but things took a definite and determined course when it was rumored throughout the county that Gen. Sterling Price was on a northern war march and would certainly come through the county. News reached St. Louis that General Price, with Generals Fagon, Joe Shelby and Marmaduke, crossed the Arkansas River at Dardenelles, a village in Pope county, Arkansas, on his way north. The size of Price's army when he crossed the river was not ascertained, though it is pretty certain that by the time he struck Lexington and Jackson county, his ar my swelled to nearly 30,000 men.

Many were the reports and messages sent hither and thither throughout Missouri and adjoining states during Price's raid. The movements of General Price were closely noticed and anticipated by the Federal General Rosecrans, who was then stationed at St. Louis; he kept his other officers well informed, concerning the marches and proposed attacks of the Confederate army.

So they rightly anticipated his course, and made heavy preparations. There were officers and men enough on the elert to have annihilated the whole invading army, if they had been properly disposed and had made the best assaults. The presumption is, that why Price was not driven back to his rebel retreats in Arkansas, our men were too much scattered, and had but little hopes of success when they did attack. General Curtis, who was stationed in West Kansas, was called to Jackson County, Missouri, while Generals Blunt, Sykes, Lowe, Ford, Pleasanton, Moonlight, A. J. Smith and a host of others from Kansas and the Indian Territory, were gathered along the line of march; there surely could not have been many less than 60,000 soldiers and militia ready to strike the enemy. After General Price passed Jefferson City there were to be no doubts as to his direction and his intention. Many preparations were made by the Union army to keep Lexington from falling into the hands of the Confederates. But Price, accompanied by Fagon, Shelby and Marmaduke, some of whom were acquainted with the country, was not to be defeated or turned from his line of march. They marched upon Lexington, which with but little resistance surrrended. The Federals then were very well satisfied that Price and his whole army would make for Kansas City and Westport by way of Independence.

ence.

In the meantime guerrillas did much skirmishing and much damage to the Federal army. The Union soldiers did noble fighting, and as it has been well said, contested almost every foot of ground between Lexington and IndependWhile the engagements were going on at and around Lexington, Independence was occupied by Colonel James H. Ford; when it was known that Price was marching toward Independence, on the 20th of October, 1864, General Blunt with several other commanders reinforced Colonel Ford at Independence. Colonel Moonlight, Captains Green and Huntoon, with a strong force, were ordered to make a strong resistance at Little Blue River, a few miles east of Independence. In due time did Price's army make its appearance. On the morning of the 21st, General Joe Shelby drove the pickets in, and the battle known as the Little Blue began in good earnest. As the river was shallow, at that season of the year, an army could ford it at a number of places. The Confederates poured across the stream in almost countless numbers; the Union forces were compelled to give way and burnt the bridges as they retired. Major Nelson Smith, of 2d Colorado regiment, fell in this fight shot through the heart, and where also fell George Todd, the guerrilla. Price's entire army moved up

to the scene of battle, the Federals could not do anything else but give way; though they fought nobly, they were driven from all their entrenchments. The Confederates arrived in time to extinguish the burning bridge, so that their artillery had no trouble in passing the river. This defeat, which from the circumstances could not have been otherwise, threw the whole county into the greatest confusion, for as soon as the results were known at Independence, the greatest hurry was made to evacuate the town. It is true a second stand was made by General Blunt about two miles from Independence, but it proved of little avail, as the position was soon swept away by the double columns of the advancing enemy. Independence, that had been for years the headquarters of the Federal forces, was taken without a struggle.

General Curtis and his corps of officers decided to take the next stand on the west bank of the Big Blue River, a few miles west of Independence; and it was there that they did some of their best fighting. It was deemed exceedingly important that the Confederate army should not be allowed to penetrate further toward Kansas City and Kansas, and no place offered better advantages for successful resistance.

The fall of Independence had nothing about it of interest in the history of Price's raid, as it is generally called, however of importance it might be in the history of the town. The Confederate soldiers remained in the town only a day or two and then pressed on their march toward Kansas City. It was well known by all, that General Curtis had decided to measure strength with the enemy at Big Blue. After taking his stand at the bridge, he was immediately reinforced by General Deitzler of the Kansas division, Colonels Hogan and Blair, Weir and Montgomery, and Captains Dodge and Minor, the latter of whom was of the colored volunteers. As the river was rather large, deep, and of steep banks, it was reasonably thought that a successful stand could be made. Above the main crossing McLain's Colorado battery held a commanding position, at Simmon's Ford, two miles south, Colonel Pennock was stationed with the 10th Kansas regiment. Pennock was soon re-enforced by Colonel Moonlight, who had just come from the engagement at Little Blue east of Independence. Three miles from Simmon's Ford is another known as Byrom's Ford, which proved to be the objective point made to by Price's army. The roads from Raytown and Independence cross at the latter ford and then diverge to Kansas City and Westport. Colonel McLain was directed to proceed to Byrom's Ford and hold it for further orders, but was also instructed to thoroughly scout the eastern bank and vicinity, as well as to open communication with Russel's Ford if possible. Colonel McLain, with some difficulty, took his position on the 22d, and dispatched an escort of twenty men to Hickman Mills, all of whom were taken prisoners by the Confedrates except one who escaped by the fleetness of his horse. At 9 o'clock next morning Colonel Jennison with the 1st Brigade also took a position at the same crossing. Still further above on the same stream, was another ford called Hickman Mills Crossing, which was held by General Such

was, in the main, the order of the Federal forces when Price's army made its appearance on the opposite bank of the Big Blue, October 22d, 1864. From the skirmishers situated on Rock Creek, the Union soldiers soon learned that the main body of Price's army was near at hand. The pickets from Rock Creek were driven in, and from a feint thrown out by General Shelby on the main road to Kansas City, the Federal army soon discovered that Price was intending to cross the Blue at some ford above where Curtis was garrisoned. The following dispatch will show how accurate was the Federalists' information concerning Price's movements the day before the fight:

General

HEADQUARTERS, FORKS OF THE ROAD, }

9 A. M. 22d,

-:-Price is making very feeble demonstrations in front; look

out for your position. Send scouts on road to Pleasant Hill, and also toward Independence to see if Price is moving toward my flank. Send me reports every thirty minutes. S. R. CURTIS, Major-General.

When it was known that Byrom's Ford was the place of greatest importance, Colonel Jennison had trees felled, crossed and piled so as to make it almost impassable by these obstructions, and the concentration of Federal troops at the latter place. Shelby was retarded from about eleven o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon, but finally he effected a passage. In the meantime, Colonel Jennison had placed his howitzers in the road commanding the east bank. Their pieces poured into the advancing columns many deadly volleys, but by the onward rush over logs, rocks, pit-falls and tree tops the Union forces were compelled to give way. During this deadly contest, messages were sent to Generals Curtis and Blunt for assistance, they heard the reports of the artillery and made efforts to render aid, but they were too late, Price's army had forced the crossing and were bearing everything before them; along in the afternoon, however, Shelby was compelled to fall back to the river where he struck camp with the main body of Price's army. From a Confederate who was captured about this time it was learned that Price's army comprised something like thirty thousand men.

In completing the history of General Price's raid, as it is called, in Jackson county, we have reports and orders of only one side, and many of which are manifestly whitewashed and defective. In behalf of history only could we wish that the full materials and reports of the rebel army were in our hands. Thus, having but little that amounts to much on that side, we have to supply as best we can and go on.

Whether it was Price's intention to attack Kansas City, and then make for Fort Leavenworth and a circuitous route in eastern Kansas, is not known. We have no documents to prove either case coming from Confederate headquarters. So whether the Union forces turned him south from Westport, or whether he turned of his own accord, is a question unanswered. General Price and his army had certainly proved themselves irresistible on all the preceding occasions of that memorable campaign. However the foregoing might be, we are quite sure that at the battles of Westport and State Line he turned southward.

The Sabbath of October 23, 1864, will ever remain prominent in the history of Westport. The night before had been one of continual dread. 'Price's army lay in the neighborhood, and the next day would decide whether he would go into northern Kansas or not. It was a day such as seldom dawns upon a people. After the fight closed on the Saturday evening before, the Federals were busy directing and concentrating their different armies. The troops of General Curtis were on watch all night, and any movements made by the Confederates were soon reported to headquarters. The Union armies were well stationed along the roads that led to Kansas City, and the way to Westport was fortified with the greatest care. From the house-tops in Westport the commanding officers, with their field-glasses, could easily observe the movements of the advancing army, which, in the early morning, were seen moving in almost all directions. General Pleasanton was bringing up the rear of Price's army, not that he dared to attack the main army, but he retook Independence after Price had advanced on toward Westport and Kansas City. From many written accounts of this engagement, it appears that the general pressure upon Price's army from all quarters by the Federals compelled him to move in some direction. Though General Joe Shelby had some detachments out toward Westport, the main body moved from the beginning in a southwesterly direction, leaving Westport entirely to the right, being led by General Marmaduke. This movement on the part of Price's army was rightly construed that he was turning southward, and that he did not intend to come to an engagement with his whole army unless forced to it. There was

more or less fighting on the outer skirts of the town between General Shelby's division and the Federal soldiers, though none such as characterized the deadly struggle at Big Blue the day before. On Sunday night Price's army camped about ten miles south of Westport. On Monday morning, October 24, 1864, they moved off with their immense train down the State Line. It seems from their trail that they marched in two columns, with their artillery in their midst.

Price's army left Jackson county some miles south of Westport and entered Linn county, Kansas. They marched to Mound City, county seat of Linn county, and halted for refreshments. They were warmly pursued by the Federals, but nothing of historical interest was transacted, as a matter of course, by being pursued, the receding army did not have so much time to deploy and send out soldiers to learn and to kill. In fact, such business was almost impossible anyway, for the country was not much more than a dry and desolate prairie.

In the spring of 1865 came the surrender, which, instead of being the announcement for peace and good will between citizens of all classes and political proclivities, it was the beginning of civil troubles in Independence and Jackson county to a great extent. There was organized what was called Home Guards, for self protection; if they had stopped at that the movement would have been a good one, they certainly did much good as it was, but after there had been such a wear on the patience of good and law-abiding citizens so long, it would almost have taken perfect humanity to have done no wrong. Many people that had been identified with the Confederate cause were more than willing to accept the situation and return peaceably and quietly to their dilapidated homesteads to do the best they could for themselves and country; but the end was not yet. There had been too many injuries received from both sides of the war for everything to subside calmly and quietly; people were mad and not satisfied. Consequently the guerrillas, themselves, and their families which in many cases had been roughly treated, were not disposed to lay down their arms. So for a year

or two after the surrender in April, 1865, there was no little trouble and bloodshed.

And then the "iron-clad oath," as it has passed into history, had the tendency to revive many of the unpleasant transactions between friends and neighbors that have taken place during the war. This oath required all voting citizens to come to Independence and swear to eighty actual conditions; the substance of which was, what they did do or what they did not do during the war. As a matter of course, Independence was the place where many acrimonious scenes took place. Neighbors would appear before the register's office and challenge his neighbor's oath. Some would come and swear that they were not in such and such offenses during the war, others would appear and swear that they were. So, for some years after the war, and perhaps now, there is much slumbering feeling toward one another, for actions done in those times.

But such is the case in all civil wars. In the fall and winter of 1865, things took a start to calm down in Independence, and a few years hence one would never know that Independence had passed through the times of fire and blood.

CHAPTER XV.

BLUE TOWNSHIP.

Organized May 22, 1827-At First it Included Land in what is Cass and Bates Counties-Present Boundaries and Phyiscal Features-Blue Township a Favored Locality-Names of the Pioneers-What the Pioneers Themselves say of Early Days-The Oldest Man in the State -Additional Items-Wayne City-Lexington-New Salem Church.

Blue township was organized May 22, 1827, the order of court fixing the boundaries as follows: "Commencing on the Missouri River at Prine's Ferry and running with the western boundary of Fort Osage township to the southern boundary of the county, thence west with said boundary to the southwest corner of the county, thence due north with the State line to where it crosses the main fork of Big Blue, thence with said creek to its junction with the Missouri River, thence down the middle of the main channel of the Missouri to the point of beginning." Subsequently the township has been reduced to its present geographical bounds by cutting off the counties of Cass and Bates from Jackson, and still later by the organization of the townships of Washington, Prairie and Brooking. The present boundaries of Blue township are north by the Missouri River which separates it from Clay county, east by Little Blue which separates it from the townships of Fort Osage and Sni-a-bar, north by Prairie and Brooking, and west by the townships of Brooking, Westport and Kaw, from the last two being separated by the Big Blue.

There is considerable timber, especially along the creeks and the Missouri River. The land is high and rolling, some of the bluffs along the river attaining a height above the river of over three hundred feet. Limestone quarries are abundant in all parts of the township, furnishing superior advantages for building and other purposes. Rock Creek rises southwest of Independence and flows north, emptying into the Missouri near the mouth of Big Blue. Springs of pure water issue from the hills, and water courses are abundant in every locality.

No more favored spot can be found than Blue township, especially for agricultural, stock raising, horticulture and the general requisities to a good home. The proximity to market, the excellent facilities for communication with the east and west, the fertility of the soil, the healthfulness of the surroundings, and the intelligence and moral culture of the citizens are combined in a greater degree, and exist to a more desirable extent than in any other locality in Jackson county. The Missouri Pacific, Chicago & Alton and the Narrow Gauge Railroads run through the very heart of the township, and connect Independence by the most complete arrangements with all the large cities in the State. The well cultivated farms, adorned with beautiful and costly homes, orchards, shade trees and lawns, furnish a picture perfectly grand.

Most of the history of Blue township centers in Independence, and with the origin, growth and development of that town may be found nearly all the important history of the civil township of Blue.

Many of the land owners who now reside in the country near Independence have been citizens of the town and vice versa. Independence has been the market, post-office and trading point for the farmers round about from the location of the town to the present time and the rapid growth of Kansas City does appear to retard Independence, but much unlike Westport it has continued to successfully compete with other business centers in the vicinity and hold its