The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 41, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 653
xvi, 1138 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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PRICE'S MISSOURI ,EXPEDITION.
Gordon and Elliott did their work well, as they ever do, and Elliott,
after destroying the splendid bridge at Irondale and helping himself to
what supplies he needed, commenced, upon the track. Gordon burnt
the first of his three bridges without opposition, but at Mineral Point a
brigade of Smith's infantry seemed inclined to oppose him. Going
straight at them they made but little fight, and retreated rapidly toward
Saint Louis. The fine bridge there was then burned and one still far-
ther down, and noi the work of destruction began in earnest. The
whole command was deployed in a new line of battle, called the railroad
line; that is, each man took position at the end of a tie, the rails were
broken at intervals of a thousand yards, and then when the word was
given and the united strength of a thousand hands was taxed great
masses and flakes of wood and iron were torn from the yielding bed,
lifted up on end, and hurled groaning, grinding, and crashing fifty rods
sheer away from the parent grade. Thus for miles and miles a
terrible plowshare ripped up the labor of years, and the red flames"
licked up the debris, with tanks, depots, trestle-work, cord-wood
and telegraph wire and poles. After spending five hours in this labor..
of destruction I recalled all my detachments and spurred away for
Potosi. "One hundred and fifty Federals were in fortifications there.
My advance charged them into the court-house, gained the buildings.
commanding it, held them there until the artillery came up, when five
rounds brought the white flag, and all their arms, with ihuch ammuni-
tion and supplies, fell into our hands. The same work, of devastation
was visited upon the Potosi branch, and the fine depot with seven cars
were destroyed.
A scouting party sent out under Lieutenant Plattenberg, numbering
thirty men, ran into 100 Federals, killed 10, wounded 17, captured '11,
2 caissons, 30 fine artillery horses with harness complete, 7 wagons;
and 23 negroes-a most daring and brilliant affair.
After remaining at Potosi until the next morning, and not receiving
orders from General Price, nor, in fact, knowing the result of operations
at Pilot Knob, I determined to march there with my entire command.'
At Caledonia I received orders to be in readiness in an hour to march
with General. Marmaduke in pursuit of General Ewing. All that night
the chase went on, and early the next day Ewing's rear was gained and
General Marmaduke, who was in advance, fought him until an hour I
'before sunset, when my command, taking the lead, continued the fight.
until dark, making a heavy charge all along the line just as darkness'
shut out all vestiges of daylight. Night alone saved Ewing from
capture, and we bivouacked upon the field of Leasburg supperless and
rationless. The enemy spent their time in throwing up heavy fortifica-
tions, and it was considered best next morning not to renew the attach.
September 30 I made a detour round L'easburg and marched hard for
the southwest branch, which was reached at Sullivan's Station. Here
the depot was destroyed, the track torn up as usual, vast quantities of
lumber and cord-wood burned, with 3 passenger and 5 box cars.
'October 1, 2, 3, and 4 I moved with my division on through Saint
Clair, Union, Mount Sterling, and Linn, capturing at the latter place
100 prisoners and as many arms. A scout sent out here under Captain.,
Redd, my aide-de-camp, was very successful and brought in some pris-
oners, arms, horses, and valuable information. Through this and other
sections of the country traversed by the army the wise and just policy
of General Price was fruitful of the most happy results. The German
element, largely preponderating, had been taught that Confederate653
Cnst* .LIII.1,
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 41. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 41.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 41, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1893; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145053/m1/670/?q=McCray: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.